AIR CONDITIONING
High humidity-
a design criterion
Solenco
At the coast, high humidity is a constant design challenge. Even with careful orientation, deep shading, and cross-ventilation, premium homes still retain moisture. This increases the risk of sticky interiors, condensation in cold spots, and mould where finishes are most vulnerable. The result is spaces that appear luxurious but do not feel that way.
Case study
“ A recent project with a high-end KZN homeowner involved the purchase of one of our inverter dehumidifiers for her home’ s 400m ² living area, with a second unit planned for the equally 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.”
“ Architects use passive design as it lowers the energy demand on HVAC systems and aligns with changing expectations around sustainable design,” says Wynand Deyzel, Commercial Sales Manager at Solenco( www. solencostore. com).
“ However, when outdoor relative humidity stays high for weeks, passive strategies may let damp air enter faster than the interior can dry it out. In such conditions, a customised mechanical layer makes the difference between‘ almost’ and‘ effortless’.”
In KwaZulu-Natal, for example, orientation and deep shading remain the primary forms of defence. Examples include broad eaves, louvred screens, and ventilated façades that minimise direct sunlight while encouraging airflow. Raised slabs, breathable finishes, and shaded landscaping all help buffer humidity before it enters the building.
When modelling shows that relative humidity will stay above target, these passive layers offer the foundation for mechanical systems to effectively maintain the high-quality finish that discerning homeowners want, while protecting high-value electronic home systems from maintenance and repair costs.
Localised dehumidifiers, in damp areas or as a discreet ceiling-mounted layer, help stabilise indoor conditions and safeguard the materials and contents of the home. In tightly sealed, energy-efficient designs, Deyzel suggests balancing this with controlled fresh-air intake to ensure the HVAC system functions as intended.
“ For architects and designers, ceiling-mounted dehumidifiers remain a popular choice when floor space is limited or when the aim is to keep the mechanical layer completely concealed. These units operate quietly above the ceiling line, connect with built-in drainage, and keep humidity within the desired range without disrupting the design aesthetic.”
“ Our advice to coastal design teams is practical: it starts with implementing passivefirst 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.”
94 summer 2025-26 | www. tobuild. co. za