Franschhoek House, an exclusive-use villa on the La Residence Estate in the Cape Winelands, offers privacy and exclusivity: a thoughtful blend of old and new, where every design element has been chosen with purpose, down to the innovative flooring that contributes to a world with less waste.
When first arriving at Franschhoek House, there is so much to take in, and everything has its own story. The enormous chandelier that graces the entrance, the sunshine-yellow wallpaper with flowers and ferns creating a fairytale backdrop for a handwoven tapestry, ornate candelabra and a large gold-rimmed mirror reflecting this elegantly curated space.
While the floors may not be the first thing that captures your attention, they, too, have a back story: Plastic bottles and discarded fabrics destined for landfill now form the sleek screed floors, and the tiles contain waste materials made up of wooden chips from invasive trees.
“We were introduced to Liz and Phil Biden through a mutual friend,” says Zerocrete founder, Johan Coetzee. “They visited our showroom and were intrigued by the fact that we use non-recyclable waste in concrete and divert the waste from landfills. They were also pleased with the aesthetics of our products.”
This approach resonated with the Bidens, who were “looking for a carbon-friendly solution with a great story”, he says.
Treading lightly
The Franschhoek House flooring installation integrates sustainability without compromising luxury, and the numbers are pretty impressive.
Coetzee says the floors incorporated 3 292kg of plastic (equivalent to 235 000 PET bottles) and 1 500kg of fabric (equivalent to 10 350 T-shirts), resulting in estimated CO2 savings of 12 130kg.
While he admits sustainability was a key selling point, there is an added bonus: The flooring is hardwearing and durable, and the insulation properties outperform regular concrete, meaning it is cooler on hot summer days and retains some warmth when the snow falls on the surrounding mountains.
Coetzee says Franschhoek House is Zerocrete’s first hospitality tourism project and is pleased with the outcome. “It’s an innovation; as far as we know, this is the first floor done this way. We’re proud to see sustainable materials finding a home in luxury accommodation and contributing to the circular economy.”
More than floors
For The Royal Portfolio team, sustainability extends beyond the unconventional new floors in this family-friendly villa. Liz Biden is known for repurposing and reusing unique items, giving them new life in luxurious settings – and Franschhoek House is no exception.
Paintings, artworks and ornaments from Liz’s many treasure hunts at local markets in Cape Town or as far afield as Marrakesh and Mumbai adorn the public areas and the six individually designed luxury suites. The exquisite chandelier in the Long Room once graced Cape Town City Hall, and even the magnificent wooden table on the verandah was repurposed from the La Residence Vineyard Suites, highlighting the company’s commitment to reuse and reinvent.
Integrating sustainable elements at Franschhoek House isn’t just about being conscious about waste and the reinvention of well-loved objects and furniture – it’s about enhancing the overall guest experience. As newly appointed sustainability co-ordinator Emma Gelb emphasises, “guests are looking for something more these days when travelling”.
“When you’re going to stay at a property, and you know that your impact is positive – that funds are going toward community development or conservation, or that your footprint is light and you’re not harming anything,” she explains.
This holistic and practical approach to sustainability extends to dining at both Franschhoek House and La Residence. The fresh-is-best ethos creates a genuine connection to the surrounding landscape, with delicious meals prepared from the La Residence fruit trees and vineyards.
At this exclusive-use villa, guests will enjoy relaxed and happy moments in a consciously designed setting. The reimagined floors that began their journey as plastic bottles or long-forgotten fast fashion now ground each moment, offering quiet contemplation surrounded by lush gardens and the quiet inspiration of the Franschhoek Valley.