Landscape April 2012

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Plants-PotsFountains-Garden FurnitureLandscaping and Flower Arrangements

Email: sultangarden@zaidg.com PO Box 4756 Riyadh 11412 KSA Email: dubai@sultangarden.ae PO Box 181581 Dubai UAE Website: www.sultangardencenter.com

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EDITOR’S NOTE

MEMedia Publishing FZ LLC IMPZ PO Box 485005, Dubai, UAE Telephone: +971 4 4470927 Fax: +971 4 4470928 Managing Editor Nada Abdel Khalek Copy Editor John Hampton Sales Manager Boushra Dinnawi Art Director Andy Mondaya

s always this month’s issue is packed with features that highlight the best in Landscape design and architecture, not just from the Middle East but globally. It’s with a heavy heart that we celebrate the achievements of Alberto Varas who designed the Monument to the victims of state terrorism in the ‘Park of Memory’ in Buenos Aires. The park is built on a wonderfully located piece of land in front of the River Plate (Río de la Plata): the most incredible natural component of this South American capital city. It seems like this piece of land was destined to become a destination for people to come to reflect and to remember there loved ones in peace.

Another garden park that have been restored, albeit for less significant reasons is the Chigi Park in Ariccia on the outskirts of Rome. After five years of intense work, Virginio Melaranci brought the family park back to its former glory, at the cost of over one million euro.

Contributors G. Allison Hedges Fiona Law Elif Bonelli Rochelle Greayer Mario Pisani Jimena Martignoni Eman Kamel Printed by Al Nisr Publishing LLC Webmaster www.pdinventive.com Landscape is distributed free of charge in KSA, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Eqypt, and Lebanon by Emirates Post UAE

middle east

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The April Issue

From restoration to innovation, Landscape profiles some of the most talented and experienced landscape architect and design companies to operate in this region. These are the people who have ‘greened the desert’ and shaped the landscape into a modern metropolis for generations to come.

Ever imagine what a whole city would look like if it were covered in a mirage of flowers? Well turn to page 6 to see how the street’s of the Kingdom’s western port city of Yanbu was covered with a colourful 7000m carpet of flowers. It’s the first time in five years that the city has re-held the flower and garden festival but it seems that after the success of this year’s event, organisers plan to take the festival to other cities throughout the Middle East in the next few years.

Nada Abdel Khalek

april 2012

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Contents April 2012- Issue 58

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24 Landscape Consultants Memorial Park Garden Architecture

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News & Events As expected it was bigger and better for its 2012 comeback, with five million mostly homegrown flowers embellishing Yanbu’s curbs and pathways, turning the city into one huge garden.

The event’s main attraction was the flower carpet, a 7000 meter long bed of flowers forming a kaleidoscopic pattern with diamonds and circles.

Getting close to the carpet proved to be a sensory experience for many visitors, not just in colours but also in fragrance that no floral perfume could match.

Saleh Al-Zahrani, Director of the Landscaping and Irrigation Department, said the secret to the festival’s success was Dr. Ala Nasif, president of the commision in Yanbu, as he believed in the young management to take control and make this year’s festival happen. “He gave us a challenge and we were able to prove ourselves,” Al-Zahrani said.

The end result was, quite simply, a marvel after all, how often does one see flowers in such abundance and arrangements in an arid and dry land? Al Zahrani said that the commission plans to run similar festivals throughout Saudi Arabia and eventually in the rest of the Middle East in the next few years. This will come as good news to the thousands of visitors who made the three-hour drive from Jeddah.

With both commercial and environmental agenda’s, this year’s festival was sponsored by 55 local and international companies specializing in floristry, gardening, irrigation and landscaping tools and supplies, even gazebos and other backyard equipment.

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The Royal Commission Yanbu, who organized the event, has its own nursery of flowers for festivals of this kind, according to landscape architect Wael Bakhidher, preparations, like seed propagation, usually begin as early as May the previous year.

“The flowers were picked and planted between early December and January in time for the start of the festival at the end of February,” he explained.

Yanbu’s 6th Flower and Garden Festival Tens of thousands of floral enthusiasts came in droves to Yunbu to see the industrial city in full bloom. Millions of flowers lined thoroughfares and the main squares of the western port city, which lays 350 kilometers north of Jeddah. It was Yanbu’s 6th Flower and Garden Festival, back with a bang after a year long hiatus. The festival began in earnest early last decade and has since become an annual event, until it was halted five years ago.

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News & Events Advanced Hydrotech is the official distributor of Rain Bird (Irrigation Equipment), Unidelta (Compression Fittings), Praher (Valves & Fittings), Xurox (Butterfly Valves), Aytok (Filtration Systems) and Aqua Feed (Soil Amendments).

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Plantation week at Ghayathi city The Tree Planting Week organized by the Western Region Municipality in Ghayathi and HE Sultan Khalfan Al Rumaithi - Undersecretary of the Diwan Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region. The civil defense, schools, and the police department in Ghayathi participated in the event and the exhibition included a group of the major agricultural companies such as Advanced Hydrotech member of Al Dhafrah Group specialised in supplying agriculture and irrigation equipment.

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Other Participants in the Tree Plantation Week at Ghayathi City included AlRyum Group, JESCO, Gulf Water Management Solutions, Samsung Engineering and many other companies specialized in the production of Chemical and Organic Fertilizers such as Abu Dhabi Factory for Organic Fertilizer, Emirates Factory for Biological Fertilizer, Fertile Factory for Organic Fertilizers and Royal Financial Services.

The participants inaugurated the recently constructed southern city beautification project in the southern city and then toured the projects under implementation, including the northern city beautification project, which contains the longest running and bicycle tracks in the western region as well as large colored marble areas and a water park, which includes three swimming pools, a waterway as well as a set of wonderful aquatic games.The park has been constructed taking into account its use by people with special needs. At the end of the tour the delegates visited the northern park and concluded the day with a workshop at the Ghayathi Care Center for people with special needs.The aim of such activities is to spread knowledge and awareness among different segments of society to the importance of preserving the environment and the need to increase green areas through organizing lectures, cultural seminars and training courses in the educational institutions and distribution of fruit trees to the local residence.

UPC unveils Development Plan for Urban Areas in Al Ain

Initiative aims to identify planning policies to support new and revitalization projects to further enhance the quality of life for Al Ain residents

Building on ‘Plan Al Ain City 2030’, the Urban Structure Framework Plan launched in 2009 which provided the overarching principles and directions aligned with projected economic and demographic trends for Al Ain City, and following the recently completed Wasat Madinat Al Ain Plan, which focuses on downtown Al Ain, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) announced today that it is taking the Plan to the next level by identifying new planning opportunities in the 64 districts that comprise Al Ain.

“By having clearly identified new planning opportunities in all urban districts and communities, our objective is to make a difference for Al Ain’s future generations by designing a city that enhances the sustainable social, cultural, environmental and economic aspects of the area. At the UPC, we understand and acknowledge the unique

cultural and environmental ethos of each region and hence have always aimed at developing plans and initiatives that not only preserve these precious elements, but also integrate the more appropriate urban planning principles to create complete sustainable communities,” concluded Al Hammadi. Ultimately, each community will benefit from tailored plans that meet its distinctive needs while preserving and complementing the existing identity of the districts while building upon their cultural heritage in order to strategically enhance the lives of all residents. As with all of the UPC’s planning and implementation initiatives, the UPC’s Planning and Policies Team will embark on different community outreach programmes, which will enable residents and stakeholders to engage and interact directly with the team to discuss and understand the development opportunities linked to the Planning Projects in more detail.

