SCAPE | The Recreation | Nov 2023 | Vol. 98

THE RECREATION

N OV E MB E R 2 023

V OL . 98

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WATER WISE

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“Unearth the Hidden Leaks in Your Design”

device (preferred). Moreover, it’s essential to consider Water is among the world’s most valuable resources, yet it is also smart other areas where water leakage could pose a significant problem.

a universally mismanaged resource. As a result, water shortages are becoming ever more common. Leaks, amongst others, are the main factors that exacerbate water scarcity which results from network failure caused by, incorrect installation, lack of maintenance, aging infrastructure, and too high-water pressure.

To reduce network failure, it is necessary to plan and budget for resources that will investigate and implement the necessary corrective steps to the water supply system. Furthermore, the advancement in technology has led to the development of quick “leak detector” devices that enables a quick detection and location of leaks within the network system, including the so-called hidden leaks which lose water into the ground through gaps derived in impaired pipelines.

South Africa loses about 40% of its water through leaks and unaccounted for water. This triggers the need for the architectural and maintenance industry to consider investing in a Smart Water concept as an innovative approach to improve efficiency and sustainability. Smart water systems use equipment and technology like sensors and control panels to detect and relay information about leaks and variation in water pressure. This system can be integrated with automated shut-off valves that automatically switch off the water supply when a leak is detected.

To a certain extent, buidlings could be complemented by divine landscapes which will then necessitate the extention of the smart water system to help detect leaks within the landscape’s irrigation system. To assist with reducing the unnecessary water leaks, each water offtake in the landscape should ideally be fitted with its own meter that is either monitored manually or via a

For instance, a constantly dripping faucet or a leaking toilet can result in an average daily water wastage of 30 to 60 liters.

To address these issues and reduce water expenses, Water Wise provides straightforward DIY solutions, including: • Monitor your water usage: Reading your water meter at the beginning and at the end of each day/every month can help you gauge your household and business water consumption.

• Irrigation system leaks: If an irrigation head is steadily dripping water when the system is off, you may have a leaking valve underground or a worn diaphragm which needs to be replaced. It’s always best to call in the professional landscaper to step in and patch things up properly.

• Landscape inspection: It’s a good idea to periodically inspect your landscape for irrigation system problems, such as moist ground which indicate an underground leak.

• Toilet leak detection: To check if your toilet is leaking, simply add approximately 4 to 5 drops of food coloring into the toilet tank/cistern. If you notice the coloring seeping into the bowl without flushing within 30 minutes, it signals the presence of a leak that require immediate repairs.

• Fixing leaking taps: Address tap leaks by replacing wornout tap washers.

Be #WaterWise

www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60

GCV 200

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Vertical shaft gasoline (petrol) engine

WE BUILD THE ENGINE. YO U BUILD THE BUSINESS.

0800 466 321 | care@honda.co.za

/ FEATURE /

An Opportunity to Create and Maintain Beautiful Spaces with the Honda GCV200 Lawnmower engine Whether it’s a little piece of heaven in your backyard or a private portion of wilderness on your plot, the new and improved Honda GCV engine is the best choice for your lawnmower. Create and maintain your beautiful spaces with a lawnmower driven by an engine that offers you the best character in the market:

Compact and Easy to Use Powerful and Efficient Quiet and Reliable Honda Quality

Light and Powerful The new Honda GCV200 engine has a pent roof design that keeps the engine compact and light, a very important feature for a walk-behind lawnmower.

This design allows for higher compression ratios with increased combustion efficiency for greater power output. This makes it 27% more powerful than the GCV160 it replaces. Good torque across the rev range has helped reduce engine speed and maintain performance even with sudden load increases typical in lawnmower operation.

Quiet, smooth performance

The GCV200’s reduction in engine speed compared to its predecessors allows it to run smoother with less vibration and noise. This is assisted by a muffler structure that’s designed with the operator’s comfort in mind. These under-the-skin innovations include an improved and balanced crankshaft that adds to the reduction in engine vibrations.

Efficient

Our engine’s greatest strength is efficiency in the performance and operation of your lawnmower. Cycloflow TM technology enhances the airfuel mixture making the engine more resilient when operated with low quality fuel. An ‘Automatic Mechanical Decompression’ system helps the engine start easier in all conditions while performance is further aided by an optimised location of the wax element for greater heat transfer while running.

Easy to operate and maintain

Honda’s Auto Choke System eliminates manual manipulation of levers when starting. The engine starts easily whether hot or cold and once running, the system automatically returns to an optimal operating position. The overall engine layout is simplified to make quick work of disassembly, using fewer tools and allowing for quicker repair. A larger diameter fuel opening helps reduce spills and makes it easier when refueling. The 'fuel off' feature used when shutting your lawnmower down helps prevent sticky carburetor build-up which makes for cleaner storage and easier starting in future.

Peace of mind

A high quality, powerful, easy-to-use and maintain lawnmower engine is the type of peace of mind you need to care for your most prized sanctuaries.

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PLAYSaFE

• Suitable for multi-sport areas, playgrounds, landscaping and public parks.

• Ultra-durable, flexible and impact resistant surfacing.

• Low maintenance & sustainable.

• Available in 15 colours or multiple blends.

• Excellent shock absorption with high elasticity.

SPECTRAPLAY

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MAKING PLAYGROUNDS SAFER

• Suitable for indoor or outdoor areas.

• Smooth and soft playground flooring allows children to play without risk of injury.

• Wet pour rubber can be applied at any thickness to conform to legal requirements.

• Licensed installers throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

0861 782 789 • info@playsafe.africa • www.playsafe.africa

/ LEADER /

Unity Through Recreation!

For our November 2023 issue, we're diving into the dynamic world of sports, play, recreation, and cultural spaces. With the excitement around the Rugby World Cup, it’s evident that sport certainly has the potential to engage community, bridge divides, and foster meaningful connections in shared spaces. I'd love to say we intentionally planned this issue around our 4th big victory, but coincedence is sublime. What it has highlighted for us, though, is South Africa's unique, vibrant, and sports-centric core – a tremendous celebration for our community which shows that we are united through these experiences.

you to engage and inspire you to jump into the realm of recreation.

Additionally, we are thrilled to be highlighting the CIFA Awards and winning projects in this issue. These awards recognise exceptional design and showcase architects who are really pushing boundaries. This calibre is certainly a precursor for the exceptional portfolios we’ll be exploring in our Coffee Table Edition; the shortlisted projects will be revealed soon!

As you’ll have noticed on social media, we've been very busy since our SCAPE Trade Show in Cape Town, having just returned from an amazing event hosted in collaboration with Infinity Surfaces in KZN. So, while we are on a road show of sorts, and in the spirit of levelling up, I am thrilled to announce that we’ll be hosting an exclusive Coffee Table Book launch party in Cape Town early December. Watch this space...

This issue is not just about sports spaces, though. South Africa, being a melting pot of cultures, shares its diversity through cultural experiences, too, and looking to museums, artistic expression, and cultural spaces also allows us to explore this theme of recreation and to indulge in creativity.

In this issue expect to be inspired by architectural projects that go beyond the usual, as we champion sports facilities, pitches, and the undulating landscapes that capture South Africa’s most loved golf courses. Visit playscapes that invite

Until then, let’s play!

Ed’s Note.

Chanel

Chanel Besson Editor-in-Chief

Justine Coleman Key Account Manager

Michelle Greeff Communications & Content Manager

Caitlin Hancocks Commissioning Editor Sarah Ternent Designer

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Brayden Knoop Media Manager

Reinhardt Pieters Account Manager

FAKE MAY LOOK GOOD BUT IT DOESN’T FEEL THE SAME. SAVE WATER. KEEP IT REAL.

PROVEN. EFFICIENT. RELIABLE. There’s something so natural about bare feet on soft grass. Yet growing healthy turf while conserving water can be a challenge. Hunter Industries provides industry-leading solutions that save water and maximise irrigation efficiency while keeping landscapes healthy and green.

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL IRRIGATION | Built on Innovation®

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Midrand Branch | Tel: 0861 358 437 (FLUIDR) Cape Town Branch | Tel: 021 982 3546 www.fluidra.com jnascimento@fluidra.co.za

Centurion Branch | Tel: 012 661 4561 Nelspruit Branch | Tel: 013 741 1292/3 Louis Trichardt Branch | Tel: 015 516 6841 Bloemfontein Branch | Tel: 051 432 7319 Durban Branch | Tel: 031 569 2215 Cape Town Branch | Tel: 021 551 0790

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Navigate 41

MAKING A SPLASH The New St Cyprian’s Multi-Purpose Hall and Aquatic Centre

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LEANING INTO THE LANDSCAPE Aligning with Nature in Golf Course Design

58

RELENTLESS HOPE

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Building Dreams with Art and Culture

A WAVE OF CONNECTIVITY The Ascent of Ballito Steps

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HONOURING THE CURATORS OF THE CAPE A CIFA 2023 Awards Round-Up

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SOOTHE AND SETTLE

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Recreating Wellness at Babylonstoren’s Hot Spa

A BALLENESQUE CULTURAL LANDMARK Roger Ballen’s Inside Out Centre for the Arts

The Recreation Collaborators Louis van der Walt, Matkovich Group | Cape Institute for Architecture | Meyer & Associates | Boogertman + Partners | JVR Architects | Noero Architects | Babylonstoren

BUILT-IN QUALITY FOR LASTING VALUE.

