Landscape August 2011 by MEMEDIA Publishing

middle east

A u g u s t 2 0 11

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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This Month EDITOR’S NOTE

Published by:

Ramadan Kareem

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 Contributors Natasha Tourish Heba Hashem Elif Bonelli Rochelle Greayer Mario Pisani Jimena Martignoni Eman Kamel Printed by Al Nisr Publishing LLC

he holy month of Ramadan started on the first day of August, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a Ramadan Kareem! It is a special month and with it comes hope and humbleness, a time to reflect on our humility, restraints, and humanity. We have put together an editorial calendar which you could view on our website to outline the topics to be covered in our upcoming editions. The features will include a special about swimming pools and water features, irrigation and water management solutions, hotels and resorts, Contractors and Consultants special, and Golf courses in the Middle East. If you are interested in being part of either of these special issues please contacts us at info@landscape-me.com. We look forward to your contribution and participation in Landscape’s focused editions. In the meantime, you can enjoy this month’s issue, which includes a variety of topics and projects from around the world. Landscape met with Mr. William Leathers from Valley Crest Middle East to discuss their accomplishments and future plans; interviewed Mr. James Wines from SITE and talked about his astonishing projects; visited the Tecnoparque in Mexico and finally the Rotterdam Westerkade Parkkade in the Netherlands.

Nada Abdel Khalek

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

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The First Specialised Landscape magazine in the Middle East Untitled-1 1

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Contents August 2011- Issue 50

26 12 18 26 30 34

Interview with Mr. William Leathers

Technopark, Mexico

Interview with James Wines

Rotterdam Westerkade Parkkade

Women in landscape

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News & Events Demonstrating their strong commitment to sustainable development, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) awarded today Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) the three pearl rating of the Estidama Pearl Rating System (PRS) for the design phase of 10 government schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The schools - the first in the Emirate ever designed to comply with the UPC’s Estidama standard and the first-ever buildings in the Emirate to achieve the three pearl rating certification - are part of Phase III of ADEC’s “Future Schools Program,” which is an essential part of ADEC’s ten year strategic plan to transform Abu Dhabi’s education system.

The ten schools – to be located in the Abu Dhabi suburbs of Al Bateen, Al Shawamekh, Al Shamkha, Baniyas and the Al Ain suburbs of Al Yahar, Al Foah and Zakheer - will cater to the educational needs of boy and girls. The three pearl rating for design is one pearl above the mandatory level of two pearls set by the Abu Dhabi government for all government buildings. This achievement is particularly significant since this is the first time that the 3 pearls rating is granted to any kind of building in Abu Dhabi and demonstrates ADEC’s strong commitment to sustainable development.

H.E. Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager UPC, hands award to H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al-Khaili, Director General of ADEC. importance for quality school design such as integrated design process, energy savings, water consumption reduction and recycling. In fact, the 10 schools have been designed - with the use of sustainable materials - to significantly reduce energy and water consumption, improve indoor air quality conditions for students and incorporate better waste management practices. They set a new benchmark for sustainability standards of future educational institutions and will positively impact students’ comfort and well-being. With regards to energy saving, each school has been designed to use the renewable energy technologies of solar hot water and photovoltaic systems and will monitor the use of energy through a Building Management System. To conserve water the designs include water efficient fixtures and fittings, a water efficient landscape and air-cooled conditioning systems. Other key sustainability strategies include high levels of shading throughout the school campuses to improve outdoor thermal conditions, use of individual thermal control features in all occupied spaces and the implementation of waste recycling practices.

Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council Awards Estidama Three Pearl Rating to 10 Abu Dhabi Education Council Schools Commenting on these awards, His Excellency Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), states: “As one of the key pillars of Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Vision, education plays an integral part of promoting long term sustainable development Through the different joint communication programs developed by ADEC and UPC, our next generation of citizens will clearly understand what sustainability means, appreciate the benefits of being sustainable and most importantly, implement tools and techniques that will help us all to achieve our future sustainability targets.” Through an integrated development process, that has involved all of the project’s stakeholders; the design of the 10 schools has taken a holistic sustainability approach with a particular emphasis given to four factors of prime

DM tests solar energy system in public utilities Juma Khalifa Al Fuqae, Director of General Maintenance Department at Dubai Municipality, said that the Department is under the process of operating public toilets using solar energy on experiment basis through a pilot project.

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“Once the experiment is successful, entire public facilities would be provided with solar energy receiver to ensure the high performance, taking in to account the aesthetic and architectural aspect of buildings and the city,” he said. “The experiment comes as part of the energy saving plan of Dubai Municipality in its buildings and facilities, which is aimed at showcasing its recent achievements in this area. Implementing the solar system, Municipality could save a large amount of electricity in its buildings and facilities. However, the challenge faced by the department now is in taking advantage of modern systems in accordance with the application of the existing facilities considering financial cost and required quality,” he added. The department also organizes workshops on the use of solar energy applications.

DM to complete Port Saeed Plaza Park project

Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah

Director General of Dubai Municipality

Dubai Municipality expects to complete its Port Saeed Project to establish a park on Sheikh Zayed Road by the end of this year to achieve the strategic directions through the design and implementation of service projects in Dubai.

Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality said that we will consider the climate change and global environmental situations aiming the reduction of environmental pollution, gas emissions and savings in energy consumption. “The Municipality is applying the highest international standards for buildings and green cities, to preserve our natural resources and environment. The green roofs save 25% of the power. Therefore, the idea of green roofs and heat insulation plants has been implemented in most of our projects, residential parks, and squares,” he said. “Port Saeed Park also included also considered in this criteria, where people can enjoy open parks with facilities made out of recycled materials. It is expected to be a place for social interaction, activities, comfort, relaxation and fun in the downtown,” he added. Moreover, the municipality used innovative alternative solar energy system, in addition to LED technology in lighting, which increases in the efficiency of the operating system. The project is located in Port Saeed in nearly 25000 square meters and consists of green spaces, which can be used as seats or multi-use outdoor herbal theatre. It also includes shaded walking tracks, seats and grounds, which can be used for any type of events and games in the open air.

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News & events Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council Unveils BaniyasSouth Wathba Master Plan Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) today unveiled the Baniyas-South Wathba Revitalisation Master Plan. Developed by the UPC, in close coordination with Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM) and key stakeholders, the Baniyas-South Wathba Master Plan covers the areas of Baniyas, South Wathba and Al Nahda, one of the oldest Emirati communities in the UAE. The Master Plan is aligned with the principles of both Vision 2030 and the Capital 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan and aims to revitalise Baniyas-South Wathba to create a sustainable, vibrant and complete community. Currently, 69,000 residents live in Baniyas-South Wathba, with over 7,000 existing homes across an area spanning 6,500 hectares. The overarching concept of the Baniyas Revitalisation Master Plan is to focus on creating a sense of community. This will be achieved by developing a hierarchy of district, neighbourhood and local centres to provide services for existing and future residents. Integrated community facilities and a range of public spaces will ensure residents have easy access to amenities. The concept of mixed use activity centres plays an important role in the revitalization strategy. Furthermore, streetscapes throughout the community will be revitalised to provide well-connected, safe and comfortable routes for walking and cycling. The community will be serviced internally by public transit along with new regional connections, to facilitate safe and convenient local movement networks and establish the best conditions for economic growth and social inclusion.

