Urban Sanctuary

Golfer house in Jumeirah Gold Estate, Dubai mixes luxury with contemporary outdoor living

By: mdo landscape

Matt, Founder & Creative Director of MDO Most Desired Outdoor Landscape, has been turning outdoor spaces into urban sanctuaries for a a decade His approach to landscape design, and creating beautiful, liveable spaces, is the dual importance of both FORM and FUNCTION. “They will always go hand in hand,” he says. “It is imperative that function is thought of first and then the fun stuff (the form) can be considered around this.” There is certainly plenty of fun to be had in this open golf view oasis, with a sparkling swimming pool, alfresco dining space, barbecue and seating area.

Matt says the homeowners’ brief was to design an elegant and contemporary outdoor space for relaxed, comfortable living at home. “They wanted to create a modern, easy-to-maintain pool and garden that takes advantage of the stunning golf course view,” he says. The final design has crisp, modern lines and plenty of symmetry, with a few splashes of artificial lawn spaces and select plantings to add balance. Around the pool, low planter troughs filled with leafy plantings add structure and a modern edge to the design. There’s Pennisetum Setaceum, a hardy species soft looking foliage. In time, as some tropical plants behind a pergola, they will weave their way up and over the pergola forming a beautiful canopy. Beautiful

lightings on the pergola set the scene for a party atmosphere when night falls, while the pergola and bar area offer the perfect perspective to look over the L shaped swimming pool. When entertaining, the homeowners certainly have it covered with a built in barbecue and a drinks fridge nearby. There is also a space for sofas and chairs, perfect for alfresco dining, with approximately 45 m2 pergola offering shade when needed.

“They wanted to create a modern, easy-tomaintain pool and garden that can be used for entertaining year-round,” explains Matt. The tiles featured poolside were selected for their unique texture, low maintenance and contemporary colour. They also add a luxurious feel to the space. In this project, getting the proportions right between the pool area and dining space was a potential challenge. With so many components, it was key to ensure there was balance and symmetry between the spaces so one didn’t overshadow another. But here good design principles and careful planning prevailed, creating a dynamic outdoor space that the homeowners will be able to enjoy for many years to come.

As for Matt’s favourite part of the design, he says the built in bar is a hands-down winner. It’s ideal for the homeowners to gather the gang together after a day of swimming and lounging poolside - the perfect end to a relaxing day.

For more information: www.mdolandscape.com

A plant for every occasion Light It is essential to know that these plants favour light. Therefore, you should consider placing them in a hot and sunny spot where they could receive at least four to six hours of sunlight daily. If there is a lack of natural sunlight, it is advisable to use the artificial light of a UV lamp just above the

Tijana Popovic, Founder of Tgreen plant. In case you live in a part of the world where temperatures drop below 0ºC, it is good to know that these tiny plants can

Life discusses how small plants survive at temperatures above 5ºC in the winter months. can add value to your décor Nutrition Provide nutrition to your plants once or twice a year with a diluted liquid fertilizer high in nitrogen and phosphorus. Fertilization should be done only during the growth phase in spring and summer, as they do not require additional nutrition during the rest period.

General Watering Guide

In the summer, when temperatures are extremely high, it is necessary to water the plants frequently, approximately once in seven days, whereas in the spring and autumn, watering them once in ten days is enough. In the winter, most of the succulents are in the period of suspended growth, when they need little; therefore, it is enough to water them biweekly.

As a miniature symbol of a desert, small succulents will enchant you with their look, shape, and texture, which gives them a high decorative value and opens up possibilities for creating various arrangements that will enrich your office, home, hotel, or restaurant. What gives the advantage to these plants, compared to others, is that they do not require a lot of attention. We should note that these plants store the liquid in their stems to use during dry spells. They thrive in sunny and hot places, areas with little to no precipitation, and areas with peaty soil. Although they are rather low-maintenance and have few needs, there are some rules that we should have in mind when growing them. • The soil needs to be completely dry before the next watering. • Watering should be performed after the sunset since water drops tend to behave like a lance and could burn the plant. • Freshly planted succulents should not be watered for at least seven days so that their roots could heal before being exposed to water. • Do not forget the golden rule: “the less, the better”.

Transplanting

Once the pot becomes too small for the plant, it is time for transplanting. The frequency of transplanting depends on the plant’s age – older succulents should be transplanted biannually or triennially. In contrast, younger succulents require more frequent transplanting, depending on their growth rate. The warning that transplanting is required is when parts of the plant root start protruding through the potholes on the bottom.

• To remove the plant from the pot, turn it upside-down and gently strike the edge or the sides of the pot until the potting soil is separated from the container. If it does not come off quickly, use a thin object to separate it from the walls of the pot. • Remove the soil from the root and untangle it, but pay close attention not to damage it significantly. Plant it in a new, larger pot with a compulsory drainage layer consisting of small pebbles. Make sure that the root is equally distributed around the new container.

