Nottingham Road Farm
Karkloof, KZN
Client Workshop
14 August 2026
Master Plan - Rev01
Main House
Ground Storey Plan
First Storey Plan
Accommodation Schedule
Main House 473 m²
Obead & MH Garage 166 m²
Commons
Lounge & Dining 85 m²
Kitchen 19 m²
Scullery & Pantry 15 m²
North Covered Verandah 33 m²
Covered Entertainment Verandah 94 m²
Guest wc 5 m²
Stair 8 m²
Gallery link to MH & Muazza 10 m²
Gallery link to Zafar & Naseeha 5 m²
Zafar & Naseeha 109 m²
Kitchenette & Scullery 23 m²
Master Bedroom 24 m²
en-suite 8 m²
wic 16 m²
Covered Verandah 7 m²
Bedroom 218 m²
en-suite 5 m²
Covered Verandah 8 m²
Zafar & Naseeha Covered Parking 59 m²
MH & Muazza 109 m²
Lounge & Kitchenette 23 m²
Master Bedroom 24 m²
en-suite 8 m²
wic 16 m²
Covered Verandah 7 m²
Bedroom 218 m²
en-suite 5 m²
Covered Verandah 8 m²
Obead & Ayesha 93 m²
Circulation 5 m²
Master bedroom 24 m²
en-suite 11 m²
wic 11 m²
verandah 14 m²
Bedroom 219 m²
En-suite 3 m²
Workshop Notes
1. Masterplan and site:
1.1. Revised masterplan reviewed following the site visit.
1.2. Location of the borehole to be confirmed by a specialist.
2. Main house - design comments:
2.1. Entrance to the main house to be restricted by the gas fireplace.
2.3. Zafar and MH’s units: kitchenette to be a small coffee bar with an undercounter fridge and prep sink.
2.4. Dining table and chairs to be omitted from Zafar and MH’s units.
2.5. Bathtubs to be added to all suites.
2.5.1. Zafar and MH to have bathtubs in the master en-suites.
2.5.2. Obead’s bathtub may be treated as a feature within the master suite overlooking the view.
2.8. Bedroom 2 in Obead’s suite is a children’s room with bunk beds.
2.9. Salaah room to be added to the ground floor.
2.9.1. Salaah room to be positioned centrally and treated as a feature.
3. Post-meeting request:
3.1. Obead requested that an additional room be added on the first floor for Tahiyya.
Nottingham Road Farm
Karkloof, KZN
15 July 2026
Site documentation
Site overview
Upper farm
Middle farm
Lower farm
Site Findings
Commercial Precinct
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A suitable road access point to service the commercial precinct has been identified, following the gentlest available gradient.
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The position of the existing powerlines has been verified.
Wedding Venue
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The proposed venue is in relatively close proximity to the neighbouring house and polo grounds. Noise and privacy should be considered.
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The topography provides distant views across the valley; however, the dam is not visible from this location.
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Some accommodation pods may be visible from the venue with the current accommodation layout.
Accommodation Pods
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The proposed pod locations work well with the existing topography from a functionality stand point.
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Views from some units are obstructed by a nearby powerline and power pole.
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The layout can be further optimised to improve views and overall spacing.
Horse Stables
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The original stable and lunge arena location was found to be unsuitable due to the lack of naturally level ground.
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Developing this area would require substantial earthworks.
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A more suitable alternative location has been identified.
Main Family Home
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Several mature trees have been identified that should be incorporated into the design where possible.
Clubhouse
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The clubhouse is surrounded by mature trees which contribute to the character of the site.
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These trees should be retained where possible.
Staff Quarters
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The existing staff quarters are in good condition.
Farm Manager's House
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The existing Farm Manager's House is in good condition.
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Additional trees may benefit privacy
Horse Paddocks
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The need for dedicated horse paddocks for daytime turnout has been identified.
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Suitable areas have been noted.
Picnic Area
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The existing picnic area falls within a wetland.
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Alternative locations outside the wetland have been identified.
Green Lane (South-West Boundary)
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The natural valley along the south-west boundary was explored.
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The valley contains mature indigenous trees and a stream running along its centre.
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Trees along the neighbouring property boundary provide additional privacy.
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The valley provides an ideal route for a golf cart track to the picnic area near the dam.
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The area is also well suited to a walking trail crossing the stream at several points.
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The upper portion of the valley has potential for a limited number of accommodation pods.
General Notes
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Pockets of dense Bugweed were identified along the south-western and north-eastern boundaries.
