July 2021

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

middle east

july 2021

1

The Irrigation Innovators

TECNIDRO MESC

I www.landscape-me.com I November 2012

57

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

Editor’s Note Our industry, like many others was dealt a huge blow as the global pandemic took hold of our cities and lives. However as Desert INK have outlined on page 10 in this month’ issue, things are on the up!

“We’ve started to witness a paradigm shift…A trend towards increased appreciation of landscape and outdoor environments… catalyzed by the confinement experienced during lock down.”

Hopefully the days of Landscape being an after-thought are behind us, developers are now starting to place landscaping at the top of their budgets and projects that were placed on hold have gotten the green light again!

Also in this issue, we showcase innovative park designs in China and the West of England. Page 28 While in the region, we showcase a special art piece for the area of the Al Ouroba Square, placed in King Khalid Road, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The water and light sculpture located in the center of a water reservoir completes a traditional landscape design of an interchange loop. (Page 24)

Enjoy the issue!

Managing Partner: Ziad Maarouf Amine Copy Editor: John Hampton Administrative Assistance: Sarry Gan Art Director: Ramon Andaya Contributors: Ana Mateus, Naveena Jacob, Jingwen, Fiona Robinson, Ashok Ganapathy Iyer, Pattayathorn Lertlamlerpong, Sejal Nagjee, Marlene Eid, Catherine Chan Printed by: Al Nisr Publishing LLC Webmaster: www.pdinventive.com

For free subscription and to view the magazine please visit our website:

www.landscape-me.com The First Specialised Landscape magazine in the Middle East

Our magazine is available in app store and google play, search under Landscape Middle East.

Landscape is distributed free of charge in KSA, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Eqypt, and Lebanon by Emirates Post UAE Published by:

The opinions and views contained in the articles in this publication are those of the contributors and not necessarily of the publishers. The publishers cannot be held liable for any mistake or omission enclosed in the publication.

MEMedia Publishing FZ LLC IMPZ PO Box 485005, Dubai, UAE Telephone: +971 4 4470927 Fax: +971 4 4470928

1

contents July 2021 - Issue 169

10

From Accessorising to Appropriating Landscapes

14 18 24 28 32 40 42

Cities of the Future

46

10 Design Completes Gaoxin Hi-Tech Commercial Hub

Life One Wireless Water Chimes Docklands Park Landscape as a Balancing Act

20 42

Walkable Gardens This is not a Framed Farden

10 2

20 16

I news & Events

Al Zorah begins ground levelling works in Ajman’s District 9

Imad Al-Dana

CEO of Al Zorah Development Company

Al Zorah Development Company has begun land levelling works in District 9, in which 70% of the residential plots and 10% of the 583 plots were sold within several weeks. The AIMS contractor is executing levelling works within the district to enable investors to move forward with the construction works on their plots.

Imad Al-Dana, CEO of Al Zorah Development Company, says: “District 9 project is located at the main entrance of Al Zorah, extending over a land area of 345,000 square meters, out of the total 5.4 square kilometers land area of Al Zorah. The project includes five-star hotels, beach resorts, marinas, restaurants and cafes, mangrove reserve and a golf course, in addition to the many activities and events specific to the Al Zorah area.”

Al-Dana adds: “We directly supervise all works to ensure adherence to environmental and sustainability standards, in order to enhance our vision of achieving sustainable development with high quality standards. We

Over 200,000 trees planted in Dubai in 3 years

accomplished this all within the highest level of security, health and safety requirements. We maintained public appearance, environmental standards, and focused on meeting the needs of the communities living in Al Zorah.”

Al Zorah is aiming to be considered one of the most important tourist destinations in the Emirate of Ajman in particular, due to development projects that witness the construction of luxury resorts on the seashore.

Projects also cover a golf club, golf course, walkway, shopping sites, luxury restaurants, 4 marinas, and apartments on the banks of the creek. The locality includes the Al Zorah Natural mangrove reserve, regarded to be of the most beautiful natural features in the Emirate of Ajman, and is an ideal destination for lovers of ecological and natural tourism.

The many mangroves provide a suitable environment for resident and migratory birds, in addition to the presence of plants and weeds. The Reserve is diverse as a result of the abundance of water, with coasts containing huge groups of fish and coral reefs.

Municipality decorates emirate with green and flowering plants Dubai Municipality has planted more than 200,000 trees during the last three years.

The emirate was decorated with green plants and flowering trees, with the aim of giving aesthetic beauty to the emirate’s roads and parks, using agricultural beautification elements.

The plants used included Delonix regia trees, and the Poinciana trees or what is known as the Flame trees, whose beauty blooms in the summer, adding its fiery colors such as orange mixed with red, which adds another beauty to Dubai.

Photos: City beautification

4

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

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.

AustraBlend® UAE Distributor Polyclean LLC, Dubai Tel: 971 050 635 9026

5

I news & Events

SureSteel Stainless Steel Tactile Indicator The CTA SureSteel® range of stainless steel indicators offer the highest quality tactile indicator combined with stunning appearance and market leading ease of installation.

Tactile guidance systems play an important role for the vision impaired. This means quality is of the utmost importance.

SureSteel® indicators are formed from a single piece of marine-grade stainless steel so the anchoring spigot will never detach from the tactile head.

In addition, CTA’s proprietary treatment process ensures that SureSteel® studs and directional ribs will retain their bright appearance for many years.

SureSteel® can be installed over almost any substrate including carpet, concrete, timber, bitumen and tiles. It is also the only stainless steel product in the industry to provide an unparalleled R13 Safety Rating across the entire range.

SureSteel® also incorporates CTA’s patented Drill&Lock® technology. This innovative approach eliminates the need for messy adhesives, reducing both cost and installation time and allows the area to be immediately opened to pedestrian traffic.

This tactile indicator has been specified time and time again by architects due to its superior quality, ease of installation & extensive lifetime expectancy.

For this reason, you will find SureSteel® TGSI’s used extensively throughout Dubai Metro and a number of other international destinations.

Key Features • Patented R13 safety rating, the highest in the industry • Available in both hazard (stud) and directional (rib) profiles • Patented Drill&Lock® ensuring an easy, adhesive free install and can be walked on immediately • One-piece design ensures strength and reliability - will not become displaced or broken over time • Also available in Brass, high strength tempered aluminium and fully integrated plate options • Extensively tested and certified, including exposure to salt spray and chemical composition • 10 Year warranty • 25+ Year product life expectancy Product Variations CTA SureSteel® stainless steel tactile indicators are available in a range of styles to suit your aesthetic and safety requirements.

6

CTA also produces a SureSteel® Select range, which offers specifiers a greater range of colours to meet luminance requirements on a larger number of substrates.

Drill&Lock® adhesive free install – the environmentally friendly option SureSteel® sets a new standard for ecofriendly tactile installation – CTA’s patented, Drill&Lock® technology eliminates the need for messy, chemical based adhesives and requires only mechanical retention to secure the tactile to the substrate.

Drill&Lock® eliminates waste from the packaging, transport, application and cleanup that is created when using adhesives, reducing the overall impact to the environment. Drill&Lock® also allows the area to be opened to pedestrians immediately after installation and requires just two simple steps: drill a hole, and lock in a tactile indicator.

As part of CTA’s Environment policy, our installers recycle all packaging, water and material used when installing our products. Combining Drill&Lock® with CTA’s complete range of interlocking templates will ensure that your installation is quick, clean and fully compliant with AS1428.

Applications SureSteel® tactile indicators are suitable for high volume traffic areas such as stairs, ramps, walkways and pedestrian thoroughfares along with areas where aesthetic is important such as building foyers and hotel lobbies. Suitable for internal and external application.