Master plan will see the creation of a cohesive urban fabric and become a benchmark for community public space planning and neighbourhood centres

UPC Awards Estidama Pearl Rating to Three Aldar Development Projects

New plots for Emirati housing will be allocated and existing homes will be revitalised to improve the quality of housing to meet the needs of the residents. The concept for the new Emirati housing types has been driven by a courtyard lay-out within a traditional ‘fareej’ neighbourhood design concept that is both environmentally and culturally sustainable. Coupled with the protection and rehabilitation of environmental values and resources throughout the community, the climate responsive housing designs will contribute to the overall sustainability objectives of the master plan. The Baniyas-South Wathba Revitalisation Master Plan is designed to contribute to the enhancement of the economy and social environment of the Mainland. The plan aims to promote a prosperous living environment and increased economic activity.

Aldar has become the first developer to receive Estidama Pearl Design Rating approval from the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) for three major schemes in the Emirate, demonstrating its commitment to meeting sustainable requirements and leading the way in translating the forward thinking and insightful vision of Abu Dhabi’s leadership into reality. The three projects are: • Al Bateen (Mixed Use Development) • Yas Island Water Park (Entertainment Development) • Yas Mall (Retail Development) Yas Mall has received a Two Pearl Estidama Rating while Al Bateen and Yas Water Park have each been awarded a One Pearl Estidama Rating for their design, demonstrating Aldar’s determination to design developments to the highest sustainable standards in line with the long term ambitions of Vision 2030. Al Bateen Park: Al Bateen Park is a mixed use project in Downtown Abu Dhabi incorporating villas, buildings and a small number of retail outlets. Aldar was able

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to blend these categories to achieve an Estidama certification as a single project rather than individual certifications for the three individual elements – sustainable community, sustainable buildings and sustainable villas. It is emblematic of the success of Al Bateen Park that the development as a whole has successfully achieved recognition. Yas Water Park: Given the scarcity of water in the region, it is extremely challenging, in a water park project, to promote the key elements of the Estidama criteria for its pillar of Precious Water: reduced demand, efficient distribution and alternative resources. Therefore it is an exceptional achievement for Aldar and the consultants behind the Yas Water Park project to have originated a sustainable water park. The project’s consultants assisted in identifying how and where reductions in the use of drinkable water were possible. The innovative solutions to these challenges are likely to be the subject of study all over the world as an example of international best practice.

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New Products

Fertilize Responsibly with EZ-FLOTM Sustainable fertilizing system revolutionizes the way we care for our landscapes

Traditional methods of applying granular fertilizers and other chemical herbicides and pesticides leave much to be desired compared to newer application techniques using EZ-FLO fertigation systems. ‘Fertigation’ is the term used for dispensing fertilizers through an irrigation system, feeding small amounts directly to the plant every time it is watered. Fertigation has been proven to increase fertilizer absorption and reduce fertilizer run-off, creating a healthy plant in an environmentally friendly way. Due to a healthier landscape, there is a reduced need for fungicides and pesticides and when combined with documented water usage reductions, fertigation is clearly the way to fertilize responsibly that any homeowner, landscaper or farmer can readily use. EZ-FLO is an American brand and its patented technology not only provides all the benefits of fertigation to residential and commercial landscapes and farms, but also has the unique ability to use fully concentrated water soluble or liquid fertilizers and apply them in consistent quantities every time you water with any irrigation system. Studies have shown that this is the optimum way to deliver nutrients to plant materials. Nutrient uptake and yields are maximized as chemical runoff is virtually eliminated. This unique ability provides superior results along with the convenience of a smaller storage tank having the capacity to feed an entire landscape for 4 to 6 weeks before it needs to be refilled. These systems, as compared to other fertigation offerings, are superior based on their proven reliability, ease of installation while essentially being maintenance free. EZ-FLO’s unique micro-dosing (spoonfeed) capability provides the maximum benefit available from fertigation - creating the most beautiful results – all while being environmentally responsible and sustainable. EZ-FLO is the only system that claims these environmental attributes and can be proved with independent studies. The benefits of EZ-FLO fertigation over traditional broadcast or drop fertilizing methods include: • increased nutrient absorption by turf and other plant materials, • reduction in fertilizer and chemicals needed, • reduction in water usage and, • reduction in costs of labour. Benefits of EZ-FLO Fertigation

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EZ-FLO fertilizing systems optimize the benefits of fertigation as it eliminates the “feast or famine” feeding cycle caused through the application of granular fertilizers by delivering consistent, small quantities of nutrients every time you water. In addition, lesser concentrations of fertilizers reduce possible leaf and root damage. EZ-FLO has patented certain fluid flow processes that ensure that fertilizer concentrate is accurately proportioned into a water stream on a consistent basis, regardless of pressure or flow levels. Through these flow mechanics (which are achieved without the need for electricity, so having no moving parts and using existing water pressures within the irrigation lines.) An EZ-FLO fertilizing system provides consistent, small doses of nutrient rich water into the irrigation system. EZ-FLO also has perfected the process of ‘micro-dosing,’ which means to deliver minute amounts of nutrients at traces levels in the water system. Microdosing allows you to fertilize every time you water for maximum nutrient uptake while keeping the application amounts very low. Most fertilizer dispensing units achieve proportioning levels of 75 to 200 to one. EZ-FLO can achieve proportioning levels of 15,000 parts water to one part fertilizer. This is equivalent to 1/20 of a teaspoon of fertilizer for every gallon of water dispensed. Another important aspect of EZFLO proportioning is the ability to achieve uniform levels of fertilizer proportioning over the entire fill cycle of a fertigation unit. Many fertigation units start out fertilizing with high concentrations of dissolved fertilizers and, as the tank contents empty, the proportion of fertilizer falls as a percentage of the water applied. EZFLO’s patented fluid flow technology

creates a separation of fertilizer and water in the fertigation tank, which effectively prevents dilution and creates consistent metering, from start to finish. As highlighted previously, increased fertilizer absorption rates promote the health of the plant as well as the health of the surrounding environment. The objective of fertilizing is to get as much fertilizer into the plant as possible so that runoff is minimized. When lawns get more nitrogen than they can absorb, excess nitrogen migrates into the watershed, stimulating algae growth in local ponds that suffocates fish and aquatic life. Not only is an increased efficiency of absorption beneficial to the surrounding environment, but this can also drastically reduce the amount of fertilizer needed to maintain a landscape or farm. The International Atomic Energy Agency, a department of the United Nations, tested fertigation here in the dry climates of the Middle East. A test in Jordan showed that maximum garlic yields could be obtained with 80 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare when applied by fertigation as compared to 120 kg N/ha when applied by conventional methods. Experimentation in Syria and Lebanon produced similar results. Final conclusions through several different experiments showed a 42% increase in yield when fertigation was used compared to traditional methods using the same amount of fertilizer. EZ-FLO accomplishes the goal of reducing fertilizer needed based on the increased efficiencies from foliar absorption, the improved efficiencies of root absorption by creating a larger root mass and delivering the nutrients in micro-amounts in liquid form during the watering cycle so they are more

readily absorbed by leaves and roots. By limiting the concentration of fertilizers applied, there is a reduced chance that the fertilizers applied will find their way back into waterways. The dry fertilizer absorption rate of 10% compared with the fertigation absorption rate of 95%, means that nearly 10 times the amount of dry fertilizer would need to be applied to accomplish the same results as realized with fertigation. This suggests that 90% of the dry fertilizer applied either remains in the soil in the form of nitrate salts or could become future runoff into waterways. By improving plant health, fertigation reduces the need for pesticides and fungicides. Stressed or unhealthy plants act as magnets to pest populations. The “feast or famine” feeding cycle of dry fertilizer application can promote conditions in the soil and plant that make plants more susceptible to disease and insect infestation and thereby increase the requirement for pesticides and fungicides. Insects reproduce more rapidly on plants with high nitrogen levels, which can be caused by feast and famine feeding cycle. Reduced Water Usage The function of plant roots is to provide the plant with water and nutrition. Increasing the root mass increases the root surface area in the soil, which increases the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. Water savings result from the development of increased root mass due to micro-dosing with fertigation. Once EZ-

Reduced Labour Costs EZ-FLO fertigation virtually eliminates all labour compared to traditional applications of fertilizer. The high coverage capacity and refill ease of EZ-FLO systems enable one employee to fertilize in only 10 to 15 minutes a month. Insect controls and soil amendments can also be applied at the same time with no additional labour.

