Page 9 - Landscape-Issue142

PROJECT

constant revisions to the project timeline,
scope of work and bill of quantities.
Although the project initially required
16 weeks to complete, only 12 weeks were
allocated, and the workload eventually
doubled. To further complicate matters,
the water supply from the site’s reservoir
failed during the planting phase, leaving the
project without water for several weeks, even
during the peak of summer. This disruption
coincided with the festive season, and despite
the delivery of all shrubs and ground covers
to the site, the absence of water required
manual watering using drag lines.
Moreover, access to various levels of the
site and the movement of materials was
severely constrained, as the site was not
accessible to machinery. This meant that
narrow and confined spaces had to be
navigated while other contractors were still
actively working, with extremely limited
areas available to stockpile materials.
Irrigation and maintenance
The maintenance period was reduced from
12 to six months, after which the client’s
in-house maintenance team took over.
Revive Landscaping was then contracted
by the client on a consultancy basis, and to
undertake on-site staff training.
The irrigation system, designed in
collaboration with Peter Wium Consulting
Engineers, integrates water harvesting with
innovative water feature management to
ensure efficient use of resources. Water
runoff from the site is captured in green
(events lawn) and blue roof (bowls court)
zones, which feature permeable surface
materials for infiltration. This harvested
water is collected in catchment tanks at the
lower end of the site, where it is stored for
irrigation purposes.
The estate’s water features, including
the wetland stream and leivoor system, are
also integrated into the irrigation network.
The wetland stream has an overflow weir
at its bottom catchment pond, directing
excess water through a stone channel that
connects to the leivoor system. Water from
Catchment pond situated in the contemplation area the leivoor flows into a lower overflow pond,
where it is captured and stored alongside
runoff water for irrigation.
contrasting with the traditional Cape enhancing both its usability and aesthetic In addition to using harvested water,
Dutch architecture of the surrounding appeal. the water features are connected to the
buildings. This juxtaposition of old and irrigation system for efficient management.
new elements adds depth and character Landscape installation process When necessary, top-up water from the
to the site. This was undertaken by Revive irrigation system is used to maintain the
Bespoke timber benches were Landscaping, who faced significant water levels within these features, ensuring
integrated into the design; they are challenges and constraints that required a consistent and reliable flow throughout
custom-crafted and have been placed in innovative solutions. There were strict the landscape.
carefully chosen pause spaces, offering time limitations for this labour-intensive This interconnected system promotes
visitors inviting spots to sit and reflect, project and as it progressed, the water efficiency, minimises reliance on
surrounded by the calming presence of complexity of the site, combined with the external water sources, and supports both
water and greenery. The natural grain differing needs of various stakeholders, the landscape’s aesthetic appeal and its
and warm tones of the timber bring an led to numerous changes in design and functional irrigation needs, reinforcing the
organic, welcoming feel to the seating specifications, including adjustments to estate’s commitment to environmental
areas, softening the hard edges of the water features, levels, drainage systems, resilience.
concrete and adding comfort to the user stormwater management, as well as
experience. These carefully placed pause the size and species of plants. These Information supplied by Square One
areas create moments of quiet reflection changes occurred up to a week before Landscape Architects. Photos by David Ross
within the dynamic flow of the site, the practical completion date, causing @davidrosspictures. n

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