Embedded shIfts

The historic shifting dune systems within the Cape Flats share similarities with urban roof gardens. Through the sculpting of the landscape, they present the opportunity to construct protected habitats within harsh diverse environments. The form of the dunes is the inspiration for the sculpted structures that accumulate soil and facilitate growth of vegetation within the Parlour Garden. Deeper soils promote the establishment of canopy the damper dune slack areas support ground cover growth. Facilitating a softer, greener, cooler environment. Whilst the bisected dunes provide opportunities for sheltering from the wind, sun and the potential human gaze.

‘The memory of Pyp Gras’ an endemic primary succession grass stabilizing the dune slopes is embossed in the clay, reflecting on the fragility of ecosystems and the interconnectedness of elements, water captured in the recesses is directed into the ground recharging the ground water via a system of grooves, channels and planted beds. Where one condition ends another begins. The Dreams from the Rooftops present an opportunity to reflect on the ability we have as designers to create places of inhabitation that positively engage with natural processes in the facilitation and nurturing of eco systems.

The process of the development of the garden reinforced our delight and wonder in working within a collaborative process. From the initial concept to cardboard models, transformed through clay explorations, discussions, burst firings, glazes, doubt, Marti’s care and Marina’s encouragement.

The idea for the modular forms emerged, the more extensive idea is that they have the potential for varied configurations informed by context and programmatic needs, creating a variety of sculptural configurations. Shifting across the urban landscape embedding vegetation within the rooftops, transforming barren spaces into sculpted habitable environments.

Making of Embedded shIfts