FLO is installed expect to have water savings of 2050% if you are watering adequately. Once the root mass has developed sufficiently, the ability of the root mass to “trap and hold” water (and nutrients) in the root zone increases dramatically. Water conservation is a major challenge that the landscape and agricultural industry cannot afford to ignore any longer. Fertigation is an easy method of making a difference in our struggle to do more with less. From its test in the Middle East, the IAEA concluded that a 79% increase could be gained in water efficiency through fertigation. These results prove that fertigation is proving itself as an easy way to conserve water when applied to watering landscapes, which accounts for 50% of the water consumed residentially. Fertigation is proving itself to be the next logical step in irrigation technology and can have a major impact on the world’s future environment and our quality of life.

Conclusions Benefits of EZ-FLO: • Healthy and vibrant plants with good growth rate. • Easy installation and quick refill cycle every 4 to 6 weeks. • Systems to suit every size landscape. • Operates with minimum water flow. • Dispenses any concentrated water soluble or liquid fertilizer with no clogging. • Fertilizer and chemical use reduction by 70% to 90% with pesticide need reduced or eliminated. • Fertilizer runoff virtually eliminated. • Fertilizer efficiency – 95% absorption. • Water savings of 20% to 50% with improved drought resistance. • Labour cost savings by 90%. • No electricity required so no moving parts and no maintenance. • Environmentally responsible. EZ-FLO Middle East – email: info@ezflo.me www.ezflofertilizing.com

OUTDOOR PASSION

trade operators only

Rimini Fair (Italy), October 20-22, 2011 ®

12 PAVILLONS with 700 EXHIBITORS of: n furniture n contract garden cooking leisure n street furniture n outdoor pavings n bathing establishment supplies n swimming-pools n mobile homes and camping 12 SPECIAL EVENTS 25.000 TRADE OPERATORS n

29th International Exhibition of Outdoor Products. Design, Furnishing, Accessories 26th International Exhibition of Outdoor Toys and Games

at the same time:

SHOW II

www.sungiosun.it

6th Biennial International Exhibition

to exhibit:

to visit:

Fiere e comunicazioni Srl via San Vittore, 14 - 20123 Milan (Italy) tel. +39.02.86451078 - fax +39.02.86453506 imazzei@fierecom.it - www.fierecom.it

Rimini Fiera SpA Via Emilia, 155 - 47921 Rimini (Italy) tel. +39.0541.744111 - fax +39.0541.744200 riminifiera@riminifiera.it - www.riminifiera.it

out_style sun_contract urban_style out_floor sea_style I www.landscape-me.com I August 2011 sunaquae

New Products

Is the Middle East a Viable Candidate for Green Roofs? The potential of roof gardens.

The popular ‘green roof’ movement, which has risen out of tropical and wet climates of the world, has seen its fair share of success, but is it really a viable option here in the Middle East? Conventional approaches to translate this concept to arid desert climates have been significantly less effective. Finding a solution is quickly becoming a top priority as spectacular roof top garden complexes, as depicted in the image below, are something we not only hope for, but offer an added value to the real estate.

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Successful rooftop garden complexes can be so much more than mere bragging rights of an organisation for being ‘green’ and saving the planet. If successful, they have the capacity to improve real estate value, add livable recreational area to the building’s footprint, enhance natural cooling and thereby reduce air-conditioning expenses, and prolong the life of the building’s original waterproofing envelope. Traditional construction methods for green roofs have been a major reality check in terms of application in desert environments. The stark reality in desert environments is that mother nature is frugal with rain events, while hot winds make overhead irrigation highly inefficient and wasteful, and dried light weight soils may blow off the roof resulting in roof top gardens looking more like the below image – while it is still technically ‘green’, it adds little practical value to the property.

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A closer look at the Muellner Green Roof from EPIC Green Solutions.

irrigation complexities. Simple manual gardens only need to be watered once a week even in the hottest desert climates. Modular - In form, EPIC designs can be as narrow as 50 cm or connected into broad and segmented areas over the entire roof. Growth placement is located in areas of optimal use, interlinked with pathways to compliment the available space and not fill the entire expanse of the roof’s footprint. Large plant pallet - EPIC gardens are not only a place to grow aesthetically pleasing gardens and flower arrangements – the deep profile of the system allows the green space to be used to provide sustainable growth for grass, roses, bougainvillea, shrubs or seasonal vegetables as a secondary food supply.

It is with the EPIC System from EPIC Green Solutions, that the luxury of a roof garden in the drier Middle Eastern environments can become a reality through its efficient use of water, versatility in adapting to individual design requirements and very low maintenance requirements.

A less than attractive green roof.

stripe background.indd 1

Maintenance – The EPIC system can provide minimum maintenance procedures, particularly in terms of

Survivability – With its substantial water reservoir contained in a sand-based growing environment, the EPIC system provides a heat sink, a water resource, and a preferred root zone for most plants. Roots are passively watered from below and are not subject to the drying effects of desert winds.

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Water resources – In desert climates, where water sources are at a premium, water efficient growing systems have to be implemented and domestic water use minimised for conservation. The advantage that the EPIC technology offers is the ability to provide up to 80% savings on domestic water use for irrigation, with the added benefit of the passive non-pressurised sub-surface delivery system, allowing the building’s shower water to be diverted as a water source for use in the EPIC system. A reuse of a valuable water resource previously defined as waste water.

The images are an example of the installation of the EPIC in a 46° C environment in Phoenix, Arizona, USA - demonstrating the system’s ability to grow an assortment of vegetables in a 46 environment of Phoenix, AZ USA.

Another added benefit to green roof installations is that the space can be used to produce successful vegetative growth – all that is required is a reliable water source, moderate growing temperatures, sunshine, and maintenance. Plant requirements are similar worldwide – the question is, can they be delivered in a successful manner even in harsh environments? When considering whether a roof top in the Middle East is a feasible candidate for this ‘green movement’, the following factors should be taken into consideration: -Are the required water resources available to maintain growth? -Can the delivery system be easily maintained? -Is it an area that can be used for both recreational and aesthetic purposes? -Can the space be used as a functional food production station? -Will it survive in a harsh growing environment? The unique EPIC system technology from EPIC Green Solutions (www.epic-green. com) offers a positive response to all of the above – with the system’s modular and flexible design with built in sub-surface passive irrigation, roof top garden applications can be successful in any climate.

I www.landscape-me.com I August 2011

We speak with William Leathers, about his experience and challenges in the regional market, observations of landscaping practices, as well as the critical subject of water management. By Heba Hashem

You must be doing something right to be in the business for 62 years and operate across four continents. California-based ValleyCrest has worked on some of the most distinguished five-star resorts, corporate campuses, retail centres and masterplanned communities. One of its recently completed projects - the Salvador Dali Museum â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has won the 2011 Excellence in Construction Awards.

William Leathers

Executive Director & General Manager, ValleyCrest Middle East

I www.landscape-me.com I August 2011

Today, from its Middle East offices and Design Studios in the US, ValleyCrest ME is doing design work for numerous projects in the region, including the Bahrain Business Bay, and Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh. In the UAE, where it concentrates on construction and maintenance, ValleyCrest has been focusing on Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort and Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi.

