LANDSCAPING SALI Awards 2016
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grown trees that were well mulched and composted are virtually all locally indigenous , hence already adapted to the conditions of the Highveld . Origin is an interesting cluster house development within Steyn City with 19 units where the houses are so close together that it was essential to provide privacy for each unit through landscaping – and this was a strong requirement of the developer . The landscaping and stormwater management were designed and implemented by Golf Data , earning them a Gold SALI Award , with Watson again making the choice of forest plants .
The slope of the site in this area was extreme and there was a level difference of about 2m between the upper and lower units . Initially , the retaining walls were only to facilitate the buildings , Viljoen explained . Golf Data investigated various measures to soften the slopes and control stormwater . He said the lower units could have been adversely affected in a heavy rainstorm . Forest planting was to continue in the central linear portion and in between the clusters .
“ Our decision was to extend the original retaining walls into the landscape to create private platforms for each unit . Not merely a forest environment but the creation of a small enclave for each house with a flat lawned area on which a child could kick a ball or someone could sit and read a book in privacy of the forest . Thick forest was planted all along the central pathway ,” commented Viljoen .
“ Our main constraints with the Origin cluster homes were lack of privacy , the steep natural slope of the site and the resulting stormwater run-off . Each lawned platform is sloped slightly to a catch-pit for stormwater . Rainwater , of course , also sinks away into the lawned areas . A bioswale was created below the lowest houses , where there could have been a major impact from stormwater , with stone and a perforated pipe , covered with rocks and appropriate vegetation , so that it did not appear to be imposed on the forest . All excess run-off is caught up and gravity fed to two major dams on the golf course where it is used for irrigation .”
The central pathway through the forested area is not only functional but has a natural appearance which is aesthetically pleasing . After the hard landscaping and shaping had been done , Watson placed the plants . A large granite boulder from site was transported to the end of the forested pathway and craned in . It serves as a natural water feature comprising only the boulder , two bubblers and planting . The sound of the water is gentle and relates well to the soft calls of forest birds .
Riverglen 4 : SALI Trophy Winner for the Best Landscape Construction and in-House Design . The design and construction of this river course and pathway , done by the Golf Data team , was highly commended by the SALI judges in early February 2016 because of the stream ’ s natural appearance , both in its wanderings and plantings , and waterlilies covered in blooms , then only 18 months after completion . Once again , Patrick Watson was responsible for the choice and positioning of the plants .