Page 12 - Landscape-Issue142

PROJECT

COLOUR AND CALM FOR HEALING

The grounds of a multi-disciplinary hospital serving Pietermaritzburg and the

KZN Midlands were upgraded in 2021 by Greg Dowsett Landscaping. Initially,
the work involved a redesign and landscaping contract to redo 60-70% of the
hospital gardens; this was followed by the awarding of a maintenance contract
which involved a revamp of the remaining 30-40% over three years, alongside

the everyday maintenance. They had, however, been involved in many piecemeal
projects dating back to 2005.

The client wanted bright colour elements and a tranquil
setting befitting a hospital precinct, and landscaping close
to the building is neat and tidy, with splashes of colour in
cobble-edged squares and rectangles. River gravel brings
a natural and contemporary feel to these areas.

wner Greg Dowsett says that in One stipulation was that they wanted elements of gravel and pavers add to the
the past, each separate project bright colour elements as well as tranquil low maintenance aspect and provide
Ohad a different management settings befitting a hospital precinct. His different colour interest.
team, so each brief was different, leading design concept for the gardens close to Dowsett says that colour is normally
to the overall incohesive nature of the the building was to create neat, tidy, low high maintenance but to manage this, he
landscaping as a whole. The 2021 project maintenance landscaping, with splashes consolidates it, resulting in it being more
has been the most impactful as the client’s of colour in the form of cobble-edged impactful. A large proportion of the plant
brief was “fairly open-ended”, yet required squares and rectangles which would be material used was split and replanted from
bringing together all the previous projects. home to seasonal annual flowers. Surfacing what was already growing on site.

10 Landscape SA • Issue 142 2024 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za