Pro Landscaper Gulf May 2016 by Eljays44

Concept to Delivery

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

GULF

May 2016

STANDOUT PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS STYLISH OUTDOOR KITCHENS OUR PICK OF

RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

OUTDOOR DESIGN & BUILD SHOW GUIDE

THE BIG INTERVIEW P001_cover.indd 1

17/05/2016 09:42

ADS ADS TEMPLATE.indd TEMPLATE.indd 11

17/05/2016 14/12/2015 15:32 12:57

WELCOME

May 2016 | Volume 2, Issue 2

Concept to Delivery

GULF

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

STYLISH OUTDOOR KITCHEN

May 2016

STANDOUT PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

OUR PICK OF

Welcome to May 2016

RHS CHELSEA FLOWER

OUTDOOR DESIGN & BUILD

SHOW

SHOW GUIDE

THE BIG INTERVIEW P001_cover.indd 1 17/05/2016 09:42

Welcome to the May 2016 issue of Pro Landscaper Gulf. As many of you will know, May is an exciting month as it is when the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the most prestigious event in our industry, takes place in London. In this issue, we highlight some of the Main Avenue gardens, designed and constructed by world-leading garden designers and landscape contractors. If you are creating and building high spec gardens, we urge you to think about how you can use them to market your expertise. Photography is the best way to show prospective clients the quality of your work, and we have some simple tips and information to help you get it right from page 10 of this issue. In the Gulf region, it is commonplace to use outdoor space to its full potential. Outdoor kitchens are an excellent way of utilising your garden in those months when it’s not too hot to spend time outside. International interior architect and landscape designer Anji

Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA, UK Tel: +44 (0)1903 777 570 Publisher – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: +44 (0)1903 777 589 EDITORIAL PLGulf@eljays44.com Editor – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: +44 (0)1903 777 579 Commissioning Editor – Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: +44 (0)1903 777 577 Production Editor – Susie Duff susie.duﬀ@eljays44.com Tel: +44 (0)1903 777 578

Connell offers advice on how to maximise use of your clients’ outside space on pages 8 and 9 of this issue. We have some fabulous international portfolios for you to enjoy and take inspiration from this month, and a fantastic interview with Steven Velegrinis, landscape architect and director of urban design in Dubai at Perkins+Will. If any of you are planning on visiting the Outdoor Design and Build Show at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 23 – 25 May, you will be interested in finding out who will be exhibiting and what you can expect to see. We have a comprehensive show preview starting on page 29. Have a great month.

Joe Wilkinson Committed to producing the best landscape magazine in the region.

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager Sales – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: +44 (0)1903 777 588

Design – Amy Downes Kara Thomas

Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: +44 (0)1903 777 589

Pro Landscaper’s content is available for licensing overseas. Contact jamie.wilkinson@ eljays44.com

MARKETING AND CIRCULATION Tel: +44 (0)1903 777 587

Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA, UK. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

Subscription enquiries amber.bernabe@eljays44.com Tel: +44 (0)1903 777 581

Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd – Connecting Horticulture

Whilst every eﬀort has been made to maintain the integrity of our advertisers, we accept no responsibility for any problem, complaints, or subsequent litigation arising from readers’ responses to advertisements in the magazine. We also wish to emphasise that views expressed by editorial contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.

Sub Editor – Charlotte Cook charlotte.cook@eljays44.com Tel: +44 (0)1903 777 570

GULF

www.prolandscaper.ae

Page03_leader.indd 3

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

17/05/2016 15:52

Pro Landscaper Media Partner

Special Events Business Seminars

SAVE THE DATE... TUESDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2016

Largest array of exhibitors

The UK’s pe leading landsca event

THE FUTURE OF LANDSCAPING SANDOWN PARK RACECOURSE, ESHER, SURREY WWW.FUTURESCAPEEVENT.COM 52

Pro Landscaper / July 2015

ADS TEMPLATE.indd 1 FS amy.indd 52

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/05/2016 16:04 15:41 03/03/2016

CONTENTS

May 2016

Volume 2 Issue 2

GULF

22 7

News Shed The latest industry news from across the Gulf region

EXPERTS 8 Al fresco living

Landscape designer Anji Connell considers the best options to tap into the growing trend for outdoor kitchens

FEATURES 18 Pick of Chelsea

Our collection of six of the best Main Avenue show gardens from this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RHS Chelsea Flower Show

PORTFOLIOS 22 Learning curve

Leon Kluge created the Living Beehive art installation at the Durban Botanic Gardens to help educate local children

Photography tips Adam Corrie of design consultancy Synergy 3 Ltd advises on how to make your projects look their best

Save the trees We need to put more consideration into the needs of trees in our paved streetscapes, says Duncan Denley

www.prolandscaper.ae

P005_Contents.indd 5

An English garden British landscapers e-scape Landscape Architects created a quintessential British garden

SHOW GUIDE 29 Agenda

A rundown of the Leaders in Landscape Summit at the Outdoor Design and Build Show 2016 in Dubai

INTERVIEW 13 Steven Velegrinis

The head of urban design in the region for Perkins+Will discusses his views of the industry and what the future holds for landscape architecture in the Gulf

Exhibitors The comprehensive A-Z guide of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibitors at the show

12 Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

17/05/2016 15:44

ADS TEMPLATE.indd 1

17/05/2016 15:27

NEWS

NEWS SHED Dubai summit in ‘green infrastructure’ spotlight Leading construction experts and architects gathered to discuss key topics related to sustainable projects and green infrastructure, besides exploring new techniques in landscape architecture and design, at a recent summit in Dubai, UAE. The Middle East Smart Landscape Summit was organised by Expotrade under the patronage of Dubai Municipality from April 25 to 26. The fourth edition of the annual summit focused on how to transform Dubai through innovative sustainable landscape architecture, design and planning.