Site recommendations
Commercial Precinct
The proposed commercial precinct comprises the following facilities:
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1 × 500 m² Caustic Dilution Plant
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1 × 500 m² Bottling Plant
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1 × 1,000 m² Storage Warehouse
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1 × 100 m² Administrative Offices
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1 × 200 m² Staff Accommodation
Farm Maintenance Shed – 300 m²
A suitable location has been identified adjacent to the Commercial Precinct.
A dedicated farm maintenance shed is required to support ongoing farming operations. The facility will provide secure storage, servicing, and maintenance space for farm equipment, including:
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Tractors
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Agricultural implements
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General farm equipment
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Chemical storage
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Diesel bowser
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Tools and machinery
Farm Produce Processing Shed – 300 m²
A suitable location has been identified adjacent to the Farm Maintenance Shed.
The processing shed will provide a dedicated area for the handling, preparation, and processing of farm produce while maintaining close operational links with the maintenance and commercial precinct.
Wedding Venue
The proposed wedding venue has the potential to be relocated further towards the dam and closer to the western property boundary, enhancing its overall setting.
Key considerations include:
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Dedicated fenced children's play area.
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Horse paddocks positioned around the southern and western boundaries of the venue, creating an attractive rural setting.
Green Lane (South-West Boundary)
A natural valley creates a strong visual corridor leading towards the dam at the southern end of the property.
Key landscape features include:
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Mature indigenous trees throughout the valley.
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A natural stream running along the valley floor.
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Dense tree planting along the neighbouring property boundary, providing excellent privacy for both properties.
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A golf cart track providing access to a picnic area adjacent to the dam.
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A walking trail crosses the stream at various points, creating an immersive nature experience.
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Selected accommodation pods positioned within the upper section of the valley to maximise the natural setting while maintaining privacy.
Accommodation Pods
The current accommodation layout can be further optimised by relocating two of the units into the Green Lane area while improving the spacing of the remaining four units. This revised arrangement will:
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Improve privacy between units.
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Enhance views across the property.
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Create a more natural circulation and access flow.
Horse Stables
The initial stable and arena location was considered unsuitable. The terraced platforms located closer to the main family residence provide a significantly better location for the equestrian facilities.
Upper Terrace
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4× - 4×4 m horse stables
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Feed room
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Tack room
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2× - 3×3 m holding pens for tacking up, grooming, washing, and veterinary care
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Covered hay bale storage area
Lower Terrace
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Lunge arena (minimum 15 m diameter)
Horse Paddocks
Approximately 3,000 m² has been identified for daytime horse turnout.
The area will be divided into four adjoining paddocks, allowing each horse its own dedicated space while still maintaining visual and social interaction with neighbouring horses.
The paddocks will include:
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Gum pole fencing
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Individual shelters providing shade and weather protection
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Water supply
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Feeding stations
Main Family Residence
Several mature trees of significance have been identified and should be incorporated into the design to preserve the character of the site and enhance the landscape surrounding the residence.
Clubhouse
The clubhouse is surrounded by mature trees that contribute significantly to its character and atmosphere. The intention is to preserve these trees wherever possible.
Staff Quarters
The existing staff quarters are in very good condition and require no significant intervention.
Farm Manager's House
The existing Farm Manager's House is in very good condition.
Accommodation Schedule
Commercial Precinct:
Caustic dilution plan 500m²
Bottling Facility 500m²
Storage warehouse 1000m²
Admin offices 200m²
Staff accommodation 200m²
Farm maintenance shed 300m²
Farm processing 300m²
Wedding & Events Barn:
Main Venue 900m²
Amenities 100m²
Bed & Breakfast Pavilions:
6 x Guest Pavilions (60m²) 360m²
Existing Farm Managers Precinct:
Farm Manager's Home 340m²
Staff 30m²
Laundry 30m²
Shed 90m²
Equestrian Precinct:
Horse Stables 64m²
Horse Pens 18m²
Lunge Arena
Feed room
Tack room
Covered area (Hay baile)
Family Homestead:
Family Home 600m²
Family Commons
Clubhouse 310m²
Services & Infrastructure
Borehole
Water Harvesting
Solar Farm
Total Area
Site visit - analysis & notes
Nottingham Road Farm
06 July 2026
The Nottingham Road Farm is conceived as a multi-generational landscape where family living, agriculture, hospitality and commercial enterprise are integrated into a single coherent place.
Rather than existing as a collection of independent buildings, the estate is organised as a connected landscape shaped by climate, topography, productive land and everyday family life. Architecture emerges from the conditions of the site rather than from a predetermined architectural language, allowing each intervention to respond directly to its setting.
