The Developer Journal Issue 2 | Page 38

INDUSTRY EXPERT REDEFINE TYPOLOGY The exclusive Somerset Lakes is situated in Somerset West close to the Hottentots Holland Mountains, False Bay, and the Western Cape’s wonderful wine country. The estate meets the growing demand from families who are increasingly looking to live in close proximity to quality schools and other amenities. Somerset West has experienced phenomenal growth over the last few years. The recently opened R400-million retail centre, The Sanctuary, is the latest in a string of new shopping complexes, and medical facilities, including the world class Busamed Paardevlei Private Hospital. Residents have endless opportunities to experience an array of outdoor activities, including fishing and paddling on the estate’s six-hectare lake. When tasked with the design of the housing components at Somerset Lakes, Schabort Associates deemed it necessary to go back to basics to redefine housing typology. The practice, which is renowned for producing buildings that are contextually and environmentally responsible, honest in their use of materials, and not style bound, originally honed their skills on bespoke developments, and therefore insisted on elevating the quality of the product through considerate design. Within Somerset Lakes Estate all buildings are designed from first principles to ensure a solution that is unique to the site and all its attributes, and consideration is given to all aspects of the design, from the concept stage to the finest detail. By understanding and manipulating the budgetary allocations though thorough planning and materials selection, Schabort Associates have introduced elements that have never been experienced at this price point. The development called for a wide range of housing types situated in various pockets of the development, ranging from flats to low-density group housing. 38