PUGH HOUSE | THE LAY OF THE LAND

everything green | settling into the environment

Just one week before the owners are set to move in, we take a walk through our latest luxury home and review the green building measures that were taken to make this house an environmentally friendly structure...

A small and unassuming driveway peeks onto the Olive Crest road, but as one drives down the entrance, two paved tracks in perfect counterpart, it becomes clear that a private family haven is nestled on this neatly tailored plot on the environmental estate in Johannesburg’s western rand.

All around the house, the original indigenous trees grow.

Nearly 1200 squares of prime estate, peppered with indigenous trees that have been left largely untouched throughout the building process, gives quarter to a luxuriously subtle 490 sqm double-story home that has been designed to cater for the needs and desires of it’s owners whilst respecting the natural environment in which it stands.  All of the alien vegetation was cleared prior to building and only the indigenous trees (of which there are approximately 20) remained - throughout the building process.  All the soil used for the fill was from the cut of the land on which the house is built; no extra fill was brought in.  All the cement (and there was nearly 200 cubic meters!) was mixed on metal plates so as not to seep into the soil and taint the natural turf.

The grass that has been laid is a local perennial species that is commonly found in lowveld gardens.  Commonly known as LM grass, Berea is extremely rugged and thrives in shady areas whilst providing a comfortable padding underfoot and blooms in a rich green hue.  The clay stock bricks used to build the entire house, outside entertainment area, splash pool, lap pool and the over-flow pool are industry standard high quality NFP (non-facing plastered) bricks that are known for their excellent insulation and stability in various conditions of heat, cold and levels of saturation of moisture in the air.  This reduces (almost nullifies) the energy needed for warming or cooling inside the house and cuts back on the long-term maintenance to cracks and plaster fractures that are commonly found when building with cement bricks.

Soil-surface drainage troughs.

Before the building even began, we laid a well-devised arrangement of soil-surface drainage troughs that collect the rain-water and funnel it to a catchment area where it can percolate without causing erosion or stagnate out in the open.  The house is also designed to work with grey-water and natural rainwater catchment, should the client wish to choose this option.

This house stands as a testament that lifestyle, refinement and sophistication need not impact heavily on budget or the environment.  We will expand in future articles on the technology and environmental awareness measures that have been taken inside the house with regards to lifestyle and sustainability.