www.prolandscaper.ae

P07_news.indd 7

The summit featured more than 25 leading speakers, including: Leo Alvarez, the principal at Perkins+Will; Paul Reynolds, the urban designer and chartered landscape architect from Atkins, and Eamonn Byrne, the principal landscape architect at Ebla. Jason Turner, landscape architect and urban designer from GHD, spoke about landscape architectural strategies for improving pedestrian comfort in the Middle East, digital landscape architecture, planting design for the ‘smart city’ in the 21st century and ‘finding our place in the world.’ www.tradearabia.com

Abu Dhabi launches new street design tool The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has launched a comprehensively upgraded online application that allows planners and engineers to design safer and more walkable streets. The new and improved Abu Dhabi Urban Street and Utility Design tool was unveiled on the second day of the Cityscape Abu Dhabi property exhibition, held recently in the UAE capital. Developed by the UPC, the software provides cross-section and overhead views of a variety of street scenes, allowing designers to set road and sidewalk elements, and incorporate features such as parking, public transport and

utility corridors, all within the guidelines of the UPC’s frameworks and manuals. Senior executives from the UPC held live demonstrations of the tool, going through its expanded capabilities, before handing over to delegates to design their own streets. The unveiling follows a nine-month redesign process in which the UPC consulted with a wide range of stakeholders. The result is a streamlined tool that can be used in a greater number of design scenarios and can be customised for use in urban environments all over the world. www.tradearabia.com

Dubai Nursery to produce 200m seedlings A Dubai-based nursery is capable of producing 200m seedlings used for landscaping in the emirate. The announcement was made during the visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Thursday to Dubai Municipality’s Plants and Flowers Nursery. The largest agricultural nursery in the UAE is spread over an area of 36 hectares in Warsan. During his visit, Shaikh Mohammad toured different facilities, including the tissue laboratory and was briefed about its capacity and the process of production. He also visited the

main nursery, which is operated by an electronic system with a total annual production capacity of 200m seedlings. Shaikh Mohammad was also introduced to mechanisms of moving seedlings from covered docks to containers in order to plant them in public streets. He also toured the nursery‘s greenhouses spread over an area of 10,000m2. www.gulfnews.com

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

17/05/2016 14:28

EXPERTS

More and more people are seeking to bring the exotic outdoor dining experience to their own homes. The options for a practical and stylish outdoor kitchen are endless, says Anji Connell Outdoor entertaining and al fresco dining are becoming a quintessential part of our modern lifestyle as we travel and experience outdoor eating. What better way to enjoy outdoor living than with an outdoor kitchen? Letting the outdoors in and the indoors out expands our space and is now so common it has a name – the ‘transterior,’ coined by Australian horticulturist and landscape designer Jamie Durie. A passionate advocate of outdoor life, Durie worked with Electrolux Australia to produce its eco-friendly outdoor kitchen that includes beautiful countertops, an integrated burner and barbecue with built-in planting. A pergola or shelter is a good option as it prolongs the time we can cook outdoors – just remember to allow for ventilation and enough space between the grill flame and the roof. Russian architects Arseniy Borisenko and Peter Zaytsev designed an outdoor kitchen for

Eco-friendly outdoor kitchen, Electrolux Australia 8

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

P08-09 Anji Connell.indd 8

AL FRESCO LIVING

Chi-town retreat by Chicago Green Design

a yacht captain that resembles the broken hull of a boat. It’s a unique way to provide cover from the elements, and you can wheel your kitchen outside when the sun shines. Outdoor kitchens are quite simply a great place to entertain. They keep the mess outdoors, and the kids can do their thing while the adults do theirs. The joy of the outdoor kitchen is in its laidback and open atmosphere, where our friends and loved ones can sit Arseniy Borisenko and Peter Zaytsev and sip while we prep and cook in the fresh air. Katrin Schön, project manager of garden trade fair Spoga+Gafa in Germany, reported: “The market for cooking and eating outside is growing rapidly. There is such a huge demand now, not just for grills and barbecues but for full outdoor kitchens.”

There are some questions your client will need to answer, however, when choosing an outdoor kitchen: • How will your client cook outside – would a grill or a hob be best suited for their needs? • Do they have natural gas available, or would they prefer propane gas, electric or charcoal? • Is storage for barbecue tools and dishes a factor? • Do they need running water to wash hands and dishes? • More luxurious considerations might be a refrigerator, ice machine, wood burning stove or pizza oven. Location Will it be set in an area away from the main kitchen? If so, it will need a considered design to prevent your client running back and forth into the house for supplies and will need the traditional prep, cook, refrigerate, serve and clean areas as well as some storage. www.prolandscaper.ae

17/05/2016 14:30

EXPERTS

Rösults modular kitchen

Simple bespoke outdoor kitchen

Jeppe Utzon barbecue

Outdoor Cooking Queen ‘bbqube’

A satellite kitchen situated adjacent to the indoor kitchen allows prep work to be done inside the house and cuts down on appliance duplication and costs. A fabulous example of this is in the John Pawson house where the kitchen run continues inside and outside. Think about the view, too – you probably don’t want to obstruct your client’s best views with an extractor fan. Safety Safety is key. Think about the layout of the outdoor space – don’t place a grill near a play lawn, swimming pool or hot tub and go for a non-stain, non-slip flooring. Be sure that the area directly underneath the grill can withstand high heat and any sparks or embers that might fall. Check that the proposed site can support the weight of the equipment as decks might need additional structural support.