© 2022 The Grasshopper Company

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/ / FEATURE FEATURE //

SO MUCH MOWER...

Since1969, 1969, The Grasshopper focused on Since The Grasshopper CompanyCompany has focusedhas on manufacturing a zero-turn complete riding line mowers, of zero-turn riding Collection mowers, amanufacturing complete line of PowerVac™ Systems, andCollection turf-renovation andand grounds maintenance equipment PowerVac™ Systems, turf-renovation and grounds that are highly productive, supremely comfortable easy to maintenance equipment that are highly productive,and supremely maintain. comfortable, and easy to maintain.

diesel-powered mowing engines that are emissions in a zero-turn mower in equipment 1983, and with the company continues to percompliant, save fuel, mowing and reduce carbon with dioxide emissions by more fect diesel-powered equipment engines that are emissions-compliant, save fuel to andgasoline reduce and carbon dioxide emissions by than 20 percent compared propane mowers. more than 20 percent compared to gasoline and propane mowers.

Every Grasshopper product is designed, engineered, fabricated, and Every Grasshopper product isheadquarters designed, engineered, fabricated and assembled at the company’s in Moundridge, Kansas, assembled at the company’s headquarters in Moundridge, Kansas, USA, and Grasshopper is committed to lean and clean manufacturing USA, and Grasshopper is committed to lean cleanimpact manufacturing practices that limit raw material use andand reduce to the practices that These limit raw material use ensure and reduce theare environenvironment. commitments that impact spaces to that made ment. These commitments have been recognized by local and regional to welcome and entertain communities are maintained by positive authorities such as the Wichita chapter of the Society of Manufacturpractices.

These environmentally friendly friendly products products provide provide These fuel-efficient, fuel-efficient, environmentally easy operation, versatility, versatility and performance – – zerozeroeasy operation, and timesaving timesaving performance turn-maneuvering turn-manoeuvring productivity productivity solutions solutions for for turf turf care care professionals, professionals government entities and large-acreage estates. A division of Moridge and large-acreage estates. A division of Moridge Manufacturing, Manufacturing, Grasshopper is an industry-leading manufacturer of Grasshopper is an industry-leading manufacturer of commercial commercial zero-turn mowers.

ing Engineers and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

zero-turn mowers.

In 2020, Grasshopper was honoured by the U.S. Department of In 2020, Grasshopper was honored by the U.S. Department of ComCommerce withprestigious the prestigious 'E' Award for sustained increases in merce with the “E” Award for sustained increases in export export sales over a four-year period.

In fact, nearly one of every 10 sales over a four-year period. In fact, nearly one of every 10 GrassGrasshopper mowers manufactured is destined for an international hopper mowers manufactured is destined for an international market. market.

Grasshopper products can be found in countries more than 40 Grasshopper products can be found in more than 40 worldcountries worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Finland, wide, including the United Kingdom, France, Finland,France, Italy, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, and South Africa.

New Australia, Zealand and South Africa.

In the 1960s, no “off-the-shelf” components were available for develIn thethe 1960s, no 'off-the-shelf' components were available for oping first Grasshopper mowers.

Company engineers had to dedeveloping the first Grasshopper mowers.

Company engineers sign and fabricate components from scratch – testing, re-testing and had to – design and fabricate components from scratch – testing, refining and integration of emerging technologies has been instrure-testing, and refining – and integration of emerging technologies mental to the precision manufacturing required to improve product has been instrumental the precision manufacturing required to performance, quality andtodurability.

improve product performance, quality, and durability.

That spirit of innovation and dedication to technological advancement continues today, with the employing state-of-the-art laser That spirit of innovation andcompany dedication to technological advancement cutting andtoday, robotics operated by a skilled and dedicated continues withprocesses the company employing state-of-the-art laser workforce Kansas, the heartland of the United States. cutting andinrobotics processes operated by a skilled and dedicated

Grasshopper mowers and equipment are used by turf care care professionals, and government entities discerning estate professionals discerning estateandowners around the owners world. around the world.

Grasshopper has been the mower for Grasshopper has been the mower of choice for of thechoice grounds the grounds maintenance The White House in Washington, maintenance crews at Thecrews WhiteatHouse in Washington, D.C., since D.C., since 2003, and at the world-famous Burghley 2003, and at the world-famous Burghley House parkHouse near park near Stamford, England, since 2015.

Stamford, England, since 2015.

workforce in Kansas, the heartland of the United States.

Among major firsts for the zero-turn mower industry, Grasshopper is the originator dual control levers for mowers as well as Among major of firsts forswing-away the zero-turn mower industry, Grasshopper is the Deck Lift andcontrol Height Adjustment.

PowerFold the PowerFold® originator ofElectric dual swing-away levers for mowers as raises the out-front cutting deck at the touch of a switch and provides well as the PowerFold® Electric Deck Lift and Height Adjustment. infinitely variable, on-the-go cutting height adjustment; it is a standard PowerFold raises the out-front cutting deck at the touch of a switch feature on all FrontMount™ Grasshopper mowers.

In South Africa, Grasshopper mowers are proudly imported by

In South Africa, Grasshopper mowers are proudly imported by Tandem Tandem Lawncare Equipment in Durban and found at several Lawncare Equipment in Durban and found at several participating participating retailers nationwide. retailers nationwide, making it easier than ever to maintain private and public recreational spaces.

and provides infinitely variable, on-the-go cutting height adjustment; it is a standard feature on all FrontMount™ Grasshopper mowers.

Grasshopper was the first manufacturer to introduce a diesel engine

Learn more at grasshoppermower.co.za

Learn more at grasshoppermower.co.za Grasshopper was the first manufacturer to introduce a diesel engine 17 in a zero-turn mower in 1983, and the company continues to perfect 13

LEANING INTO THE LANDSCAPE ALIGNING WITH NATURE IN GOLF COURSE DESIGN 14

Elements Golf Course, Bela-Bela Photographs courtesy of Matkovich Group

A

/ FEATURE /

lot has been said about golf course design and trying to build courses in a natural way, emulating nature, and creating courses that seem as if they have been a part of the landscape since time began. Tracing golf back to its roots more than five centuries ago, the essence of the game can be reduced to hitting a little white ball into a hole in the ground in as few shots as possible - an idea that on its own would surely not have survived more than a couple of decades, let alone 500 years! The lasting legacy of the sport and what makes it so enchanting and intriguing is the field on which it is played… The constantly changing, raw landscape, teases players with natural hazards and obstacles, contours and sand dunes, blow-out bunkers and gorse bushes, compounded by wind and weather and the often-unpredictable nature of, well, nature.

Mont Choisy Le Golf, Mauritius

The variety, uniqueness, and connection to the land is a big reason why golf is one of the most actively participated sports. The difference of every hole adds to the challenge, as well as the fact that each course is situated in a different landscape over different terrain, providing a new challenge every time you play. This adventure of trying to challenge yourself or your opponent, taking on whatever mother nature puts in your way (through clever course routing and design), sets the stage for so many special moments.

Golf has been intertwined with the natural environment since its inception. Bar a span of around five decades where man tried to massproduce these playing fields in a one-size-fits-all effort (post second World War through to the housing development boom in the early 2000s), the intent of golf course architecture has retraced its steps back to its origins – aligning with nature. But the concept of aligning with nature could have a very different meaning for different golf course projects and architects. ‘Leaning into the landscape’ would require a slightly different approach on every piece of land where a new course is created or golf is played. Today, aligning with nature in golf has become a worldwide effort amongst architects, superintendents, club managers, and players. Organisations such as the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf are leading the way, providing certification and accreditation to clubs and courses all over the world for their efforts to reduce their impact on their surroundings.

For some courses, aligning with nature would be all about respecting and protecting the sensitive environments through which they meander.

A good example is Arabella, where the construction process and the daily operation is done to the requirements of the ISO 14001 standards.

This measures and recognises that the project was developed and is maintained with nature and the environment in mind.

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/ FEATURE /

Ebotse Golf Course, Benoni

'Golf has been intertwined with the natural environment since its inception.'

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/ FEATURE /

For another course, it might mean utilising the unique setting while minimising the course footprint to allow the environment to be the star of the show – for example some bushveld courses such as Elements (Bela-Bela) and Bonanza Golf Club (Lusaka). This goes hand in hand with reduced turf grass footprint and targeted irrigation, using local trees and vegetation and softer ground contours as backdrops and design elements to play over or around. Earthworks were also kept to a minimum, reducing the man-made element on such sites.