The year-long development phase for Al Ain urban project is a logical progression of Plan Ain City 2030. It takes the overall needs assessment conducted as part of the overarching framework plan and drills down to a greater level of detail through in-depth research and the use of best practice planning methodologies. In addition, the results of the UPC’s ‘Style Your Life’ survey conducted through 11,000 households in the Emirate to determine the current and future community facility needs, the GIS (Geographic Information Systems) technical data and information from various resources including SCAD (Statistic Centre Abu Dhabi) demographic data will be utilised.

To ensure an integrated approach to identifying the strategic planning opportunities for Al Ain, the UPC will work with a range of stakeholders to incorporate plans and strategies currently available. These include the Al Ain Surface Transportation Master Plan (STMP), developed by the Department of Transport (DoT) and designed to enhance connectivity in and between the districts, the Al Ain World Heritage Site plans currently being coordinated

by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority with concrete examples such as the future preservation of the traditional ‘falaj’ fresh water network. The Development Plan for Urban Areas in Al Ain will be developed utilising the UPC’s suite of planning policies, standards and manuals, including the Abu Dhabi Public Realm Design Manual, Urban Street Design Manual and the Abu Dhabi Community Facility Planning Standards to ensure a consistent approach across all districts. Furthermore, the new Al Ain Development Code will also be utilised to guide the shape of future development in the city.

“Al Ain has reached a crucial turning point as a rapidly expanding Emirati population and the trend for very large plot sizes have combined to fill in the available, vacant lands. The Development Plan for Urban Areas in Al Ain aims to improve the efficiency of available land in Al Ain City by identifying sites for new buildings on underutilised land. It ensures a high quality of life for all residents by providing adequate community facilities, such as schools and clinics, along with a number of parks and plazas, and identifies development policies that will protect the character of Al Ain’s neighbourhoods and facilitate new development opportunities,” said Eng. Amer Al Hammadi, Director of Planning and Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council.

Through the analysis of existing conditions and GIS mapping to ensure existing land allocations are appropriate for the required community facilities and infrastructure components within each district, the SPP framework for Al Ain will identify essential needs, from community facility and increased infrastructure capacity needs, through to improved streets and pedestrian pathway networks.

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Who's Who How many years have you worked in the Middle East?

Five years Which major projects have you been involved with throughout your career?

Anatolian Atoms of Urbanism; Turkey Dubai Crystal; Dubai, UAE Model Residential Community; Riyadh, KSA Fareej Gardens; Al Ain, UAE Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Master Plan; Abu Dhabi, UAE Madinat Al Mustaqbal; Baghdad, Iraq Tawam Community Master Plan; Al Ain, UAE Mafraq Community Master Plan; Abu Dhabi, UAE Dar Abla Desert Resort; Abu Dhabi, UAE Describe your Dream Project: My ideal projects are those which require a highly responsive approach to the local social, cultural, environmental and physical context; which address and reflect market realities; and which have the opportunity to enrich the quality of life for residents, occupants and visitors by creating an engaging, interactive, healthy and memorable public realm.

Name: Rick Broene Current position & company: Planning & Landscape Architecture Discipline Leader; Burt Hill, a Stantec Company Academic qualifications: Fellow, Fulbright Scholars Program Master in Urban Planning, Harvard University Graduate School of Design Master in Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

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How do you see the future of the landscape industry in the GCC region developing?

In my opinion the landscape industry in the GCC region has enormous potential due to a few key trends. First, the GCC continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in the world in terms of population and development.

Second, there is an ever-increasing awareness and concern for environmental issues in the MENA region, which places multiple landscape issues at the forefront.

Finally, landscape urbanism as a theoretical model for approaching city development is growing in prominence. The convergence

of these trends present landscape architects with a tremendous opportunity for leadership, particularly in helping create well planned cities and neighbourhoods, preparing integrated and vibrant open space networks, and in promoting key issues of sustainability as suited to the specific characteristics of the region.

What is your Motto in life?

Not exactly a motto, but an aphorism I take to heart: “We shape the world around us, thereafter it shapes us.� Paraphrased from Winston Churchill.

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Interview

Bringing Kids to Life When did Ithara Group first set up business?

We are “Bringing Kids to Life!” since the end of 2007.

What does “Bringing Kids to Life!” mean?

We see two frightening developments – first, a sedative life style that obviously is due to adverse weather conditions and availability of electronic entertainment and second a “nanny-fication”. These two developments lead to high levels of obesity and diabetes amongst children, as well as lower coordination skills. We see heavy injuries in grownups, as they have not learned to fall as kids. We believe that only by providing children with equipments to enjoy, we can “bring them to life!” and potentially reverse these developments.

In recent years, a lot has been done in these regards already, even in mainstream media, there are regular features on health awareness.

What are the different products you supply for the landscaping professionals?

We do supply and install: Playground Equipment, Safety Rubber Flooring and athletic tracks, as well as Street Furniture, Outdoor Sport Equipment and related products.

What are the main challenges of doing business in the current GCC market post-recession? … keeping up with the demand. We find that after the recession the old saying comes true – “I am not rich enough to buy cheap clothes”. We see a shift towards high quality equipments and flooring. Principals are fed up with equipment or tiles falling apart within a year.

In your opinion, what changes need to be adopted in the GCC landscaping industry to become on a par with the rest of the world?

It is the rest of the world that needs to look to the Middle East’s thriving landscaping industry. Here you will find some of the most spectacular designs not only in architecture, but also in landscaping. Unfortunately, the physical manifestation is not always on par when seen from close distance. We still have to increase efforts in sustainability and water saving. In our particular part of landscaping, I wish for more quality awareness, but we have already come a long way.

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Elena A. Lazareva Manager Business Development Ithara Group

Who are your major clients and what major projects have you been involved with on their behalf?

Our major clients are schools and nurseries so far. Principals and owners of the private schools & nurseries are responsible the lives of the children, therefore they are concerned about quality and safety.

This also keeps risk of non-payment during these difficult times at an acceptable level. Obviously, I cannot make statements about ongoing projects, but I can say that we are running on full steam.

Where do you see the GCC in 10 years from now with respect to developments and landscaping?

We have seen in the past years, that with a big supply, or even oversupply of housing units, customers will be able to be choosy.

Features like parks, leisure and recreation will continue to play a major role in decision making where to settle. Developers cannot ignore these features without becoming obsolete.

Finally, please conclude by evaluating Ithara Group position in the market and share any relevant information about current projects?

After signing a joint venture with Italy-based flooring specialist FunPlay, we will continue to become stronger in the market for high quality flooring solutions of all kinds.

Playgrounds & Parks  www.itharagroup.com  info@itharagroup.com Tel: +971(7)2046455 Fax: +971(7)2046456 United Arab Emirates

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Urbanism Parametricism & Ecological Urbanism Changing the paradigm from ‘doing less damage’ to ‘healing compromised ecosystems’

By Steven Velegrinis, Senior Associate & Urban Design Practice Leader, Woods Bagot

the challenge

climate crisis Thats us....

Ecological Footprint

Oh.... 4 GCC nations in the Top 10.....UAE is the worlds worst....so says wikipedia....

The effect of a 5m rise in sea levels in Dubai as predicted by the IPCC

Cities at risk from climate change

And in Abu Dhabi...Yas, Saadiyat, Masdar, Khalifa City, Reem Is and Sowwah Sq would all disapppear....

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if the predicted increase happens this century we would need to re-build the entire established urban fabric of 80% of the worlds cities...

and then we need to build enough for 2,500,000,000 new urban dwellers in Asia

Do LEED, BREEAM, ESTIDAMA and Green Star systems provide answers to these problems?

background.indd 1

urban growth

so with shrinking supplies of land and a massive increase in rates of urbanisation… how do we feed people? how do we sequester CO2? how do we protect biodiversity? how do we find energy? how do we find enough water?