To ensure your safety while handling the plants, do not forget to protect your hands with safety gloves.

A SPACE A SPACE TO TO LEARN LEARN

Kuwait’s Plan 2035 sets out a strategy for the design and construction of educational facilities throughout the country.

By: AGi architects

A new proposal in Kuwait aims to create new spaces for exploration and learning, in which the environment is protected, and health and activities are promoted. After a review of new neighborhoods being established by the Public Housing Authority (PAHW), a variety of plots that differ in terms of size, dimensions and orientation are present in the different school divisions. This ambiguity at the site means that a prototypical approach cannot be used. Instead, an adaptable system is proposed that can be modified with a flexible component scheme.

The project consists of an adaptable and replicable system combining pre-school, primary, secondary, and higher education in a single proposal. This is done through the creation of a series of flexible spaces, which encourage creativity, exploration, play and the desire of students to learn, creating links and helping teachers to manage the classroom and develop their competencies.

This is carried out by the construction of an opaque base that opens to different patios inside. These are dimensioned and grouped according to the dimensions of the site of implantation and which reflect common uses. On this is a cover that is adapted to the specific programs of the upper floors of each of the centres.

Water Conservation - UAE Highest Priority

Water is a precious and finite resource that must be carefully used ensuring adequacy for generations to come.

AustraBlend®Mutli Mineral Root Zone Conditioner innovates cucumber production at greatly reduced water application.

Consistent with the National Food Security Strategy (NFSS), AustraBlend® Pty Ltd, along with Polyclean LLC Dubai, is working with major food production entities of key vegetable crops including capsicum, cucumber and tomato as well as alfalfa and grain crops grown at reduced water rates by as much as 50%, complying with water saving initiatives and crop intensifications in support of the NFSS.

AustraBlend®MMMRZC has the capacity to increase the nutrient and water use efficiencies of local soils resulting in significant increases in crop yields, supporting the UAE Food Basket Initiative aimed at increasing domestic production and water conservation.

Better growth and earlier maturity of fruit resulted in a 57% increase of fruit productivity over that of the control!

AustraBlend®MMRZC Guarantees More Crop per Drop !!

• Plant Height – 29% greater than control! • Leaf Size – 24% greater than control! • At 40% water reduction, 8% production gain over control!

AustraBlend® Multi Mineral Root Zone Conditioner innovates urban landscapes through water saving and greater biomass (lawn grass) production.

Results of an ICBA (Dubai) trial at a Sharjah Palace where ABMMRZC was used in the establishment of Paspalum vaginatum lawns.

At 40% less water than normal application, fresh grass biomass was 175% greater than that of the control.

The Reef at King’s Dock will be Singapore’s first residential property with a floating deck, bringing marine biodiversity directly to residents’ doorsteps.

URBAN ARCHITECTURE AND NATURE INTERTWINE IN SINGAPORE RESIDENTIAL PROJECT

Located in Singapore’s HarbourFront and Keppel Bay precincts alongside the historic King’s Dock, the new development aligns with Government plans to transform the Greater Southern Waterfront into a new major gateway for urban living.

The sustainable, next-generation luxury development will comprise 429 apartments in 10 buildings and is due for completion in 2024. The ‘urban village’ is set to be made up of diverse building types and will provide an abundance of green spaces and exceptional views. More than 65% of the total units were sold during its launch weekend in early 2021.

Green spaces are central to the overall design with a central garden promenade seamlessly connecting all of the buildings’ entrance lobbies and lush vegetation, creating green buffers for the ground floor residential units. A full range of landscape amenities, sky gardens, pavilions, a tennis court, a dry and wet children’s play zone and a fitness zone will provide a host of leisure options to residents, while the landscape between the buildings and on the Sky Gardens is kept quiet, with most activities located at the edges and on the pontoon.

The 180m floating deck, with its swimming pools, sun decks, and underwater marine viewing area, will provide unique recreational and biodiversity experiences for residents. Stefaan Lambreghts, Associate Director at Landscape architecture firm, Grant Associates, said, “I was fascinated with the spontaneous vegetation growing from the existing dock wall when I first visited the site; our team later recorded more than 20 plant species growing between the dock stones. With the pontoon set within the dock, the dock wall becomes a major façade to the development. We wanted to address the appearance of this wall with a rich planting palette, and undertook extensive research into the plants that would be able to grow so close to the sea level. The results of an initial mock-up on site are promising and we are looking forward to the implementation on site.”

“Through this project, we will be enhancing local biodiversity through both the dock wall and the marine viewing pit. We are working closely with marine biologists and engineers on the pontoon to create a unique corals experience with a marine viewing pit, where the residents will be able to enjoy seeing actual coral growth from the safety of the pontoon. The Reef at King’s Dock will serve as a prime example of how urban architecture can reconnect people with nature in playful and innovative ways.”

