Estate Living Magazine Alfresco Living - Issue 36 December 2018 | Page 22

communities
Creating
The estate that appears so avant-garde today will have
lost its competitive edge in 20 years, as developments
with ever more sophisticated technology take the
lead. So, how do you remain relevant?
This is the question Dainfern sought to answer when it recently embarked on renovations to
its clubhouse, restaurant and outdoor areas. Upgrades of this nature are a must for estates
entering their second or third life cycle if they are to maintain their value, ensure home
owner satisfaction, and strike the right note with visitors – but the process is not without its
challenges, admits JP Beukes of One Point Zero, the firm tasked with Dainfern’s revival.
Start at the beginning
According to Beukes, the best starting point when planning a rejuvenation is a fairly obvious
one: the estate offering. Which parts of the estate are well used, which are ignored, and
where do people feel there is a lack? The answers to these questions will provide a guide
Dainfern
to which facilities need a simple tweak, which need to be introduced from scratch, and
which should be scrapped. ‘You’re working towards a clear goal: breaking down the walls
between people to create a cohesive community. To do that, you need to create areas of
common interest, where people can mingle.’ This being the case, offering areas that don’t
speak directly to residents’ interests is counter-productive, so it’s essential to establish what
these are before you start planning further. Use the estate’s portal to survey residents for
ideas and insights regarding how they would like to spend their time, and which facilities
they consider indispensable.
Africa Solved
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