John Pawson

www.prolandscaper.ae

P08-09 Anji Connell.indd 9

BBQ SVR Briefcase Deve lopm by ent S

Materials Tiles are easy for clients to clean with a hose or pressure washer. If they’re going for a deck, stain it or paint it to repel grease and food stains. There are many outdoor kitchens and appliances available that combine style with functionality and durability in the build materials. DIY. The DIY Outdoor Kitchen invented by Nina Tolstrup of Studiomama is a DIY project, with instructions on how to build an outdoor kitchen with a gas hob, sink, and a chopping board that fits over the trolley handles. Water comes from a garden hose, and wastewater collects in a watering can under the sink for use in the garden. Stand-alone. The stylish Flow 2 kitchen from Oregon designers John Arndt and Wonhee Jeong of Studio Gorm uses kitchen waste products to grow plants, which are watered by dishes drip drying above them. Barbecue. The Electrolux discreet and minimal Jeppe Utzon barbecue combines the best of today’s contemporary architectural materials. Stainless steel. Stainless steel covers slide to

Flow 2 by Studio Gorm

protect the cooking surface when not in use. Ideal for a patio, balcony or roof terrace. Modular. Described as ‘the world’s most elegant outdoor grill’, the sleek, moveable kitchen from Röshults comes with an anticorrosion frame, stainless steel, and teak wood. Outdoor Cooking Queen has two ranges: the customisable modules and the ‘bbqube’, a complete kitchen in a cube. Both have clean design and functionality, are storable and completely mobile. Bespoke. The Chi-town retreat by Chicago Green Design is an excellent example of how to design an outdoor space. Weight was kept down by using Fiber-create for the custom planters and kitchen bases, with a toe kick incorporating mood lighting that doesn’t compete with views of the city lights or the stars. And if all of this is too much or space is too tight, the BBQ Briefcase from SVR Development SA might just suffice. Happy cooking! ABOUT ANJI CONNELL Internationally recognised interior architect and landscape designer Anji Connell is a detail-obsessed Inchbald Graduate, and has been collaborating with artisans and craftsmen to create bespoke and unique interiors for a discerning clientele since 1986. Anji is a stylist, feature writer and lover of all things art and design.

www.anjiconnellinteriordesignacid.com Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

17/05/2016 14:30

EXPERTS

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS JARGON BUSTER JPEG A compressed file format which reduces file size but also quality. Most lower end cameras store photos as JPEG files. RAW An uncompressed file format allowing for full quality photographs to be edited without loss of quality.

It is becoming increasingly important to use high quality site photography to support all forms of marketing material. Adam Corrie from Synergy 3 offers his best tips for making sure your projects look their best

e are operating in a visual industry and high resolution photography is essential. Whether for case studies or showcasing your work through your website portfolio, quality images are key. In order to achieve real results, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to move away from the camera on your smartphone and invest in a dedicated camera. These are covered briefly in the table opposite, to give you a general overview of types and average cost.

Quality photographs convey a positive message to both your clients and landscape architects, and allow the recipient to take an immediate view on the standards you are achieving on site. It is important to photograph all aspects of your work. Strong images of trees in leaf, whether displaying a strong flowering period or rich autumn colours, will add a lot to your photographs. Capturing the details on both hard and soft landscaping finishes is also

Shutter speed The amount of time the shutter is open, measured in fractions of seconds. Aperture The opening in the lens, measured in f/stops. ISO In digital photography, ISO refers to the sensitivity of the image sensor.

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

P010-011 Synergy.indd 10

www.prolandscaper.ae

17/05/2016 14:31

EXPERTS

WHICH CAMERA? Cameras fall into three basic categories. Below, we’ve shown a mid-range camera for each category and its respective price.

Compact cameras Compact cameras are small handheld cameras offering good quality imagery at affordable prices, without the bulk of a DSLR or bridge camera. Whilst these cameras are very limited they can certainly achieve a good quality photo. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX60 RRP: £149

Bridge cameras A bridge camera is based on the principles of a compact point and shoot camera but with the added bonus of a larger lens and higher ISO range, amongst others. Bridge cameras give you the high quality imagery you require but without the large price tag of a DSLR. worthwhile and sends out a strong message. Many of the higher value tenders are now stipulating a 70/30 quality price submission. Clients are moving away from lowest price awards and are enjoying the freedom of evaluating quality. Whilst many aspects are covered in the assessment of quality, it is absolutely essential that you support your tender bids with strong photographic images. This is less important in the main contractor market, but it is nevertheless a good discipline across the board. Weather dominates the landscaping world, as we all know, and this is definitely also the case with site photography. What a difference a day makes is clearly borne out with photography results. A blue sky is a must – even the best camera will not hide a dull day. It is also essential for suppliers to promote their product range in the best way possible. It‘s important for CPD presentations for landscape architects who tend to back with visual confidence ahead of technical appraisal. It is costly to produce marketing material, so it’s worth getting it right. www.prolandscaper.ae

P010-011 Synergy.indd 11

BEFORE YOU SHOOT

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS RRP: £298.99

Weather In terms of landscaping shots, you want to be looking for a clear day or evening. Be cautious if it has rained considerably on previous days as the ground may be sodden and standing water may be an issue.

DSLR cameras Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are the way to go If you are interested in getting serious about photography. Offering high resolution photographs and video recording with endless lens options, this really is the ideal choice if you want the best quality results.

Timing It is important to take your photographs directly after a maintenance visit. This will ensure that the site will be in pristine condition. Day/night Daytime shots are great for hard and soft landscaping, as they allow for the vibrancy of your planting and the complex shadows and lines of your hard landscaping. Night photography is difficult but can reward you with fantastic pictures – I wouldn’t advise taking night shots unless you have a high quality DSLR or bridge camera. It’s all about shutter speed, aperture, patience and a tripod.

