Nestled at the base of the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, Thaba-Eco Village is a pioneering residential community that integrates nature, sustainability, and modern living. Spread across 300 hectares of pristine wilderness, it offers homeowners and visitors an exceptional opportunity to connect with the environment through hiking, running, and cycling.
Amenities include a lifestyle centre, indoor gym, swimming pool, Montessori school with an enclosed play area, and sports facilities featuring padel courts, a skate park, a five-a-side soccer field, and a basketball court. Boogertman and Partners oversaw the landscape design and installation for the Thaba Boulevard, lifestyle centre, sports centre, and Montessori school. A significant challenge was constructing the sports centre on a steep incline, necessitating the installation of extensive Loffelstein retaining walls, softened by planted terraces.
The landscaping brief focused on enhancing local biodiversity, particularly bird habitats. The design adhered to Green Star principles, using indigenous or endemic plant species that are water-efficient and low maintenance. Organic shapes and rock-packed gabions were used to blend with the natural environment. Social spaces were created for residents and visitors to unwind and connect. The Montessori school landscape fosters a love of learning and nature, featuring wooden jungle gyms, a vegetable/herb garden, texture paths, hopscotch, tunnel berms, sand pits, swings, and a dedicated area for ride-on kick bikes.
Plant selection for the lifestyle centre prioritized species native to the Andesite Mountain Bushveld region, chosen for their water efficiency and low maintenance. The natural features of the site guided plant selection, creating a backdrop that added distinction to the project. The planting design features mainly grasses and succulents, mimicking the natural landscape.
Hard landscaping includes a simple selection of paving. Bevel paving was chosen for the walkway alongside the parking areas, while cobble-style paving was used for all main walkways. Light-coloured paving was selected to draw attention to the natural surroundings. Loffelstein retaining walls with smooth front edges were installed and planted to create green walls and enhance aesthetic appeal. Standard features of Balwin developments, such as interactive play fountains and water features, were incorporated to create interest. The water feature in the Montessori school play area includes a hand pump, allowing children to develop motor skills through interactive play. Wooden jungle gyms harmonize with the rustic environment, their roofs matching the corrugated metal used for the barn structures.
The project is also eco-conscious, featuring solar panels on the lifestyle centre roof, waterwise and low-maintenance landscaping, rainwater storage for irrigation, bike facilities, and recycling initiatives.
