Dunkirk Estate

Why invest in an Eco-house?

To curtail one’s carbon footprint by harnessing our abundant sunshine and predictable rainfall. Also, to avoid being held to ransom paying escalating electricity and water bills from increasingly inept service providers.

What constitutes an Eco-house?

Having an architectural design that allows for capture and storage of rainwater and the sun’s energy, and most importantly, that encourages free flow of cooling winds to replace energy hungry air conditioners.

Using locally available ecologically friendly building materials such as water based paints, and timber harvested from locally grown albeit alien hardwood species, to reduce the reliance on imports that threaten fragile Asian forests.

What constitutes Eco-landscaping?

Designing a garden that is functional in terms of low maintenance and water demand.

Creating spiritual tranquility by using indigenous flora to attract birds, butterflies and useful insects.

Including a number of locally indigenous traditional healing plants that follows the trend in natural healing.

Finally, using modern design cement grass blocks, in place of intrusive hard surface, heat emitting driveways, which provide a green extension to eco-landscaping and at the same time replenishing ground water.
This is the first ecologically compliant property in KwaZulu-Natal

Charles Taylor’s designed the house with a relatively narrow footprint to take full advantage of cooling prevailing winds and for accommodating the solar energy and water-catchment systems.

Higher than normal insulated ceilings, large sliding doors and elevated ventilation windows take advantage of prevailing winds to reduce temperature and ensure comfortable living conditions throughout the house.

All three bedrooms and office on the top floor have panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and Dunkirk Estate’s pristine forested habitats.

Ducts set into the various wall surfaces and roof parapet hide all the electrical and plumbing services. There are no exposed gutters or intrusive down pipes.

Other than a few of the kitchen appliances all other energy requirements for the house are provided by eight high quality imported photo voltaic panels situated on the roof duct and charging a number of sealed lithium batteries in an enclosure outside the house. Hot water is provided by a 200 liter SABS approved solar geyser.

Low energy usage lights and fans are used throughout the house. The kitchen has a top quality highly efficient gas stove to maximize energy saving.

The roof captures rainfall of which 40mm is sufficient to fill the underground 10 000 liter conservancy tank. The water is then returned to the house by means of a solar pump through sediment and biological filters, for general use in the home.

Both water and electricity supplies are however connected to the municipality as backup.

A 500-liter stainless steel tank captures grey water from the master en suite bedroom bathroom and outside shower for general use outside the house.

Foot paths that traverse all the various habitats including an elevated walkway through the main wetland forest are a five minute walk from the home.

Once under monoculture sugar cane, the rehabilitation of the estate’s vegetation uses only locally indigenous species.

The Estate supports over 170 charismatic bird species, and several mammals, of which Grey and Blue Duiker, five species of mongoose and Thick tailed bush baby are just some of the most charismatic ones.

Residents can also enjoy an on-site club house with swimming pool, gymnasium, an all weather tennis court, health and beauty specialists and a gourmet restaurant. They will soon have access to a secure beach club house next to Salt Rock’s popular beach.

Domestic pets are allowed.