The Transport Industry When it comes to the transport industry it is imperative that the correct tactile indicator is selected. These types of applications require high strength tactile indicators as large volumes of foot traffic move through on a daily basis.

SureSteel® studs are used extensively throughout the transport industry due to their impressive life expectancy and stunning appearance. Being forged from a single piece of marine grade stainless steel, the SureSteel® stainless steel tactile indicator can stand up to consistent high volumes of foot traffic year after year!

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

7

I news & Events

5 key takeaways from #ULSaudi Speakers Below mentioned are the 5 key takeaways from Urban Landscape Saudi 2021, that came from some of the leading guest speakers:

Urban Landscape Saudi 2021, a two-day virtual event, came into the limelight as a follow-up of Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life program and Vision 2030 that prioritizes to transform the Kingdom into every traveller’s dream destination and the most desired spots for urban living.

The summit organised by Tradepass with Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA) as a strategic partner, witnessed a great turnout, comprising over 500 landscape experts and professionals who collaborated and shared valuable insights over the course of two days. The virtual event also had an amalgamation of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and fireside chats that threw light on some of the latest technologies and innovations which play a vital role in the evolving Urban landscape sector.

ENG. AHMED AL-ABOUDI Deputy Governor & Chief Regulatory Officer, Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA)

As the Guest of Honour for the event, Eng. Ahmed Al-Aboudi while enlightening everyone about Vision 2030 and the related multi-billion-dollar urban landscape projects mentioned that “Those programs and those landscape projects will help the Saudi government in realizing the goals that are set in the Vision 2030 towards improving the life of the Saudi citizens”.

JOHN PAGANO Chief Executive Officer, The Red Sea Development Company and AMAALA

John Pagano gave a very insightful talk on the topic ‘Redefining Success in the Tourism Industry’ where he explained how people can live alongside nature. During his discourse, he even quoted David Attenborough from his recent movie ‘Life on our planet’. While talking about a sustainable tourism industry he stated, “Having a low or even zero impact is no longer enough, the development in tourism industries must positively contribute to enhancing the environment, they must become a force for regeneration, a force for good”.

FADY NASSIM

Executive Head of Urban Planning, Jeddah Economic Company, Urban Planning Vision Fady Nassim went in great detail about the green-energy saving solutions like District cooling, Sewage treatment plant and Water treatment and their importance in infrastructure. As an intrinsic part of Jeddah Economic City, he also explained the project’s key objectives where he said that, “The objective of Jeddah Economic City is to build this new urban model around the basic approach of having Diversity, Proximity and High Density”.

OLIVER HANNA Area Sales Manager, Zinco

Oliver Hanna got everyone’s attention through a very interesting and innovative topic of having green roofs in Saudi Arabia and its crucial role while tackling some of the Kingdom’s climate related challenges. He explained how it can make the modern Saudi Arabian city more attractive, cooler, bio diverse and that too while using no extra piece of land but just by utilizing the empty spaces on the roofs. He explained, “If we have green roofs in our cities, we will positively influence the city climate, we will reduce the heat island effect, we will improve the air quality as we will filter out all the dust that we have got in the air.”

DR AMAL SHUQAIR, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing – KSA

Dr Amal Shuqair while talking about the future of Momra also threw light on the the splendid work that her Ministry had done in terms of providing housing units for the many Saudi families in need. She also explained the importance of urban landscape development where she mentioned, “Urban landscape development is very crucial and is something that will affect the citizens, the city and the future”.

8

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

2013 - 2021 From a boutique landscape maintenance firm, to a complete end-to-end landscape constructions service provider

OFFICE LOCATION

TELEPHONE

EMAIL ADDRESS

PO Box 111020 Abu Dhabi, UAE

+971 (0)2 207 7729

info@basatinlandscaping.com

WEBSITE www.basatinlandscaping.com

I waterfall

From Accessorising to Appropriating landscapes

Rethinking Landscape Architecture post Covid Naveena Mariam Jacob Landscape Architect, desertINK The last 18 months brought considerable distress to the landscape industry. However, in retrospect today, amidst the continued uncertainties, there are green shoots of optimism to be recognized in both our industry and society in particular.

Until now, landscape architecture has often been considered as an after-thought, or ‘clip-on’ to architectural developments; reduced to mere ‘greening’ and beautification. Landscape Architecture was frequently considered as just one of a long list of sub consultancies tacked onto the scope of large architecture and engineering practices. If landscape design services managed to survive the consultancy fee negotiation phase, then the resulting designs would often be decimated by value engineering at the closing stages of construction. With most landscape work being constructed in the later stages of the process, landscape typically suffered

Increase in demand for Landscape products / Dubai Garden Centre

disproportionately from value engineering exercises since there was little else to value engineer at this point. Such exercises are often undertaken to balance cost over-runs from earlier works, leaving Clients with no choice but to acquiesce to landscape value engineering if they wished to hold onto their development budget target.

At desert INK and many of our landscape architectural peers, we have however started to witness a paradigm shift which has been accelerated by recent events. The lockdown period instated by governments around the world to fight the spread of Corona virus, coupled with travel limitations, has had a major impact on lifestyles. We have all spent these times introspecting and taking actions towards safeguarding our physical and mental well-being. The shift from offices to work from home demanded breathable and pleasant work environments. As travel budgets were reallocated towards home upgrades and improvements, many relocated from larger apartments to houses with gardens; from small apartments to flats with balconies. A trend towards increased appreciation of landscape and outdoor environments was catalyzed by the movement restrictions and confinement experienced during lock down. In the words of Joni Mitchell “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone”. Upon emerging from lockdown, people wanted to spend more time outdoors, recognizing the intangible attributes of landscape, open spaces and biophillia that perhaps were taken for granted pre-pandemic.

The effect of this collective ‘new dawn’ has had a huge positive effect upon the landscape sector. With lockdowns eased, landscape and public realm at every scale was at the top of the agenda. Developers have already started to place landscape at the core of their offering and at desert INK, we now find ourselves at the helm of large projects, frequently wearing the lead consultant hat typically worn by architects and engineers. Companies saw a rise in demand for landscapes and products at every scale ranging from city parks and community gardens at the macro scale to balcony furniture and potted plants at the micro scale.Increased visitations to local nurseries and a 20-40% increase in the

Known for their context-driven, sustainable landscape designs, desert INK are a landscape design consultancy based in the Dubai Design District. With 19 years of experience in the region, Managing Director Duncan Denley leads a creative team backed up by the 30+ years’ experience held in the Desert Group and vision of CEO Michael Mascarenhas.

[1] Paitandy, P., & Ganguly, N. (2021, May 6). The business of gardening continues to bloom across India amid the pandemic. The Hindu.

10

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

Outdoor work zones designed by desert INK A new found demand for interior landscape resulted from woldwide locdowns

investments made by people, translated as an upswing in the purchase of landscape accessories and gardening products.

(Paitandy and Ganguly, 2021) [1] Duncan Denley, Managing Director at desert INK Landscape Architects, noted one particular manifestation of such newfound appreciation of the outdoor environment outside their studio in Dubai’s Design District “Once the lockdown had eased and d3’s population began to return, we noticed that ground floor restaurants and showrooms started to appropriate the immediate open spaces. Previously anonymous plazas and thoroughfares were suddenly alive with new planters, tables and chairs and other paraphernalia and the place came alive with people!” embellishing further, “it was like being part of a social experiment and was a brilliant indicator to us that landscape and public realm was being demanded, utilized, appreciated, and would now be taken seriously as a basic need. We saw meetings being held outside, individuals cracking open laptops to work outside flanked by a coffee and many other daily activities being shifted into the public realm”. When discussing how these changes may impact desert INK’s work and that of the profession Duncan expands “in the past, we had to work hard to convince Clients of the value of outdoor environments, but more recently they have realized themselves that residents and employees are happier when increasing their time spent outside. At Masdar City, Abu Dhabi for example, we created many outdoor work zones and meeting rooms that encourage workers in the adjacent commercial buildings to conduct

business outside. Just after lockdowns started to ease, I was asked what I thought the repercussions on the landscape industry would be. The interviewer was no doubt looking for a soundbite that envisioned social distancing built into site furniture and public realm; single occupancy benches or some-such depressing solution. My response however was that the biggest repercussion would be that projects would experience a shift towards landscape and public realm-led developments and we are likely to find ourselves very much in demand. Thankfully-it looks like I was correct!”