NO, they aim to ‘do less damage’ but they are not ‘sustainable’. As an example, a 5 pearl Estidama building may only provide 25% of its own energy requirement.

embodied energy Most importantly even current day ‘zero carbon’ design only deals with operational emissions – not embodied energy (which is a much more significant issue)

Dubai International Convention Centre

AN EXAMPLE

365,433,920 MBTU of embodied energy (approx) = 107 098 114 watt hours = To offset that amount of energy you would need 663 315m2 of solar panels

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The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, a 5 pearl Estidama building is an example of this where the PV panels generate 17% of energy demand

This Archi-comic was adapted from a presentation given at the 2011 Greenbuild Conference at the Big5. While light-hearted in spirit it was prepared with the intention of being positive about our future and the role that Lansdcape Architects and Urban Designers play in that world. It aims to suggests possible answers to our current environmental

malaise rather than to leave it to others to resolve.

Ultimately our profession is an optimistic one and one that needs to be realistic about its challenges and expanded scope. We should not allow others to perpetuate the idea of Landcape Architects as gardenmakers but rather cast ourselves as solution providers.

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so what is the answer??

One North Masterplan

by Zaha Hadid & Patrik Schumacher

parametricism

ecological urbanism

is an emerging methodology based on advanced computational design and digital animation techniques to generate designs through scripting that use relationships between functions to define the form of development

is an emerging theory that looks to take an ecological approach to urbanism (and in particular development of ecological infrastructure) to define how cities in the future may deal with climate change and sustainability issues

Jia Ding Masterplan in China by Groundlab

where a landscape planning approach is taken to make environmental goals drive the form of the whole city

The High Line, NY by Field Operations

at the High Line project in New York an abandoned railway structure was turned into a synthetic ecological corridor and an invaluable biodiversity resource in the heart of downtown manhattan

in Groundlab’s Jia Ding Masterplan the entire city form was driven by the parameters of soil remediation, wastewater treatment, thermal comfort and traffic and street reorganisation Oyster-tecture by Scape Studio

in Scape Studio’s Oyster-tecture proposal an extinct native oyster ecology was proposed to clean heavily polluted waterways, regenerate an entire rundown urban zone and provide an economic development opportunity

case studies - woods bagot

Wuqing site, Tianjin, China

Our proposal here was the creation of an extensive system of constructed wetlands and on-site water treatment landscapes that restored the balance of water and cleaned the contamination caused by the agricultural use. The soils of the site were treated and re-engineered through evolution of landscape ecologies

the Lansdcape is the medium through which all ecological transactions pass and we can see our cities and synthetic urban ecologies

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Parametric Urban Ecologies

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On site Wastewater treatment system to treat water and recharge degraded natural river system

this degraded agricultural land abutting Wuqing city in Tianjin had severely damaged the ecosystems of the site.

Almost all water had been withdrawn from the rivers to irrigate rice paddy fields, excessive fertiliser and pesticide use had poisoned the groundwater and the soils had been exhausted.

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Urbanism

Dalian Future City Site in China.....beautiful hilly topography.....

in this project the entire 9 square kilometers was started by the landscape architect defining the landscape framework of the site to deal with hydrology, contaminmated industrial soils, topography and regional ecology

to develop a zero- emissions design system \we took this polluted site on the yellow river in China.....

This project was prompted by the simple question of “what if every act of design left the world a better place?�

the Zero-e project by woods bagot & buro happold is the penultimate expression of the concepts of parametric and ecological urbanism. it is a research project where we developed a parametric design software package to achieve zero emissions design methodology. to prove it we did a hypothetical project in china as proof-of-concept

This project took a polluted post industrial site and turned it into this.....zero emissions....

The aim was to create socially and economically thriving communities and uses parametric design software to deliver a zero emissions development that heals compromised ecologies

The objectives of zero-e are: Produce zero emissions Create more energy than they require on an annual basis Process their own waste and release only beneficial output Release cleaner air than they takes in Heal compromised sites and ecosystem Restore natural habitat Reconnect humans and nature Increase occupant health Build financial value with ecological value Exhibit material integrity Delight and beautify their surroundings Supply 100% of water needs by collection & closed loops

This Archi-comic was adapted from a presentation given at the 2011 Greenbuild Conference at the Big 5. While lighthearted in spirit it was prepared with the intention of being positive about our future and the role that Lansdcape Architects and Urban Designers play in that world.

It aims to suggests possible answers to our current environmental malaise rather than to leave it to others to resolve. Ultimately

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our profession is an optimistic one and one that needs to be realistic about its challenges and expanded scope. We should not allow others to perpetuate the idea of Landcape Architects as gardenmakers but rather cast ourselves as solution providers.

We cannnot afford to assume that someone else will take care of the problem. We must instead take responsibility for the environments we create every day.

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materials science In order to get a real-time workable system we have used parametric design methods to link design, energy modelling, materials science and site systems to develop a complete package for zero emissions design. At all times the core goal of restoring an environment that is better than what existed before it.

returning to the original point, none of these projects have yet fully addressed how to overcome embodied energy. we must as an industry make a priority of site harvested or locally ‘grown’ materials.

Combination of bacteria, urea, calcium and water Can use waste products like animal manure Works with any aggregate Achieves strength of stone and can be mass produced Will be commercially available soon Cost competetive and better quality than imported bricks Will also be made into a concrete replacement product

One tree is burned to make just 62 bricks. A new house might call for 25,000 bricks—that’s 400 trees vs zero trees for biobricks

Inorganic compound that binds any aggregate into a rock-like finish; t From sand, 10 % water and 6 % Fluid Rock you are able to produce stones in any form up to hardness of Granite. t No electricity, heat, machinery or factory needed t Sunlight is able to mould any size and form of stone within 24 hours. t It is waterresistant, noncorrosive and acid-proof t Any kind of sand and water is usable

This is a sample piece of fluid rock used for as a test for use on a a sculptural dune land art feature

Currently being trialled in two projects in the GCC

Zeobond’s E-Crete Cement is produced by combining a mixture of ground slag and fly ash with a small volume of commercial chemicals to produce a cement binder based on an alumino-silicate reaction t

Slag is a waste product produced during the smelting of iron to form pig-iron Fly ash is a waste product produced from coal-fired power stations t Trialled for use in the UAE t 80% less embodied energy than Portland Cement t Has been commercially proven in Australia and used for in-situ, pre-cast, bricks, pavers and pipes t

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“Tossing a clay brick into a coal-powered kiln, then firing it up to 2,000˚F, emits about 1.3 pounds of carbon dioxide.

Multiply that by the 1.23 trillion bricks manufactured each year, and you’re talking about more pollution than what’s produced by all the airplanes in the world”

Zeobond E-Crete cCan be used for t Footpaths t Tank Bases t Precast Panels t Pavers t Pipes t Mortar t Wallboard t Permeable Paving t Bricks t Blocks

t

Unlike other sealants to date it does not break when walked on and forms a rocklike finish

e-crete by techsense consulting

This very cool product is made from normal dune sand with zero energy input....

this is not as impractical as you might think....here are some real practical examples of materials we can use.....

a key element of the system is synthetic landscape systems like bio-walls, on-site food production and indoor phytoremediation systems

fluid rock by techsense consulting

biobricks by biomason

it is now up to us to make parametric and ecological urbanism a reality

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Landscape Consultants The GCC’s expanding landscape has evolved inline with a vision that was supported and more importantly implemented on the back of some of the world’s most talented architects, designers and urban planners. Landscape has profiled some of the best landscape professionals currently operating within the region including, Atkins, AEB, Burt Hill, MESA and Verdaus in a bid to showcase their talent and promote the region as a hub for urban planning and innovative landscape design.