Disney Animal Kingdom Asia-in Orlando Florida (construction of animal habitat including savannah of Africa and a tiger exhibit

When was ValleyCrest first established and how have you expanded since then? A: ValleyCrest was established in the California in 1949 by the founder Burton Sperber. Since inception, VC concentrated initially on expanding its business in California and then later across the United States; and now has become the largest landscape specialty company in the industry. We have experienced consistent growth but have also been able to share many of the benefits of this growth with the landscape industry, such as customized tools, equipment, methodologies and best practices. Today, ValleyCrest has expanded its services throughout the US, Mexico, Caribbean, China and now the Middle East. Which major landscaping projects in the region are you currently working on? We have been very focused on work at Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR) since establishing the company here in Abu Dhabi. This project has unique requirements with the salvage and relocation of thousands of existing native trees, development of a nursery for arid plant materials and determining the most applicable irrigation system to conserve as much water as possible. Although the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major focus has been at AWPR, ValleyCrest has now completed work for TDIC at Saadiyat Island and other works for Mubadala in Abu Dhabi.

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Linclon Park Miami Beach-in Miami Florida (a Miami Sound Park that ties in with Frank Gehry’s New World Symphony

The Salvador Dali Museum, one of the latest landscaping projects you completed in the USA, won the 2011 Excellence in Construction Awards. What do you attribute this success to? The owners and other stakeholders associated with The Salvador Dali Museum were committed to delivering a unique project at the highest standard. VC was selected for this work based on a “Best Value” qualification and submission process that focused on the Company’s past experience with similar works, the capabilities of the local VC project team and most importantly recommendations from past VC clients. The true success is attributable to the VC Tampa Florida Branch personnel because at the end of the day it is great people that build great projects. Throughout your travel and work in different countries, what differences and similarities have you noticed in the architecture and landscaping practices? A: The gardens and landscapes we build vary as much as the architecture that we see in various parts of the world. ValleyCrest has been very fortunate to work on many world-class projects- each having its own storyline and theme. One thing that is consistent throughout all regions is that most people appreciate a beautiful garden regardless of the environment and surroundings we find ourselves in. There is something about a garden’s trees, plants, flowers and water that touches our senses and relaxes our spirit. The landscape practices also vary across the world and it is very apparent where gardening has been developed into a profession. It is easy to identify the markets where landscape practices are early in the development stages simply by observing the details of the work and the passion of the people doing the work. Many of the landscape practices in some markets are based on agriculture practices and have not advanced into horticultural practices. Valley Crest Landscape was recently selected to implement the second phase II of the world’s largest Smart Water Management in Southern California. Knowing the water scarcity issues that the Middle East faces today, what methods have you adopted for reducing the waste of water in this region? Water Management has been a key focus for our company for many years. Helping to define the best practice for landscape irrigation and water conservation was a primary request of our partner prior to coming to the Middle East. VCME has been

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Chinese Gardenat Huntington Library in Los Angeles (recreation of an authentic Chinese Garden

Mushrif Central Park- in Abu Dhabi (renovation a current park into a public space

continuously researching and learning more about the environment, plant selection, available products and sources of water for landscape use. ValleyCrest has been a pioneer in the US in developing many of the products and best practices working closely with all the major manufactures and we plan to do the same here. We were very concerned in our early research (which showed) that approximately 80-85% of the potable water is used for irrigation and that less than 5% of irrigation is dependent on TSE (treated sewage effluent). VCME looks forward to helping the government and all groups that are focused on conserving water.

What is the most challenging aspect of your work? And the most rewarding? A: The most challenging aspect is the teaching and learning that is shared with those we interact with. Learning to do things differently is always a challenge. Entering into new markets can be frustrating during the early stages when knowledge is being transferred and all parties are learning new methods and means of performing the work. Educating and training new employees, clients and others seeking to improve the landscapes we design, build and maintain can be challenging. The most rewarding is building great landscape projects.

A graduate of Mississippi State University, William Leathers earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Contracting and a minor in Business. Leathers is a member of the Urban Land Institute and Association of General Contractors, and holds a Certified General Contractors license in Florida, USA.

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

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International designs

Tecnoparque Mexico

A large relaxing business area with sustainable water use systems By Jimena Martignoni

Tecnoparque is a high-technology office campus located in the Azcapotzalco District, in the northwestern area of Mexico City. The first construction phase was completed in 2005, a second one in 2007 and a third one at the beginning of 2011. This area is currently characterized by the incorporation of low cost housing, technological institutes and a major university campus, all of which is part of a larger local plan, with the objective of eradicating the heavy and light industry-based economy and, especially decreasing the mass departure and consequent loss of job posts. The site itself, of approximately 15 hectares, was a steel production-related plant that was closed down and sold, in 2000, to a group of private developers specialized in office buildings. They negotiated

the redevelopment of the site with the City and the project was approved with the condition to create permanent jobs in the tertiary sector and to use limited amounts of water from the city’s lines. The campus project proposes six office buildings - each one of 6500 m2 - parking space for 3500 cars, a small shopping area and restaurants for employees; the common open spaces include three lakes with their gardens and pedestrian ways, on-grade parking and, additionally, the design of the central yards of each one of the buildings with harmonized masses of shrubs and specially designed outdoor furniture. At present, five office buildings and the three proposed lakes and gardens are completely finished; in addition, the site incorporated a service center and a commercial

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mall which are opened for the site’s users as well as to public at large, thus becoming a new peopleattracting urban piece. The mall, that covers almost two hectares, offers a diverse range of stores, a branch of the Government´s Taxes Department, a kinder and a garden, designed as an intimate and manicured spot with flowers beds and curvilinear shaped concrete benches. The land where it was built the mall is public but it is maintained by Tecnoparque, who´s also in charge of maintaining the garden. Because water supply and efficient consumption is a top environmental issue in Mexico City, this project’s overall water management turned into one of the defining items of the landscape architecture Master Plan and site construction. Water not only

appears as a main visual element of this office campus but as a highly relevant functional one that is coherent with the sustainable approach with which all new developments have to be thought out in this city, and probably should in any other of the planet. In this case, there are two primary water management systems whose main objective is to maximize the reutilization of water within the site: the “black waters treatment and reuse system” and the “storm water collecting system”. The first one is based on the treatment of the restrooms water on site. The water is stored in cisterns placed underground and then, once recycled, serves to the irrigation of gardens and green areas. The second one is based on rain water

collection from roofs of buildings and plazas. In parking areas, rain water is retained and filtered with lava rock to irrigate trees and grass pavers, and excess water from roads is sent directly to city drainage.

alternate, shaping a chest-like grid whose key module is a 100 x 100 meter figure; this specific size and grid arrangement reminds of the original Spanish city settlements and, in addition, creates a simple, easy-to-walk space.

But the water management plan here goes far and beyond and also presents an innovative system which conducts water back to the city aquifer. The rain water is first stored in some large underground retention cells and then sent to deep wells of approximately 80 meters deep (thus reaching the deepest layers of ground) and whose bottom section is perforated to allow water to come out. In this manner, the city aquifer is constantly recharged.

