This project is located in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve on the southern stretch of the Hottentots Holland mountain range. The area is a renowned world Heritage Site and considered the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom with its remarkable selection of mountain fynbos. Vast valleys, rolling mountains and indigenous fynbos vistas characterize the site. The project consists of a series of facilities which include an administration building that accommodates the reserves environmental staff; a natural ecological swimming pool; a network of floating timber boardwalks, and tourist accommodation units — 5 x Two person cabins, and 3 xsix person cabins.
Constraints Stringent environmental constraints informed the design as well as the construction process. These constraints were the careful management of waste; dust management; sound and light pollution; water use; storm water and erosion; fire mitigation measures; and vegetation protection.
The isolated site, located 1. The option of pre-fabricated units and delivering them to site was limited by this constraint early on in the design process. The location of the facilities within the reserve was carefully considered and selected through an EIA.
This relatively small piece of ground was chosen due to its comparatively low impact on the natural environment, avoiding natural water ways, and extremely rare fynbos species.
The isolation of the facilities means limited access to networked services such as sewerage, electricity, and water. Design The design was initiated by carefully mapping out the area designated for construction by the EIA to understand its topography and vegetation. From this, small working areas were pegged out on site to locate the cabins in a way that minimized damage to fynbos and impact on the existing vegetation.
