specialities
Timber
Timber has been used to build shelters for thousands of years, ranging from basic tents to log cabins. However, modern innovations such as Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam have enabled the creation of larger, more sophisticated timber structures. Combined with prefabrication, these materials offer a sustainable approach that has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry.
CLT and Glulam consist of layers of timber glued together under pressure to create a composite material with higher tensile strength than plain timber. These materials can be used in various structural elements, from floor slabs to columns and beams.
Benefits:
- Excellent insulation
- Fire resistant
- Prefabrication leads to quicker construction
- Sustainable resource if properly managed
- Healthier living environment
- Beautiful natural finish
Straw
Straw bales are stacked in an offset pattern like bricks and tied together with metal bars anchored to the foundation for stability. The structure is covered in burlap and plastered with organic lime plaster, which can be finished with any modern finish of your choice.
Benefits:
- Energy efficient
- Natural insulation
- Soundproof
- Sustainable and eco-friendly
- Lower building cost
- Minimizes the use of steel and wood
- Versatile design applications
Cob
Cob is an ancient natural construction method used across the globe, combining subsoil, straw (or other natural fibers), water, and sometimes lime. The mixture is used to build and sculpt walls by hand, making it ideal for organic designs and cottages.
To create cob, subsoil is mixed with straw and pounded by foot to form a clay-like substance. This is then used to build walls in layers, with each layer fully drying before adding the next. The hand-sculpted nature of cob makes it perfect for curved, organic designs.
Benefits:
- Excellent thermal mass
- Fire resistant
- Soundproof
- Pest resistant
- Completely natural
- Long-lasting when properly maintained
- Easy, uncomplicated process
- Ideal for organic shapes and forms
- Relatively inexpensive to build
Stone
As one of the oldest natural building materials, stone construction dates back to the Stone Age. Naturally strong and weather-resistant, stone buildings can last thousands of years. With a wide range of features, colors, and textures, stone can be used in nearly any application.
Large blocks of stone are hewn from quarries and irregularly stacked to create the classic stone wall aesthetic. The mineral composition and strength of each stone vary depending on the conditions in which it was formed, ranging from porous sedimentary sandstones to dense igneous marbles and granites.
Benefits:
- Extremely durable
- Fire resistant
- High thermal mass
- High compressive strength
- Pest resistant
- Maintenance-free
- Naturally beautiful
- 100% natural
Rammed Earth
Rammed earth consists of a mixture of earth (30% clay, 70% sand), concrete, and water. This mixture is compacted in layers within plywood frames, which are removed once the structure has dried. The resulting sandstone-like finish offers excellent insulation and durability.
Benefits:
- Energy efficient
- Uses 90% less concrete
- Uses 80% less water
- Sustainable and eco-friendly
- Low maintenance
- Strong and durable
- Pest and fireproof
- Beautifully unique
Hempcrete
Hempcrete is a biocomposite made from the woody core of the hemp plant (also called hurd), lime binder, and water. The high silica content in the hurd creates a strong bond with the lime, while the trapped air provides excellent insulation. Hempcrete is six times lighter than concrete.
Benefits:
- High thermal insulation
- 100% biodegradable
- Non-toxic
- Uses six times less water than concrete
- Carbon sequestration properties
- Fire resistant
- 6% lighter than concrete
Green Wall
Green walls, also known as vertical gardens or living walls, are vertically built structures covered by vegetation. They can be installed indoors or outdoors and may range in size from small freestanding installations to large, attached walls.
A key difference between a green wall and a green facade is that green walls utilize a variety of in-situ planting solutions, such as felt mats or loose media, which allow for a greater diversity of plants. These systems are ideal for urban spaces, promoting biodiversity and improving air quality.
Benefits:
- Encourages biodiversity
- Purifies the air from pollutants
- Reduces ambient temperature
- Reduces noise
- Increases well-being and reduces stress
- Adds value to property or brand
- Improves social interaction and reduces vandalism
Green Roofs
A green roof can be added to nearly any roof type, from flat concrete to pitched roofs. The structure must be reinforced to support the soil. Layers of waterproofing, drainage, and filtration are applied before the soil and plants are added.
Benefits:
- High thermal insulation
- Encourages biodiversity
- Aids with on-site stormwater management
- Lowers ambient temperatures by 3°C
- Purifies the air
- Reduces ambient noise
- Can increase solar panel efficiency
- Enhances well-being
Natural Swimming Pools
A natural swimming pool (NSP) is a chemical-free pool where wetland planting acts as a natural water filter. First developed in Austria in the 1980s, natural pools are gaining popularity worldwide for their environmental benefits and low maintenance requirements.
NSPs are filtered by aquatic plants that clean and aerate the water. To be effective, 30-50% of the pool’s surface must be planted with vegetation, which also provides a habitat for local wildlife.
Benefits:
- Chemical-free
- Low maintenance
- Energy efficient
- Healthier for users
- Adaptable to all climates
- Environmentally friendly
- Supports indigenous fauna
Ponds and Bioswales
Water is essential for life, and a pond in your garden can help promote biodiversity while providing a tranquil space for relaxation. Ponds also regulate temperature and contribute to the health of your ecosystem.
Bioswales are landscape features that manage stormwater by mimicking natural processes. These swales collect rainwater in small ponds, slow its flow, and allow it to be absorbed into the soil, replenishing the local water table and improving drought resistance.
Benefits:
- Conserve water
- Improve water quality
- Promote biodiversity
- Enhance garden aesthetics
- Create habitats for wildlife
Homestead Garden and Food Forest
Food forests are densely planted gardens designed to mimic the ecosystems of forests. They use successional and multi-layered planting to create self-sustaining, low-maintenance gardens that minimize the need for fertilization and pesticides.
Benefits:
- Fresh food
- Cost savings
- Biodiversity
- Improved health
- Food security
- Income generation
Pizza Ovens, Braais, and Hardscaping
Hardscaping elements, such as raised planters, retaining walls, stairs, or pathways, can add structure to your garden, especially on sloped or challenging sites.
Benefits:
- Increases home value
- Lowers energy bills
- Promotes healthier eating
- Expands living space
- Provides a great entertainment area
