Page 6 - Landscape-Issue149

PROJECT

Project Team
Developer: The Collins Residential Group
Architects: Nsika Architecture
Landscape Architects: Land Art Studio
Landscape Contractor: Life Green Group KZN

Pheonix reclinata ( indigenous Wild Date Palms) thrive in coastal environments and have been used as part of Seaton’s streetscape, enhancing biodiversity and
ecological restoration. They also provide essential habitat and food for local wildlife.

SEATON ESTATE

Seaton Estate is situated on KZN’s north coast, along a 1,1km stretch of direct
beach frontage. A neighbouring development to Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate, it
is anchored within 94 hectares of natural open space.

andscape architect Bernice Rumble areas, and the potential of rewilding them, luna deck, and Sundays at the cricket oval.
of Land Art Studio says her key design that informed the ‘nature first’ principle. All these elements are woven through
Lprinciple is to rewild and activate the The north coast is a fast-growing the neighbourhood to inspire an outdoor
natural open spaces, aligning with one of community where nature is dominant, and lifestyle;
the Collins Group’s core values of investing the area appeals to those looking for an • establishing a sense of community: with
in nature. Seaton spans +/- 217 hectares and outdoor, active lifestyle. Rumble says she has communal parks, rewilded valleys and sports
has a 1,7km open space valley that starts always wanted the area to be recognised as facilities all fostering a sense of community;
at the beach and undulates inland. Rumble a ‘blue zone’, which identifies longevity based • having a sense of purpose: although this is a
believes that the heart and soul of Seaton is on environment and lifestyle. She explains personal endeavour, one’s reason for getting
anchored in these natural spaces. that her purpose as a landscape architect up in the morning is made easy when the
in this context is to see how to improve the environment invites you to partake;
Nature first and blue zone ideologies natural environment to foster wellbeing. “We • down-shifting / de-stressing: Seaton’s
Establishing the ‘nature first’ principle have the environment so how do we unlock nature is expansive and it has been proven
was a natural outcome based on the the lifestyle? This often requires finding a that nature provides a natural antidote to
comprehensive environmental process that balance between human needs and nature. stress. We look forward to seeing residents
the development went through. This process Our nature code for Seaton focuses on the establishing outdoor rituals in Seaton as the
defines the environmental assets and creation of a coastal neighbourhood in line open spaces develop; and
required protective buffers, and establishes with ‘blue zone’ ideologies, with wellness as • inter-generational living: with nature
the biomes evident on the property, even if the overriding focus.” This is accomplished by: in abundance, Seaton is attracting all
degraded. The biomes identified in Seaton • moving naturally: providing trails that generations and research is showing the
are coastal dune forest, coastal grasslands, encourage natural movement such as benefits of this such as enhanced mental
wetlands, coastal forest and a protected family walks through the valley, play in the health, mutual support, economic viability
marine edge. It is the value and scale of these valley park, observing the moon from the and a sense of belonging.

4 Landscape SA • Issue 149 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za