Page 8 - LandscapeSA_120_digital

PROJECT

The shopping centre is a classic contemporary design encompassing the black Formal urn on a plinth, planted with imitation
and white theme of the newly designed building ‘soccer ball’ type Buxus

Square pots within a movable metal fence, planted with imitation Buxus balls, affixed to the inside of the pots

as a wrap-around walkway along the entire would. The overall effect complemented
ground floor façade which is referred to as the new look of the centre and positive Judges’ comments
exterior, and includes upstairs balconies, feedback from both the owners and the On assessing the project for the
some of which are part of restaurants. public has been received. SALI Awards of Excellence, the judges
To achieve the look required by the For the two exterior sections, comprising said:
client, McWades commissioned the the ground and first floor, McWades created “As part of the revamp of this
manufacture of urns, troughs, and hanging the same feel by using rectangular shaped upmarket shopping centre in
troughs of various shapes and sizes. A matt troughs (two-plant holders for downstairs Bedfordview, McWades Landscapes
black finish was specified, lightly coated in and larger, three-plant holders for upstairs) was requested to incorporate
a chip-proof material which is essential in and planted them up with real Buxus balls. innovative greenery. They designed,
a busy destination such as this. A 9mm fine grey gravel was used as a supplied and installed custom-made
For the interior, McWades placed two mulch. pots and planters, using a mix of real
blocks of identically sized square pots (400 In addition, McWades planted two fully and artificial plants. The clever design
x 400 x 400mm), surrounded by a moveable grown Olive trees at the main entrance to of the planters with real plants, which
metal fence, outside the entrance to both the mall, again using the fine grey gravel as were ideal for repeating throughout
Checkers and Woolworths. These were a mulch. This provided a sense of continuity the centre, is commendable. The
planted with imitation Buxus balls of and a simple, one specie variety of plant use of artificial topiaries within a
30cm diameter, affixed to the inside of material. The objective was to keep the decorative fenced, rectangular space
the pots so that they could not be easily planting uncomplicated and avoid a “fruit was an interesting concept for a
removed by, for example, children playing salad” of too many species and colours. relatively dark area with no natural
with them. At most of the central points Says McWade: “The client was generous light. Compliance with the brief was
throughout the space such as columns, with budget, understood the value of soft followed in full and the result was a
stair wells, entrances and exits, McWades plantings, and was completely open to professional, well-finished project
installed very formal urns on plinths, with changes and suggestions as the project that enhances the shopping centre”.
much larger (60cm) Buxus balls. These are developed. Despite the tight time frame,
referred to in the industry as “soccer balls” we completed the installation in time for
as they display no stem like a “lollipop” the centre’s grand opening.” Text and photos supplied by McWades Landscapes n

6 Landscape SA • Issue 120 2022