Page 12 - Landscape-Issue131

PROJECT

Groundwater lily pond feature Courtyards with an indigenous forest plant palette

Students and staff are able to enjoy visual and physical access to the
landscaped areas due to the careful integration of indoor and outdoor
spaces.
Landscape budget
This was divided into the following six parts:
• Part 1: Miscellaneous items
• Part 2: Earthworks and soil preparation
• Part 3: Planting
• Part 4: Hard landscaping
• Part 5: Irrigation
• Part 6: Maintenance
The hard landscaping elements were constructed by the main
contractor, Trencon Construction, and the soft landscaping was
undertaken by Likhutsa Projects. The overall landscape construction
budget for both soft and hard landscaping came to approximately
R6 000 000.00.
Landscape installation
Indigenous grassland embankment and external seating steps This was undertaken by Likhutsa Projects, who received a Silver Award
in the 2023 SALI Awards of Excellence. The project was entered in the
category of Landscape Construction with Design by Others.
Likhutsa’s own nursery supplied all the plant material for the project.
Due to delays on site and having to wait for other contractors to finish
their work before installation could take place, some of the plant material
had to be removed.
Trees included Eckebergia capensis, Nuxia floribunda, Harpephyllum
caffrum and Dombeya rotundifolia. Groundcovers planted were Aloe
cooperi, Aristida junciformis, Aloe chabaudii, Chondropetalum tectorum,
Bulbine abyssinica, Asystasia gangetica, Zantedeschia aethiopica,
Chlorophytum saundersieae, C.bowkeri and Setaria megaphylla.

Conclusion
The landscape at the Science Research Facility is one of many projects
completed by KWPCreate at the University of Mpumalanga. They
believe that this particular project achieved the intention of the brief
to challenge the conventional university science facility, by adding
ecological value through indigenous and largely endemic planting, the
careful integration of groundwater into the design and the integration
of user-friendly spaces within a ‘naturally’ designed landscape which
seeks to breathe life into the university.

Main courtyard with stormwater channel network and seating benches Information and photos supplied by KWPCreate Landscape Architects n

10 Landscape SA • Issue 131 2023