Project Vision
The masterplan supports contemporary family life while accommodating productive farming operations, boutique hospitality and commercial enterprise within a unified estate framework.
The design is informed by:
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Place
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Climate
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Topography
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Programme
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Family relationships
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Landscape
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Agricultural operations
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Commercial logistics
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Construction logic
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Economy
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Longevity
No single design driver dominates the project. Instead, the masterplan is generated through the careful balance of these interconnected considerations.
Existing Site Assets
The proposal builds upon the qualities already embedded within the property.
Existing landscape, circulation and built elements establish the framework from which the estate evolves, ensuring that valuable site assets become the foundation of the design
Key existing assets include:
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Tree-lined entrance avenue
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Mature tree canopy surrounding the existing homestead
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Existing topography
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Existing dams and water systems
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Established circulation routes
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Existing farmhouse
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Existing agricultural shed
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Significant long-distance views
Existing assets are retained and strengthened wherever they contribute to the overall quality of the estate before alteration or relocation is considered.
Arrival Experience
Arrival forms one of the defining experiences of the estate.
The existing tree-lined driveway is retained and reinforced as the primary arrival sequence, allowing the landscape to gradually reveal the estate while creating a clear transition from the public road into a private family environment.
The arrival sequence celebrates the landscape, builds anticipation and establishes a clear distinction between commercial operations and family life.
Climate and Orientation
Building placement, landscape structure and outdoor living respond directly to solar orientation, prevailing winds, daylight, rainfall and natural ventilation, allowing passive environmental performance to inform the design from the outset.
A central design challenge is balancing expansive southern views across the dam with optimum northern solar orientation, ensuring that landscape, comfort and environmental performance remain equally influential.
Masterplan Structure
The estate is organised into five interconnected precincts:
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Family Homestead
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Existing Farmhouse and Estate Management
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Boutique Guest Accommodation
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Agricultural Precinct
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Commercial Precinct
Landscape, movement and topography bind these precincts into a unified estate while maintaining clear operational separation between family life, hospitality, agricultural activity and commercial enterprise.
Distinct circulation networks establish efficient movement for:
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Family
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Guests
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Agricultural operations
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Commercial servicing
Commercial Precinct
Positioned adjacent to the main road, the commercial precinct accommodates:
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two 500 m² warehouse buildings
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one 1,000 m² warehouse
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truck servicing areas
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loading facilities
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future expansion
Independent access separates commercial traffic from family and guest movement, allowing business operations to function efficiently while remaining visually secondary to the overall farm experience.
The relationship between the natural spring and the bottling facility informs the final positioning of the buildings, prioritising long-term operational efficiency over proximity alone.
Wedding & Events Venue
The wedding and events venue forms part of the estate's hospitality offering, creating a destination embedded within the landscape.
Positioned to capture expansive views and connected to the guest accommodation, the venue accommodates weddings, family celebrations and curated events while maintaining privacy from the family homestead and operational areas of the estate.
Architecture and landscape work together to create a memorable setting where the experience is shaped by place, topography and the surrounding natural environment.
Guest Accommodation
Six detached guest pavilions form the hospitality component of the estate.
A single architectural prototype is repeated throughout the landscape, allowing orientation, topography, planting, views and outdoor rooms to establish the individual character of each pavilion rather than architectural variation.
A shared construction system and material palette improve construction efficiency while providing a consistent guest experience across the estate.
Agricultural Precinct
The agricultural precinct forms the productive heart of the estate.
It accommodates:
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farming operations
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equipment storage
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servicing
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bottling facilities
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renewable energy infrastructure
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operational support within an efficient working environment
Agricultural activity remains fully integrated into the broader landscape while operating independently from family and guest spaces.
Existing Farmhouse
The existing farmhouse is retained as an integral component of the estate.
It accommodates the family responsible for:
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farm management
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guest operations
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day-to-day estate administration while maintaining an efficient operational relationship with the wider estate.
Its position preserves privacy from the primary residence while remaining closely connected to the working landscape.
Existing Shed / Family Clubhouse
The existing agricultural shed is adapted into a family clubhouse.
Retaining its robust agricultural character, the building accommodates games, informal entertainment, sports viewing, family gatherings and flexible event space.
The identity remains distinct from the main residence while strengthening the social life of the estate.
Family Homestead
The family homestead is composed as three interconnected wings arranged around a sequence of shared indoor and outdoor living spaces.
The central wing - accommodates Obead's family together with the primary communal living areas.
