3
PORTFOLIO The Brief The innovation of Environmental Studios, this creation is a contemporary indigenous garden with clean lines and easy maintenance finishing’s. The main idea was to create and landscape an interactive space where the central courtyard, which is essentially one of the rooms of the house, interrelates with the main entrance, guest rooms and main living space. Great consideration of scenic views had to be accounted for when designing this space and screening from neighbours was essential when integrating the site into the landscape. The Hard landscaping paving textures were to create a unified feel throughout the various courtyards and these where designed to echo the lines in the architecture of the house. Other requests from the client included the Insertion of a nature pond to catch run-off water, a quirky French vegetable garden to appear just off the kitchen, bird attracting plant material, a courtyard oasis and a 40 000 litre subterranean water tank to store all roof run-off underneath the front lawn. Project Implementation Phase 1 In this phase the back/ arrival courtyard was created, as were the central living courtyard with its smaller kitchen and bedroom courtyards. In these spaces Environmental Studios utilised 99% indigenous plantings, aside from the dwarf green mondo which was designed to run much like a grid between the small openings in the paving, the steps and the decking. It is a dark green, low maintenance medium, which appears within the hardscaping. These green lines are related to the
strong architectural lines of the home. The lawned areas are extensions of the atmosphere inside of the house, made level and contained by hard landscaping mediums. Either cobble edged, off shutter concrete walls or large flagstone pavers were used to achieve this. The planting beds were also contained using the same method. Architectural trees such as Canthium mundianum and Millettia grandis were used to punctuate blocks of ground covers in areas linked to the house and feature walls. Areas just stretching past the house, are designed into a dense mist belt forest mix, to create screening and diversity. This same mist belt mix is used in the central courtyard. The objective here was to create intense diversity in a very contemporary space, bringing contrast into play and connecting the interior to nature as strongly as possible, without compromising the architectural and interior design. Phase 2 The continuation of the indigenous contemporary feel out of the home, cascading into the “open landscape” with incredible views. To organise the sloping site, a dry stone wall was used to split the site. The stone wall is not very noticeable from the house, so as not to confuse the contemporary theme, but it is very much a part of the landscape when one comes into contact with it and enters the rural setting. Continued areas of Cynodon lawns were made to create open contemporary areas in contrast with the open veld. It is below the stone wall that the hybrid tea rose garden is set, back dropped by indigenous evergreen thickets for screening. 2
PROJECT DETAILS House Francis Garlington Estate Hilton CONTRACT VALUE R 458 000.00 SIZE 2200m² TIMELINE Phase 1: September 2012 – January 2013 Phase 2:March 2013 – June 2013
The feature tree in the front of the dwelling is an Acacia seberiana brought in to create shade, accentuate the views, soften the façade of the home and connect with the acacia veld landscape in the distance. Challenges The biggest challenge came when asked to fit a classical old world type garden with rose gardens, hedging and lavender, midway through the project. The garden then became a fusion of contemporary indigenous and classical floral. A leak sprung from the large water tank being installed. This tank was situated underneath the completed and levelled lawn areas. The project had to be re-excavated and it took 4 attempts to finally seal the tank properly. 1 Nature pond acts as a sunken garden
catching runoff before it flows into storm water . 2 interior and exterior become one through “glass link “ . 3 Cynodon lawns echo the proportions of the architecture and continue the courtyard theme out into the landscape . 4 Dry stone steps planted to Thyme ,delosperma and other aromatic ,flowering alpines . 5 Finally .The tanks are in place and so the team can continue with terracing and stone walls.
22
Pro Landscaper Africa / April 2016
www.prolandscaper.co.za