SCAPE | April 2022 | Residential & Estates | Vol. 79 by Paper Plane Publications

STRIKING THE BALANCE.

APRIL 2022

RESIDENTIAL & ESTATES

We’re confident in their decisions.

If they tell you that this is the way to go, I don’t even look at anything else. I know it’s the right way.

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REAL CLAY PAVING With stylish, timeless appeal and impressive sustainability credentials - the enduring hues and textures of clay brick are low maintenance and look beautiful for a lifetime. CBASA represents clay brick & paver manufacturers across Southern Africa and drives inclusive, sustainable practices in the industry. We inspire energy-eﬃcient, contemporary architecture and paving that supports our local producers, landscapers and architects. Free technical and construction guides for clay bricks & pavers at www.claybrick.org THE

IC EO Y F THE CLA

SECURE CK

IN D U S

T RY

SAVE

SUSTAIN

STYLE

/ LEADER /

FORM VERSUS FUNCTION. STRIKING THE BALANCE.

NATURE VERSUS BUILD.

We’re really living on the edge with our Residential and Estates Issue. We’ve been revelling in our decision to evolve our brand into something more inclusive of our broad and engaged audience and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the feedback we’ve received from our design, build and maintenance traders… We look forward to the journey ahead. Speaking of what lies ahead, there is one date we implore you to mark in your diaries… SCAPE SA. This is our annual trade event, held at the CTICC on the 21st October 2022. Expect to see the very latest products and suppliers to the interior and exterior realm, coupled with a superb day of seminars all geared towards the future of the industry, sustainable cities, mind-blowing local and international keynote speakers and holistic design. CPD points will be awarded to all SAIA, IID, ILASA, UDISA and SALI members and all trade professionals are welcome to attend. Network, share and ignite the industry with us. While theming our issues and curating content has always been at the fore of what we do, we’ve been visiting our featured projects, interviewing industry leaders, and challenging our aesthetic in recent months because we know that evolution is key to maintaining a current platform. With that in mind, we’re thrilled to bring you our April Residential and Estates Issue, where we have sought to draw together a set of features that appeal to various trade professionals, with fantastic articles on softscaping and landscaping ideas and forecasts in residential settings -to projects that inspire innercity apartment designers as well as those who design for estates and lodges. Holistic design takes centre stage and going off-grid is also a theme explored throughout this issue. For interiors, we look at trends in residential design and veer off into kitchens, where we again establish the balance between form and function. If you’re interested in stunning suppliers to this setting and theme, you can familiarise yourselves with our product focus features and meet some exciting and forwardthinking products through our pages. Now… Let’s switch into four-wheel drive... We’re going off-grid! Editorial Editor-in-Chief & Director Chanel Besson Commissioning Editor Amy Aries Design Zoey&I - Sarah Gregg-Macdonald

Advertising Key Account Manager Justine Coleman Media Sales Executive Basheerah De Villiers Media Sales Executive Cameron Peters Media Sales Executive Kieran Hedges

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CONTENTS

/ CONTENTS /

Holistic Design in Residential Architecture

Singita Volcanoes National Park

by Silvio Rech + Lesley Carstens

by GAPP Architects & Urban Designers

by Nicola Orpen and Hayley Turner, Bone Interior Design Studio

Striking The Balance

House of the Big Arch

with Du Prins Wholesale Nursery

by Frankie Pappas

60 Residential Interiors for ’22

Designing for the Heart of the Home: The Kitchen by Anette de Jager, 360 Design Studio

The Residential and Estate Planting Guide

First Impressions. Now.

A Solid Foundation

by TwoFiveFive Architects

by Talborne Urban Organics

by Bruce de Smidt, General Manager, Over The Garden Wall

Product Focus: Calcamite

Africa’s Calling by PADIA Consultants

N G I L S A E I T D N C E I T D I S E I S L R E O U R T H IN TEC I RCH A / FEATURE /

/ FEATURE /

oo often the concern when designing a home is the overall visual impact of the build, as it ‘wins’ on first impressions. We thought it important to gain insight into what it truly means to design for the humans who ultimately live in the created space, and not leave a massive carbon footprint on the road to forming their new living reality. Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, of the eponymous architectural and interior design firm, lent us their thoughts on the build’s relationship to the environment, form versus function, and how to handle this precarious balancing act. In crystallising the essence of the architectural journey we have been on over the past 30 years ('it's a journey that has taken us to many no.1 awards internationally'), the overriding question that we inexorably ask ourselves is ‘how did we impact the people, the nature, and resources that the project touched on in the long term?’ It’s not just the immediacy of a new fashionable design, or the design approach, but it’s about the long term. We often ask ourselves, ‘how did our design philosophy affect people's psyche, and did we mold some kind of philosophy pertaining to the project we executed? Did our artistic style, imbued in sustainable ideologies, have longevity and far-reaching influence?’ The golden thread that ties our work together, and is the basis of our evaluation of a completed project, would always be how the earth was touched and what input would the activity onsite have had. On 'North Island' (Conde Nast Traveller, Best of the Best 2001), nature was celebrated by making columns out of treated unwanted trees, creating a building that felt like an inverted forest. Living on site When dealing with climatic conditions, and influencing temperatures in a house situated in the desert, a rock store below the building was utilised to pull either cool air in summer (harvested late at night by cooling the rocks) and later harvesting cool air. In winter, warmth is retained by the sun heating rocks naturally at midday, and harvesting the heat for use during the coldest hours of the night. Simultaneously, the buildings themselves looked like organic rock mounds piled up in the landscape to appeal to the client’s brief of ‘hiding in plain sight.' Internally, walls of layered, compressed rammed earth pulled the ancient memory of the land beneath to the surface above. The use of rammed earth was repeated in the 'Dalrymple Pavillion', where the layers of earth from the Gautrain excavation sites were gathered to create a space in time of Johannesburg’s story. In instances, local labour and handcrafting was coupled and became an integral part of the design.

SILVIO RECH + LESLEY CARSTENS Architects and Interior Designers www.silviorechlesleycarstens.co.za @silviorechlesleycarstens

11 House Rech Carstens

/ FEATURE /

Urban There have been periods where curing an ailing city centre became an important issue. In 2010, we were asked by South Point to look at ways to unify their portfolio of 50 buildings in Braamfontein. It was student accommodation, and unifying them into a citadel within the city. An umbilical cord of colour linked various precincts and demolishing ‘bad’ buildings to create ‘places’ within the city were utilised. Ultimately, rooftop bar 'Randlords,' was created as a nucleus for night entertainment overlooking the city. Sculptural houses A number of sculptural houses nestled in nature and influenced by forms found in nature, also deserve a mention. An example, 'Keurbooms Cottage' is a sculptural gesture born out of a past look at futurism and space travel (Space Odyssey 2001).

