LOCAL NEWS
Woven into landscape
DAVE SOUTHWOOD
Over time , these extensive trellises will be further integrated into the garden ; overgrown with more than a dozen species of climbing plants .
A
creative collaboration between London-based architects Steyn Studio and Square One Landscape Architects ’ South African office has resulted in the effortless fusion between architecture and landscape .
The brief called for the new development , which included gardens , a small restaurant / café called ‘ Die Spens ’ ( The Pantry ) and gift shop (‘ Winkel ’), on the Bosjes Estate to be relevant and contextual , providing an inviting and inspiring journey between the two key attractions on the estate : the well-known Bosjes chapel and the manor house , whilst not interfering with the visual dialogue between the two .
The new garden is a conceptual microcosm of the broader landscape , referencing the regional context of the agricultural Breedekloof Valley , not far from Cape Town . The new gardens therefore , create a beautiful playscape that encourages children and adults to engage with the natural world , and the buildings nestled within it . Diverse ecologies were created by integrating wetlands and natural water treatment systems with forest habitats and rehabilitated indigenous vegetation . The overall design respectfully acknowledges the presence of the historic manor house and chapel on the estate and visually enhances the previously established relationship between the two , as well as the surrounding vineyards and mountain backdrops .
In order to hide approximately 750m ² of building , it was decided early on to have two separate buildings , which also adds to the visitor experience . Steyn Studio worked closely with Square One to not only position the built structures in the landscape as curiosities , but also as anchors around which the landscape was then designed . The seamless integration of the landscaping elements with the built structures was an essential design objective from the start of the project .
The simple architectural forms of the buildings were inspired by the huts of the San called a ‘ Matjieshuis ’ ( Mat House ) as well as the first dwellings of the Dutch settlers , called ‘ Kaphuis ’ ( Truss House ), which was apparently influenced by the San . The Kaphuis could therefore have been a hybrid of sorts between these two cultures . The Matjieshuis was a portable , curved structure covered with woven mats , used by San herders as they migrated with their cattle during precolonial and early colonial times . The Kaphuis was a series of A-frame trusses covered with thatch . Both structures were part of this historical landscape and blended subtly with their surroundings .
Intricately curved American white oak trellis structures , a subtle homage to the San huts , serve as a visual focus that guides visitors inwards and then twists to create the enclosures of the café / restaurant and gift shop which are then ‘ carpeted ’ over with the new gardens . Over time , these extensive trellises will be further integrated into the garden ; overgrown with more than a dozen species of climbing plants .
“ The American white oak was selected ultimately due to its durability combined with the properties it contains when heated – the sap liquefies allowing specific radii to be bent to a reasonable accuracy . When cooled the shape is retained . This was based on analysis provided by ARUP and completed by the engineer Henry Fagan ,” says Callum Semple , Senior Architectural Technologist at Meyer & Associates .
www . timberiq . co . za // OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 3