Some projects are built on previously developed or degraded land, with limited remaining natural vegetation, and instead alien species dominate the landscape. On such projects a golf course is a practical way to restore the natural landscape. A golf course typically requires 30-35 ha of turf grass, but with the open space required around the course it typically provides an area of 35-50 ha of natural flora to be planted and restored. Pinnacle Point along the Garden Route coast is a great example, where the golf course has a limited footprint, but has provided an opportunity to restore a large piece of land to fynbos, previously dominated by alien Port Jackson. Similarly, Mont Choisy in the north of Mauritius was built on old sugar cane farmlands. With limited water, the turf grass footprint was kept to a minimum, and the local flora was restored with the help of master landscaper Patrick Watson.

LOUIS VAN DER WALT Design Associate, Matkovich Group www.matko.co.za

One of the more extreme examples where golf can be used to align a piece of land with nature is on previously mined sites. A project such as Ebotse in the industrial and mining town of Benoni restored a site filled with mining pits and slime dams. Today, this course is the setting for a vibrant community living on the estate, as well as a variety of flora and fauna living in restored natural habitats and wetland areas across the site.

Apart from the planning scale benefits and opportunities existing between golf courses and natural surroundings, golf course design can also utilise the smallest details and features to show off the uniqueness and beauty of the natural canvas in play. A design-and-build team which is dialled in to the natural canvas knows that with the right approach, every course can show off the unique natural features of the site, minimising human effort and often costly construction works. This is in stark contrast to the alternative – designing every contour and hazard from an office far removed from the subtle nuances the landscape provides.

With terms like ‘organic food’ becoming buzzwords in modern society, it is easy to forget that organic solutions were the norm a few hundred years ago, and nobody was thinking of growing food any other way… Similarly, in golf course design the term ‘designing with nature’ has also become a buzzword, but perhaps to some of us it is the norm, and the only way we know, the way we believe is best – naturally.

Pinnacle Point, Mossel Bay

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CRAFTING EXCELLENCE ONE SPORTS SPACE AT A TIME Circleworx are the experts

SPORTS FIELD CONSTRUCTION

As specialists in the sports turf industry, we manage all disciplines relating to the design, construction, and rejuvenation of sports facilities. These services include spring treatments, boom spraying, laser levelling, aeration, verticutting, fertigation, fraise mowing, scarifying, overseeding, and the maintenance thereof.

LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION

Beyond sports fields, recreation covers a broad variety of landscapes, and we are dedicated to mastering each and every one.

These include the addition of both aesthetically pleasing and functional features. In collaborating with a team of experts, we will undertake design criteria, procurement, installation, and commissioning of any type of irrigation system.

GOLF COURSE TURF

Being well experienced in earthmoving, precision shaping, hydroseeding, overseeding, and sprigging, we combine experience and expertise to remodel the rough fairway surrounds and the rehabilitation thereof, fairways, greens, and bunkers.

Our turnkey service solutions and attention to detail means that you can rely on us to build your dreams.

Visit our website for a full range of services: www.circleworx.co.za Or contact us at 0824676899 or hello@circleworx.co.za

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/ FEATURE /

LET’S PLAY! GUARANTEED ENTERTAINMENT AT MALL PL AY SPAC ES

F

ood courts are known as recreational areas designed to offer a safe, comfortable, and highly desirable space for families to enjoy themselves during their visit to the mall, and for children to amuse themselves while their families dine at one of the surrounding restaurants. With a focus on integrated practice in their turn-key designs and installations, Bertha Wium Landscape Development is well known for recreational spaces including children’s play areas as part of the heart of shopping centres.

The zero-depth water feature design – with the mechanical installation sub-contract designed by Pro-Water Contracts and installed by Worth It Landscaping – ensure that children can amuse themselves without any risk of drowning. The water feature spouts and the lighting design mirror the abstract tiling, which enhances the aquatic theme of the mall. The remaining children’s play area features high treehouse platforms with balustrading and safety nets, various climbing elements, a low slide for smaller children and a higher spiral tube slide for those who are older, and an owl sculpture into which they can climb. The result is a play area that offers a variety of additional opportunities for enjoyment and stimulation.

WOODLANDS BOULEVARD CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA The play area in Woodlands Boulevard – designed and constructed by Bertha Wium Landscape Development in association with Principal Landscape Architect Cornelia King – is surrounded by restaurants and offers a safe and highly entertaining space for children to amuse themselves and interact with the exciting visual elements. The majestic Liquidambar styraciflua trees represent a stylised ‘woodlands’ area. This theme is echoed in the use of green shades of the rubberised playing surfaces, climbing elements, and tunnels through the mounds, all offering imaginative play experiences. There are several surrounding benches, pots, and steel structures in the form of stylised leaves to enhance the woodland theme, offering an attractive recreation area for the whole family.

In the bustle of retail spaces made for adults to shop and dine, children’s play areas are valuable additions for families alike. By offering these amenities, children can enjoy the experience with guaranteed recreation and entertainment during every trip to the mall.

For more information contact Bertha on 082 457 1527 21

Clearwater Mall Flow form zero-depth water feature, photographed by Phillip Mostert

CLEARWATER MALL FOOD COURT At the Clearwater Mall Food Court, designed by Bertha Wium Landscape Development in association with Principal Landscape Architect Cornelia King, and constructed as a turnkey development, bamboo palms in extralarge pots on podiums, tall Ficus trees, and luscious foliage of the garden areas work to create an imaginative and unusual space. To add to the uniqueness, sculptural steel trees in the water feature with its similarly flowing lines are combined with the long, flowing lines of the slatted wooden benches.

HONOURING THE CURATORS OF THE CAPE A C I FA 2 0 2 3 AWA R D S R O U N D - U P

In celebration of the Cape’s most impressive projects between 2021 and 2022, The Cape Institute for Architecture (CIFA) held their biennial awards ceremony on Wednesday, 4th October 2023. CIFA highly values and prioritises the advocacy for better environments, the preservation of heritage buildings, and commitment to sustainability in the architectural sector, and the winning projects ticked all these boxes. From brilliantly built residences in the mountains to recreational spaces in educational and mixed-use projects, this year’s victors represent the most noteworthy contributions in the Cape’s architectural arena.

Rounding up the projects that stood out and impressed, we spoke to the CIFA Awards Judges for 2023 to highlight the essence of these examples of excellence that are leading the industry to a brilliantly-built future.

www.cifa.org.za @cifa.regionofsaia

COMMENDATIONS

/ FEATURE /

ELEMENTAL HOUSE

BY ARCHITECTURE COOP Elemental House is modest and conservative in character and scale, adopting a subservient role to the impressive surroundings. Roof edges are slim and exposed, and large glazing elements further highlight the structural frame while allowing views through the house from the North and onto the Atlantic. The house sits calmly present, part of the landscape. The slatted roof and shutters give the house a fine texture and delicacy, creating dappled light to soften the building form and integrate it into the landscape. A conscious approach combined with the tectonic celebration of structure and detailing is a reminder of what can be achieved with a humble palette and good design.

REHABILITAT ION OF T HE OLD BARN AND STABLES, CLARA’ S BARN RESTAURANT

BY URBAN CONCEPTS From the delicacy of the detailing to the resolution and execution of the protection of the river stone floors, the energy and conscientiousness that has gone into this work is self-evident as a labour of love. The work has included the initial mapping of the heritage resources, the identification of design informants, and the conceptualisation of solutions related to these. The strategy of juxtaposing contemporary against old has been successful inside the old buildings. Although contemporary, the new detailing has drawn its inspiration from the old, resulting in a recognisable syntax between the two that makes this a project of quality.

HOUSE LLANDUDNO

BY BOMAX ARCHITECTS At House Llandudno, one is met by contemporary architecture, a form of cleancut concrete tapered structure that captures uninterrupted views of the ocean from the living spaces. The living room flows out towards a rim-flow pool and a roof garden which create a two-part division into the main house and an annex, whilst creating a great breakdown of scale between the two parts of the house.

A sense of minimalism is picked up as one journeys through the spaces, from the materiality of the house and how it sits within its landscape. The immediate links between inside and outside create a great sense of a play with scale, which is experienced throughout the whole house.

35 LOWER LONG

BY DHK ARCHITECTS Positioning itself as an anchoring point within the edge of Cape Town’s skyline, this 86-metre glass building is separated into two parts. However, when viewing it from across the street one cannot easily distinguish where parking ends and where office space begins. The use of glass cladding was done well enough to deter the eye from separating the two. The building expresses a diversion from the straight edges of a glazed façade and instead the edges are carefully chamfered.

Evident in the building is a play of light that makes one forget that the building is West-facing, and the building’s response to the site’s climatic conditions is well considered.

