Page 8 - Landscape-Issue141
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PROJECT


                                                                                  Barrett says that getting the plants
                                                                                up to the different levels was extremely
                                                                                difficult and they had to be carried up,
                                                                                which was very time consuming and very
                                                                                tiring.  The crane helped with the larger
                                                                                trees and shrubs.
                                                                                  The high grade, lightweight planting
                                                                                medium, crucial for future plant growth,
                                                                                needed to be kept moist to reach
                                                                                the  newly  planted plants  as  quickly
                                                                                as possible.  They grew well and later
                                                                                required a lot of pruning and thinning.
                                                                                Environmental considerations
                                                                                The refurbished Old Cape Quarter
                                                                                received a 4-Star Green Star Design rating
                                                                                from  the  Green  Building  Council  South
                                                                                Africa. Prioritising occupant well-being
                                                                                and  optimised  biophilic  living  and  work
                                                                                spaces, the integration of substantial
                                                                                balcony planters, with masses of endemic
                                                                                flora, bring the occupants closer to nature
          Cascading landscape terraces around the central piazza with curated selection of indigenous and endemic   in their everyday life.
          species                                                                 To  enhance  water  conservation,  the
                                                                                landscape primarily features indigenous
                                                                                and endemic plant species. Consideration
                                                                                of wind and sun exposure influenced
                                                                                plant selection, ensuring that hardy,
                                                                                water-efficient succulents were chosen
                                                                                to endure the hot, dry Cape summers
                                                                                and withstand wind loads on the fifth
                                                                                floor. An advanced greywater recycling
                                                                                system  irrigates  these  landscape
                                                                                areas. Additionally, the development
                                                                                incorporates a range of sustainable
                                                                                features including photovoltaic solar
                                                                                panels, recycling programs, energy-
                                                                                efficient double-glazed windows and LED
                                                                                lighting.

                                                                                Irrigation and maintenance
                                                                                A fully automated drip irrigation system
                                                                                has been installed across all four levels
                                                                                of the development.  This sophisticated
                                                                                system, using greywater from the
                                                                                building, ensures precise and efficient
                                                                                watering of the landscaping, adapting
          Street view of the heritage façade, with succulent species in a shallow rooftop planter  to the needs of the plants throughout
                                                                                the year. To support the system’s optimal
                                                                                performance, address any potential
                                                                                issues and the upkeep of planting, an
                                                                                initial 12-month maintenance contract
                                                                                has been established.  This contract
                                                                                includes ongoing weekly maintenance,
                                                                                ensuring the irrigation system remains in
                                                                                excellent working condition and the plant
                                                                                life receives consistent, adequate care.
                                                                                Awards
                                                                                Arrow  Landscapes  received  a  SALI  gold
                                                                                award in June 2024 for the installation
                                                                                of this project, which was entered in the
                                                                                category of  Landscape Construction with
                                                                                Design by Others.
                                                                                  In  2022,  the  project  received  a
                                                                                development award from the South
                                                                                African Property  Owners  Association
                                                                                (SAPOA):  Award for Innovative Excellence.

                                                                                Photos by Sean Gibson, supplied courtesy of
          Level 5 balcony edge planter with a mix of indigenous, seasonal species  dhk Architects.           n


          6    Landscape SA • Issue 141  2024                            Check us out www.salandscape.co.za
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