Pro Landscaper Africa April 2020

Image: The Legacy Group

APRIL 2020 - COMMERCIAL BUILD ISSUE

LEADER

There are many ways to look at this global crisis of which the outcome to our communities and economy is glaringly obvious and for most of us, our inboxes have been flooded with news, tips, opinions, more news-and fake news- about covid-19. We can also be sure that the build industry will not be without its casualties over this period. But it is vital we use this time to redefine how we work and manage our businesses both small and large and dig into that truly South African resourcefulness to get to the other side, together!

Our green industry is vital to the economy and the environment and it's important be ready to hit the ground running when we are able to do so.

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ur April issue can be seen as a very proud moment for us as an industry, especially in these uncertain times, with some of the most iconic and inspiring projects making their way onto our pages. Projects changing our city skylines for the better. We look at commercial spaces and big-builds, the private sector and what goes into creating these spaces for both developers and occupants alike.

These are very strange and unforeseeable times we find ourselves in and I am writing this letter to you from a somewhat different office desk!

Follow us on Instagram @prolandscaperafrica Swing by our Facebook Page @Pro Landscaper Africa Download our Pro Landscaper app Pro Landscapes July 2019.pdf

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One moment we are gearing up for a very busy season ahead and filling our calendars with as much as humanly possible and the next we are setting up home offices, distancing ourselves and cancelling appointments, not dissimilar to how life has been for most of you reading this.

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We will continue to publish, share, connect and inspire our community over this period which we feel is so important and paramount at this time.

Our virtual offices are open for business and our platform will continue to reach far and wide to all professionals under the design, build and maintenance sectors.

If you feel inspired, please get in touch. We are ready and eager to open our platform for webinars, videos, and online courses that can benefit the industry over this period.

Amid this crisis, we have a chance reflect, to regroup and to redefine how we as a business, a community, a country and the globe do business and interact with nature and each other.

Let's #keepconnectedatadistance

Published by

Publications

HUGSI – Husqvarna Urban Green Space Index – an index to safeguard green spaces in urban areas.

HOW IT WORKS

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Satellite image data is acquired from Copernicus project supported

by European Commission and European Space Agency (ESA).

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Computer vision and machine learning techniques are applied to turn satellite image data into a range of urban green space metrics.

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The overall greenness scores are calculated and are used to rank select cities.

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The full HUGSI data set3on regional and city level is available at www.hugsi.green HUGSI has been developed by Husqvarna Group AI Lab in collaboration with 20tree.ai

CONTENTS

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News Association News

9 Agenda

How can the commotion around climate change benefit

a business within the build and landscaping industry?

FEATURES

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1 Park Lane: Home of Bidvest Bank

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92 Rivonia: Captivating Corner

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Haasendal Gables Shopping Centre

INSPIRE 56

Exploded view bridge across the upper Liesbeek River

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Steel & aluminium features in commercial settings

Greening Commercial Spaces: Rediscovering the Intuitive

by Megan Marais of Interdesign Landscape Architects

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Future Projects: IKEA Vienna

What is Augmented Reality? By Ryno Hills, Heuwelsteen

NURTURE

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Lighting in Exterior Commercial Spaces

by QDP Lighting & Electrical Design

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PORTFOLIOS

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Pesky Pests found in big-builds and commercial settings

by SAPCA’s Nicolette Ford

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The Leonardo: Sandton’s Skyscraper

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Going Vertical by Life Indoors

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The Houghton Hotel

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Maintaining Commercial Spaces

by Green Cube Maintenance and Landscaping

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Proud suppliers of paving to V&A Waterfront

www.celpaving.co.za

info@celpaving.co.za

t. 021 905 5998

NEWS

NEWS ILASA – UDISA Conference 2020 16 & 17 September 2020, Gauteng In partnership with Corobrik CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS “Appropriate Public Places in the Global South” The Institute for Landscape Architecture in South Africa (ILASA) is pleased to announce a joint conference in partnership with the Urban Design Institute of South Africa (UDISA) with Corobrik as our valued primary sponsor to be held in Gauteng on 16 and 17 September 2020.

The idea of the conference presentations is to keep things simple with a broad theme that encompasses Landscape Architecture and Urban Design without channelling these into narrow sub-themes, but let each speaker broaden the discussion in their own way without boxing them into either disciplines usual focus or stereotypes.

The intention is to invite speakers on African or Global South urbanism from both inside and

outside either discipline, that leads to new ways of viewing the challenges and highlights opportunities faced by those living and working in the field of public space design, construction and management and to demonstrate how through interaction and co-design these become places of value within the urban fabric.

Call for Submissions The ILASA – UDISA 2020 Conference seeks demonstrative design projects, business cases and presentation proposals that exhibit positive interventions and methodologies that strive to express the theme “Appropriate Public Places in the Global South”. The conference aims to attract landscape and urban practitioners; both within the Landscape Architectural and Urban Design professions and from the broader range of academics and professionals, including also the natural and social sciences disciplines, that

interface with urban public spaces natural and human flows and thus co-create the framework for urban places to emerge as places at all scales.

There will be two types of moderated and respondent sessions: paper and case study.

Submissions for each type will go through a panel review process. Speakers should submit an abstract, highlighting presentation outcomes, of no more than 350 words and 5 keywords.

The abstract should clearly state the main topic or purposes, methods, principal findings, key implications and recommendations (300 words).

It should additionally clearly state why the submission is relevant to urban places through the creation of space in a novel way (50 words).

Deadline for submissions: Proposals should be submitted online by no later than 30 April 2020. Visit www.ILASA.co.za for more information.

SANA Autumn Trade Fair 2020 The South African Nursery Association had the privilege of once again hosting the annual Autumn Trade Fair on Wednesday, the 11th of March 2020.

variety of industry exhibitors such as growers, allied traders and communication and service providers with accompanying caterers that filled the nibbling needs of exhibitors and visitors alike.

The in-season Autumn trade fair attracted exhibitors to network and prepare their contacts and products as a frontrunner for the largest selling and marketing green industry trade fair, the SANA Spring Trade Fair that will be held in August.

The weather was sunny and hot, with some lawn patches exhibiting reminders of the good and much needed rain the area received a week before. Amidst the economic and load shedding challenges, it was a good business day with a regular entrance count of approximately 825 persons.

Trade members had the opportunity of strolling through a 5,200m2 exhibition space boasting a

Show stands were evaluated and awards went to Waterhouse Pumps with the best stand for the

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Allied, Bulb and Seed Trade Supplier category, and Malanseuns for the best stand for the Nursery category.

The day ended with a delicious Spitbraai meal and industry members celebrating friendships and business with a bit of music and dance.

We look forward in welcoming all green industry members to attend the annual Spring Trade Fair held at the South African Nursery Association grounds on the 19th of August 2020. www.sana.co.za

LIFESTYLE COLLEGE

COLLEGE TRAINING

Courses for Companies, Municipalities, Provincial Governments & Government Employees

ALL COURSES OFFERED ARE: • Registered with South African Qualification Authority and Agriculture Sectoral Education and Training Authority (AgriSeta) • Tailormade to suit the requirement of each client • Completed at your premises of choice • Trained on site • Fully administered by Lifestyle College Training

AgriSeta Funded Training to the Green Industry

THE COURSES: • Vary from a Learnership (8 months course) to short skills courses (few days/weeks) • Are conducted by trainers who are qualified facilitators & assessors We come to you and we complete all the admin involved on your behalf.

All you must provide: • Learners • Company details

Lifestyle College Training also offer horticulture courses and advice on horticultural work to companies of all other industries across South Africa.

Our trainers are qualified facilitators and assessors who are passionate about imparting their knowledge. Regular training programmes keep our facilitators up to date with new training methodologies and ensure that we set a high standard of training.

SHORT SKILLS COURSES & LEARNERSHIPS Horticulture 1. Fruit and vegetable growing 2. Mowing lawns 3. Gardeners skills course 4. Mowing lawns 5. Pruning 6. Winter lawn management 7. Horticulture 1 Maintaining a garden 8. Horticulture 2 - Propagation 9. Learnerships (i) Horticulture level 1 - learnership (ii) Horticulture level 2 - learnership (iii) Horticulture level 3 - learnership 9. Fruit tree pruning 10. Landscape design introduction

Mechanical Horticultural Equipment 1. Brush cutter operator 2. Chainsaw operator 3. Herbicide applicator Health 1. HIV / AIDS Awareness

Irrigation 1. Irrigation design 2. Irrigation installation Management Skills 1. Supervisory skills 2. Managerial skills Invader Plant Control 1. Become an invader consultant 2. Eradicate invader plants Nursery Management 1. Greenhouse management 2. Learnership 3. Supervisory management of a propagation facility learnership level 3 Health & Safety 1. Introduction to OHASA act

Lifestyle College at Lifestyle Garden Centre, Cnr. Beyers Naudé Drive & Ysterhout Ave, Randpark Ridge, Randburg • Tel: 011 792 8244 • www.lifestylecollege.co.za • email: enquiries@lifestylecollege.co.za AgriSETA

C O L L E G E T R A I N I N G

Water use in Ornamental landscapes

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rnamental landscapes comprise a variety of aspects such as design, aesthetics, and functionality. Attempting to balance these features in a pleasing, well-planned landscape is challenging at best. Added to that the need for the landscape to be sustainable and eco-friendly and you are presented with a difficult task.

Dr Leslie Hoy, from Rand Water’s Environmental Management Services department, recognised this problem and set out to refine the way industry experts view landscape design and implementation in light of the need to conserve water in South Africa. His thesis focussed on tweaking landscape components to maximise water-saving in the design. One of the thirty elements considered was hydrozoning - ensuring that water use is applied in correct amounts to the landscape, and only when necessary.

The tools developed in his amenity landscape water use model for South Africa (ALWUMSA) can assist the Green Industry in design, planning, and day-to-day operations, saving money and water. Contact Water Wise for more information.

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

AGENDA

AGENDA

How can the commotion around climate change benefit a business within the build and landscaping industry?

Are you noticing a shift in business trends? Do clients have more of a say on projects?

Are they becoming more eco-conscious and “green� orientated?

WARREN LANGE

RHUBEN JACOBS

Climate change is an unescapable reality that will have a meaningful impact on all life as we know it. Although the topic is still being hotly debated, daily evidence is surfacing everywhere, and more frequently. It even affects us in something as seemingly unrelated as load shedding, where higher temperatures cause jellyfish populations to rapidly explode, which in turn has led to seawater cooling intakes at Koeberg to become clogged and forcing unscheduled maintenance. The lights get turned off.

“Impact of climate change on the built and landscaping industry”

Landscape architect and director at Hortcouture

As inconvenient as this truth is, we as planners and designers must respond accordingly. Our thought processes and paradigms must adapt to streamline with a changed way of life.

Design solutions must be well informed and suited to future and predicable environments. This includes educating clients as our profession is best suited to accommodate this transition of all the built environment professions.

Noted, trends include maintaining and boosting biodiversity as far as possible. The protection of biodiversity is a key element as natural systems are the best bio indictors available. This includes the built environment with sustainable buildings and technology, green corridors, urban agriculture, indigenous versus exotic and socio-cultural considerations.