Nikon D7200 + 18-105mm Lens RRP: £888

CONTACT Tel: +44 161 209 3156 Web: www.synergy3ltd.com

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016 11

17/05/2016 14:32

EXPERTS

’d like to start on this topic by retelling a story which a friend recently passed on to me. Once upon a time, a small, happy tree growing in a forest was beloved by the humans settled there. The tree’s roots reached as far they liked into the moist, cool soil. As time went on, the humans’ paved over the soil and removed the tree. But the humans missed its bushy canopy and sturdy branches, so they dug a small pit in the paving, filled it with soil and put in a tree. The new tree’s happiness was short-lived, as its roots quickly filled the hole and used up all of the nutrients. The tree became weaker and weaker and one day, with only small, weak roots to hold it in place, it was toppled by the wind. We’ve all experienced it; the client wants a lush green landscape, with bushy shade trees lining their beautiful new streetscape. An instant landscape which adds value to the neighbourhood, giving a feeling of prosperity and proximity to nature. Indeed there are countless studies which prove that tree-lined streets increase property values massively. The City of New York has started to calculate the annual benefit of its 600,000 large street trees, citing this at 122m USD, more than five times the cost of maintaining them. But here’s the thing – we all know this instinctively. People love to be around big trees. It makes them feel good. I mention big trees specifically, and that’s because only big trees give

SAVE THE TREES Duncan Denley of desert INK argues that landscape architects should focus on what’s below the ground when it comes to hosting large trees in our public realm that all-important feeling of enclosure. Humans are programmed to enjoy the feeling of enclosure and protection that big trees offer, so although a 3m tree is nice to look at, it doesn’t connect with our sense of wellbeing to the same extent. So we are agreed. We need big trees in our cities, but we also need paved surfaces for vehicles. What is the answer? The fundamental problem of the tree pit method highlighted in the story above is that the tree’s roots are unable to penetrate the highly compacted, poor quality earth below paved areas. A low-cost solution to this problem is structural soils to the areas surrounding the tree pit. This involves mixing sweet soil with clay (often sourced locally at dams) and a very angular aggregate mix and applying this below the paving. Structural soils can be compacted to 95%, allowing for paving to be installed above it, while the aggregate allows pockets of soil to exist throughout. Such simple systems allow the tree’s roots access to a much greater area to collect moisture and nutrients, and this solution is tried

and tested in the Middle East. There are two downsides, however: firstly, it costs more than the traditional method of planting trees in small tree pits, and secondly, only about 20% of structural soil’s volume is soil supporting root development. For clients with deeper pockets and a good understanding of the commercial value of large trees, there is something much better. There are various structural cells available in the marketplace which are effectively load-bearing, plastic modules which are filled with soil. These systems are placed below the surrounding paving, ideally linking a succession of tree pits. This creates an infinitely larger area of uncompacted soil through which tree roots can spread, while allowing paving and roads to be installed above. Such systems are widely used over much of the developed world to great success. The downside? If we consider that a standard tree, pit and stake might cost about AED 1,000, then about AED 4,500 is required for the same tree, pit and stakes with an additional 30m3 of structural soil surrounding it. To add 30m3 of structural cells and soil around your tree pit will cost an additional AED 8,000. So desert INK are considering how to find the required funds to install structural cells in our streetscape designs going forward, and we urge other landscape architects to do the same. We ask ourselves, which has the greater positive impact on our streets: large, wonderful trees, or expensive luxury materials, fixtures and fittings? ABOUT DESERT INK

Street trees in the region are typically installed in a small tree pit carved from the surrounding material

Structural soils can be used beneath paving materials surrounding street trees

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

P012_Duncan Denley.indd 12

Structural cells can support a paving solution above, while maintaining good quality soil beneath

desert INK is a registered design consultancy based in the Dubai Design District. With 13 years of experience in the region, managing director Duncan Denley leads a creative team backed by the 27 years of experience held in the Desert Group and vision of CEO Michael Mascarenhas. www.desert-INK.com www.desertgroup.ae

www.prolandscaper.ae

17/05/2016 14:33

INTERVIEW

THE

BIG INTERVIEW

STEVEN VELEGRINIS

Steven Velegrinis, director of urban design at Perkins+Will in Dubai, talks to Pro Landscaper Gulf about his origins in the industry and the future of landscaping in the region

P013-16_Interview.indd 13

17/05/2016 14:34

INTERVIEW What made you want to take up landscape architecture as a career originally? I didn’t know that I wanted to be a landscape architect from the beginning and it took me a while to realise. My original degree was in urban planning and for the ﬁrst few years of my career, I worked in local government in Australia. I did my postgraduate degree in heritage conservation, but again it proved to not be what I wanted to do. I ended up working with Tim Biles of urban design consultancy Contour Consultants – Tim was a great mentor in Melbourne. At Contour I worked with landscape architects who were extremely talented urban designers. It was really at that time that I realised it was what I wanted to do, so I went on to study landscape architecture through Lincoln University in New Zealand. I eventually started a PhD in landscape urbanism under the supervision of Professor Richard Weller, the chair of landscape architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. Richard was my other great mentor and has really inspired my career over the past eight years. What does your day to day role involve as part of Perkins+Will in the Dubai office? The full gamut of business and design really.

My role encompasses leading urban design, masterplanning and landscape architecture projects, marketing, ﬁnancial management, business development and also studio leadership roles.

What’s the structure of the business? Can you explain a little about the team you work with? Perkins+Will is one of the largest architectural design firms in the world with 1,700 staff globally. The company was founded in 1935 in Chicago and we have studios in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Canada and the USA. We were honoured to be ranked among Fast Company’s ‘Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Architecture’ this year and also have more LEED accredited professionals than any architecture firm in the world. Our Dubai studio is comprised of 75 staff across the disciplines of architecture, interiors, urban design and landscape architecture. My team is made up of eight staff who are a mix of landscape architects, urban designers and architects. Our driving force is the idea that landscape has a structural role to play in the city and that we need to be at the forefront of planning for resilient cities.

