Page 6 - Landscape SA 105

FEATURE

DOMMISSE

LANDSCAPES

COMPANY PROFILE

Dommisse Landscapes was founded by Ian Dommisse,
whose work is guided by sustainable and ecologically
sensitive principles. This approach encompasses
environmentally sound practices for rainwater
management, irrigation, waste management,
composting, permaculture and pest management Ian Dommisse, founder of
options. The company is based in Cape Town. Dommisse Landscapes

ommisse originally qualified as Projects are customised according to in an urban setting goes beyond food
an architect but later realised that clients’ needs and services offered include production. Given that it is often the
Dlandscape design was his passion. master planning, project management, exterior space that his clients spend most
When he started the company, he focussed water and waste management, system of their time in, he says that these spaces
on luxury edible gardens in the hospitality implementation and advice after project
industry, but has since broadened completion. “deserve to have elements of beauty,
his scope to include commercial and be raised for ease of access and have
residential garden design. To date the Dommisse says that given his love of comfortable furniture to accommodate
following projects have been completed: nature, his approach, wherever possible, both introspection and possibly a small
• residential – homes in Parkwood, Athol is to imitate wild landscapes and for this banquet, shortening to zero the earth-to-
and Westcliffe (Johannesburg); reason there is a lack of straight lines in table gap.”
• commercial – Octopus Garden, edible his designs. “I believe that a garden should
garden at the V & A Waterfront, have a portion devoted to structured Art has always played a key role for
Shongololo shamba (*) ; wildness, where wildlife is welcome and Dommisse, and he involves it in as
• hospitality: Angama Mara’s shamba, a invited in to inhabit it,” he says. many aspects of his work as possible. He
luxury safari lodge in Kenya. (This will keeps his working drawings simple and
be featured in the October issue of Regarding the urban shamba, Dommisse produces artworks in water colour, ink or
Landscape SA). says that the role of an edible garden pencil.

House Harrison shamba (shamba is the Swahili
Drone shot of Angama Mara’s shamba. word for a vegetable garden)

4 Landscape SA • Issue 105 2021