We are happy to share our 10^th Rest Pilot’s experience of Stand 47. Over the past weekend, Lerato Khumalo studied the house with a discerning eye, given her expertise in the building industry…

Lerato works at the NHBRC (National Home Builders Registration Council) as a Structural Engineer within the organisation’s Centre for Research and Housing Innovation. She is responsible for Research, Technical assessment and Laboratory testing of construction products, systems and materials. She has a passion for innovation and technology, but also enjoys a good book….and the occasional episode of ‘The Fixer’ when she’s not outdoors jogging around the neighbourhood.

Stand 47 : What was your first impression of the house and did anything specific catch your attention?

Lerato: The “Scandinavian” feel of the interior design and decor caught my eye, complementing the “light”, airy and cool feel of the house. I was very impressed by my experience in its interior spaces and the internal temperature felt ‘just right’. The overall layout and design of the house is modern and comfortable, and beautifully decorated. The fact that it is set in the most perfect landscape – no high walls and electric fences – adds to the feelings of comfort and relaxation.

Stand 47 : How does the real thing compare with your expectations?

Lerato: As expected.

Stand 47 : Tell us about a night at Stand 47. Give us details!

Lerato: At 10PM, it was a cool 10 degrees outside with the internal temperature around 25 degrees. The home’s airy design allows one to enjoy simple pleasures such as watching lightning zigzag across a colour-filled sky at sunset, while lying on the couch. The choice of materials, (in their specific combination(s)), has successfully produced a comfortable, peaceful, aspirational home. All said and done, this is a lovely house that anybody would be more than happy to make their home.

Stand 47 : What is your opinion of the home next morning?

Lerato: I slept very well and found the home to be surprisingly quieter than a traditional house during the day and night. This experience has positively influenced my perception of houses built using these technologies. Overall, the home is aesthetically pleasing with a great, flexible design. It is set within the peaceful backdrop of Monaghan Farm, which successfully makes the case for a sustainable living concept.

Stand 47: Could you describe your favourite aspect of the home?

Lerato: I enjoyed the open living rooms and bedrooms opening up into the garden. The whole house interacts. It’s fantastic that the house is not built entirely out of brick and mortar…and of course, the house is in an awesome location.

Stand 47: And finally, we have to know, would you live here?

Lerato: Definitely! I believe I’d be productive and happy living in a home like this.

Ken Wai was our 9^th Rest Pilot to experience Stand 47 as part of our #RestTest experience.

We recently opened Stand47 up to Ken, founder of Roden Gray, a leading menswear ‘market space’, offering a forward-thinking perspective on the rapidly evolving world of men’s fashion. He is Canadian and finds himself in South Africa on a 3 week trip to scope out its retail scene. His eye for quality design and his extensive (and probably tiring) trip, made him a good candidate for our #RestTest R&R experience.

Stand 47 : What was your first impression of the house and did anything specific catch your attention?

Ken: The clean modern styling in the house stands out and I was impressed by the exterior and interior of the home. It appears comfortable and a place I would be happy to live in or rent as a vacation home.

Stand 47 : How does the real thing compare with your expectations?

Ken: Nice… above expectation.

Stand 47 : Tell us about a night at Stand 47. Give us details!

Ken: At 11PM, it was a cool 10 degrees outside and the internal temperature was around 25 degrees. The house keeps its comfortable temperature really well within cool and moderate temperatures, but in extreme temperatures with the windows open, the outdoor heat starts to be felt after a while. Even so, I was very comfortable in this home and would want to live here.

Stand 47 : What is your opinion of the home next morning?

Ken: I slept as expected and found the home to be nice and quiet overnight. I definitely woke up feeling that I could be productive and happy living in a home without bricks, like Stand 47.

Stand 47: Could you describe your favourite aspect of the home?

Ken: The great design and aesthetic – the ample natural light and the high ceilings giving a greater sense of spaciousness

Stand 47: And finally, we have to know, would you live here?

Ken: Definitely.

Our 8^th Rest Pilot to experience Stand 47’s #RestTest was marketing manager of Century Property Developments, Geoffry Crow. 

Geoffry is the brand and marketing manager of Century Property and comes from a successful entrepreneurial background. He has made great strides in marketing and selling the Waterfall Estate development in Northern Johannesburg. He is an avid outdoor sports enthusiast and self-confessed classic car collector who is also currently building his own home.