ONE OF MY GOALS IS TO SEE A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROGRAMME IN THE GULF

Do you feel that your belief in creating sustainable urban developments led you to work in the Middle East? In short, yes. When you want to make a significant impact on something, you go to the place that is most in need of your abilities. The Middle East and the GCC in particular have the largest ecological footprints in the world – if you can make sustainable urbanism work here, it can certainly work anywhere. How do you find ideas and methods differ throughout different countries? One of the great beauties of landscape architecture is that it is very contextual. However, whether I’m working in the UAE, the Maldives, Turkey or China, the process remains the same. A deep understanding of the environmental and social contexts of our projects is what drives them from the beginning. I am incredibly lucky to have an international team of supremely talented people working with me, and we have become quite accustomed to working in geographically diverse locations. How different is the landscaping industry as a whole in the Middle East compared to your native Australia? The primary difference is in craftsmanship. In Australia, landscape contractors all have to go through an apprenticeship system where they study two days and work four days a week for a number of years, and this has led to an extremely high level of skill amongst landscape construction teams. Everyone down to the labourer usually has great domain knowledge and specialist skills. Australia also differs in that the design industry is extremely mature, with a number of world-class schools putting out great designers. It’s a relatively small market because of Australia’s geographic isolation and combined with the number of talented graduates coming out of schools, it means that standards are very high and there is a lot of competition for relatively small jobs. What type of projects are you working on currently? We have quite a mix at the moment. The largest project is a landscape urbanism masterplan for the Bogacay Creek Basin in Antalya, Turkey. It is first and foremost a

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

P013-16_Interview.indd 14

www.prolandscaper.ae

17/05/2016 14:34

INTERVIEW landscape planning project that deals with serious threats of ooding, sea le el rise and en ironmental pollution. e were fortunate enough to present the scheme to resident Erdogan and it was also presented before the 0 conference in Turkey as an example of resilient masterplanning. Our role has been to lead the masterplan, architecture and the landscape architecture of the project. ome of the other projects we are working on at the moment include a masterplan for a resort in the aldi es which makes use of tidal energy and cyclical landscapebased water recycling systems to seek a net ero de elopment a masterplan and landscape architecture for two integrated tourism complexes in Oman, and landscape architecture for an aﬀordable housing community with a large communal park on a 50 hectare site in Dubai.

Is all the work undertaken in the Middle East office for projects based here? The ast majority of work is undertaken by our team here. Around 10 of the work is done in collaboration with our o ces. e ha e for example worked with our o ces in Atlanta on a project for maar and on a hospital in Doha. sually that happens when we ha e a need for specific expertise such as in healthcare or transportation. What do you find the most rewarding part of your job? tanding for the first time in a place I designed, seeing incredible work put out by my team I get that a lot , and definitely working with a client who ends up extremely happy with what we’ e done. What are the biggest challenges you face in the Middle East? peed. eryone is in such a hurry to do things that they are rarely done well. e all too often accept substandard work, poor workmanship, cheaper materials and corner cutting simply because of the speed that is re uested. It would be great to see a project where we are guided by an exemplary design outcome instead. Why did you decide to teach and is it something you hope to develop in the future? Teaching is a great passion of mine. I was www.prolandscaper.ae

P013-16_Interview.indd 15

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016 15

17/05/2016 14:35

INTERVIEW a full time faculty member for three years in Singapore and the combination of research, teaching and consultancy is a fantastic mix. Added to that you get the beneﬁts of being with a group of energetic young people who are passionate about what they are doing, and you end up meeting the young leaders coming out of each cohort which is a great way to recruit extremely talented people. Four of my staﬀ in recent years were students of mine in Singapore or Sharjah, and they have come to form the most amazing team members. As for whether I’d like to develop it in the future, I would say absolutely. One of my goals is to see a landscape architecture programme in the Gulf and one that is of an incredibly high standard globally. We need to see more ‘local’ landscape architects who have roots here and who will take ownership of the urban landscapes we imagine.

What’s the next big trend in landscaping in the Middle East? I think a focus on liveable and walkable residential en ironments will be a significant trend moving forward. I also think that resiliency will attract much greater significance in city planning. y its nature this must involve landscape architects, as the landscape is the medium through which all ecological transactions must pass. Can you think of one particular favourite project that you’ve been proud to be associated with? I think it would ha e to be the ogacay Creek masterplan. It embodies everything we believe in and is quite simply a fantastic project. If you could choose your dream project to be involved in, what would this look like and what would it bring to the region in which it was built? A place that when built is ecologically better than it was before we developed anything. I imagine it to be a resilient, self su cient island project incorporating a socially-minded resort and a community for dignified low cost housing that provides for all its own energy, food, water and building materials. Like most projects I would hope that it simply brings living proof that design can regenerate damaged landscapes in a way that is beautiful and inspirational. 16

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

P013-16_Interview.indd 16

What do you think the future holds for landscaping in the Middle East? An enormous amount of potential!

ABOUT STEVEN VELEGRINIS

Steven grew up in Australia and pursued a career in urban planning and heritage conservation before embarking on a career in landscape architecture at Perkins+Will. Twitter: @stevevelegrinis Web: www.uk.perkinswill.com

www.prolandscaper.ae

17/05/2016 14:36

UK Ltd

Paving with Excellence Since 1997

SureSet UK Ltd manufacture, supply and install permeable resin bound paving. For enquiries, please contact our UAE Agent; Tanseeq LLC on +971 4 3617199 or email info@tanseeqllc.com

ADS TEMPLATE.indd 1

17/05/2016 15:29

FEATURES CHELSEA

PICK OF RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

Six of the best Main Avenue show gardens

Sponsor M&G Designer Cleve West Contractor Swatton Landscape

The M&G Garden

DID YOU KNOW?

Cleve West spent most of his teenage years at the Lorna Doone Hotel in Porlock owned and run by his parents, surrounded by centuries-old Quercus robur (English oaks).

Sponsor Royal Bank of Canada Designer Hugo Bugg Contractor Himalayan Landscaping & Landscape Associates Hugo Bugg has partnered with the Royal Bank of Scotland for the second time at Chelsea to create a garden that re ects water as a necessity for both the body and the mind, with the intention of leaving visitors pondering about the importance of water globally in diďŹ&#x20AC;erent cultures. The garden symbolises the endangered pine habitat of Dibeen in Jordan, where Bugg drew inspiration for the design, by choosing plants that pro e beautiful ora can exist in arid conditions. The body of water will be displayed as sacred, sitting in the centre of the garden and being viewed from a distance.

