Pro Landscaper Africa February 2018

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DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

February 2018

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DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

February 2018

GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS Products pioneering the way in green building solutions

Welcome to the first edition of Pro Landscaper Africa 2018.

By connecting the industry at large, we aim to promote best practise in outdoor design, build & maintenance, showcase projects locally and internationally and share knowledge with developers, landscape architects, contractors, grounds maintenance companies, municipalities, associations, suppliers and industry influencers to move the industry forward.

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would like to start by saying an enormous thank you to our readers and supporters who have helped us grow extensively over the past year and who continue to contribute their opinions, projects, news and initiatives to our trade publication. We cannot believe how far we have come, and we look forward to conquering new heights and the journey ahead with our valued audience.

We have an exciting line-up for the 2018 year ahead and certainly have plans to expand our influence, media schedule, association involvement and explore topics and themes of pertinence to remain a catalyst for growth.

Kicking off our year, the February 2018 Edition features some incredible content.

Take a look at the Institute of Landscape Architecture in South Africa’s (ILASA) plans for the 2018 year ahead as well as a roundup of what the South African Landscapers Institute (SALI) has in store for its members this year.

Visit the site of Just Trees and examine how we as an industry can become more waste conscious and contribute to a sustainable site with a feature titled “Feed Soil, Not Landfills.”

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FEED SOIL, NOT LANDFILLS ProLandscaper_February 2018[Conflict][Conflict].indd 1

2018/02/08 22:14

We interview Marl St Pôl, Director of Square One Landscape Architects and showcase five amazing local and international projects in our portfolio’s section to follow.

We are focusing extensively in this edition on Green Building Products as there has been a huge and growing movement towards products in-line with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) and products which aid Green Star Rating’s for our projects. With emphasis on a building’s sustainability, air quality, water saving, energy efficiency and emissions as well as the general well-being of its occupants, this section aims to highlihgt products pioneering the way in green building solutions.

On Behalf of the Pro Landscaper Africa Team, we would like to wish you all a very successful 2018.

MEET THE 2018 TEAM: Justine Coleman, Communications Director, 062 099 1403 justine@paperplanepublications.co.za

Basheerah De Villiers Media Sales Executive 064 464 2203 sheerah@paperplanepublications.co.za

Sarah Gregg-Macdonald Designer sarah.jane@live.co.za

Jodie Bridgens Editorial Assistant & Subscriptions Facilitator 064 113 3039 media@paperplanepublications.co.za

Chanel Besson, Editor & Managing Director 062 585 3616 chanel@paperplanepublications.co.za

Cover image: Rabie Property Group Century City Square

www.prolandscaper.co.za

Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

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CONTENTS

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19

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News Shed Industry news from around South Africa

PORTFOLIO

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Association News Dedicated to the landscaping trade’s associations and their initiatives, news and events.

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The New Urban by Planning Partners

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Symbolic Design by KWPCREATE

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Environmentally Responsible & Open for Business by Nurture Landscapes (West London)

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Site Visit: Far More Than Just Trees Pro Landscaper Africa visit’s the sites of its industry suppliers to gain insight into how the products we encounter through the trade are produced and nurtured.

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The Leeu Collection by Heimo Schulzer Gardens & Franchesca Watson

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Physic Garden by Thorbjӧrn Anderson with Sweco Architects (Switzerland)

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Feed Soil, Not Landfills Pro Landscaper Africa asks a leading contracting firm this question “What are we as an industry consciously doing to improve waste management onsite and how can we recycle material and contribute to sustainable working environments.”

MACHINERY

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The best in outdoor equipment for the eco-conscious professional

INTERVIEW

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30 Minutes with Mark St Pôl With an array of qualifications and a predisposition for all things landscaping, Director of Square One, Mark Saint Pôl is the perfect candidate to kick off our 2018 year. Having worked with some of the most influential professionals within the industry and with his own unique style and influence we certainly had our notebooks ready with many questions.

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Green Building Products There has been a huge and growing movement towards products in-line with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) and products which aid Green Star Rating’s for our projects. With emphasis on a building’s sustainability, air quality, water saving, energy efficiency and emissions as well as the general well- being of its occupants, this section aims to highlight products pioneering the way in green building solutions.

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Little Interviews

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Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

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NEWS

Port Elizabeth 6th- 8th March 2018

Pretoria Inner City 3rd – 5th May 2018 design professionals, the term ‘WeTheCity’ is both a proclamation and a provocation, implying a call for participatory action around how we shape our cities collectively.

This year, the Architecture ZA festival (#AZA18) is inviting all those engaged with the built environment to be part of a call for participatory action around how we shape our cities collectively.

As our cities evolve in response to global urbanisation and climate change, new opportunities are being created toward compact cities, improved resource consumption, economic and social dynamism, market creation, human development and climate change adaptation. Cities need to be sustainable, adaptive and diverse to be more resilient in the face of such new scenarios.

Under the theme ‘WeTheCity: Memory & Resilience’, the #AZA18 programme will focus on issues of design and practice concerning environmental potential, cultural heritage and human settlement – with South African architectural, urban, cultural and landscape producers sharing experiences and perspectives with cutting-edge international practices from around the world.

Speakers and delegates will engage around different scenarios of change as to how we live, interact, and survive both as individuals and as part of a collective, within the urban environment. The programme will centre around ‘Resilience’ as the ability of a system to absorb, or recover from, certain disturbances without losing its ability to function; and ‘Memory’ as the phenomena that imbue a place with meaning. Given the rapidly changing roles of www.prolandscaper.co.za

The programme will include keynote presentations, parallel sessions, student design sessions, films, and professional practice sessions. Confirmed international speakers to date include Enrique Browne, one of the most prolific Chilean architects and co-founder of Browne & Swett Arquitectos in Santiago; award-winning architect and principal of the design studio sP+a in Mumbai, Sameep Padora; Mexican architect, Gabriela Carrillo, who was voted winner of the 2017 “Women in Architecture” Award by prominent international magazines The Architectural Review and The Architects’ Journal; and the young Cameroonian architect, Hermann Kamte, winner of the WAFX Awards 2017-Cultural Identity prize.

Rising star UK-based architect, Peter Barber, will also present his ground-breaking work focused on mixed-use and housing. #AZA18 will present a series of inspiring exhibitions including the prestigious international LafargeHolcim Foundation Sustainable Construction Awards for the Africa Region; UP’s Department of Architecture 75th Birth Year exhibition; an Urban+Trans+Formation exhibition; the Corobrik SAIA Awards of Excellence & Merit; the Ceasarstone Competition exhibition; and the PPC Imaginarium and Fuch’s Students’ Competitions exhibitions. #AZA18 will be held at 012Central in the Pretoria inner city from 3-5 May 2018.

Presented and hosted by the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) and co-hosted by the University of Pretoria (UP), this threeday festival comprises two days of conference presentations and one day of tours and masterclasses. Members of the public, students, designers and artists, urban thinkers, economists, and all built environment professionals are encouraged to attend.

The International Plant Propagation Society's 21st Annual conference is around the corner!

This, not to be missed event, takes place in Port Elizabeth from the 6th to the 8th of March 2018 with the post tour scheduled for the 9th March 2018. Delegates will be accommodated at the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel in Port Elizabeth for conferencing, site visits include working green industry farms and the post tour is based in the ADDO area with a highlight being a game drive and presentation in the Addo Elephant Park. Both ‘Full conference’ and ‘Day conference’ packages are available.

This year’s conference theme is “Climate Resistant Horticulture”. We have a strong guest speaker line-up including a little “international flair” with Dermot Molloy from Australia being the keynote speaker. Dermot is a long-time propagator at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne and is a board member of the Australian IPPS branch.

There are various options available for sponsorship of this event if you wish to get your brand involved. There is also a detailed conference programme with a registration form if you would like to attend or sponsor a staff member’s attendance to this beneficial event.

There will also be an auction held during the event with all donations going towards improving the green industry by investing in student training.

Please go to www.ippssa.org to find out more about IPPS membership, to read relevant conference information.

Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

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NEWS

D ES I G N I N D A B A CONFERENCE 21-23 February 2018 Cape Town.

(Simulcast versions of the conference will take place in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Potchefstroom and Namibia.)

The Design Indaba conference, takes place from 21-23 February 2018. The Design Indaba aims to make a positive impact on society by building a movement that attracts producers of meaningful culture and business, regardless of sector or industry.

With three full days of engaging speakers, exhibitions and a film- and music festival, the 2018 conference is set to amaze, uplift and motivate delegates to find new ways in which to design a better world.

Design Indaba 2018 speaker, Peter Veenstra, on building outspoken landscapes.

Peter Veenstra is a landscape architect and co-founder of LOLA Architects, a design firm based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. They specialise in questioning the relationship between nature, man and urban spaces, producing designs that weave sprawling gardens and open squares for pedestrians seamlessly among city districts.

“In the end we are happiest when the structural improvement and design [thinking] come together,” – Peter Veenstra On one hand, designers are eager to flex their creative muscles with impressive and complex “out of the box” compositions with too little regard for the real-world impact. At the other end of the spectrum exist the designers who take the issues of the natural surroundings incredibly seriously, yielding to obstacles to such a degree that it bogs down their creativity from the start.

“We’re trying to combine the two,” says Veenstra, “We like to do experiments in the office, but of course in the end we are happiest when the structural improvement and design [thinking] come together.”

According to the Design Indaba 2018 speaker who will launch a special project as part of his talk next year, there is a curious divergence that occurs in the industry of landscape architecture that must be manouvered with care.

D I A R I S E T H ES E D AT ES :

MARCH 20: Cape Green Forum Trade Day (Cape Town)

MARCH 14: South African Nurseries Association (SANA) Autumn Trade Fair, Midrand, Johannesburg.

MARCH 12TH – 14TH : 4th Annual City Development Africa, Smart Growth & Digital Transformation, Cape Town.

Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

The Adidas Campus in Germany is one project that illustrates this considerate approach. Though still under construction, it will feature landscape gardens that reflect the active and sporty ethos that the brand of Adidas is known for. The architects intend for this to be a dynamic space where the employees of the company will feel inspired by their working environment, inside and out. www.designindaba.com The Adidas Headquarters

Despite the challenge, Veenstra maintains that this is an exciting time to be a part of the landscape architecture industry, as the global zeitgeist is moving more towards offsetting the dreary side of urban life with elements of nature and the great outdoors. There is a collective desire to introduce the countryside into our citified lives, a mindfulness of Earth that

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enriches our wellbeing. This desire is one that creative groups such as LOLA Architects are acting on.

Marcus Evans takes great pride in organising this anticipated event. This event will showcase how innovative ideas can translate into practical solutions for cities and the built environment and demonstrate relevant thinking on planning, sustainability and adaptation mechanisms for success.

www.prolandscaper.co.za

NEWS

Entering 2018 the Institute for Landscape Architecture in South Africa (ILASA), founded in 1962, will build on its fifty five year legacy. Following its mandate to promote the profession and its social responsibility to transform the profession, ILASA will continue and expand on existing programmes. ILASA will explore opportunities for dialogue with government to broaden the awareness of the crucial role of landscape planning and design for the long term well-being of individuals and communities. ILASA will continue to support SACLAP and the CBE on transformation strategies and with the DPW Schools programme; always pressing for bursaries for landscape architecture students. With the goal of transforming the profession in mind, ILASA will explore opportunities to support aspirant students of landscape architecture who experience financial constraints.

A number of events are planned for 2018.

The principal event being the 2018 ILASA Conference planned for August. Regional events are planned for KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Gauteng.

The KZN branch will continue building on professional coherence and interactive excursions through field experiences. KZN welcomes the involvement of other professionals and interested parties.

The Gauteng branch has an event planned for each month in 2018 including; a Public Art site walk, two presentation of Gauteng merit award winning projects, and session on the Water Crisis. There are plans for two ILASA/PIA/UDISA collaboration events, a Mandela Day activity, a session on Design for Social Impact, a possible thesis presentation

by University of Pretoria students and finally a Year End function in November.

• • • •

Norah de Wet – National Chairperson Redewaan Isaacs – Cape Regional Chairman Gerhard Lotz – Gauteng Regional Chairman Rudi Jonck – KZN Regional Chairman

These regional heads are supported by very enthusiastic Regional Executive Committees that also offer up their valuable time to ensure that SALI moves into the future in a progressive and responsible manner.

SALI consists of a vast network of members, landscape contractors and suppliers, throughout South Africa who are guided by the SALI Constitution and Code of Conduct. SALI members endeavour to improve the standard of the landscaping industry by adhering to the Specifications laid down by SALI and by so doing ensure clients get increased value and professionalism you can trust.

The SALI National Executive Committee serves on a voluntary basis and consist of the following industry experts: www.prolandscaper.co.za

The Cape branch promotes cross-pollination with other professions with quarterly ILASA@ CIfA talks and collaboration on talks and events with the academic institutions of UCT and CPUT. As opportunities arise the Cape branch arranges or participates in events and trades talks of related green industry which focus on trade information and training.

ILASA looks forward to an exciting year as a member of the broader green industry and to working together without peers and industry clients to build a healthier green country.

Eamonn O'Rouke, ILASA President www.ilasa.co.za

practices which give the desired outcome.

These may vary slightly between climatic zones throughout the country. For this reason, SALI proposes in using the term ‘Best Practice Standards’ rather than ‘Minimum Standards’. All SALI Members will be encouraged to adopt these best practices because they are guaranteed to deliver a quality product in the Landscape Construction and Maintenance disciplines.

The SALI National Executive Committee is very • Drafting of an amendment to the JBCC excited to be focussing our attention during the Nominated/Selected Sub-Contract that Visit ourrefers website at www.ilasa.co.za our Facebook pa next term of office in two particular areas: to Landscape Installationsor and PostCompletion Maintenance. SALI, along with • Reviewing the Landscaping Industry’s other stakeholders, has identified the need Specifications - There has long been a to address matters pertaining to landscape debate on whether there should be lesser sub-contracts. This will attempt to smooth specifications for new members and over current difficulties experienced by smaller contracts. The NEC feels that this landscapers working in the Construction defeats the objective of having one set of industry at present. SALI, along with other definitive SALI ‘Minimum’ Specifications. stakeholders in the Green Industry, have Landscape specifications are by their given Prof. Piet Vosloo the mandate to nature not based on scientific data represent our industry on the JBCC board to but on generally accepted landscaping spearhead these suggested amendments.

Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

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F E AT U R E

SITE V I ST:

FAR MORE THAN JUST TREES

W

ith the current situation in the Cape, Pro Landscaper was determined that the first visit of 2018 needed to be to a grower, undoubtedly affected in some way by the restrictions. Consequently, we found ourselves en-route to Paarl-based Just Trees farm. It seemed the further we drove out of Cape Town the easier it was to shake off the city tensions and dissolve into the picturesque scenery that is Paarl- they certainly don’t call it Pearl of the Winelands for nothing. We soon glided onto a dirt road, usually indicative of the farm’s fast approach and were greeted by many smiling faces on a bustling site and a very recognisable “Life Landscapes” truck on its way off site and headed to Sitari Estate to deliver its enormous load of mature trees… oh yes, we had certainly arrived at the right place.

had arrived in, to explore the 42-hectare site of mature tree magic.

After a quick ‘roastery good’ cup of coffee made by EOY® Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year® Carl Pretorius himself, we briefly met the team at the helm of site operations before being whisked off in a slightly bigger and more farm worthy car than the one we

Remarkably, today you will find 150 000 trees living on the 42ha farm, made up of 58 species and sold in a variety of pot sizes. This plot is also solar powered, which generates two thirds of all the electricity needed to operate the farm.

Driving through the site, we came across

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Carl Pretorius purchased the home of Just Trees in 1999, but admittedly had other intensions for it in the beginning. He initially used the farm recreationally and for growing his own olive trees, but his trees soon attracted attention from local landscape architects and from there the business was born. Since officially opening its doors in 2005, Just Trees has grown its stock, staff complement (now 62 employees) and has become a pioneer in doing business the right way, placing huge importance on environmental impact and sustainability and placing emphasis on the company’s carbon footprint- this keen emphasis has earned Just Trees the title of first carbon neutral farm in SA.

an area where a container- unmistakably belonging to Reliance compost had been parked. We learned how Reliance compost together with pine bark, coarse sand and zeogrow come together to form the soilless recipe in which each sapling is grown into a mature tree.

We then pulled up to a lively playschool, (yes you have read correctly, a children’s nursery on site) which is called the Goedgedacht Path out of Poverty Centre and was established by Carl and the Goedgedacht Trust to allow the community members and staff on site of local farms to work whilst their children are well looked after.

This is one amongst many initiatives and programmes Carl and his team are involved in.

Their well know initiative of donating 1 tree in every 5 sold has seen greening of many schools, parks and even whole communities with their flagship environmental project being the Clanwilliam Cedar Restoration Project.

Since 2009 Just Trees has been propagating

Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

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F E AT U R E

and growing Clanwilliam Cedars for CapeNature and planting out into the Cederberg Mountains.

Liquid ambers on the right are ready to be delivered to site, watterberry trees on the left still have 14 months of maturing to do. Carl can tell by the root structure when the tree is ready.

It was fantastic to drive to a spot overlooking the expanse of the initial 22ha plot of land Carl and his team began their journey on and to see how year-on-year they have increased the space in which trees are nurtured, matured and sent off to the various projects around South Africa and abroad.

It is important to note how businesses such as Just Trees are having to adapt to accommodate the heavy water restrictions and water crisis.

Just Trees has seen an 80% reduction in water rights from the municipal authorities which has meant that they have had to approach neighbouring farmers to buy their water rights to accommodate their daily running. They have also, aside from extensive mulching and generic water saving techniques, adopted something new on the farm which Pro Landscaper has coined the “Cake Cover Experiment.” By placing a plastic cake cover over each tree’s stem, Carl estimates they have managed to save up to 30% of the water used to irrigate it. The cake cover creates a green house effect and eliminates evaporation.

With water scarcity as a very real and looming issue for growers, Carl had some advice for fellow business owners in the Cape...

“Know that plants are very adaptable and resilient. They can cope with a lot less water than one imagines. They literally adapt, so just keep giving them water even if it’s just a drop!”

What struck us most about this company was the immaculate way in which each tree is kept and cared for, the great lengths Just Trees goes to- to actively be a business that not only talks the talk but also contributes to the environment, community and places social accountability at the forefront of its ethos. This company, much like the trees it nurtures is constantly growing its reach whilst rooted steadily in its humble ethos.

These solar panels generate 2/3 of the electricity needed to run the 42ha farm.

Carl’s favourite tree onsite: the Monkey thorn or Acacia galpinii.

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Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

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F E AT U R E

This picture was taken when Just Trees received the SALI “Selected Supplier of the Year” for the third time in 2016.

"The Cake Cover Experiment"

SAGIC Honours Roll award being handed over by Chairlady of SAGIC Ida-Marie Strydom.

Proudest moment on the farm?

“When we received the SAGIC Honours Roll last year at the SAGIC conference.”

www.prolandscaper.co.za

Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

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F E AT U R E

FEED SOIL, N OT L A N D F I L L S Pro Landscaper asks one of SA's leading landscape contracting firms…

“What are we as an industry consciously doing to improve waste management onsite and how can we recycle material and contribute to sustainable working environments.”

An Introduction: With a notably strong environmental ethos, Life Green Group promotes ‘green’ and sustainable practices, be that by installing Green Star rated gardens or by transforming their clients’ surroundings into vibrant, healthy and sustainable green spaces. They service a variety of clients, including housing estates and business parks nationwide, many of whom have extensive gardens. Where there are gardens, there is garden waste and much of this is removed and dumped into a landfill where it contributes towards greenhouse gases.

With the intention of reducing carbon emissions and at the same time build carbon levels in soil, this company does not remove any garden waste from a site and instead either composts the waste or uses it as mulch.

Many of their clients also have canteens

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and together with Life & Earth, an associated company of Life Green Group, they are able to recycle food waste into compost. This waste stream too is responsible for emitting greenhouse gases through rotting in landfills.

