Set in the tranquillity of the Constantia Valley this residential estate offers an ideal home for the empty nesters and is a well-considered integration of site, contextual appropriateness, vernacular architectural interpretation and landscape responsiveness.
The estate consists of 18 duplex row units arranged in a U-shape around a central court, being an interesting scaled play on a vernacular Cape Dutch house form.
Access to the site is from a private driveway off Zwaanswyk Road which leads to the entrance gatehouse. All units are outward facing with semi-private lawned garden spaces open to a shared green commonage with a circular meandering perimeter walking route providing views over the Tokai forest Conservancy area and the Constantiaberg beyond.
The development captures the essence of Cape style, being a contemporary interpretation of the vernacular white walled architecture and landscaping associated with the Cape.
The landscape response provides definition to the architectural composition, framing and layering the landscape with low white walls from the entrance gateway, pool & vegetable garden, central court and perimeter gardens.
Existing plane & new indigenous trees, groundcovers and shrubs provide further structure to the landscape concept.
Stormwater is attenuated through a buried gabion detention system and small simulated seasonal wetland area sensitively incorporated into the design.
This project fits well into the city’s densification policy and is a well-considered integration of site, contextual appropriateness, traditional architectural interpretation and landscape responsiveness.