Estate Living November 2016 Digital Issue | Page 57

COST IMPLICATIONS OF THE LEGISLATION

BUILDING LEGISLATION VS AESTHETIC GUIDELINES

The legislation has affected building costs, but

These two aspects go hand in hand, without a

not exorbitantly. An obvious example is the

doubt. The building regulations are there for a

window regulations for houses in areas like

reason, and have been formulated and revised

Camps Bay, where large picture windows are

over many years to ensure that buildings are

popular to take advantage of the views. This

structurally sound and efficient, but they do

may require large areas of double glazing,

not specify any aesthetic standards. These

which is at least double the price of single

are the responsibility of the developers, the

glazing. Heat pumps and solar systems are

homeowners’ association and/or the estate

expensive, and LED light bulbs are much more

management. But there is obviously an

expensive than the old-fashioned incandescent

overlap, as certain regulations may affect the

bulbs. However, one must offset these costs

aesthetics of the building. An example is the

against the energy saving in the long run. For

requirement for solar water heating or heat

example, a heat pump is 70% more efficient

pumps, which are not very attractive items.

than a geyser element, LEDs use about 80%

Solar panels must be placed to face the sun, and

less energy than incandescent bulbs, and

heat pumps can look quite unsightly, much like

insulation and thermally efficient windows

air-conditioning units. With these items now

reduce heating and cooling costs. Taking these

being a requirement, one has to accommodate

factors into account, the long-term savings are

and conceal them in an aesthetically pleasing

substantial.

manner – something that needs to be set out
in the form of aesthetic guidelines.

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS AND SOFTWARE TO ASSIST WITH
COST MANAGEMENT
THE VALUE OF AESTHETIC GUIDELINES
The

calculations

required

to

maximise

thermal, light and water efficiency are very
complicated, so most architects use software
specifically designed to calculate the most
efficient way of conforming to the regulations,
or even – as I usually recommend to my clients
– going beyond them in energy and water
saving. For example, I recently completed a
residence that required only single glazing, but
I was fortunate enough to have a client who
appreciated the principles of energy saving.
We used double glazing throughout the
residence, and installed underfloor insulation
and natural ventilation mechanisms, as well
as the standard required heat pumps and roof
insulations, and even a grey-water and rainharvesting system. The result is that when one
enters the house, its constant temperate and
comfortable environment, regardless of the
outside conditions, is immediately noticeable.

Architecture is probably the most visually
dominant aspect of people’s everyday lives,
and it affects us on conscious and subconscious
levels. We live, work and play in buildings, but
– sadly – some buildings are less pleasing to
inhabit than others. It is therefore important to
control the aesthetic of an estate by providing
guidance and encouraging responsible and
visually pleasing design. This is even more
important on a residential estate, because
estate living creates an expectation of a certain
lifestyle. For this reason, reputable developers
consult architectural professionals before
starting construction, in order to establish an
aesthetic standard.