Composting garden and food waste removes these waste streams from landfill and recycles it into a nutrient rich soil, which is fed back to the gardens it came from.

Much is gained by utilizing garden and food waste from whence it was generated, but the soil gains the most, and in turn we do too.

“Soil is a living organism and essential for life, which we can’t live without” says Oscar Lockwood from Life Green Group.

Carbon Landscaping – the journey ahead Climate change is a reality and with it a responsibility to change the way Landscapers

think about gardens and especially soil.

What is soil? Soil is one of the three major natural resources, alongside air and water. It is one of the marvellous products of nature and without which there would be no life. Healthy, rich, soil has a minimum organic content of 6% (this is measured as the carbon content of soil). Yet in South Africa most of our soils have less than 2% our soil has a decreasing ability to build life.

Unless we change this.

The role of carbon rich soil is key to fighting Climate Change: the soil scientist, Dr. Rattan Lal says: “A mere 2 percent increase in the carbon content of the planet’s soils could offset 100 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions going into the atmosphere.”

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F E AT U R E

Everyone can enjoy the double benefit of improving their own landscape environment and helping fight against climate change by simply adding more organic matter to their soil. Adding organic matter to soil will build Living Soil - soil that is literally full of life: teaming with billions of bacteria, fungi; populated by earthworms all turning this matter into nutrients for plants.

We add organic matter by adding compost to our gardens. This super charged compost being a mixture of composted food and garden waste and composted on site – thereby not removing any organic matter. Instead it should be fed back to the soil. Which in turn will nurture the soil and build a healthier landscape.

There are two types of landscapers. The first are those whose raison d'être is to ensure that the gardens they manage are neat, tidy and pretty. The second are those whose key purpose is to - while still having an attractive outlook - ensure that indigenous nature can be sustained and biodiversity can thrive within the environment they have created.

The second type of landscaper deserves our attention (and plaudits). Essentially these landscapers are stewards of the soil.

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Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

These are the landscapers who compost onsite, plant indigenous annual grasses (which feed the soil) and provide a habitat for insects, birds, small mammals and reptiles they build gardens which are literally teaming with life above and below the soil. Life Green Group strives towards this goal.

These landscapers - perhaps not consciously are taking the lessons of carbon farming in order to build a better environment and a better landscape. For instance the landscaping achievements at the de Beers/Anglo American Training Centre, Siemens and Philip Morris are astounding. Natural grasses have been planted. Open spaces reclaimed from kikuyu grass and allowed to become a haven for indigenous birds, insects and other animals.

Composting – key to building a healthy landscape The two basic elements that make up compost are green garden waste (grass clippings, green leaves or old annuals) and brown garden waste (dry brown leaves, twigs and branches). Green materials are high in nitrogen and brown materials are high in carbon.

Benefits of onsite composting are: •

Gardens are continually fed through the year.

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Building carbon in soil.

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Carbon emissions are reduced by not removing garden waste from site.

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Improved security with less vehicle traffic.

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Reduction in annual compost cost as the site will be generating its own compost.

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Reduction in the use of pesticides and herbicides due to the nutrient rich soil that protects the plants from diseases.

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Increased water retention in soils.

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Improves soil structure.

www.prolandscaper.co.za

F E AT U R E

Food waste – or is it?

In South Africa, a third of all food produced annually (around 10 million tonnes) is not consumed and ends up in landfills. The water and energy costs to produce food means the wastage comes at a very high cost to the economy and environment.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has valued this loss to the economy at R61.5 billion.

food waste which is dependant on quanity of food waste generated.

The bokashi system works very well for clients that produce less than 900kg of food waste per month. Food waste is separated in the kitchen and added into sealed drums and layered with bokashi. Once the drum is full it is left to complete fermentation for 10 days and thereafter the contents is buried, composted or fed to an earthworm farm where it breaks down rapidly.

The water wasted would fill over 600 000 Olympic size swimming pools – what a waste for South Africa considering the current drought we are experiencing.

The Earth Cycler In Vessel Composter is ideal for kitchens that produce up to 5 tons of food waste per month.

In South Africa, the energy used for food that is wasted, is enough to power the City of JHB for nearly 16 weeks.

For kitchens that generate in the region of 15 to 50 tons of food waste per month, Heron In Vessel Composter will manage this amount of food waste.

Greenhouse gases are emitted through rotting of food waste and methane’s impact on the environment is 22 times more harmful than that of carbon dioxide.

Yet the impact of recycling food waste and utilizing this waste stream for good has many benefits for gardens and in particular soil. “All the nutrients that have gone into fertilising growing plants still remains in the discarded roots and peelings, so it makes perfect sense to recycle this back into soil to grow more plants“ says Karen Heron, MD for Life & Earth.

How we do it Life & Earth have 3 solutions for recycling

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Food waste is separated in the kitchen and added into the In Vessel Composter daily together with a percentage of cardboard or other woody material, which are a carbon source. The In Vessel Composters are automated, robust and easy to use.

All Life & Earth products are locally designed and manufactured so servicing and maintaining them is easy.

Composted food waste can be added to onsite garden waste windrows. This material significantly boosts the nutrient density of garden waste as well as increases microbial activity.

Nothing is wasted. That’s food for thought.

ABOUT OSCAR LOCKWOOD

Oscar Lockwood Director Passionate about plants and the environment, Oscar thrives on helping the world to understand the importance of gardens. A creative spirit and an ideas man, Oscar is the bellwether in the South African landscaping industry. We can guarantee he doesn’t have the time or inclination to stop to smell the roses mainly because he is only interested in indigenous planting! Oscar was born and raised in Johannesburg and comes from a farming family. He has been gardening for 35 years. His favourite South African plant: All the stapeliads His favourite indigenous tree: White pear (Apodytes dimidiata) He believes that gardens are so important because… “Gardening is the second most popular pastime in the world, after fishing.

As people become more urbanised, they need a garden to touch the soil. In the end, a garden brings people back to nature.”

ABOUT KAREN HERON

Karen Heron is a founding member of Earth Probiotic which she started with her husband Gavin.

Karen studied Homeopathy through the British Institute of Homeopathy while living in Hong Kong with her family. Known for her terrible nursing skills by her children, she opted for starting small businesses, her current one being her favourite. Karen is a passionate gardener, beekeeper and composting junkie. Karen’s dream is to work for the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust raising baby elephants in Kenya. Her family is not wild about this idea.

Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

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INTERVIEW

30 M I N UTE S

WITH MAR K SAI NT PÔL

Pro Landscaper interviews a man with a predisposition for all things landscaping, Director of Square One, Mark Saint Pôl.

Having worked with some of the most influential professionals within the industry and with an array of qualifications, not to mention his aptitude for the integration of various outdoor sectors- Pro Landscaper certainly had many questions for the renowned Landscape Architect.

The Towers at Merriman Square Biofiltration Basin

You have many qualifications under your belt… Have you always been interested in the landscaping industry & how did it come about that you began your studies in each of the fields, Landscape Architecture & Horticulture respectively?

I have always been interested in plants, landscapes and cities and how people engage with them. It took me quite a while to figure out that there was a profession that covered all of that and more.

Growing up in Brighton Beach on the KZN south coast, I spent a lot of time on the beach and in the surrounding coastal forests. When circumstances meant that we had to move away and access to those well-functioning natural open spaces was reduced, I became very aware that not all living environments are created equal. I sensed the major effect this had on the functioning of the ecological, social and built environment.

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Faced with an awareness that I had to improve my environment, I turned to the only tools I knew at the time - plants. My Mother is Dutch and both her parents had a genetic predisposition to growing plants in small spaces. Armed with that heritage and the benefits of a sub-tropical environment, I set about creating a garden. That worked out kind of well and I realised that I had to do more of the same in more places. At the time, studying horticulture was the clearest path to achieving that. Horticulture at Pietermaritzburg was a bit too focussed on farming for me and the Technikon course had more of an urban horticulture focus, was shorter and closer to the sea, so I opted for that.

At that time, I believe that the Durban Municipality was the largest in the country and had incredibly well run nurseries and tissue culture labs supplying Durban’s extensive urban parks such as Mitchell Park and the Durban Botanic Garden, so that is where I did my in-service training.

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INTERVIEW

Following that I wanted to see a little more of the world, so I spent 3 years in Melbourne and London working as a landscape contractor and then as a garden centre buyer. It was during this time that my exposures to design increased dramatically - and particularly design of urban spaces. It was only when I returned to South Africa in 2002 that I realised that there was a profession called Landscape Architecture.

I met with every Landscape Architect I could find and eventually landed a job at a company called Urbanscapes Landscape Architects.

Dead set on becoming a Landscape Architect, I went back to study Environmental Management so that I could get into the Conversion Course at UCT to enter the Masters of Landscape Architecture programme.

Would you say that having both areas of expertise make you a well-rounded and better equipped industry professional?

The Landscape Architectural profession is so broad that you could take a variety of streams and become an outstanding Landscape Architect. I love most aspects of the profession, so I have valued the exposure to the horticultural, environmental, architecture and planning aspects. At Square One, now we are increasingly working in the social and environmental engineering realm.

What horticulture did do for me is give me an affinity for understanding how different plants grow and how to put them together in a way that works. Without that base, I would have struggled to get to grips with the complexities of the Cape Floral Kingdom.

You have worked/ studied locally as well as abroad. How is the perception of Landscape Architecture as a profession in these various countries in comparison to South Africa? & what has working abroad done for your ability to conceptualise spaces locally?

I have never been to mainland China or the USA, so I can’t speak from experience, but of the places that I have spent a decent amount of time, I think that the Landscape Architectural profession is most advanced in Australia and parts of Europe, especially Spain, The Netherlands, France and Germany. In these countries, Landscape Architects are at the forefront of what urban environments should look like and how they should be functioning.

Landscape Architecture colleagues in other

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countries, still lament the fact that noone knows what they do but at least their legislation demands that Landscape Architects are involved alongside Architects, Planners and Engineers in strategic urban planning stages.