This last situation was an explicit decision of the designers who wanted to allow an easy directionfinding within the campus. The grid pattern establishes clear pedestrian axis and allows for users to walk under the porticoes and overhangs of buildings. The identity and sense of place achieved with this model and the geometrical footway, which frames the buildings, is completed with the different composition of every one of the three gardens and lakes. One is the “civic” and entry garden, another is the “central” and natural

The landscape layout is intimately connected with the architectural one. Buildings and gardens

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International designs

garden and the third is the “still” garden; each garden providing eating facilities, seating areas and terraces and therefore creating opportunities to rest, talk, and meet other people. The civic garden was the first one to be completed (2005) because it’s the closest to the main vehicular and pedestrian entrances and consequently has a more institutional image. Strongly defined with a geometrical design approach, this garden is perceived as a very inviting, open area where the presence of water is also major. The water surface occupies more than half of the garden area and the rest is a lawn-covered plane only interrupted by a couple of pines clusters. A narrow pedestrian path crosses the entire aquatic surface, as if floating over it, and then crosses over the green one to finally reach the paved paths that connect with the pedestrian circuit. Two of the corners of the aquatic area, diagonally opposite to each other, create two different focal points: a functional one which is shaped as a floating semi-roofed deck or café terrace and a visual one modeled as a green square-like figure, built of papyrus, which frames a set of spray jets. The first one becomes a people-gathering space, with tables and chairs served by a kiosk and fastfood booth and with relaxing vistas towards the water, while the second turns into a nature-related element signed by the permanent ascending mist

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and the organic soft lines of the aquatic plants: a fine balance between hardscape and greenery or man and nature and, from a different perspective, between a watching-place and a place to be watched. At one of the sides of the water plane, next to the floating deck, a group of irregularly placed benches provide another spot for relaxation. Ergonomically designed as a one piece object, these wooden benches are randomly positioned to generate different social situations: some face the water, others face the pathway and others face one another. In this garden it’s also placed a metallic sculpture modeled as an inverted cone, approximately 75 feet-high, which stands as the site’s icon. The verticality of this element deeply contrasts with the predominance of horizontal lines that delineate every one of the buildings and, accordingly, helps picturing this piece as a focal and reference point. The second garden (2007) can be made out from the first one, assuring the visual and spatial connection that responds to the aforementioned leading concept of easy place-identification and direction-finding; the general grid-patterned pathway, on the other hand, connects also the two patches. However, this garden has a decidedly organic layout which validates the idea of nature with which it was created. Its central location within the campus also

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International designs

reinforces the relevance of a natural area that acts as a “decontaminating” green lung and which users enjoy by walking around or sitting at the semi-roofed café located here. This central garden presents an irregular shaped lake whose curved edges are framed by widespread groups of native herbaceous plants. Acting as a main focal arrangement, a large group of orange, yellow and red Cannas indicas (or Indian shot) produce a fantastic eyecatching effect and provide the perfect spot for visual recreation and relaxation. The completing planting is primarily based on other extensive punctual groups, such as the soft stylized papyrus, which contrast with other horizontal lawn planes that follow the curved paths of this place. The third and last garden (2011) appears as a homogeneous and monochromatic area massively planted with agapanthus, which creates a “sotobosque” level, and a green higher canopy created by a cluster of jacaranda trees. This purple bluish mass is only interrupted by a zigzag-shaped main path that, at certain spots, opens up to generate small resting decks furnished with benches. The lake itself, which represents a third rain water collecting cistern in the site, creates a natural border between this planted area and the services area, which provides a restaurant. As in the other two gardens, a set of spray jets is used for the water recirculation and aeration, while creating an attractive and dynamic picture.

rainwater absorbing surfaces, parts of the pavement are built as a net that alternates concrete and lawn. All in all, these areas complete the landscape plan and the green network that supports the complex. Another relevant concern of the Master Plan was to provide comfort and safety through connections with the transit lines and metro subway system, including the effort to design and transform surrounding detrimental urban environments such as the adjacent underpass bridge. The place to which pedestrians arrive at, after crossing this bridge that connects with public transportation stops on the adjoining main road, is another neatly landscaped area that alternate paved and planted strips and which is visually separated from the street with a curvilinear metallic wall. Tecnoparque becomes an environmentally-friendly large business area in a city where environmental issues have to be on top of the list. This positive, hopefully lasting, conceptual design aspect of the project adds up to the knowledgeable decision of providing the site with highly attractive green areas where working people can find respite, recreation and, let’s face it, a good reason – other than responsibility - to go back to work the next day.

Every one of the gardens offers either a café or a restaurant or both. The spaces between buildings are then perceived almost as “urban streets” (only much quieter and cleaner!) and the site becomes a city reflecting space.

Award: IX (9) Biennale of Mexican Architecture in the Landscape Architecture Category

The rest of the open spaces are occupied by the parking areas, all of which are planted with trees whose planting pattern echoes that of the site’s general grid layout. In order to increase the

Architects: G+A Architects

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Client: Inmuebles Francia Landscape Architects: GDU - Grupo de Diseño Urbano Size: 15 hectares Date of completion: First Phase 2005, Second Phase 2007, Third Phase 2011

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Interview James Wines represents a sort of emblematic figure and key personality in the American architectural scene since the early seventies to the present day, not only as a leading protagonist, but also as the founder of the group SITE. He talks to Mario Pisani in an exclusiveMario interview for Landscape. Pisani interviews How did this legacy come about? The short answer to this question would be ‘the hard way.’ Probably, if your kind evaluation of SITE’s legacy is true, it is based to some extent on my endless curiosity concerning social and contextual phenomena outside of architecture, plus a very restless critique of the design professions as a whole. One of my favorite quotes from Marcel Duchamp was directed toward all artists who want to pursue original ways of thinking. He observed; ‘If you want to be truly creative in your lifetime, you have to clean off your desk at least three times.’ This level of selfcriticism is a very painful process – plus it inevitably calls for a rejection of one’s own past accomplishments in favor of ventures into uncharted territories. From my own perspective, I took heed of Duchamp’s advice in the middle of a relatively successful early career as a Constructivist-influenced sculptor. Basically, I woke up one morning in the mid-1960s and, already plagued by misgivings concerning the relevance of my work, I simply decided that anything derived from Cubism or Constructivism was hopelessly old fashioned. I also knew it was time to dump my dependence on past sources and find a more conceptually fertile direction. This was obviously a lot easier said than done. I had always been drawn to architecture and public space; but, when I perused the design scene at that time, I learned that it was even more bogged down by Cubist/Constructivist baggage than visual art (and still is today).

James Wines of SITE

I guess my first genuine breakthrough, after the formation of SITE in 1970, came with the construction of the early BEST Buildings. The main motivation was to move away from conventional design (with its capital ‘D’ conceits and compromise of aesthetic in deference to function) for the use of architecture itself as a ‘subject matter’ for art. From this perspective, any familiar structure – house, office, store, factory, apartment building, etc. – could be seen as a subliminally accepted archetype and treated as the source material for an inversion of meaning. Among other factors, SITE’s transformations of big-box stores changed the public’s attitude toward a few of America’s most banal commercial strips by inserting art where people would least expect to find it. These BEST projects were the conceptual opposite from the prevailing design persuasions of the 1970’s – i.e. Modernist-derived formalism, industrial age inspired neoConstructivism and historically referenced Post-modernism – so, this may explain that lingering ‘emblematic’ quality you have credited to our studio’s work. SITE, in all of its works, from the initial BEST stores to the subsequent international Expositions of Vancouver and Seville, has always sought to demonstrate a concrete manifestation of a methodology of architecture, not only as an art form, but more so, as a palliative for the present environmental needs of our much maligned planet. I think this ‘environmental consciousness’ - at least interpreted as part of an aggressive green/sustainable initiative - became more

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Avenue Five ivy arcade

pronounced in SITE’s work after 1985. Some later BEST stores, including the 1979 Forest Building in Virginia and Rainforest Building in Florida, were based on an integration of existing landscape with architecture. This greener incentive expanded throughout the 1990s and ultimately evolved into serious earth-centric research. From the beginning, all of our studio’s projects have been site-specific in some way or other. They have been based on a rejection of public art and buildings as objects sitting ‘in’ the environment. Instead, we have preferred to interpret them ‘as’ the environment. SITE’s earlier concepts, including public spaces like those in Vancouver and Seville, were primarily motivated by an interest in art works that could engage all of the senses and serve as prosthetic stimulants for people interaction. Over the past decade – and after the publication of my book on ‘Green Architecture’ in 2000 – SITE’s work has been more committed to a fusion of structure and context. I guess these changes could be seen as another phase of our studio’s response to that Duchampian notion of ‘cleaning off the table’ to help foster creativity. It has become impossible to deny the staggeringly negative impact of human habitat on nature’s fragile ecosystems and the scientific community’s apocalyptic predictions for the future; especially if economic greed and social resistance to change continue to prevail. Since architecture plays a major role in the reversal of these doomsday scenarios, SITE has embraced the fact that sustainable construction is the key revolutionary motivation for new millennium design.

