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PROJECT

The gatehouse is settled in the landscape, a purposeful design decision brought about
by architectural and landscape design collaboration

Fynbos and local indigenous species minimise long-term
maintenance needs. In the foreground are Searsia crenata and
Scenic bridge over an attenuation pond, with an adjacent avenue of existing, historic oak trees. Salvia africana caerulea.

solutions, planting characteristics, and function as a successful ecosystem in the overall appeal the development will offer to
being conscious of water demands were development and within its surrounding its users.
some of the constraints the landscape landscape. Wherever possible, slopes Any material on site that could be used
design had to take into account. were retained by choosing effective plant for development and installation was
The choice of plant species was species. In areas where retaining walls were considered, and the client had an open
influenced by: required, these were limited where possible mind from the start. Trees removed during
*the visual effect required; and featured gabion structures; where construction were chipped and stored
*the need to ensure that they would applicable, local stonework was added to to use as mulching in the final landscape
survive after establishment with minimal be true to the character of the area. installation. Existing indigenous plants
maintenance and water supply; and The irrigation design was installed with around the old farmhouse were also
*the fact that they did not ‘need’ to be the end in mind, where feature areas have incorporated and relocated, providing
burnt regularly. more intensive irrigation (main entrance beautiful instant stock for screening and
Plants had to be effective in withstanding and parks) and most of the site (green belts feature plants and trees in the landscape.
drought periods, retaining soil on steep and perimeter mounds) is maintained for These comprised Buddleja saligna,
mounds and assisting with minimising soil the establishment period only with turf Portulacaria and various aloe species.
erosion. They also had to be wind resistant valve systems. It is envisioned that the
on an open unprotected site, be able to greater landscape will finally be dependent Installation
survive in soil with high clay conditions, and on rainwater only. This was undertaken by Life Landscapes.
grow effectively in areas where retention Creating a sustainable development Hydroseeding during the summer months
dams and swales will, during some periods, was an important design driver and vision was a challenge as guinea fowl ate the
be wet and marshy or completely dry in of the client, ensuring that local planting seeds before it had time to germinate, and
summer months. would be incorporated to celebrate the various areas had to be reseeded several
By incorporating fynbos and other special landscape character that the Cape times.
indigenous plant species, the focus was offers. Site character, heritage, context
to ensure that all these extremes were and typography were all constraints that Soft landscaping
considered and that the landscape would resulted in a unique solution, adding to the The abovementioned factors influenced

Landscape SA • Issue 130 2023 11