Monday, 23 April 2018 14:56

Cape Reed International explores three very different ways to customise an outdoor living space

    If there’s one place that should be the centre of a homeowner’s happiness, it’s their outdoor living space. As the great Anton Chekhov once said: “People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.” And it’s true. Few things are better than endless days of relaxation in your own private paradise. Here, Cape Reed International, a specialist in creating eco-friendly customised outdoor living spaces, discusses three very different outdoor living spaces.

    The overwhelming need to entertain and relax in the comfort of home in such a paradise planted the seed for a tailor-made outdoor living space for a property in The Villa Community, Dubai.

    Mainly motivated by the idea of having a suitable area at home that would reduce the need to go somewhere else to have fun, Cape Reed International was contracted to bring this idea to life.

    Always up for a challenge, the team put their passion and years of international experience to the test and closely liaised with the client to create the ultimate entertaining area. Right from the start, Cape Reed was actively involved in the entire process – from the conceptual and design phases right up to the final construction, landscaping and interior decorating.

    A contemporary bar area was created to overlook the swimming pool and was designed with the primary aim of having great fun and is now the uncontested favourite spot to watch the game and entertain friends and family. The fully equipped bar and seating area is finished off with a built-in BBQ and fireplace that is absolutely perfect for preparing al-fresco dinners or setting just the right ambience by simply lighting a fire.

    To the side of the structure a lounge was incorporated to create a soft seating area where one can relax in a covered space that creates an easy flow from the indoors to the outdoors. Together with that, the view of the garden is masterfully paired with the timber and thatch surroundings so that nature is resonated in every corner of the structure, creating a sense of calm and serenity that is second to none.

    All of the natural material (timber and thatch) that was used for this project comes from sustainable resources and is imported directly from South Africa. Cape Reed places huge emphasis on the quality of its materials and practices strict quality control every step of the way. All structural timber is pressure treated and the thatch protected by special fire retarding methods that ensures a final product that not only meets the highest quality standards but one that is also extremely durable.

    Something unusual

    One would think in order to escape the ever-present Middle Eastern heat and humidity a swimming pool would be an absolute necessity. However, Cape Reed recently had a very different request from one client in Dubai’s high-calibre housing development, Jumeirah Islands. In this instance, the client had a very specific request to investigate ways in which to transform their swimming pool. Due to its limited size, it had not been utilised to the pool’s fullest capacity.

    After a brainstorming session, they proposed, and ultimately implemented, the following plan of action:

    1. Drain the swimming pool and remove any pool-related equipment.
    2. Alter the current levels within the pool to create a comfortable sunken seating area.
    3. Cover the area with an original, custom-made Cape Reed thatched roof that will blend in with the natural vegetation and complement the immediate landscaping environment.

    A natural tropical look

    This build in Los Monteros, Marbella, took more than 1000 nuts and bolts to form the structure with 200 specially selected and pressure treated poles.

    During the thatching process, 5000 bundles of thatch together with 682m of twine and 120m² of fire retardant Fireshield was used to accomplish structural perfection.

    One of the prerequisites of the site was that no vegetation was to be destroyed or harmed in the process of construction.

    The goal was that the end product ensures the garden retains its natural tropical look slotting in the natural structure as if it was there all along.

    The end result for all these projects? An extremely satisfied customer with a beautiful, versatile space in which the family can spend quality time together, relax or entertain guests in a stylish, yet casual manner.

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