M

Image courtesy of ALDAR

ESA is an international landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm based in Dallas, Texas, USA. Since the firm was founded in 1981, they have designed projects around a core belief that all systems, natural and built, are interconnected in a landscape which host human and natural communities. MESA’s approach to design and planning is holistic and seeks true sustainability: social, environmental, and economic. With experience that spans the USA, Europe, Middle East, and Asia, the company has the capabilities to work on various project types and sizes including urban environments, commercial development, public realm, public parks, botanical gardens, community planning, resorts, and campus planning. MESA creates exceptional environments that meet the world’s most complex planning and design challenges. In all projects, the firm is known for its sensitivity to the land—its history, its ecology, and its appropriate use. The firm was one of the earliest to incorporate low impact design technologies, open space networks, and character defining elements into large-scale community developments. In addition to its US office, MESA has offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Over its thirty year history, MESA has completed numerous award-winning projects that reflect their belief that the design of public and private spaces is shaped by their connectivity to the surrounding environment and community. The firm’s design philosophy, project management processes and leadership provide clients with innovative designs, a creative use of materials, and follow-through from pre-development to construction.

MESA’s Middle East projects exemplify their core values. The Ferrari Experience in Abu Dhabi benefits from a privileged location in the middle of Yas Island with world class attractions such as the Formula 1 race track, water park and signature golf course. The sandy coastline and maritime ecology give a distinct character to the island, rooted in the culture and landscape of Abu Dhabi.

Taking due regard for the natural environment and seeking to blend with the surroundings, MESA’s approach to this project was to create a unique and inviting background for the red sweeping superstructure that houses the Ferrari theme park while weaving the Ferrari and racing concepts throughout the design.

Though half a world away from MESA’s home base in Dallas, Texas, USA, and with a completely different landscape than Texas, the Middle East benefits from the same sensibility to and understanding of the native landscape that is a MESA hallmark. Saadiyat Beach Show Villas

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Ferrari Experience

Image Courtesy of TDIC & Westin

Photography by Wes Cegelski

Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa known as Jawaher Al Saadiyat Beach Villas is Saadiyat’s first residential community that features high-end luxury homes and landscape gardens. It is organized around an intimate street with parks anchoring each end. Fountains and covered seating mitigate the desert heat, while children’s play areas encourage outdoor recreation. The villas showcase 5 villa types for a total of ten different show villas covering three architectural styles, Arabic, Mediterranean and Contemporary, with landscape at each villa that plays on indigenous forms. Three landscape styles include the Traditional Arabic style that uses intricately shaped, symmetrical pools and small water jets to cool and activate space; the Desert Contemporary style uses semi-opaque shade structures to conjure the perforated shade of desert trees and shrubs as well as employing desert-adapted vegetation to reduce irrigation needs; and the Mediterranean style features a private entry garden with water feature, plunge pool, formal lawn, flagstone terraces, and stone detailing.

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa is an oasis of tranquility carved out of the desert that features a 27-hole championship golf course over undulating terrain meandering through pockets of palms and ornamental trees with seven spectacular saltwater lakes. The site for the resort and spa is well situated in this development and serves to enhance the natural environment and the world class recreation activities.

MESA worked in conjunction with a team of designers to create the leisure areas of the golf resort’s flagship hotel that would communicate the forward, progressive nature of Abu Dhabi and also reflect the cultural values of the region. Elements that enhance the leisure areas include soothing pools, relaxing lounge areas, and convenient gathering spaces for social events.

MESA’s landscape design and plant material selection consider maintenance costs and water efficiency.

In these and dozens of other Middle Eastern projects, MESA focuses on close collaboration with clients and other design professionals, careful examination of the existing landscape and program needs, and creative solutions that can successfully be built.

Jawaher Al Saadiyat Beach Villas

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Landscape Consultants

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Durrat Al Bahrain

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tkins is one of the region’s largest engineering and design consultancies with around 2,000 permanent staff in its Middle East business, including a strong team of landscape designers. The company has been working in the region for more than 40 years and now has 11 offices across Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait. What’s more, the company can draw on the expertise of almost 18,000 professionals across the world.

This multi-local presence has been the cornerstone of Atkins’ success and across the Middle East, its architects and engineers have worked on an impressive portfolio of projects which have made major contributions to the region, including strong elements of landscape design.

These range from Dubai Metro, the first state of the art public transport system in the region, to the Burj Al Arab and the Bahrain World Trade Center – iconic projects which are known throughout the world. Atkins also designed and engineered Durrat al Bahrain, a spectacular 20 sq km resort for 45,000 people on the south coast of Bahrain, comprising 13 man-made islands.

Atkins has landscape experts in all of the region’s key territories and across the world who work hand in hand with other disciplines.

They plan, design and implement sustainable solutions across a full spectrum of sites from brownfield land to public realm schemes, area regeneration frameworks, neighbourhood renewal and regional masterplans.

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Lee Allen, Head of Landscape in Qatar, adds: “Landscape designers play a central role as the interface between many disciplines.

Quality public realm relies on strong working relationships with other team members, and this has never been more important in the Middle East.

Qatar has a strong vision to create a public realm that is world class, which demands development which is well considered from the outset. This is a tremendously exciting time to be working in the region and to be part of creating something very special for future generations.”

Sustainability is always at the core of Atkins’ decision making and includes issues such as water management, alternative modes of transport, micro-climate mitigation and the fortification of local culture and heritage.

Gerard Geor, Head of Landscape in Bahrain, adds: “Working for such a large and internationally recognised company like Atkins, I am fortunate to have been a part of a large number of diverse projects in the GCC.”

Al Rayyan Road – Street improvements, Doha, Qatar

Atkins (www.atkins-me.com) is the UK’s largest engineering and design consultancy and the world’s 11th largest design firm. We have the depth and breadth of expertise to respond to the most technically challenging and time critical infrastructure projects and the urgent transition to a low-carbon economy.

Whether it’s the concept for a new skyscraper, the upgrade of a rail network, the modelling of a flood defence system or the improvement of a management process, we plan, design and enable solutions.

Recent projects include: • Major infrastructure works, such as the design and programme management of the civil works for the Dubai Metro red and green lines; • Iconic architecture, such as the design, engineering and construction management of the Bahrain World

Trade Center. This pioneering design is the World’s first example of large-scale wind turbines being incorporated into a commercial building.

• Vital water and power projects that improve essential infrastructure networks, such as the district cooling system of Manama’s north shore, Bahrain.

This is the Kingdom’s first district cooling system.

• Arterial transport schemes, including rail, light rail and road. The Doha-Dukhan Highway in Qatar will the State’s two primary cities. Atkins provided transport planning and site supervision.

• The delivery of major multidisciplinary projects such as The Wave, Oman. Atkins were commissioned to undertake the masterplanning and design, reclamation, marine engineering, landscape and environmental expertise and site supervision.

Atkins was named Consultancy of the Year in the CIBSE Low Carbon Performance Awards 2010; received the first ever certification of the Carbon Trust Standard awarded to an engineering consultancy in the construction sector; and was named among The Times Top 50 Companies Where Women Want to Work 2009 and The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2009. Atkins was also construction and civil engineering sector winner for the fifth consecutive year in the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2010 and was awarded a RoSPA Gold Award 2010 for excellence in control of health and safety in the workplace.