Working and traveling abroad has been vital in developing and understanding how great design, planning and craftsmanship can add value to all cultures. Seeing how well designed spaces can foster community and expression of culture and how designing with nature can create deeply enriching and resilient cities.

Working as a contractor in these countries also helped me develop an appreciation for the rigors of construction and detailing in a more practical way.

You lecture at UCT for the Landscape Architecture programme… what is it that you lecture on, and what is some advice you have for your students?

I used to lecture Landscape Construction and was involved with the Design Studio and Plants and Design. These days, I am an external examiner on occasion at Tukkies and UCT. For students, I would say that it is important to take ownership of your education and work hard at engaging with all the subjects that you are working through. Challenge and debate the content. Don’t be superficial and hide behind Photoshop or copy and paste images from other projects. Engage, interrogate and understand projects and your design process. Grab hold of some architects and let them know what you do. Add some inspiring books on landscape detailing to your pile of landscape theory and urban design. Know a range of computer programs including Revit and Photoshop well.

You won the ILASA National Award for Best Thesis Project- Please remind us of this specific thesis?

The thesis site was the Lion Battery where the noon-day guns are located on Signal Hill.

The site is incredibly rich and multilayered and that’s what attracted me to it.

Developed during the wars, the site is an exemplar of landscape construction.

Designed to work with the landscape, use local materials, provide shelter and minimise visual intrusion, while creating opportunities

Master of Landscape Architecture Thesis UCT The Lion Battery "A living Tradition". Masterplan

The Lion Battery "A living Tradition".

Experiential Cross Section

for surveillance. It was also a challenge to propose a development of the site that unpacked a very unpleasant history, but one that very much shaped our world.

The site is also surrounded by a very endangered Renosterveld ecology and connected to the Bo-Kaap community and the City below. I was interested to see how all of this could be pulled together to maximise

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INTERVIEW

The Lion Battery "A living Tradition".

One of the existing Pill Boxes on Site

opportunities for creating a prized destination in the city that respected and added value to all the facets of the city that were relevant to the site.

You have worked with many practices and well-known firms‌ What are some of the most rewarding projects you have worked on to date & why?

The first practice I worked with focused predominantly on work on the Cape Flats such as Khayelitsha Remembrance Square. That kind of work was so valuable in learning how to design for the public realm in South Africa.

Working into the sandy and windy conditions of the Cape Flats is a great introduction to robust construction.

The project that has had the biggest impact on me before Square One has been Green Point Park and the Stadium Precinct. It was a great privilege to be a part of the team for such an extensive and transformative project.

Working with an enormous multidisciplinary consulting team on such strict deadlines meant that we had to work very strategically if we were to achieve the 2010 Soccer World Cup legacy goals of FIFA and the City. Looking back, the master planning process was incredibly rigorous and proves how much great Landscape Architecture can do for a city. A few of us at Square One now live around the park and regularly spend time evaluating the performance of the spaces.

Green Point Park - Cape Town Stadium Precinct

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The great reward for me is seeing how the precinct functions as one of the most successful open spaces in the country. In a City as spatially segregated as Cape Town, it gives me such joy to see the park functioning as a truly democratic space where people from around the city are able to come together to enjoy nature and each other.

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INTERVIEW

The Towers at Merriman Square Wharf seating along central course way

The Towers at Merriman Square Biofiltration Basin

What type of Architecture inspires you, and which city/ place you have traveled to has been most influential on your career?

In short – Landscape Architecture. I do enjoy architecture that is part of a broader system and that is responsive to its social and ecological environment. Buildings should reinforce the public realm and not obliterate it. For example in Cape Town, all of our new buildings must be built with rainwater tanks in their basements.

Like the Towers at Merriman Square, they should be orientated and articulated to create spaces that are sheltered from the South-Easter and take advantage of a northerly aspect. Active ground floor edges are essential, offering a mix of activities and connecting to a public realm and green infrastructure network. The work that has been done around Bree Street has been incredibly valuable in activating the Cape Town CBD, but it needs to continue and even improve. We would like to see that all new builds incorporate sustainable urban drainage design that intercepts all stormwater before it escapes into the sea. The beauty of these systems – when designed well – is that they can create desirable places for people to be.

Mfuleni Urban Park PARK Double Swing

In contrast, we recently ran from our homes in Green Point to our new office in Woodstock and were reminded how poorly considered infrastructure and buildings have split up our city. Pedestrians trying to walk along Strand Street to Woodstock run out of sidewalk, have to walk in the road, along blank facades and Mfuleni Urban Park PARK Circular Bench with community art installation

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INTERVIEW

of Girona and here in South Africa. In spite of his acclaim over recent years, Martí remains incredibly grounded, open and thoughtful in all that he undertakes. His practice is able to transform complex sites by distilling the most valuable aspects of those sites and doing very strategic interventions to unlock their potential.

There are many enormously inspired landscape architects that I would love to collaborate with and I presume they are all great people too.

What is one challenge currently facing the profession (in a South African context)?

under freeways to get to what should be a walkable destination in our city.

The great thing is that clever people locally and internationally are overcoming these hurdles and I look forward to seeing more initiatives that reclaim our cities for people.

Most of my family have been living in Australia since the sixties, so I have definitely been influenced by the many great projects there over the years. These include, the Lane upgrades in Melbourne and Perth, new water-savvy neighbourhoods in Canberra and the phenomenal play parks and reclaimed former industrial harbour sites around Sydney. Other recently influential projects have been, the Lyon Confluence development and the new neighbourhood around the Park of the Docks in Saint Ouen on the Seine in Paris.

For me, the greatest challenge is designing for social and environmental upliftment at the same time. That’s why Landscape Architecture is such a brilliant profession for me. We get to operate in that space every day. What I love about working in South Africa is that we get to realise large-scale transformations with a limited budget.. Right now, water scarcity, economic winter and crime are our big opponents – but we are hopeful that we are working with our fellow consultants, government and the public to overcome these.

Residential/ Public/ Commercial space and why?

Public space that connects residential and commercial spaces. Our cities are so

segregated across all spheres. I enjoy working to integrate uses wherever possible.

It is so lovely to see a team grow and expand their influence… Congratulations on Square One’s success. How many members do you have on your team currently and where do you see your practice in 5 years’ time?

This is our 8th year. Today we have 9 in the office and 2 that work remotely.

In 5 years’ time, I hope that Landscape Architecture has gained far greater recognition and I hope that Square One can play a role in that. We are working around the country and into other African countries, so I would like to see that grow.

We have also recently partnered with another company called PARK which has proven to be an invaluable ally for us. We have realised that in our projects, it’s not just about the space, it’s about what you put into it. PARK designs and manufactures those elements that our users interact with.

As a team we’ve recently completed a range of playground equipment, outdoor gym equipment and a variety of urban street furniture. You can find out more about us on our websites: www.sq1.co.za and www.park.africa

What is your greatest tool?

It may be the obvious answer, but being part of an outstanding team is our biggest asset.

I can honestly say that I love working with the people at Square One. We have a diverse skill set and approach our projects from different perspectives which adds to the richness of our work.

If you could collaborate with anyone on a project, who would it be and why?

I have had the privilege of spending some time with Martí Franch of EMF in his home town www.prolandscaper.co.za

Mfuleni Urban Park Timber Climbing Nest

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LO CAT ION: Century City, Cape Town SIZ E: 2,500m² in extent T IMELINE : +-14 months CO ST: R3,8 million

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THE NEW URBAN The success of Century City continues with billions of rands of new residential, commercial and hospitality projects rapidly rising out of the ground. Century City Square is one such development node which has earned growing media attention and won a multitude of industry acclaim. Planning Partner’s client, Rabie Property Group, included the firm at the conceptualisation stage together with Vivid Architects and HHO Infrastructure Engineers to formulate a wholistic design of this development node which celebrates new urbanism, a true mixed-used development and is the first stage of a bold new chapter in Century City’s expansion.

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PORTFOLIO

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his project is Rabie’s flagship R1 Billion development and has the Century City Conference Centre at its heart, flanked by the Century City Hotel, Apex office tower, Matrix residential and office block centred around the multi-purpose Century City Square, constructed over a super basement for parking. The development received a 4-Star Green Star Office v1 Design rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa. It was also the recipient of the SAPOA Best mixeduse development award for 2017.

The design evolved in conjunction with the project team and needed to respond to the urban nature of the site and the constraints of wind and poor soils. The objectives of the design were to provide vertical greening, shade and seasonal interest in spaces constrained by the multi-purpose nature of the Square.

greater Century City. This water not only provides amenity value but is fundamental to the success of the development. Porous structured planters were incorporated into the canals to provide greening and water polishing, with aquatic plants bedded in a mixed growing medium, containing a high clay content.

The Century City Square forms part of the Century City Arts Trail and together with the architectural interventions within The Square, an Edwardian era 5m diameter Steam-driven flywheel was rescued from the Ratanga Junction theme park and reinvented as a stationary display within the canals.

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Floating water fountains were incorporated to further aerate and animate the canal water, positioned strategically and uplit for maximum effect.

Stainless Steel Trellis Tensile Cables, Ruark du Toit 021 701 9677

The plant selection needed to be uncomplicated and robust to harmonise with and complement the architecture. The plant material was selected from the approved Century City list, which is primarily focussed on indigenous plant material and was developed in conjunction with the City of Cape Town and environmental consultants.

Structural timber and decking reclaimed from the theme park were used to construct a series of seating and wind screening units which provide relief from the South-Easter winds.

These are located on the waters’ edge and the addition of Fever trees planted in this area, provides dappled shading for users.

Project Information Alistair Turrell Planning Partners

The site is bordered on two sides by an engineered canal system which captures all the precinct storm water and is linked to over 7 kilometres of the canal system within the

Large structured concrete planters which accommodate mature specimen trees frame the Square, with two extra large Celtis trees planted into open ground planters adjacent to

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Water fountains Water in Motion, Clive Giliomee - 083 227 5950

Lighting: BEKA Schréder - 011 238 0000 Starke Contracts - 021 555 1927 Bellco Electrical - 021 440 7100 QDP Lighting & Electrical Design 021 913 2277

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PORTFOLIO

the Square. Vertical greening took the form of stainless steel trellises over 5 elevations of the buildings and planting onto perforated aluminium screens on the structured parking building. The use of a combination of fast and slower growing climbing plants has resulted in quick cover to the facades and longevity of the greening.