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

P014-016_Chelsea.indd 18

LONDON, UK 24-28 MAY 2016

The inspiration for the 2016 M&G Garden is a memory of ancient oak woodland on Exmoor National Park. A stone and gravel path leads you through stunted oaks and rocks to a smoother path, then on to the centrepiece of a sunken terrace and pool. The garden could be seen as a metaphor for clarity and the future, with the path unsure to begin with, but smoothing out once the chosen career becomes clear. The overriding oak theme is a symbol for the sponsor's values: strength, growth, longevity and reliability.

Royal Bank of Canada Garden

Hugo Bugg was the youngest ever winner of a Gold Medal for a large Chelsea show garden at the age of 27.

DID YOU KNOW?

www.prolandscaper.ae

17/05/2016 14:37

CHELSEA FEATURES

Sponsor The Daily Telegraph Designer Andy Sturgeon Contractor Crocus

The Telegraph Garden

A placid and gentile garden surrounded by a larger more primitive setting, the impression is of a ‘captured landscape’. The design is inspired by the natural environment, focusing on how the landscape has been forged from numerous geological events over millions of years. old bron e ﬁns represent an ancient mountain range and are reminiscent of a Stegasaurus’s bony plates. A unique planting scheme to endure and adapt to climate change has been selected from similar habitats of warm, semi-arid regions, highlighting the need to futureproof gardens against the shifting climate.

Did you know? DID YOU KNOW?

The planting scheme is unique, with many of the plants having not been seen before at Chelsea.

Sponsor Qatari Diar Designer Jo Thompson Contractor Landform Consultants Returning for her eighth year, Jo Thompson has designed a traditional British rose garden reimagined for the modern day. Inspired by the heritage of the Chelsea Barracks site neighbouring the Royal Hospital, Jo’s design is prompted by the new development, which features a preserved stained glass Rose Window as its centrepiece from the listed Garrison Chapel. This is referenced in the garden, with roses being the main feature mixed with perennials, and a bronze sculpture will pay tribute to the Barrack’s former residents. The lost River Westbourne which originally owed under the Chelsea Barracks will be symbolised through a sculpted stone tidal rill.

www.prolandscaper.ae

P014-016_Chelsea.indd 19

Qatari Diar – The Chelsea Barracks Garden

The garden will be permanently relocated at the Royal British Legion Village in Kent.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016 19

17/05/2016 14:37

FEATURES CHELSEA

Sponsor Watahan Designers Chihori Shibiyama & Yano Tea Contractor Landform Consultants Chihori Shibiyama’s debut design at Chelsea with veteran Yano Tea is inspired by their experiences from Japan and England, with both cultures being celebrated for their similarities and diﬀerences. et within a city space, the merging of East and est is re ected through the stylings of a Japanese minimalist zen garden alongside a dense informal planting style and mixture of perennials traditionally found in the . Two pools of water represent the Atlantic and aciﬁc oceans, with the shadows of the plants designed to gently move across the water as the position of the sun changes throughout the day.

The Watahan East & West Garden

The garden is part of the RHS’s ‘Greening Grey Britain’ campaign, featuring two recycled storage containers as li ing spaces.

The Winton Capital Beauty of Mathematics Garden

DID YOU KNOW?

Sponsor Winton Capital Designer Nick Bailey Contractor Gardenlink Ltd Bailey has designed a garden that re ects the beauty of mathematics and algorithms, the support all life forms. This focus is inspired by global in estment manager inton Capital. From a copper ball emblematic of the beginning of life, a owing copper band inscribed with plant growth algorithms represents an emerging seedling, performing diﬀerent functions throughout the garden including a bench, before ending up as a planter around 3.5m abo e the ground. The plants selected for the garden are predominantly of the Southern Hemisphere and Mediterranean, many of which display mathematical concepts.

Did you know? DID YOU KNOW?

Nick occasionally indulges himself by checking on Google Earth the gardens he has designed, only to discover recently that one in Canterbury is now a car park.

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

P014-016_Chelsea.indd 20

www.prolandscaper.ae

17/05/2016 14:38

Thanks to the perfect combination of high quality and competitive prices we sell our products all over the world. For our plants and trees we use natural trunks from 1m to 5m high. Our furniture complements and our hedges are all Made in Italy (tailor-made dimensions). Among the wide range of our articles, our elegant Moss Creations and our Green Vertical Walls, quality plants with Italian design, trees, artificial lawns and hedges, foliage, bushes, lacquered planters, Christmas trees and Christmas items.

VERDEVIP S.R.L. has been a leading company in the production of artificial plants and trees since 1985

THE ARCH ARCHITECT’S NUMBER 1 CH CHOICE! 40 year design life

Priming

Open to foot traffic in 1 hour and vehicular traffic in 4 hours

Bedding

Durable. Proven. Trusted

Jointing

FIND OUT MORE TODAY Available in UAE from: Tanseeq LLC • +971 (04) 361 7199 • www.tanseeqllc.com W: instarmacinternational.com : Instarmac Group MPS_Half_Page_April2016.indd 1

ADS TEMPLATE.indd 3

E: International@instarmac.com T: +44 (0) 1827 871871 21/04/2016 16:09

17/05/2016 15:34

PORTFOLIO

LEARN Leon

Kluge

created

ING CURVE

the mag nificent Liv s ing Beehive art in to help stallation at the Durban Botanic Garden educate local childr en on the import ance of water conservation

Pro Landscaper Gulf /May 2016

P022-025 Leon Kluge.indd 22

www.prolandscaper.ae

17/05/2016 14:40

PORTFOLIO

he brainchild of the National Biodiversity Institute of South Africa and designed by Leon Kluge, the Living Beehive art installation was created to showcase South Africa's rich blend of natural, cultural and mineral wealth at the COP 17 congress that took place in Durban in 2011. The client's brief was to create an installation that was both garden and sculpture, and that portrayed the importance of water conservation. It also needed to act as a 'classroom' for children, and provide a unique experience for visitors walking through the green space.

