Page 18 - Landscape-Issue146

INDUSTRY NEWS

2025 ILASA WATER WISE

DESIGN COMPETITION

A Brief for Students and Lecturers

Rand Water Water Wise, in collaboration with the South African National Biodiversity
Institute (SANBI), the Institute of Landscape Architects of South Africa (ILASA), and
the South African Green Industries Council (SAGIC), invites you to showcase your
innovative design skills while promoting water-wise practices and indigenous flora

in South Africa’s most prestigious national gardens.

he competition invites third year and post graduate students • Respect historical structures. The century-old bear and lion cages
in landscape architecture and related fields to design that have been converted into offices and a restaurant all lie
Tinnovative, water-wise gardens for two iconic sites: adjacent to the project site and speak to the historical legacy of
l Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Malcolm the Pretoria Zoo.
Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort. • It is hoped that this historical legacy will find a place within the
l National Zoological Garden (Pretoria Zoo), Boom interactive landscape designs.
Street, Pretoria. • Water wise education: Rand Water has requested that the small
This opportunity allows you to demonstrate your creativity and zone alongside an existing café be converted into a rain harvesting
problem-solving abilities, with the potential to see your design demonstration garden. Rainwater to be channelled off the roof of
implemented. the café.
• Walkways and decks. If rustic walkways or viewing decks are
Purpose of the competition incorporated in a design, respect the rustic style of existing
The competition aims to: walkways. (See the Google Drive for images of the accepted
• Promote water conservation and sustainable design in walkway style at the Pretoria Zoo).
landscape architecture.
• Encourage creativity and practicality in addressing real-world Your designs for both projects should include:
challenges. • A site plan: clearly scaled and detailed (suggested scale: 1:100 or
• Provide an educational platform for students to apply water- 1:50).
wise design principles in meaningful ways. • An indigenous planting palette: only indigenous plants may be
used in the designs. Both sites are situated within SANBI gardens.
Design challenge A list of the indigenous plants (in the WSNBG Nursery) available
Submit your designs for one or both of these projects: for use in a student design can be found in the online resources.
There is no on-site plant nursery at the Pretoria Zoo and indigenous
1. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (WSNBG): plants specified in the winning design concept will be brought in
• Upgrade and refurbish the existing water wise garden. at the implementation phase of the project.
• Incorporate new, interactive features, enhance accessibility and • Materials and features: Specify paving, irrigation, and other
showcase exciting indigenous planting schemes. structural elements. Include material specifications suitable for the
• Link your design to the existing gardens while retaining terracing, Gauteng climate.
trees and cycads already present on site. • Practical design: Ensure that the design can be implemented within
budget and site constraints.
2. National Zoological Garden of South Africa • Water wise design: Water wise principles are key to the entire
(Pretoria Zoo): design and subsequent maintenance. Include educational elements
• Design a new water wise garden in a largely undeveloped area, to raise awareness of water conservation and interpretation boards
comprising four zones around a key pedestrian junction. for educational purposes. Demonstrate hydrozoning to optimise
• There are opportunities for bold design changes on this site. water use.
Students are encouraged to celebrate the zoo’s rich history and • Universal access: Ensure designs cater to universal access.
cultural legacy. • Sustainability: Propose low-maintenance, sustainable design as
• Incorporate bold and interactive elements to appeal to local both host sites require sustainable maintenance solutions.
and international visitors. • Creativity: Be original and creative. Think outside the box!
• The competition site is situated alongside the famous elephant • Aesthetics: Be aesthetically pleasing, practical and functional.
enclosure, an area regarded by the Pretoria Zoo as a memorial • Budget: Align with a budget of R500,000 – R700,000 per garden.
to the late Charlie the elephant who was beloved by Pretoria • Implementation: Designs need to be implementable with minimal
residents. The elephant enclosure is no longer in use. adjustments.

16 Landscape SA • Issue 146 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za