Atkins is the official engineering design services provider for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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Water feature with sculpture at the corporate building plaza

Landscape Consultants

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rab Engineering Bureau is an award winning firm of Architects, Urban & Master planners, Interior, Landscape, and Structural Designers, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors and Project and Design Managers with a truly inimitable portfolio. Founded in 1966 as the first architectural and engineering consulting firm in Qatar, AEB brings 46 years of experience to the industry. The firm has experienced a phenomenal growth since 1991 when it was acquired by the current Managing Director, award winning architect, Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah.

Working across extensively divergent project scales, typologies and environmental conditions is AEB’s persistent endeavor. In recent years the firm has completed numerous commercial, residential, civic, institutional, educational and historic preservation projects for a variety of public and private clients throughout Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Yemen and Sudan.

Design Principles Arab Engineering Bureau’s strength is transforming potential into reality. The firm considers every project to be a benefactor to a sustainable environment, local economy and community.

UpTown Oval Park Global Team, Studio and Practice Beginning with 6 staff and an essential facility in 1991 AEB has grown to a current figure of over 400 highly qualified professionals from various disciplines of 29 different nations all over the world, and enjoy offices in the firm’s headquarter building equipped with state-of the art technology.

Over the past 45 years, the firm has evolved into a leading multi- disciplinary architectural design consultancy. AEB operates across the Middle East with offices based in Doha and Abu Dhabi; and Southeast Asia with offices based in Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Building on AEB’s pioneering work and consolidating a long-term commitment to future development in the region, the firm is scheduled to open an office in Muscat, Oman.

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AEB draws on the strengths of a unique architectural methodology, established by Ibrahim Jaidah himself, which portrays the present development of the country and where appropriate, preserves and articulates the traditional Architecture while ensuring that each design offers the client a functional space tailored to their needs and design brief.

AEB Landscape has done various projects ranging from Master planning, Commercial and Mixed development, Residential, Military Camps, Institutional, offices, embassies and parks. The Landscape team started from a small team of two Landscape Architects and now expanding with Design Office taking place in AEB Doha and all Production works carried out in AEB KL, Malaysia office.

The firm’s approach is grounded in the search for contextually appropriate solutions. Special emphasis is given to the response to climate, scale and character of the context. As a result,

AEB has been chosen numerous times to create landmark projects. Notable early projects include the Barzan Tower, acclaimed as one of the most famous buildings on Doha skyline, and award-winning projects such as the Diplomatic Club and Al Shaqab Institute for Girls (honored on the Qatari Currency 100 Riyal note).

Our Experience Having undertaken projects of all sizes from private villa to billion-dollar projects, AEB’s portfolio is extensive and its body of work includes over 1,400 in-house completed projects.

The firm has also worked in partnership with signature international architects including Arata Isozaki, Jean Nouvel and supported several prestigious projects by international teams in the capacity as local consultants. AEB has also been involved in numerous large-scale governmental projects.

Arab Engineering Bureau provides solutions for the specific design challenges faced by the local climate and culture. In 2011, the firm receive the Consultancy of the Year Award at the inaugural Construction Week Qatar Awards in Doha.

AEB’s success is attributed by the attention to detail, technical experience, creativity, customized service, inherent value engineering, and true professionalism that the firm brings to every project, regardless of its size or budget.

AS a trusted partner AEB aims to provide quality output at the highest standard keeping abreast with the latest innovations in the construction industry and by using state-of-theart technologies.

Our Quality Your Satisfaction pools ready in 14 days

Oasis Dreams are the exclusive distributors for French manufactured Waterair Swimming pools. Founded in 1972 with offices in over 35 different countries around the world, backed with ISO 9001 version 2000 certification and quality tests run by independent laboratories like CETIM & Bureau Veritas done on our products, has made Waterair Swimming pool become the ideal choice for smart people. Our integrated pool frames are made of extra thick corrugated steel with choice of PVC Liners, Steps, natural reconstituted stone Copings which are comfortable & non-slip, choices in filtration system with optional Spa and massage systems, outdoor showers, safety coverings, alarm systems and LED lightings. We also construct Concrete Swimming pool that offers greater design flexibility and can be constructed in any shape, size and depth. We can turn your pool dreams into reality in a matter of 6 to 8 weeks depending on the complexity of your project. We construct concrete residential as well as commercial pools of different types such as: Skimmer pools, Overflow pools, Reflecting pools, Infinity pools or Vanishing pools, Beach Entry pools, Plunge pools, Counter current and Excercise pools. Spas, Slides and Fountains or Waterfalls with Pools

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Landscape Consultants MotorCity Development Burt Hill/Stantec developed the master plan for the unprecedented 350 hectare MotorCity development in Dubai, featuring a mix of residential, hotel, and office buildings, with associated amenities and parking. UpTown MotorCity, comprising 3,500 residential units and supporting community amenities, is one of several significant project components fully designed and executed by Burt Hill/Stantec. It features vibrant neighborhoods centered around cozy courtyards, offering a community that combines the beauty of country living with the convenience of the city.

The Bloom Gardens Located on the prestigious Eastern Mangrove Corniche in Abu Dhabi, the Mediterranean inspired community of the award winning Bloom Gardens offers all the beauty of nature right in the midst of a bustling metropolis. The distinctively designed development includes 372 luxury villas and townhouses. Amenities include concierge service, 24-hour security and guard-controlled access, a range of shopping and leisure outlets, a clubhouse, various recreation areas and integrated parks and plazas.

Confidential Public Realm Project Burt Hill/Stantec completed the high profile public realm design for a new urban district of 345 hectares and supporting a residential population of over 80,000 people. This scope comprises the design of the many district parks and plazas, the waterfront promenade, and the streetscape, in order to support and define the experience of visitors and inhabitants. The district streetscape has a clear hierarchy of connective and shaded boulevards, avenues and streets. One premier boulevard and a series of north-south ‘Signature Avenues’ link the urban places to the waterfront and surrounding districts.

Fareej Gardens This underutilized site, currently emblematic of Al Ain’s industrial economy, will be transformed into a new symbol of future economic aspirations based on the Garden City’s unique qualities. The mixed-use design shall encourage social interaction and improve civic participation. The housing clusters will have integrated communal spaces, such as gardens, seating and play areas. These semi-public areas will be a defining part of the development, connected to each other and other amenities through an integrated pedestrian network.

At the present time Burt Hill/Stantec is working on a number of important and prestigious projects in the UAE and wider Gulf region, in various stages of planning and construction. Thanks to its ability to efficiently meet client expectations at every stage, Burt Hill/Stantec has an edge in tackling difficult projects and difficult market conditions.

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Bloom Gardens Plaza

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he Stantec group of companies, established in 1954, offers professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics for infrastructure and facilities projects. Stantec provides its services through approximately 11,000 employees operating out of more than 170 locations worldwide. Stantec supports public and private sector clients in a diverse range of markets, at every stage, from initial concept and financial feasibility to project completion and beyond.

Stantec brought Burt Hill into its group of companies in December 2010. An international design firm renowned for providing awardwinning innovation and exceptional services, Burt Hill, a Stantec Company today has offices in several U.S. cities, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and India. The regional head office in Dubai was established in 2005, and now serves Gulf and MENA clients in regionally highprofile and significant projects. With over 140 employees located in the UAE, Burt Hill/Stantec has the means to deliver this awardwinning and broad portfolio of services and capabilities, with the practice having experience in such sectors as education, healthcare and wellness, mixed use and destination developments, corporate/ commercial, residential, and hospitality. Some of the major landscape architecture projects include MotorCity, Bloom Gardens, a confidential public realm development and Fareej Gardens.

Confidential Park

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Landscape Consultants

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erdaus were founded in 2004 as a consultancy practice specialising in the design and planning of external environments. Over the years we have provided consultancy services to government and private clients for residential communities, educational and institutional campuses, and public open space. Our projects are located primarily in the Middle East and India.

