Bali

The lush tropical climate of Bali resulted in a very distinctive architecture with the use of large, pitched roof overhangs, with lots of wood and bamboo finishes. These traditional elements have been reinterpreted in modern dwellings with tropical landscape settings, court yards, swimming pools and koi ponds. The combination of stone and plastered and painted walls in earthy colours blends well with clay or concrete roof tiles and even thatch roofs. Detailed plasterwork such as a plinth and bands around window openings painted in a darker colour add some substance to the design. Floor finishes range from wood, terracotta and even stone and tinted cement. The style is equally suitable for the South African climate and has been growing in popularity.

Collonial

The term Colonial refers to an extended period in history of several countries in the world when the influence of a number of mostly European countries spread across the world. Architecture was one of these influences. Various styles have developed and the dark green pitched metal roofs, white fascias, red face brick with white plaster surrounds and decorative steel balustrades is a good reflection of one of the colonial styles from the Victorian era. Windows are white painted wood or steel. The plan form is normally a classic symmetrical shape.

Contemporary

After the Postmodernism and Deconstructivism era of the Seventies and Eighties a different kind of dynamic modern style developed which can best be described as Contemporary. It is more expressive in terms of form, function and use of materials. A diversity of materials and finishes is associated with the Contemporary style, such as pitched sheet metal, or concrete roof tiles in combination with flat concrete roofs. Walls can be a combination of glass, brick or stone panels alternating to express a functional interaction between internal and external spaces. Clever interaction of the structure sometimes creates the effect of a floating balcony floor or a floating roof, extracted from the solid structures by seemingly invisible glass panels which in turn can create variable internal volumes. Solid wall panels can be pierced with small windows to create a rhythm of light holes in a wall. The use of either wood or aluminium can successfully complete the intricate combination of materials of this style.

Mediterranean

Mediterranean-style homes resemble the aesthetic of Mediterranean villas. A blend of Spanish, Italian and French architecture, Mediterranean homes are dominant in warm-weather locations all over the world. The exterior of Mediterranean homes typically feature a red-tiled roof (usually terracotta), as well as brick or plaster that’s often painted white. Stone details, carved doors, and wrought iron and metal work on windows, over balconies, and front doors are other common features.

Modern

The modern movement started as early as the 1920's with the establishment of the Bauhaus movement in Germany. The style has evolved continuously over many years and in South Africa it is still a popular style. The distinctive elements of this style are the flat roof and plastered and white painted wall finishes and relatively large window openings in aluminium frames. The appearance is a cubistic form with varying roof heights resulting in different internal volumes. The flat roof allows the plan form to be any shape and can lead to interesting external spaces and courtyards.

Modern Classic

The Modern Classic design evolved as a modern version of the historical Cape Dutch style. The distinctive elements of this style are the prominent pitched roofs, charcoal coloured roof tiles such as slate or flat profile concrete or fibre cement, white painted walls with plain gable walls, large window openings with small rectangular window panes in wood or steel and terracotta coloured floor and paving finishes.

Traditional

The Traditional style is an economical, plain and conservative style with a pitched tile or sheet metal roofing, a combination of face brick and plastered wall finishes and steel window frames. The plan form is usually simple to allow for an economical roof design.

Tuscan

Strictly speaking the Tuscan style can be classified as part of the Mediterranean style which has been adapted in various versions for the South African market. This style has borrowed certain elements from the romantic and rustic building styles of the Tuscan countryside in Italy. The style essentially comprises a low pitched tile roof in a multi-coloured clay or concrete roof tile, with minimum overhangs and usually some decorative corbel brickwork under the overhangs. Detail plasterwork such as a plinth and bands around window openings painted in a darker colour add to this classical design. The external colour scheme is usually a combination of ochre and browns that blend well with darker timber or aluminium frames. Structural columns with classical designs often serve as decorative elements at entrances and balconies while balustrades are often ornate wrought iron or steel to enhance the classical feeling of this building style.