Page 8 - Landscape-Issue134

PROJECT

materials were selected to complement the architecture in terms of
colour, texture and simplicity.
Architecturally, the building follows geometric forms, with clean lines
and uncomplicated facades. The abstract amphitheatre was designed as
a series of sleek seating terraces ‘growing’ out of the slope and connecting
the café terrace to the oak tree floor. A passive and contemplative space,
it focusses on the expansive views onto the golf course.
A gabion retaining wall structure was designed to juxtapose the
other built elements on the site. It follows smooth, organic and flowing
lines and its material was selected for texture, the ability to move and
settle freely, and eventually to be engulfed by creeping vegetation.
The terraced appearance of the wall softens what would have been a
very imposing and harsh vertical structure.
Landscape installation
This was undertaken by Countryline, with the bulk of their work being
done at Blocks 4 and 5 (construction took place in three phases).
Richard Wijnberg says that a considerable challenge for them was the
steep embankments over the grass areas at Block 4. It was difficult to
work with machinery here, given the location of this portion of the
site; the use of a TLB was problematic due to the slope of the area,
and they therefore prepared this area by hand.
A further challenging aspect of the landscape design was the
construction of the gabion walls on the high slopes, but despite this, Kniphofia linearifolia and a view of the golf course
Wijnberg says the challenges were successfully met and they were
“proud to have been part of this incredible yet demanding project. We
enjoyed working with Dino and the project team on this prestigious
property,” he states.
Environmental issues
Due to the limited space on site, two major stormwater attenuation
facilities were designed as sub-terranean tanks covered with a soft
roof, completely disguising what is typically a very visual, engineered
element. The tanks comprise reinforced concrete bunkers made
up of various chambers and allowing for silt settlement and water
dissipation. During severe rain events, these tanks receive all the site’s
runoff, attenuating it and slowly discharging the flow through the
site’s peripheral gardens and gently onto the golf course. Sufficient
growing medium was allowed for in the roof cover, ensuring total
vegetation cover.
Sensitivity towards water usage has been considered by plant
selection and the irrigation system, which is fed by borehole and
stormwater.
De Abreu concludes that Auria Royal View was a challenging project
from a design point of view, with strong, imposing buildings that were
required to integrate seamlessly into the very narrow site. He believes
the completed project “presents beautifully.”

Information provided by Dino De Abreu. Text compilation and photos by Karyn The gabion wall follows the organic, flowing lines of the pathway below. Its
Richards. terraced design softens what would otherwise have been an imposing vertical
structure.

View of the
amphitheatre, gabion
walls and golf course
from the rooftop

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