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/ FEATURE /

14C PET ER CLOET E AVENUE

BY METROPOLIS DESIGN This project manages to turn the disadvantages of a South-facing site into a triumphant resolution. Suffused with natural light, the dwelling manages to combine a satisfying sense of traditional domestic bliss with the sensory stimulation of a modern 'inside-outside' concept, dictated by beautiful views and enchanting natural surroundings. Great visual effect is created by hiding the single and double garage doors invisibly in scorched wood panelling. In terms of design decisions, a sense of calm rationality pervades. Perhaps the most striking and successful feature of this building is the light touch with which constructional concrete is handled, surely the most subtle sort of architectural sleight of hand.

ST CYPRIAN' S SCHOOL MULT I-PURPOSE HALL AND AQUAT IC CENT RE

BY MEYER & ASSOCIATES The new Aquatic Centre at St Cyprian’s School is an elegantly unobtrusive addition to a densely occupied school campus in the centre of Cape Town. Meyer & Associates managed to insert a vast structure between heritage buildings, existing trees, and public spaces on the campus in such a way that one is surprised by the generosity of the internal volumes. Access to the building is a continuation of the vaulted red facebrick arcade framing the adjoining building, so that it is the urban space that carries the campus’s identity. Internally, a double-layered sports hall is revealed, with a swimming pool below and a multi-purpose court above. The inherited architectural language and functional requirements of the space create a poetic and subtle articulation of the building’s qualities.

20 VINEYARD ROAD, CLAREMONT

BY MSA MICHELE SANDILANDS ARCHITECTS Situated on a small plot in Claremont, 20 Vineyard Road presents a concise, well considered approach to urban complexity in the city. The building mass is held to the existing block by way of a clay brick service core, wrapping the generous staircase and punctuated for light, air, and texture. The structure is set back so that there is no emphasis on the envelope or façade, thereby offering a sectionlike quality to the overall building. Sandiland’s intentions of public celebration are evident in the close attention to detail in the foyer, the stairwell, and the beautiful roof garden.

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/ FEATURE /

UPPER ALBERT

BY SAOTA Expressed as an elevated building, the generously proportioned linear form is arranged over four levels. The lower levels form a podium that raises the pavilion of the upper two levels up to maximise the view and connects the interior to outdoor terraces. A landscaped roof creates a 'garden in the sky'. The Brutalist expression of construction and form on both the exterior and interior is rich in colour and texture. Distinctively pigmented cast concrete screens on the façade reference terracotta breeze blocks that are remnant of the former house on the plot, and thresholds between inside and outside lead to lush green courtyards and terraces with expansive views. The pleasure taken in the architectural experimentation is palpable.

KLIPHUIS, CAPENSIS WINES

BY SLEE & CO. ARCHITECTS Kliphuis is a fabulous hospitality pavilion for Capensis Wines. The building takes its visual and material clues from the surrounding topography of the grand Banhoek mountainscape, fynbos, and viticulture. Here, the architecture doesn’t aim to compete with its environment, but rather quietly optimises the use of every advantage offered. Ochre coloured stone was harvested on the farm, and building work was finished in the same 'hand crafted' and rustic manner as found with a pre-existing informal terrace. Kliphuis is a simply captivating project, characterised principally by a respect for its natural environment, and a restrained design ethos. The architectural language is sophisticated, and displays a sensitive balance between organic/rustic and modern minimalist design typologies, applied consistently with a delightfully light touch.

BLOC K HOUSE

BY SOLVATION ARCHITECTS A juxtaposition of boxes and scale offers delightful moments found within the Block House. This contemporary design offered a great sense of home and an opportunity for entertainment with spaces that open to the outdoors. With a courtyard that portioned itself as the heart of the house, there also seems to be a sequence of movements in and around the house. The vast opening windows allow one to wander into the greater mountains surrounding the site’s location.

The house offers a great play of materiality between the stone and plastered walls, together with the consistent play of boxes experienced on different planes.

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The season for sustainable timber.

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011 908 0117 | www.rhinowood.co.za | @rhino_wood

AWARDS THE WINNIN G PORTF OLIOS

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T HE NEX - INDAWO YET HU BY HOPE CAPE TOWN

BY CHARLOTTE CHAMBERLAIN & NICOLA IRVING ARCHITECTS

The Nex Hope Community Centre, located in Cape Town, is a social sanctuary deeply considerate of its emergent urban context. Unassuming structures placed along an urban spine allow for a hierarchy of access and privacy, while continuity between the rounded amphitheatre and gallery in the library offers an intriguing spatial device that speaks to the intention of shared knowledge and community. Despite modest use of material and scale, CCNIA have managed to achieve beautiful spaces filled with light and generous volumes through simple gestures such as tilting roofs up to allow for clerestories, articulating ceilings with timber battens, and off-setting material differences in skirtings and plinths. Clay bricks, straw-bale construction, lime plaster, and linseed-based floors all contribute to a rich textural palette that is as familiar as it is welcoming.

CONRADIE SOCIAL HOUSING PHASE 1

BY DHK ARCHITECTS AND JAKUPA ARCHITECTS & URBAN DESIGNERS

The first phase of this new high-density living project, for people with diverse incomes, is commended for its functional aptness, design pragmatism, and generosity of spirit. It features red brick four-storey perimeter housing blocks, set in pleasantly landscaped grounds for open air activities. As an interesting contrast to the new buildings, the site also features older structures from the first half of the 20th century. The blocks are separated by ‘streets’, with parking right around every block. Here, the architectural scale and spatial effect strikes one as more urban district/suburb than housing estate, and a congenial even-handedness in the distribution of smaller, medium, and larger units caters to a hierarchy of public, semi-public, and private functions. No visual or other coding differentiation is made to indicate the exact income level of residents, ensuring mixed housing of a democratic kind. This kind of integration may well become a benchmark for projected socially integrated urban environments planned across South Africa.

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/ FEATURE /

OLD CAPE QUART ER

BY DHK ARCHITECTS This mixed-use development executes all the basic urban design strategies relevant to this precinct, retaining the old buildings and façades that hold the street edge and that maintain a scale and style that relates and contributes positively to the precinct. The new building is contemporary but borrows appropriate clues to its appearance from the older buildings. It is fragmented into smaller forms so that the building reads as a group of buildings instead of a monolith. The slight misalignment of certain windows breaks the possible monotony of the resultant elevations. The use of colour is equally well manipulated to both demarcate use types and to reflect the old and new. The different warm, bold colours of the base buildings relate to the fashion of those in the adjacent streets. In contrast to this exuberance, the upper building is quietly reserved in white and relies on its fragmentation, black shutters, and balustrades for articulation.

Finally, the public internal courtyard is a gift to Cape Town, incorporating neighbourliness.

MOUNTAIN HOUSE

BY CHRIS VAN NIEKERK

With a brief to design a holiday home, Chris van Niekerk created a welcoming house with its U-shaped form, nestled within the landscape of the Cape Town mountains. Sand-blasted reinforced concrete and a lime-plastered brickwork finish make up the main structure, while the floors continue the same tone as the walls with a sandstone floor finish. The spaces flow into each other effortlessly, opening onto unique views, while the structural interlocking form of the building is embraced by its landscaping. The varying heights in response to the slope of the site relate well to the capturing of the view, the flow from one space to another, and the organic link between the house and its surroundings.

Overall, attention to detail was executed thoughtfully and subtly, giving the building a play of tectonics, using similar tones and textures of materiality to embody the atmosphere.

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242 HANGKLIP

BY GASS ARCHITECTURE STUDIOS

This small residential alteration to a stone cottage preserves and enhances the character and typology of the existing through subtle contemporary additions. Set back from Hangklip Road, the single storey cottage is nestled in-between vegetation and hidden on approach from the street. A glazed walkway adds to the length of the street-facing stone façade, creating new circulation in order to increase the spatial area. The crafted architectural expression of the new additions supports the prominence of the massing and materiality of the original stone cottage. Spatial thresholds and material connections between old and new are considered and carefully detailed. New window openings are punched into the thick stone masonry façade and edged with a thin protruding steel reveal to define the juncture, making the project’s sensible and sensitive approach a delight.

NEW BEACH BUNGALOW ON CLIFTON 4T H BEACH

BY JANE VISSER ARCHITECTS

A new house situated on the large boulders of Clifton 4th beach overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Through skillful 3D problem solving the architects included three levels comprising of a ground level for living (indoor and outdoor), first level with 3 en-suite bedrooms, and a basement garage level. A staircase links the levels and orientates one back to the ocean view upon arrival on each level. The dwelling sits comfortably on the small plot, and the construction is expressed in the carefully crafted finishes and meticulous detailing thereof. The result is testament to the architect, specialist artisans and builder’s commitment to master their craft and deliver a project that is exceptionally detailed and refined, yet robust enough to withstand the harsh coastal environment.