The adjacent roadways and infrastructural areas were planted with 120 mature Vachellia xanthophloea’s which when fully grown will create a mega canopy of seethrough lime green.

Cape Contours were responsible for the installation and initial landscape maintenance of the works. Along with the challenges of programming and tight deadlines came the logistical challenges of craning in extra-large trees and the use of a 180- ton mobile crane to place the 26- ton Flywheel. The project was completed in time for the inaugural ‘Valentines under the stars’ held in The Square in February 2016.

ABOUT PLANNING PARTNERS

With an extensive portfolio of completed projects locally and internationally they aim to provide added value to every project as part of a collaboration.

Their track record over 40 years has delivered restored cultural and historical gardens, commercial and institutional Landscape Master Planning, detailed design and implementation as well as landscape management and inputs into Environmental Planning and management.

The team of 12 comprises 5 Professional Landscape Architects, Landscape and Architectural Technicians and Horticulturalists.

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2018 SANA AUTUMN TRADE FAIR The biggest green fair in SA hosted by SANA

14 March

Time: 08h00 – 14h00 Where: Plot 14 Summit Road (R562) Knoppieslaagte, Midrand Entry Fee: R40 per person (cash, credit card, Zapper) SANA members free of charge Pre-bookings on http://sana.co.za/sana-trade-fair-14-3-2018-pre registration-form-2 Contact us: 087 945 4621

More than 125 exhibitors

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LOCAT ION : University of South Africa (Unisa) - Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria SIZE: Miriam Makeba Terrace 900m² Cycad Garden 1500m² TIM ELIN E: Miriam Makeba terrace: Completed: 2015 Entry into Cycad Garden Competition: 2014 COST: Miriam Makeba terrace: R2.5 million (incl. Sculpture and Mosaic Mural) Cycad Garden: R3.1 million

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SYMBOLIC DESIGN KWPCREATE were commissioned to design and link two gardens on Unisa’s Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria, namely The Miriam Makeba Terrace and the world-renowned Cycad Garden for which KWPCREATE won the competition to undertake its redevelopment. The poetic spaces link the themes of protection of the hopes and dreams of our children with the protection of South Africa’s indigenous Cycads and are a wonderful demonstration of design and symbolism.

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PORTFOLIO

The Brief Dr Miriam Makeba Auditorium is linked to Unisa’s world renowned Cycad garden near The Miriam Makeba Terrace. The Terrace was designed by KWPCREATE under the leadership of Tobias Mahne with contributions by Piet Vosloo and Mariëtte Mulder. The Client was Unisa’s department of University Estates Horticultural Services under the leadership of Christine Hartdegen.

Both areas were unseen and sadly were not enjoyed by majority of Unisa’s visitors and students. The Cycad garden had deteriorated since it was established some 50 years ago, while the area for The Miriam Makeba Terrace was only open lawn and a generator room. The terrace was without seating, lighting or other engaging elements. The client required not only the restoration of the historic Cycad Garden, but also for the garden to connect to The Miriam Makeba Terrace and the rest of Unisa visually and physically.

The design approach ties in with the proposed message on The Miriam Makeba Terrace’s mosaic wall that reads: “It is in the shelter of each other that we live”. The care given to HIV & AIDS affected individuals, along with HIV & AIDS research and development echoes

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the Cycad’s specialisations to enable life.

In turn, the design of the Cycad garden proposes robust and specialized technologies that extend the life and use of the Cycad garden.

The essence of Cycad specialised is translated into four strategies: SYMBIOSIS Nitrogen fixing bacteria on the coralloid roots provide nutrients. People and nature work in synergy in order to create culturally rich landscapes.

POLLINATION Male cones attract and chase pollinator insects away while the female cones attract them.

Exchange of knowledge between lecturers, external professionals and students.

SEED DISPERSAL Brightly coloured seeds attract fruit eating vertebrates to carry away the seeds. Dispersal of knowledge between educational institutions.

TOXICITY Seed kernels and new leaves are toxic to ensure growth and reproduction. Being vigilant and innovative with security to protect Cycads so they can be safely exhibited.

Information is the key to the understanding of HIV & AIDS and for the appreciation of Cycads. Technology as a strategy overcomes this challenge using QR codes and apps. QR codes can be scanned with ‘smart’ devices which can direct to a website when scanned.

The website database can be constantly updated with information thus creating a living memory of the garden and terrace and all its associated activities and affiliates.

A stairway is designed to link the garden specialisations with The Miriam Makeba Terrace. The existing garden was given more visual interest with steel vertical elements, stairs, seating, prominent lighting and raised pathways. The waterfall ties in to the historical aspect of the garden where a water feature used to run. A view point was added – not only to visually link the garden but also to provide a different vantage point of the Cycad’s leaf structure from above in the same way the companion planting is chosen to show off the sculptural aspect of the Cycad stems.

The sculptural aspect and patterns are also main themes for The Miriam Makeba Terrace where the water sculpture and the mosaic wall create focal points as well as structure.

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Materials: The materials used link with the rest of the campus, especially with the recent development of the Kgorong entrance building. Amongst other materials, the team also made use of natural granite cobbles, concrete coloured pavers and the autumn coloured slate cladding.

In his inaugural address, Prof. Mandla S. Makhanya, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, compared each person involved with Unisa to a tile that forms part of Unisa’s Mosaic.

Mosaics such as the one at The Miriam Makeba Terrace have therefore become a recurring theme in Unisa’s new landscapes.

The planting design had to be carefully selected to withstand a micro-climate with shady cold conditions in winter. Less common indigenous plant species were selected, and mature Cycads were relocated successfully to The Miriam Makeba Terrace from the Cycad garden. The herringbone paving pattern symbolises the Cycads’ overlapping leaves, while the grass blocks mimic the texture on the Cycad trunks.

Both spaces used to be underutilised forgotten spaces, but with the redesign it can be used for prestigious events.

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A B O U T K W P C R E AT E

KWPCREATE comprise of Architects, Landscape Architects, Urban Designers and Project Managers.

They are a private and independent registered company operating on a business basis to: accept or identify, design and document technically viable urban design, building, landscape and environmental projects, inspect the works and manage such projects during construction with the aim to finalise them timeously and within the budget, offer after-care service for the lifetime of the development for the benefit their clients, the community and the environment. They strive for excellence in a credible manner for people to be proud of what has been accomplished.

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NURTURE LANDSCAPES How grounds maintenance enhances the Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work business centre in West London

SIZE:

32 acres, grounds maintenance

COST:

R4.2 million

CO N T RACT T ERM

Three years

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hiswick Park Enjoy-Work is an awardwinning business centre in West London.

The 12-building complex is home to some of the world’s leading businesses, with the UK headquarters of companies such as Disney, Discovery Channel, Swarovski, Paramount Pictures, Starbucks, Danone and Aker Solutions based there.

With more than 8,000 guests currently located at the park, it is a thriving hub for innovation and creativity. Working with the local community is at the heart of Enjoy-Work’s values, with green and environmental initiatives embedded within the organisation. Enjoy-Work’s philosophy is that people who enjoy their work are more productive, committed and engaged. Great emphasis, therefore, is put on delivering a setting that is conducive to happiness and wellbeing, with on-site facilities and outdoor spaces for guests to enjoy.

The contract Nurture Landscapes has held the maintenance contract since June 2010, employing four full-time gardeners and one seasonal gardener.

The site spans more than 32 acres and includes formal hedging, shrub borders, mature trees, amenity lawns and extensive hard surfaces, with a large feature lake and waterfall at the centre of the park. The team is responsible for all grounds maintenance tasks, including lake and irrigation management, and for providing and maintaining a landscape that delivers a pleasurable place to work and visit.

Nurture Landscapes manages the grounds using an annual schedule, along with a site plan that focuses on specific zones. There are monthly contract meetings, quarterly KPI reviews and site inspections with the client, as well as regular audits by Nurture’s health and safety management team to maintain compliance. A condition report produced by Nurture Landscapes, which identifies improvements across the park, has also enabled the client to budget for the next three years, ensuring that older planting is replaced.

Tasks and equipment

different equipment depending on lawn type.

Regular spring/autumn maintenance, including aeration, scarifying, top dressing and reseeding, is also carried out on the inner circle and Wimbledon lawns.

Formal hedging, shrub borders and mature trees Trees and shrubs, such as Nandina domestica, Sarcococca, Escallonia, Cotoneaster and Magnolia, are checked regularly for pests and diseases, kept weed free and irrigated during the growing season, with mulch and fertiliser applied in spring.

Frequency and approach vary according to the plants’ individual needs, as does pruning method and equipment used. Trees are checked once a week, with low, hazardous branches and dead wood removed when required. Accompanying tree signage is also maintained, as are the tree pits, which are edged with edging shears.

Lake and irrigation management The lake is maintained by Nurture’s site team on a daily basis, with monthly visits from its specialist contractor Sellars Environmental, which consults on matters such as water treatments. Levels are checked every day and topped up from a borehole if necessary, while pebbled areas surrounding the water are maintained and kept weed free. The team also manages the park’s aquatic plants, cutting back and deadheading as needed.

Irrigation is used from April until the end of September, although the system remains primed for operation during winter so that the lake’s water level can be maintained. The irrigation system is checked in March, with tests ensuring that its customised programmes and pop-ups are working properly, and that it is fully functional across the park.

From winter gritting to beehive management, the ongoing maintenance of the site encompasses a wide variety of tasks and initiatives.

Flower displays Nurture’s florists provide fresh flower displays for the building’s reception areas. These are changed every Monday morning before these areas open at 7am, and are then monitored by the team, which removes faded flowers and tops up water as required. Feedback is sought from reception staff and guests each Friday.