Climate change must gear us towards closing the circular economy with regenerative systems implemented to close the loop in production, consumption and repurposing processes.

Furthermore, businesses must focus on improving the triple bottom line by being not only financially sustainable, but socially and environmentally sustainable. Also, the fourth industrial revolution which is a confluence of digital, physical and biological systems is upon us, with an immediate opportunity to reduce and reverse the effects of climate change.

The most beneficial outcome will be for a more sustainable and healthier biophysical environment for future generations.

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Landscape architect at Yes& Studio

As awareness around climate change and its impact on our daily lives increases, so too has the attitude towards achieving more sustainable construction practices. A gradual shift towards mitigating against negative environmental impacts within the built environment seems to be taking place.

Even though most projects have strained budgets – which limits opportunities to use environmentally friendly, sustainable or 'green’ technologies – forward-thinking built environment experts, clients and developers are working together to build innovative and environmentally responsible projects. There is a growing urgency within the built environment to find ways to implement ‘greener’ strategies that are more energy efficient, while simultaneously reducing risks to human and environmental health.

For businesses within the built and landscaping industry, this is very welcoming news. Clients and consultants are slowly starting to realise how important sustainability policies and strategies are for every built project. As more of these strategies are implemented, more opportunities for business is created. Everything from material selection with low carbon footprints to new construction techniques creates an opening in the market for individual businesses to provide a niche product or service.

More decisions are being made to use sustainable building materials and operation practices that promote health and protection of the environment. With more collaboration across the entire sector, we can find innovative ways to safely dispose of contaminated or hazardous construction waste products, source environmentally friendly materials, substitute products that use non-renewable resources and build using materials that are locally sourced and support local economies.

Shaping the construction industry towards a more sustainable future requires design professionals to share lessons and experiences in their individual development and implementation of ‘green’ strategies to encourage a significant sector-wide transformation.

Carbon reduction and climate change mitigation affects all aspects of business, and addressing this is much bigger than any single organisation.

ADRIAN GEARY

Director at Enrich Garden Design Studio

“Green business with green fingers” Today's 'buzz' words, such as eco-friendly, green-rated and carbon footprint are littered across the industry from packaging to pesticides. Consumers and clients are more concerned in being 'environmentally conscious' than ever before. Take the Monsanto and Bayer Roundup ordeal, where they were ordered to pay a $2bn settlement for damages caused to a couple's health. Or the death of millions of honeybees in a localised area in the Cape, which caused ructions in the wine industry. Both these cases highlight how we have become more conscious of our environment, and more importantly, how we protect it.

In the past, the damage done did not have a huge effect on those around us, or so we thought. We were ignorant to the problems we were creating further down the ecosystem. Since resources begin to dwindle and we become more conscious, a paradigm shift has taken place. Finally, there seems to be traction with biological-friendly insecticides and herbicides.

Secondary poisoning becomes an unforgivable sin that we strive arduously to stay away from. Clients expect to see eco-friendly products used, from bacteria-based pesticides to biosurfactants in herbicides.

When it comes to the landscaping industry, clients and consumers are more knowledgeable than before, where they challenge the status quo.

Not only does installation need to be of a high quality, it also needs to be sustainable. Time and time again clients are enquiring about processes.

Questions such as: "How do we do this?" and "What do we use?" are an everyday norm. In the past, compost heaps and herb gardens would only be incorporated in sites that had space or where a kitchen garden was envisaged, but now most landscape designs start and finish with edible gardens and a compost heap.

In business, change is always quite difficult in the beginning. A smaller market on consumables means a higher price tag and businesses are often challenged to make tough choices with products and services.

However, the more we adopt to the change, the more competitive the market will become. In the last few years, there has been an increase in eco-friendly products. Local suppliers and installers have realised that for the green industry to thrive, we need to make decisions to protect it.

It has been an uphill battle for many years, but finally it seems we have gathered some momentum.

In the green industry and a little closer to home, landscapes that promote sustainability while providing for a household are at the top of people's 'most wanted.' If one can incorporate this into an ecosystem of endemic plants, then you will have the perfect antidote to developing 'green conscious landscapes.' Often, we think only of the now at the expense of the future. The biggest challenge we face in 'green business,' for the desire of a better word, is that we are reactive. Our mandate when it comes to being eco-friendly should be ruthless and proactive, where millions of bees can thrive, and billions of dollars are invested.

ADAM VAN NIEUWENHUIZEN

Landscape architect and director at Earthworks Landscape Architects

We have to accept the climate is in a constant state to change and flux. It’s a very complex system, we only started developing a good understanding of the weather patterns over the past few decades due to technological advancement. So, while it is a natural and ever-changing system, I am a firm believer that our lifestyle, fuelled by continuous economic development, is having a severe detrimental impact on the system and we face a very real threat of total climate collapse. The commotion is around opposing viewpoints – our industry in general straddle the two sides.

As a landscape architect, I have not noticed a big change in the perceptions of clients towards the landscape industry so far in the face of the commotion around climate change. I do believe in time more people will realise that we will need to have more trees as well as conserved and constructed ecosystems to help reduce the threat. But at this stage, natural ecosystems are destroyed daily to feed an ever-growing human population and urbanisation. The benefits our industry bring to the issue are clear, even if we take only one aspect, the planting of trees in urban areas. We all know that trees filter air pollution, produce oxygen, provide relief from urban heat islands, cycles nutrients and water, helps to curb soil erosion, reduce wind velocity, and more. But not everybody does. Most people see the benefits of trees mainly as providing shade and as aesthetic features. It is up to us to verbalise the benefits that we as an industry bring to the table.

The response in Cape Town to the one aspect of climate change – the recent drought – was to reduce all soft landscape projects and switch off the irrigation. Plants in exposed areas will simply not survive our dry windy summers during the first few years without irrigation, and it would have been senseless to plant during the drought. But we adapted and it is now the accepted norm to use non-potable water and boreholes for all landscape needs. Projects are starting up again.

Unfortunately in Africa, we face far bigger issues than climate change, which is not to say we should shirk our responsibility, the reality is most government and council officials have to deal with massive social and environmental issues. Most of the bigger scale projects in Africa focus on flood alleviation, and while some NGO’s and development banks see the bigger picture, adding landscaping to the big civils projects, few local municipalities do. The current corona pandemic is helping fight climate change at a massive scale worldwide, due to reduced emissions, but the dialogue is very far from current news.

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LIGHTING IN EXTERIOR C O M M E R C I A L S PAC E S CENTURY CITY URBAN SQUARE AS A CASE STUDY

By QDP Lighting & Electrical Design

F E AT U R E

F E AT U R E

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entury City Urban Square (CCUS) is a mixed-use development in the heart of the Bridgeways precinct in Cape Town. The development consists of the Century City Conference Centre, Century City Hotel, the Apex offices, the Matrix mixed-use building (retail space, offices and residential), a structured, multi-level parking facility and a super basement, which connects all the buildings above. QDP Lighting & Electrical Design was responsible for the lighting design for the Conference Centre (internals and associated external façades) and the external precinct lighting (Energy Lane, the Piazza and the surrounding canal), and for the concept designs for the façade lighting on the other buildings.

The façade lighting posed the biggest challenge – effectively and aesthetically lighting the different façades, whilst adhering to green building requirements. This was achieved by a few methods. On the piazza side, high-level narrow beam fittings were installed, accentuating the strong vertical lines created by the glazed panels, whilst highlighting the texture and the façade brickwork. This concept was repeated on the hotel façade, which overlooks the square, and together they form a strong L-shaped enclosure, which ‘holds’ the square behind the piazza and the glass Apex building.

On the Kinetic Way façade, the lighting is more playful to break the flat brickwork panels. The custom designed and manufactured LED fittings create a feature during the day, with their play of shadows on the façades, and at night the fittings create individual glows, with slight pin pricks of light sparkling off of it. On the other façades

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where low level uplighters were installed, custom ‘spill light covers’ were designed and manufactured to angle the light back-onto the façades, and thus conform with the green building requirements.

The main objective for the precinct was to create a public gathering space for day and night time use.

To achieve this at night, lighting was critical and had to be inviting without being overpowering, provide a sense of security, be dynamic, and link the precinct to the larger Century City area. The circulation routes around the precinct are clearly defined by well-lit walkways. These wrap around most of the buildings and outline the piazza perimeter. The actual links between the precinct and the surrounding areas are demarcated by a series of timber decks, highlighted by low-level LEDs racking across the decks and defining the pedestrian exit and entry points.

Standing in the centre of the piazza, the vibrancy of the perimeter spaces is accentuated by the lower light levels of the piazza. The warm light levels of the precinct lighting are offset by a blue glow over the water body of the canal along the main perimeter road side. The blue light is created

by LEDs under the overhanging decks and the single blue light in each bollard, which creates a repetitive line along the water’s edge. The bollards were modified especially for the project to have three warm white LEDs and one blue LED. Nestled between the piazza and canal, and confined between two pedestrian access points, is the ‘Folly’, aka ‘The Language Pavilion’. The concept behind this structure was developed by the project architects. In short, there are eleven woven circles, each depicting one of the languages spoken in South Africa, size relative

to its population percentage. Since the Folly is a visual focal point and a stage for Square events, and it is seen from surrounding buildings and pedestrian routes, the lighting had to complement the architectural design concept of the pavilion.

Also, the Folly, which comes to life at night, is the element that creates the dynamic aspect of the precinct. Lighting to the Folly is mostly automated to ensure minimal user interface. The Folly starts to bring life to the piazza just before sunset, at which time the layers of static white light, in conjunction with some colour change elements, morph through various scenes until just before sunrise.

All in all, the final lighting effects achieved for various aspects of the project, complement the architectural designs and each other well.

In terms of what is to come and trending at the moment – there is a strong focus on sustainability, conservation and integrated elements. Instead of just using light to enhance a featured element, making lighting a cohesive part of the element is an important aim.

By applying the above trends, lighting to commercial precincts and building façades starts to become part of the architecture, part of the overall design, thus creating spaces and elements appreciated and utilised by all. Lighting is then functional and enhancing, and the design is successful.

MODULAR PLAY SYSTEMS

Modular play systems are designers and manufacturers of bespoke commercial playgrounds for the restaurants, shopping centres, schools and private estates. We specialize in custom designed playgrounds and have a huge range of standard playgrounds which can suit any application and customer requirement. vicente@modularplaysystemsint.co.za | 011 474 6930

CUSTOM SHADES AND DESIGN

Custom shades is a tensile structure manufacturer, we specialize in custom designed structures to meet our customers needs. We specialize in conical, barrel vault and hypar (shade sails) structures. Custom shades has a full design, engineering, fabrication facility and have our own rigging teams to carry out installations.

We service restaurants, shopping centres, schools, private estates and government buildings. bruce@customshades.co.za | 011 474 6930

F E AT U R E

By Megan Marais, Candidate Landscape Architect at Interdesign Landscape Architects.

GREENING COMMERCIAL S PAC E S : REDISCOVERING THE INTUITIVE

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he innate human need to affiliate with nature and natural processes is a widelyaccepted concept. As Söderland and Newman (2017:756) state: “Environments that are devoid of any representation of nature can not only make us psychologically unwell and regressive in our behaviour, but also make us display physical symptoms and responses.”