Keurbooms Cottage

This is also influenced by rolling landscapes and white crests of waves in the distance, and the movement of migrating pods of whales, and recalls other architectural nuances found in parametric architecture today. 'House Pengilly' is another look into the future through past references. This is the John Lautner sculptural philosophy utilised in the early Bond stylistic film sets and more recently in an attempt to create an interesting backdrop for Tony Stark in the Ironman house. Finally, 'House Rech Carstens' takes to the Googie architecture theme, which was prevalent in early 1960s, and Johannesburg in certain instances. It reignites interest and longevity in this type of early Johannesburg architecture. All of the above are tied to the human psyche or landscape and vegetation in a strong way. Urban living on top of existing buildings allows vertical expansion in an urban space, and 'The Roof Top Apartment' on the garden in the sky above the Everard Read Gallery sees a steel, wood and stone pavilion embedded in a densely vegetated rooftop garden. It is urban garden living on their roof among plants and art. The move to prefab in order to have less impact A large part of our work has been the creation of luxury high-end boutique lodges around Africa. The move over time has been to create structures that use sustainable material resources, as well as buildings that require minimal maintenance, but still appeal to a romantic notion of escape. An example is the new JAO Camp rebuild in the Okavango Delta (Conde Nast no1, Botswana).

JAO Camp

Material sustainability resources, as well as low maintenance in terms of touch constantly moving through the Okavango Delta lead us to design a mecano set of prefabricated steel architecture in a sculptural way that had biomimic constructs of blending into nature. Having all the structures made from a steel exoskeleton, and clad with fibre thatch made from recycled plastics meant not having trucks pounding and damaging roads 15 years later as they carry out yearly maintenance on failing timber and organic materials attempting to decompose, improved the impact on nature going forward. On 'Miavana Private Island', flat roofed pre-fabricated steel pavilions create large modernist umbrellas to protect from sun and rain, but the free flow spaces underneath, clad in local Ravanel and Latanier palm leaves allow the inhabitants to feel intrinsically connected to nature, both in materials and form.

12 Miavana Private Island

House Rech Carstens

/ FEATURE /

Time + Tide Miavana

"It’s not just the immediacy of a new fashionable design, or the design approach, but it’s about the long term."

In 'Angama', a luxury tented camp perched high above the plains of the magical and timeless plains of The Masai Mara in Kenya, a tented canvas in the ultimate landscape. Look back into the Serengeti with all its magic. As an architect, one is always trying to capture a need or a vision of a client and turn it into built-form. Our briefs have been varied and extreme, and the combination of the romantic dream and the functional have to reach an equilibrium to make it successful. All the architecture that we have executed that has stood the test of time, has had a holistic design where buildings that had a consideration to the environment as well as the human’s mental space, have been the most successful.

Leobo Private Reserve

House Rech Carstens

STRIKING THE BALANCE 16

/ FEATURE /

inding a balance between low-maintenance, hardy plants and lush, abundant green spaces is essential for residential and real estate gardens. Landscapers must always be considerate of cost-effective solutions to bridge the gap between plants that not only look good, but do so with minimal inputs. Du Prins Wholesale Nursery has come up with some species that not only look good, but are hardy and require minimal maintenance, too:

Ornamental grasses - Aristida junciformis

This indigenous grass is used extensively in landscapes throughout South Africa. Aristida quickly fills beds, allowing them to appear abundant in next to no time. While this grass can withstand marshy conditions, it is also waterwise in dry areas. This makes Aristida a great option for landscapers throughout the country.

Groundcovers – Helichrysum petiolare, Plumbago auriculata

Both Helichrysum and Plumbago are indigenous groundcovers that offer a great reward for minimal effort. Helichrysum, with its silvery, velvety leaves, has a striking effect when used en masse. Plumbago is a stalwart of commercial landscapes, one of the few blue-flowered specimens available. Both these species grow naturally along the coast from the Western Cape through Kwa-Zulu Natal, but are perfectly capable of thriving in the Highveld too.

Indigenous bulbous colour – Agapanthus, Watsonia

Flowering Agapanthus is synonymous with springtime in South Africa. As the plant matures, flowering becomes more profuse. Agapanthus is also one of the most economical plants available. By dividing the plants in late winter, a landscaper will not only ensure generous blooming year after year, but proliferate the Agapanthus population for next to nothing. When in flower, mass plantings of watsonia really are breathtaking. They are easily planted as corms in the late summer and will dazzle in the early spring as the flower spikes emerge.

Waterwise colour – Aloe cooperii, Gazania rigens

Dry landscapes need not look barren and bare. South Africans have a wide array of waterwise, colourful plant species at their disposal. Aloe cooperii has a softer, more herbaceous stem than other Aloe specimens. While they tolerate wetter conditions better than these Aloes, Aloe cooperii is perfectly capable of thriving in arid conditions. They also have a different flowering season – their orange inflorescences appear in the summertime as opposed to the winter. This makes them perfect companions for ornamental grasses like Aristida junciformis. Gazania rigens offer easy colour for even the most parched landscape. Due to their tolerance for frost and saltspray, these top colour performers are an excellent option for Western Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal and even Gauteng gardens.

Topiary specimens – Buxus microphylla, Viburnum sinensis, Freylinia tropica

Topiary specimens, while they might require a bit more attention than the other plants in this article, are popular among landscapers for a good reason. Buxus is one of the most famous hedging specimens, adding a sense of sophistication to any landscape. Viburnum is commonly used as a short hedge, but when trained into topiary it can also offer vertical interest. Freylinia is a tropical, fine-leaved shrub with blue or white flowers. Not only do they make great screens, but do well in containers too.

"Aristida quickly fills beds, allowing them to appear abundant in next to no time."

/ FEATURE /

Fertiliser and irrigation requirements

Most of the plants discussed above are indigenous to South Africa, making them less fussy about irrigation. If water supply is greatly limited, waterwise options like Aloes and Gazanias should be considered. Corms and tuberous growers like Agapanthus and Watsonia are especially waterwise in during their dormant seasons. When grown in the frost-free regions of the Western Cape, Agapanthus behave more like perennials compared to the Highveld, where they may lose their foliage during frosty winters. Watsonia goes dormant during the warmest of the summer months, allowing growers to conserve water supply if limited. In practice, however, it is likely most landscapes will require supplemental irrigation. The most effective and water-conserving option is drip irrigation. By supplying water directly to the rootzone, less water is required. The foliage will also be kept dry in these instances, helping to prevent disease proliferation. Water use zoning should also be practiced, allowing plants will similar water needs to be grouped together to conserve water. Surface mulch or landscape fabric can also be used to prevent excess evaporation from the soil during hot days. The plants presented in this article require an uncomplicated fertiliser programme. During the early spring, a good application of compost can likely supply enough nutrients to last the summer. At this time, any plant dividing, weeding, and pruning can also be done. If the project funds allow, landscapers can also consider slow-release fertilisers. These nutrient-packed beads distribute a small amount of fertiliser into the rootzone over a period of time. This greatly reduces nutrient runoff, making slow-release fertilisers a terrific option for landscapes in high rainfall regions. Ultimately, a bit of good research and careful consideration is all that is needed to create a landscape that is not only visually appealing, but easy to maintain on a tight budget too. Knowing how to exploit the benefits of our wide range of indigenous plants is what makes landscapers experts at creating lush green spaces for public and private families to enjoy.