Amenity lawns A detailed care programme covers the Wimbledon lawns, inner circle and sloped lawns. This involves mowing to a specified length, irrigation, and fertiliser and herbicide application, all at agreed intervals and with

Events, CSR and community engagement Nurture Landscapes hosts a number of events and activities with Enjoy-Work throughout the year. Recent events have included Halloween pumpkin carving, a Christmas fair complete with wreath making, various charity events, gardening

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SUPPLIERS

Grounds maintenance Nurture Landscapes www.nurturelandscapes.co.uk Lake and fisheries Sellars Environmental www.sellarsenvironmental.co.uk Plants and trees North End Nurseries www.northendnurseries.com Farnham Common Nurseries www.fcn.co.uk Bark and compost AHS www.ahs-ltd.co.uk/ landscape-amenity-products Fertiliser and chemicals Rigby Taylor www.rigbytaylor.com Machinery Lister Wilder www.listerwilder.co.uk

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PORTFOLIO

the macerator and fed to the worms. The resulting vermicompost is used for shrub borders and trees. There are also two apiaries, supplied, set up and maintained by the site team with support from its in-house master beekeeper. Installed to support local biodiversity, excess honey is harvested each autumn and distributed to guests at the park.As well as managing a number of environmental initiatives at the park, Nurture Landscapes provides monthly innovation ideas.

Several have been implemented, including solar charging and a new watering system.

Seasonal support Additional seasonal activities performed by the team include putting out deck chairs and a chess board each day during the summer months, and Christmas installations over the festive period, involving internal trees for each building and lighting for 30 external trees. In winter, gritting and snow clearance are led by Nurture Landscapes, assisted by partner companies when required. workshops and a fireworks night.

Working with the local community is a key part of the Enjoy-Work ethos, and Chiswick Park has links to a number of neighbouring schools and organisations. The Nurture team is closely involved, heading initiatives at local schools; these include a quarterly ‘nature walk’, a polytunnel and a bug hotel building, as well as hosting school eco-visits and tours.

Development Working closely with the client, Nurture Landscapes continues to carry out an annual programme of improvements and lifecycle landscaping works that maintain and enhance the stunning site – guaranteeing all at Chiswick Park a location in which they can truly ‘Enjoy-Work’.

Environmental responsibility With a focus on using renewable energy and producing less disruption to park users, 50% of the team’s on-site equipment is powered with rechargeable batteries, including electric utility vehicles and Stihl tools such as hedge cutters, blowers and strimmers.

All green waste from site operations is recycled in mulching bays. Woody waste from pruning is shredded and used for the boundary path, while compost produced onsite is blended as a 50/50 mix with c offee grounds and used to mulch tree circles and shrub borders. This practice is a move away from the pine mini mulch previously used.The park also has a wormery for on-site food recycling. The Nurture team collects around 50kg of food waste and coffee grounds each day, which is put through

www.prolandscaper.co.za

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OTHER AWARDS Green Flag 2017 Green Apple 2016 Green World Awards 2017

PRINCIPAL AWARD Grounds Maintenance – Limited Public Access

ABOUT NUTURE LANDSCAPE Nurture is an award-winning national horticulture and landscape grounds maintenance and winter gritting business. Nurture’s vision is to be the most respected and nurturing landscaping company in the UK. It remains a family business, part owned by the management team, and puts honesty and integrity at the heart of what it does. www.nurturelandscapes.co.uk

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www.prolandscaper.co.za

www.multipowerimports.co.za

SIZE: +- 50 000m2 T IM ELIN E: +-4 years COST: +- R55 million

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ROOFTOP PLANT SELECTION: Trachelospermum jasminoides Cascading Bougainvillea orange Rhus crenata Rhagoda hasta Lavender mini Escalonia Agapanthus ‘nana white’

Pictured: Four Quarters vineyard and Manor House main lawn

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ranschoek is not only home to some of the most acclaimed wine farms in the Cape but has recently earned bragging rights to its latest resident, The Leeu Collection.

Words fall short of describing these pristine gardens, which are in the very least a perfect example of "art meets landscape". Growing from a single residential property into commercial hospitality to embrace hotels, vineyards, a wine cellar and tasting room, a spa, restaurant and microbrewery, these gardens are truly a noteworthy body of work. With design

by Franchesca Watson and implementation

by Heimo Schulzer Gardens, The Leeu Collection has been realised.

The Concept

The Bokkie Garden

In 2012 Franchesca Watson was asked to meet an Indian businessman, Analjit Singh, who had bought a property in Franschhoek with a view to developing gardens around the house. The client proved to be one of those rare individuals who truly love and understand gardens, and who has strong unafraid personal taste. Franchesca explains, “As a garden designer, it is my role to understand and interpret my client’s ideas - I concluded that he wanted international gardens with order above all, symmetry, balance, perfection, definition and simplicity. Layered beneath these overriding principles, are reflections of the clients complex and gymnastic mind: every idea and detail is spun out: patterns are developed involving colours and mathematical proportions, plants are used as architecture cut into curves and precise angles, valuable art is set thoughtfully into the landscape with perfect mountings and lighting.”

The language of the Leeu Collection landscapes

Nothing about the design of this garden is casually thrown together or left to chance.

Above all the client loves the luxury of lawns, light bright foliage, repetition, perfection.

The gardens grew in size and scope as the property morphed from residential to hospitality and adjoining properties were acquired. Ways were found to connect the properties and the garden thus features many connections to enable one to move through the landscape: individual garden spaces open out from transitions, buildings are partially clothed in greenery, hundreds of trees were planted.

This is achieved by formality and simplicity, with repetition of a tight palette of key plants and striving to achieve perfect maintenance, year-round. Hedges and trees are the are the strongest link throughout the gardens and are used as architecture. Geometric pattern is strong and introduced in all the gardens in some form.

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When one enters the Leeu Collection properties, one is immediately immersed in an ordered and serene landscape. This strong effect is not by chance: every concept, arrangement and detail has been put in place to create this one feeling.

As the properties grew in number and extent, a cohesive language for the Leeu Collection gardens was evolved. Thus, there are certain aspects of the gardens that repeat in all the properties and which have become part of the Leeu Collection signature. There is a balance of both public and private garden spaces, and a balance between formal and “wild” aspects of the properties. Where possible both food and wine production areas are incorporated into the gardens. Deep serenity underlain with complex details forms the basis of all the gardens.

Rooftop Gardens Plant use on the roof garden relates to the overall design theme of the property. Rhus crenata and Rhagoda hasta clipped into shape

“Every idea and detail is spun out: patterns are developed involving colours and mathematical proportions, plants are used as architecture cut into curves and precise angles, valuable art is set thoughtfully into the landscape with perfect mountings and lighting."

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SUPPLIERS Compost & topsoil Red Tractor Compost - 021 987 1650

Lawn Green Buffalo 082 885 7127 Nonke Plants 021 887 6972 New Plant 044 889 0055 Induli 021 785 3581 Just Trees 021 871 1595 Habitat 021 855 4400

Shadowlands 021 903 0050

reinforce the formal pattern and style of the garden. Bougainvillea cascading over the edge visually soften and balance out the formality of the garden, adding interest with its orange flower colour.

Predominance of evergreen plants is used, and those plants which deliver good leaf texture, form and presentation are favoured. Flowers are not overwhelming, and plants are chosen more for their leaf character and tones of green.

Where there is flower colour it tends to be bold splashes, such as bright bouganvillea tumbling over parapets and Fiddlewood trees that flush copper a number of times a year. Trees are particularly treasured and cared for and many mature specimens are planted to enhance the properties. The gardens are maintained year round by Leeu Estates’ own maintenance teams.

Garden tours are available and hosted by the estate as well.

Installation of The Leeu Collection gardens: Due to the immense scale of the Leeu Collection projects, all plants & materials were sourced from all over the Western Cape and often up country as well. All of Heimo Schulzer Gardens suppliers had to be able to provide large quantities, at a consistent level of quality- on time to fulfil the requirements of projects. The main challenges included tricky soil conditions and designing extensive agricultural drainage systems. Throughout most parts of the gardens the existing soil was upgraded using combinations of washed sand, river sand, imported topsoil and medium compost.

Kilometres of agricultural drainage systems were installed throughout all the gardens. The projects were tough and hundreds of people were involved, but they all worked well together to make the projects a success and to live up to the standards of The Leeu Collection.

Kraaibosch 044 889 0092 Little Orchard 060 919 3939 Trees SA 021 842 0003

Stone Age 021 875 5604

ABOUT HEIMO SCHULZER GARDENS

Krige Tree Services 021 447 1369 Romi Irrigation 021 982 0199

Pictured above: Vineyard Cottage and Leeu Spa

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From small intimate gardens to large wine estates. For more than 15 years Heimo Schulzer has had the great pleasure of bringing to life many gardens in and around Cape Town’s inspiring landscape. Over the past few years they have had the opportunity to expand and be involved in several projects within the winelands area.

Their local Cape Town office is passionate about creating beautiful gardens and that client visions become a reality. They are known for their quality and sophistication, great customer service and attention to detail. They take pride in their fine attention to detail and transparency in dealings with clients. Contact Heimo Schulzer Gardens on 021 702 3616 or www.hsgardens.co.za

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Photograph courtesy of Corobrik

Clay pavers are the material of choice for both landscapers and clients, due to their beauty, durability, safety and superior colour retention even when wet.

The organic textures and colours of clay pavers offer a timeless appeal that is environmentally-sustainable while also able to withstand high levels of loading for both residential and commercial applications.

Go to www.claybrick.org to find inspiration and technical help on clay paving

PORTFOLIO

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PHYSIC GARDEN

N OVARTI S CA MPUS, BASE L, SWI T ZE R LAND THORBJÖRN ANDERSSON WITH SWECO ARCHITECTS

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he Physic Garden at Novartis Campus is a place to celebrate sensuous phenomena of all kinds. It is a place where mystic scents, changing colors, and seasonal variety can be enjoyed and studied. It is also a test bed for pharmacological research.

Thorbjörn Andersson and Sweco based the garden on the monastery gardens of the past, where, in times gone by, monks developed their knowledge of the pharmaceutical properties inherent in many plants – a knowledge base that provided the foundation for many of today’s medical research efforts. These gardens were often hidden places, laboratories of the outdoors, secluded from public life and containing secrets of utmost importance.