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LOCAL BREWERY & CO - BREWERY, TAPROOM, AND WORKSPACE

BY KEVIN FELLINGHAM ARCHITECTS Kevin Fellingham’s approach to The Foundation (LOCAL) brewery in Woodstock manages to achieve a sense of inclusivity and conviviality through well considered architectural finesse.

The utilitarian aesthetic of this industrial building is celebrated in elements such as the cast concrete bar counter, plywood furniture, and exposed services. Yet the spaces are cleverly choreographed to create opportunities for pause, conversation, or observation in this theatre of social engagement. The coworking space offers a collection of aediculae - playful mobile pods on oversized castors that can be moved around the space as needed, presenting an innovative approach to multifunctional workspaces. Overall, there is a palimpsest of design decisions that collectively contribute to a rich spatial experience. It is evident that Fellingham has managed to capture the genius loci of this space.

DUNE HOUSE

BY KLG ARCHITECTS

Sensitive to the environment and its landscape, Dune House sits between the ocean and a sloping dune on gum-pole posts, allowing a continued flow of windswept sand on the dune from below. The house welcomes you in from the street with an elevated arm stretched out towards the street on a gabion wall anchor point. A glimpse of an introduction to the house is offered by a guest pod that diverts from the walkway, separated from the main house, and gives off the feeling of walking along a coastline wooden deck filled with pockets of discovery.

The staggered plan strategically allows for function and environmental response, and the considered response to the external conditions is beautifully replicated internally, providing undisturbed views of both the mountains and the sea.

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/ FEATURE /

BAKERY @ LA MOT T E

BY MALHERBE RUST ARCHITECTS

With one of the last remaining working watermills in the country in close proximity, the new Bakery @ La Motte links appropriately into the mill, flour, and bread narrative of the estate. The addition of a new bakery and seating area linked to the Jonkershuis has been exceptionally well handled. The concept of making the footprint of the new building correlate to a typically historical transformation of Cape Dutch buildings into an 'H' shape has made the scale of the addition and the resultant courtyard spaces between the old and new seem just right. This rigor has been taken through to the height of the building which is restricted to the thatched eave with positive effect. The building’s translucency allows views through to the Jonkershuis from across the lawns, and the consistently careful detailing, both inside and outside the building, reflects the clipped simplicity of the 'werf' complex as a whole.

RIVER RET REAT, CAMPS BAY

BY MARK THOMAS ARCHITECTS A variously sloped site, heavily wooded, with a perennial mountain stream running diagonally through it, this unique project overcomes all possible hurdles with great aplomb. The street entrance offers no clue as to the nature of the difficult terrain as entry is gained via an informal open-air, off-street parking area, and a short walk across a bridge descends gently towards the front entrance. A tower, with an egg-shaped footprint, is set at a slight tangent to the main house, containing bedroom spaces on two levels. Access to the tower is gained via mini bridges through a transparent, fully glazed passage section, an interior design conceit, elaborating wittily on the external garden bridge idiom. The house extends to naturally shaded seating areas behind it and across the stream. The sophisticated spatial articulation throughout the entire building and terrain is characterised by a playful sense of expectation and surprise; beyond doubt an architectural success.

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/ FEATURE /

RESTORAT ION OF BEIT MIDRASH MORASHA SYNAGOGUE

BY METROPOLIS DESIGN

The Beit Midrash Morasha Synagogue was severely damaged by a fire in 2018. From the devastating loss of collective memory, the work of rebuilding faced the combined challenges of fulfilling the Jewish halachic regulatory requirements, a community’s affection for their original building, a reassessment of the building’s functionality, and the more secular controls of heritage committees and municipal restrictions.

The primary move to de-emphasise the cruciform plan of the original 1925 Dutch Reformed Church by inserting an octagonal roof, which introduces more specific Jewish symbolism into the synagogue, was executed masterfully. The roof disassociates from the building, hovering over it and bringing in an ethereal light that culminates at its crown with a floating Star of David motif that creates a play of light and shadow depending on the time of day. Overall, it is an excellent example of how a damaged building can be conserved as well as renewed.

WILLOWS PRIMARY SCHOOL

BY NEIL FRANKS ARCHITECTURE

Willows Primary School displays a hard protective edge to the surrounding areas with selective glimpses into the school grounds. The placement of larger components such as the hall on the South East corner of the site was used to position the facility as a beacon in a neighbourhood where positive landmarks are in short supply. On the East side the school opens up towards the sports field, also accessible to the community.

The materials used are hardwearing, cost effective, and low maintenance. The scale of the brickwork façade of the hall successfully conveys a sense of unity to the community from a distance, while up-close special attention to the detailing around doors, windows, and screens convey a sense of care and devotion. Additionally, the use of a single colour combination to complement and accent the building is another example of the level of consideration used by Neil Franks Architecture in their response to the brief and context.

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SUNSET HOUSE

BY OPEN CITY ARCHITECTS

The design draws inspiration from the legacy of modernist houses in Stellenbosch, referencing popular ideologies of modernist architecture such as the use of pilotis and horizontal proportions in the glazing. Diagrammatically the plan is an L-shape with the living room leg deviating from its axis to maximise the Northern aspect and take advantage of the views. The ground storey houses the public functions such as living, dining and kitchen areas in what is perceived as negative space, while the more private activities have been incorporated into the elongated floating structure which becomes the dominant form. It is clear that there was a great amount of delight experienced during the seven years from inception to completion – the importance of which is often underestimated and neglected. Every built work of architecture conceals a confluence of experiences which Sunset House will longingly recall for the brother and sister collaboration for many years to come.

CALLING ACADEMY ADDIT IONS, ST ELLENBOSCH

BY SALT ARCHITECTS

The brief for Calling Academy required much needed additional accommodation on an existing site, realised with a shoestring budget. A prominent continuous concrete-block screen as the Eastern façade announces the new addition to the Stellenbosch campus. Positioned between the original school building and the sports field, the permeable screen creates a circulation spine dappled in varying patterns of light alongside the new additions, all tucked under a large tiled terracotta-coloured roof. The roof deepens at the Southern end of the building to create a generous verandah overlooking the sport field and scenic surroundings. The spatial configuration of the programme is adaptable and functionality overlaps in areas to ensure spaces are utilised at all times. The architectural articulation of pliable indoor and outdoor spaces, undulating roof volumes, and the innovative use of a restricted palette of raw materials create a sense of generosity and resourcefulness, enriching the learning environment to contribute to the Academy’s commitment to deliver excellent education in an inspiring setting.

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AT HLONE WAST EWAT ER PLANT CONT ROL CENT RE AND BLOWER HOUSE COMPLEX

BY SALT ARCHITECTS This project displays great design confidence, architectural character, and material integrity. It is as streamlined in its approach to dealing matter-of-factly with its function as it is delightful in its nifty architectural and material solutions to the brief. The largest part of the structure is underground in the form of wastewater holding tanks. The main Blower House, featuring laboratories, a control room, and services, is linked elegantly to an adjacent electrical services building. Although the architectural language here is sober both in terms of spatial footprint disposition and in elevation aesthetics, delight is more specifically evidenced by the choice of materials used. Pre-existing structures on the site, a stately group of pumphouses from the 1940s, and another set of 1970s concrete brutalist structures, are referenced subtly in the new structure, using red and brown face brick and rough cast concrete. The building’s initial impression of exterior sobriety belies the ergonomically beautiful interior spaces. It is a building not only satisfying to look at but delightful to be in and work in.

T HE RESCUE RESTORAT ION OF T HE HISTORIC TOWN CENT RE OF WUPPERT HAL

BY TV3 ARCHITECTS AND TOWN PLANNERS

On 30 December 2018, a fire swept through Wupperthal, destroying more than 50 homes and much of the historic town centre. The rebuilding and restoration of the damaged central core or 'werf' is considered to be an excellent example of restoration methodology with principles including the careful retention of as much original fabric as possible and the retention of newer layers of building where these had achieved significance in their own right. The removal of other additions was limited only to those where it could be convincingly argued that their removal would benefit the sense of place by re-establishing stylistic consistency. In addition, the sourcing and use of materials compatible with the old, and the replacement of damaged elements with others that were not replicas, but which are distinguishable as contributing to the story and record of the building’s authenticity, is commendable.

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Breathe Well Be Well

A Breath of Fresh Air for a Healthier You With Solent’s ceiling fans

W

hen it comes to creating a comfortable and healthy living space, many factors play a crucial role, and one of the often underestimated heroes in this equation is the ceiling fan. Beyond their primary function of circulating air to keep us cool, ceiling fans offer a myriad of benefits that can contribute to our overall well-being.

Improved air circulation Stagnant air can lead to a build-up of pollutants, allergens, and even foul odours. Ceiling fans are excellent at breaking this stalemate by providing constant air circulation. This helps distribute fresh air evenly throughout the room, preventing pockets of stagnant or polluted air from forming.