Avenue Five waterwall night

BEST Hialeah Rainforst Bldg

SHAKE SHACK

hiway

Yours is an approach to architecture, which is very obviously a poetic one. Could you comment on this? As you know, I began my career as a visual artist and writer; so I guess these interests in poetic content have never declined; but, in fact, have increased with time. Also, in spite of the design world’s overwhelming commitment to digital delineation, I still begin the conceptual phase of every project with a large number of exploratory hand drawings. Since my most consistent intention is a fusion of architecture with context, I prefer the rather fuzzy residuals of indeterminacy and chance that occur during the mind-to-hand sketching process; as well as the connections to written language and calligraphy. I have a continuing fascination with surface structure/ deep structure relationships in literary evaluation; so I prefer to include these same ambiguities as a motivational part of architectural thinking as well . . . and then try to convert them into built form. You are also the author of the best selling ‘Green Architecture’, a publication which has served as a powerful influence, not only on many a young practitioner, but also on the more sensitive architects concerned with environmental problems. I would therefore like to ask you which groups you have a special affinity with, and also why in your opinion, has this now become paramount to developing a green and sustainable architecture? This is a gigantic question, requiring another book in response. Since I wrote ‘Green Architecture’ there have been innumerable publications dedicated to this subject; but most have focused on technological solutions and very few expanded the arguments explored by my text. One of my initial critiques observed that a truly sustainable architecture must include a high level of aesthetic content, because future generations will never want to keep ugly

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Interview buildings around; especially since bad art defeats the entire principle of sustainability. I also argued that a key objective of the environmental movement should be social, psychological and political persuasion; as opposed to a continuing over-emphasis on technological solutions. Clearly, without a broad-based societal commitment, technology will decline through lack of support. My third proposal suggested an optimistic global forum on sustainable lifestyle, to replace the continuing litany of fingerwagging reprimand and doomsday despair, which still characterize most green discourse. Citing the buoyant promotion of industrialization in the 19th Century, I tried to demonstrate that negative scold tactics have never succeeded in motivating positive social change. More than aligning myself with environmental organizations, I have been concentrating on the education of architectural students. In addition to teaching integrative design, I have organized a ‘Postgreen’ seminar series for the exposure of young designers to a wider range of arts, sciences and humanities. This course is based on an assumption that the terms “green” and “sustainable” have become ubiquitous through over-exposure and misunderstanding in the media; so most of their original potency has degenerated into what many critics disdainfully call ‘green wash.’ Seminar dialogue is led by guest lecturers in the fields of art, science, engineering, literature, ecology, psychology, philosophy, linguistics, sociology, industry, agriculture, law, medicine and politics. Each speaker presents progressive theories and concepts – purposely drawn from outside the design disciplines - that seem destined to have an important impact on green buildings and sustainable cities in the future. I believe this mind-expanding forum (now in its fourth year) has launched a lot of young architects into a more ecumenical and holistic way of thinking. Your practice in recent years has progressively distanced itself from the USA to the Far East, China, Japan, Korea and also Italy. What was the motivation behind this nomadic journey? Basically, this shift to Asia was the result of job offers and a winning competition entry for the New World Plaza (Urban Forest) in Beijing, China. SITE completed several projects in Japan during the 1880s; but this past work had nothing to do with the new commissions. Our current projects in Korea began with an international concourse in 2006, to design a new government town outside of Seoul. This led to architecture, engineering and development community contacts. Invitations to join our Korean colleagues for other projects followed these initial collaborations.

BEST Forest Bldg panoramic

Benihana model full facade

and environmental situations. This kind of integrative thinking is currently gaining popularity in Korea. The fact that Korea does not possess a rich background of historical buildings, do you think that there is an necessity to fill this void with architecture of fantasy, focusing particularly on the poetic and spiritual? In reality, Korea does have a distinctive national identity and a long, if turbulent, history in Asia. There are major shrines, parks, palaces and civic buildings throughout the country that are unique to the culture. While a number of early structures were influenced by Asian stylistic sources - as a result of the country’s past occupation by China and Japan - six hundred years ago there was a fundamental separation of philosophical motivations In Korean architecture. For example, the national shift away from Buddhist traditions (mainly associated with China) to Confucian philosophy in the 14th Century changed the entire foundation of architectural imagery, function and design. Actually, one of SITE’s motivations in Korea has been to try to capture a sense of this complex Confucian legacy and translate it into a contemporary architectural language. Your project for the Hojeong Cemetery seems to have been developed with a great sensitivity and a strong poetic overlay. Could you comment on your approach to this fascinating project? This cemetery and public park is based on Nine Stages of Life (from the Confucian Analects). For

The presence of SITE in Korea, which was initiated with a business club scheme, and has today expanded into a vast number of proposals, from tourist complexes to the design of a Korean cemetery. Can you give us some indications of how this development came about? The design of the GwaCheon Club cemented our association with AUDC Architecture, Inc., Foem Architecture, Inc. and Lee Chang Ha Design in Seoul; so these collaborations have expanded our range of opportunities elsewhere in Korea. The two new projects – Hojeong Confucian Cemetery in Wanju and the Geojae Hotel in Okpo-Dong – are related to our new professional associations. Also, both concepts are site-specific from the standpoint of their cultural

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this reason, it is designed as a series of nine interconnected circles, defining the uses of land surface. Confucius interpreted the terrestrial experience as a process of continuous social, psychological, and philosophical transformations. In response, the park is planned as a place of honor to memorialize the dead and, at the same time, to celebrate the Confucian view of human existence. This particular project is very exciting for me. I have always wanted to create a large earthwork and this has been the ultimate opportunity. The concept is unusual for Korea because a cemetery is rarely associated with a place of outdoor recreation. But the client, in this case, is intent on developing a sociologically progressive facility for the 21st Century. Other innovations include, a choice of cremation and burial (when Koreans traditionally prefer entombment in the ground) and gravestones clustered closely together to save land surface and establish a more environmentally responsible development policy. The proposal for a Japanese restaurant chain in the USA leads one to question how much American culture now owes to the Orient, and how much Asian culture is influenced by newly imported American overlays. This is another one of your vastly complex questions. Rather than try to answer it on a broader sociological or philosophical level, I will simply comment on some of the challenges SITE has encountered in trying to find a simple and economical solution. The Benihana restaurant chain in the USA has always been a hybrid concept, suspended somewhere between familiar Japanese style and the American dining experience. The founder, Rocky Aoki, became a sort of mythical figure in the restaurant business; because he managed to integrate genuine Japanese cuisine with pop culture performance art , using visibly animated chefs to prepare food while customers participated in the action. Also, the design of Aoki’s earlier restaurants was frequently a combination of rural Japanese farmhouse and USA strip center roadhouse. SITE’s solution for the new Benihana prototype incorporates this legacy of hybridism; but exchanges the rather cloying references to traditional Asian style for a more ephemeral and abstract imagery, based on layers of hanging screens and inside/outside architectural relationships. In point, the entire building and its interior spaces are designed as an orchestration of various degrees of overlapping transparency.