This is intuitive, however there are also numerous studies quantifying the physical and psychological benefits of the direct, physical presence of nature, of spatial configurations reminiscent of being in nature, and of indirect evocations of nature (Kandel et al. 2013; Alcock et al. 2013; Barton & Pretty 2010; Hartig et al. 2003; Hartig et al. 1991, Kellert et al.

2008; van den Berg et al. 2007).

This also applies to our workspaces, where mental fatigue is considered a significant occupational health and safety risk in modern

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workplaces. The growing body of literature on workplace productivity highlight not only the value, but the importance of how and where workplace breaks occur to alleviate this fatigue (Kaplan 1995; Ulrich et al. 1991; Cleveland 2014; Gillis & Gatersleben 2015).

While the design of the buildings we work in is important, the design of outdoor breakout areas, where staff are able to step away from their desks to refresh, gain focus, and boost mental energy, is equally important. Introducing more green space within a workplace environment is essential for increasing productivity and cognitive wellbeing of employees, which, in turn, help organisations to achieve their objectives.

For a break to be effective, psychological detachment must take place – the user should be able to mentally switch off from a task by completely withdrawing from the predominant

workspace environment. Therefore, what happens during a break and where it takes place does matter (Sonnentag et al. 2010).

Designers can contribute to this by following some of the principles set out by Browning et al. (2014) when designing any outdoor breakout spaces, namely nature in the space and natural analogues.

1. Nature in the space This principle refers to direct and meaningful interactions with nature. The strongest response is achieved by creating outdoor breakout areas where close contact with plants, natural light, water and fauna may occur.

1.1. Direct connection Where possible, visual or direct access to 'first nature' – an environment that seems pristine and untouched by human activities, such as a

F E AT U R E watercourse or an open piece of undeveloped land – should be optimised. Where this is not possible or present, the designer has the opportunity to enable and explore meaningful connections with nature through the use of plants and water by creating 'second nature', or cultivated landscapes.

For the user to be immersed in nature, accessible green space should be provided with single or clustered seating areas. In a commercial space, raised planters with integrated seating allow the user to get into close physical contact with flora.

Diversity, movement and multi-sensory interactions will be accomplished by the choice of plants. A varied planting palette offering diverse textures and colours will create diversity. Movement is achieved by specifying plants that respond to gentle breezes, such as Miscanthus capensis and Melinis repens.

Multi-sensory experiences may be created with aromatic plants. Those with fragrant foliage, such as Plectranthus neochilus and Pelargonium capitatum, will provide aroma throughout the year. Consider the Combretum zeyheri for an additional sensory experience – blown by the wind, its leaves and seeds create a sound that will enable an auditory response.

Figure 1

If allowance is made for indoor planting, several indigenous plant species may be specified.

Sansevieria and Zamioculcas zamiifolia tolerate low light conditions and irregular watering.

Where strong natural light is present, consider using Strelitzia nicolai or hanging pots of Senecio rowleyanus as striking features.

In commercial developments, water features offer not only an aesthetic advantage, but seeing, hearing or touching water enhances the experience of a place. Where this is appropriate and practical, explore water as an additional means for users to connect to nature.

Figure 2

1.2. Visual connection Spending only one minute observing plant life can lower stress and evoke a sense of calm (Lee et al. 2015; Lindemann-Matthies & Matthies 2018). In commercial spaces, views to green space should be encouraged.

Designers can enhance visual connections by enabling the user to connect with natural systems and creating an awareness of natural processes, such as seasonal and temporal changes that are characteristic of a healthy ecosystem. Including deciduous trees and plants with conspicuous flowers enhance and highlight seasonal change.

Figure 3

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F E AT U R E

References

Figure 4

Consider a planting palette where visual interest is enabled throughout the year by including winter-flowering plants, such as aloe species.

2. Natural analogues The reprieve and rest that breakout spaces provide may be further enhanced by introducing hardscaping elements that allude to patterns and materials found in nature.

Biomorphic forms and arrangements refer to symbolic references to contoured, patterned, textured or numerical arrangements that persist in nature. The biggest impact that designs of this nature can have is the choice of materials that reflect the local ecology or geology, and create a distinct sense of place. Introduce local stone, gravel or wood to the breakout areas in order for users to connect to nature indirectly.

3. Nature of the space This refers to the configurations and layouts of outdoor spaces. Humans have an innate desire to be able to see beyond our immediate surroundings (prospect), while being able to take cover (refuge). This may be achieved by creating spaces with an unimpeded view over a distance,

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Figure 5

while the safety of a vertical element, such as a planter or wall, provides refuge where the user may withdraw from environmental conditions or the main flow of activity.

Mystery and anticipation provide mental stimulation, allowing staff to disconnect from their tasks and refresh their minds. Circulation with partially obstructed views creates mystery and anticipation. Curved edges slowly reveal mystery and are more effective than sharp edges in drawing people through a space, which should be kept in mind when designing pathways.

Conclusion Introducing more green space has the potential to improve employee health on a cognitive, psychological and physiological level.

Where an individual works and takes breaks is as important to workplace productivity as the individual and their abilities. By introducing wellconsidered breakout areas where employees may refresh and recharge, landscape designers can aid in the cognitive, psychological and physiological wellbeing of those spending their time in commercial developments.

Alcock, I., White, M.P., Wheeler, B.W. Fleming, L.E. & Depledge, M.H. 2014. Longitudinal Effects on Mental Health of Moving to Greener and Less Green Urban Areas. Environmental Science & Technology, vol.48, no.2, pp.1247-1255.

Barton, J. & Pretty, J. 2010. What Is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? Environmental Science & Technology, vol.44, pp.3947–3955.

Browning, W.D., Ryan, C.O. & Clancy, J.O. 2014. 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design. New York: Terrapin Bright Green [Online] Available from: https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/report/14-patterns/ [Accessed 17 March 2020] Cleveland, A. 2014. Symbiosis between biophilic design and restorative healing environments: the impact on overall wellbeing of urban dwellers. Florida: Florida State University.

Gillis, K. & Gatersleben, B. 2015. A Review of Psychological Literature on the Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Biophilic Design. Buildings, vol.

5, pp.948-963.

Hartig, T. Mang, M. & Evans, G. W. 1991. Restorative Effects of Natural Environment Experience. Environment and Behavior, vol.23, pp.3–26.

Hartig, T., Evans, G.W., Jamner, L.D., Davis, D.S. & Gärling, T. 2003.

Tracking Restoration in Natural and Urban Field Settings. Journal of Environmental Psychology, vol.23, pp.109–123.

Kandel, E.R., J.H. Schwartz, Jessell, T.M., Siegelbaum, S.A. & Hudspeth, A.J. 2013. Principles of Neural Science. Fifth Edition. New York: McGraw Hill.

Kaplan, S. 1995. The restorative benefits of nature: Toward and integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology vol. 15, pp.69-182.

Kellert, S.R. 2008. Dimensions, Elements and Attributes of Biophilic Design. In Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life. Edited by Kellert, S.R., Heerwagen, J. & Mador, M. New Jersey: Wiley & Sons Inc. Lee, K.E., Williams, K., Sargent, L.D., Williams, N. S. & Johnson, K.A. 2015. 40-second green roof views sustain attention: the role of microbreaks in attention restoration. Journal of Environmental Psychology vol. 42, pp182-189.

Lindemann-Matthies, P. & Matthies, D. 2018. The influence of plant species richness on stress recovery of humans. Web Ecology, vol. 18, no.2, pp.121-128.

Söderland, J. & Newman, P. 2017. Improving Mental Health in Prisons Through Biophilic Design. The Prison Journal, vol.97, no. 6, p.756.

Sonnentag, S. Kuttler, I. & Fritz, C. 2010. Job stressors, emotional exhaustion, and need for recovery: a multi-source study on the benefits of psychological detachment. Journal of Vocational Behaviour, vol 76, no.3, pp.355-365.

Ulrich, R.S., Simons, R.F., Losito, B.D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M.A. & Zelson, M. 1991. Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, vol.11, pp.201230. van den Berg, A.E., Joye, Y. & de Vries, S. 2007. Health Benefits of Nature. In Environmental Psychology: An Introduction. Edited by L. Steg, A.E. van den Berg, & J.I.M. de Groot. First Edition. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.

Figure captions: Figure 1: Outdoor breakout spaces in commercial spaces, such as the break area at The Connexxion, Lakeside, allow staff to refresh and disconnect, improving mental agility and productivity.

Figure 2: Using a diverse planting palette creates interest.

Figure 3: Plants responding to a gentle breeze, such as Miscanthus, create movement.

Figure 4: This green wall installed at The Connexxion in Lakeside, Centurion, offers visitors and staff alike the opportunity to reduce stress by observing plant life.

Figure 5: Breakout spaces incorporating the prospect and refuge theory, such as the terrace at The Orion Building in Menlyn Maine, allow psychological detachment.

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W H AT I S AUGMENTED REALITY?

F E AT U R E

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ugmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), 360° photos and 360° videos – also known as spherical photos and videos – are all immersive technologies that extend an individual or group’s reality with digital information that is experienced within three-dimensional volumetric spaces. These technologies fall under a common term known as Extended Reality (XR).

Augmented Reality (AR) is the computing or the overlaying of digital information on top of the real world, viewed and interacted with by means of a Head Mounted Display (HMD) or via the camera of a mobile device that is, more commonly, supported by Google’s ARCore – for Android devices – or Apple’s ARKit – for iPhones and iPads.

space, from anywhere in the world.

Let us have a look at possible ways and ideas you, as a design professional, can use AR to propose or communicate your designs to your clients: Architecture – An AR mobile application can be built to use image tracking, which will allow you to scan a building plan, for example the floor plan, and generate a 3D floor plan model with relevant information on top of the plan in your real world.

Any user interactions can be applied to display any information you would want the client to see, or allow a client to choose between material options or finishes. The opportunity also exists for the client to experience the designed spaces in full 1:1 human scale, should safe walkable space be available to the client.

By Ryno Hills, 3D Visualizer Owner of Heuwelsteen

Whereas Virtual Reality (VR) completely immerses you within a virtual space that cuts your senses off from your real-world surroundings, Augmented Reality (AR) blends the digital with the real, without cutting you off from your real world. Digital information or content can be placed, viewed and interacted with from within your real-world surroundings that enhances or augments to your reality around you.

How can Augmented Reality (AR) be used within a design process?

Next, we will have a look at possible use cases on how AR can be implemented.

AR for designers – the present Virtual Reality is already being successfully used by design professionals – especially in Architecture – to visualise and communicate the designs to their clients. When presented with two-dimensional layouts, drawings and sometimes even beautiful 3D visuals, many clients unfortunately struggle to truly understand the structure, spaces and circulation in true human scale within their “three-dimensional mind’s eye”. XR presents many possibilities to better communicate the designer’s creation with better overall spatial understanding in relation to the human scale.

VR has fantastic capabilities for realism and graphics, however it does require expensive hardware and a physical location to visit and experience the design in a guided VR session.