The Reef at King’s Dock is being jointly developed by Mapletree and Keppel Land, led by KCAP Architects & Planners in collaboration with DCA Architects and landscape architects Grant Associates.

Image credit: KCAP Architects&Planners

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Creating an Icon International architecture practice, 10 Design, wins competition to design Landmark 55 in the emerging Starlake Urban Area of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Located in the heart of a prominent district, 10 Design’s proposal for this mixed use destination will become a new icon on the skyline of Hanoi. The development in Starlake Urban Development Area includes two towers that create a visual gateway and provide active pedestrian connections through the urban context.

Barry Shapiro, Managing Partner 10 Design says, “This district is designated to become the new administrative centre of Hanoi and will become the cities primary location for diplomatic compounds, international cultural facilities and trade/exhibition events. Home to the most high-end and modern amenities in the city, Landmark 55 will become the most iconic future commercial and entertainment destination for the neighbourhood.”

Landmark 55 provides a total of 178,888sqm of area including offices, a hotel and condominium hotel, retail, and F&B. The two towers contain a 55-story hotel and condominium hotel tower with a dramatic sky-lobby and a 41-story office tower. A four-story retail pavilion is located between both towers in the middle of the site with an active F&B roof garden and an amenity terrace that connect across the site. Ground level plazas and pedestrian streets activate both edges of the central retail pavilion and are lined with retail and restaurants.

Design Partner of 10 Design, Leonard Milford, explains “Whilst the plots of the new district are typically being developed as ‘traditional’ isolated podium and tower compositions, we looked at developing this plot as a connective catalyst for the region that would function on a number of contextual scales – locale, neighbourhood, district and city.”

From the citywide scale, the sites are governed by the 55 and 41 story towers which are staggered in plan so as to optimise views to the West Lake and to provide the respective street addresses that both the office and hotel require. The skyline from the city centre is articulated by a cantilevering lobby for the hotel directing views out across West Lake and beyond as a new belvedere for the city.

The lower volumes of the towers have been massed to create a more intimate and refined pedestrian orientated place within the district. The central jewel building sits in an avenue of activity leading from the main street frontage and opening onto the central park at the north of the plot. This element provides a shaded and human scale of activity and massing between the towers creating clear access from the context and active roof scape forming extensions of the public park.

BOOKS OF INTEREST

ROOTED IN SESIGN

ISBN-9781607746973 PRISE-107.00Dhs.

BOOK DESCRIPTION: A stylish and full-color guide to creatively integrating indoor plants with home decor from the owners of the popular Sprout Home garden design boutiques. Indoor plants play a large role in the design and feel of a space. Focusing on indoor gardening--from small containers and vertical installations with air plants to unique tabletop creations--Rooted in Design provides readers with the means to create beautiful and long-lasting indoor landscapes. Tara Heibel and Tassy De Give, owners of the successful Sprout Home gardening stores, offer expert advice for choosing plant varieties and pairing them with unique design ideas. Sharing practical tips honed through hundreds of plant design classes, Heibel and DeGive tell readers everything they need to know to care for their one-of-a-kind green creations

OUDOLF HUMMELO

ISBN-9781580934183 PRISE-215.00Dhs.

BOOK DESCRIPTION: “Piet Oudolf is best known for his now-iconic designs for the High Line in New York City and Millennium Park in Chicago. Hummelo, his own garden in The Netherlands, is visited by thousands of gardeners each year. It serves as his personal design and plant propagation laboratory, and is where he has honed his aesthetic and created new varieties of plants for over three decades. This title charts how the garden of one of the world’s best-known and most-loved plantsmen has evolved, and gives frank assessments of his experiments that have gone both well and awry. Hummelo, timed to coincide with Oudolf’s 70th birthday and his acceptance of Holland’s most prestigious cultural award, provides his throngs of followers with a chronology of how his naturalistic style and career has developed. Lush photography documents how the garden has changed and inspired him over the years, and text by prolific garden writer Noel Kingsbury will ensure a lively read for all home garden enthusiast”

URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPE

ISBN: 9781864706307 Author: Dieter Grau Hardcover: 256 pages Publication Date: (10 Jun. 2015)

Book Descriptions: The book provides the latest trends in urban environmental landscaping, with informative chapters on basic principles, dimensions, reference standards and considerations across a range of themes, such as public parks, public plazas, waterfront public open spaces, and urban street environments It Showcases a broad range of informative high-quality projects spanning the United States, Mexico, Australia, China, and Europe and provides comprehensive reference material for architects, urban planners, preservationists ,and landscape designers, and all who are directly involved in town planning in the urban environment. For each part, we selected the most striking cases with the newest design standards to showcase spectacular landscape design

