Page 25 - Outdoor Living October 2025

LIFESTYLE

BACK TO THE FIRE:

Outdoor traditions reimagined

Long before “outdoor living” became a design trend, people gathered around fire.

or as long as humans have Indoors, the dinner table once carried that role. Outdoors, the fire has become
lived in communities, fire its equal. Its glow pulls everyone in, from toddlers skewering marshmallows to
Fhas been the anchor of grandparents reminiscing under the stars.
connection. It is warmth, light,
food, and story all in one. In South Designing for Connection
Africa, it carries layers of meaning: Modern estates are reimagining fire as part of the outdoor blueprint. Fire isn’t
the braai that gathers friends on a added at the end — it’s designed as the centrepiece. The right space makes the
weekend, the campfire that crowns difference between a pit you use twice a year and a hearth that becomes your
a family holiday, the fire pit that family’s anchor.
transforms an ordinary evening into • Fire Pits as Circles: A pit — rustic stone, modern steel, or even built-in concrete
memory. Whether in a luxury estate — instantly creates intimacy. People gather facing one another, eye contact
courtyard or a suburban backyard, replacing screens. The shape itself encourages equality: no head of the table,
fire is more than ambience — it is only a circle of warmth.
ritual. • Braai Zones as Kitchens: Braais have evolved into fully equipped outdoor
kitchens, with prep counters, storage, and built-in seating. These spaces let
The Heart of Culture hosts cook and entertain without separation, so the fire is always at the centre
The South African braai is a national of the conversation.
language. It is not just about meat • Layered Seating: Cushions on stone benches, built-in ledges, loungers that
on the grill; it is about pausing. It’s can be moved closer or further — seating is what defines how long people
about neighbours leaning over the stay. Children sprawl, teens perch, adults sink in. The best fire zones allow for
tongs, children darting barefoot all three.
between chairs, and laughter • Hybrid Spaces: Many homes are now pairing fire with other anchors — a pool
carried on smoke into the night. and a braai side by side, or a dining deck with a recessed pit. These hybrids
Anthropologists call fire a “social extend the fire’s role from “special occasion” to everyday ritual.
technology” — a tool that slows
time, eases tension, and creates When designed well, a fire zone does more than warm — it shapes how families
space for storytelling. and friends connect.

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