AR allows you to communicate your design to your client without the need for you or your client to acquire additional hardware. Any person with a smartphone or tablet – created onwards from 2017 – with ARCore or ARKit support will be able to experience your designs in physical

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Interior design – You can use your mobile device to place your interior design elements within the intended real world empty space, for example, the interior living area you have designed for, to view and discuss the placements, colours, materials and finishes with your client. In addition, interior design mood boards can be made “AR interactive” with referencing mood images to any additional information, images, 3D models or videos you want your client to view for the proposed project.

Landscaping – Similarly to architecture, 3D layouts can be generated on top of your layout designs to display different information sets regarding the layouts of the gardens and lawns, hard landscaping, irrigation, garden lighting and references to plant species, etc.

Off-plan developments – Developers can trigger more engagement with potential investors with AR marketing material to provide relevant information regarding the off-plan property, before any show houses or apartments have been built. As an example, an AR app can be linked to the property listing to be downloaded. The AR app allows the buyer to view the 3D layout of the apartment on their kitchen counter and view 360° renders of all the interior spaces. In addition, any property information, videos, images and

3D models can be generated on top of printed graphics such as property brochures.

All of the above mentioned are merely a few examples of how AR can be used to augment relevant digital information, 3D objects or any user interactions to your designs to enhance the communication with your client. The XR technologies are still in infancy, and is evolving rapidly to eventually present more and more unimaginable possibilities in all industries.

How will AR and other XR technologies impact designers and design processes in the future?

AR for designers – the future AR and other XR technologies, network speeds, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, volumetric capturing and all within this “family of digital replication” of technologies are currently, and will continue, to support and evolve each other at rapid speeds. AR, together with other XR technologies, will become the norm as a design tool, completely integrated and implemented within an entire design and documentation process as well as the realisation of a project.

In the near future, you will design your creations in real world space and not only on 2D screens.

SHARE THE WONDER “We who are alive and understand what is happening are called to restore the earth’s natural systems.”

John D. Liu

Design | Landscaping | Maintenance Water Features | Hard Landscaping | Irrigation

Tel: +27 871 1595 | Fax: +27 872 3136 sales@justtrees.co.za | www.justtrees.co.za

+27 14 576 1925 | info@greenacreslandscapes.co.za | www.greenacreslandscapes.co.za

The Leonardo SANDTON’S SKYSCRAPER

PORTFOLIO

Level 7 Pool Terrace: 1,500m² Level 7 Creche and Chef’s Garden: 700m² Level 7.5 Gym and Spa Roofs: 280m² and 240m² Total Landscaped Area: 2,720m² FACTS R3 billion investment 56 floors in total, including ground floor 234m high Building area 125,500m² 1,251 parking spaces 6,050 steps to get to the top of the building

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he Leonardo is a mixed-use development currently completing construction in the heart of Africa’s richest square mile, Sandton, Johannesburg. This is now South Africa's tallest building, rising 234m from the street below.

This iconic 55-storey building is the latest venture by the Legacy Group, built in partnership with Nedbank CIB. The Leonardo serves as a beacon of hope, not only for the city, but the country as well.

Built at a cost of R3 billion, the Leonardo contributed to almost 2,000 direct employment opportunities, as well as between 18,000 and 20,000 indirect employment opportunities, through materials supply chain, manufacture and industry. The Leonardo has not only redefined the city’s skyline, but also how we view the concept of sustainable urbanism with options to work, live and play in one place.

A true mixed-use development, the Leonardo houses retail tenants on the ground floor, as well as, Leo’s Lounge, Bar & Deli, and the Leonardo Conference Centre on the third floor.

On level 7 of the building you will be met by the building’s recreational facilities which include the AURUM restaurant, Nature and Nurture Montessori Pre-School, an outdoor pool and deck with a gym and spa, five daybeds, and the wood-fired meal offering in Octo Bar – this level takes centre stage.

Rising above this is the tower itself, with premium grade offices on the lower section of the tower and the upper section being purposed for residential apartments.

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SUPPLIERS: Artificial lawn: Belgotex Grass – 010 615 0099 Play structures: Custom Shades & Design - 011 474 6930 Timber decking installers: Truestyle Hard Landscaping Solutions – 011 768 1305 Timber decking and cladding Rhino Wood – 084 580 6406 Cobble pavers, columns and interior tiling Marble Classic – 011 392 6700 External tiling Dekton – 010 500 2131 Pool installation, pump and tiling Water Dimensions International – 083 448 8283 Interior wall mural Chryso – 011 395 9700 Product used: VerticArt Irrigation installer Mainline irrigation – 011 444 4454 Product used: Netafim – 021 987 0477 Rain Bird controllers – 021 761 9919 Mature trees Just Trees – 021 871 1595 Bark Culterra – 011 300 9913 Planters Art 2 Date – 011 444 5077 Planting Tshala Plant Brokers – 071 683 1177

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MEET THE TEAM: Client: The Legacy Group and Nedbank CIB Architects: Co-Arc International Architects Landscape architect: Landmark Studios Landscape contractor: Greenacres Landscapes

PORTFOLIO

The seven top floors accommodate eight duplex penthouse suites with the building crowned by the third level, the 360° view Leonardo Suite.

Measuring 3,000 m² – 1,900m² under roof and 1,100m² of terrace, the Leonardo Suite is the most sought-after home in Africa and has redefined the opulent sophistication of modern African luxury lifestyle living. The structure is topped off by a viewing platform and future Sky Bar, with 360° views of the Johannesburg skyline.

Design of the Leonardo was driven by principles of sustainable development and green building with acclaimed architects, Co-Arc and interior designers Steven Falcke and Varoom, tasked to create Africa′s ultimate living experience, embracing the latest in technology and energy efficient luxury living in the sky. All of this is supported by original works of art created by some of South Africa’s established and upcoming artists.

Co-Arc explains their appointment onto this iconic build as the consequence of a lifelong professional relationship and history of successful development with the client.

Using an approach that establishes the economic, social and environmental parameters for each new building, the tower is an appropriate response to climate and social factors, as well as a highly innovative commercial model, designed to be complete and viable at a variety of heights.

The structure and servicing are expressed in the form of the building, resulting in an articulated slender tower that exceeded commercial expectation. The orientation and layout of the plans provide flexible floor space at every level, maximising views and minimising climatic effects.

With due regard to South Africa’s high level of unemployment, to maximise safety and labour utilisation, the building is largely constructed from concrete and aerated light-weight concrete blocks and drywall partitioning with the external skin consisting of transportable components, assembled and erected from the inside. Its groundbreaking use of engineered 'stone' as a cladding material allows for a lightweight perimeter skin that forms a weather shield and creates shaded deep recesses for glazed balconies at every level.

The refinement, detailing and careful consideration of materials results in an apparent simple yet timelessly elegant facade.

The public is welcomed into the building via a triple-volume arcade and a series of ground public rooms to a variety of public facilities including a seventh floor podium terrace and 57th floor sky deck.

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The landscape architects, Landmark Studios, were appointed to the Leonardo in 2015.

Although design began in earnest at the beginning of 2018. The landscape installation was largely complete at the end of 2019, with the approximate duration of the landscape contract reaching two years.

The client’s brief for Landmark Studios was to work in collaboration with Co-Arc to develop a contemporary roof terrace, inclusive of large lap pool, edge planters, bespoke timber gazebos and shaded structures.

To complement this, high-end terrace, the roofs of the gym and spa building were designed as ‘green’ roofs, and an abstract geometric pattern was used in the application of a variety of carefully selected succulents.

On the southern crèche terrace, Landmark Studios assisted the playground contractor in developing detail drawings for the focal play mound, as well as developing the planting palette for the chef’s garden.

Following presentations to the client and consultant team, the focal trees were chosen through discussion with the landscape contractor, Greenacres. Special care was taken to ensure the trees were wind-tolerant, frost hardy, evergreen, and of a species that wouldn’t shed fruit or have invasive root systems.

The planting palette was selected to be fit within the urban Highveld context, whilst still providing the luxury feel required by the client.

Belgotex was approached to provide the artificial lawn, as their high performance product is available in a range of colours that added whimsy and vibrancy to the children’s play area.

In terms of complications, the elevated paving – to achieve effective stormwater mitigation – meant that the timber decking had to be carefully designed to avoid interfering with this drainage. The timber decking material, Rhinowood, was chosen after various samples were presented in order to ensure a natural look with low maintenance. Certain planting species were also chosen for the perimeter planters to achieve a trailing garden look over time. This is still in the process of establishing itself.

This iconic building is a key indicator for the development potential in South Africa’s built industry and is a brilliant addition to the Johannesburg skyline.

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ABOUT LANDMARK STUDIOS Landmark Studios is a cuttingedge landscape architectural practice that carries out exceptional work internationally.

A trusted name in the industry, Landmark Studios is known for its remarkably talented team and commitment to excellence throughout the design process and project execution. Landmark Studios was formed in 1986 by Mark Young, one of three shareholders along with Glenn Wagner and Juan Jacobs. The close relationship between the Landmark Studios team and the developer results in a collaboration par excellence. Understanding the vision and feel of projects and designing to support these, the Landmark Studios team continually delivers classy and prestigious work, fulfilling and exceeding briefs.

PORTFOLIO

The Houghton HOTEL

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Completion: 2019 Size: 60 000m2 Total Cost of build: R870 million

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onsidered the gem of the affluent Houghton Estate, overlooking a Jack Nicklaus golf course, The Houghton Hotel offers all the services you would expect from a 5-star hotel, including conference facilities, a spa, gym, restaurants and coffee shops. This 180-room hotel forms the knuckle of the development flowing into two curved wings which house serviced apartments on one end and residential apartments on the other.

Architecture inspired by it’s Art Deco heritage wraps its undulating curves around the natural environment and creates a central piazza that pulls the golf course greens and landscaped gardens up to the threshold of the building, which floats effortlessly above.

Embracing nature as its hero, the architectural design required parking to be relocated underground. This made it possible to retain the natural landscapes, and focus on the views.

High precision design and sophisticated materials such as concrete, steel and glass blend with its Highveld heritage of natural elements and soft sweeping lines.

The underground storm river running through the site was central to the core design concept of fluidity. It has been reinterpreted as water features throughout the development and provides a sustainable eco-friendly water source for the landscaped gardens and golf course.

Merging indoors and outdoors, man-made and nature, Highveld and lush greens, The Houghton reflects the style and luxury of its wealthy surroundings. Its masterstroke was embracing the environment inside and out, making it core to all design considerations.

Landscape concept: Reconnect the visitor to the site through the use of water The underground river, flowing off the local ridges, feeds the streams and dams of the adjacent golf course. This river runs directly below the hotel site and the hotel gardens attempt to reconceptualise this as a surface feature. Modelled around the idea of a Highveld/Drakensberg waterfall, a series of linear concrete water features and ponds meander and fall from terrace to terrace, ultimately falling into two large pools on the lowest level. Although not physically connected, the ponds and streams give the sense that the water connects with the adjacent streams in the golf course. prolandscaper.co.za

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In reality, water entering the hotel basement is collected and stored in a sub-terranean tank.