The 3 tier lockdown and movement control enforced in London in 2020 would have been a different scenario, if people had the option to access parks without having to drive to them at a time of such social curfew. The Coronavirus mobility report 2020, that recorded people’s movement patterns during the lockdown, further emphasizes this and indicates a 100% increase in the number of people who made trips out of their houses, walking to local retail and recreation destinations during March to May 2020. (Greater London Authority, 2020) [2] Research reveals that the pandemic has accelerated urban design and planning departments at various governing authorities to optimise open space structure and distribution.

The pandemic exposed the hard hitting realization that multiple smaller neighbourhood parks within easy walking distances from most dwellings are more valuable than singular ‘mega green infrastructure’ projects, which can only be accessed by vehicles for most. Other actions now accelerated by this realization include identifying, acquiring, and converting city scale defunct spaces to usable grounds, encouraging multi-

The appropriation of outdoor space post-covid in Dubai’s Design District/ Author [2] Greater London Authority. (2020). Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mobility Report. London.

11

I transformation

Decentralised open spaces across a city / Author

Example for an idealised city –scale open space structure NSW Planning document for Recreation and Open space Planning Guidelines for Local government

functionality of open spaces like stadiums and incentivising the private and public sector such as schools to share their grounds post their designated hours, thus achieving greater efficiency of existing assets and greater accessibility to the public.

Now imagine if every neighbourhood had gardens and pocket parks within a walkable range instead of just a handful of distant mega parks, out of reach to many people. Wellbeing and happiness indexes would skyrocket. Such decentralization and democratization is the kind of reform we hope to see in these post Covid times. During this recovery phase, let us seize this opportunity to reflect and change.

12

The resolutions can be addressed at various levels.

Few reforms at the governance level include: ensuring democratization and accessibility to city level open spaces and relaxation or removal of park visitation charges. In addition, the decentralisation of open spaces will enable a fairer distribution of local outdoor spaces – playgrounds and parks, within a walkable reach. This will thereby bring forth democratisation in space usage and instil a greater sense of community Promotion of landscape architecture-led developments as well as ring fencing landscape and public realm budgets from the project outset, to prevent last minute value engineering purges, will bring marginal chnages at the industry level.

At the end user level public realm initiatives need not only follow a top-down approach, but can be community-led, such as neighbourhood urban farms or reclamation of derelict or unused spaces.

While increase in demand brings with it opportunities for the industry, this comes with a higher responsibility to ensure that resources and energy are carefully managed. As a firm that has always advocated localized sustainable approaches, desert INK will stay focused upon its mission to create exciting places which enhance lives. While a scary proposition at first, the ‘new normal’ may actually be a great place to be after all.

At the forefront of the sustainable landscape movement, desert INK’s landscape for ‘Terra’ - The Sustainability Pavilion, Dubai EXPO2020, provides a blueprint for future landscape developments.

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

BRING ANY SPACE TO LIFE SUPPLY & INSTALLATION Live & Artificial Plants, GRP, GRC, Metal & Terracotta Pots. Whether you’re looking to just add some green to your space or looking to make a statement. We have everything you would need!

MAINTENANCE Professional Plant Maintenance Contracts to keep all your plants happy and healthy.

GREENWALLS & MOSSWALLS Installation & Maintenance of Live, Artificial & Preserved GreenWalls, Preserved Moss Walls. You Think it and we’ll make it.

Tel: 04 590 4000

DesertPlantscapes

Email: plantscapes@desertgroup.ae

desert_plantscapes

2nd Floor, Lotus Plaza Building, Al Quoz Industrial Area 1, Dubai, UAE

company/plantscapesindoorplants www.plantscapes.ae

A DESERT GROUP COMPANY

13

I city in nature

Cities of the Future

Singapore will share its vision of a sustainable, liveable and resilient city at Expo 2020 Dubai

14

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

The Singapore Pavilion will offer an immersive experience of Singapore’s efforts towards becoming a City in Nature.

Singapore’s innovative urban solutions and culture will be presented on the global stage at the upcoming World Expo, which will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. Situated within the Sustainability District of the Expo 2020 Dubai – the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region – the Singapore Pavilion will present a microcosm of the nation’s transformed landscape.

Underscoring Singapore’s vision of shaping itself into a liveable, sustainable and resilient city of the future through the smart integration of design, technology and nature, the Pavilion will profile Singapore’s experience and expertise in developing and implementing urban innovations and showcase the country’s continued commitment towards building a sustainable future. It

also serves as a platform for the cross-pollination of ideas to build future cities that balances the needs of their people and environments.

A journey through Singapore’s sustainability story Designed by Singapore-based architectural practice WOHA, the Singapore Pavilion represents the nation’s efforts to be a City in Nature, and how this vision can also be realised anywhere through smart and sustainable urban solutions.

This vision unfurls itself through the different spaces of the Pavilion that visitors can explore.

Upon entering the Ground Garden, visitors will be welcomed by a garden landscape, with a phytoremediation pond nestled among a lush array of plants, trees, shrubs, including Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Miss

Artist impressions of the Singapore Pavilion (left) and Ground Garden (right)

15

I city in nature

The meandering Canopy Walk (above) brings visitors on an experiential journey around and through the cones to the Sky Market (below)

Joaquim orchid. Boasting an open plan, the architecture interacts seamlessly with the environment, helping visitors to envision how nature can be integrated and restored in urban settings.

As visitors make their way into the Singapore Pavilion, they will journey through three verdant thematic cones – Rainforest Cone, City Cone, and Flower Cone– each housing key exhibits that showcase Singapore’s transformational journey, solutions to urban issues, as well as efforts in creating a sustainable future for our people. The three cones are connected by a meandering, gently-sloping Canopy Walk capped with a hanging garden of draping vines, re-creating the atmosphere of the lush tropical urban landscape of Singapore.

Incorporating regenerative design for long-term sustainability The design of the spaces in the Pavilion is not the only ode to sustainability. To reflect the country’s guiding ethos of sustainable development, the Pavilion which is built on a small 1,550-square-metre site, is designed to have minimal impact to the environment through its lifecycle. It is designed to be a self-sufficient ecosystem, to achieve net-zero energy during the six-month event period via the use of solar panels, management of energy and desalination of saline groundwater.

The Pavilion showcases how the built environment can help to increase biodiversity, provide more space for trees and other greenery, and play a pivotal part in

16

combating climate change, even in a desert environment.

It also integrates landscaping into its design, showing that the built environment does not need to displace nature but can, in fact, co-exist with it.

The regenerative design approach aims to repair and restore the ecosystem and biodiversity, and to create an environment in which humans can live harmoniously with nature. The architecture combines technological and natural systems, with nodes and layers forming symbiotic relationships between engineering, technology, plant life and organic processes. Echoing Singapore’s vision of becoming a City in Nature, the Pavilion demonstrates the seamless integration and co-existence of nature and buildings and shows a captivating and forward-looking Singapore that is sociable, sustainable and liveable, via its delightful, relaxing spaces where visitors can unwind and connect with nature.