DAVID DU TOIT Owner MICHELLE STANTON Co-author Du Prins Wholesale Nursery www.duprins.co.za

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WATER WISE

Veggie gardens, roofs, and social upliftment P roducing fresh, organic and healthy food does not need to be restricted by a lack of space. Unfortunately, a lack of space is a dilemma faced by many as the popularity of townhouses, flats and apartments grows. However, a lack of space should not stop the privileges of gardening - just ‘look up’ and encourage your clients to consider rooftop gardening.

Growing ‘green roofs’, or edible rooftop gardens, is a fairly new concept that is taking the world by storm. As the amount of space available per person decreases and the price of food increases, more and more people are looking at investing in home food gardens. Besides the benefit of reduced costs and a sustainable supply of food, home-grown fruit and veggies are healthier and kinder on the environment than their mass-produced counterparts. While growing a food garden on your roof may be tricky, remember these steps when considering rooftop gardens:

─ Be sure the roof can take the extra weight of the soil needed for the garden - perhaps consult a structural engineer before starting. ─ An additional protective layer will need to be placed over your existing roof unless trays are being used to grow vegetables in. ─ Make sure there is adequate drainage from the roof garden to prevent the accumulation of water and

potential damage to the roof. ─ Take note of the pitch of the roof - a slope that is too steep may cause plants to slip off, while a roof that is too flat may cause excess water to pool. ─ Observe the aspect of the roof, regional climate of the area, and wind and shade in order to position the right plants in the right place. ─ Remember that the weather conditions on the roof may be extreme, so choose plants that are able to survive and grow well in very hot, and possibly dry and windy conditions. Tomatoes, cabbage, spinach, lettuce, green peppers, spring onion, eggplants, amadumbe and chillies can be grown successfully on roofs. ─ In areas of excessive wind, an artistically placed shade cloth or trellis could add an interesting feature to the rooftop.

Rooftop veggie gardens can be incorporated into social upliftment or employee well-being programmes at the office. Perhaps a successful rooftop garden can be used to supplement the office canteen requirements? The benefits of being able to harvest organic food, sustainably and with no threat to our environment, are considerable. Also, roof gardens use rainwater and in doing so prevent excessive stormwater run-off, making them Water Wise too!

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THE RESIDENTIAL AND ESTATE PLANTING GUIDE

/ FEATURE /

ith new architectural trends reaching towards contemporary monotones and a drive in the landscape spheres calling for indigenous, waterwise planting, landscapers have been given the opportunity to create exciting garden spaces that unite living space with outdoor space almost seamlessly. The soft greys and open plan architecture in modern estates work as a backdrop to showcase planting with pops of colour, cascading plant groupings and silver-grey foliage. We would like to showcase some of our favourite planting palettes that create interest within small to medium sized gardens and share some simple tricks that create much sought after low-maintenance garden spaces that contribute ecologically and environmentally through encouraging beneficial insect and birdlife activities. One of our main priorities when looking at refurbishing established gardens in established estates, as well as new projects, is to create level spaces, which are functional and make sense. This can be done in a number of creative ways from using retaining blocks, to constructing facebrick walls, or finishing with plaster. One of our favourites is to retain using shale rock, neatly finished and grouted with cement, to create a modern transition from facebrick boundary walls and buildings to modern wooden and steel finishes. These retaining walls create a lovely planting opportunity for lively cascades to soften the wall edges and create added interest to the levels. Convolvulus sabatius cascades well and has a delicate lavender-blue flower that catches the eye. Asparagus densiflorus 'Mazeppa' is a beautiful indigenous option that brings a bright green colour and texture to contrast other cascading growers, it is also a great winner in hanging baskets when mixed with string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus). Crassula spathulata creates lovely interest with small, white star-shaped flowers and heart-shaped leaves when used for a cascading pot border. When maintaining your plant cascades be careful not to trim them in straight lines but rather use a feathered approach, trimming the runners at different lengths to create a natural feel, while keeping the bulk of the cascade off of lawns and walkways. For tall pots maintain the cascade at about a third of the total pot height, and for retaining walls; about two-thirds of the total height of the wall. When selecting shrubs to create the bulk of garden planting areas, careful consideration should be given to texture, size and colour. Using textured leaves with a striking contrast to the normal green planting palette, such as Helichrysum petiolare, a silver-grey shrub with soft, fluffy leaves, immediately draws the eye to pockets of silvery interest and allows for repetition of both silver colour and soft texture when alternated with a ground cover like (Lambs Ear) Stachys byzantine. The striking purple flowers of Salvia farinacea tie in well with silvers and greys and form a dense flowery backbone within garden beds. Companion plant, Guara lindheimerii, and Statice flowers Limonium perezii in large swathes to complete a colourfully textured spectacle. Use robust creepers like Petrea volubilis to frame archways or soften bare walls with their rough leaves and spectacular wisteria-like white or purple flowers. Petrea can also be used to great effect in pots when paired with one of the cascading groundcovers.

BRUCE DE SMIDT General Manager Over The Garden Wall www.overthegardenwall.co.za @otgw_landscaping

/ FEATURE /

No garden can be complete without trees and large shrubs, attract a variety of birds and beneficial insects by using (Tree fuchsia) Halleria lucida to fill large walls and as a feature in corners, or Rhamnus prinoides near a bird bath and bird feeder to attract fruit eaters. Both shrubs create irresistable, unique fruit that should have fruiteating birds queuing for a bite. To complement our shrubs we use trees like (Lavender tree) Heteropyxis natalensis, a densely-shaped tree with lavender scented leaves, generally they have a non-invasive root system and are a good choice to break unsightly boundary walls. A quick growing tree that screens effectively between erfs is the (False Olive) Buddleja saligna, while it can get quite scruffy, and is not recommended for persons suffering with allergies it is easily pruned to shape and grows quickly to cover where needed. Throughout the landscaping project and its maintenance, it is advisable to promote healthy soils by using organic fertilisers, pelletised chicken manure or kelp- based fertilisers to add to planting holes or spread regularly over established gardens. It can never be said enough how much the regular addition of good quality compost and organic fertilisers work with your soil. It improves moisture retention, soil structure and contributes to soil microbes, which leads to healthy root development and plant growth, bringing about long-term sustainability. We have found that the combination of good quality compost, organic fertilisers and a soil covering of bark mulch or wood chippings (5080mm thick) after planting, yields incredible results. It is important to understand the need for soil covering and the importance of moving away from past practices of turning the soil in the garden beds. Continual forking and digging over of planting beds damages delicate plant roots, disturbs microbial activity and disrupts the natural process of breaking down organic matter. Mulching your garden bed contributes toward moisture retention and aids with erosion control by slowing water movement and encouraging soil drainage. It creates a microclimate for the soil surface that acts like our skin, protecting it from direct heat, slowing evaporation and amazingly keeping weeds at bay.