With its headquarter in Tokyo, Japan and world class stores spread over countries like America, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Taiwan and now in DUBAI – UAE, Kinokuniya is a globally known book seller of repute. The store in Dubai Mall is a massive 68,000 square feet wide paragon book gallery which stocks more than half a million books and thousand magazines in English, Arabic, Japanese, French, German and Chinese at any given time. The Store is also a distinct cross cultural hub wide range of time to time multicultural events such a comic art demonstrations, language learning workshops, book launches etc. The pleasant ambiance, stenographic design and add to it the impressive view of modern skyline – world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, Kinokuniya at The Dubai Mall is just the place to evoke emotions and add pleasure to your book shopping. You may like to visit our website for more information. www.kinokuniya.com

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STATUS : NEW TENDER TRADE CATEGORY : AGRICULTURAL, LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION

NEW & CURRENT PROJECTS

Tender Name Description Client Region Tender Cost (USD) Post Date Closing Date

Agriculture Works Agriculture Works for Department Buildings. Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (Published on eSupply Portal) Dubai 4/5/2021 4/15/2021

Agricultural Materials & Tools Provision of Labors, Materials, Tools Equipment & Services for Agricultural Research Station. Qatar University (QU) Qatar 137 4/1/2021 4/20/2021

Polytechnic & Landscaping Services

Provision of Bahrain Polytechnic with Cleaners, Landscaping Services and General Services Helpers. Bahrain Polytechnic Bahrain 263 3/31/2021 4/28/2021

Agricultural Works Provision of Agricultural Works. Ministry of Electricity & Water (Kuwait) Kuwait 250 3/31/2021 6/29/2021 Agricultural Soils Mixing and Calibration of Agricultural Soils. Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries & Water Resources (Oman) Oman 3/31/2021 4/11/2021 Agricultural Works Agricultural Works at Doha East Station. Ministry of Electricity & Water (Kuwait) Kuwait 500 3/30/2021 4/29/2021

Trees & Annual Plants Supply of Trees and Annual Plants. German Jordanian University (Jordan) Jordan 3/30/2021 4/19/2021

Plantation Maintenance & Addition Works

Supporting and Downloading Works

Agricultural Maintenance Supplies Maintenance and Addition of Al Bidya Plantation. Ministry of Infrastructure Development - MOID (Dubai) Dubai 3/25/2021 4/12/2021

Operation of Hygiene, Agriculture, Supporting and Downloading Works. Ministry of Islamic Affairs - Endowment, Call & Guidance (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia 667 3/24/2021 4/21/2021 Agricultural Maintenance Supplies. Eastern Region Health Affairs (Saudi Arabia) Saudi Arabia 533 3/22/2021 4/7/2021

Agricultural Works Maintenance of Internal and External Agricultural Works. National Guard (Kuwait)

Soft Landscaping Works Provision of Soft Landscaping Works. Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning (Bahrain) Restore Agricultural Hiring Hiring Project to Restore Agricultural Oasis No. 46 in Al-Baghdadi Heet. United Nations Development Programme - UNDP (Iraq) Kuwait 3333 3/22/2021 4/13/2021

Bahrain 132 3/18/2021 4/11/2021

Iraq 3/17/2021 4/8/2021

Landscape & Associated Works Provision of Landscape & Associated Works at Ahmadi Area. Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) (Kuwait) Kuwait 3/16/2021 6/14/2021

Landscaping & Squares Development Landscape & Associated Works

Trees Replant, Cutting & Removal Landscaping and Development of Squares and Markets

Landscape& Associated Works

Replant, Cutting and Removing the Trees from Various Location. Kuwait Municipality Kuwait 3289 2/20/2021 5/23/2021

Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) (Kuwait) Kuwait 3289 2/20/2021 6/14/2021

Electricity & Water Authority - EWA (Bahrain) Bahrain 39 1/11/2021 2/9/2021

Integrated Management Program Supply of Research Needs for the Integrated Management Program of Red Palm Weevil. Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries & Water Resources (Oman) Oman 65 12/31/2020 2/10/2021

Landscape Services Provision of Landscape Services.

Miniature Parks & Playgrounds Construction

Maintenance and Irrigation

Construction of Mini and Playgrounds Maintenance and Irrigation of Gardens and Parks

Parks Restore & Rehabilitate A Project to Restore and Rehabilitate Parks (Dalgan, Al-Maski, Al-Jarrah and Al-Hadba) Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC) Kuwait 12/10/2020 3/7/2021

Department of Urban Planning & Municipalities - Al Ain City Municipality Al Ain 11/1/2020 11/22/2020

Taif Municipality (Saudi Arabia) Saudi Arabia 1467 10/25/2020 11/22/2020

Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture (Saudi Arabia) Saudi Arabia 933 10/25/2020 11/18/2020

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