Page 6 - Landscape-Issue142

PROJECT

WYTHAM RETIREMENT ESTATE

Wytham Retirement Estate in Claremont, Cape Town, was established as Highwick
House in the early 1900s by Henry Beard. The site has undergone several
transformations, one of which was its renaming to Wytham Estate by Judge James
Stratford. In 1961, the site became home to Stanley Lewis, founder of the Foschini

Group, who lived there for over 40 years.

edeveloped as a modern retirement architecture and infrastructure were
estate, it pays homage to its history,
Project Team Rwith 100 year old trees still standing required to blend seamlessly with the
surrounding environment, preserving
Client: AVIEW Properties tall, yet surrounded by state-of-the- its natural beauty while enhancing its
Landscape Architect: art amenities in beautifully landscaped ecological integrity.
Square One Landscape Architects gardens. The design needed to seamlessly in-
Landscape Contractor: tegrate the estate into the natural land-
Revive Landscaping Brief and landscape design scape, while also addressing stormwater
Water Feature Specialist: Eco Pools concept management on site. Sustainable design
Architect: Platform Architects The client sought to develop an principles were to be used to ensure that
Civil Engineer: upmarket retirement estate that the environmental footprint was mini-
Peter Wium Consulting Engineers blended sophistication and tranquillity, mised, while biodiversity was enhanced
Electrical Engineer: at the same time showcasing a strong throughout the estate.
B2A Consulting Engineers commitment to the environment. In To manage stormwater effectively,
Quantity Surveyors: addition, they wanted to create a sense the design needed to include green
Kokt & Company Quantity Surveyors of community and connection among infrastructure features such as permeable
Main Contractor: HFO Construction
residents, with ample opportunities surfaces, rain gardens and bioswales;
for relaxation and leisure. The estate’s safety considerations were essential, with
accessibility for all residents (including
those with mobility challenges)
prioritised. This was to be achieved
through the use of thoughtfully designed
pathways, ramps and lighting.
The landscape design concept
was driven in part by the principle
of working ecological functions
into the urban landscape. Given the
increase in environmental, social and
economic pressures in higher-density
suburban areas, Square One Landscape
Architects focused on creating a design
that balanced spatial quality with
environmental resilience.
Through contextually responsive
interventions, their design embedded
natural systems into the built
environment to provide benefits such as
lush greenery to mitigate heat build-up
The manor house and events lawn
from urban surfaces, water features to
help cool the environment, and generous
planting areas to slow down and infiltrate
surface water runoff, contributing to the
site’s ecological functionality.
The design also embraced a “multi-func-
tional” approach, combining functional-
ity, amenity and sensory experiences. A
series of outdoor spaces with varied land-
scape characteristics was included, and
these provide opportunities for activities
such as picnics, bowls and social gather-
ings. A water course designed to follow
the changing terrain also served to pro-
vide a range of sensory experiences, from
trickling and cascading water near din-
ing and game areas, to a quiet, reflective
pool where residents can relax calmly. By
Apartment units with Buddleja salvifolia screening the bottom units blending the ecological and cultural as-

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