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

MP ROTATOR® MORE COVERAGE. LESS WATER.

0.4

in/hr

STANDARD MP

MP800

MP STRIPS

8-35 ft.

• Maximum water efficiency • Slowest precipitation rate • More heads on one zone

6-16 ft.

• Small spaces • Tight water windows • Spray retrofit solution

5 ft. wide • Rectangular spaces • Pair with standard MP or MP800 nozzles

0.8

in/hr

Higher water savings. Faster installation. More than a decade of proven performance.

Manage irrigation according to exact landscape needs with the industry-best MP Rotator nozzle family. With two precipitation rates across the widest radius range available, install the smarter solution for high-efficiency irrigation. Choose the MP Rotator.

Built on Innovation® Learn more. Visit hunterindustries.com RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL IRRIGATION |

ANNIVERSARY

ANNIVERSARY

17

I urban living

Life One Wireless

Multi-levelled landscapes help create a new state of the art condominium in the heart of Bangkok

By: Landscape Tectonix Limited

The Thai capital Bangkok is considered one of the most dynamic, fast growing and populous cities in the world, however it’s also one of the most air polluted cities in the world. This fact could not be ignored when designing a new condominium in the heart of Bangkok’s CBD, the landscape design concept had to address this issue and ensure the building and its landscape contributed towards creating a harmonious balance between human consumption and nature at its site at Wireless road.

18

Located on the city’s first major boulevard, known as Embassy Row, and only a short walk to Lumphini Park, the biggest central park in Bangkok, the key was to preserve any existing natural habits or species on the site. The priority was to protect existing Bodhi trees, which have now been integrated as part of the new gardens which comprise of a variety of plants, a large open lawn and enclosed greenery, creating an urban oasis.

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

The urban oasis is nestled by the picturesque landscape achieving many design goals; as an aesthetic memorable ambience of the legendary Wireless road, as a main garden for the residents to interact with nature, and as an urban ecology landscape for the living creatures as well as a lung for a city. Comprehensively defined at the conceptual design stage, the lush landscape setting would not create the greatest impact if there was no high level of integration with other areas. Therefore, not only the ground landscape,

but also the other on-structure landscape floors have been well integrated within this same setting. The ground level landscape sits among the diversity of its surroundings; the canal, pier, sky train infrastructure and one of the busiest roads in the capital. A picturesque backdrop for the semi-outdoor lobby, the various layers of plantation, from over 15 m. high mature trees to the several heights of small trees and shrubs with large open lawn are well composed and designed to achieve the concept of a truly enclosed natural

19

I urban living

courtyard. Elaborately integrated with the fully evergreen garden of well-selected plantations in different textures, forms and heights, the feature pavilion and its reflective pond stand dominant as a welcoming landscape setting. This one of a kind garden brings in the absolute serenity and privacy for the residents at Life One Wireless.

The water feature not only cools down the outdoor space but also creates the sense of auditory in the enclosed environment and the softscape design is intentionally built to enhance the human scale by using the cluster of mature evergreen trees in various heights, while the visual quality and privacy by using the small-medium trees and the soft touch by using the variety of shrub and groundcover.

20

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

At the 10th Floor podium level landscape, “the cascade garden” is strategically designed as an urban sanctuary for the residents to breath in some fresh air, wander around the greenery and motivate their sensory in a place nestled by the richness of greenery. The hierarchy of space formed by the hardscape compositions, the arrangement of plant and the level changes meticulously creates a sequence of experience, the visual harmony as well as the proper functionality in the garden.

At the rooftop 42nd and 43rd level landscapes, “the sky park” is strategically designed to integrate two floors as one garden connecting by the terrace garden. Therefore, the functional spaces are connected with exceptional experiences. The upper terrace features the dazzling pool and its

21

I urban living vanishing edge with the stunning panoramic Bangkok’s CBD view. The lower terrace serves as the various garden settings from sky-viewed bridge, chill-out on the sky corner, garden seat to the cozy amphitheater surrounded by shades of tree. The multi-leveled landscape stands still dominantly on the top of this iconic building among the vibe of Bangkok’s skyline. Residents can be strolling around the spectacular sky pool, soothing the fresh air in the lush greenery gardens and pampering yourself among the dramatic Bangkok›s skyline at Life One Wireless and its second-to-none landscape settings.

Impeccably embraced by the richness of nature, Life One Wireless strongly enhances the quality of urban living in harmony with nature. Meticulously encapsulated by the essence of serenity and featuring the lush multi-layers of evergreen landscape and other landscape elements creating the secluded garden setting with a clear hierarchy of space.

Project Name: Life One Wireless Location: 1 Wireless Rd, Bangkok, Thailand Landscape Architect: Landscape Tectonix Limited https://www.landscape-tectonix.com

https://www.facebook.com/landscapetectonix

Collaborators: Architects: REP and ATOM Interior: D+S Client: AP Thai Design year: 2015 Completed: 2018 Photo Credit: Mi Metipat / Yamastudio

22

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

23

I water feature

Water Chimes A stand out water feature in Riyadh is a one of a kind art piece By: Anton Amann Founder Architect / Design Director Architectural & Lighting Solutions

“You see nature and then you try to emulate it.

The next step in sculpture is motion” Alexander Calder

Everything revolves around the center of gravity, in which it is the flowers that fill the water of the pond, from which they in turn drink its water, in a continuous cycle. Water Chimes is a metaphor of life, that repeats itself, that spins around and exists thanks to water and light.

Water Chime Technical Detail

Water Chime side view

24

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City, aligned with Vision 2030, aimed to create a special art piece for the area of the Al Ouroba Square, located between Al Ouroba Road and King Khalid Road, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The project brief as to create a water and light sculpture, to be located in the center of a water reservoir that completes a traditional landscape design of an interchange loop. An important premise was that the design would be appreciated from vehicular points of view but creating a landmark for the location.

The proposed sculpture by ALS with the cooperation of GHESA Water & Art consists of four elements, called Water Chimes, with twisting stems and water gently falling from their crowns. The elements would be seen as water flowers emerging from the pond looking for light, as per the artistic approach intentions. Water sheets pouring from their

lips would create liquid curtains where light played a key role.

The four water chimes have been designed with 4m diameter semi spherical cups, as flower crowns, fixed on the top of curved steel columns, the stems. The tubular structural stem, with heights between 5.60m to 14.50m made of A316L steel pipes, with curved shapes and 30 mm thick, work as supporting elements. Each stem was hot bended, individually curved only in one axe in order to create a unique sculptural element. However, by orientating the chimes differently an organic group of elements set was achieved.

Each chime has a particular shape and levels creating contrast between them and allowing water to be dropped from different heights following the organic design criteria mentioned before.

25

I water feature

GHESA was the specialist designated to develop the technical design, to manufacture and to install the sculptural water features.

The installation incorporates state-of-the-art materials, and all the hydraulic and electrical infrastructure is totally modular.

IDOM was the awarded consultant that carried out the project management of the construction works.

As each one of the WATER CHIMES circuits is individually controlled at different water flow, the fountain is programmed to present different scenarios at pre-established sets of times and to be stopped when wind conditions require so.

The lighting installation also plays a key role, using warm white light (2700K) for the border of the concrete water basin and cold white light (6000K) for the cascades. The upper crowns have installed linear curved LED lines in warm white light (2700K) to profile the border of the water recipient, adding a

26

touch of light on the top of the Water Chimes.

Additionally, some RGB underwater luminaires have been spread between the water cascades, to create different color reflections in the bottom of the cups, as can be seen in the images.

The goal set by the client was to create a classic, elegant and timeless water feature. To achieve it, ALS/GHESA combined tradition and modernity in the right proportions, to ensure the one of its kind feature endures the passage of time.