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/ FEATURE /

PRODUCT FOCUS: CALCAMITE From the Kalahari to Nigeria, Calcamite has been installing effective wastewater management systems in Eco Reserves and lifestyle estates across Africa for decades, making them a trusted wastewater treatment solution for landscape and architectural professionals alike. The two most vital parts of Restaurant Klein Jan, in the remote southern Kalahari, are not visible when you are standing at the front door. The first is the 20-metre long storage cellar, four metres underground, where the local ingredients that pay tribute to the heritage of the Northern Cape are kept. The second is no less important, perhaps more so in this stunning setting. The wastewater treatment plant, designed and installed by South African company, Calcamite, ensures that the celebration of the beauty of the Kalahari is backed up by a system that allows no pollutants or contaminants to damage this precious environment. The cellar and the system contribute to an experience that is uniquely, exquisitely African, leaving behind nothing but a footprint of care and understanding. Wastewater management systems are the obvious choice when it comes to sourcing solutions for wastewater and sanitation in both remote and urban settings, particularly in Eco Reserves and lifestyle estates. They are self-contained, effective, efficient and can be produced to scale to suit the size of the project, whether that be a restaurant in the Kalahari or a hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. The reason for choosing a wastewater management system is simplicity itself: water and its security. Water is a precious, life-giving resource, particularly in a land and continent where it is scarce. Introducing contaminants to an already fragile water supply is not only irresponsible, but unnecessary and wasteful. Water can be treated and used for non-potable requirements, such as grey water flushing and irrigation. Wastewater management systems are about caring for a resource in a way that protects the environment and is cost effective at the same time. The Calcamite wastewater management systems have four main processes. The first sees domestic sewage enter the primary settlement chamber or septic tank, where solids settle and are gradually broken down by anaerobic digestion. The second, a biological treatment, uses Calcamite’s Bio-mite reactor to breakdown biodegradable waste and convert it into carbon dioxide and water. The treated waste stream is fed into the final settlement chamber, where clear water rises to the surface of the tank. It is then disinfected to ensure any remaining pathogens are killed. The treated effluent is then stored for secondary, non-potable re-use or disposed of as per local regulations. That is why Calcamite’s systems have become the preferred wastewater management solution for many luxury resorts and Eco Reserves across Africa. Calcamite, who have been at the forefront of innovation since it began in 1967, offer a turnkey solution. Their systems are quick to commission and install, they can be configured to specific requirements, are easy to use and maintain, are durable and can accommodate from 4 to 500 people. For some reserves and estates, the law stipulates the requirements for the treatment of wastewater. For example, septic tanks are banned in the ecologically-sensitive Okavango Delta. When installing a new system at Xigera, the new 7-star safari lodge in the Okavango Delta, Calcamite came across former Calcamite tanks that had been installed 20 years before by the previous concession owner. When the Puku Ridge Lodge in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, one of the great remaining unspoiled regions of Africa, underwent renovations, Calcamite supplied and installed the wastewater management system that ensured it would remain unspoiled. Calcamite has worked with and maintained strong relationships with many of the continent’s top lodges and reserves, including Wilderness Safari, Above and Beyond, and Cheetah Plains (Sabi Sand Lodge). Calcamite believes that effective, efficient and fit-for-purpose wastewater management systems are not only an important and necessary requirement when developing or upgrading Eco Reserves and lodges, but are a responsible, affordable solution to ensuring water security and protecting the beauty of the Kalahari and Africa for many years to come. Sometimes, the most vital things are the ones that aren’t visible from the front door. www.calcamite.co.za

SINGITA VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

/ PORTFOLIO /

Size: 4269m2 Location: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

ingita Kwitonda sits at the foot of striking volcanoes in the Volcanoes National Park in the northwest of Rwanda. This extraordinary site borders the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda's Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It is primarily recognised as the natural habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorilla and is home to five volcanoes, covered in bamboo and rainforests.

Impact investment and ecotourism have been designated as the cornerstones for a new era of conservation in Rwanda, thanks to a government-led initiative. In partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, the project was a bold undertaking lead by developers Milton Group and renowned hospitality and conservation brand, Singita, to support the conservation of the legendary gorilla population and uplift the local economy. In keeping with their sensitive approach to their developments in protected areas, the brief from Singita was clear; to design a lodge that embodied Rwanda’s ethos and captured the gentle humbleness of the country. Designed by GAPP Architects & Urban Designers, in collaboration with interior designers, HK Studio and Cécile & Boyd, the lodge has eight luxury guest suites, and an exclusive four-suite villa, Kataza House. After years of working together for this luxury brand, the design team has developed an absolute respect for the wilderness, aligned with Singita’s generosity of spirit, which lead them to generate contextually appropriate and imaginative solutions for all aspects of the project. The lodge is made up of a collection of small buildings, laid out along the natural contours of the ground to ensure minimal impact on the land. Placement of buildings was informed by the distinctive character of the site, the natural flow of the contours and watercourses, the views, and the prominence of the volcanoes. All buildings are single-storey structures allowing the volcanoes to dominate. The design aesthetic was inspired by local culture, workmanship, and traditional Rwandan architectural technologies, combined with more contemporary influences to create a unique but fitting language that is sensitive to its context. A large percentage of the construction spend stayed within the local community. By promoting the use of locally available materials, more than 500 local artisans and builders were involved in the project, crafting lava rock walls, impressive woven ceilings, and hand-fired terracotta brickwork pods, ensuring an authentic translation of local culture into key elements, while also adding a significant boost to local employment and businesses. The team searched all corners of the country to uncover the extraordinary talent of the local population. Many of the design materials were tried, evaluated, abandoned, or retried until workable solutions were found. It required an enormous amount of resolve, building up and chipping away at ideas until they came together. Most gratifying and humbling was working together with the local weavers to produce wonderfully innovative ceiling panels, through inspiring the invention of new techniques that were equally authentic, but with a more contemporary spin. Although perched above the ground, the buildings have a sense of being connected to the landscape, mainly through the introduction of wide stone wall extensions that project beyond the building envelope, and have reference to the existing stone water channels of the site. Buildings are made up of combinations of greenroofed, cabin-like structures, set alongside lighter glazed-wall veranda-like elements.

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MEET T HE T EAM Developer: Milton Group LLC Development Agency: Rwandan Development Board Lead Architects: GAPP Architects & Urban Designers Local Architects: FBW Architects & Engineers, Rwanda Architect of Record: Active Social Architecture (ASA), Rwanda Main Contractor: Seyani Brothers General Contractor: Grumeti Construction TZ

Interior Designer: HK Studio Master Planner: TRPalmer Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil Engineers: FBW Architects & Engineers, Rwanda Sustainability Consultants: Ecolution Photographer: Adriaan Louw

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Organically shaped brick-clad pods provide a sculptural, vertical accent reminiscent of the volcanoes, their curved edges providing softness to the built form. A detail of staggered, projecting bricks creates a crystallising effect to the vertical elements as shadows fall across the pod surfaces. Scale and proportion were important devices used to prevent the new buildings from appearing diminutive next to the volcanoes. Striking vertical brick-pod elements contrast with, and offset, the low-lying stone buildings. Over-scaled projecting windows allow for perfect framing of the volcanoes from all guest areas while providing welcoming window seats for guests to immerse themselves in the setting. All elements combine to create a unique and richly textured architectural language that is true to place. GAPP ARCHITECTS & URBAN DESIGNERS

www.gapp.net/en/ @gapp_ @GAPPSouthAfrica

Bold, striking interiors by HK Studio, combined with Cécile & Boyd’s vibrant color palette of lava black, khaki green, and blazing orange, provide an earthy sophistication to the interiors that is innately African. Landscape, architecture, engineering, and interiors were all developed in accordance with a precise set of environmentally responsible requirements. Driven by the One Planet Living Framework, all aspects of the design were integrated by a specialised consultant team to provide holistic sustainable solutions at all levels. Understanding and restoring the hydrological functioning was crucial as part of the effort to repair the land. The reforestation operation used 250,000 plants, all of which were purchased locally. A permanent nursery was also established on site for the duration of the construction project as well as future replanting efforts. Through powerful collaborative effort, Singita Kwitonda has achieved exactly what it set out to do and should be seen as inspiration to others wishing to make a positive impact on the planet.

