The Great Trek to the Cape
It is not uncommon when relaxing on holiday to look around at the view, sigh, and say “Wouldn’t it be great to live here?” For many years, the lucky elect that got to call Cape Town and its surroundings ‘home’ were the people whose jobs and businesses were permanently located there. The City of Gold notoriously offered to most larger salaries and a hub of business opportunities that were difficult for other locations to compete with, even if instead they offered views of majestic blue oceans and a lifestyle of leisure.
The pandemic, however, has changed the status quo of work arrangements significantly from iron-clad in-office 9-5s to flexible work-from-home set-ups that prioritise individualised routines and, arguably, a more productive use of time. No longer are we setting early morning alarms and dragging ourselves into stand-still traffic to get to the office to do work. We can now make coffee in the comfort of our homes, flip open our laptop screens, and start working and conducting meetings over the internet.
This new way of living and working has made many of us question where we live and why. No longer are we bound by the physical location of our work office – the world has now become our oyster. And what better place to enjoy oysters than the majestic Cape – offering stunning vistas of beaches, misty mountains, green vineyards, endless fynbos hills, and sandy dunes. It is not only the bustling Cape Town that has seen a rise in new residents lately, but also the smaller in-land towns that used to be almost exclusively holiday and retirement homes. These ‘zoom’ towns offer a safer and more relaxed country-style way of living that many people feel better suits their family’s lifestyle.
What should you consider when designing your new home in the Cape?
It is not uncommon when relaxing on holiday to look around at the view, sigh, and say “Wouldn’t it be great to live here?” For many years, the lucky elect that got to call Cape Town and its surroundings ‘home’ were the people whose jobs and businesses were permanently located there. The City of Gold notoriously offered to most larger salaries and a hub of business opportunities that were difficult for other locations to compete with, even if instead they offered views of majestic blue oceans and a lifestyle of leisure.
It’s important to start by looking at the way your family uses the home. JK Designs always begins by analysing the family’s specific daily routine and habits to truly understand what the client needs, from where they want to enjoy their morning coffee to where they want to unwind after a busy day at work. This ensures that the design is uniquely and personally suited to the lifestyle of the client in a way that no other home could ever be. Considering the fact that the home will need to fulfil many functions means truly taking the time to create spaces that are practical and effective in the long term.
For example, the standard open-plan layout has shifted due to the effect of the pandemic. Separate, enclosable home offices have seen a significant rise in popularity due to the practicalities of working reality. A home office that is separate from the shared living spaces allows for focused work that is not compromised by what is happening in the rest of the house. A home office that enjoys good views and access to the outside also allows for a more relaxed and balanced work environment to suit the Cape lifestyle. Home gyms are also beginning to be prioritized as people have started to enjoy the convenience of working out at home. This has meant that exercise spaces are no longer created by pushing the coffee table aside in the living room; rather they are dedicated rooms in the house where there is enough space for multiple exercise machines and ample room for stretching.