Stand 47 : What was your first impression of the house and did anything specific catch your attention?

Geoffry: From outside the house seems modest, so I was impressed by the rich detail in the interior…the expansive living room volume with the extensive parquet floor and high ceilings. The home immediately appeared comfortable to me.

Stand 47 : How does the real thing compare with your expectations?

Geoffry: Nice… above expectation.

Stand 47 : Tell us about a night at Stand 47. Give us details!

Geoffry: At 8PM, it was 10 degrees outside and the internal temperature was a comfortable 17 degrees. I didn’t notice a big difference in temperature which means that I was comfortable all round.

Stand 47 : What is your opinion of the home next morning?

Geoffry: I slept much better than expected as the house was extremely quiet. Now that I have experienced a luxury home built without bricks for the first time, my perceptions of homes like Stand 47 have changed.

Stand 47: Could you describe your favourite aspect of the home?

Geoffry: I liked the large open plan feel and how it maximises the features of its location…the quiet countryside, the views, fresh air and natural light. Perhaps I could be productive here – if I could overcome the feeling of rest and relaxation! I felt comfortable day and night.

Stand 47: And finally, we have to know, would you live here?

Geoffry: Yes.

The 7^th Rest Pilot to test run the R&R experience at Stand 47 was Cecilia du Plessis. #RestTest experience.

Cecilia heads up and manages ‘special projects’ at VISI magazine. She is used to seeing beautiful homes and spaces, but how did she experience a night at Stand 47? We wanted to know whether the house not only demonstrated a quality product, but also whether it inspired and delighted its user to rest and relaxation.

Stand 47 : What was your first impression of the house and did anything specific catch your attention?

Cecilia: Stand 47 is fairly unassuming from the exterior, but as you enter it reveals more detail. So while my first impression of the house was impressive, I was even more impressed by the interior spaces and their qualities. The first thing that caught my attention is the generous volume inside the home complemented by the well chosen designer furniture. It’s spacious, trendy and flexible.

Stand 47 : How does the real thing compare with your expectations?

Cecilia: Wow…significantly above expectation!

Stand 47 : Tell us about a night at Stand 47. Give us details!

Cecilia: At 11PM, it was a chilly 10 degrees outside and the temperature inside felt just right at 23 degrees. Given that the house was unoccupied, a lot of residual warmth was locked up inside it during a very warm day and took several hours with windows and doors open to cool, but I was still very comfortable all round…I’d say an 8 out of 10.

Stand 47 : What is your opinion of the home next morning?

Cecilia: I slept as expected in this home and woke up refreshed. This home has positively changed my perception of what it feels like to be in a home built without bricks and I definitely feel that I could be productive living in a house like this one. I enjoy the spacious feeling, the high ceilings and its sense of lightness.

Stand 47: Could you describe your favourite aspect of the home?

Cecilia: I love the layout of the house, particularly the spacious living spaces that do not compromise on the quality of the private spaces. The house feels like it has a small footprint (a good thing in these times), and yet it also offers great outdoor spaces and the constant feeling of spaciousness. I can see multiple incarnations for use and layout in this house, which makes me want to live here even more!

Stand 47: And finally, we have to know, would you live here?

Cecilia: Hell yes – I could so live here!

Think about it..

Do you feel and think better in a cramped, dark, dusty, noisy or extremely hot or cold space? Or do you thrive in more relaxed environments – light and airy, spacious and calm, with the temperature being just right?

Researchers are finding that improved indoor environmental quality greatly increases (in fact doubles) the cognitive function of its users. That simply means that buildings like Stand 47 which have been designed to include green building principles and materials (and natural ventilation and lighting), offer its users a better space in which to think, feel and be.

The results of the COGfx Study on operational testing, showed the great impact of green buildings on cognitive functions such as:

– Better thinking

– Optimized environment for productivity (ventilation, CO2, VOC)

– Especially, CO2 ‘*(carbon dioxide) emissions also impact our cognitive functions!

These results are particularly useful in motivating for better office and working environments. If home is your workspace, or your sanctuary of creative pursuits, these qualities are equally important. Imagine the potential of a home that makes you think better…

Learn more on the Cogfx Study website with complete tests results and infographic: http://thecogfxstudy.naturalleader.com/cognitive-function-test-scores-doubled/