PROJECT DETAILS Living Beehive, Durban Botanic Gardens Project value R1.5m Build time Six months; installation took two months Size of project 15m high, 30m long

The design The dome-shaped design was based on traditional Zulu huts, but with a high technology steel frame rather than wood. The living roof was planted with local grassland fauna that occurs only on the highlands of the Kwazulu Natal Drakensberg, which is the water catchment area for the city of Durban. Visitors step inside the beehive onto a steel see-through grid, where water trickles underfoot and plants rise up from the ground. Overhead plants hang from circular planter tubes and creepers cascade down to create a chandelier of foliage. These vertical gardens are planted with rare local cliff-hanging plants, seldom seen by the public, showcasing the living cliffs of Kwazulu Natal. The rivers here are the source of freshwater for Durban. As water is a constant obstacle and of short supply for the city, the purpose of the living beehive design was to teach school children the importance of conserving water, and educate them about the journey that water takes to finally flow from their home taps. Following on from the vertical gardens there is a lawned area in the middle of the beehive, a large open space with two openings either side to provide sunlight and a breeze. This area doubles up as a classroom where children can sit, surrounded by the elements that they are taught about. Materials As this was a one-off project, finding materials was a challenge. The walkway was built from steel mesh, while the vertical walls included a steel frame with two layers of a woven polyester

www.prolandscaper.ae

P022-025 Leon Kluge.indd 23

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016 23

17/05/2016 14:40

PORTFOLIO

material fastened to it. Pockets were cut into the material, the plant was placed inside and then the material was sewn shut again. The outer layer of the beehive also used a woven polyester material, but of a much thicker grade, where seeds were sown into it and water-retaining gel poured between. The gel was watered to give the seeds a reserve of water for when the sprayers didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t turn on. A rotating ladder attached to the top and on a track at the bottom was added so that maintenance could be carried out more efficiently. The inside seating area was built from a mix of lawn and paving. As some areas inside were too dark, grow lights needed to be introduced to provide a better quality of light to the plants. Challenges The short timescale was a challenge in itself, but added to that there were massive storms during installation, and the rip winds played havoc with 24

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

P022-025 Leon Kluge.indd 24

planting schedules and the roof. All of the water used in the irrigation of the roof and vertical walls had to be collected below ground and recycled to be used in the garden again, to make it as water conserving as possible.

CONCEPTUAL DRAWING www.prolandscaper.ae

17/05/2016 15:46

PORTFOLIO

Entrance to Living Beehive

Steel bars protruding through the plants

Meandering walkways towards Living Beehive

Leon Kluge with David Davidson

Floating walkway between vertical plantings

Conceptual drawing

View from gardens

Indigenous plants surrounding the walkways

ABOUT LEON KLUGE

7 www.prolandscaper.ae www.prolandscaper

P022-025 Leon Kluge.indd 25

Leon Kluge has become synonymous with modern contemporary landscaping and garden design. His love of using unusual plants in his designs led to his inclusion in the South African team at the 2010, 2012 and 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. His speciality is vertical gardens, on any scale. The first commercial vertical garden design he spearheaded was for a multi-storey office building in Maputo, Mozambique. His designs have since been published in more than 100 local publications. www.leonklugegardendesign.co.za

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016 25

17/05/2016 14:42

PORTFOLIO

AN ENGLISH GARDEN We take a look at how British landscapers e-scape Landscape Architects created a quintessential English country garden so a barn conversion would blend in with its surroundings

n a beautiful rural setting in the English county of Kent, two Tyler asbestos and concrete-frame barns sat within a concrete farmyard, ruining the look of adjoining gardens and a farmhouse. The client's specifications to completely revamp the property included replacing the barns, farmyard, entrance and an adjoining tennis court with a new building; improving access, creating a kitchen garden and other gardens and linking them to existing gardens and paddocks; adding lighting throughout the garden, and converting oil-reliant buildings and a swimming pool to renewable energy sources.

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

Page26_E-scape portfolio.indd 26

Getting under way E-scape decided to demolish the buildings and start from scratch. Following a prolonged planning process (the site was in a conservation area) approval was gained to replace the barns with a traditional two-storey oak frame and Kent peg barn, incorporating a gym, meeting rooms, storage and garage. Surrounding this, the area was divided into seven new spaces: ● Main courtyard and vehicle entrance gate ● Mediterranean-style culinary herb garden ● Formal rose garden with central armillary sphere enclosed by box, yew and clipped hornbeam

● Naturalistic grasses and herbaceous garden, with a rose arbor ● Formal kitchen garden with raised oak beds and large glasshouse, including triple soft fruit cage ● New chicken run with fruit trees ● Soft fruit espaliers, including peaches grown against warm walls, and lemons and oranges in large moveable pots. The kitchen garden was defined from the other areas by an ogee-arched clematis walkway lined by olive trees in pots and underplanted with Catmint nepeta ‘Walkers Low’. Cruck-framed oak arches fitted with LED www.prolandscaper.ae

17/05/2016 15:48

PORTFOLIO

downlights on sensors lead the way to the new glasshouse. Breedon gravel surfacing creates an informal working feel to the food production areas, with more formal areas defined in Indian sandstone and contrasting Belgian clay pavers. The main courtyard is highlighted with resinbonded gravel, which contrasts with the traditional oak weatherboarding and clay peg tile of the barn. Parking areas are defined in the strong colours of the clay pavers. The rose garden is planted in shades of deep reds, pinks and whites dominated by varieties Darcey Bussell, Munstead Wood, Anne Boleyn, England’s Rose, The Alnwick Rose and Maid www.prolandscaper.ae

Page26_E-scape portfolio.indd 27

Marion, with four Mary Rose standards and various climbers completing the picture. It is enclosed by a braced oak pergola with clipped pleached hornbeams carefully framing the views across the Kent landscape. A series of pathways and vistas link the new oak barn to the old gardens and a covered walkway aligns the centrepiece of the rose garden (the armillary sphere) to a specimen ‘Wedding cake’ tree – the graceful Cornus controversa planted to mark a family event which was the project deadline. Other features include containers of Fascicularia bicolour in the courtyard (evergreen, spiky plants that will thrive