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ere amidst the Waterberg mountains, and home to a retired veterinary couple, sits an incredible abode, 'House of the Big Arch', created to have as minimal an impact on its breathtaking environment as possible. Occupying a unique place in a nature reserve among landscapes of plants, trees, cliffs and impressive wildlife, we find this architectural beauty. Evidently, this residence speaks to the thrill-seeker and environmentalist in all of us, wanting to be as close to nature as possible without impacting the surrounding environment. The homeowners are both retired veterinarians who have a deep connection to animals and nature and wanted to feel part of the environment, so architectural firm Frankie Pappas, set out to design this unique and exquisite masterclass of off-grid living. The brief The clients asked for a home that disappears into the Waterberg mountains landscape; that sits amongst the rocks and trees and birds; that offers animals and plants and humans equal opportunity to find shelter; that treats the bushveld with its deserved respect. The idea The underlying concept was to bridge the landscape between riverine forest and sandstone cliff, whilst raising the living space into the tree canopy. Amongst the abundant arboreal life, the building is organised as one long, thin building, which slots between the forest trees. The shapes of the additions to the central building are dictated by the position and size of the surrounding trees (not one tree was demolished during the construction of this home). Materials The building makes use of a very simple set of materials which all play their part in making the building integrated into its landscape. The most abundant material is a rough stock brick which was selected to match the site’s weathered sandstone. The ‘bridge’ portions of the building are constructed from sustainably-grown timbers, whilst glass and aluminium fill in the non-structural wall. Programme The first floor offers to its inhabitants a planted courtyard, a reclusive lounge, a sunlit dining room, a farmhouse kitchen and scullery, a tree-shaded deck, a small pool and a fireplace around which most of the cooking and living occurs. The ground floor provides even more courtyards, a study, library and a small swing bench under the arch. The cellar creates a climate conducive to curing meats, storing food supplies and ageing wines. Solutions Frankie Pappas designed an incredibly thin building - 3300mm wide - this allowed them to thread the building through the treescape. Any funky bulges and protrusions in the plan of the building were dictated by where trees allowed them to build in order to further ensure that no tree would be harmed. They laser-scanned the entire site and then converted this information into a digital 3D model so that they could see every tree and every branch when making critical design decisions. The building was, in essence, designed in, and amidst, a digital forest.

"The underlying concept was to bridge the landscape between riverine forest and sandstone cliff, whilst raising the living space into the tree canopy."

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Clients The clients 'are' an elderly couple, whose love and knowledge of the bushveld is extraordinary and inspiring. Every tree, bush, insect, bird and mammal is a personal friend of theirs. They are enthusiastically involved in the environmental education of underprivileged youngsters from the surrounding areas, opening up their farm to- and sharing their experience with- these kids. When asked why they are so involved, their answer is typically salt-of-and-down-to-earth: 'There is too much beauty here for us to use up all by ourselves'. How is the building unique? This building is a careful and direct response to this particular portion of this specific riverine forest, within this distinct area of the Waterberg. This architecture could exist nowhere else in the world. Sustainability The entire house is off-the-grid - completely and utterly. Water from the roof is collected and filtered through the forest. Black and greywater is stored and processed before being filtered by the undergrowth. Energy is harvested by 16 square metres of solar panels, but, more important than this is that the architecture works with its environment to create breeze, shade and comfort, which allows it to have minimal energy demands.

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS. NOW.

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Building Name: Agora Location: Observatory, Cape Town

Agora, a new developer in the industry, wanted to establish the ‘brand’ within the market, as the development at 202 Lower Main, was their first. The expectation was a building that was contextually relevant and financially viable. It was important to deliver a product above the market 'norm' for the area, not just to those who are familiar with Observatory, but to the broader city too. The developer intends to ‘re-establish’ the ‘Observatory’ market offering, and kicks off this sentiment with a bang presenting, Agora. The building needed to provide as many residential apartments as feasible and provide at least a parking bay per unit. The apartments are intended to be rented out, to a target market composed of ‘Young Professionals’. Agora, the name, means ‘NOW’ in Portuguese. The brief was a building designed for the ‘now’! About the project 202 Lower Main is in the heart of the complex socio-economic suburb of Observatory, Cape Town. This suburb, steeped in history and cultural diversity, demands high levels of community involvement and public participation in the design process. The surrounding context existed of predominantly one and two storey structures at the time of planning the development. The context has changed drastically over the past three years, and this played a vital role within the planning of the scheme. To maximise the design feasibility, and remain within the statutory development controls of the stand, the proposed scheme required nearly 6 levels above ground, built to zero-meter building lines on four boundaries. The following questions remained: How do you remain sensitive to the scale of the buildings in the area? And how do you relate to the context in a manner that is familiar but fresh at the same time? It was evident that the scheme could not be made ‘smaller’. The resulting design concept was simple: ‘Let’s hide it’. As a form of architectural camouflage, a drone was used to capture footage of the context from which contextual data was extrapolated. These photographs were aggressively pixelated and reduced to a base colour scheme. One façade is contextually relevant in relation to the 'mountain' backdrop, and the other celebrating the ‘harbour’ beyond. To further enforce the contextual recognition, every plaster technique found within a 1km radius of the development was introduced into the façade. This included everything from fish scales through to banana plaster. This variety of ‘old’ plaster techniques required the involvement from local plaster artisans to train the young team onsite. In order to activate the pedestrian edge on Lower Main Road, a retail space was introduced alongside the public entrance to the apartments. This along with new trees on the Nansen Road sidewalk softens the public engagement of the scheme. To further enhance the living quality within the apartments, setbacks were created (some over kitchens, and others recessed into the façade) for natural light and ventilation on the zero-meter building lines. TWOFIVEFIVE ARCHITECTS

www.twofivefive.co.za @255architects

MEET T HE T EAM Architect & Principal Agent: TwoFiveFive Architects | info@twofivefive.co.za Structural Engineer: MISC Engineering | mia@miscengineering.co.za Fire Consultant: Frame | info@framegroup.co.za Mechanical Engineer: De Villiers & Moore | admin@devmoore.co.za

Electrical Engineer: Frame | info @framegroup.co.za Quantity Surveyor: Peregrine | dawie@peregrinepqs.co.za Main Contractor: HFO | info@hfo.co.za

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"To further enforce the contextual recognition, every plaster technique found within a 1km radius of the development was introduced into the façade."