Temperature regulation Maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature is vital for well-being. Ceiling fans help in this regard by creating a cooling breeze in the summer and aiding in the distribution of warm air during the winter. By moderating temperature, they reduce the strain on air conditioning and heating systems, leading to energy and cost savings.

Allergy and pollutant reduction Ceiling fans can be equipped with air filters or purifiers to improve air quality further. They help remove dust, allergens, and other airborne particles, reducing the risk of respiratory issues and allergies. Additionally, by keeping the air in motion, ceiling fans discourage the accumulation of pollutants and dampness, preventing the growth of mould and mildew.

Enhanced ventilation Good ventilation is essential for maintaining indoor air quality. Ceiling fans can be positioned strategically to promote cross-ventilation, allowing fresh outdoor air to enter while pushing stale indoor air out. This is particularly important in kitchens and bathrooms, where moisture and odours can accumulate.

Stress reduction The gentle, rhythmic sound of a ceiling fan can have a calming and soothing effect, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. It creates a peaceful atmosphere that is conducive to relaxation and well-being.

Energy efficiency Ceiling fans are highly energy-efficient and consume significantly less electricity compared to air conditioners. By using fans in conjunction with your air conditioning, you can reduce your energy consumption and utility bills while still maintaining a comfortable environment.

Sleep quality Quality sleep is essential for physical and mental health. Ceiling fans promote better sleep by maintaining a comfortable temperature and creating a gentle, white noise that masks disruptive sounds, allowing you to rest more peacefully.

In the quest for a healthier, more comfortable living environment, don't overlook the benefits of ceiling fans. These versatile fixtures not only help regulate temperature but also improve air quality, reduce allergies, and contribute to a general sense of well-being. By integrating ceiling fans into your indoor spaces, you can breathe well and be well, reaping the rewards of enhanced health and comfort.

Contact Solent for a quote at info@solent.co.za or go to www.solent.co.za 39

GET READY FOR THE BIG LEAGUES With 30 years of industry experience, Adriya Sports and Fencing is the champion in the construction of sporting infrastructure. Based in KwaZulu-Natal, we offer turnkey project solutions that include architectural design, engineering services, bespoke fabrication, and specialist construction throughout KZN and neighbouring provinces.

031 564 6336 | info@adriya.co.za | www.adriya.co.za

MAKING A SPLASH THE NEW ST CYPRIAN’S MULTI-PURPOSE HALL AND AQUATIC CENTRE

/ PORTFOLIO /

Completed: July 2022 Location: Oranjezicht, Cape Town

SUP P L I E RS

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or their 150th anniversary, St Cyprian’s School commissioned Meyer & Associates to further develop the school campus, adding two new facilities – an Aquatic Centre and a Multi-Purpose Hall. Due to the limited size of the school grounds within an urban setting, the two facilities were combined into a single, more compact building to reduce the overall footprint and impact on the historical campus. Combined into one building, the new facilities were sensitively positioned on old tennis courts, along a new drop-off area to the West of the campus in Oranjezicht.

The campus context comprises of highly significant heritage red brick, sandstone, and red roof tiled buildings, all framed by large historical cork oak trees. The new building is partially submerged into the ground, against a slope, to reduce its scale and massing of nearly six storeys in height. All existing trees were retained up against the building footprint which provided the space with an immediate leafy setting after construction. The building accommodates an indoor pool below and a multi-purpose sports hall suspended above. Natural light is scooped into the lower pool area by large rooflights and large glass façades on the ground level.

Covering its significant mass, the building is clothed in a red brick flat arched colonnade, common throughout the school, to provide a human scale and tie the building into the rest of the campus by framing the public spaces around it. Despite its size, the building acts as a background within the campus environment, and the architectural treatment of the building aims to present a sensitive, well-crafted design solution. The project illustrates how inventive design solutions, when achieved in a sensitive way, can contribute to a meaningful intervention in heritage contexts.

Face brick Corobrik 021 888 2300 Roof tiles BMI Coverland 021 492 2230 Roof sheeting Safintra 021 981 3130 Roofing Cape Roof 021 975 8899 Admixture Penetron 010 109 2987 Paint Plascon 086 020 4060 Aluminium iNTIME Aluminium 021 761 8100 Insulation Knauf 074 512 7817 Ceilings dracon National 021 551 8333 Structural steelwork Union Steel 021 534 2251 Other steelwork LRJ Steel 021 556 1739 Sport surfaces Synsport 087 803 1023 Taraflex sports flooring Gerflor 010 753 2332 Plumbing Vortex Pipe Works 021 555 2464

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Tiling Mazista 021 511 6640

/ PORTFOLIO /

MEET THE TEAM Architects & Urban Designers: Meyer & Associates Architects, Urban Designers Quantity Surveyor: Smith & Co. Quantity Surveyors Structural & Civil Engineers: De Villiers & Hulme Consulting Structural and Civil Engineers Electrical Engineer: WSP Consulting Engineers Main Contractor: Bruce Dundas Master Builders Mechanical Engineer: WSP Consulting Engineers Wet Services: Ekcon Consulting Engineers Photographer: Johann Lourens 43

www.meyerandassociates.co.za @meyer_and_associates

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THE PLAYGROUND REDEFINED

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PL AYING SAFELY AT CURRO CENTURY CITY

n the heart of Cape Town's 'Smart City', the learners at Curro Century City recently embarked on an exciting adventure as they stepped onto their brand-new school playground.

Designed by the immensely talented Timothy Snyders and brought to life by the skilled hands of Corna2Corna, this innovative play space is set to redefine outdoor recreation for these children.

Timothy Snyders, Associate and Landscape Architect at Truform Landscape Architects, celebrated for his innovative and imaginative approach to recreational spaces, envisioned this extraordinary playground project. Snyders has always been an advocate for the profound impact of a child's environment on their development and overall well-being. His design for Curro Century City reflects this philosophy, harmonising aesthetics with safety to offer students a playground that is both fun and educational.

What sets it apart from the ordinary is the unique pre-coloured Playsafe Wet Pour flooring system, which seamlessly blends safety and creativity into one cohesive package. Additionally, another of Snyders's compelling reasons for choosing Seamless Flooring Systems' Playsafe surfacing is their extensive national network of licensed and accredited applicators, guaranteeing uniform quality and consistency across all playgrounds.

The Playsafe Wet Pour flooring system is an innovative SANS and SABS certified surface system meticulously designed with safety as a top priority. It boasts remarkable shock-absorption properties, is slip-resistant, and provides a comfortable surface for children to play on which is incredibly durable and capable of withstanding the rigors of all-weather play.

In any playground design, safety is paramount, and the Playsafe Wet Pour system delivers the ideal solution. The seamless rubber flooring reduces the risk of injuries by offering a cushioned surface that can absorb the impact of falls. Children can run, jump, and play with confidence, knowing they are well-protected.

The wet pour technology also opens up a world of creative possibilities.

The surface is highly customisable, featuring a wide range of vibrant colours and designs to choose from. This not only enhances the overall aesthetic appeal but also aids in the development of fine motor skills, cognitive growth, and imaginative play.

www.playsafe.africa @playsafe_flooring

Corna2Corna, a trusted name in playground applications, was the mastermind behind bringing Snyders's vision to life. With their expertise in playground construction and unwavering commitment to quality, the project was completed to the highest standards. The integration of the Playsafe Wet Pour system was executed seamlessly, providing the perfect foundation for the various play structures and equipment to cultivate a safe and exciting playground environment.

PLAYSaFE 45

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A WAVE OF CONNECTIVITY The Ascent of Ballito Steps

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/ PORTFOLIO /

Size: 3 588 m² Completed: 2022 Location: Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal

THE BRIEF The task at hand was to refurbish an existing local convenience shopping centre in Ballito. The centre, although well known, had become run down and dilapidated over the years. The building was full of disused signage, the three retail levels were disconnected, and the structure had been modified in a piecemeal fashion, leaving it in need of a revamp.

ballito steps

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etail spaces and recreation go hand in hand, especially in the country's favourite surf spot – the beautiful Ballito. Malls and retail centres hold the potential to be vibrant hubs where communities unite to commemorate milestones, forge connections, and engage in meaningful interactions. These spaces serve as more than just places to shop—they become landmarks of safety and solidarity, intrinsic to the fabric of a community. The years of foot traffic might start to take their toll on these builds, but instead of abandoning them, we ought to revive these places where cultures come together to thrive.

For Boogertman + Partners, Ballito Steps was an opportunity to lift up a shopping centre that had begun to slump, and in doing so, help lift the spirit of the Ballito community.

THE SITE Ballito Steps is a mall along the Dolphin Coast, in the rapidly expanding beachside town of Ballito. Designed to reflect and highlight its surroundings, it is a hub crafted distinctly to suit the setting, resonating with the surf culture of the KZN North Coast. Simultaneously, it considers the site's placement within the urban fabric of Ballito. The centre fosters openness and connectivity with the public, actively encouraging seamless transitions between street sidewalks and different levels of the development. This stands in stark contrast to the prevailing trend of creating self-contained developments that strictly delineate movement between private and public spaces.