Client: Royal Commission for Riyadh City Design: Anton Amann Founder Architect / Design Director Architectural & Lighting Solutions Technical Design, Manufacture & Installation: GHESA Water & Art Consultant: Idom Consulting Egineering, Architecture S.A.U. Civil Works Contractor: Riyadh Villas

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

where others see

WATER FEATURES we see

AWARD-WINNING MASTERPIECES

Bangkok Iconsiam Mall, Thailand | “Art, Entertainment, & Public - Art Event”, 2019 Gold Stevie Award

Dubai Festival City, UAE | “Service Excellence Award - Decor & Design Installation”, 2019 Middle East Shopping Center & Retailer Awards

info@ghesa.ae LANDSCAPE AWARDS 2021 NOLOGO.indd 1

ghesawaterart.com

27 30/05/2021 09:02

I parks

Docklands Park A new stretch of public realm will revitalize a former docklands site on the Yangtze River, Jiangyin, China.

By: BAU Brearley Architects + Urbanists Jiangyin is on the Yangtze, the world’s busiest working river. The Chinese city is regenerating part of its industrial docklands as a high density livework district. Stage one of this major project is the creation of a 4km public realm along the river edge. The design was selected through invited competition.

28

Ambitions Re-establish indigenous eco-system corridors; Preserve the industrial character; Maintain presence of the historic past; Introduce leisure infrastructure for the new era Link beyond the site for the emergence of a city park network.

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

Soft edges and eco corridors The Yangtze at this location is tidal. This project rehabilitates, preserves, enhances and extends a raft of microhabitats. Complexity of the existing river edge is formally maintained, enhanced and secured with loose rock scaled for habitat. A new corridor of indigenous trees and plants weaves through the project’s length to connect the Ebizui mountain ecological node to the east with the canal eco corridor towards the west.

Post-industrial poetics The vast worn concrete wharves are colored by the brown earth washed down the Yangtze. Overlooking the two-kilometer river from the prosaic empty docks presents an overwhelming scale and sense of the sublime. This design preserves even the most brutal of structures. Necessary new interventions on and around the wharves share the scale, robustness and clarity of this industrial context. Whilst the future district promises to be filled with vibrancy, and much of the landscape is rich in complexity, the wharf edges provide a rare escape.

Continuity with the Past Palimpsest – Ship Building Park Whilst the majority of the site was open and flat for stockpiling raw materials, the eastern portion of the site was recently a functioning ship building facility. The design strategy maintained traces of the

29

I parks

site’s history and overlaid a number of ecological, circulation and programmatic layers. The result is a complex palimpsest supporting inclusive and diverse open spaces and activities.

The history layer includes ship slipways; gantry cranes and rails; ship building factory structures; jetties; a Chinese garden; a tree lined road; and numerous other artefacts. Other layers across the site include: connections (pedestrian paths, bike paths, water boardwalk, extensions of views to and from the site, and paths from the new districts – all maximizing links between the city and the water); active leisure (sports courts and skate park); play (children’s adventure playground in the form of a ship, and elderly exercise area); social gathering (large plaza, visitor center, and large pavilions); relaxation (small pavilions, intimate seating, picnic tables, and ship

30

interpretation installation); and ecological (rain gardens, water edge habitats, eco-corridor).

Three Historic Ports Jiangyin’s origins as a port city date back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Research revealed the location of three historic ports. The site of Huang Tian Port, reputedly dating back nearly 2000 years, has been developed as the dockland’s major open space for public events. Interpretive mapping of the Yangtze River is integrated in its paving. Historic Jiu Cai Port has been named and restored in its most recent iteration, as industrial port. A new restaurant designed as an urban hill provides a lookout point.

Shiyu Port dates from the 1500s and was a renowned fish market. The new landscape here establishes a plaza, park, and fish restaurant. An integrated paving artwork provides further interpretation.

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

New era of leisure After a hiatus of nearly fifty years China is prospering and its citizens are rediscovering all variety of leisure pursuits. This landscape introduces opportunities for the very young to the very old. It is the city’s largest playground. Linked by a 4km jogging track are dozens of outdoor sports courts and frequent gym equipment stations for public use. A more leisurely path weaves the length of the site and connects several large children’s playgrounds, a skate park, and numerous groupings of exercise equipment for the elderly.

Frequent throughout the landscape are dancing plazas, a popular local pursuit. A host of pavilions, tables for games, and lawns for picnics, tents and programs yet to come. The park ushers in a novel, exotic era of health and play.

Emerging park network The bicycle path in this docklands park has initiated a 20km bicycle loop tracing existing and proposed lineal parks in the city. Linking the disparate parks with this loop, or greenway, brings about an accompanying ecological link. An extensive eco-system network is emerging. Pedestrian paths extend along the Yangtze either way. To the east a narrow boardwalk has been installed to enable people to pass around the steep mountain edge.

The docklands park is also designed to smoothly connect to the urban district under construction.

The circulation of the foreshore is coupled with the urban circulation. Plazas and city-river view corridors are located on street axis from where landscape paths radiate.

Project Data Project Status: Completed 2020 Location: Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China Year: 2012-2020 Client: Jiangyin Urban Planning Bureau Construction Area: 36.7 Ha (Ship Building Park 7.6Ha; Shiyu Port Park 6.9 Ha; Jiucai Port Park 7.2 Ha; Huangtian Port Park 15 Ha) Construction Cost: RMB 369 million (Ship Building Park RMB 30 million; Shiyu Port Park RMB 59 million; Jiucai Port Park RMB 70 million; Huangtian Port Park RMB 210 million) Typology: Public park, sports park, waterfront Program: Sustainable urban drainage, city garden, wetland, parkland, heritage preservation, plazas, emergency docks, skate park adventure playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, gate ball courts, table tennis courts, soccer fields, outdoor swimming pool, outdoor theater, bike paths, running track, pavilions, commercial and amenities buildings and tourist information centers.

Designed by BAU Brearley Architects + Urbanists Photographs: Zeng Jianghe, Xiazhi

31

I urban development

Landscape as a Balancing Act

Architectural Heritage vs Contemporary Built Environment in Sharjah

By Ashok Ganapathy Iyer

Professor & Chairperson, School of Design & Architecture, Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai

Panoramic views of a contemporary built environment surrounding architectural heritage represents the question of a balancing act that is a dire requirement in this region. These clearly represent the latter, in the form of contemporary built environment of tall buildings being the outright winner over the former, which in this case is a pristine example of the architectural heritage of Sharjah. Our 2016-17 urban analysis of the Al Qassimiya neighborhood within the city of Sharjah reflected on this imbalance of that of the contemporary and the encroachment and challenges posed around Al Mahatta Museum; the former rest-house of the first airport of the United Arab Emirates located in the Sharjah Emirate. The history of the UAE is etched around its architectural heritage and a proper balance in the form of preservation and conservation of these historic built

32

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

environments needs to be co-balanced with the advent of contemporary pieces of architecture. Landscape has played an important role by acting as a visual buffer, a transition point, as well as a juxtaposition. The example of Al Mahatta Museum visually and physically qualifies as an example of the harsh placement of contemporary built versus its impact on the historic footprint.

A contrasting example of an architectural heritage inundated by landscape is an important venue for the Sharjah Biennial’s ‘the Urban Garden’ which is located in the Heart of the Sharjah District’s Rolla area. This major art-based event hosted by the Sharjah Art foundation represents an abandoned built environment of historic importance, a building footprint of architectural importance that is represented through a working art studio. The Studio is surrounded by the unbuilt-rebuilt architectural heritage using coral stones and local lime-plaster techniques in the form of incomplete walls and niches with saplings and shrubs growing over this incomplete man-made architectural heritage.

