Page 21 - Landscape SA 99

PROFILE FEATURE

adaptable to ramp up or down, as the
projects dictate.
Plonland also offers a managed service
that takes away the headache for the
client during the back and forth of costing
and pricing negotiations. For example, he
supports developers who have their hands
full and need additional support upfront
on projects; also SME’s looking to scale and
run more concurrent projects, but who are
not able to be in more than one place at
a time.

Projects completed Chris Misplon, founder and owner
of Plonland
Even though Plonland is a fairly new
company, Misplon says he has been
very fortunate to have completed some features. I don’t only offer design support
exciting projects already. He aspires but installation as well, and a small
to offer commercial and residential confession: I have a soft spot for creating
projects of all sizes but for now, he has those lines and checks in lawns, something
done the design and implementation of that has always intrigued me since my gap
mid-size commercial projects including year in England rolling cricket pitches,” he
1.8ha of landscaping on a new land says.
development project at Rand Airport. “I
am very grateful to have been awarded Passion
the work by Aerospace Developers (Pty)
Ltd and The Currie Group. This was a great Misplon says he has a passion for
brief to receive as not only was I able to landscapes and gardens and supporting
incorporate indigenous species in the the vision of his clients. He enjoys spending
design but I managed the implementation time with them to help them plan and
of the plants as well as 120 trees. realise their landscape dreams.

On the residential side, the company “I would like to commend and thank the
has done a range of designs for clients Green Industry for welcoming me so
and Misplon says he loves helping them warmly. I have spoken to many legends
achieve their dreams. “I am currently who have been more than willing to share
working on a project at Waterfall Estate in their knowledge with me. It has been so
Midrand, including an indoor garden. My valuable and I am now in the midst of
experience ranges from indoor gardens a ‘passion project’ to create a platform
Hydroponic system built as a that create depth and an oasis in homes for the industry that can provide an
interactive knowledge sharing stage in the
green wall feature with little garden space, to designing
outdoor spaces with pools and water near future,” he concludes. LSA

Misplon creates the 2D and 3D designs
upfront, sitting with clients to map Software programmes and technology help to create 2D drawings,
their vision. He sources all the plant and supporting landscapers in many ways
organic materials himself, and undertakes
all the hardscaping that goes into the
installation. “I think it’s important to make
the journey for the customer as enjoyable
and seamless as possible, so I take pride
in presenting my proposals to clients with
not just designs, but by using a detailed
document that includes plant choices,
hardscaping options and mapping out the
design scenarios in a straightforward way,”
he explains.

He says that one of his differentiators is
that he outsources the contractor work
on bigger projects to keep costs down
but continues in a project management
role to manage the installation and the
contractor. By not having the overheads
of large machines and vehicles and a
large staff complement, he is able to
price competitively in the market and be

Landscape SA • Issue 99 2021 19