Dubai Silicon Oasis Dubai Silicon Oasis Phase 1 was Verdaus’ first significant project.

We were commissioned by the lead consultant, Archgroup, to deliver master planning and landscape consultancy services for this 55 ha residential community by the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority. Verdaus helped make this residential community a better place for life in a number of ways. One way was in making

Mission Verdaus’ mission is to create better places for life.

Places for life support community life through public open space that encourages safe and engaging social interaction.

Places for life are alive with nature where trees, plants, and green spaces thrive and provide essential environmental services such as improving air quality and the environmental performance of urban water cycles.

Places for life support healthy living through quality green spaces and networks that encourage safe and enjoyable physical activity such as walking and cycling.

Places for life last for lifetimes; they are durable and sustainable, timeless and flexible.

the parks prominent and accessible. We ensured the parks were properly connected with the public realm by surrounding them with public open space. This decision meant that today the parks are not only enjoyed as places of rest and recreation on weekends, they are part of the character and identity of the community. We were pleased to be awarded with Phase 2 several years after the completion of Phase 1.

Sohar University Sohar University is Verdaus’ first project in the Sultanate of Oman. We were commissioned by Design Inc (now Earc), an Australian architecture firm working for the client, Sohar University. We collaborated with Earc in the urban design of the campus. After completing our initial scope for master planning, the client commissioned Verdaus directly to provide services through to detailed design and construction supervision.

Verdaus proposed an innovative system using a species of reed, Phragmites australis, to treat wastewater. The client commissioned Mizan Consult, environmental engineers, to conduct a feasibility study for the various wastewater treatment technologies. The study demonstrated that the reed bed system delivered significant cost savings for the client. Mizan Consult went on to design a 30,000 sqm reed bed. This system could eventually treat wastewater generated by over 9,000 students.

This would be the largest system of its type in the region.

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Landscape Consultants

The Parliament House of Oman The Parliament House of Oman is the highest profile project with national and international significance in the Sultanate of Oman. Verdaus were commissioned by the Government of Oman after an extensive pre-qualification and bidding process. The value of the total project is USD 520M. Scale was the key challenge of this project. The building itself consists of three massive halls connected by architecture spanning over 400m. Our key goal was to address the grand and monumental scale of the building itself and also create human scaled spaces within the campus. As construction on site progresses the scale and proportion of spaces around the campus are taking shape. It is looking promising that we struck the right balance. Soon after presenting our initial concepts, the client commissioned Verdaus to develop ideas for the Royal Opera House, another highly important civic building in Muscat.

Royal Opera House Muscat Royal Opera House Muscat is the leading arts and culture organization in the Sultanate of Oman. The Opera House serves as a centre of excellence in global cultural engagement. It is a key part of the nation’s cultural infrastructure, delivering a broad and diverse range of artistic, cultural, and educational programs. Verdaus were commissioned directly by the client, the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, to design the parks and gardens around the main building. These spaces were rich in detail yet reserved in overall effect. The character of the landscape reflects the refined elegance of the exterior facades.

The main exterior space is a maze garden with central water feature overlooked by semi-private seating niches.

Neguin Park in Isfahan Isfahan is located in central Iran, and was once one of the largest cities in the world. Twice in history it was the capital of Persia. Today, the city retains much of its past glory. It is famous for its Islamic architecture, with many beautiful boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. This led to the Persian proverb “’Esfah'n nesf-e jah'n ast” (Isfahan is half of the world).

Verdaus were commissioned by the developer Mehr Dana, and worked with Dr. Shahram Seificar, Partner and Director of Visionary Architect, to design a 5ha park on the banks of the Zayandeh River. Isfahan is a world heritage listed city with many fine parks. We visited Isfahan several times to observe how outdoor spaces were used by the local people. We found a rich culture strongly connected with the use of public open space.

The park is designed to first appear traditional. However it will be distinctly contemporary with new attractions such as the elevated teahouse with lookout, and the way new activities of modern day life are provided for.

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Blends naturally with any environment and landscape composition simple and elegant Modern flower pots with lights

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Lighting

Ligman light up Port Saeed

The Port Saeed Plaza Project, which opened this year, has created a green oasis public park just off Sheikh Zayed Road.

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he park is spread over 25,000 square meters and is designed to utilize green technology and energy saving devices to run the park.

The design concept for the park considers climate change and global environmental situations, taking into account the need for a reduction in environmental pollution, gas emissions and savings in energy consumption.

“The municipality applied highest international standards for buildings and green cities, to preserve our natural resources and environment. The green roofs save 25 per cent of the power. Therefore, the idea of green roofs and heat insulation plants has been implemented in most of our projects…” said Hussain Nasser Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality.

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along the park, the Dubai Municipality enlisted the help of Ligman Solar Energy systems, who used innovative alternative solar energy systems, in addition to LED technology to light the parks walkways.

The Ligman luminaires are all high Power LED sources with low energy consumption and long life properties.

“There is an abundance of solar energy in the Middle East due to its geographic location and constant sunshine,” explained a Ligman representative.

He emphasized the important of LED products to lower energy consumption in the region. “Although, the solar LED post top system needs minimum maintenance, the dust accumulation is a challenge hence the panels need periodic cleaning for efficient performance of the solar system. LED luminaires provide better

System contributes to clean energy generation and is easy to install, the complete installation of the lights for the pathways and walkways was completed in just seven days.

About Ligman Solar • Total energy saving 26.95 Kw/day • 9.83 Mw p.a. energy saving.

• Cost of electricity saved 2951.023 (calculated as 0.3AED/- per) • Saves Co2 emission • Lamp replacement approximately after 17 – 18 years • With lamp life of 60,000 – 80,000 hours • Automatic on-off lights help in energy saving.

• Saves cost of Cable, power generation, power transmission and reduces maintenance and labor charges.

spread of light and hence reduce the overall requirement of luminaires to evenly light the park area. “ He added, “The pathways of the park are lit with just 49 poles due to proven efficiency level of LED Luminaires.”

The components used by Ligman for Solar Post Top Range are all recyclable and environment friendly. The Solar Energy

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Memorial Park Park of Memory in Buenos Aires: Just next to Utrecht Central Station you find ‘De Inktpot’ (the Inkwell), the largest brick building in the Netherlands. More than just a colloquialism or nickname, ‘De Inktpot’ has become a term of endearment for the building. The building is imposing in scale, but has a refined grandeur due to its finishing touches. For the design of the patio, OKRA was asked to develop the outdoor space of the patio to make it more contemporary whilst keeping in harmony with the static monumentality of the building.

A memorial for the missing placed in a wonderful piece of land.

By Jimena Martignoni

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n South America there are a large number of memorials, most of which commemorate those missing during the dark periods of military dictatorships. Sadly, in Argentina alone (19761983) almost thirty thousand were missing, of which twelve thousand were officially documented.

The Monument to the Victims of State Terrorism, placed in the Park of Memory, in Buenos Aires, is a memorial designed by architect and urban planner Alberto Varas and built on a wonderfully located piece of land in front of the River Plate, or Río de la Plata: the most significant and incredible natural component of this South American capital city.

The Costanera Avenue, or Riverfront, is approximately 8 km long and it has two clearly defined sections, the Southern Costanera and the Northern Costanera. The first is developed in front of the city centre and Puerto Madero, the most exclusive and recently renovated area of the city, and the latter is a 5 km artificial border which, along its full extension, connects with some of the largest parks of the city, the domestic airport and the much greener northern part of Buenos Aires.