The forefront and the approach into the Urban Garden Gallery and work space is the landscaped walk through juxtaposed by indigenous plant species on one end and a more industrial man-made element on the other as they both fight for visual dominance over the landscape jungle. The Urban Garden represents the other extreme in comparison to Al Mahatta with landscape being used in this art gallery as a reminder of the struggle currently ensuing in urbanity between the contemporary built and the historic footprint.

The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah on the corniche street represents the balance that needs to be achieved between contemporary built architecture. The stylized versions or interpretations of architectural heritage to the left and right balanced by the traditional and restored wind-tower in the center with the ever-dominant ‘Sharjah Cement & Industrial Development Co Limited’ high-rise building in the background; an example of contemporary architecture built throughout the 1980’s until the 2000’s leading to this debate on architectural heritage vs contemporary built environment. This clichéd debate is turned over its heels through the intervention of indigenous landscape in the form of a single tree juxtaposing the imbalance between the historic wind –tower of Al Bait versus the stylized and modern versions of the wind towers on the roof of this high-rise building.

Not too far from this in the neighboring Souq Al Shanasiyah, we see an area that has been resurrected after a UAE-Japanese archeological team found the remaining foot-prints of this historic market typology.

The roofing system for the open-to-sky pedestrian street designed by the architect’s office of the Sharjah Ruler’s court reveals the demolition in the background of contemporary architectural typologies of high-rise buildings built in the late 1970’s overlooking the old Sharjah port and historic canal. On the foreground, landscape interventions complement the rebuilt historic architectural market typology of the past. Urban Architecture in the various Emirates of the UAE are represented by the contrasting architectural imagery of heritage, rebuilt heritage and architectural developments of the 1970’s to 90’s abandoned and on their way to oblivion. This contrasting panorama is visible in the Sharjah heritage district being redeveloped joined by Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah Museums Authority and the Sharjah Heritage Department in addition to various cultural organizations established in the designated

33

I urban development

Cultural capital of the Arab world; the Emirate of Sharjah - UAE. The panorama depicts the existing and rebuilt architectural heritage in the heart of Sharjah with the contemporary architectural past of 1970’s to 90’s developments to the right being prepared for the next demolition cycle. The juxtaposition of the landscape intervention represents the balance achieved in this urbanity of contrasts.

Two living examples of landscape heritage, ‘Zamia furfuracea’ commonly known as Cardboard Palm; a Cycad species correlating humanity to the age of dinosaurs and ‘Zamioculcas zamiifolia’ commonly known as ZZ plant from Central Africa juxtapose the balance for battle of this emerging architectural imagery of heritage through the rebuilt heritage of this revived market typology; in this case, the Souq Al Shanasiyah in the Heart of Sharjah. The lesson to be learnt for architectural, urban and landscape practitioners in the region or the way forward is represented through the balancing act that needs to be achieved. An excellent example of this balance is emerging within the heart of Sharjah; where the contemporary built environment is being bridged to the architectural heritage of this region through the medium of subtle landscape interventions.

34

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

35

I outdoor living

Space Planning Large Luxury Properties Enriched style for an enhanced living experience By: Sejal Nagjee Moving into your new villa can be extremely exciting! You’ve waited for it for what seems like forever, this home is your dream come true! You are busy collecting Images from Pinterest, Instagram etc as inspiration and making your own ideabook.

You look for professional landscapers with a vision that they can turn your ideas and vision into reality.

Space planning large areas is challenging, on the one hand you want it all and on the other, you want to do it within budget.

36

A family of six, including two small kids moved into this large MBR City Villa in District one last year. It’s a 5 bedroom contemporary villa corner plot with large outdoor space. They wanted to ensure that every member was accommodated with the garden space.

The entrance stand out immediately with an interesting light feature. Linear ground lights and wall features add to the beauty of the entrance hallway to the main door.

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

Just as you enter the villa and walk towards the garden, there is a fire bowl and opposite a pergola that is completely waterproof for the children to play in and is used to have children’s parties.

Moreover, a spacious artificial turf area completes the children’s play area and doubles as a space for morning exercise and yoga. It saves on water bills and is pet friendly too.

The shade structure over the bar complete with ambient lighting creates a cozy corner for guests to help themselves and be served with a drink. It has all the facilities for a bartender when having large gatherings.

Adjacent to the bar is the in-built seating. The bar is strategically situated to serve all sides in a party, be it the grass area, seating area or the space around the pool.

An equal balance of hardscape and softscape allows for easy movement.

The pool is a central feature just outside the living room creating a mesmerizing view with water flowing into the pool. The exquisite Balinese sleeping Buddha is a centerpiece in this luxurious landscape.

A BBQ counter is built closer to the dining room and kitchen and is easily accessible for the staff to cater. The dining pergola outside the

37

I outdoor living

internal dining room is exquisite with an amazing ceiling made from solid meranti wood and moisture resistant gypsum. The roof, clad with cement boards and water proofed, acts as a solid structure, preventing any bird droppings, securing the cushions and furniture from moisture droplets, dust and rain.

The tiles used are large format 60x120x 10 mm porcelain tiles all around the villa to create a beige spacious feel. Mixed with wood looking porcelain in dining and seating areas and front pergola, it creates a warm color palette. Front entrance used Antique finish Silver Travertine to enhance the entrance and make it special.

Lighting is the key factor that enhances this landscape design. When seen at night, it brings out a warm ambience, not too bright and yet well lit, enhancing features, plants, structures and steps.

A truly spacious, minimalist, low maintenance garden.

Photo Credit: Ms. Kaahini Vyas Website: milestonedubai.com

38

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

Poolside and in children’s playgrounds, PolySoft surfaces are a sophisticated solution for outdoor areas where fun in the sun can also be hot and hazardous. Installed by leading hotels such as the jewel-like Bvlgari Resort Dubai, in New York’s Central Park, in the beautiful splash parks of Saudi Arabia and at China’s luxury Jin Fang Spa, PolySoft can be designed to enhance or blend with every environment.

those surfaces. Developed for searingly sunny Australian conditions, PolySoft has poured its own welcome mat in the hot holiday capitals of the world — from from Queensland to Cancun.

At home in the high-tech headquarters of Google or in a tropical garden, PolySoft appeals to people who want to worry less and enjoy more of life’s pleasures.

THE QUALITIES OF POLYSOFT:

The exciting range of vivid and subtle PolySoft hues is just the start of cutting-edge technology that mitigates the risks of slipping and provides a soft-fall landing for boisterous and adventure-seeking kids. Those colours are also formulated to retain their brilliance in harsh UV conditions and under exposure to chlorine.

Surface temperatures cooler than concrete, asphalt or rubber

Managing Director of PolySoft, Ophelia Zhu, says “Our Australian researchers spent years evolving and testing a new surface treatment that would make problematic aquatic and playground zones safer and more beautiful.” The scientists’ ultimate solution was to combine polyolefin beads in an aliphatic binder that pours flexibly around obstacles and play equipment and can be applied to seamlessly cover steps, pool edges and play platforms.

