EDITORIAL Climate control
The next level in luxury is perfect air
Architects depend on passive design, but prolonged coastal humidity requires a clever mechanical layer. Solenco explains how customised dehumidification shields finishes, systems, and guarantees year-round comfort.
When modelling indicates that relative humidity will stay above the target, these passive layers create the foundation for mechanical systems that efficiently maintain the high-quality finish homeowners expect, while also protecting high-value electronic home systems from maintenance and repair costs.
Localised dehumidifiers, whether in damp areas or as a quiet ceiling-mounted unit, stabilise indoor conditions and protect the home ' s materials and contents.
In tightly sealed, energy-efficient designs, Deyzel advises balancing this with controlled fresh-air intake to ensure the HVAC system functions properly.
On the coast, high humidity remains a constant design challenge. Even with careful orientation, deep shading, and cross-ventilation, premium homes still retain moisture. This raises the risk of sticky interiors, condensation in cold spots, and mould where finishes are most vulnerable. The result is spaces that look luxurious but do not feel that way.
“ Architects use passive design as it reduces the energy load on HVAC systems and aligns with evolving expectations around sustainable design,” says Wynand Deyzel, Commercial Sales Manager at Solenco.“ But when outdoor relative humidity stays high for weeks, passive strategies can bring in damp air faster than interiors can dry. In those conditions, a tailored mechanical layer is the difference between‘ almost’ and‘ effortless’.”
In KwaZulu-Natal, for instance, orientation and deep shading are the primary defences. Examples include wide eaves, louvred screens, and ventilated façades that block direct sunlight while improving airflow. Raised slabs, breathable finishes, and shaded landscaping all help buffer humidity before it enters the building.
“ A recent project with a high-end KZN homeowner involved the purchase of a Solenco Fairland Inverter dehumidifier for her home’ s 400m ² living area, with plans for a second unit on the similarly sized lower floor at a later stage,” says Deyzel.“ The inverter system provides dynamic humidity control and energy-efficient operation, maintaining consistent comfort levels throughout large open-plan spaces.”
“ For architects and designers, ceiling-mounted dehumidifiers remain a strong option where floor space is limited or where the goal is to keep the mechanical layer completely out of sight. These units operate quietly above the ceiling line, integrate with built-in drainage, and maintain humidity within target range without interrupting the design aesthetic.”
Solenco’ s guidance for coastal design teams is practical. It starts with adopting passive-first principles – such as orientation, shading, ventilated façades, and breathable finishes. However, humidity must be modelled for the worst-case months.
“ For us, air is becoming a finish in its own right. Clients judge luxury by how a space feels over time. It must be cool, dry, and quiet, season after season,” says Deyzel.“ We fit the mechanical layer to the architecture, not the other way around.” ■
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