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For the interiors, there was a specific interest in supporting local design. Custom light fittings were commissioned by designers like Joe Paine. Custom terrazzo tops, in a playful green colour, was manufactured by Notation Design. Custom-made steel kitchens and lighting from Kink Design was introduced. The brand identity was designed by Carina Comrie from Büro Comrie, and this, in turn, was introduced into the way-finding and signage elements. Furthermore, purpose-made door handles, with somewhat cheeky but ultimately positive messages throughout the building was introduced by the architects. There are many messages, but example, some say: 'go get them' and others say, 'hello good looking'. This development has become an icon within Observatory and has been incredibly well received by the community and its new tenants.

WAT E R , W I N D , F I R E & E A R T H

Location: Hout Bay, Western Cape

AFRICA'S CALLING

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hen a New York couple opted to build a home in Cape Town, they honoured its location by furnishing it with pieces by South Africa’s most renowned artists and honoured the magnificent and breathtaking landscape in which it sits.

It was 12 years ago, in 2007, that New Yorkers, Jim Brett and Ed Gray, were first enchanted by Cape Town. Jim was, at the time, head of the home department at leading US retailer Anthropologie and was on a buying trip to South Africa with local design promoter and exporter, Trevyn McGowan, of The Guild Group, who took the couple cross-country, visiting the studios of artisans and designers. 'I had never met anyone who could match my passion for handicraft and design, 'Jim says of Trevyn, who’d been entrenched in the local design scene for four years by then. 'We formed an immediate bond.'

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Anthropologie ended up placing the largest export order of South African design to date, and when Jim later became president of West Elm, he continued working with Trevyn and South Africa’s makers through his company’s ‘design under licence’ programme – an initiative he launched to promote sustainable production around the globe and preserve handmade craft. 'As we travelled to South Africa more often, we fell in love with the country, specifically Cape Town and its environs,' Ed explains. 'We love the people, food, culture, art-and-design community and the abundance of experiences all in such close proximity.' It, therefore, came as no surprise to family and friends when he and Jim decided to build a home for themselves in Hout Bay, a mountainside harbour village 30 minutes from Cape Town’s city centre, in which they hope to eventually spend six months of the year. Enlisting the help of Trevyn, her husband, and business partner, Julian, it was only natural that they would continue their trajectory of working with local designers, furnishing the home with pieces by the country’s most prominent names. For the new build, the couple briefed architect, Francois Swart of PADIA, requesting barn-like structures that suited the expansive property on which they also have a guest house. Pitched roofs, a silo structure and various window shapes brought this vision to the fore. 'As a reference to the informal way sheds grow into existence, there is a certain charm in the creative use and placing of windows,' says Francois, explaining the forms that are stackable and hidden in places, lowered for framed views in other instances or inserted flush against walls in corners for light to flood in unobstructed. In the glass passageway linking the main house to the guest unit, this idea is heightened. 'The ‘journey’, surrounded by nature, can be experienced open or closed, and doubles as a pause area that can be used as a sunroom or gateway to the pool garden,' Francois explains of the thoroughfare that offers glimpses of the local furnishings beyond.

A Terra planter by Laurie Wiid van Heerden for Indigenus forms a focal point in the passageway.

MEET T HE T EAM Steel work: Alex Steel Portion of Text: Tracy Lynn Chemaly Photographs: Greg Cox of Bureaux - www.bureaux.co.za

Architect: PADIA Consultants- Francois Swart Build Contractor: Red Sky Projects Landscaper: Giselle Stoloff Stone Mason: Nick Hann

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'It’s really enjoyable creating a world for people you care about,' says Trevyn of the project that has dressed the home in pieces by the likes of Gregor Jenkin, Charles Haupt and Laurie Wiid van Heerden, and designers represented by the McGowans’ collectible design gallery Southern Guild. 'It’s a beautiful homage for the work we all continue to do for South African design,' she says of the result. Jim’s thirty years in homeware retail meant Pinterest boards, colour palettes and material choices were thoroughly defined, smoothing the way for the cross-continental collaboration. 'This home was the first place we’ve started from scratch,' explains Ed, an accountant by trade who’s discovered a passion for hospitality, running the property’s luxury guest house. 'Usually, we’ve carried around the things we enjoy and love from place to place; things we’ve had for years that bring familiarity and comfort.' The newness of the home, and its interiors, paint a fresh African story for the US couple. ‘Sensual but pared-back and sophisticated,’ is how Trevyn describes the look that she and her team brought to life in a natural palette that pops with rich jewel-like hues – all given room to shine in the barn-like structure with its pitched roof and silo formation. 'We didn’t want the drama of the architecture to fight with too much pattern in the interiors. Jim and Ed lead busy lives, so this home needed to feel calm, like a sanctuary.' 'It’s important to us that our home feels warm and welcoming, with a degree of humility,' says Jim. Their modus operandi in eliciting the desired warmth was a crafted use of colour. An abstract artwork by John Murray mounted above the dining room cabinet – where striking tones mix with neutral hues – informed the colour choices of the sofas, walls and decorative objects. As with the varying patterns in John Murray’s painting, a myriad of forms exist in the home – from tapered pot plants and circular nesting tables to curvaceous dining chairs and elliptical sideboards. 'There are very few hard corners on the furniture items,' Jim explains of their brief. 'Ovals, circles or rectangles with rounded corners; it’s very subtle details that add a softness to the experience.' Equally considered is the collection of ceramic vessels. 'I am a bit of a ceramics junkie – I just can’t seem to stop buying them,' Jim comments. It’s a passion he and Trevyn have shared since the start of their friendship, which made it easy for her to suggest new pieces by Andile Dyalvane, Zizipho Poswa, Anthony Shapiro, John Bauer, Madoda Fani and Chuma Maweni, for the home. What began as a professional exploration between Jim and Trevyn, over a decade ago, has resulted in a very personal celebration of South African design. 'We still manage to inspire each other,' Jim smiles, gesturing around the home, proving his point.

