Case study to show why ‘designer air’ now sits alongside stone, timber, and light.
At the coast high humidity is a constant design constraint. Even with careful orientation, deep shading, and cross-ventilation, premium homes still hold moisture. This raises the risk of sticky interiors, condensation in cold spots, and mould where finishes are most vulnerable. The result is spaces that look luxurious, but do not feel like it.
“Architects use passive design as it reduces the energy load on HVAC systems and aligns with evolving expectations around sustainable design,” says Wynand Deyzel, Commercial Sales Manager at Solenco. “But when outdoor relative humidity stays high for weeks, passive strategies can bring in damp air faster than interiors can dry. In those conditions, a tailored mechanical layer is the difference between ‘almost’ and ‘effortless’.”
In KwaZulu-Natal, for example, orientation and deep shading remain the first line of defence. Examples include broad eaves, louvred screens, and ventilated façades that reduce direct sunlight while promoting airflow. Raised slabs, breathable finishes, and shaded landscaping all help buffer humidity before it enters the building.
When modelling reveals that relative humidity will remain above target, these passive layers provide the foundation needed for mechanical systems that efficiently maintain the high-quality finish that discerning homeowners are after, while protecting high-value electronic home systems from maintenance and repair costs. Localised dehumidifiers, in wet zones or as a quiet ceiling-mounted layer, stabilise indoor conditions and protect materials and contents of the home. In tightly sealed, energy-efficient designs, Deyzel recommends balancing this with managed fresh-air intake to keep the HVAC system working as intended.
“A recent project with a high-end KZN homeowner involved the purchase of a Solenco Fairland Inverter dehumidifier for her home’s 400m² living space, with a second unit planned for the equally sized lower floor at a later stage,” says Deyzel. “The inverter system provides dynamic humidity control and energy-efficient operation, maintaining consistent comfort levels throughout large open-plan areas.”
“For architects and designers, ceiling-mounted dehumidifiers remain a strong option where floor space is limited or where the goal is to keep the mechanical layer completely out of sight. These units operate quietly above the ceiling line, integrate with built-in drainage, and maintain humidity within target range without interrupting the design aesthetic.”
Solenco’s guidance to coastal design teams is pragmatic. It starts with implementing passive-first principles. For example, orientation, shading, ventilated façades, and breathable finishes. However, humidity must be modelled for worst-case months. “For us, air is becoming a finish in its own right. Clients judge luxury by how a space feels over time. It must be cool, dry, and quiet, season after season,” says Deyzel. “We fit the mechanical layer to the architecture, not the other way around.”
