Design with Nature: Groenkloof Nature Reserve

Studio leader: Dr Karen Botes

Studio assistants: Mr Marc Sheratt, Miss Ruth Manda

This studio focuses on developing a net-positive entertainment and accommodation facility in the Groenkloof Nature Reserve in Tshwane. Established in 1895 by President Paul Kruger as Africa's first game sanctuary, the reserve is a rich cultural, historic and ecological site, home to diverse flora and fauna. Together with the nearby Voortrekker Monument and Nature reserve, Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum and Klapperkop Nature Reserve, the reserve forms part of a potential tourism, heritage and cultural hub in Tshwane (Tshwane Economic Development Agency, 2018).

This studio is tasked with designing a context-appropriate and regenerative entertainment facility, including a kitchen, ablution, overnight accommodation, and an outdoor recreational space addressing the stormwater issues currently experienced on the site to replace the existing lapa. Students participating in the studio will present their proposals to the City of Tshwane's Environment and Agricultural Management Division.

The core objective is to create an immersive and authentic nature experience that seamlessly blends with the environment and offers diverse recreational opportunities, while upholding principles of ecological sensitivity and responsible tourism. A key design aspect is to promote environmental education, raise awareness about the reserve's rich biodiversity and heritage, encourage human-nature relationships, and foster biodiversity. The programme for the architecture students includes an entertainment area, kitchen, ablution facilities and parking for 150 people, and overnight accommodation for 6 to 8 people. The landscape architecture students will focus on the educational and passive recreation landscape, addressing the site's stormwater challenges through contour manipulation, the Apies River-riparian landscape, parking and entrance to the entertainment and accommodation areas. The landscape design is central to the project, aiming to blend the proposed buildings into the natural landscape, encourage the preservation and appreciation of the reserve's rich biophysical environment and heritage, and create a unique tourism experience for visitors to the Groenkloof Nature Reserve.