Page 8 - Landscape-Issue152

PROJECT

Northern façade of the sports field

A comprehensive water harvesting strategy is in place

elements such as seating terraces and built- Connection between architecture
up planters act as mitigation measures and landscape architecture
between terraced levels, while ramps and Data collected from the various
comfortable staircases ensure universal stakeholder sessions was assessed
access throughout the facility. to determine the needs and critical School signage and indigenous planting
The poor drainage capacity of the challenges of future upgrades.
in-situ soil medium necessitated the Architectural principles were re-
installation of adequate drainage imagin ed with (previously unknown) elements throughout the school and are
infrastructure that in turn presented the community challenges and aspirations themed to promote academic excellence,
opportunity to harvest and transport in mind. Spatial implications needed fair play in sports, and cultural and natural
water across the site. to be considered, showing the need heritage. Signage installations point out
The planting strategy for the project for improvement in how facilities were interesting geographic locations.
is also based on a regional approach. managed and maintained. The architectural and landscape architec-
Forming part of the Indian Ocean coastal The architectural intervention is thus tural intentions were to create robust
belt biome of South Africa, the area falls responsive to both immediate wants buildings that respond to local climatic
within the KZN Coastal Belt veld type, and needs, as well as future academic conditions, while the external areas offer
which is threatened by the practices of possibilities and programmes – all platforms for outdoor instruction and
forestry, farming, cultivation and urban requiring safe, robust, and sustainable extra-curricular activities; this will hopefully
sprawl. The planting palette therefore infrastructure. Safety, access, circulation, provide learners and the greater community
aims to conserve species from this outside and inside spaces were the main with the necessary tools to compete locally
vegetation unit while including a selection aspects addressed during the workshops and nationally.
of hardy, indigenous plants from other and design interventions responded
vegetation units as well. The selection to these aspects. The spatial outcome Environmental considerations
of plant species varies in height, texture with regards to circulation, location of and water management
and colour, contributing to a layered and staff rooms, layout of ablution facilities, The landscape architectural component
healthy learning environment. The idea administration buildings, classroom of the school was executed by GVK-
of taking education beyond the classroom layouts, specialist classrooms and outdoor Siya Zama, Countryline Horticulture,
led Fieldworks to design and produce spaces reflect workshop findings. Emerald Landscapes and various other
informative plant cards indicating facts To ensure that the final product was sub-contractors and community-based
and information about the trees planted aspirational, murals painted by local contractors. This comprised:
throughout the school. artists were incorporated. They form focal • A low maintenance, completely indige-

6 Landscape SA • Issue 152 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za