Estate Living Magazine Alfresco Living - Issue 36 December 2018 | страница 23

Saltzman Attorneys
Nando's
At the same time, a strong focus on family is always a good idea.
Before the time of high walls, people used to gather under trees or
in parks to catch up or simply laze away an hour; the estate’s play
nodes should perform a similar function. It’s while watching their
‘The key is to start out broad, then narrow things down,’ Beukes says. kids play that parents eventually start chatting among themselves –
He uses the example of Dainfern’s bridge community: the players another stepping stone to creating that highly prized community.
like to meet twice a week, which means that it’s definitely worthwhile ‘We’re looking for places where people can integrate, rather than
to create a designated space for them in the estate’s clubhouse, so segregate,’ Beukes states.
that other activities aren’t interrupted. With this guide, it became
clear that a number of small function rooms should be created. ‘In Not a democracy
this way, we are bringing together like-minded people. You could Important though the overarching community is, the renovation
do the same with, say, yoga or Pilates. There are probably a lot of planning will reach a stage where it becomes clear that this is not
people on your estate that are already attending classes outside a democratic process after all. Once some common themes have
the development. Why not appoint a teacher to give classes at an been identified, these should be disseminated among a steering
assigned time? This provides space for people with similar hobbies committee (comprising the estate manager and some board
to meet and – hopefully – go on to establish friendships.’ members) who will pass the information on to the designer.
Beukes observes that it’s important to adopt a balanced approach ‘Unfortunately, if these choices were left up to the residents, you
with an eye to residents’ wellbeing. After all, it’s not all about would never make progress. You could debate the merits of blue
recreation – there are certain to be work-from-home entrepreneurs paint over red for an eternity, when the reality is that colours are
or stay-at-home moms in the community mix, too, so why not create actually immaterial. What matters most is that you have a beautiful
a space where these people can swap their view of the house for space that appeals to the majority,’ says Beukes. That’s not to say
a place to relax (or work) with a cup of coffee? ‘Your estate should that residents should be kept in the dark; it’s a good idea to host
offer pockets where people are able to find their own individual information sessions (providing options in terms of dates and times,
space within the community,’ he says. in case some people can’t attend) so that they are apprised of how
the process is progressing.
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