Page 19 - Landscape129

PROJECT

WATER WISE
MOMENTUM METROPOLITAN

Momentum Metropolitan in Centurion, an old and outdated building, recently
underwent a total transformation, resulting in modern, collaborative work spaces
with the emphasis on providing a vibrant, healthy and biophyllic environment.

Project Team
Client: Momentum Metropolitan
Architects: Boogertman & Partners
Interior Plantscaping: Life Indoors
“Grow Green, Save Blue”

In a time where the environment is increasingly under threat, it is critical that we
rethink and reshape our relationship with the Earth. As climate change accelerates
and natural resources become scarcer, the need for sustainable practices becomes
more urgent than ever. One such practice, “Water-Wise Gardening,” has emerged
as a ray of hope with solutions, in the world of eco-conscious living. The concept
“Grow Green, Save Blue,” represents a significant shift toward harmonizing our gar-
dens with nature’s delicate balance.

Water-Wise gardening is a fundamental commitment cal herbicides.
to environmentally responsible stewardship. This
approach, at its core, emphasises the efficient use The advantages of Water-Wise gardening go far
of water resources in our gardens, fostering not beyond water conservation. They include lower
only lush greenery but also the conservation of maintenance costs, improved soil quality, and
valuable water resources. This entails reconsidering increased resilience to changing weather patterns.
traditional gardening methods, which often involve Gardeners can help to mitigate climate change by
excessive wasteful irrigation, in favour of strategies reducing their carbon footprint associated with
that reduce water waste and promote biodiversity. water usage and maintenance equipment.

Careful selection of plant species is one of the most Modern irrigation technologies must also be
important principles of Water-Wise Gardening. adopted in Water-Wise Gardening. Drip irrigation,
Gardeners can significantly reduce their reliance for example, directs water to the root zones of
on irrigation by selecting flora that thrives in local plants, reducing evaporation and runoff. Rainwater
conditions with minimal water requirements (select harvesting systems can also be used to capture and
and place plants according to their hydrozones). store rainfall for later use, thereby reducing the
Indigenous plants, which have adapted to regional need for potable water in gardening. Water Wise
climates over years, are especially well-suited to Gardening is more than a choice; it is a responsibility.
this purpose. By embracing indigenous plants and It is a pledge to future generations that we value the Built-in planter box with Ficus amstel and mixed planting comprising Monstera deliciosa, Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’, and Sansevieria trifasciata
grouping them according to their watering needs, we earth’s resources and are dedicated to preserving
not only conserve water but also provide habitat and its beauty and vitality. We save blue for our planet he architects were appointed to the aesthetics of the interior spaces. The Atriums
sustain local wildlife. by growing green in our gardens. Water-Wise revamp and modernise the interiors ground floor was re-designed to create The open plan working, meeting and eating
gardening is a transformative Tby introducing a collaborative a multi-functional space with separate areas now incorporate atriums which allow
Mulching is another essential component of water journey toward a greener, workspace, allowing the staff to use the meeting rooms, open plan meeting pods for large trees, a variety of underplanting
conscious gardening. A layer of organic mulch not only more sustainable future. It is a full extent of the interior spaces. The client and bar-like working counters. These have and trailing plants which create a ‘magical
helps to retain soil moisture, but it also suppresses journey that we must all take requested colour plants but as this was not power points and WiFi access for staff and indoor garden’. Planting was cleverly used
weed growth and regulates soil temperature. This if the beauty of our world is to possible due to all the plants being inside, clients to use within the coffee bar and as screening, focal features and backdrops
Life Indoors suggested the use of coloured
canteen areas.
dual benefit not only reduces the need for excessive thrive. planter boxes as room dividers between Leanne Meyer, executive manager of to the functional furniture.
A total of 150 m of organic interior
3
watering but also reduces the use of harmful chemi- Always be #WaterWise work spaces and pause areas. In the atriums, Life Interior Plantscaping, says this was potting soil was used, along with 21 tall,
open areas and food spaces, the client an extremely challenging project to work acclimatised indoor trees, 1495 acclimatised
requested large, trailing and leafy plants on as all the soil, drainage products, large indoor underplanting plants and 46 m of
3
with various textures and underplanting trees (four to six metres in height), and bark chips.
to allow staff and visitors to enjoy a full specimen plants needed to be moved into Different tree types of various heights
biophyllic experience. the building manually by her installation were installed, comprising Ficus benjamina,
The incorporation of live planting allows team during the construction phase. This F. alii, F. lyrata and Trichelia dregeana.
for sound and toxin absorption, releasing caused damage to trees and plant material Underplanting included Schefflera
www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo oxygen and at the same time enhancing while construction was underway. arboricola, Dracaena marginata, D. reflexa, D.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60
Landscape SA • Issue 129 2023 17