This water is used both for irrigation and to top up the water features and pools. Within the series of water features, water is also separated into chlorinated and natural systems. Both feed into pools that can be accessed for swimming.

Using terracing and vegetation, the outdoor spaces also assist in breaking down the verticality of the building so that each space has a human-scale.

Garden spaces The garden spaces consist of an upper terrace connected to the restaurant, deli and sky bar.

From here they are linked to a raised adult pool and a sunken garden via a concrete bridge which follows a staircase down to a sunken spa garden with pool, sauna, steam room and outdoor shower on the lower groundlevel.

A reflection pond at the edge of the conference break-out space flows into a natural stream and establishes a visual connection with the golf course.

Materials utilized are polished concrete, travertine and terrazzo all with similar light hues. These are used in combination to create a neutral surface which the water flows over and allows a palette of forest vegetation to emerge.

The upper terraces are planted with a mix of perennials and grasses, keeping views across to the golf course open, while the sunken gardens below contain a dense and rich forest vegetation.

All the plants used are indigenous to South Africa with a large portion being locally indigenous to the Highveld.

MEET THE TEAM Client Asvid Holdings / Leading Hotels of the World Landscape architects GREENinc Architect Boogertman + Partners – Johannesburg Main contractor Stefanutti Stocks Landscape contractors Life Landscapes Plant broker Tshala Plant Brokers Interiors DSGN

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SUPPLIERS: Nurseries Tshala Plant Brokers – 071 683 1177 Random Harvest Nursery – 082 553 0598 Wildflower Nursery – 082 801 1741 Tiling Travertine from Mazista – 011 998 2600 Terrazzo from Union Tiles – 011 663 2000 Pool installation, pump and tiling Water Dimensions International – 083 448 8283 Exterior lighting Installer: Presto Electrical – 011 334 3333 Regent lighting – 011 474 0171 Lighting designer Paul Pamboukian – 011 880 2831 Wooden fencing and cladding Inovar – 011 262 2720 Timber Rhinowood – 084 580 6406 Bricks Corobrik – 011 871 8600 Cable rope structures Jakob – 011 460 1744 Steelwork and balustrading Manufacturers: A&D – 011 614 9966 Mecra – 011 493 6591 Steel Studio – 010 040 3720 Furniture and umbrellas Bloc Outdoor – 011 262 2457 Irrigation Controlled irrigation – 021 551 0355 Product used: Rainbird Grass Evergreen Turf – 011 948 7913 Soil and compost Culterra – 011 300 9913

WATER PURIFICATION | COMMERCIAL POOL SPECIALISTS Proud Design & Supply Swimming Pool & Water Feature Service Providers to The Leonardo & The Houghton Hotel Adam Kriel: 083 448 8283 | adam@wdigroup.co.za Herman van der Mast: 082 600 0385 | herman@wdigroup.co.za www.wdigroup.co.za

1 Park Lane

HOME OF BIDVEST BANK

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PORTFOLIO

Completed: Mid-2019 Erf: 21,000m2 Size of landscaping: 2,000m2 Cost: R2.59 million Location: Sandton Client: Bidvest Bank Landscaped zones: Street level (sidewalk) Ground lobby (indoor green walls and planting) Basement strip planters (levels 2-7) Reception (terraces and indoor atrium planting) 1st floor (terrace) 4th floor (courtyard) 5th floor (terraces)

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esigning one of the tallest buildings in Sandton posed a challenge for Paragon Architects not only in interacting with the street level, but also with the iconic surrounding buildings, which included Discovery and Sasol Place. The distinctive façade of the 20-storey 1 Park Lane was effectively ‘softened’ by incorporating planting in the façade design, project lead Dhiraj Ramsaroop explains.

With a lot of the newer buildings in the Sandton area being imposing glass-and-steel structures presenting a hard skyline, Paragon Architects wanted to ensure that 1 Park Lane had a unique identity. “As we ran through the different façade iterations, we quickly realised it was becoming quite a hard-physical mass. Our design was a glass-covered building, with aluminium fins on the east and west side. In order to soften our façade treatment, we decided to incorporate planting,” Ramsaroop elaborates.

Another striking feature of 1 Park Lane is that, while the nine parking levels with 1 000 parking bays are treated as a separate element, they are nevertheless integrated seamlessly with the 11 office floors. From the exterior of the building, it is virtually impossible to distinguish between the office and parking levels. In addition, all of the parking is above-ground and was utilised to give the building an identity within the precinct.

Another factor to be taken into account was that an existing low-rise office building had to be demolished before the site could be prepped for the new project. Before Park Lane was registered officially as a road, the building was referred to as Katherine Street Towers. Now 1 Park Lane is a flagship of the Katherine Street MixedUse Precinct, a 23,000m2 GLA P-grade office development by Alchemy Properties taken over largely by Bidvest Bank as its new head office. prolandscaper.co.za

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SUPPLIERS Interior pots Indigenus – 021 488 9909 Igneous Concrete – 011 827 7425 Irrigation Controlled Irrigation – 021 551 0355 Product used: Rainbird Steel planters on street level Tass Engineering – 011 975 0647 Custom tree grilles WilsonStone – 021 701 7655 Timber decking and slats for seating Eva-Tech – 010 593 9221 Paving Aveng Infraset – 011 876 5100 Exterior benches BVM Projects – 072 719 5800 Green walls Vicinity Green Walls – 011 321 0196 Planting Tshala Plant Brokers – 071 683 1177 Interior Plantscaping Bidvest Execuflora - 086 111 3247 Soil Culterra – 011 300 9913

PORTFOLIO

The other major tenants are Peregrine and Citadel, which take up the balance of the space at 1 Park Lane.

The building envelope consists of a mixture of A2-rated aluminium composite panels (ACP) and unitised glazing in a single energy-efficient system. In terms of sustainability requirements, with the building aiming for a 4 Star Green Star rating, a certain percentage of the east and west façade was blocked out to reduce the heat load on the interior, which in turn, improved the efficiency of the HVAC system. These ACP panels were integrated into the façade design by using current technology to variate the design, which was workshopped extensively with the façade engineers to ensure that the desired building aesthetic was achieved.

Natural ventilation is used for the parking levels, as opposed to the far more energy-intensive alternative of having to install a mechanical ventilation system. This was achieved by cladding the parking levels themselves with 30mm by 40mm aluminium slats, powder-coated in varying shades to add texture to the design.

The visitor entrance is from Park Lane itself, into a common lobby and reception area that also features a coffee shop. Unique features of the lobby are the planted walls and the extensive use of planters and large, free-standing trees that effectively blurs the boundary between

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the interior and exterior, where streetscape landscaping continues the lush theme.

The brief for The Ochre Office was adjusted a number of times through the lifespan of the project to accommodate the vastness of the build. At the onset, both the client and architect had designed for a multitude of outdoor and indoor green spaces, envisioning that the user of the building would encounter plentiful garden edges throughout the levels. As the project developed, however, adjustments were made to suit tenant requirements, feasibility, practicality and budget. This lessened the amount of natural greenery envisioned for the terraces, facades and street edge, but the team endeavoured to keep as much planted space as possible.

Challenges?

An example of a challenge would be the final change in the brief for the planters on the street and terrace levels at quite a late stage in the project. The introduction of the triangulated green walls in the ground floor lobby at a late stage of the project, with special angle and the lighting requirements, made for a tricky challenge. Logistics of getting materials to upper levels were also challenging – the team had landscaping on the reception, 1st, 4th and 5th floors above the 7 basement levels.

How were these addressed?

At a late stage, terrace and courtyard levels required adjustment to tenant requirement.

Construction detailing and revisions to planting and irrigation needed to go out quickly in order to reach completion within the contract dates.

The only way to solve this was to get the right minds together and ensure well-managed co-ordination through the late stages of the project. Vicinity Greenwalls was able to give us the basic layout and requirements for the installation, and then it was up to the contracting and professional teams to make it all work and ensure the successful installation of waterproofing, structure, services, lighting, reticulation system, planting as well as finishing framework.

Unfortunately, this fell to manual labour. Much of the fill and the planting had to be lugged by hand to the various levels – an outstanding job done by Life Landscapes and Life Indoors, a rather committed team!

Karen Marais of The Ochre Office explains her favourite concept through the project has been the interaction of planting with the street.

The architect wanted to bring a fresh look to the pavement edge, whilst remaining within the urban design guidelines of the precinct.

Together, the team managed to wrap planting around the north and east of the building, the eastern passage becoming particularly unusual as the building cantilevers over the shaded and greened sidewalk.

MEET THE TEAM Architects: Paragon Landscape architects: Ochre Office Landscape contractors: Life Landscapes and Life Indoors Developers: Alchemy Group

92 Rivonia C A P T I V AT I N G CORNER

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PORTFOLIO

Location: Sandton, Johannesburg Total gross floor area: 29146 m2 Size: 40,000m2 Total cost: R798 million The 92 Rivonia building is situated on one of the finest sites in Sandton. It was destined for an iconic structure to do it justice and the outcome has lived up to expectations. The site was previously home to a motor dealership within a rather modest arrangement of buildings.

In a bold and visionary move, Smartgrowth Investments acquired corner properties in a record setting deal facilitated by Watprop. DBM Architects were commissioned to design a mixeduse development utilising the bulk of 40,000m² with sufficient parking for the high caliber tenants who would occupy it. The Ochre Office was responsible for the landscape architecture onsite and has been responsible for designing many neighbouring buildings in this precinct. With the help of Solid Green Consulting, 92 Rivonia achieved a 4 Star SA rating through the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA).

The activity on street level in the precinct suggested a strong connection with Sandton City Shopping centre. The strong link was created from the main entrance of the 92 Rivonia building to Sandton City. This link was also emphasised in the landscaping design by creating a piazza-like space in front of the main entrance, along with a future Uber and taxi lay-by. Different landscaping textures and materials, and the placement and design of planters and street furniture were used to draw attention to the main entrance and to enhance the visual and physical link between Sandton City and 92 Rivonia.

Another driving factor for the design was to maximise the building footprint of the site and incorporate its shape into the building design.

"The site makes a triangular wedge on the corner of Rivonia and Pybus – this is a very strong, sharp corner pointing at Sandton City, and immediately grabs the attention of pedestrians walking by and motorists driving north on Rivonia Road," says Wynand du Plessis, the CEO and main architect of DBM Architects.

From the outset, the aesthetic concept for 92 Rivonia was to achieve an iconic and modern, yet timeless, building. Out of this, along with the distinctive shape of the site, has emerged a bold but elegant building that stands proud among the other impressive examples of modern architecture in Sandton.

When it came to architectural features, the client had ‘very high expectations of quality and

excellence’, but that suited du Plessis and DBM: "It’s a welcome driving force that enhances the experience of every user and occupant of the building." It’s evident in all the design decisions that were made – from the basic concept, to the high-end floor, wall and ceiling finishes chosen.

All floor-to-floor levels were designed with unusually generous head height. The minimum floor-to-floor heights are 4.5m, she says, and the tenth floor has a height of 7.5m to accommodate conference facilities or penthouse offices. The roof level has a height of 5.5m, with a glass façade almost all the way around that embraces the spectacular views of Sandton and the Joburg skyline in all directions, and opens onto a landscaped terrace.