GwaCheon Club drawing

Avenue Five arcade columns

Geojae Hotel overview render

Perhaps you could also tell us something about your future projects. One of SITE’s major clients these days is Danny Meyer and the Union Square Hospitality Group. Our original project for Danny was the wildly successful 2004 Shake Shack restaurant in Madison Square Park, New York City. Now, a dozen or more of these facilities are being built throughout the USA and Middle East – with promise of Europe and Asia in the near future. SITE is the prime design consultant; so this has become a major part of our studio’s on-going work. Also, when the economic problems in Korea subside, we hope our projects there will accelerate toward completion. In terms of my teaching and lecturing involvements,, I have been concerned by the fact that design education is now totally consumed by digital delineation at the sacrifice of mind-to-hand creative process . As a result, students can’t draw and their conceptual abilities are compromised as well. I am planning a book, called ‘A Line Around and Idea,’ which explores hand drawing in the computer age; making a case for the value of calligraphic content, subliminal accidents (indeterminacy) and surface structure/deep structure awareness in the development of innovative ideas. I am also planning to write more essays on environmentally responsible architecture and urban design - plus, if my health holds out, continuing to lecture on green issues in Europe, South America and Asia.

Beijing New World Plaza sketch

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International Designs

Rotterdam city on the Maas

Rotterdam Westerkade Parkkade by Okra

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he vision for the city of Rotterdam is that it should reconnect to the river Maas. The docks play an important role as a transitional hub and also provide recreational support, which strengthens the relationship between the city and the water. In particular, the northern quays have been transformed with green giving the area a much softer atmosphere, which reinforces the importance of the long line series of quays. The Westerkade and Parkkade are part of the northern shore and form an almost unbroken line along the Rotterdam waterfront. Unity in design makes both docks into a continuous platform, without diminishing the different characters and ways of use. The Parkkade still serves as a landing dock for cargo. It is one of the few places in the centre where the atmosphere as a world port of Rotterdam is still visible. However, currently, the park is still cut off from the Maas; this is where the vision needs to be put into practice, in order to connect the lower quay and river.

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International Designs Westerkade

The Westerkade is now an attractive tourist destination, thanks to the rejuvenation project which turned the quay into a series of green landscapes. The new layout has its own zoning with a clear beginning and end. The existing trees are retained wherever possible with a comprehensive single row of trees on the side of the road. At the head of the ferry terminal there is a new pavilion with a terrace overlooking the river Maas. The existing harbour for the water taxi is transformed into an attractive place along the Maas, with a wide staircase to the water and a wooden platform as a new stop for the water taxi. Between the edges of the docks there are a series of smaller green spaces created with beds of ornamental grasses and perennials. In both areas there are public sitting areas and terraces to enjoy. Elm trees line the quay and can be seen from the water and from the south of the Maas. However, there are still some trees missing in the double rows but this will be supplemented where necessary by new elms. The pontoon is equally impressive, covered by a special grass covering and decorated with even more trees. This surface consists of green grasses supplemented by perennials and bulbs. The grass is beautifully manicured with flowering spikes from the perennials to provide a more varied picture throughout the seasons.

Client Municipality Rotterdam Dienst Stedenbouw en Volkshuisvesting Tel. 010-4896786 Contact person: Rita Waperom Area 5.3 Ha. Costs 5.5 Million Euros exclusive VAT Realisation July 4th, 2010, Depart du tour de France 2010

On the quay there are a number of elongated beams, which act as public seating, but also serve as a ‘catwalk’ or ‘mini-stage’. These elements mean that the area is as practical as it is scenic. Whether your sitting on the wooden beams or using the high beams as a catwalk, you’ll get a different perspective of the area.The beams are 1.50 wide with a decentralised placed back so they can be used as a bench or as a lounge set, there is a light to enhance the beams at night for visitors walking along the along the quay. Sustainability For Westerkade and Parkkade the existing natural stones have been recycled, with only the walking zone along the water and the two heads made from new material. For the rest of the pavement on the quay the existing stone has been reused. Process The plans for the Westerkade and Parkkade are developed in collaboration with dienst Stedenbouw and Volkshuisvesting.

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Women in landscape

What inspired you to become a landscape architect and was your educational background directly related to this? After graduating from University in Architectural studies, I was given the opportunity to work with a company practicing bothArchitectural and Landscape design. Whilst working on the Architectural designs, I had a glimpse of the Landscape projects and I was intrigued to explore more on spatial articulation of the external spaces in relation to building spaces. I was quite impressed with the Landscape Architects on memorizing the plants scientific names and being able to differentiate types of trees by just looking at the flowers, leaves and tree form. At that time, a tree was just a tree to me with no significant value apart from greening and cooling the external spaces. To be able to see the different names and forms of plantings being composed

transforming an empty space into a living breathable area was quite an experience. These experiences and words of encouragement from a few reputable Landscape Architect friends prompted me to pursue my next education level in the Landscape Architectural field. In your opinion, what are the essential attributes that any landscape architect should possess? Inquisitiveness and passion play a major influence for me. In my opinion, Landscape Architects should have the ability to approach the design from various aspects and elements. Landscape architecture can be part of architecture, civil engineering and planning. This cross-disciplinary collaboration promotes a comprehensive and cooperative approach to planning and design thus creating a very strong design understanding and concept.

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The Middle East has seen major developments in the landscaping industry over the past few years with major projects in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and previously Egypt. Now the attention must be turned to sustaining these ‘Green’ landscapes for years to come. How can this be done baring in mind our environmental responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and the limited skills of the maintenance workers who are left to preserve the landscapes once the architects have handed over the job? With the current hype on being ‘Green’, everyone seemed to be jumping onto the ‘Green’ bandwagon. One should not only look upon using complicated technology savvy equipments but more on creating awareness on understanding the local biodiversity and designing workable spaces with sustainable materials sourced from nearby countries, which reduces the carbon footprint.

Diarmuid Gavin's sky garden photo by Chris Bellinger

The choice of local planting palette and low maintenance plants with systematic water management also plays a huge role in going Green. Water will become the most precious resource in the coming years and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely to become a source of conflict. How can you as a landscape professional plan ahead in your work to ensure that water is treated with the respect it deserves and not wasted? Water is a vital resource in the Middle East. To ensure that there will be minimal wastage, in certain projects that have vast lawn areas, we try to persuade the clients to invest in a systematic water management system by recycling grey water or incorporate water saving treatments in soil mixtures for the longer run benefits. Certain clients are quite keen in the proposal, although the initial cost will be slightly higher than what they normally pay. But if we look at the long term impact, they will be able to save half of the

Syaryzad Anwar

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Women in landscape normal amount of water used for irrigation especially during summer season; whereby lawn area consume double the normal water intakes and also has higher water wastage due to water evaporation. Another alternative would be to propose local groundcovers instead of grasses while maintaining the lush green effect the client wants.

