Julia Rutherfoord and Nikhil Tricam Let Nature Pen the Blueprint for Elaleni Forest House
The Elaleni Forest House in Northern KwaZulu-Natal is a prime example of letting nature take the lead. This extraordinary dwelling, conceived by the creative minds of Julia Rutherfoord and Studio Kalki’s Nikhil Tricam, doesn’t just pay lip service to environmental consciousness — it quite literally builds itself around it. The site, densely populated with trees and blessed with rich biodiversity, presented what some might label ‘challenges’. Yet, in the hands of Julia and Nikhil, these natural elements became not obstacles but conversation partners in an exciting and unique architectural dialogue.
The tree that spoke
At the heart of this project stands an ancient fig tree, commanding the attention of any onlooker of the site. Rather than viewing this arboreal giant as an obstacle, the team embraced it. Its sprawling roots dictated the position and levelling of the first floor, with care taken not to damage or stunt any further growth. The tree’s canopy determined the ceiling height, and it quickly became evident that this would be a one-storey home. In fact, the tree informed almost every major architectural gesture of the project, sculpting the building’s distinctive U-shaped courtyard and ultimately providing shade, shape, and sculpture before the first brick had been laid.
Quiet confidence
Whilst many contemporary homes trumpet their eco-credentials, Elaleni Forest House walks the talk with quiet confidence. Nearby quarry stone was sourced for cladding and framed pine from the area forms the backbone of the structure. The house powers itself through solar panels and employs gas for hot water and cooking, moving away from conventional grid dependency. The courtyard functions as a natural cooling system, with the central tree providing shade as cool air circulates through the living spaces. When the doors are thrown open, the main areas transform into what feels like the world’s most sophisticated treehouse.
A tale of two faces
The street-facing elevation presents a protective façade of stone and black-stained timber, exuding a somewhat austere demeanour. However, step inside, and the interior bursts with warmth through Volakas marble and natural oak. Brass accents around the fireplace add a touch of flair, while hand-glazed Kalki Ceramics Boomslang tiles echo the forest’s leafy green palette.
The social spaces of the house perform a clever disappearing act, with full-height frameless glass doors that slide away to merge the interior and exterior worlds. The intention to create architecture that feels as though it emerged from the earth, alongside the forest, is most clearly visible from the courtyard space, with its medley of natural finishes and textures.
A new heart
In a delightful twist on tradition, the fireplace — an age-old symbol of domestic gathering — has been relocated from its usual family room setting to a sunroom adjacent to the edge of the forest. It is through these simple yet impactful design choices that nature’s influence is illustrated, demonstrating how the home facilitates an intimate relationship between family and landscape, supporting the idea that nature is not a place to visit; rather, nature is home. The Elaleni Forest House is proof that when talented designers listen to what a site has to say, the results can be nothing short of remarkable. One might say it is not just a house in a forest; it is a forest that happens to have a rather splendid house within it.
This article is an extract from our 2024/25 Coffee Table Edition. Click here to read the full issue.
