C O M P A N Y P R O F I L E

Earth Temple Architects provides a comprehensive architectural and sustainable design service for residential, commercial and institutional clients, as well as the dream get away holiday retreat space (even as small as 50 sq/m is a meaningful project when going green). It has earned an flawless reputation for design, detailing and use of quality natural materials with an array of projects throughout the country and beyond. Earth Temple Architects was born out of a design ethos which embraces sustainable homes, green buildings and landscape design. The firm seeks to create spaces which are inspired by its landscape, its people, and its heritage. The result of this is a design philosophy which allows for, and encourages an integrative process where knowledge is both shared and gained by all involved in the project. The process is collaborative and dynamic: the firm listens carefully to clients' ideas and refines each design until it exceeds all expectations. These changes need to start from within - as a pebble is dropped into a pond with the ripple-effect causing the desired results. Every phase is fully supported, right from first sketch to final touch-ups. With a firm hand on the budget and schedule, Earth Temple Architects insist on the most appropriate and locally available materials to enhance the feel and bring alive the vision with the best construction standards.

The firm includes the finest craftsman in timber, steel and stone from Southern Africa specialising in quality detail work, innovative techniques and design. Full advantage is taken of all the elements, earth, fire water and air with the use of local resources such as stone, straw, latte, bamboo, lime and natural ochre. Earth Temple Architects’ goal is to incorporate both modern and indigenous designs to help improve the standard of living and wellbeing of the dwellers through creating an experience of the built environment by defining spaces that are healing, nurturing, uplifting and energizing. It places emphasis on the importance of the community and environment in their projects. By building sustainably, Earth Temple Architects augment the awareness of more natural and low- impact living environments, including their practical workability. Innovations include configuring buildings to be heated, cooled, ventilated and lighted more efficiently, specifying green and recycled construction materials, buying renewable energy while harnessing solar, wind, geothermal and biomass energy, and exploiting available emerging energy technologies. In seeking to optimize a building’s energy usage and overall sustainability, Earth Temple Architects supports alternative energy systems, identifies local resources and skills, optimizes passive heating and cooling, supports methane production for cooking and heating from sewerage, and integrates permaculture food gardens and medicinal nurseries for absolute sustainability. EARTH TEMPLE ARCHITECTS NATURAL ARCHITECTURE + LANDSCAPE Co. REG: 87/20139/23 VAT: Cape Town Humansdorp P. O. Box 699, Humansdorp, Eastern Cape, South Africa Honeyville Farm: +27 (0) cell: +27 (0)

At Earth Temple, we embrace various models and method of prefabricated buildings – particularly for the Principe Islands lying on the equator in the humid tropical area there exist numerous factors which could determine the design. The aforementioned factors would include: the availability of materials, materials salvaged from old buildings, the type of workmanship available, the local customs and traditions, the possibility of using materials from other regions, the climate would play an important role together with the site conditions, and finally, the financial situation of the proposed project. ROOFS: The roof in such humid tropics would have a steeper slope than others: to allow for faster drainage of high rainfalls; this would also avert the sun heating up the roofing materials as much; a sloped surface is less affected by the sun’s rays; the air space in the high area of the roof is a buffer from the penetration of heat and most of the time in such a region, available materials for the roof could include thatching grasses, leaves and roofing tiles - depending on whether or not these materials are available. WALLS: Walls may be constructed of masonry, mud, timber panelling or various other local materials available. COMPLETED WORKS _ PREFABRICATED BUILDING + DESIGN INCORPORATION OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND TRANSFER. OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS. WALL PANNELLING AND INSULATION PREFABRICATED, AND FITTED ON SITE. PREFABRICATED AND CUT TIMBER ROOF STRUCTURES FITTED ON SITE.