Hygienic and easy to maintain

The resulting surface is kind to bare feet, not only because it is softer than concrete or tiling, but because it stays cooler than

Independently verified anti-slip rating for wet or dry applications Resilient yet soft underfoot Excellent impact attenuation for playgrounds The strong chemical bond between PolySoft particles ensures superior lateral strength and durability Colourfast technology protects against premature fading and provides resistance to UV radiation, and to chemicals such as chlorine

Enquire about PolySoft surfaces by calling +61 2 9624 1388 or visit www.polysoftsurfaces.com

Distributor and Authorised installer A member of Tanseeq Investment Group

Tanseeq Projects LLC, Sobha Sapphire – Suites 1201 & 1202, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE Tel:+971 4 361 7199, info@tanseeqprojects.com, www.tanseeqprojects.com

39

I outdoor living

Walkable Cities Turning Jeddah’s streets into walkable landscapes By:Anna Klingmann Walking is the oldest and simplest form of human transportation. However, in Jeddah, walking a few blocks or crossing a street is not only an inconvenience but poses a danger to any pedestrian. With this project, our goal was to transform four car-oriented streets in Jeddah into integrated and pedestrian-friendly streets where people can effortlessly do their errands, shop, talk, sit and, most importantly enjoy themselves. Throughout the history of cities, streets provided people with vital public open spaces right outside their homes. Traditionally, streets represented not only circulation nodes but important places for people to linger, interact, and enjoy each other’s company. A turning point in the holistic perception of streetscapes as public mixed-use spaces happened during Modernist era with the widespread separation of car and pedestrian movement with priority given to vehicular motion. This affected the social, economic and environmental interaction of most communities in an adverse way, leading to suburbanized clusters with little vitality, a trend that is still prevalent in Jeddah today. Fact is that activated pedestrian-oriented streets are essential

40

ingredients of vibrant cities. As a part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts in the field of urban development and sustainability, this project was conducted with fifteen students at Effat University in Jeddah who worked in groups to redesign four major east-west roads in Jeddah from car-oriented unwalkable streets into vibrant pedestrian oriented streetscapes.

The Case of Heraa Street Student Team: Wed W. Al Yamani, Azzah A. Al Qarni, Atheer M. Al Mehmadi Heraa Street from the intersection with King Abdulaziz Street from the East to the intersection with Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Street from the West is a quiet residential street with few commercial projects and hotels. From an urban point of view, the street seems underutilized in many aspects, not only due to the number of brown fields that flank the street on both sides, but also due to the low level of social engagement and ineligible sidewalks. The location of the street, which is in close proximity to the city’s waterfront governs the high value of the surrounding

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

properties, which in turn determines the affluent social class of the residents. However, the high economical level of the resident users is not reflected in the street’s negligent appearance and services. Accordingly, residents prefer to stay within their own properties particularly since the street does not serve them in on a social or commercial capacity.

The students’ response to this dilemma was to create a vibrant outdoor/indoor district to activate the streets from both sides in order to better serve the residents and to promote the street as a cultural destination to visitors.

Accordingly, the project focused on five objectives, which included the utilization of empty lots with commercial and cultural uses, urbanizing the street with activities, landscaping, and street furniture while also striving to maintain the privacy of the residents. Lastly, the intention was to identify the district with an iconic feature. To achieve these objectives, the students proposed an activated pedestrian strip, wrapped by a cycling loop in the center of Heraa street, which would, on the one hand, slow car traffic and, on the other, encourage pedestrian activity and easy access to adjacent commercial and cultural venues. In order to encourage social interaction, the mall provides a wealth of outdoor experiences, divided into four main zones. The first zone is a designated art zone where visitors can experience outdoor activities, artistic sculptures, impromptu galleries, and uniquely designed seating areas. There are also designated zones for music and fashion, both of which allow for special performances and events. The last zone links Heraa Street with an open museum. Spaces here are shaded by mushroomlike canopies that provide shade for a variety of eateries connected to food trucks, as well as ground boards, art sculptures and exhibiting spaces. The urban spine passes through the entire district with the intent to activate adjacent street fronts and to create a source of connectivity between the recreational appeal of Jeddah’s waterfront and the western more commercial side of Heraa Street.

Spine Zone AJeddah Design District

The Case of Almaadi Street Student Team: Dania Sorour, Zahia Alraddadi, Weam Kufia Al-Maadi Street connects Al Ruwais to Al Hamraa, two districts, located in close proximity to the Corniche in the center of Jeddah. Tracing back the history of AlMaadi Street, it appears that with expanding population growth, Al-Ruwais expanded towards the north, and a new parallel district was formed under the name of Al Hamraa towards the east. While Al-Ruwais used to be a fishing village that dates back almost 300 years, and contains mostly single-family houses, AlHamraa is a much newer district that serves as a rental community, which is desirable to many foreigners.

In 2012, Al-Andalus highway was constructed and split the two districts apart, no longer allowing for any pedestrian movement between the districts. In addition, Al Ruwais was also now disconnected from the seashore.

This isolation resulted in the emergence of two different social fabrics that could no longer connect with one another. The renovation project of Al-Maadi Street aims to reconnect both communities by transforming the barrier of Al-Andalus street into a potential bond. Based on the users’ needs in both districts, a series of interventions were proposed that would encourage a crossover of residents from one district into another. These include a seaside destination with mixed-uses, a supermarket adjoining a plaza and a multifunctional sports field. The streetscape was improved by creating a continuous pedestrian linkage comprised of ample sidewalks, shading devices, and green buffers. Meanwhile, the highway was relocated into an underground tunnel, which permits for a more efficient traffic flow of vehicles and at the same time, ensures pedestrian safety.

41

I water feature

This is not a framed garden

Award winning Beirut home set within pine forest offers the ultimate escape

42

By: Francis Landscapes

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

Built on a hill with an awe-inspiring 260° view of Beirut and the Mediterranean Sea, this garden is integrated into the natural, hilly landscape. Ranging from a modern patio with infinity pool to a variety of themed gardens, all set within an existing pine forest, this project is designed to be the perfect escape into one’s own personal happiness.

From the onset, this project’s most important asset was its location: a hilly area, adorned with old elegant pine trees, overlooking a bustling city arising from a calming sea that blends into a horizon. A dream location, by any standards.

The challenge was to preserve the landscape’s natural aspects, all the while integrating a modern villa within it. In order to do this, we created a patio with impressive porticos that enhance the views by framing them, transforming nature into embracing walls, vibrant with life. The elegant pine trees contrast with the structured patio walls through which they appear, like a masterpiece in a museum.

From here, the infinity pool acts like a sheet

43

I water feature of still water, creating a dialogue by reflecting the surroundings, bestowing upon visitors an overall effect of an infinite mirror between the city below and the sky above.

From the patio, a gated walkway lures wanderers into a moment of pure serenity, exciting them emotionally and tempting them to discover the essences of the gardens unwinding before them. Below lies an exciting combination of gardens, including a Japanese garden, a bamboo garden, a rock garden, and a modern garden. This was created to be a place of contemplation and comfort, where wanderers are free to stroll through and find their own patch of personal happiness.

With one step, the wanderer leaves behind the structured world and enters a realm with lush natural forests, where all the senses are charmed, breathing with occasional clearings linked by sinuous, winding pathways. Within these collocated worlds, one’s pleasures come out to be experienced through each of the senses.

Completion date: 2000 Rehabilitated 2010 - 2011 Location: Bsalim – Lebanon Landscape Architect: Frederic Francis Area: 6,000m² 2012 Project selected in the Architizer Pool Vision Competition, 2nd Prize Winner, Lyon – France 2011 Project shortlisted in the world architecture festival – barcelona - waf shortlisted /completed buildings, landscape / this is not a framed garden project, bsalim - lebanon

is a professional firm comprised of landscape architects, architects and planners.

Founded in 1987, the firm provides full planning, design and supervision services in landscape architecture, environmental planning and urban design. The firm’s national and international projects are spread out in the Middle East, Africa and Europe and are located in numerous countries including Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Syria, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, Kuwait, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, Kyrgyzstan, France, Belgium and England. They include a wide range of urban design, mountain and beach resorts, public parks, hotels, university campuses, sports clubs and office buildings as well as state-of-the-art residences, palaces and government buildings.

