Estate Living Magazine Connection - Issue 43 July 2019 | Page 39
C O M M U N I T Y
L I V I N G
He uses the example of Dainfern’s bridge
community: the players like to meet twice a
week, which means that it’s definitely worthwhile
to create a designated space for them in the
estate’s clubhouse, so that other activities aren’t
interrupted. So it became clear that a number of
small function rooms should be created. ‘In this
way, we are bringing together like-minded people.
You could do the same with, say, yoga or Pilates.
There are probably a lot of people on your estate
that are already attending classes outside the
development. Why not appoint a teacher to give
classes at an assigned time? This provides space
for people with similar hobbies to meet and –
hopefully – go on to establish friendships.’
Beukes observes that it’s important to adopt a
balanced approach with an eye to residents’
wellbeing. After all, it’s not all about recreation
– there are certain to be work-from-home
entrepreneurs or stay-at-home moms in the
community mix, too, so why not create a space
where these people can swap their view of the
house for a place to relax (or work) with a cup of
coffee? ‘Your estate should offer pockets where
people are able to find their own individual space
within the community,’ he says.
Important though the overarching community is,
the renovation planning will reach a stage where it
becomes clear that this is not a democratic process
after all. Once some common themes have been
identified, these should be communicated to
a steering committee (comprising the estate
manager and some board members) who will pass
the information on to the designer.
WHAT’S IMPORTANT, WHAT’S NOT
Beukes says that estates shouldn’t be afraid to make
radical changes – after all, we don’t live the way we
did 20 years ago, and we are unlikely to be living
the same way 20 years hence. But, while you’re
striving to maintain relevance, don’t give in to the
temptation to overspend on technology. This is an
area where it’s best to provide a simple solution
that residents can augment as they wish, according
to their preferred devices.
Instead of trying to create an environment in which
people interact with technology to the best of their
ability, turn your attention to fashioning a space
where people are coaxed into communicating
with each other, Beukes reiterates. ‘Remember
that this is all about families and lifestyles – people
are investing in the lifestyles they aspire to,’ he says.
Not that this means creating something grand. On
the contrary, if a space feels too opulent, residents
may feel intimidated and won’t use it. ‘You want
to give them an extended home,’ he comments.
That’s why he believes one of the best investments
is in materials that are tactile and invite touch –
items that are warm and rich, and feel more like a
cocoon than a clinic.
‘Put people at the centre of your project, and you’re
assured of success,’ Beukes concludes.
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NOT A DEMOCRACY
That’s not to say that residents should be kept in the
dark; it’s a good idea to host information sessions
(providing options in terms of dates and times, in
case some people can’t attend) so that they are
apprised of how the process is progressing.
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 kids play that parents eventually start
chatting among themselves – another stepping
stone to creating that highly prized community.
‘We’re looking for places where people can
integrate, rather than segregate,’ Beukes states.
‘Unfortunately, if these choices were left up to the
residents, you would never make progress. You
could debate the merits of blue paint over red
for an eternity, when the reality is that colours are
actually immaterial. What matters most is that you
have a beautiful space that appeals to the majority,’
says Beukes.