Featured Home: This two bedroom bespoke home of 130m² is built in timber frame and has distinct decorative concrete finishes which make it feel warm and filled with natural charm.
Location: Chintsa East, East London, Eastern Cape
The Brief
Our brief for this project began with a stumbling block; our clients Jeanette and Anida had obtained detailed plans for a beautiful home from an architect out of the area but when requesting quotations from local builders, it became obvious that the plan did not match the reality of building costs and the available budget.
The original plan was for a home around 185m² in size, with 55m² decks and a garage of 60m². Keeping some of the key concepts of the design, we reduced the overall size of the home to 130m² with 35m² decking. Our clients also decided to do the build in phases; phase one would see the main home built as well as a small flatlet on the lower level. The second phase will see the garage built in and an additional workshop added on the ground floor.
Despite being smaller than originally planned, this turnkey timber home has some beautiful features that make it stand out from the crowd.
Bespoke Features that make this Timber Home Stand Out
Natural Concrete Finishes on the Floors & Walls
It isn’t often that concrete is used throughout a timber structure but this home features both plastered walls and concrete flooring throughout. The foundations and base were engineered specifically to take the extra weight of the concrete floor (as opposed to lighter weight vinyl or laminate). The concrete was also made with a particularly strong mix and reinforced mesh was installed throughout the floor.
The actual floor finish that you can see is a cement based self leveling screed (abe® screed SLCP) designed for leveling floors before other flooring products are applied. On this project our clients opted to keep the ‘raw’ cement look on the floors. The screed was sealed with a durable and hardy clear polyurethane coating (abe® cote 441). The smooth shine on the floors is the natural finish of the coating, while the textural cement adds character and a ‘man-made’ feel to the home.
It is common to use plaster on walls in homes but usually the plaster in painted. In this home we left the natural finish of the plaster and coated it with a moisture insensitive acrylic emulsion (abe® seal finisol). The texture and natural warm colour of the plaster come through in the finish adding to the character and charm of this custom timber home.
Poured Concrete Kitchen with Decorative Cement Finish
The home also features a bespoke kitchen built in bricks and mortar and finished with Beton Cire screed. The screed colour was Silica, a light/ off-white colour, which we then burnished by hand to give the grey flecked texture.
The oven and stove fit perfectly into the central isle with draws either side. The worktop under the window in the back wall was custom manufactured from bamboo which brings some warmth into the icy colours of the other cabinetry. The cupboard doors and draws were made to measure and are finished in a basic melamine Folkstone Grey colour.
High Ceilings with Exposed Laminated Beams add Space
The open-plan area in the house has a feeling of space, warmth and light. One of the reasons for this is the high ceilings which were created by installing a single pitch roof. Large, exposed, laminated timber beams open the space up all the way to roof height.
Large windows and sliding doors installed along the front and sides of the space bring in bright light and an airy crossflow on hot sunny days.
There is plenty of outdoor space to enjoy as well. The small decks installed off the open plan area offer the perfect view while a larger deck at back offers sheltered outdoor space when the East wind is blowing off the sea.
The large master bedroom has a similar style and plan to the open-plan area with it’s own private deck. It also features the same raw cement and plaster finishes.
Cementitious Wet-Room Style Bathrooms
There are three bath/ shower rooms in the house (an ensuite off the master bedroom, guest shower room upstairs and additional shower room downstairs). They are built in the style of wet rooms and feature decorative concrete finishes. The walls are screeded with Beton Cire in a darker grey tint called Limestone, they were burnished by hand to create the flecks of texture in the finish.
Water Self-Sufficiency
This home offers the option to be self-sufficient in water. Water tanks were installed behind the house on the ground floor to collect rainwater from the roof. An electric pump system has been installed to pump water directly from the tanks into the household system.
Client Feedback
An unimaginable dream came true for us. The Bosazza team made a plan alive and gave a spirit to the house.
From the start we only experienced creativity and positivity. Jonathan enhanced the basic features and finishes – what an amazing imaginative craftsman and builder. The team really made this experience a pleasant journey.
Creative, supportive, within budget and time-frame. Add value. Amazing people.Thank you Bosazza Roofing & Timber Homes for making our dream come true.
Jeanette & Anida
This house is situated just around the corner from our offices, it’s a pleasure to see it become a home over a short space of time and as the garden becomes established. We look forward to working with Jeannette and Anida on phase two!
Find out more about our timber home custom building services >
Project Details & Associated Sub-Contractors
Completion date: March 2020
Main Contractor: Bosazza Roofing & Timber Homes
Structural Engineer: CG Clack
Roof Inspection: ITC-SA / Leon Ferreira
Roof Design & Supplier: Inyathi Truss
Electrical Contractor: First Class Power
Plumbing Contractor: PTL Plumbing
Cabinetry: Serge Designs
Window & Door Supplier: Aluminium Glass Shower House
Decorative Concrete Supply & Guidance: ABE Construction Chemicals
Project Photography: Celize Czichon
Beautiful work. I’m sold. I just wanted to find out if its possible to get a two bedroom with bathroom and kitchen for R50.0000.