The Cape Bird Club

Falsebay Ecology Park - new head quarters.

This is a working partnership with the City of Cape Town and the CBC.

A series of photographs taken from the begining of the onsite project in June 2009.

The remains of the derelect old powerboat association building which was abandoned years ago. The land belongs to the City, so it was decided to use the same footprint and the structurally sound parts of the building to transform it into the new head quarters.

The Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve and the Southern Birding Area will have offices based here. The Environmental Education Centre is a short way down the road. 

Joanne Jackson from the Environmental Resource Management Dept for the City, has driven the project with Asieff Khan and his staff. This is the first phase of 3 phases of development for this site. The building will be shared with the Western Province Rowing Club next door. The members will be pleased with the changeroom facilities.

Congratulations to Joanne for making this happen under the current economic climate, it is a very real achievement.

photograph by Declan Ross                                                   photograph by Declan Ross

Work started in June 2009 This is the                  This is the south face lookin north over Zeekoevlei
north face.                                                         towards Devils Peak on the right and the back of 
                                                                        Table Mountain.

photograph by Declan Ross                                                       photograph by Declan Ross

Progress at the begining of November 2009.           These are the western and southern faces.
Looking at the eastern face with Muizenberg
behind.

photograph by Declan Ross                                                 photograph by Declan Ross

These are the north and west faces.                       The eastern face.

photograph by Declan Ross

Inside and upstairs on the top floor.

photograph by Declan Ross

This is a view from the top floor in a NW direction over Zeekoevlei.

photograph by Declan Ross

This is a view from the top floor of the Zeekoevlei eastern shore
which is part of the Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve. The Western Province Rowing Club buildings next door.

photograph by Declan Ross                                                              photograph by Declan Ross

The eastern face in February 2010.                              The north and western faces.

photograph by Declan Ross                                                              photograph by Declan Ross

The western face.                                                       The detail of the attractive stone cladding.

photograph by Declan Ross

The bathrooms progressing.

photograph by Declan Ross

The showers will be a very welcome addition for the staff and rowing club members.

photograph by Declan Ross

Security has been considered and all the windows and doors have roller shutters.

photograph by Declan Ross

View from the road looking north.
It is planned to take occupation in July 2010.

The False Bay Ecology Park Steering Committee had its April meeting in the new headquarters building, in the room at the top.
The building features a number of "green building methods and services".

• sand bag walls are used for part of the construction.

• solar hot water is used throughout the building.

• a grey water system is in use throught the building.

• there is a stairway lift for those not able to manage the stairs.

• environmentaly friendly paint finishes throughout.

• rainwater is harvested for use in the building.

Part of the Committee members listening to how the grey water
system works, explainded by Joanne on the guided walk about.

Joanne in the middle answering questions by Steven Granger and Councillor Demetri Qually.

The landscaping is all local indigenous plants from Neil Major's
 Cape Flats Fynbos Nursery, based at Rondevlei Nature Reserve.

The magnificent view looking north across the vlei from the room at the top, Devil's Peak
on the right in the background.