A landfill was created between the formal end of the Northern Costanera and this natural area, resulting in a 35 ha abandoned area in front of the river which, ironically, has some of the few and best

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Memorial plan

open views over the vast plane of silver water. This area was chosen for the placement of the memorial park. Historically, the city was developed ignoring the shoreline, except for the Northern Costanera and a few spots that allow public access to the Río de la Plata.

The project for a memorial site was initiated in 1997 as a proposal by local Human Rights organisations; this proposal became a law enacted by the City Government and set the institutional base for the creation of a “Pro-Monument Commission”.

Additionally, the City Government in association with the School of Architecture of the Buenos Aires University announced a national competition whose call for entries was opened in 1998.

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The slow process of the construction dragged on for more than ten years, mainly caused by the economic instability of the city and the changing mayoral administrations. Built in phases that allowed the gradual use of the site, the memorial park was opened in 2008 and a few final phases are yet to be completed.

The tender for the contract was awarded to Alberto Varas y Asociados, an architecture and planning firm whose principal has been deeply connected with the development of the city. Varas received international awards for his completed projects and was invited to lecture at several universities throughout Latin America, the US and Europe.

This project is about three things: memory, the possibility of getting close to this wonderful river, and the geographical reconstruction of the city, understood as naturalization of

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Memorial Park

the urban components,” explained Varas.

Varas proposed the reconstruction of the landfill portion of the site that was chosen for the competition, behind the UBA campus, and to reconnect the entire existing abandoned area with the Northern Costanera, establishing a new border. Consequently, this created a butterfly shaped area with strong curves that produces a natural and unusually long urban riverfront; the “wings” of the butterfly are the two different halfmoon shaped areas, each of which make up a different park and respond to the different requirements of the competition´s program. The Natural Park is the closest to the campus, acting as a natural expansion onto the river, and the one connected to the Northern Costanera

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and the city becomes the memorial park or Parque de la Memoria. Altogether the site covers almost 40 hectares and is generated as a series of well-defined green areas.

The idea of a gentle hill with the highest point at 7.20 meters contrasts with the iconic expanse of the river, which poetically, has always been locally known as the “liquid pampas”, alluding to the typical plains of this part of Argentina. The curvature of this mound of grass allows for better views over the very different images that surround the park.

In reality, the competition only asked for the parks and two statuary monuments located at some significant

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points: one for the victims of state terrorism and another for the victims of the AMIA (terrorist attack on the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association in 1994). Since the necessary funding for the second monument could not be raised, it was removed from the program and it become a mark in the land, which Varas incorporated as a simple amphitheater-style gathering and contemplative area. For the first and most important “monument”, Varas instead proposed a memorial as an itinerary, a dynamic composition that would also be comparable with other international designs of its kind; but mostly it would be a processional experience completely connected with the landscape of the river and the distant but visible downtown.

Sketch Varas

The memorial itself is conceived as a series of non-continuous planes or “stelae” which, as they run in zigzag formation and mark the pilgrim´s progress, open up to provide views of the surroundings. Tragically, during those dark times in Argentina, hundreds of dead bodies were dumped from airplanes and swept out into the river. The unashamedly self-referential character of the site and the journey toward the river make it even more dramatic.

Overall plan natural and memorial parks

The trajectory defined by the panels cut deep into the artificial 7.20 meter-grassy hill, appearing as a scar in the land. The walls, made with Patagonian porphyry, display 12.000 names with the detail of each person´s age, as a real reference to the young age at which most of them disappeared; the names are chronologically and alphabetically listed, beginning in 1973 and continuing until 1983. They are inscribed on removable plaques of approximately 5cm x 35 cm attached to a metallic base; some of the plaques remain empty and, in case new names appear as the documentation expands over time, they can be taken out, inscribed and put back. Unfortunately, the identification process is not complete and it may never be.

In order to create perspective and to guide the gaze down the ramp providing an easy reading process, the names are located on only one side of the walkway as it slopes toward the river. On the opposite side, the plane is made up of a gabion.

The only panel that presents a colour change is the first, which provides the frame for a small plaza and a shallow pool that mark the itinerary´s entrance.

The stele becomes the longest side of a triangular shaped resting area and the side that faces the water is made of black granite, creating reflections which combine with those of the water. This small plaza is paved with pink granite and, at one of the corners, is planted with a fine composition of ceibos (Erytrina cristagalli) that provide shade for a more intimate space intended to offer a stop: a place for introspection before or after walking the memorial itself.

Right in front of this passive composition extends the access plaza, a place for gathering before entering the memorial park and directly connected with the street. Furnished with benches and planted with grasses and swamp Spanish oak (Quercus

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Memorial Park palustris) which define an edge or boundary with the park, this plaza is where most of the sculptures have been sited. The oaks mark a wide pedestrian path that ends in a pier jutting into the river and which crosses over the newly created border connected to the Northern Costanera.

A second shorter pier is situated at the very end of the memorial, when it finally opens up to the river and establishes a dramatic final arrival; a particularly meaningful and emotional steel sculpture is positioned here, out on the water, on a floating platform about 70 meters away from the riverfront. Recalling 14 year old-missing Pablo Míguez, this moving sculpture (set in place by professional divers) represents a boy looking to the river, turning his back to the memorial, and reflecting the water on his mirror-polished steel surface. Another significant sculpture appears on the green plane of the memorial as a paragraph inscribed on a large corten steel panel, which says “Thinking is a revolutionary fact.”

The newly created riverfront extends as a long path edged by a short wall planted with shrubs and punctuated by light posts. Once it passes the memorial´s arrival at the water and starts getting close to the Natural Park, it is planted with poplars.

The only building in the memorial park is a Center for Information and Arts, located in front of the last stele and the opening onto the river. In order to remain as a subtle presence in the landscape the building is half-buried in the land and from the riverfront it appears as a simple trace, drawn by the straight lines of the roof. Built with U-glass walls, this edifice enjoys a great deal of natural light and it provides space for temporary exhibitions and a library dedicated to the theme of memory.

Lastly, the Plaza de la Concordia is designed as a connecting piece or a “hinge” that is built between the two parks offering a formal area with typical facilities such as a café and offices. Adjacent to this intended plaza, a dam built on the mouth of an underground stream that flows into the river, called Arroyo Vega or Vega Stream, will control the regular floods caused by the “Sudestada” (Southeast blow bringing heavy rain to the coastal regions). This independent and complementary engineering work completes the project in a more holistic manner and alleviates a historical problem in this part of the city.

As a place of emotion and of public remembrance, the Park of Memory in Buenos Aires most definitely achieves the inherent goals that come with these controversial conditions.

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Designer: Alberto Varas Planting design: Fernando González Location: Costanera Norte, Buenos Aires Year of completion of the memorial: 2008 Park´s facilities completion slated for 2012 Total Size: 40 hectares Park´s size: 15 hectares

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Garden Park

Amongst the many manifestations of garden architecture which surround the city of Rome, including the splendid Villa d’Este in Tivoli, one special project in the Castelli Romani region which deserves special attention is the Chigi Park in Ariccia. This garden park has recently been restored and given a new lease of life by Virginio Melaranci after five patient years of dedicated work, carried out between 2006 and 2010, at the cost of over one million euro.

The Barco Chigi in Ariccia

By Mario Pisani

O

riginally planned by Gian Lorenzo Bernini for the Chigi family of bankers, the project was further enriched by Carlo Fontana with additions typical of classical Italian garden layouts. These interventions included the installation of a Barco (an area reserved for hunting) surrounded by a form of sacred forest which echoed antique Greek models. The park itself also created a strong relationship with its surrounding natural environment, creating an equation between the organised layout of the garden park itself and the external undomesticated nature. In 1661 the Chigi family acquired from the Savelli’s the feudal title of Ariccia and within a period of 15 years initiated a

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series of important works restoring the park and incorporating the existing aviary of Roman origin converted in 1682 by Bernardino Savelli.