"With the sidewalk being a busy pedestrian zone, the client veered away from too much soft landscaping," says landscape architect Karen Marais of The Ochre Office. "The brief was instead to design a bold, low maintenance and pedestrian-friendly edge to surround the building. The Ochre Office team planted fever trees along the Rivonia side to soften the façade, and focused on setting out strong paving patterns and build planters that would respond to both the building and the street. Small rest zones were creating between the tree spacings, brought to life with custom cantilevering concrete benches with an elegant steel detail in the same language as the adjacent tree grilles.

For the visitor, it’s the relaxing landscaping experience that will appeal, as much as 92 Rivonia’s more dramatic features, such as the soaring atrium and striking two-tone glass façade."

SUPPLIERS: Exterior seating and tree grilles WilsonStone – 021 701 7655 Exterior paving REE Paving – 082 656 3763 Product: Bosun Brick - 010 001 8398 Trees Just Trees – 021 871 1595 Compost Kyalami Compost – 011 466 0229 Mulch Brands Tree Felling – 086 170 8000 prolandscaper.co.za

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PORTFOLIO

Like with all projects, difficulties arose, this time with the hard landscape. Due to deadlines, the contract was somewhat rushed, and at the end there was still a lot of paving that had to go in between the kerb and façade.

Another consideration for the landscape was getting the lines right and then installing both trees and benches with accuracy and precision.

This was difficult as the sidewalk is littered with underground services. The team needed to make a few changes onsite to account for this, but still managed to get a good alignment of all the features.

Some existing Celtis sinensis trees were saved on the Pybus verge. The Ochre office planted a few

more to strengthen the feel of the road edge.

They then planted Vachellia xanthophloea on the Rivonia sidewalk as they offer a high canopy and striking structure without being intrusive. Karen states: “I think the strength of the project comes in the simplicity and the repetition.”

“A simple, stong and sustainable building has been introduced to a very well designed precinct in Johannesburg.”

The client wanted minimum clutter with as little maintenance as possible for the outside of this building. There needed to be clear views to the

showroom and any hard landscape needed to be strong and vandal-resistant. WilsonStone are to be commended on taking the vision of the Ochre Office, and managing to get the cantilevered bench vision to work structurally and aesthetically.

A simple, stong and sustainable building has been introduced to a very well designed precinct in Johannesburg, and this building certainly plays its part in adding to the elegance and functionality of this node.

MEET THE TEAM: Landscape architect: The Ochre Office Landscape contractor: Countryline Africa Client: Smartgrowth Investments Architects: DBM Architects Property consultants: Watprop Photographer: Michael Schmucker - Studio88 Photography

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ABOUT THE OCHRE OFFICE: The Ochre Office (Pty) Ltd is a professional design firm specialising in Landscape Architecture. Established in 2013, the company continually strives for excellence in design, planning and contract management, undertaking projects that vary in size and typology, be they private, commercial, industrial, or recreational and community sites. It sees its role as Landscape Architects firmly and fundamentally seated in the formulation of connections between people, built environments and natural surrounds – understanding the interactions between form, texture, space and function. It is within this notion of connectedness that the team seeks to design smart, sustainable, environmentally responsive and appropriately integrated landscape solutions.

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Haasendal GABLES

PORTFOLIO

Size: 8335m² Timeline of development for landscape: 4 months Maintenance contract: 12 months Landscape construction cost: R 1,1 million Location: Kuils River, Western Cape The Haasendal Gables Mall is situated on the corner of Bottelary Road and Saxdowns Road in Kuils River in the Western Cape. Lying at the foot of the gentle slopes of the Bottelary Mountains, Kuils River offers a more country life experience, yet remains close enough to the Mother City to benefit from the many city attractions. The convenience of this shopping centre combined with beautiful contemporary architecture is what attracts its many visitors.

The building was designed by SVA architects, with landscape architecture by Viridian Consulting and implementation by Enviromend.

The brief The client’s brief to Viridian Consultants Landscape Architects was to create lush, green, manicured planting areas with large trees –

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Platanus x acerifolia – to give an agricultural and winelands ambiance to the project. The site is located within an area that is transforming from an agricultural landscape to an urban landscape.

The landscaping, therefore, aims to acknowledge this link to its recent agricultural history, whilst responding to the requirements of a contemporary urban community.

The site With the water restrictions in the Western Cape being at an all-time high, and of course needing constant consideration, the team had to look at alternative plant material to create the lush green planting instead of using succulent planting all over. For the more public areas, like the parking and pathways, Viridian decided on Portulacaria afra, Searsia crenata and Carissa macrocarpa hedges – which are both suitable to create the manicured look, but can also survive with minimal water.

For the other areas around the perimeter of the site, a more succulent and indigenous palette was chosen which will survive with minimal to no water.

The client installed a borehole and a specialised filtration system to secure emergency water for the building, and a portion of this water was made available for the landscaping irrigation.

Very careful management of the water was required during the peak use following the first couple of months of plant establishment as this coincided with the summer months. The specialised filtration system was designed and installed by Alveo Water.

There were many challenges to this project, with the important one being the limited water supply and the management of the water demand for the various landscape zones, this has however turned out to be one of the project's most successful parts. Viridian Consulting also arranged to stagger some of the planting to ensure the largest areas that were to be planted with succulents happened in the cooler autumn months and that the first areas could handle a reduced amount of watering to ensure sufficient water for the areas delayed to autumn months.

Enviromend was contracted for the installation of a fully automated irrigation system as well

PORTFOLIO

as preparation and implementation of soft landscaping to the parking area and open spaces, with a portion of the site to be hydro seeded.

The parking area planting needed to be formal hedge planting of Carissa macrocarpa “green carpet” and Portulacaria afra, with larger spaces planted up with indigenous fynbos shrubs, groundcovers and seasonal bulbs.

Some tricky problems to overcome included the position of the irrigation water storage tanks being moved to an elevated area, which in turn, needed adjustments to be made to the irrigation system which had the need for the installation of a master valve to cut off the gravitational flow to the mainline. The team also had to make some adjustments in the layout of the reticulation onsite, as restrictions were in place for trenching under the overhead powerlines crossing at various places.

Because there were so many different professionals working onsite at once, timing became a concern and the landscape contractors were held up by other traders, having to force their way onto sections of the site.

The process initiated with the installation of the irrigation system.

An interesting point to note is that the existing soil was mostly rubble and G5 material mixed.

Enviromend had a stockpile of stripped topsoil that they spread as a growing medium, however, this was mostly filled with deleterious material which rendered the bulk of the stockpile to be unsuitable for planting.

MEET THE TEAM: Client: Dorpstraat Property and POD Property Fund Architects: SVA architects Landscape architects: Viridian Consulting Landscape Architects René Maria Brett

Plant materials were mostly six-packet and eco tray sizes which required the initial maintenance to be intense due to the vulnerability of the smaller plant material.

Landscape contractors: Enviromend Dominique Lamour

As with all new builds, there is a lot to consider onsite, and the teams by banding together have achieved a truly wonderful outcome, creating a shopping centre experience that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Images: House of Realtors - Haasendal Estate

Steelwork contractor: LRJ Steel

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PORTFOLIO

SUPPLIERS: Plants Alimandi Nursery – 082 389 6616 Little Orchard Nursery – 060 919 3939 Nonke plants – 074 143 7792 Shadowlands Nursery – 021 903 0050 Veld and Fynbos – 082 877 9838 West Coast Flora – 021 572 2205 Clay Bricks Claytile – 021 884 4589 Tiles Tilespace - 021 510 2081 Concrete benches Wiid Design - 021 447 2512 Water Feature Water in Motion - 083 227 5950 Lighting Regent Lighting Solutions – 021 552 7622 Trees Just Trees – 021 842 0003 Prime Trees – 021 300 5883 Cladding Safintra – 021 981 3130 Installed by Cladco – 012 348 4609 Compost and bark nuggets Reliance compost – 086 188 8784 Red Tractor – 021 987 1650 Pedi Manure – 021 842 3072 Concrete pots Classic Stone – 021 701 7611 Irrigation material and design Controlled Irrigation – 021 551 0355 Seed supplier Agricol – 021 981 1126 Geotextile Kaytech – 041 453 0755

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A B O U T V I R I D I A N C O N S U LT I N G LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS Since 2004, the Viridian Consulting Landscape Architects team, founded and led by RenĂŠ Maria Brett, has been committed to connecting people with nature. They find solutions to create attractive and functional landscapes in Southern Africa which are ecologically resilient and consistently developed within the boundaries set by nature, socio-economics and budget. Its vision is for a world where intelligent and environmentally sensitive design reconnects people and communities with nature.

ABOUT ENVRIOMEND Enviromend cc was established in 2003 by Dominique Pierre Lamour. The company has a small but dynamic team of employees, most of whom were and still are on a daily basis, personally trained by Dominique. It specialises in the commercial installation of irrigation systems and landscapes. It also does propagation of plants and trees. The teams are well trained and provide minor building and paving as well as hard landscaping services.

INSPIRE

EXPLODED VIEW BRIDGE ACROSS THE UPPER LIESBEEK RIVER

P

aul Cocksedge announced his first ever project in South Africa, at Design Indaba’s annual conference earlier this year. The internationally recognised British designer is creating a permanent timber bridge across the Liesbeek River in Cape Town, within the public open space of the The Upper Liesbeek River Garden.

It's Paul's second project to explore the use of wood and its environmental credentials – following on from his Please Be Seated installation at London Design Festival 2019.

The bridge has been initiated by Design Indaba and Paul, and is being developed in partnership with WSP and building company XLAM. It will be made of wood from the invasive Eucalyptus tree, offsetting its negative effects by using it as a building material. The species originates from Australia but was brought to South Africa in the 1800s for use as shade, windbreakers and plantation timber. The tree can, in fact, negatively impact the water table. Paul plans to work with XLAM to turn the Eucalyptus tree into cross laminated timber (CLT) – a structural, prefabricated timber panel which is a more sustainable alternative to concrete, masonry and steel, requiring less water and less energy to manufacture. The timber is glued in longitudinal and transverse layers, which ends up creating a very strong and very stable structural material.

© Paul Cocksedge Studio

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The design takes inspiration from the way planks of wood are stacked on top of one another, with the bridge resembling an 'exploded' view of one of these bundles. It creates a blur of timber, which appears to blend in and out of the landscape – creating a sense of movement, despite remaining static.

The timber lines come together and create clusters of benches, offering people a place to sit and enjoy the river views, as well as local nature and wildlife. “It has been incredibly exciting working with the team at Design

INSPIRE

Indaba and with the design community in South Africa, which has been the first for myself and my team,” says Paul. “This bridge is a relatively simple visual gesture, but it addresses important issues around our environment, and how we can innovate with CLT to create new structures.”

Paul explains that the Exploded View project has been a true collaboration from the beginning, when he was asked by Design Indaba to speak at their annual conference and create something special in Cape Town for the local community.