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SUP P L I E RS Sculpture Rebcon Engineering (Pty) Ltd 031 705 5851 Feature bricks Corobrik 031 560 3111 Planters & bins Allsorted Designs 011 708 7550 Signage Ascot Signs 086 108 8891 Centre tile Tile Africa 011 455 2607 Ironmongery dormakaba 031 880 1618

MEET THE TEAM Architect: Boogertman + Partners Developer: Retail Africa Project Manager: MDSA Project Management Quantity Surveyor: SVR SA Structural Engineer: Sutherland Engineers Mechanical Engineer: Meccanitek Consulting Electrical Engineer: Watson Mattheus Consulting Town Planner: TC Chetty & Associates Photographer: Chris Allan Photography

www.boogertmanandpartners.com @boogertmanandpartners

/ PORTFOLIO /

THE INSPIRATION The use of vibrant paint colours, brick patterns, materials, artwork, and sculptures created a distinct beach holiday surf ambiance. The ‘Wave Wall’, constructed from painted bricks which jut out at certain points, transformed mundane objects into art, creating a sense of a moving wave as one ascends the stairs. The prominent Shaka sculpture became an Instagram-worthy spot, encouraging people to connect with the building through photographs. Local surfboard shaper Hutch crafted the three boards fixed to the restroom wall, further reinforcing the connection to the Ballito community and their culture. Finally, the lower ground level was opened up and the entrance to the anchor tenant was made more visible, resulting in a simplified and consolidated space. This created a contained area that allowed line shops to open and interact more effectively.

THE PROCESS The refurbishment process began with stripping the building back to its original structure, removing all unnecessary cladding to provide a raw and clean canvas with which to work. To refresh the mood of the area, local art pieces, powder-coated steel, and planting were incorporated to the outdoor environment. Along with a revamp of the façade, the interior renovations to the food court bring a contemporary and fresh feel to the build. The interventions breathe new life into the shopping centre, transforming it into an energised and visually captivating destination that harmonises with Ballito's character and engages the local community.

The objective was to upgrade the entire centre and accommodate Checkers as the new anchor tenant on the lower ground floor.

By implementing a few key architectural interventions, significant improvements were achieved. A lift and staircase were constructed centrally to create a vertical connection between all existing levels, enhancing accessibility to the Checkers and activating the parking level, as well as from outside to inside the centre. Timber steps were then added adjacent to Dolphin Crescent, reconnecting the three levels while integrating the centre with the surrounding streetscape, linking the retail and public realms. A restaurant was strategically positioned on the eastern edge, creating a sheltered courtyard between the building masses on the middle level, a space offering views of the street that serves as an ideal outdoor seating area for patrons.

By providing the centre with the chance to become something new and exciting, Boogertman + Partners created a community attraction with the refurbishment of Ballito Steps. Vibrant and welcoming, the space now values not only its own structure and foundation, but also the society it serves.

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community

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A Ballenesque Cultural Landmark

ROGER BALLEN’S INSIDE OUT CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

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/ PORTFOLIO /

Location: Forest Town, Johannesburg In early 2018, artist-photographer Roger Ballen acquired a property in Forest Town, Johannesburg, with the vision of creating a building that housed not only offices but also an exhibition space for local photography and other art forms. Looking for a building that could be considered an artwork itself, Roger Ballen Photography appointed JVR Architects and Interiors to design this iconically curious space inspired by the signature aesthetic of Ballen’s own work.

THE BRIEF The brief was to create the new home for the world-renowned Roger Ballen and his artistic medium in the Inside Out Centre for the Arts, also known as The Roger Ballen Centre for the Photographic Arts. It is the goal of the centre to promote art that reveals deeper psychological meanings within an African context. Ballen’s work is known for the dark, surreal, and disturbing qualities that confront the viewer and challenge them to come with him on a journey into their minds as he explores the deeper recesses of his own. Appropriately, requested with this project was a translation of this Ballenesque ideology into functional architecture. The centre needed to be multifaceted and flexible, incorporating offices and the administrative support for the organisation’s work and archive, while including the foundation in the advancements of photographic arts.

THE SITE As its name implies, Forest Town was established on the edge of a manmade forest. At the end of the 19th century, wealthy British planted this forest to provide wood for the burgeoning mining industry, as well as an area to hunt in. The suburb was founded shortly after, in the first decade of the 1900s, and has been described as Joburg’s first middle-class suburb. Prior to this Johannesburg was a sprawling mining camp with only one wealthy suburb, Parktown. The site is situated on the major artery of Jan Smuts (48 Jan Smuts Avenue) in Forest Town and forms part of a trio of cultural centres, joining The Joburg Contemporary Arts Foundation and The Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre.

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MEET THE TEAM Architecture & Interior Design: JVR Architects and Interiors Main Contractor: Hodge Construction & Development Quantity Surveyors: VDW Quantity Surveyors Structural Engineers: DSGN Structural Engineers Mechanical & Fire Engineers: Ingplan Town Planners: Di Cicco & Buitendag Photographer: Marijke Willems

www.jvrarchitects.co.za @jvrarchitects 55

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THE INSPIRATION & PROCESS The project drew inspiration from the art of photography and the Brutalist movement of the 1950s, which, much like Ballen’s work, focuses on the raw while questioning and challenging the viewer. The term aperture in photography is a hole or opening through which light travels. It is where the magic of photography happens, as controlling the aperture can mean the difference between single- and multi-dimensional shots. The design aims to use the strong geometry and exposed raw materials of the Brutalist approach to allow a shift in light and shadow throughout the day. The soft lighting of the interior spaces using this approach allows a warm, welcoming effect in contrast to the traditional Brutalist language. Because the exhibited photographs cannot receive direct light, the careful incorporation of indirect light was important for the functional use of the building.

Looking at the spatial order of the design, a curved ramp leads the visitor into a somewhat concealed and subdued entrance while the dramatically cantilevered box over a sunken courtyard on the left houses the main office and administrative functions. The same spaces also needed to be utilised for classes, film projections, and other educational functions. The main exhibition space is dominated by a suspended barrel hanging in the double volume space, abstract and sculptural in much the same way as Ballen’s art.

One of the client’s favourite parts of the building is the use of rounded walls in various locations.

The central rounded protrusion in the middle of the main space originated from the concept of a film cartridge. The effect is a dominant and powerful sculptural addition which transforms the building from one that is functional to one that conveys a subliminal aesthetic.

Although stark, the design is respectful of the past. The exterior of the building, stippled in Tyrolean plasterwork, goes back to the Arts and Crafts Movement, paying homage to many of the heritage houses established in the area. The building is also set low in order to respect the current fabric of the area and the mass is broken down into a set of ordered parts, to avoid being super imposing. From the road, an undulating fence draws passersby’s eyes in, without revealing too much.

The centre now stands as a unique space for residents and visitors alike to embrace the rich arts of South Africa. With a design-orientated collaboration that jointly relished in the creative process of the project, the challenging yet exciting brief was successfully realised in what is an out-of-the-box interpretation of the assignment – to materialise a passion for the arts into a significant cultural landmark.

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SUP P L I E RS Timber doors Bron Joineries 082 665 1504 Timber flooring Zuberi Flooring 011 805 1717 Tiling Mazista 021 511 6640 Sanware Bathroom Fusion 010 025 2234 Skylights Skybright Skylights 010 222 0497 Ironmongery Deco Doorware 083 235 8790 Off-shutter concrete AfriSam 011 670 5500

RELENTLESS HOPE BUILDING DREAMS WITH ART AND CULTURE

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Completed: 2022

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In Cape Town’s suburb of Hout Bay stands a structural vision to integrate a passion for arts, culture, and community all inspired by the local significance of our country’s past. The Denis Goldberg House of Hope is a beacon of its namesake – the hope that activist Denis Goldberg wished to project through his life’s work. With the help of Noero Architects, this beacon shines brightly as a space which cultivates the dreams of future generations.

THE BRIEF Denis Goldberg formed a trust whose aim was to use art, culture, and music to develop the marginalised youth of Hout Bay. To realise this dream, he resolved to build a centre called House of Hope. Funds were raised to support this dream, but Goldberg passed away before it could be realised. Fortunately, upon Goldberg’s wishes, Jo Noero of Noero Architects, who is married to Goldberg’s niece, was tasked to bring the dream to fruition.

THE SITE The site that was provided by the Cape Regional Government for the new centre is part of a set of heritage buildings which accommodate the Hout Bay Museum, a hall, and a set of rooms used as classrooms.

In addition, the site comprises a wonderful landscape worthy of preservation.

