New development, first green power saving project

Inspired by the need to improve the economy of power usage MDD CEO Anthony Manas has successfully developed a green power system, potent enough to muscle over seven homes in the project.

The new innovation combines a power source previously capable of electrifying only two homes. Based on the notion that Bryanston as an area cannot receive more power than it does presently, Anthony Manas asked his team of specialised engineers to conceptualise a system that would take the new project "off the grid" while still creating beautifully-designed, contemporary homes.

Stylish, but not impersonal

"We wanted to design homes that are not only environmentally friendly but also stand out as stylish, practical and very bespoke without being impersonal," says Manas. "Our aim is to create sustainable buildings which embrace the landscape and employ the latest technologies to improve our lives while utilizing natural materials which fashion a sensuous, timeless product, both from an exterior as well as interior point of view." Personally designed by Manas, the homes are made up of a selection of different size dwellings, ranging between 300 to 600m².

Each house will draw on only 60 amps of single phase power (most houses use approximately 80 - 100 amps) and utilize all water for irrigation from either contained springs or the common borehole that forms part of the development. Additionally, all timber used in the construction is either renewable or already recycled.

Solid timber creates authenticity

"Considering the latest trend in sustainable design, designers have started to embrace natural, sustainable materials such as solid timber that are either grown for use or that have been stripped and recycled. As such, we are striving to include solid timbers, glass and stone into our designs, creating an authenticity and opulence that one cannot do similarly with synthetic materials," adds Manas.

MDD's Bryanston development is also one of the only new developments of its kind to be completed during the recession that has plagued South Africa's property market. According to Manas, the fragile upturn of the market has delayed developers, with most of them only now beginning to commence on their projects again.