The second wing - provides private accommodation for Zafar.
The third wing - accommodates MH.
Each wing maintains individual privacy while remaining physically and socially connected through shared landscape, courtyards and communal spaces.
The home is conceived as a series of interconnected indoor and outdoor rooms that support everyday family life across multiple generations.
Children's Environment
Family life is centred around a landscape designed for children.
Safe outdoor play, informal exploration and nature-based recreation are integrated throughout the estate while maintaining passive supervision from principal living spaces.
Commercial servicing and agricultural operations remain physically separated from children's spaces, allowing safe pedestrian movement throughout the family precinct.
A generous commons lawn forms the heart of family recreation, accommodating informal sport, gatherings and everyday outdoor life.
Family Commons and Outdoor Rooms
The estate is understood as a sequence of connected places rather than individual buildings positioned within a landscape.
Movement between buildings becomes part of the experience, with each destination connected by a series of carefully defined outdoor rooms.
These include:
Arrival Court - A welcoming threshold that establishes orientation and marks the transition into the estate.
Family Commons Lawn - A generous landscape supporting informal sport, children's play, family gatherings, picnics and outdoor celebrations.
Clubhouse Court - An informal outdoor room associated with the existing shed, accommodating braais, games, entertainment and family gatherings.
Dam Landscape - The dam remains a destination within the estate rather than an extension of the family living spaces.
The landscape preserves expansive views while carefully managing access through planning and landscape design to improve safety for young children.
Vehicle Facilities
A dedicated sports car garage forms part of the estate's vehicle collection.
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The facility incorporates:
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generous vehicle storage
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detailing and workshop space
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efficient circulation
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capacity for future expansion while maintaining carefully framed visual connections with selected living spaces.
Accommodation Schedule
Commercial Precinct:
Storage Warehouse 1000m²
Bottling Facility 500m²
CSD Facility 500m²
Wedding & Events Barn:
Main Venue 900m²
Amenities 100m²
Bed & Breakfast Pavilions:
6 x Guest Pavilions (60m²) 360m²
Existing Farm Managers Precinct:
Farm Manager's Home 340m²
Staff 30m²
Laundry 30m²
Shed 90m²
Equestrian Precinct:
Horse Stables 100m²
Horse Pens 100m²
Lunge Arena 250m²
Family Homestead:
Family Home 600m²
Family Commons
Clubhouse 310m²
Services & Infrastructure
Borehole
Water Harvesting
Solar Farm
Total Area 5 210m²
Future Opportunities
The masterplan accommodates future growth without compromising its underlying structure.
Provision is made for a potential rifle shooting range, located only where safety, landscape and operational requirements can coexist without affecting family life, guest accommodation or commercial activity.
Architectural Approach
Architectural expression emerges directly from:
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place
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climate
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programme
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construction logic
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landscape
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client aspirations
Rather than pursuing a predetermined style, the architecture becomes the natural outcome of these interconnected conditions, producing buildings that belong intrinsically to their setting.
Design Process
The masterplan evolves through continual testing of relationships between landscape, movement, programme and topography.
Existing site qualities are retained wherever they strengthen the overall composition, allowing the organisation of the estate to develop as a logical response to place rather than a formal exercise.
Diagrams are employed only where they clarify architectural thinking, communicate relationships or test design ideas, ensuring that every drawing contributes meaningfully to the development of the project.
Concept Deliverables
The concept phase establishes the strategic framework necessary to communicate and test the masterplan.
Deliverables include:
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Refined masterplan
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Precinct strategy
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Planning studies
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Massing studies
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Concept plans
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Key site sections
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Landscape framework
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Relationship diagrams where they contribute to the design process
The result is a masterplan that feels inevitable—one in which landscape, climate, movement and programme naturally generate the architecture, allowing every intervention to strengthen the identity of the estate as a whole.
Landscape as Structure
Landscape is the primary ordering system of the estate.
Topography, trees, water systems, planting and open space establish movement, hierarchy and spatial identity, with architecture reinforcing rather than competing with this framework.
Every building contributes to the landscape it creates.
Each intervention strengthens the quality of outdoor life by defining meaningful places, improving microclimate, framing views and establishing relationships that evolve throughout the day and across the seasons.
Guest Landscapes
Each pavilion extends into its own outdoor room.
Although the architecture remains consistent, the surrounding landscape creates a distinct identity through planting, terrain, framed views, sunlight and relationship to the broader estate.
The landscape becomes the primary source of variation, reinforcing a quiet and cohesive architectural language.
