Page 8 - Landscape-Issue147

PROJECT

Kershaw worked closely with Mike Buyskes Construction and their
sub-contractors regarding stockpiling of materials. In certain areas,
large rock walls were created to hide the structures that were yet
to be built. Once the tier structures were built, soil was backfilled
around them to make them ‘disappear’ before landscaping could
begin. Stockpiles of rocks were then brought back in to integrate
the buildings and the natural hillside landscape. Rock packing
was undertaken on all slopes to prevent soil erosion, followed by
interplanting with grasses, shrubs and trees.
Indigenous plant species were carefully selected and as many
endemic species as possible were used to ensure that the landscape
blended in with its environment and complied with the requirements
of the environmental management plan. These plant species were
approved by custodians of the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, as well
as Nuleaf Planning and Environmental, who are themselves also
experienced landscape architects.
Rooftop tier gardens
These were constructed to ensure that water would drain off the
rooftops underneath the planted grass areas. A lightweight soil mix
was prepared specially for the project and placed inside the hyacinth
cells on top of the protected waterproofing. Roof areas were then
covered with a hessian enviromat, and indigenous Cynodon dactylon
grass plugs were planted in them, preventing the soil from being Interior planting creates a transition from outside to inside spaces
washed away on the roofs. Other indigenous grass species and plants
were also added to the roof gardens to make them blend in and
appear as natural as possible, as the view from the rooms overlooks
the roof gardens.
Between the levels in front of the rooms and roof gardens, several
shallow bird baths were built to attract birds and small wildlife for
guests to enjoy.
Indoor garden areas
These are passageways with garden beds that lead to the rooms
underneath the roof gardens; they are covered with steel grates to
allow light in, but prevent guests or animals falling through any gaps
in the roof. As they are fairly shady, a variety of indigenous shade-
loving groundcovers and shrubs have been planted in them to soften
the areas.
Hard landscaping
The road leading up the hill to the arrivals area was paved with
cement grass blocks and seeded with Cynodon dactylon in the grass
block cavities.
At the top of the hill leading down to the reception, a water feature View from tier 3 rooftop looking back towards the rooms
leads into a fishpond. It was built using a strong waterproofing liner
to create a few smaller ponds, with waterfalls cascading into the
fishpond. The surrounding rock material was used for this purpose,
interplanted with indigenous landscaping plants.
Golf cart pathways were constructed by the main contractor using
reinforced fibre cement. These lead from the reception area to the
rooms, gym, spa and the clifftop pool. The latter was positioned so
that it was not visible to guests and the front of the pool was hidden by
placing a wall of large boulders in front of it; interplanting comprises
asparagus ferns and other indigenous creepers and grasses.
Along cement pathways, edging was done with smaller stone rock
packing and interplanted with indigenous grass seed. Disturbed
slopes were rock-packed and interplanted with grasses and grass
seed.

Main pool area
The client requested grass areas in front of the pool to be kept short
and well-maintained, and Cynodon dactylon sods were again used for
these areas. A large boulder was placed on the side of the pool area
for the display of a life-sized bronze cheetah.

Walkway to viewing deck at the dam
In front of the lodge, all large boulders moved down the hill during
construction were used to build a natural-looking wall to hide the
Kenyan style game fence. The wooden walkway viewing deck
extends over the fence and nestles in the shade of a large Marula Tier 2 rooftop garden with view towards the dam

6 Landscape SA • Issue 147 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za