THE INSPIRATION During apartheid, Denis Goldberg was sentenced along with Nelson Mandela and nine other activists to life imprisonment at the infamous Rivonia Trial in 1961. He was sent to Pretoria Central Prison where he was subjected to appalling conditions which included being held in solitary confinement for extended periods of time. Following his release from prison in 1985, Goldberg travelled to the United Kingdom where he worked as a fundraiser and representative for the African National Congress. In 2000, he returned to South Africa and worked as a political advisor to one of the ministers in the new government for three years before retiring to Cape Town in Hout Bay, where he became a local community activist. It is here that the conception of the House of Hope began.

THE PROCESS The design intention was to create a campus of disparate spaces and buildings on the site and to integrate the House of Hope with the existing spaces both in terms of buildings and landscape.

The new accommodation comprises an art gallery and museum, a classroom and activity space, and ancillary service spaces. These multi-purpose spaces come closest to realising Goldberg’s dream for the House of Hope. It is a place that can support a set of different activities simultaneously and comprises an exhibition area illustrating Goldberg’s life as an example for the youth of today on how to live a life in service to one’s community. The space also accommodates an exhibition of artworks collected by Goldberg during his life which powerfully illustrate his values and interests. These works will be curated under different themes and form the basis for art classes held for children from the local community.

Modest and using basic materials, these buildings maintain Goldberg’s idea that the facility should form an example for other groups who might wish to emulate the House of Hope. Alternative forms of

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'These spaces will offer up a new way of thinking about how to integrate cultural, educational, and gallery spaces in the townships of the Western Cape.'

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energy and climate mitigation are also used, such as photovoltaic energy generation, water harvesting, and solar heating.

We believe that these spaces will offer a new way of thinking about how to integrate cultural, educational, and gallery spaces in the townships of the Western Cape. In addition to the main space, a set of smaller spaces will accommodate a curatorship program which will offer young people from the local community the opportunity to be trained as curators and to record their own lives by documenting local culture. In this way the House of Hope will become an important repository for the storage and documentation of local stories, memories, and histories which will provide a valuable resource for future generations.

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MEET THE TEAM Architects: Noero Architects Quantity Surveyors: LDM Engineers: De Villiers & Hulme Consulting Structural and Civil Engineers Contractor: Abrach Construction Specialist Subcontractor: Metal Windows Photographer: Paris Brummer 63

Jo Noero Principal & Professional Architect Noero Architects www.noeroarchitects.com @noeroarchitects

SOOTHE AND SETTLE Recreating Wellness at Babylonstoren’s Hot Spa

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Completed: 2022 Location: Franschhoek, Western Cape

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abylonstoren, the renowned garden and wine farm set at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountain in the Franschhoek wine valley, has always been known as a welcoming space of sanctuary. To elevate the already award-winning Garden Spa, a Hot Spa was designed, enhancing this marvellous well-being experience nestled in nature.

Surrounded by picturesque mountains and with views over the farm’s famed garden and vineyards, the Babylonstoren Hot Spa offers a large indoor-outdoor pool, salt room, sauna, steam room, and two vitality pools, in addition to an authentic hammam and traditional Rasul chamber.

As with everything on this working farm, the emphasis is on simple yet sophisticated functionality. The new Hot Spa provides a beautiful communal space where guests can relax before or after treatments. The two circular vitality pools are connected by a water channel to form an indoor-outdoor heated pool that can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of the weather. They are accompanied by mosaic alcoves with colder running water – the difference in temperature between these and the pool itself is known to encourage blood flow, giving the body an energising and refreshing boost. Nestled between these alcoves, a welcoming hearth with a fireplace provides added warmth during colder seasons.

The Hot Spa also offers a sauna, a second heated pool, and a salt room, built from blocks of raw Himalayan salt. The characteristic pink hue of Himalayan salt offers a soothing, healing environment, as this sought-after natural mineral is known for its therapeutic properties, and has long been used to lift mood and reduce fatigue.

MEET THE TEAM Architects: TV3 Architects Main Contractor: JDV Construction Civil & Structural Engineer: De Villiers & Hulme Consulting Engineers Quantity Surveyor: De Leeuw Group (Stellenbosch) Mechanical Engineer: Sparq Consulting Electrical Engineer: Arthur Morris Electrical Contractor: Valley Electrical Contractors Photography: Courtesy of Babylonstoren 66

www.tv3.co.za @tv3_stellenbosch

www.babylonstoren.com @babylonstoren

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The world-renowned gardens at Babylonstoren inform everything on the farm, and here they are framed by tall windows that bring the surrounding greenery and light right into the spa. However, it is the water that flows through the land that is the prevailing theme here; the treatments and the space are founded in water or steam, and the sound of running water provides a backdrop that soothes and settles. More than simply a backdrop to the full experience, the Hot Spa is a haven in itself, and an intrinsic part of the therapeutic process.

Adjacent to the Hot Spa are the new hammam and Rasul treatment rooms. The hammam offers a fresh take on the fabled ancient Turkish public baths that have offered both physical and spiritual renewal for centuries. The traditional hammam is echoed in the vaulted ceilings and beautiful mosaics in a range of glorious blues, made entirely from heated marble slabs. The Rasul (mud bath) also offers a centuries-old Arabian-inspired cleansing practice. In contrast to the hammam, the curved walls of the Rasul are tiled in mosaics in tones of botanical green, again invoking the beloved Babylonstoren gardens.

Acting as a holistic retreat not too far from the chaos of the city, the Hot Spa provides a place of relaxation to those whose idea of recreation sounds a little something like 'wellness ritual'. The space, inspired by nature and personal restoration, is designed to perfectly reflect its intentions and curate an atmosphere that carries guests to their best-rested selves.

SUP P L I E RS Mosaic tiles Bisazza, imported from Italy +44 020 7584 8837 Floor tiles Hadspen Quarry 01963 351 205 Pool tiles RVV Tile Gallery 011 618 1340 Marble Continua 021 506 1300 Corian Techno Surfaces 021 534 0154 Timber cladding Cape Trusses 073 209 6663 Mirrors Reflect Mirrors 021 937 7440 Chrome taps Meir 082 574 2432 Marble drop-in basin Continua 021 506 1300 Switches Lumen8 021 510 0702 Toilets & urinals Geberit 021 555 0651

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SUP P L I E RS Rasul, hammam, & pool Sauna Steam & Spa 021 905 3718 Glass shopfronts & roof Façade Solutions 021 788 2711 Corrugated roof sheets Safintra 021 981 3130 Curved walls Decolite SA 082 413 6617 Joinery Prowell Kitchens/Kombuise 021 871 1150 Shower drainage systems ACO 011 824 3525 Plexi-glass vitality pool Shaluza Projects 022 492 2921 Fireplace Firescience 082 620 7896

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This is how legends are born Professional users need machines that work harder for less. STIHL has launched two brush cutters that deliver on both counts: the FS 161 (1.5kW and 37.6 cc) and the FS 291 (2.0kW and 41.6 cc). Now available at the same price as the discontinued FS 160 and FS 280 models, these are not merely an upgrade of these iconic machines. These are completely NEW machines - bigger, better, more powerful, and more economical to run.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

Both feature fuel-efficient 2-Mix Technology in place of a standard 2-stroke engine, making them more fuel efficient with higher torque over a wide speed range.

Expect a fuel saving of 10% to 20% compared to standard 2-stroke machines.

Both come standard with an AutoCut C46-2 mowing head, and as proved through independent studies by the University of Stellenbosch’s Forestry Department, using STIHL 2.7mm nylon line leads to major savings compared to using 3.5mm pre-cut line. Research showed that up to 60% of pre-cut nylon is thrown away when inserting and changing line on an aluminium head, resulting in costly wastage. When using the STIHL spooled nylon head system, a maximum of just 30cm of nylon (out of 13m) is thrown away - less than 3%.

Also important, especially in a professional situation where time means money, the AutoCut C46-2 head offers significant time-saving by eliminating frequent line changes, with one spool taking 13m of line and an average daily usage of 1,5m. STIHL 2.7mm nylon also cuts faster, further increasing productivity.

An additional time-saver is that both have 750ml fuel tanks, larger than the previous models, so operators stop less often to refuel. Plus, less fuel is required on-site. These two machines offer streamlined convenience for operators, professionals, and dealers as spares are consolidated across seven models.

GAME-CHANGING, CLEANER-BURNING 2-MIX TECHNOLOGY

The STIHL two-stroke engine with 2-Mix Technology is a game-changer that sets new standards. During the scavenging process, a layer of air without any fuel is created between the burnt charge in the combustion chamber and the fresh charge in the crankcase. The exhaust is separated from the fresh fuel mix to minimise scavenging losses, reducing hydrocarbons that pose a health and environmental hazard. This allows for complete combustion, reducing fuel lost through the exhaust and ensuring better power output and fuel efficiency.

Get the FS 161 and FS 291 today. This is how legends are born...

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