Page 17 - Landscape-Issue142

PROJECT

lower side closer to buildings opposite the road invites people from
those buildings to also use the green space. Meandering pathways
connect various points of access to the building and green area, and
also cater for differently-abled access. It was important for the planted
pathways, lawn pockets and pond to be visible from the surrounding
buildings as the vista tells the entire story differently, compared to how
one experiences it at ground level.
The landscape design concept incorporated large boulders
brought across from the Waterfall Ridge Shopping Centre. Landscape
consultant Connie Pretorius says it was “exciting to decide where each
boulder should be placed, and to direct people who arrived with a
17-ton truck as to which side a boulder should face to obtain maximum
effect in the garden.”
The green area needed to link the buildings opposite Building K and Paved pathways connect different points of access
give consideration to landscaping that was to continue adjacent to the
eastern side of the ramp (future Building L).
The mainly indigenous nature of the landscaping contributes to
environmental biodiversity within the Hertford Office Park area, as well
as within the surrounding precinct.
Soft landscaping and planting palette
Landscaping at the building’s entrance consists of planters containing
indigenous trees and groundcovers with non-invasive root systems.
The selection of trees and plant material gives consideration to
climatic conditions of the area within which the site is located. The
trees and plants have also been considered in terms of their suitability
for each area with regard to their sun and shade requirements. Plant
material has been carefully selected in terms of its long-term growth
to complement the topography and screen certain areas. Balance is
achieved where areas open up from densely planted trees and shrubs
to expanses of lawn. Some lawn is edged with mass planting of certain
plant types and in other instances, small groups to enhance interest Two-tiered pond with aquatic planting
through different types of foliage and colour. Some beds along the
front of the parking bays that abut the landscape area were subtly
bermed to screen the green area’s view onto the parking. The shaping
of landscape areas serves to direct storm water runoff to the formal
storm water system.
Trees, shrubs and groundcover species selected for the project were
based on their being water wise, frost-resistant and tolerant of windy
conditions.

Hard landscaping elements
Pathways wind through undulating landscape spaces and are
understated due to the use of timeless grey cobbles that provide an
opportunity to walk through the park.
The pond is located at the lowest point of the landscape area and
is thus visible at the start of the ramp when driving up towards to the
entrance of the building. Smaller rocks at the edge of the pond fringe
the landscape area that contains larger boulders. A low-level overflow
provides for peaceful movement and sound, and two bubblers, one
in each section of the pond, provide aeration and a visually pleasing Planters green the main entrance space
element. The internal pond shelf is filled with water plants, softening
the edge where it ties in with the pond surrounds. It currently supports
healthy koi fish.
The park has two tank farms; one gravity feeds into the next one that
is used for irrigation, with municipal top-up when required.

Installation, site challenges, irrigation and maintenance
Installation was undertaken by Bidvest Top Turf, and with the site being
in a fully let office park, it was essential to do this with as little disruption
as possible. Since the area was very small, finding a suitable laydown
space for delivery of materials was challenging. The final laydown area
was at the bottom of a future basement which had been excavated
for the next phase of the building project. The Top Turf team used a
bakkie to load stock and transport it up to the landscape area. This was
very time consuming and labour intensive as all material was ‘double
handled’. The schedule was very tight, with only a month in which to
install the landscaping and ensure that the pond was complete and
functioning in time for practical completion handover.
Maintenance of the park currently resides with a preferred provider Bubblers are set to create a fountain effect. They provide interest, aeration and
selected by the property manager. a pleasant sound

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