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PROJECT

WORKSHOP 17, HYDE PARK CORNER

Workshop 17 at Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg, comprises multi-purpose and

flexible work spaces within an urban, green environment. Offices of various sizes
and configurations are available, surrounded by terraced, exterior spaces. In
addition to working space, there are hospitality and services including meeting
rooms, IT support and a café.

andscape architect Laurent Changuion
explains that his brief was to create a
Lgreen rooftop garden for use by the
tenants of Workshop 17. The area can also
be used for functions.
Design challenges included the fact
that the roof space is used for electrical, air
conditioning, water storage and telecoms
services, with their positions fixed. CLDS
therefore had to design the landscaping
to accommodate these and also to screen
them. This was achieved by creating a
modular steel frame structure with mesh
inserts. The screens were covered with
creeper plants to form vertical green
elements that hide the services and at
the same time, soften the space. After the
screen layout was completed, spaces were
created between these screens, which also
serve as gathering nodes.
Planting design
Trees were planted in pots to create shade,
and their positions were co-ordinated
to adhere to engineering specifications.
Planters were created with steel and mesh
to form pockets of greenery, and colour
was also an important consideration. As the
interior design of Workshop 17 is vibrant
and colourful, the planting concept needed
to link with the interior design and allow
the colours to flow from the internal spaces
into the exterior gardens.
Changuion explains that certain cables
could not be hidden under the gravel, so
cover plates were created for these. After
consulting with the Workshop 17 team, it
was agreed that the cover plates would
feature a poem by Athol Williams (*). A
portion of this poem was chosen, and the
text was engraved into the rusted steel,
creating interest and significance for users of
the space.
Trees planted include Olea africana
and Heteropyxis natalensis. Shrubs and
groundcovers include Aristida junciformis,
Anthericum saundersii, Agapanthus
Entrance signage africanus, Aristea ecklonii, Dietes grandiflora,
Gaura lindheimeri, Juncus effusus,
Project Team Plectranthus variegata, Pelargonium
Client: Hyprop peltatum, Trachelospemum jasminoides,
Project Manager: Orion Portulacaria afra, Limonium perezii, Salvia
Architects: Daffonchio Architects ‘Hot Lips’, Strelitzia reginae and S. juncea.
Landscape Architects: Changuion
Landscape Design Studio (CLDS) Landscape installation
Landscape Contractor: Intle Garden Creation This was carried out by Gerrit Janse van
Rensburg of Intle Garden Creation.

4 Landscape SA • Issue 145 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za