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Consequently, the Physic Garden at Novartis Campus is hidden, spatially organized as a theatre, or as a labyrinth, or as an onion with many layers to explore. The garden is semi-enclosed, and the visitor enters by zig-zagging between tall hedges of yew and beech. The garden reveals itself step by step.

The one who searches will find – a statement that is as relevant to the researcher of today as it was to the mediaeval monk.

In the centre, a sunken planting bed opens up, containing 31 species of pharmaceutical plants organized in a striped pattern. The slightly sunken basin adds to the preciousness of the plants; placed inside the frame of a low granite wall, these fragile specimens become untouchable. They are viewed

Project value: R44.4million Size of project: 2,800m2 Build time: One year

1 The Physic Garden is designed as a sunken plant basin, hidden behind high hedges 2 On both sides of the plant collection, bronze bars with engraved names indicate the different species 3 Granite amphoras with dripping water supplies sound and bird life in the garden 4 All species have a pharmaceutical relevance and reflect the activity of the drug company

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5 Early image of the built garden Photographs ©Jan Raeber and Sweco Architects

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6 Alchemilla mollis is one of the selected plants 7 Surrounding flowerbeds have plants indicated with plaques 8 Trees with pharmaceutical value are cut up as logs and announced with bold letters; here, “juglans”

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9 The logs are placed in racks, seen in the background, acting as spatial screens 10 The plant basin, fly over bridges and log racks Photographs ©Jan Raeber and Sweco Architects

8 from slightly above, so that visitors read the flower bed as a colourful, textured painting, or a striped carpet. Bridges of light construction, without railings, span the sunken bed, permitting the daring visitor a closer examination of the plants – each of which is labeled with an engraved bronze plaque mounted at the edge of the bed.

9 Along the sides of the sunken bed are four ‘log racks’, a collection of logs stacked in piles whose forms complement the screens of hedges, and are reminiscent of a library. The types of wood selected represent tree species from which substances have been extracted and used in ethnopharmacology. All in all, 70 plant species are on display in the Physic Garden.

THORBJÖRN ANDERSSON Thorbjorn Andersson has practiced landscape architecture since 1981. He is most known for his work in the planning and design of public spaces in cities.

W: thorbjorn-andersson.com

SWECO ARCHITECTS

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Sweco plans and designs the communities and cities of the future, offering qualified services in the fields of consulting engineering, environmental technology and architecture.

W: www.sweco.co.uk

PETROL PERFORMANCE BATTERY CONVENIENCE We’ve been working with professional users for more than 50 years. This experience and knowledge - in combination with pioneer thinking and first-class engineering - has given rise to a number of innovative machines. Machines that help forest workers and landscapers as well as landowners and garden enthusiasts solve their daily challenges. We’re now adding a new chapter in our history of innovations - the Husqvarna Battery Series.

For more information, visit www.husqvarna.co.za

Li-ION BACKPACK BATTERY BLi520X (14.4 Ah) BLi940X (26.1 Ah) BATTERY TRIMMERS/ BRUSHCUTTERS

BATTERY BLi150/ BLi80

536LiLX 536LiRX

(4.2 Ah/2.1 Ah)

BATTERY BLOWERS 536LiB 536LiBX

BATTERY CHAINSAWS

BATTERY FORESTRY CLEARING SAW 536LiPX

BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS

536Li XP® T536Li XP®

536LiHD70X

WHY CHOOSE BATTERY? ONE BATTERY

NO FUMES. LESS NOISE.

HIGH PERFORMANCE

EASY TO USE AND MAINTAIN

ALL WEATHER USE

Our batteries are quick to recharge and even quicker to swap. Or choose a comfortable backpack battery to keep you going all day long.

With no fumes, Husqvarna Battery products are clean and pleasant to use. And their quiet, powerful electric motors mean you can start working earlier, even in public areas.

Husqvarna brushless motors offer light, durable efficiency – and superior torque to many petrol machines. Use with the 36V Li-ion battery pack for long-lasting power.

Husqvarna battery products start at the touch of a button and offer low weight and great balance. They also require virtually no maintenance.

Whatever the weather, the Husqvarna Professional Battery Series keeps on working.

Rain, humidity or heat won’t stop them.

BEST QUALITY. AMAZING SERVICE. TOP DEALS. EVERY TIME! Cordless for professionals from Stihl Portable.

Quiet.

Powerful.

Contact us for a demo on Stihl Cordless and Grasshopper ZTR products

LawnmowerClinic.co.za 012 323 1833/4/5 Pretoriusstreet 34

(Between Kgosi Mampuru/ Potgieter & Prince’s Park Avenue)

Pretoria

MACHINERY

- MACHINERY SI LE NT NATU RE: A Q UI E TE R AND GRE E NE R F UTURE By 2030, the world’s green spaces – parks, gardens and forests – will be even more important than they are today. They will help improve air and water quality, reduce heatwaves, manage stormwater, increase biodiversity – and, perhaps, even produce sustainable energy.

A global report on Urban Parks 2030, the result of a survey involving 500 Landscape Architecture students across the world unveils some extraordinary visions.

Respondents said they wanted future green space maintenance to be silent, non-intrusive and sustainable.

Said Dylan Lane, MD of Husqvarna South Africa: “How we manage our outdoor areas, like parks, or at hospitals and hotels, for instance, must change. It was from our vision for the future that the Silent Nature™ initiative was born -

a new way of caring for these spaces using high performance battery and robotic tools with the quiet, clean convenience of long-lasting lithium-ion batteries.”

These tools boast all the necessary power and performance, without needing petrol and refuelling – just a quieter, cleaner, less intrusive and convenient operation, thanks to long-lasting batteries. With no direct emissions, the handheld battery tools are also 100% smoke free and contribute to a “more silent” philosophy.

Products include a range of highly efficient battery driven chainsaws, trimmers, brushcutters and blowers: driven by a powerful 36V Li-ion battery pack, it is combined with a specially developed brushless motor, resulting in quiet, efficient and lightweight tools. The battery pole saws for professional tree care users add flexibility to the user’s operations and deliver an excellent performance. www.husqvarna.co.za

CONVE RT MOU N DS O F G RE E N WA STE I N TO M O U ND S O F M U LC H & COMPOST MATE RI A L W I TH TH E BE A RCAT CH I P P ER / S HR ED D ER – S C 5 5 4 0

T HE S T I HL CO M MIT M EN T TO G R EENER P OW ER With significant investment in R&D, STIHL constantly develops new, greener technology. Factors such as optimal energy consumption, reduced emissions and lower noise levels as well users' health and safety have been important criteria for STIHL product development for decades. STIHL repeatedly sets new standards with the creation of environmentally compatible engine technologies such as its fuel efficient 2MIX engines.

Globally, green power is delivered by STIHL’s Lithium-Ion PRO cordless tools, powered by energy-efficient Lithiumion batteries. This conveniently mobile, professional-grade range matches the delivery of petrol-powered tools, with zero emissions, reduced noise levels, anti-vibration systems and no time-consuming refuelling.

The PRO range includes a diversity of products that are ideal for professional landscapers, with chainsaws, arborist saws, brushcutters, hedge trimmers, blowers, pruning shears and pole pruners (with telescopic shafts for additional reach).

All are easy to use and require almost no maintenance. Even when the battery is running down, the models in the PRO range continue to work at their usual rate, with no loss of performance. For increased productivity, their running time is extended, and charge times are short. www.stihl.co.za

If you have more acreage, a tractor and you need more power to keep up with tree clearing, trimming and debris handling, then this machine is perfect for the job. ECHO Bear Cat's 51kg balanced rotor, 4 reversible chipper blades and 36 reversible shredding knives have a well-deserved reputation for converting mounds of tree branches into mounds of mulch and compost material.

The 5” chipping capacity along with ¾” shredding capacity makes it the perfect machine to repurpose those downed tree limbs and debris.

Please note that this is for use on tractors with PTO horsepower ratings from 25hp to 45hp www.multipowerimports.co.za

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PRODUCTS

GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS There has been a huge and growing movement towards products in-line with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) and products which aid Green Star Rating’s for our projects. With emphasis on a building’s sustainability, air quality, water saving, energy efficiency and emissions as well as the general well-being of its occupants, this section aims to highlight products pioneering the way in green building solutions.

DRIP IRRIGATION Throwing water into the air increases evaporation. Wind creates a potential for overspray and uneven distribution uniformity. Even without considering an increase in evaporation and negative uniformity associated with wind, drip irrigation is proven to be more efficient in the distribution of water than rotors or spray heads.

Benefits Drip Irrigation applies water at a very slow rate and directly to the plant root zone - gallon per hour (GPH) versus gallon per minute (GPM) - so the plant is better able to process and utilise the water producing a healthier plant with fuller blooms.

BIDVEST EXECUFLORA: Improving Indoor Functionality When it comes to gaining green star ratings, the quality of the air and environment indoors is just as important as it is outdoors.

Bidvest Execulfora has specialised solely in the design and installation of pot, plant, green wall, flower and canvas picture rentals.

In line with this core belief they have invested considerable capital over the years into their own greenhouse facilities. These currently total 12 700m2 and include the tallest commercial greenhouse in Southern Africa. These greenhouses allow control on the supply and quality of plants required for their operations. Bidvest Execuflora has extensive experience in the supply and long-term maintenance of green wall products. Their green wall range include small single wall units, and both interior and exterior wall solutions.

Office plants are not only easy on the eyes but have many unseen health benefits, removing harmful contaminants from indoor air. The relatively modern phenomenon of “sick building syndrome” refers to the harmful pollutants in the air caused by synthetic furnishings, electrical equipment, computers and even cleaning materials which can create health problems.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can result in dry and itchy eyes, headaches and poor concentration. Office plants effectively combat these risks by renewing polluted indoor air, and by moderating humidity levels for healthy functioning. Office plants can also pacify and calm by acting as buffers against tension, stress and aggression. www.execuflora.co.za

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Systems are pressure regulated and operate at lower pressures. With no pressure regulation and a much higher operating pressure, rotors/sprinklers cause evaporation, wind drift and run-off. It can be applied at any time of day or night without interfering with human activities. Watering the subsurface (below the ground) reduces the susceptibility of fungal diseases for many types of plants.

