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PROJECT

HI HOTEL, MONTE CASINO COMPLEX

Project Team
Client: Tsogo Sun Hotels
Architect: Nsika Architecture & Design
Main Contractor: Tiber Ohlhorst
Modular
Landscape Design and Installation:
Servest Landscaping

A modular construction, also known as prefabrication or offsite construction, was used for the
hotel. This method offers environmental advantages as there are reduced carbon emissions
and material waste. It uses steel, which is 100% recyclable and the concept is well-suited to the
ervest Landscaping received a gold application of solar panels.
award for the Hi Hotel, Monte Casino,
Sin the 2022 SALI Awards of Excellence.
The project was entered in the category of Site conditions and installation Environmentally friendly
Landscape Design and Construction. The site was a grassed area located on top construction
of a parking garage. The deepest soil level Modular construction, also known as
Although the concept and construction was between 500-700 mm. Due to the prefabrication or offsite construction, was
of the hotel was planned in advance for a shallow soil, raised planter boxes had to introduced for the first time at Hi Hotel Monte
grand opening roll-out, this did not take be erected where deeper soil levels were Casino. It offers environmental advantages as
place due to the onset of Covid-19 in required. Site drainage was an issue but steel is 100% recyclable and the materials used
South Africa. Construction was, however, was resolved during the site preparation for walls, floors and ceilings are also suitable
complete. for the building. for re-use. They are far more recyclable than
cement or brick and the construction process
The brief from the client to Servest Servest was given the empty, waterproofed, is more energy-efficient, with very little wet
Landscaping was for the hotel’s gardens built-in planters and a lightweight soil mix, works such as concrete and mortar. As such,
to tie in with the existing landscape theme and the fully automatic irrigation system, the immediate environment is less impacted
of the other gardens in the complex, and designed with the assistance of Summit and there are fewer emissions on site due
Servest interpreted the current theme with Irrigation, was installed after planting. to the shorter and more efficient building
a modern twist by eliminating the formality Irrigation water is from a central dam, and method.
of the previously designed gardens. They is supplemented by borehole water.
introduced a free flowering, informal Other advantages are that:
garden with lower water requirements than Maintenance • the concept is energy-efficient and well
the rest of the Monte Casino complex, yet From March to November 2020, Servest suited for the application of heat pumps
still fitting in with the Mediterranean theme. had no staff to undertake maintenance and and solar panels;
The plant palette consists of Simplicity in July 2021, staff was downscaled to 50% • with off-site construction there is
roses, Hemerocallis and Agapanthus. Celtis capacity. They only returned to site with a reduced material waste, optimal material
africana and Olea sp. were the trees used. full staff complement in November 2021. use and reduced carbon emissions.
In light of the current condition of the site,
The client stressed that value for money the team is very satisfied with their design Information Source: Modular Construction Hi
and low maintenance were strong choices made, as well as the construction Monte Case Study.
requirements throughout the planning processes followed to ensure a quality end Information and photos supplied by Servest
process. product. Landscaping. n

4 Landscape SA • Issue 117 2022