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"IT’S REALLY ENJOYABLE CREATING A WORLDFOR PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT." Scape caught up with Francois Swart, architect at PADIA Consultants, to hear more about the garden elements within his design for this house. Q: With respect to the garden and the back story of this exquisite space, how did the garden come about? The clients bought the neighbouring stand to their existing guest house stand (Maison Noir) to build a private cottage for themselves on it. The property had a wild, overgrown garden but also had the foundations and basement remains of a burnt-out timber house that was destroyed by fire a year or so earlier. Due to access and privacy, the new house was planned in a different position and the burnedout shell was removed to make way for the new garden. The well-known four ‘elements of life’ – earth, fire, water and wind – were the main design inspiration and the starting point. The elements, or symbolic representations of them, were strategically positioned around a central, circular garden that was called the fifth element: ‘Life’. This was placed in the position where the old house was and became a poignant reminder of the sad loss experienced there earlier. It also became a place to celebrate new life in all its forms – weddings, birthdays, musical evenings, etc. So was born the fifth element of the garden. Q: Why was the Dylan Lewis Sculpture garden the inspiration? I adore South African art and sculptures. Interestingly, this garden was conceived before the Dylan Lewis Sculpture garden was opened to the public or I knew about it. I drew inspiration from the NIROX Foundation sculpture gardens in the Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng as well as the food gardens of Babylonstoren. The idea for a sculpture or food garden was a very natural process as my clients are keen ‘foodies’ and collectors of South African art, much like myself. Q: What made you follow your own path and design this garden? I grew up on a farm in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal and always loved gardens. Gardens also play an integral role in my architecture. It is like a natural extension of my work. I, therefore, do not consciously turn away from using landscape designers (in fact, I need them greatly!) - the concept was just there, and clear enough to stand on its own and to be enhanced with plants. I planned footpaths on axis, retaining walls where needed, water rills and terraces that stepped down the site rather practically. The sole intention was to create a food garden with sculptures to wander through positioned on the Fifth Element Garden layout. The water – one of the elements – circulates through the whole garden in steel rills, a modern take on the traditional built rills found throughout the Western Cape. The rill stays on one level and flows over terraces that step down in three tiers towards the main Water Element – a circular dam. The first level goes through a vegetable garden on ground level, then a herb garden in raised boxes, and lastly, over a pergola growing pumpkins – all with the intention to give water to the plants, food and herbs it passes and to re-circulate the water. The initial idea was a food and herb garden with the main theme being indigenous and water-wise. The end result stepped slightly away from predominantly a food garden and more into an ornamental one. In this garden, you will find cloud hedging, olive groves and mass planting of local restios played a major role in softening areas and focussing the eye on the majestic mountains beyond.

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Q: What was the brief for the firepit area? As one of the four elements, the original idea to symbolise fire was to provide a pit with a wood-fired oven for baking or even a possible clay oven. This was scaled down and the fire pit on its own was conceived, providing a seated area around an open fire – a place to gather under the stars. The placing of the fire leg also lined up with the circular silo structure of the house. Concurrently, the wind element was symbolised by a traditional (working!) wind pump that pumps the water into the water rill. Earth was symbolised by a huge circular mound and water running through the whole garden by means of the rill. Q: How is the garden irrigated? The initial idea was to irrigate mostly from the rill, but a more typical irrigation system was installed to assist. The water is all from existing boreholes and even seasonal fountains that occur during the rainy season. All roof water is collected and used in the extensive garden. The geological position of the property lends itself to its own microclimate. Being close to the mountain and on the southern slopes, it is a wetter environment than merely a few kilometres away.

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RESIDENTIAL INTERIORS FOR '22

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hat’s NOW for residential interiors? Check out these need-to-know's presented exclusively to SCAPE by iconic interior designers, Bone Design Studio.

Over the past two years the designs of our homes have seen a major shift towards creating spaces that envelop us in calm. Almost as a PTSD reaction to the pandemic, there is a drive from designers and clients to ensure their home puts them emotionally at ease. In terms of colour palettes, this means we are seeing a lot more muted, warm and earthy tones: greiges, rusts, cognac, chocolates- colours that are very much nature inspired. This mood, coupled with a biophilic approach to the structural design of the home, for example, large-scale glass windows to visually connect to the outdoors, is a strong trend that sees the residential home becoming a sanctuary of wellness and light. Through the pandemic there has also been a drive to declutter. The trend of essentialism has emerged in that people do not want items around them that do not spark joy. With the messiness of the world, homes have become more considered and intentional. Each furniture piece, décor item and light fixture has more meaning attached to it, allowing for a more slowed down and reflective lifestyle. With regards to décor items, large clay vessels and stone sculptural pieces are becoming features of art instead of ways to fill a shelf. Materials such as sandstone, honed marbles, clay and wood are coming through in the décor choices as the raw and porous finishes complement the restorative nature of biophilic design. All material choices, in both furniture, upholstery and objet, are chosen to add depth and soul within the home. There is a major comeback of leather, but of the distressed nature. Materials showing their humility and age is preferred, instead of the high gloss, all white, crisp materials of years gone by. With the amount of time spent at home, clients are looking to create dual purpose rooms, i.e, the dining room that could double as the office. Spaces needed to adapt to the multi-functional way of pandemic life. What has emerged is a focus on clever sustainable spatial planning and custom joinery elements, such as a work desk masquerading as a beautifully styled dining room server. Clients are realising the value in interior designers ensuring that their spaces are working for their needs instead of being only visually pleasing. Homes that have the luxury of outdoor spaces are seeing more attention to these landscapes as these become a considered extension of indoor living. Customised pergola designs create beautiful dappled light and make for a more comfortable Sunday lunch. Bespoke outdoor chairs, honed marble tables and intentional external lighting design create a more elevated outdoor experience. We focus as much devotion to the outdoors as we do to the interior of the home. In terms of shapes, the architectural arch seems one to stay. Curved glass panes and windows with internal arched doors and recesses reflects the focus for organic figures. Pulling this architectural style within the home, there is a movement towards curved and sensualshaped furniture, forms that are welcoming and offer comfort and safety. Rounded marble side tables, coffee tables and dome light fittings, in stone and plaster, give a sense of softness, creating a gentle space with a sense of anchorage.

"Moving forward there is more attention to bespoke design. At Bone we have always created customised furniture pieces for our client’s projects to set them apart and we are seeing even more of an emphasis on one-of-a-kind designs."

Wall textures will also be big in 2022. Limewashed or trowelled-on wall effects offer a dynamic layering to a space that is more visually interesting than flat paint. Wallpaper will still dominate as a go-to feature, but these will either be used in more textural materials such as grasses, linens or bold patterns that make a statement. These graphics may be safer to explore in a guest room or bathroom, spaces that can be changed in time, as the more used living areas will remain spaces of sanctuary and warm solitude. Moving forward there is more attention to bespoke design. At Bone, we have always created customised furniture pieces for our client’s projects to set them apart and we are seeing even more of an emphasis on oneof-a-kind designs. People want uniqueness and for their home to feel distinctive to their style and personality. A trend for the committed designer is to ensure there is a beautifully balanced mix of curated, custom and repurposed pieces to layer the home with character. No one wants a furniture showroom of mass-produced pieces.

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Our client’s residences need to be celebrated with soul. Creating custom couches that fit snugly within a room and maximise a room's layout potential, from hand-carved sandstone stools being used either as a footrest, or a beautiful sculptural artwork in a forgotten corner. Printing vibrant designs on our textural mohair throws to add visual interest to a bedroom thus creating artwork out of the usually mundane. As the designer spending the time to find antique pieces that lift a contemporary space will add to the story-telling. Homes are no longer just spaces we occupy but they need to work harder for us, they need a sense of heritage, texture and depth to truly make us feel at peace.