The armillary sphere is the centrepiece of the rose garden

The rose garden is planted in shades of deep reds, pinks and whites

The informal grasses garden

Pathways link the oak barn to the old gardens

The main courtyard

in low winter temperatures and need no watering in summer). Less hardy, Astelia silver spear need protection and are taken into the greenhouse for the winter. These contrast with a billowing green ‘box cloud’ feature creating a focal point. A new curved brick wall encloses the other end of the courtyard, framing espaliered fruits and climbers. The informal grasses garden provides a counterpoint to the rigid formality of other areas. This is dominated by Allium and tulip bulbs in the spring before the early flowering maroon Cirsum start the season rolling, followed by blues of Catmint, Orange Erysinum, deep pink Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016 27

17/05/2016 15:49

PORTFOLIO ychnis and deep purple al ias, mixed with blue and white Agapanthus. Miscanthus, Pennisetum, tall drifts of Verbenas, and feathery Stipas bring late summer and autumn flowering interest before the Hellebores show in the winter. Year-round structure is provided by the ebe ‘ ew ealand old’ and uxus balls and box hedging. Taxus hedging compartments separate the spaces but lead the eye from

REPEAT CLUMPS OF SPECIES PROVIDE FORM AND COLOUR TO TIE THE GARDENS TOGETHER garden to garden. The kitchen garden and fruit areas are dynamic and productive; after which the visitor arrives at the herb garden – heavy in scent with its gnarled olive centrepiece. Repeat clumps of species provide form and colour to tie the gardens together, while strong architectural structure permeates the spaces. One of the most important elements of the scheme was air source heat installation, which provides the majority of warmth to the buildings, supported by solar panels. These all contribute to a large reduction in oil consumption. An existing swimming pool is also warmed by an array of south-facing solar panels. Further works included creating a large, graded turf lawn, a multi-bin composting centre

DURING THE BUILD

and surrounding the entire garden by 600mm deep rabbit-proof fencing. e-scape’s tips for similar projects ● Have a clear, strong design from the outset – agreed with the client ● Ensure communication is clear and constant ● Choose an excellent main contractor ● Choose with care and not just on price ● Keep your eye on the ball – this was a multi-faceted scheme that took two years from inception to completion. Co-ordination of the phases and elements as well as multiple

contractors ensured constant attention was a critical factor. E-scape chartered landscape architect John Simmons said: “We had great clients who trusted our thoughts on design and materials throughout, knew about gardens, were always positive and enthusiastic, didn’t cut corners on quality, and were easy to work for but committed to a high standard of delivery. “Once the scheme was in place, a team of two knowledgeable gardeners have been looking after the finished hard and soft landscaped areas to a high standard.” 6

A traditional Kent oast house (background left) was one of the original farm buildings

Preparation for the rose garden and barn base

A view of the previous kitchen garden before the works took place

Work begins on constructing paving for the rose garden

10 Panoramic view of the rose garden, armillary sphere and timber framing

ABOUT E-SCAPE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

E-scape Landscape Architects is run by chartered landscape architect John Simmons, specialising in major pri ate garden design schemes. It oﬀers a friendly, e cient, experienced and creati e design service in conjunction with a team of contractors to produce original bespoke landscapes. It aims to create harmonious gardens, tranquil spaces with practical solutions, personally designed with architectural air and an eye for the bigger picture. www.escapelandscapearchitects.com

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016

Page26_E-scape portfolio.indd 28

www.prolandscaper.ae

17/05/2016 15:49

SHOW GUIDE

WHERE: Dubai World Trade Centre WHEN: 23 – 25 May 2016, 10am – 18pm WHAT: The region’s only platform dedicated to leaders in outdoor design and urban development.

AGENDA FOR 2016

The show will bring together local and international pioneers to showcase the region’s most groundbreaking and innovative outdoor projects. Over the course of the event, there will be a series of briefing days to provide the industry with exclusive 360° project updates from concept through to completion. Based on the demand and recommendation from the industry and building on the success of last year’s event, there will be three dedicated days focused to the entire spectrum of a project from concept to construction, a dedicated day for regional developers to showcase and reveal future plans and opportunities.

Day 1 – Landscape Project Leaders What: Regional municipalities, government, developers and project owners will come together to announce upcoming and future landscape projects. Each session will provide an in-depth understanding of their current plans and requirements in line with the country’s strategic vision. Sessions: A dedicated forum to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of current projects, in order to ensure attendees receive complete transparency on how to be part of the process. Senior representatives will discuss: • Future-proofing masterplans and delivering integrated urban infrastructure • Defining legislative standards from assessment to implementation • Project and status updates on the region’s largest landscape projects • Future tenders and opportunities.

Day 2 – Leaders in Landscape Architecture and Design What: This day offers a platform to share insights, best practice and world-class designs with industry leaders in landscape architecture, masterplanning and outdoor design. Sessions: Regional and international architects, consultants and planners will unite to discuss revolutionary concepts, designs and advancements. Topics will include: • Design standards and international best practice • Masterplanning and future designs • Developing sustainable and next generation designs • Understanding the specification requirements for upcoming projects • Creating holistic solutions and integrating cutting-edge landscape technologies into the design process.

Day 3 – Leaders in Landscape Construction What: During this unique interactive session, regional leaders in landscape construction will come together to explore new techniques, tools, technologies and solutions available in the construction of landscape projects. Sessions: Regional and international contractors and solution providers will showcase the latest tools and technologies available for landscape projects to put them on a global stage, including: • Construction standards and quality control • Latest technologies, materials and resource • Best practice case studies success and failures • Project contingencies and construction planning. www.prolandscaper.ae

P029-035_Show.indd 29

Pro Landscaper Gulf / May 2016 29

17/05/2016 14:50

SHOW GUIDE

Day 1 – 23 May 2016 Developer briefing sessions and project updates