The Upper Liesbeek River Garden is a beautiful place for the community to come and enjoy nature. At the moment, people have to cross the river on stones, which means the connection between the banks is broken when the river floods. The idea happened when we started talking about cutting down the invasive Eucalyptus wood, taking that wood and building the bridge. It’s an important symbol, and a way to talk about energy, consumption, and how we create structures that are in harmony with nature.

© Paul Cocksedge Studio

"Paul continues: We’re working with engineers Leon Ras and Sebastian Docter from WSP and building company XLAM who specialise in creating CLT panels – a technology that was actually new to me. Head deep in the project, I realised its potential for construction. CLT is much more eco-friendly, and we hope this bridge is a way of starting a discussion around how we can use timber in an innovative way, while still maintaining the environment.

"We wanted to create something that didn’t feel static – it had to embody motion. We were thinking about stacks of wood and what these would look like if they expanded outwards to create a blur of timber."

© Paul Cocksedge Studio

The bridge is not just a crossing – the timber also joins together to create seats, so there are lots of pause moments for people to enjoy the views.

"The design of the bridge is important to us, and we hope that people like the way it looks, but we’re equally as excited about the fact that this is going to be the first 100% CLT structure in the area,” Paul summarises.

"This bridge is a relatively simple visual gesture, but it addresses important issues around our environment, and how we can innovate with cross laminated timber to create new structures.”

© Paul Cocksedge Studio prolandscaper.co.za

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INSPIRE

STEEL AND ALUMINIUM ELEMENTS ENSAFRICA’S THE MARC Strijdom van der Merwe, renowned artist, worked in collaboration with Lydia van der Merwe from ENSafrica on this steel sculpture. 129 Rivonia Ave (The Marc) is a very ‘visible’ corner in Sandton and the building itself is probably one of ENSafrica's biggest investments. They wanted to create something that is large in scale and fits with the site and surroundings. They wanted something that displayed the spirit of Africa, and so, the sculpture has been created to loosely demonstrating the essence of our connection, humanity, diversity, joy, rhythm, sense of home and safety and 'one-ness' that makes us who we are as Africans. Strijdom explains that for him, it was obvious to do a sculpture in the form of a ‘KRAAL’.

A Kraal in African tradition is the structure that holds and safe-guards your most precious belongings – your cattle. For several months, Strijdom and Lydia worked and brainstormed the concept. The colours used are those of the ENSafrica brand.

The sculpture also overflows and continues into the building.

The one pipe bends into the building through the glass and inside the foyer, and on the floor, you would also find similar pipes. The sculpture is also intended to be a talking piece. It serves as an entrance, and safe place, which calls and comforts you having a depth that goes beyond the obvious, and draws a response. ENSafrica’s intention is to disrupt the humdrum predictable and “conventional corporate”, whilst cutting through new-age AI-technology driven thinking to humbly bring to bear the question: “what is this?” It is about discovery, reflection, and wanting to hear and learn the story of being a part of something bigger than oneself. www.strijdom.com

ECO-DEVELOPMENT SUN SCREEN, KZN

By The Panel Factory The design team elected to use 2mm aluminium sheeting for its light weight and anti-corrosion attributes, as well as ease of cleaning and maintenance once installed.

The panel factory team resolved to design a template to align with the pre-existing mullions of the A-frame structures. The screens were fabricated in a manner that would eliminate any site assembly, this included a square tube support frame welded to one edge with hinges and a double-edge fold to the other side, which included concealed magnets to keep the screens in place and avoid any movement or wind rattles. The aluminium screens were powder coated. www.thepanelfactory.co.za

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INSPIRE

V&A WATERFRONT PARASOLS

By Tilt Screens The imitation and observation of nature has always been a fundamental inspiration behind many projects.

As humans, we have an intrinsic bond with nature and find that not only does it often bridge the gap between our architecture and the surrounding environment, it also brings us a little piece of calm within our homes, cities and outdoor spaces. An interesting take on various aspects of urban design and landscape architecture leads us to explore the notion of biomimicry in the form of an urban parasol design, a contemporary take on shading and privacy. This design is based on a conceptual and functional construct mimicking tree-like structures in the form of small, medium and large parasols to produce shading for the Battery Park rejuvenation project at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Trees are, of course, an integral part of any park. Commissioned by Planning Partners, Tilt Screens was asked to design the perforated umbrella element of the parasols, which led to a pebble styled pattern design providing not only shading to the passers-by, but a new spot on the block to socialise. www.tiltscreens.co.za

ALUMINIUM TROUGH PLANTERS

By Allsorted Designs Allsorted Designs’ client was looking for an eco-friendly, green solution to separate their canteen from the outside entrance and walkway. The solution needed to be sturdy enough to create a barrier for everyday use, yet moveable, should the need arise. The solution to this was to create a divider wall made from aluminium trough planters. The aluminium troughs have been powder coated in a charcoal colour and planted up with Buxus and Spekboom. Some of the troughs were manufactured with lockable castor wheels so that the troughs could be wheeled out of the way if need be. www.allsorted.co.za

140 WEST STREET BENCHES Design by Karen Marais, The Ochre Office. Manufactured by A&D Engineering The team introduced steel to the seating design on site as they were looking for a “light-weight” and pre-fabricated solution to both elevate the scheme and relieve pressure on the installation programme. Prefabricated mild steel tubes were positioned as linear extensions of solid concrete wall and bench elements in the landscape – appearing to extrude from the structures. These tubes were manufactured and positioned much like ribs attached to a spine – the spine being a concrete strip cast on the slab and the ribs engineered and fixed with a concealed bolt detail. The ribs were made in various widths, wide enough to sit on, and then tapering in width and spacing to blend into the garden. A light fixture was introduced to shine into the bench tunnel, emitting beautiful patterning onto the surrounding floor in the evening. The steel was powder coated in a dark grey to match the aluminium frames of the shopfronts. prolandscaper.co.za

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FUTURE PROJECTS

Westbahnhof, Vienna, AUSTRIA IKEA IS BUILDING ITS MOST SUSTAINABLE STORE TO DATE, AND TREES ARE PLAYING A BIG ROLE IN ITS GREEN CREDENTIALS

It’s not the first time IKEA has been linked to urban greening. Last year, the store partnered with British designer Tom Dixon to create an exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Boldly titled ‘Gardening Will Save the World’, the stand sought to showcase the future of urban farming, with hydroponic technology growing hyper-natural edibles on the ground level and a botanic oasis on a raised platform above this, allowing visitors to feel the benefits of being surrounded by this type of ecosystem.

bid to lower its carbon footprint, the new store will not include a car park. It is connected to Westbahnhof train station and is easily accessible from all ends of the metro line within 20 minutes.

Whilst Chelsea has a global audience, it’s fair to say IKEA’s latest project is on the next level. In a

This is largely after its research showed “twothirds of people living in the inner-city districts of Vienna do not even have a car anymore” and that

IKEA IS UNDOUBTEDLY SETTING THE STANDARD FOR SUSTAINABLE STORES GOING FORWARD

©zoomVP/querkraft architekten

IKEA is already a destination store. Customers drive there for the famous flatpack furniture, renowned meatballs and the social media shots in each of IKEA’s display rooms.

More recently, though, the Swedish furniture and homeware giant has been striving towards building a reputation as an exemplar of sustainability. In the heart of Vienna, it is building what it says is the “most innovative city centre IKEA store in the world”, with all four facades set to be swathed in green. Around 160 trees will cover the building, reportedly lowering the temperature inside by at least two degrees and creating a green beacon in Austria’s capital.

IKEA Vienna

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INSPIRE

©zoomVP/querkraft architekten

P R OJ E C T D E TA I L S Architect IKEA and querkraft architekten Landscape architect Kräftner Landschaftsarchitektur, Green4Cities

with the top two floors as a 345-room Jo&Joe Open House hotel, with a restaurant and rooftop bar.

IKEA says it will be “the most unique and green IKEA store”, with the architects striving towards BREEAM Excellent certification for the building and the grid designed to represent a rather unusual bookshelf.

The Swedish chain is also eager for it to be a place for people to socialise – to be the meeting place in the city centre. Situated at the end of Mariahilferstrasse, one of the main shopping streets in Vienna, it’s likely to draw a crowd.

Alongside the furniture store itself, there will be various businesses for the urban shopper to take advantage of a pharmacy, a hair salon and a bakery, for instance. The publicly accessible roof garden Strategy Index 2019, which looks will include a café, which will be open outside of at how digital technologies are helping cities tackle the store’s opening hours. challenges such as air pollution.

IT WILL BE THE MOST UNIQUE AND GREEN IKEA STORE

IKEA Westbahnhof will likely be a fitting addition to this forward-thinking city. Developed in cooperation with Viennese architecture firm querkraft architekten, the seven-storey building will feature the main store on the first four levels,

IKEA says that “it will be inviting, human-scale and standing out as a landmark”, as well as an “iconic retail destination for home furnishing”. The transparent, modern look of the building will make customers feel the structure is more open and more in touch with the outside.

Construction started in January this year, with the store set to open in 2021. IKEA is undoubtedly setting the standard for sustainable stores going forward, going some way to giving consumers confidence that the future of retail is decidedly green.

F O U N DAT I O N S

DURING WORKS

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©Robert Harson

consumer behaviour is increasingly leaning towards home delivery and online ordering. Of all the cities across the globe, Vienna seems like a perfect place to start trialling such a store. There are around 90 parks scattered across the city, with green spaces making up around half of the land in total. Its commitment to the natural environment is one of the reasons Vienna has ranked as the most liveable city in the world in Mercer’s Worldwide Quality of Living Survey 2019 for the tenth year in a row, and why it ranked first worldwide in the Smart City

PESKY PESTS EXTERIOR PESTS FOUND IN BIG-BUILDS AND COMMERCIAL SPACES

F E AT U R E

PESKY PEST FACTS

Written by Nicolette Ford, regional chairperson of South African Pest Control Association (SAPCA)

O An insect can be classed as a pest

ne man’s insect is another man’s pest!

when it causes destruction to crops, food, livestock or physical structures, or if it simply causes a nuisance to people.

Common pests in commercial spaces and big builds are cockroaches, rodents, birds, ants, spiders, and flies.

It is important to be able to identify a pest in order to know how best to approach the remedy to control them. Here’s what to do: Identify the pest Take a close look at the pest – take a clear photograph using your phone and enlarge it – and note some features like size, colour, wings or wingless, antennae curved or straight, or any other striking feature.

Identify the area where the pest was found as well as the conditions that may have attracted them. Scan garden areas for possible plant-eaters or take note of trails and mounds in the case of ants. Identify spider webs as well as stagnant water which will attract mosquitoes.

Correct identification of a pest and the conditions attracting them will assist a pest control technician to determine the severity of the infestation and the best approach to control it.

Treatment The type of infestation on the property will determine the type of insecticide as well as the method of treatment. It is important to commission the services of a professional pest control operator who is suitably qualified to administer an insecticide effectively and responsibly according to label instructions. For example, in the case of treating rodents on a property, a professional technician will have to take into consideration the possible effects of secondary poisoning of birds of prey in the area.

A professional technician will also take into consideration the presence of young children as well as people with compromised health systems

on the premises of schools, hospitals and frail-care facilities.