BONE INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO Nicola Orpen & Hayley Turner www.bonestudio.co.za @bonedesignstudio @marrow.za

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"Homes are no longer just spaces we occupy but they need to work harder for us,they need a sense of heritage, texture and depth to truly make us feel at peace." 63

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n e D h es c ti

Heart of the

f o g r n i t h n e ig

e: T Hom he K

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o be of any value, design must put the human experience at the core of the design process. That should be obvious to all. However, all too often people get carried away with the idea of creating a 'look' and the reality of the real use of the space receives very little attention. To incorporate everyday life into design, 'The architectural organisation of space and design must be led by human qualities and priorities.' 'A Frame for Life' by Ilse Crawford. Publishers: Rizzoli, New York 2014. The kitchen is such a space which presents a challenge to the design intent on providing an aesthetically pleasing space for the cook, family, and guests to use. Using a kitchen is a highly sensory experience and it is therefore necessary in designing this space to make use all of our senses. Keeping these guidelines in mind, how does one execute a design project of a kitchen? Regardless of whether the kitchen is brand new, or a remake of an existing one, we need to work within certain parameters:

• • • •

the budget the client's participation, aiming for the 'wow experience' (magic of design) translating the client's use of the kitchen into a functional space in which the client can relate to it in a soulful way

Every client would love to have a 'dream' kitchen. The practicality of the size of the budget will determine to what extent this can be achieved. The 'wow experience' the designer wishes to deliver to the client will also only be possible if the rapport between the client and designer, which is a continuous process from beginning to end, is maintained. Poor communication often leads to budget overruns and disappointment of the client.

ANETTE DE JAGER Interior Designer at 360 Design www.360design.co.za @anette360design

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Experience tells us that, per square metre, tackling a remake, whether partial or whole, or starting with a clean slate, design in this space can be very expensive. We therefore need a realistic budget, the designer will act as an experienced consultant to the desired aims. To assist the client in coming up with a sensible budget, the designer will act as an experienced consultant to the client. Here, the designer's knowledge of vast choice of finishes and accessories will be a vital aid to the client's final decision. One of the most critical parts of the consultative phase when determining the extent of the design brief should lead to the translation of all information gathered from the client's dream into a functional kitchen. My favourite brands to work with at the moment:

HEART OF THE HOME

• PARQUET DE VERSAILLES IN OAK FROM OGGIE FLOORS • BULTHAUP • LIGHTS BY LOUIS POULSEN • MODERN ART CANVASES FROM LEMON • CERAMICS BY JADE PATON AND VORSTER & BRAYE • FURNITURE BY CARL HANSEN & SØN Finally, we want the client to relate to their new space in a soulful way. In the sense that the client should feel both proud and comfortable in the kitchen created for them, their family and guests.

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Wholesale supplier of Indoor and Outdoor Terracotta and Ceramic containers (and other allied product). 021 9817247 admin@potport.com www.potport.com

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A SOLID FOUNDATION Talborne talks the pros of good soil health in residential settings and beyond.

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ny new landscape installation or maintenance project will only be as good as the foundation that it was built on – the SOIL that sustains it, and all life around it. The organic philosophy is that all health starts in fertile soil:

“A healthy soil = healthy plants = healthy people and animals = healthy environment for all” Too often a beautiful, creative design is installed without proper organic methods of soil preparation being done. This can ruin your project and your reputation. Rather do the following:

• • • • • • •

Correct the pH, to remediate excess acidic or alkaline soils before planting Add compost, for soil conditioning structure of clay or sandy soils Use organic fertiliser with planting for plant establishment and growth Remove building rubble, do not use as landfill for planting areas as this is toxic to plants Ensure correct structural groundworks, replace fertile topsoil to plant in, as subsoil is unsuitable Mulch for water absorption and retention Stabilise topsoil to prevent soil loss through erosion

TALBORNE ORGANICS Grant Gove Owner www.talborne.co.za @talborneorganics

Adjust pH and soil chemistry

Soil management is an important aspect in all projects for good stewardship to prevent soil degradation, resilience to climate change and links to health and nutrition of all inhabitants of planet earth. Improving soil quality and soil health is therefore everybody's business. Talborne Technical & Advisory Services, offer a full soil correction and balancing service at minimal cost if you supply us with a soil analysis by a recognised soil testing lab, to ensure that the 3 aspects of healthy soil is achieved: 1. 2. 3.

Chemistry Biology Structure

Don't guess, soil test! • Understand soil nutrient availability and save on fertiliser budget by applying correct fertiliser. • Attain the 4R’s of nutrient stewardship, or nutrient management, thus right source, right rate, right time, and right place • Increase plant productivity, minimize environmental pollution by applying correct nutrients • Become better Natural Resource Managers

Poor fertiliser practice

Plants need a balanced and adequate supply of all major, minor and micro-nutrients to optimise performance. Pests and disease conditions are mostly caused by poor quality fertilisers that might be cheap, but do not adequately feed the plant, or leach out with watering or rain. Water soluble chemical fertilisers supply nutrients while they pass the root zone, so frequent re-applications of fertilisers are necessary. Low nutrient levels or too fast nitrogen bait in pests and fungal disease.

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Talborne Organic Fertilisers:

We offer a range of VITA solid and NOURISH liquid fertiliser blends formulated from natural inputs for optimal performance.

Vita Organic Range:

These are high nutrient organic fertiliser blends like Vita Grow 2:3:2(16), Vita Fruit & Flower 3:1:5(18) and Vita Green 5:1:5(16).

Nourish Liquid Organic Plant Food:

For a quick fix of nourishment, these fertilisers can be used as a foliar spray or for regular feeding program applied through irrigation systems. These plant-based fertilisers from sugar beet and potato extracts, are perfect plant foods as they are not smelly on sites, 3 blends to chose from, sustained release nitrogen (amino acids) for plant energy and resistance to stress. High nitrogen and potassium blends promote flowering and healthy leaves. These versatile ranges are known for:

• • • •

Soil improvement: structural, fertility, and stimulates beneficial soil life (microbes) Growing a healthy rootzone, for resilient landscapes Plants will be resistant to diseases and pest attack Water saving

Control Union Organic certification (ISO), Environmental Safety (Climate Change mitigation) and Sustainability standards, for all businesses to comply. After 22 years, the Landscapers, and Corporate Maintenance contractors can be assured these products are tried and trusted to perform under the toughest conditions in all landscapes, they do not burn plants or lawns and are water wise, labour and cost saving as they are applied every 4 to 6 months. Vita is applied every 4-6 months and Nourish liquid organic plant food is applied every 14 days or as required.

PREVENTING PEST AND DISEASE:

The most likely cause of pest and disease on plants are:

• • • • •

Incorrect watering, too much or too little. Adjust for season and climate. Poor feeding practice – excess, too little or not using the correct fertiliser for the plant’s requirements Soil structure and Aeration – sandy soil leaches water and fertiliser and heavy clay soils cause waterlogging. pH of soil – low is acidic soils and high is alkaline, both extremes inhibit uptake of nutrients. Plant positioning and grouping – plants grouped together correctly sun or shade lovers, or high and low water requirement.

All these factors will cause stress and “dis-ease” in plants and are a signal to unwanted critters and sickness to come and take out weak plants. Contact Terry (Talborne Technical Services) for more information: info@talborne.co.za