Irrigation water is not applied to impervious surfaces reducing collection and run-off. It easily conforms to unique and odd-shaped planters. Surfaces bordering the irrigated area, like glass and fences, are not stained. Critics highlight the slight increase in costs associated with the installation of a drip irrigation system compared to conventional irrigation rotors/sprinklers.

This becomes a non-factor as contractors become more familiar with drip installations.

Advanced Water Conservation Technologies: Netafim’s comprehensive drip irrigation product line includes technologically superior Techline® driplines, emitters, valves, pressure regulators, hydrometers, filters, water meters and the most advanced web-based smart controllers on the market. Recognising the evolving needs of a diverse and dynamic landscape industry. www.netafim.co.za

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ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY POOL COVERS PowerPlastics Pool Covers don't just sell pool covers, they help home owners and establishments with pools to make better choices about their water impact and overall sustainability goals. Hospitality establishments with child-safety requirements and environmentally-friendly practices are key audiences, reflecting the shift towards safer, more sustainable pools through the use of pool covers. Depending on requirements, there is a cover for every pool.

The eco-wise EnergyGuard GeoBubble cover reduces filtration times by 50% while also heating the water naturally by up to 7 degrees Celsius. It reduces chemical input and is an excellent way to close a pool in cooler months. This is a must-have cover for hospitality establishments passionate about upholding their environmental ethos.

The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover has a black underside to prevent algae growth, thereby halving filtration times while also securing the pool – safety and sustainability from one cover! This cover also conforms to international safety standards and comes in a range of attractive colours.

For the ultimate finish, the Solar-powered Slatted Cover is a sleek, fully automatic slatted cover operated by solar energy. These pool covers curb evaporation by over 98% which is a significant water saving for pools water scarce areas. These covers also assist in retaining heat and chemical input can be reduced too.

There is no doubt that covered pools are becoming the new normal in SA, particularly for any establishment with a sustainability strategy. Thanks to their broad educational campaign, PowerPlastics Pool Covers has largely driven the market, supporting pool owners through the water crisis, and contributing to a new awareness around the water and carbon impact of pools. www.powerplastics.co.za

LECHUZA’S SELFWATERING PLANTERS Lechuza Planters are produced to the highest production standards at an environmentally-certified production site in Germany, these robust planters are UV and frost proof, and they’re made to last for many, many years.

Constructed from strong polypropylene, the planters are lightweight and 100% recyclable!

Lechuza’s unique sub-irrigation system provides plants with the right amount of water for optimal growth – without wasting a single drop. No moisture is lost to evaporation, as the water sits safely within the planter’s sub-irrigation system. The water-level indicator keeps you from overfilling because it lets you know when it’s time to top up. Their largest planters can often go weeks without needing a refill. Many Lechuza Planters also come with PON – a plant substrate consisting of pumice, zeolites and fertilizer that’s entirely free from pollutants and contamination. The plant’s roots grow down and settle into the planter where they fetch water and nutrients from the PON as needed, resulting in well-balanced, healthy and happy plants.

On top of the engineering, care and environmental consideration put into the production of these high-quality products, Lechuza also boasts a wide range of beautiful options. There’s a size, shape, texture and colour for any living space, inside or out. www.lechuza.co.za

ARTIFICIAL FOLIAGE: EASYIVY® EASYIVY® is the only South African foliage brand that uses UV blocking technology with strong colourfast pigments to create inherently fade resistant foliage for outdoor use. These are 100% maintenance free and fade resistant, providing ultimate and instant privacy.

EASYIVY® is ideal for vertical gardens, green rooftops, roof gardens, privacy walls, buildings, businesses, lattices and interior spaces.

EASYIVY® will reduce your water bill, requires no pruning or fertilizing and is pest free with the full aesthetic of its live counterpart. www.easyivy.co.za 54

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PRODUCTS

BERA URBANSCAPE GREEN ROLL BERA Urbanscape Green Roll is a non-toxic, all-natural high-water absorption system aimed for the use under new lawns, old lawns, roof gardens, trees and pot bases.

The all-natural material, lasting up to 15 years, can save users up to 50% water.

Derived from crushing stone, melting and reweaving into a 2cm “blanket”, it can hold 17L per square meter and in the needling manufacturing process, there is 80% air in construction. With sandy soils allowing water to leach and soak away, it’s the perfect solution to “slowing” down the loss of water while saving water. The air volume allows water to pass through and not dam up as has been proven in storm water testing facilities.

CLEVER CONCRETE LuminTech, the impressive new addition to Chryso’s wide range of decorative concretes, comprises a variety of different luminescent particles that are applied to the surface and incorporated into the concrete skin. The particles – which during the day imitate natural aggregates – absorb UV radiation, both natural and artificial, and then after dark release the energy to illuminate selected areas of a building or landscaped space.

For a building industry increasingly concentrating on sustainability, LuminTech is an environmentally-friendly light source as its particles are sourced from composite recycled material and natural mineral pigments.

The new product’s technology is not affected by freeze-thaw cycles and its durability is another strong and positive factor as its luminosity does not deteriorate over time. za.chryso.com

Green Roll allows roof garden construction to be lighter by using less soil, keeping plants healthy and allowing access to water for longer.

Urbanscape is also available in Green Flocks, a more user-friendly system when planting new trees, pot plants or in general gardening. It’s a finer “chopped” version of the Green Roll providing high water retention and creating an environment for much healthier root systems.

With water being a scarce and valuable resource, Urbanscape provides many long-term solutions whilst being sensitive to the environment. www.bera-bv.co.za

SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS BERA Gravel Fix® Pro is an advanced recyclable stabilisation system for gravel. With its hexagonal honeycomb-like structure of high quality Polypropylene cells, BERA Gravel Fix® Pro is designed to provide a strong and stable sub-base for the application of gravel on paths, driveways, car parks and roofs. It will facilitate a strong and porous surface for a variety of projects.

It is best applied in gardens, terraces, parking and gravel driveways.

Features and benefits of BERA Gravel Fix® Pro: • Easy to install & stable gravel surface in fast and economic way • For pedestrian and vehicle use, even trucks and roof tops.

• Easy mobility for all.

• Terrace furniture, ladders – stable and no sinking in.

• Fully porous, so dry and ensuring infiltration of rainwater immediately. www.bera-bv.co.za

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LITTLE INTERVIEWS

LITTLE INTERVIEWS

JEANDRE’ STEYN

GLENICE EBEDES

Director of Greenacres cape landscaping

Garden Designer & owner of Grounded Landscaping

What is your favourite landscaped area in South Africa?

What is your favourite landscaped area in South Africa?

I like the concept of Babylonstoren.

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Johannesburg.

How is Sustainability embedded into your business practices?

How is Sustainability embedded into your business practices?

We try to work with what is already on site, especially with regards to trees. We choose our plants very carefully by planting almost only indigenous and water wise. By educating the client during and after a project.

What is one item you cannot live a day without?

My laptop and a cappuccino to start the day.

Who/What is your biggest professional influence and why?

I have always had a passion for architecture and interior design.

In my view the outside space is just an extension of both… So I try to incorporate that into my designs.

What is the moto that you live by?

“If your creation doesn’t have ethics, hasn’t got meaning or doesn’t touch your senses, what is the point?”.

One piece of advice for the landscaping industry?

Take the time to really get to know your clients and how they are going to use the space.

We focus on creating wildlife-friendly gardens using mainly indigenous plant material.

What is one item you cannot live a day without?

Felco secateurs.

Who/What is your biggest professional influence and why?

The numerous nurserymen (and women) in South Africa who specialise in indigenous plants and are a wealth of information.

What is the moto that you live by?

Flourish!

One piece of advice for the landscaping industry?

Seek inspiration from nature.

Top Plant?

Heteropyxis natalensis (Lavender Tree). It’s a stunning tree and I’ve seen it growing in the wild in a very special place – the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site.

Top Plant?

Agave attenuate.

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Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

57

PORTFOLIO

HENK GROBLER Owner of Liquid Landscapes.cc

STEVEN BRETT ELLIOTT Owner at Vertgrow Landscaping

What is your favourite landscaped area in South Africa?

What is your favourite landscaped area in South Africa?

The Nirox Sculpture Park in Kromdraai, Gauteng.

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden in Stellenbosch.

How is Sustainability embedded into your business practices?

How is Sustainability embedded into your business practices?

Our aim at Liquid Landscapes is too great a landscaped or entertainment area that conserve water and energy but also requires minimum effort to maintain.

My Leatherman.

My staff are my business. I try to make sure that they understand the decisions taken every day, and the consequences for the business when we don't get it right, so that they understand what we need to do, to be successful and that our ultimate goal is a satisfied customer. I need my staff to buy into my vision for my company, so that we can grow together and have fun doing it.

Who/What is your biggest professional influence and why?

What is one item you cannot live a day without?

I admire a number of people but Muhammad Ali said: “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it—then I can achieve it." This quote gives me goose bumps every time I hear it.

My measuring wheel.

What is one item you cannot live a day without?

What is the moto that you live by?

Do unto others what you want done unto yourself.

One piece of advice for the landscaping industry?

Don’t be afraid to experiment with new ideas or concepts. You need to fail in order to succeed.

Top Plant?

Pachypodium geayi

Who/What is your biggest professional influence and why?

My Significant Other. She inspires me a lot and is the most positive person I know, whilst still remaining a realist. She encouraged me to follow my passion and take a design course 5 years ago. When I wanted to open my own business immediately, she was the one that said go learn first from others even though it meant more than halving my salary. I don't know too many women who would have picked up the slack, tolerated my frustrations at the learning curve and not shot me! If I had gone on my own immediately I would have failed.

What is the moto that you live by?

Never stop dreaming.

One piece of advice for the landscaping industry?

Really hear, not just listen, do what your client wants but never silence your professional opinion when you know that something won't work or is at odds with the desired end result. Managing expectations is key.

Top Plant?

Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra).

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Pro Landscaper Africa | February 2018

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