The Chigi scheme featured a now no longer existent fishmonger’s store, cells and cellars for the conservation of food and a number of both decorative and rustic fountains. The scheme also included a fascinating system of

waterworks, pathways and the dense planting of a number of high trees within which were laid nets for the purpose of trapping birds.

In all of these interventions one constantly notices an almost reverend respect for the natural surroundings of the site; an approach rarely seen since those times. Sigismondo Chigi (1736-1793) insisted that the park

WPC protects primeval forests. Our first objective was to develop the technology to create a composite wood superior to natural wood in order to combat the thoughtless lumbering of forest trees.

www.einwood.com I www.landscape-me.com I April 2012

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Garden Park

should always retain a natural picturesque quality reminiscent of a wild forest, with trees which had fallen through the impact of strong winds or had dried up due to old age, left to stand in their derelict state.

Thanks to the Grand Tour, many travellers had the opportunity to visit and admire the areas in the vicinity of Italy’s capital city. These included Turner, Corot, Goethe, Stendhal, Sand and D’Annunzio.

In 1787 Goethe wrote “we paused at the entrance of a park which seemed well kept but not controlled by its owner.

Strangely enough, the proprietor, Prince Chigi, seemed keen that visitors should only get glimpses of this private natural environment. In fact, it appeared more as a tangled assembly of trees, roots and other plants which grew without any form of control. All bushes, shrubs and other vegetal growths were allowed to dry, fall and even rot. The whole ambiance evoked nature and appeared almost as a powerful painting conceived by a great artist”.

In the second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the concept of the Barco, the aviary and new approaches in garden architecture, strongly evoked the zeitgeist of the age, following a philosophy that one should not in any way disturb the romantic ambiance of untouched nature which manifested the layering and stratification of its whole development over many a century. This approach however, did not prevent the respective owners of such spaces from imposing traces of

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their own interventions; by for example, planting cypress trees in the centre of a clearing surrounded by 18th century style fountains; trees which today having reached a height of over 30 meters have changed the whole image of the site. A fine example of the manifestation of this approach was the installation of fountains, trees and the formation of canals together with the monumental bridge by Ireneo Aleandri inaugurated by Pope Pius IX in 1854. The practice of planting exotic trees in relation to man-made architectural features is most evident in this complex at the piazza next to the aviary where a large cypress tree was placed adjacent to the Viale dei Leoni, together with a series of sculptures in terracotta on the side of the arch which marks the entrance to the old Roman remains. Another cypress tree rises at the beginning of the passageway leading to the Barco, while a series of Chamaerop palms are evident in the Giardino Nuovo area on the hillock on the route to the aviary.

Post its restoration, the place has now been reinterpreted as a walled garden with the installation of a lawn, the starkness and simplicity of which contrasts with the organic plastic qualities of the whole complex. The borders which define the area feature decorative plants such as acanthus, various species of fern, rhubarb, hydrangeas and palm trees which in their autumn colours contrast strongly with the grey tones of the walls covered with capsicum plants.

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Garden Park

The question facing the architect Melaranci in the restoration of this project was how to amalgamate and unify the historical, botanical and forestry aspects of the whole area while retaining the overriding order of its vegetal aspect. The choice was between the previously untamed and natural characteristics of the garden and one of recreating the image of what the park would have looked like in the 19th century based on photographic images of the time.

Today, on visiting the park, the imagery certainly evokes the atmosphere of those times while the aromas, the silence, the light and colours which now characterise the project were certainly aspects which would not have been present in the original layout but which would have developed and materialised in the passage of time through different epochs.

In this manner, the architect, while retaining the landscaping characteristics of the original project in its completely naturalistic state, has installed some form of overlaid controlled disorder. The new plants may be read as the architect’s gesture to emphasise

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the new man-made interventions and his imposition of an antropic order yet recalling images of the ‘Giardino di Ninfa’ and the ‘Piazzale dei Mascheroni’ in the new part of the garden. The newly planted trees include various maple species monspessulanum, saccharinum, negundo variegatum, vari palmatum, heptalobum, all of which not only contrast with the monochromatic effect of the park generated by the ever present persistent lecci allori but also serve to create and focus on specific spatial vistas while also carefully avoiding views of the unfortunate structures of the new part of the city. This planting consists mainly of cynnamomum camphora which screens the back part of the Tiberian funerary monument of ‘Tiberio Latinio Pandusa’, relocated in the park in 1997 from the adjacent ‘Appia Antica’.

In the ‘Piazzale dei Mascheroni’ a small water feature was introduced as a form of mnemonic recollection of the destroyed old fishmonger store during the construction of the monumental bridge.

Landscape I www.landscape-me.com I December I www.landscape-me.com I April2010 2012

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New Projects

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Budget (USD)

National Bank of Kuwait Headquarters Building Project

Construction of 70-storey, 300-metrehigh headquarters building for National Bank of Kuwait (NBK).

Al Shaab National Real Estate Company (Kuwait)

Kuwait

SSH International Consultant (Kuwait)

N/A

Headquarters Building Project

Construction of new headquarters for a bank comprising a 205-metre-high, 36-storey office tower.

Al-Rajhi Banking & Investment Corporation (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

Hill International Middle East Ltd. (Saudi Arabia)

N/A

Seef Lusail Multi-use Development Project

Development of Seef Lusail multi-use scheme.

Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company (Qatar)

Qatar

N/A

N/A

DoubleTree Hilton Resort Project - Marjan Island

Construction of DoubleTree Hilton Resort.

Mohamed Ruqait Real Estate (Ras Al Khaimah)

UAE

N/A

N/A

Kingdom Riyadh Land Mixed-use Development Project

Development of a multi-purpose scheme, focusing on tourism and housing involving construction of mixed-use residential and commercial buildings, hotels.

Kingdom Holding Company (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

Omrania & Associates Architecture & Engg. Consultants (Saudi Arabia)

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Construction of Fairmont Amman Hotel.

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Jordan

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Carrying out refurbishment/modernising of the existing 13-storey Nile Ritz Carlton Hotel.

Misr Hotels Company (Egypt)

Egypt

Hill International Ltd. / Orascom Construction Industries (Egypt)

N/A

Meridien Hotel Extension Project

Construction of an extension to the existing five-star Meridien Hotel.

Wasl Asset Management Group (Dubai)

UAE

Arch Group / Al-Futtaim Carillion (Dubai)

54 Million

Doha Festival City Development Project

Development of Doha Festival City comprising a retail centre, an entertainment park, two hotels and an auto park made up of car showrooms.

Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (Dubai)

Qatar

Mace Limited / Arabian Construction Company - ACC (Qatar)

1600 Million

Salalah International Airport Expansion Project - Phase 1

Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for expansion of the existing Salalah International Airport.

Ministry of Transport & Communications (Oman)

Oman

COWI & Partners LLC / Galfar Engineering & Contracting Company S.A.O.G (Oman)

765 Million

Apron Construction Project - King Khalid International Airport

Construction of a new apron at King Khalid International Airport.

General Authority of Civil Aviation - GACA (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

Netherlands Airport Consultants - NACO (Netherlands)

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Al Jalila Children Speciality Hospital Project

Construction of Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital.

Dubai Health Authority (DHA)

UAE

Al-Futtaim Carillion (Dubai)

185 Million

Rocco Forte Hotel Project

Design and construction of 23-storey Rocco Forte Hotel.

Al-Eissa Real Estate (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Harasani Architects / Al Saad General Contracting (Saudi Arabia)

400 Million

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