INTERVIEW
Let’s Hear it From
TANYA DE VILLIERS AND HERMAN DE LANGE Pro Landscaper Africa speaks to CNdV directors Tanya de Villiers and Herman de Lange on their new business venture and the beginning of CNdV’s new era as it launches its cndv landscape architects division
What did you study to prepare yourselves for this industry? Tanya: I studied landscape architecture at Pretoria university and also completed a course in graphic design. I come from a family mainly of engineers, my uncle was a famous inventor in the UK. I was trying to decide between architecture and interior design when I happened to find out about landscape architecture – and it looked much more interesting. Herman: Landscape architecture at the University of Pretoria. I come from a family of designers and architects and I did not want to study architecture so I decided to branch out into landscape architecture. You have both been guest lecturers. How has the idea of landscape architecture changed from when you studied? Herman: Landscape architecture has definitely become far more mainstream and well-known. www.prolandscaper.co.za
When I studied, a lot of architects did not even know what landscape architecture was. That is starting to change quite a lot. I think that is a result of the courses at the universities, where architects, landscape architects and construction students sit in a lot of the same lectures for the first few years before they split them up into their desired fields. Now people are beginning to realise what landscape architecture is. Tanya: I would agree with that. Where did you work prior to CNdV and what led you here? Tanya: I worked for landscape architects OvP Associates for eight years before starting my own company, Cape Natural Design. I found I had too many projects and they were far too large, so I joined with the Chittenden Nicks partnership to start the landscape architecture division, we formed Chittenden Nicks de Villiers (CNdV). That was 16 years ago.
Herman: I have been at CNdV for four years. Before that I worked for a company called Viridian Consulting and, prior to that, I lived in Durban for 10 years and worked at Uys and White Landscape Architects. Tanya: In our new firm, cndv landscape architects, Herman and I will both be directors. We are very excited about our new office and our new focus. Now you have decided to branch out into cndv landscape architects, what will the new division’s expertise be? Tanya: We are mainly involved in design work so do not specialise in environmental work. We are also going to focus more on industrial design, concept development, furniture design, etc. Cape Natural Design used to design furniture so we will include industrial design and furniture in this, mainly for external use. Herman: I used to design and have built interior furniture, so it is a good fit for me too.
Pro Landscaper Africa / November/December 2015 17