It is advisable to first take an integrated pest management approach to eradicate an infestation before considering the usage of poisons on a property in the aid to live a greener and more natural lifestyle: • • •

Eliminate the food source of the pest Eliminate harbourage areas Upkeep good maintenance of a property

Prevention Dispose of trash correctly – make sure dirt bins have secure lids – rats are able to open bins very easily and have been known to hold them open for each other too!

Clean up garden leaves, debris and decaying matter regularly. Mulchy areas attract a certain species of cockroach known as the oriental cockroach.

Fix water leaks – puddles of stagnant water attract mosquitoes and ‘miggies’. Damp areas become mouldy and can cause respiratory complications for residents.

Trim bushes and trees – prevent leaves and branches from touching the walls of your home or building to stop spiders and other insects from using foliage as a ‘pest highway’.

Clear the clutter – remove building material, firewood and general storage items away to gain better access to areas and also to eliminate shelter for pests.

Garden and weed control Maintain regular lawn cutting as well as weed treatments.

Seal entry points – identify openings where sunlight is shining in through a dark ceiling area.

Birds can easily enter these openings and begin nesting in a roof, resulting in noise nuisance and spreading lice to residents or office workers.

Cockroaches are known to spread pathogens and bacteria that are dangerous to humans.

These pests pick up germs on their legs and bodies as they wander through rubbish heaps, sewerage systems and drains, and they can transfer these germs onto food and food preparation surfaces.

Histoplasmosis is a potentially fatal respiratory disease resulting from a fungus that grows in dried bird droppings of pigeons, starlings, seagulls and house sparrows.

Reproduction in mice A female mouse can have up to 15 litters in one year, and can get pregnant again 24 hours after giving birth.

Ants don’t have ears. Ants “hear” by feeling vibrations in the ground through their feet.

Ants also don’t have lungs. Oxygen enters through tiny holes all over their body and carbon dioxide leaves the same way.

Flies can be a nuisance with their constant buzzing, but they are a huge concern for the food industry due to their impact on consumer health. Did you know that flies defecate – a lot? And they aren’t too concerned where they do it either! It is speculated that flies defecate every time they land, even if it’s on their (and your) next meal.

Call in the professionals The South African Pest Control Association (SAPCA) is the voice of the industry and consists of members who are qualified pest control technicians, wood-borer inspectors, fumigators and experts in various fields of pest control. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has encouraged SAPCA and the Pest Control Industries Board (PCITA) to train and upskill young men and women for a career in pest control.

For a list of reputable pest control companies with qualified pest control operators, please search by area on www.sapca.org.za

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GOING VERTICAL GREEN WALLS IN COMMERCIAL SPACES

NURTURE

Leanne Meyer, Life Indoors Manager

W

ith sustainability and wellness being the keywords and movement in 2020, there’s a greater focus on creating a harmonious workplace. Living décor, such as green walls, has become a must-have for interior spaces – providing much needed health benefits and adding unique aesthetic appeal.

There’s no 'one size fits all' when designing office spaces in 2020. Modern working spaces are designed with more than one function in mind. How to attract talented new employees, promote productivity and performance, as well as enhancing the wellness and wellbeing of employees are just a few of the things being taken into consideration.

The current trend amongst architects, millennial business leaders and large corporates is to include living green walls into the architecture of a space. So why is the latest vertical trend growing in popularity? Living green walls are unique in their ability to provide a large amount of greenery without having to sacrifice any work surfaces or floor space. They are also used as a form of art, an excellent sound barrier, room divider while at the same time, cleaning the air around us. This concept is a masterpiece in engineering which we have spent many years

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perfecting. A well designed living green wall is sure to create a talking point, leaving a good impression of the space to all who pass through.

This design accent is hugely appealing to current and prospective employees and clients who are longing for inspiring spaces to spend their time.

Benefits of living green walls The real power of a green wall is in the impact of its design, and this aesthetically pleasing concept is considered to be the gardening of the future.

But beyond the visual appeal, lies the move towards sustainability and the need to create a more mindful environments for people to work in.

Interior green walls, like indoor plants, are known to improve employee productivity by reducing stress, and filtering the air of germs and harmful office pollutants found in glue and paint.

The NASA clean air study program has documented research validating the benefits of indoor plants in human spaces. The results suggest in addition to absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis, certain common indoor plants may also provide a natural way of removing toxic agents such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air. The micro-organisms in the soil of a potted plant will also remove benzene.

Green walls in particular offer other benefits such as reduced energy costs, thanks to their ability to cool the air in summer through a process known as evapotranspiration – whereby water is transferred from land (soil) to the atmosphere.

During winter, exterior green walls act as extra insulation, reducing the energy required for heating a building. An exterior living wall has the ability to reduce the wall surface temperature by as much as 10°C. A living green wall can also reduce noise levels in a building. Throughout the world, plants have been used as a tool to absorb, reflect and refract sound.

Living green walls are great sound barriers due to the number of plants used, the surface area of the plants, as well as the structure of the green wall which all work together to reduce noise.

What to consider when choosing to install a living green wall A good quality living green wall involves a huge amount of planning, with consideration being taken of the actual available space to erect the wall, degree of natural light, what artificial light will be required to allow the indoor plants to survive, the size and stability of the wall to hold the structure, and the supply and availability of regular fresh running water.

NURTURE

All of this will determine what type of plants should be chosen.

Interior green wall systems There are various systems to choose from, including aeroponic systems or soil-based systems. Aeroponic systems are unique in that plants grow in an air or mist environment without the use of soil. Some of the benefits of aeroponics is that because their design is conducted in air combined with micro-droplets of water, it allows almost any plant to grow to maturity in air with a plentiful supply of oxygen, water and nutrients. The aesthetic look of this system is different to that of soil-based systems, in that the plant placement is not as dense – allowing more space between plants.

Soil-based systems are the more popular choice for vertical green walls. The system is controlled by a simple pump and drip-irrigation system whereby water is collected in tanks, then distributed throughout the vertical garden on a timer. A smart-sensor allows for easy monitoring of the vertical garden and alerts you to any irrigation problems which may occur. Plants are closely placed to each other in uniquely shaped clip-in planters, allowing you to achieve a lush, dense green wall with minimal gaps between plants. It’s also relatively low maintenance as the wall is self-watered, alerting you to any issues as soon as they occur. It’s also easy to replace plants when they outgrow the wall.

As urban dwellers, we live, commute and work with such limited access to green spaces, spending up to 80% of our awake time indoors.

Having greenery in our work and living spaces can provide us with a connection to nature and can be a daily reminder of the importance of protecting our environment.

"Beyond the visual appeal, lies the move towards sustainability and the need to create a more mindful environment for people to work in."

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M A I N TA I N I N G

Commercial Landscapes A

large aspect of commercial landscaping is indeed the maintenance of these spaces. A well maintained space will have a solid reputation in your area and place these developments at the top of the list when it comes to desirable places to do business.

A picture paints a thousand words, and commercial property owners and businesses will want to avoid their building and grounds reflecting badly on their brand, and so, will place importance on these spaces looking both attractive and safe for those who use them, not to mention the positive effect it will be sure to have on its tenants, employees and visitors.

We catch up with Quentin Kleynhans – director at Green Cube Maintenance & Landscaping to find out more.

What are some, top tips and key considerations when setting up a maintenance team?

Permanent on site teams that are supported by area managers should be established and permanently dedicated to ensuring that your commercial garden is a hassle-free source of pride and pleasure. A maintenance company will be inclined to offer various lengths of maintenance contracts and a range of service level agreements so that clients can be sure they’re received excellent value and the assistance they require.

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As a starting point, a maintenance agreement should involve lawn care and mowing; border line definition; leaf, litter and debris removal; supplying and adding quality fertiliser (including low-odour options); weeding; sweeping paved areas and neatly trimming hedges and shrubs.

On site teams will need to be monitored regularly by area management visits.

The difference between residential and commercial spaces?

The biggest difference between these spaces is, of course, the size of the area and the time it takes to maintain bigger spaces. It takes a few residential gardens to make up one commercial garden.

Commercial garden maintenance generally involves maintaining large garden spaces with large lawns. Understandably it is a bigger contract in keeping with the client's extensive needs. It is generally geared towards pristine pathways, perfectly cut grass and high attention to detail.

It is often best to listen to your clients’ needs and help them to get the best service you can give them within their budget.

Which tools are absolute musts?

Our team uses industrial equipment, like ride-on mowers, zero-turn mowers, brush cutters and also heavy-duty lawn mowers, blowers and edge trimmers for perfect lines. It is not always important to have huge machines, but rather to go for equipment and brands that are reliable.

Your top pieces of equipment?

We make use of the trusted brand Professional for lawn mowers, fitted with a Honda GXV 160 motor. They are used for both residential and commercial gardens.

We also make good use of Husqvarna Zero turns and Riders on big lawn areas, and all our handheld equipment is powered by Stihl. We would like to go over to its battery powered equipment in future to go more eco-friendly, and we have some plans to convert our vehicles into charging stations with solar panels on the top of the canopies, which we think will really be fantastic. Forward-thinking products are what we are being drawn towards more and more. All businesses should find ways of making use of more sustainable practices.

How big is the team that generally looks after these spaces?

site. Generally, we set up maintenance teams that consist of five team members and a manager, and an area manager that will visit the site regularly to check up on the level of work.

Every garden differs in size and in work, and we help every client in their own unique way. Some have requests for more elaborate work on site whilst others just want us to beautify the space.

How often do you condition the turf and replant? And how often do you fertilise these commercial spaces?

We normally advise the client to fertilise the space every three months (seasonally) and to do lawn dressings at the end of August. This is the best time as it is still cold, which is important, and will also happen before the summer rush.

Key considerations in areas to maintain: •

• •

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Lawn areas – mowing of the lawns, trimming of the edges and removal of weeds.

Flower beds – cultivating and keep it neat and clean.

Paved areas – such as walkways and roads - sweeping, removal of debris and weeds.

Pruning – of hedges, shrubs and trees and roses.

Extras – all the little things that matter in the gardens and to the clients. For example:

- cleaning of the electric fence - cleaning of gutters - taking care of the pot plants - spraying of herbicides and pesticides - fertilisers and lawn dressings - irrigation repairs Extra work that can be offered to your clients can include: • • • • • • • •

Redesigning of gardens Once-off clean ups Tree felling Instant lawn Irrigation systems Planting of new plants Split and plant Landscape products and organic products

ABOUT GREEN CUBE MAINTENANCE & LANDSCAPING Green Cube Maintenance & Landscaping is one of Pretoria’s leading commercial green space solutions provider, specialising in the maintenance of gardens for estates, complexes, business parks, shopping centres and commercial premises.

Green Cube Maintenance & Landscaping has been maintaining residential and commercial gardens in and around Pretoria for over 20 years. We take professional pride in every project and task we undertake, from complete garden overhauls down to daily weeding and sweeping. At Green Cube Maintenance & Landscaping, we believe in maintaining not just beautiful gardens but long-term relationships.

The size of the site to some extent will determine the man-power in terms of permanent workers on prolandscaper.co.za

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