FLOORS: Floors can be made with locally available stone, brick, ceramic or cement. The latter materials stay cooler and are not inhabited or damaged by insects. Alternatively, as was previously mentioned, timber flooring may also be used as an additional cooling- device, this timber would then be treated. VENTILATION: Cross-ventilation would be a key aspect being considered in the design: hot air would exit out of the upper openings in the roof (openings or awnings can be partly closed with wood lathes of louvers, angled to prevent rain from entering), while cool air enters the lower windows and/or doors. Raising the floor from the ground would also assist hot air in the top part of the roof flowing out, and the cool air from then entering at ground level. HUMIDITY: Timber construction would be protected from humidity to strengthen durability in various ways: Eaves can protect the walls from the rain and the sun’s heat; exposed ends of wood board will be protected with non-toxic and environmentally friendly treatment. Masonry walls can be protected from humidity by making an impermeable external wall finish with lime and cactus sap, or by using tar and covered with a layer of earth- cement mixture. COMPLETED WORKS _ PREFABRICATED BUILDING + DESIGN TIMBER IS BOLTED TOGETHER : DESIGNED AND PREBUILT; THEN REBUILT ON SITE OR TRADITIONAL POST AND BEAM CONSTRUCTION. VARIOUS MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED TO ADD TO NATURAL TEXTURES. MODULAR DESIGN SPEEDS CONSTRUCTION.

PREFABRICATED CONSTRUCTION: Earth Temple recommends using a simple timber post and beam structure. The stability of this type of construction is dependent on the strength of the connections. At Earth Temple we have used this method of construction in various completed projects which can be seen on the images below. Timber is sourced from the local trees, and, depending on the availability of roofing materials, thatch, roof tiles or corrugated roof sheeting is then fixed to the rafters. TIME-LINE: As construction-time is limited, we too would acknowledge the favourability of building the entire project at once until the completion-phase, the limit of six months will be adhered to. With the column and beam method of construction, the roof- forces are carried down to the ground safely, and walls can then be seen as purely infill. Using this construction method, walls can be made of lighter and less costly materials. COMPLETED WORKS _ PREFABRICATED BUILDING + DESIGN INCORPORATION OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND TRANSFER. OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS. WALL PANNELLING AND INSULATION PREFABRICATED, AND FITTED ON SITE. PREFABRICATED AND CUT TIMBER ROOF STRUCTURES FITTED ON SITE.

STRUCTURES: Timber posts are imbedded into the walls or outside of the walls and therefore are protected from humidity or alternately not take up any interior space of the building. Should the posts be positioned outside of the walls, they facilitate the installation of large windows, doors or open walls – the walls in either instance is protected from rain. The joints of a post and beam with large pieces of timber can be pre-cut and sent to site within containers, allowing for easy and fast construction with bolts, nuts and toothed brackets. A continuous slab foundation must have a base to connect columns. LOCALLY AVAILABLE MATERIALS: Palm leaves: palm leaves may be woven to make a large woven band of mat, which may be used as part of the wall; palm leaves may also be used as a roofing material – using the palm-thatching methods allow a roof to last for many years. EAVES: Deep-set eaves would protect the buildings’ walls against deterioration from exposure to the sun and rain, and also increase comfort to inhabitants. COMPLETED WORKS _ PREFABRICATED BUILDING + DESIGN

SINGLE OR DOUBLE GLAZED ALUMINUM WINDOWS AND DOORS ARE PRE-FITTED WITH THE OPTION OF MOSQUITO-GAUZE, ALLOWS NATURAL AIR-FLOW AND HUMAN COMFORT. DETAILED CONSTRUCTION AND CONNECTIONS. SKIMMED CEILINGS. COMPLETED WORKS _ PREFABRICATED BUILDING + DESIGN

ECO-BEAMS: LIGHT AND EASILY TRANSPORTED. SAND BAG CONSTRUCTION (SAND FROM THE SITE) LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLY HARVESTED TIMBER. COMPLETED WORKS _ PREFABRICATED BUILDING + DESIGN