The first home at Elaleni Coastal Forest Estate is now complete and the first homeowners have now moved in. The home is built next to the forest and offers grand views over the green forest canopy, is one of the aspects that drew the homeowners to this particular plot.

“We invested in Elaleni, and the vision, from early on and before any infrastructure was in place. We fell in love with the vision of a smaller, boutique estate bursting with natural beauty and with so many varied vistas and landscapes. We built our home on this piece of land because we wanted to have a view over the forest and the canopy of trees as part of our everyday experience; we want to feel immersed in the forest.” Says homeowner, Dane Tremearne.

Building on Elaleni’s sustainability ethos, the forest home has solar panels which provide 50% of the home’s energy, and an attenuation tank for harvesting rainwater. The architect’s brief was to create a tropical villa which felt as if it was floating among the trees, with natural stone and timber used in the design. The use of glass balustrading on the front perimeter of the plot was a thoughtful inclusion which creates a seamless and uninterrupted view of the forest. The 4-bedroom open plan home is a tasteful blend of modernity and soft natural elements with an open plan layout. The inside and outside virtually become with entertainment areas which lead out onto a covered verandah with a bar and pizza oven, which then extends onto the pool deck and lawn.