A key milestone has been reached at Elaleni Coastal Forest Estate- the first home is now fully complete and the homeowners have now moved in. The stylish family home is built next to the endemic Swamp Fig Forest and offers grand views over the green forest canopy, which is one of the aspects that drew the homeowners to this particular plot in the first place.

“We invested in Elaleni, and the vision, from very early on and even before any of the infrastructure was in place. We fell in love with the vision to create 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 installed which provide 50% of the home’s energy needs, 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 and make the perimeter of the property virtually disappear. The 4-bedroom open plan home is a tasteful blend of modern architecture and soft natural elements with an open plan layout and a large entertainment space. The inside and outside almost become one with entertainment areas which lead out onto a covered verandah which extends onto the pool deck and lawn and boasts a bar and pizza oven.