Which projects have you been most proud of throughout your career and why? One of my favourite projects was creating an interactive hanging garden between two office towers. The outdoor spaces interlink the restaurant, gymnasium and main lobby hence the design has to ensure smooth people movement from one space to another. A huge water wall with a few strips of water cascades flowing into a reflective pool welcomes the users into the space and opens up to strips of artificial lawns. One of the constraints was to have green lawn area in a limited space as requested by the client. After going through a series of creative brainstorming, we came out with the idea of using artificial lawn onto the walls, paving strips and seating areas. Green walls and boxes of upstand planters house Bucida trees, creating sculptural features.

The clean and minimalist landscape approach including the choice of planting compliments the aluminium cladded Architectural building style, creating a seamless flow between the indoor and external spaces. If you could create your dream project, what would it entail? To create functional interactive spaces that will transform the quality of life and environment, while stimulating all sensory experiences would inevitably be my dream project. I believe that landscape has a direct impact onto the surrounding environment and the people living in it. A successful landscape project is when the whole space is utilized fully by the people while fulfilling to the original design intent and constantly changing and adapting to the people’s needs. People movements with the richness of textures and forms in the planting scheme and hardscape materials interlaced with each other evokes the sensory elements with movements, sounds, smell and colours, all working seamlessly captivating people into the space. As a woman in a male dominated profession, what has been your experience working in this field in the Middle East? Being a woman posses both advantages and disadvantages in this field especially in the Middle East. In my past experiences working here, things could be quite challenging when you have a meeting room full of men during site meetings that looks down on

By Natasha Tourish

you because you are the only female presence in that room. This is when all your training and experiences play a crucial part, not only in addressing bombarding questions from these men but also how you delicately make yourself be heard whilst handling the job and delivering good quality design. I did not have any issue in proving myself in my previous working experiences in Malaysia. I find it very interesting and refreshing to be able to challenge myself to that level over here. If you pass this test, you will be part of the team and they will respect you even more. Being a good Landscape Architect means being able to deliver good design and get those designs built in reality with good communication and coordination amongst the whole team.

7/5/11 3:47:06 PM

Do you believe that the landscape industry in this region will undergo a major change in their design practices and be forced to adapt in the years ahead to overcome this problem of water scarcity and how can you avoid having only arid landscapes? I believe if we start to value the essence of water now, this problem might not arise. To a fraction of clients, the meaning of green is vast lawn area with no trees. Hence, it will be up to the Landscape Architects to educate and change the client’s mindset by proposing mixtures of local and low maintenance plantings to create lush greeneries, whilst using the least amount of water. Xeriscape concept works well in this region, hence we can explore and create more exciting and rich planting palette. Mixtures of plantings with different materials and textures such as natural stone boulders, pebbles, and recycled glass can be very interesting if designed in a creative manner. This will create a very animated and interactive landscape design.

With the exception of water, what are the main challenges your industry will encounter in the coming years and how can these be overcome in your opinion? The main challenges we have at the moment is the low quality workmanship and lack of professional craftsman on Landscape. In past experiences, we have proposed expensive material finishes only finding out that the installation done by non-professional workers on site, damages the aesthetic value of these materials. It can be very frustrating when there is no appreciation in valuing such items. To design beautiful things on paper is one thing but the execution on site in realizing the design concept is another challenge. There should be more licensed landscape contractors to perform the job. At the moment, the main contractor with minimal knowledge on landscape is doing the job hence the quality of work at times is compromised. The lack of Landscape bodies in protecting the registered Landscape Architect is also another issue that needs to be looked upon. At the moment, architects or horticulturist who have experience in working on landscape projects are calling themselves Landscape Architects, which I think is a violation of professionalism. Sadly in certain parts of the Middle East region, Landscape Architects are not being recognized as professional. This is one of the major drawbacks that we need to overcome. What advice would you give other women wanting to enter this profession, both here and overseas? All professions posses their own challenges and thrills. Landscape Architecture is one profession where you are challenged not only in designing the external spaces, but also in making the space work for the people, environment and spatial articulation. Go wild in your design and have fun whilst doing it. If “everything exists within the landscape” then Landscape Architects must learn to design everything. .

I www.landscape-me.com I August 2011 1

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

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international designs

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New Projects

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Project Name

Description

Client

Country

Consultant/ Contractor

Budget (USD)

Fairmont Hotel & Serviced Apartments Project-1

Construction of Fairmont Hotel & Serviced Apartments.

National Investment Corporation (Abu Dhabi)

UAE

Dewan Architects & Engineers (Abu Dhabi)

408 Million

Al Wakrah Stadium Project

Construction of Al Wakrah Stadium with a capacity of 45,120 seats.

Qatar Football Association (QFA)

Qatar

N/A

286 Million

Qatar University Stadium Project

Construction of Qatar University Stadium with capacity of 43,500 seats.

Qatar Football Association (QFA)

Qatar

N/A

2030 Tower Project - Sowwah Island

Construction of 20-storey 2030 Tower in Sowwah Island comprising luxurious apartments, retail spaces.

Endless Real Estate Investment Company (Abu Dhabi)

UAE

N/A

46 Million

Northgate Shopping Mall Project

Construction of Northgate Mall comprising shopping units, a supermarket, cinema, F&B outlets.

Al Afaq Real Estate Equinox W.L.L (Qatar)

Qatar

Associated Consultants Engineers - ACE (Qatar)

412 Million

Campuses Construction Project - King Saud University for Health Sciences (KSUHS)

Construction of three campuses for King Saud University for Health Sciences (KSUHS) at different locations.

National Guards Health Affairs Directorate (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

Dar Al Handasah (Shair & Partners) /Saudi Binladin Group (Saudi Arabia)

1.6 Billion

Nasamat Al-Riyadh Residential Development Project

Development of Nasamat Al-Riyadh residential scheme comprising of villas, apartments, recreational centre, social club, shopping mall, schools, and mosques.

Talaat Moustafa Group (Egypt)

Saudi Arabia

Zuhair Fayez Partnership Consultants / Saudi Binladin Group (Saudi Arabia)

1.9 Billion

Non-Process Buildings Project - Borouge 3 Complex

Lump sum turnkey (LSTK) engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build non-process buildings at Borouge 3 complex.

Borouge Pte. Ltd. (Abu Dhabi)

UAE

Bechtel (International) Company Limited / ALPINE (Abu Dhabi)

111 Million

Janayin Al Hamala Residential Units Construction Project

Construction of Janayin Al Hamala residential units of villas with total built-up area of 434,000 sqm.

Manara Developments (Bahrain)

Bahrain

N/A

1.325 Billion

Adam - Thumrait Road Dualisation Project

Carrying out dualisation of the 750-kilometre-long road between Adam and Thumrait.

Ministry of Transport & Communications (Oman)

Oman

N/A

52 Million

Passenger Terminal Extension Project - New Doha International Airport

Carrying out an extension to the existing passenger terminal at New Doha International Airport.

New Doha International Airport Steering Committee (Qatar)

Qatar

Six Construct Ltd. (Qatar)

690 Million

Broadband Network & Voice Connectivity Implementation Project

Implementation of broadband network and voice connectivity to 50,000 homes.

Iraqi Telecommunications & Post Company - ITPC (Iraq)

Iraq

Huawei Technologies Ltd. (China)

20 Million

Fujairah Oil Storage Terminal Expansion Project

Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the expansion of an oil storage terminal in Fujairah.

GPS Chemoil (Dubai)

UAE

Jurong International Consultants (Abu Dhabi)/ Nico International Hydrospace (Fujairah)

130 Million

King Abdullah Sports City Project

Construction of King Abdullah Sports City covering an area of 9 sqkm.

Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco)

Saudi Arabia

Arup (UK)

10 Billion

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DUBAI Sheikh Zayed Road Tel. No. 00971 (4) 3296630