Page 7 - Landscape-Issue134

PROJECT

Berms were created with material spoil generated from the basement excavations. This is a creative use of Edge planting on the steep berm
material that would have had to be removed at great cost, but instead contributed to the success of the design.

andscape architect Dino de Abreu says that his brief from the client Pathways and surface materials complement the architecture in terms of
was to create a calming, indigenous exterior with seasonal colour colour, texture and simplicity
Lfor residents. The design took into account their limited ability
for personal movement and therefore allows for a smooth transition
from interior to exterior. An outdoor deck opens onto the golf course,
enabling easy access to walking routes. Views of the golf course were
a high priority, as is reflected in the development’s name and identity.
De Abreu’s design concept was to create an organic, cottage-styled
exterior, allowing the home owners to personalise their individual
spaces within their private gardens. The common thread of the planting
‘ties’ all the spaces together, strengthening the original concept of a
contemporary architecture nestled in an organic and regal setting.

Integration
Royal View is a contemporary approach to senior living, with a vertical
style architecture that “brings a challenge to pedestrian movement
through the site,” says De Abreu. The site is linear in form, with a
considerable elevation change leading to the golf course frontage.
An important aspect of the design was to screen the basement
parking area and have the units appear to ‘grow’ out of a vegetated
bank. This has been successfully achieved with selective planting
along the frontage which softens the placement of the building. The
same elevation challenges in common areas created an appropriate
opportunity for a defined space in the form of a contemporary
amphitheatre; here residents can gather under an existing oak tree
that anchors the passive space.
The concept of a vegetated bank saw the selection of varied textured
plants and colour tones, drawing the viewers’ eyes from the golf course
downwards to the ‘soft interest’, rather than to the private residential
apartments on the upper volumes. Careful consideration was given to
the bank gradients in order to prevent erosion and allow for successful
vegetation establishment. Varied slopes were designed to convert an
engineered solution into an artistic/organic one.
Soft and hard landscaping
The plant selection was based on a predominantly indigenous
pallet that, once established, would require minimal maintenance.
Berms were created with material spoil that was generated from the
basement excavations. This was a creative use of material that would
otherwise have been removed at great cost, but instead became an
asset and contributed to the success of the design.
A fully automated irrigation system has been installed, using
borehole and stormwater.
With regard to hard landscaping, pathways and trafficable surface

Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 134 2024 5