The final architectural renderings of the new bonsai display area of the Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens (SUBG) were recently unveiled.
Construction was initially set to commence between 9 August and 14 August. However, due to procurement delays, the groundbreaking was postponed by two weeks, according to Dr Donovan Kirkwood, curator of the gardens.
The Stellenbosch University (SU) Botanical Gardens are a physical expression of the town’s history, according to Stuart Hermansen, principal architect at HB Architects. HB Architects were approached by SU to design the garden’s new bonsai display area. “When you start looking around you see all the memories that have manifested.” PHOTOS: Supplied/Stuart Hermansen
The drawings, published on 4 August, illustrate the new display space that will house the SUBG’s South African Heritage Bonsai Collection, said Kirkwood.
“The Stellenbosch University Japan Centre [(SUJC)] has committed [partial] financial support to the project,” said Kirkwood. The project commemorates the launch of the SUJC and celebrates Japanese-South African international relations, stated Kirkwood.
The project, which is due for completion by the end of November, will cost between R80 000 and R100 000, with the majority of the funding stemming from the SUJC’s income and budgets, according to Kirkwood.
The South African Heritage Bonsai Collection contains bonsai trees sculpted in uniquely South African approaches, such as the Pierneef style, said Dr Donovan Kirkwood, curator of the Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens. PHOTO: Kara Olivier
Pruned to perfection
“The [bonsai] collection is a national asset. There is no use in hiding it away,” said Jannie Hougaard, former chairperson of the Boland Bonsai Kai club.
The [bonsai] collection is a national asset.
A major highlight of the collection is trees from the personal collection of African bonsai pioneer Becky Lucas, said Kirkwoord.
Lucas’ personal collection was donated to the SUBG in 1972 and includes the oldest known bonsai in Africa, according to Hougaard. “The [pine] tree is likely to be around 100 years old already,” said Kirkwood.
“The collection also includes a number of trees from founding members of the local bonsai community and reflects a range of styles and species,” said Kirkwood
“Bonsai trees are living sculptures. They require hard work and careful maintenance,” said Jannie Hougaard, a bonsai enthusiast and former chairperson of the Boland Bonsai Kai club. PHOTO: Kara Olivier
Designing for heritage and horticulture
The display space will be integrated into the northern end of the Botanical Garden workshop, according to Kirkwoord.
A project like this is unusual and brings a unique challenge.
“Designing the bonsai display area is a wonderful opportunity,” said Stuart Hermansen, principal architect at HB Architects. The firm was approached by facilities management at SU because of their extensive heritage architecture portfolio, said Hermansen.
For the design they drew inspiration from iconic greenhouse architecture as well as the “materials, timber framing and grid-like structure of Japanese architecture”, said Hermansen.
“Sort of a deconstructed shed,” he explained.
“Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens holds collections of many species on the brink of extinction in the wild and not currently held by other institutions,” said Dr Donovan Kirkwood, curator of the Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens. PHOTO: Kara Olivier
The design aims to change your perception of what a research facility can be by “de-constitutionalising the space”, said Hermansen. This is achieved by extruding the workshop and “reinventing” it for public use and viewing, he explained.
“A project like this is unusual and brings a unique challenge,” said Hermansen. He explained that they had to take the fact that bonsai trees often get stolen into consideration when designing the space.
“It is as much about how they are maintained as how they are displayed,” said Jannie Hougaard, a bonsai enthusiast and former chairperson of the Boland Bonsai Kai club. “[Bonsai trees] require tender love and care.” PHOTO: Kara Olivier