To shape a clearer idea about us, log into http://francislandscapes.com/

44

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

45

Photo Credit: ZhangChao LR

I COMMERCIAL HUB

46

10 Design Completes Gaoxin Hi-Tech Commercial Hub

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

International architecture practice 10 Design completes Gaoxin Hi-Tech Commercial Hub, a circa 54,400sqm office development with a community roof garden and located along the shoreline of Tangjia Bay in the Zhuhai HighTech Zone, China.

The design strikes a balance between professional and personal experience for entrepreneurs and employees who aspire to a perfect live/work lifestyle. This typology of the commercial development is to greatly enhance the social and economic benefits for the hightech start-ups intended to invest in this new district.

“The buildings are structured as two pairs of split volumes of different heights and orientation, greatly maximising views to the water and naturally weaving open areas and public spaces throughout the development.

With a split side core configuration, the scheme supports better natural light, ventilation and community spaces for smaller scale office units,” explained Ted Givens, Design Partner of 10 Design.

KMCM worked as the Landscape Consultant on the project, which also features a large outdoor room covered by a community roof garden and fitness area. A series of plazas and covered public spaces provide extra space for office occupants to gather and interact. There is covered dining space which activates the public realm and can be enjoyed by occupants throughout the week.

47

I Book review

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

Books of interest SWA Works: Landscapes for People ISBN: 9789881249159 Author: SWA Group Publication Date: 1-Mar-14

Book Descriptions: Landscapes for People is an attempt to elucidate unique solutions to these pressing issues around the globe. We believe landscape must go beyond simple problem solving and push the boundaries of what is possible given the realities of budget, politics, environment or cultural influences. We seek to understand the needs and aspirations of people in the landscapes we design at the variable scales of a plaza, a street or an entire city. Our passion is design that synthesizes aesthetics and sustainability, but always within the context of both human and natural systems. SWA WORKS is structured around four categoriesurban regeneration, creative campus, lifestyle and adaptive strategies. Our hope is that one will find a sense of clarity and purpose in how our projects are organized under these four leading descriptions and the unique associations between how the landscapes and people interact.

We hope youll find beauty in the work, and be inspired to participate in the everyday spaces that make up the landscapes where we live, work or play Landscapes for People are an attempt to elucidate unique solutions to these pressing issues around the globe. We believe landscape must go beyond simple problem solving and push the boundaries of what is possible given the realities of budget, politics, environment or cultural influences. We seek to understand the needs and aspirations of people in the landscapes we design at the variable scales of a plaza, a street or an entire city. Our passion is design that synthesizes aesthetics and sustainability, but always within the context of both human and natural systems. SWA WORKS is structured around four categories urban regeneration, creative campus, lifestyle and adaptive strategies. Our hope is that one will find a sense of clarity and purpose in how our projects are organized under these four leading descriptions and the unique associations between how the landscapes and people interact. We hope you’ll find beauty in the work, and be inspired to participate in the everyday spaces that make up the landscapes where we live, work or play.

Urban Square Landscape ISBN: 9787561174685 Author: Gao Di Guo Ji Chu Ban You Xian Gong Si Publication Date: 2/1/2013

Book Descriptions: The square is a leisure place where people can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city to meet and relax .In the meantime; the square also reflects the characteristics of the local urban architecture and culture, as well as people’s intimacy of and regression to Nature. The book, selecting the world’s newest square landscape design cases such as memorial squares, transport squares, campus squares, hospital squares, commercial squares, office squares, distribution squares and leisure squares, fully demonstrates square landscape design features in different regions and different cultural backgrounds. This book is a set of resources which is worth to collect and learn by landscape designers, architects and relevant practitioners.

Urban Park Landscapes ISBN: 9789881506986 Author: Sophia Song Publication Date: 9/10/2011

Book Descriptions: Urbanization around the world is happening at unprecedented levels. Urban parks are a precious natural environment within our urban setting. Designing them well, to accommodate both the life and development demands of the present while also looking forward to the needs of our future generations and landscapes, requires a comprehensive look at creating healthy ecosystems and prosperous mega cities and how the two can coexist in the twenty-first century. This book includes many world fabulous urban park landscapes. Through comprehensive presentation of pictures, explicit explanation of technical drawings, and detailed descriptions, the book can be a useful tool for designers to gain some inspiration and enlightenment.

48

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

54

I Company Listings

Landscape Contractor Desert Group T: +971 4 5904000 T: +971 4 3404441 group@desertgroup.ae www.desertgroup.ae Green & More T: +971 4 8830100 T: +971 4 8830101 info@greendmore.com www.greendmore.com Basatin Landscaping LLC T: +971 2 2077729 info@basatinlandscaping.com www.basatinlandscaping.com Proscape LLC T: +971 4 277 0244 info@proscapeuae.com www.proscapeuae.com

Fountain Ghesa T: +971 4 4328299 F: +971 4 4328298 info@ghesa.ae www.ghesawaterart.com

TURF/LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS Polyclean LLC (Turf Division) T: +971 4 338 8226 F: +971 4 338 8785 babiker.khateeb@polyclean.ae www.polyclean.ae

List your company in our Listing Page that reaches thousands of subscribers 50

Landscape products WT Burden T: +971 4 8860700 F: +971 4 8860701 streetfurniture@wtburden.ae www.wtburden.ae Tanseeq LLC T: +971 4 3617199 F: +971 4 3607966 info@tanseeqllc.com www.tanseeqllc.com

Irrigation Hunter Industries T: +001 760 591 7114 F: +001 760 591 7194 Hanna.Zaidan@ hunderindustries.com www.hunterindustries.com Middle East Agrculture Company (MEAC) T: +971 4 8861151 F: +971 4 8861152 www.meac.com.sa METTS FZC T: +971 4 4470927 F: +971 4 4470928 info@mettsfzc.com www.mettsfzc.com Alwasail Industrial Co. T: +971 4 8886987 F: +971 2 6733565 hashim@alwasail.com www.alwasail.com

Swimming pool Aquashi T: +971 4 3208777 sales@aquashi.co.uk www.aquashi.co.uk

Pentair T: +971 4 320 8777 malikhan@mettsfzc.com www.mettsfzc.com

Precast Concrete Products / Hard Landscaping Products

Satma International L.L.C. T: +971 4 2956088 F: +971 4 2956077 satmaint@emirates.net.ae www.satma.ae

Consent LLC T: +97143472011 F: +97143472957 sales@consent.ae www.consentblock.com

Trade Circle Technical Industries T: +971 4 338 1941 Fax: +971 4 338 1140 raskin.robins@wafi.com or info@tcti.net www.tcti.net & www.thosepoolguys.com

BUILDING MATERIALS

Water in Motion LLC T: +971 4 277 0244 info@waterinmotionllc.com www.waterinmotionllc.com

TREES & HERBS

Design & Urban planning

www.acacia-ae.com

ambientStudio T: +971 4 5544716 info@ambientStudio.com www.ambientStudio.com

Soil Additives Gulf Perlite T: +971 55 1235248 T: +971 55 15339640 info@uaeperlite.com www.gulfperlite.com

Landscape Consultants JC Melone Landscape Design FZ LLE T: +971 50 6410715 jcmelone@gmail.com

Stones &Slates llc T: +971 4 885 4688 info@stonesandslates.com www.stonesandslates.com

Acacia LLC T: +971 4 265 3397 info@acacia-ae.com

SPORTS FACILITIES/ PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENTS Tanseeq Projects LLC T: +971 4 361 7199 info@tanseeqprojects.com www.tanseeqprojects.com

METAL FABRICATOR Metaline LLC T: +971 224 3369 info@metalinellc.com www.metalinellc.com

Book your space Now! Contact: admin@landscape-me.com • Tel: +971 4 4470927

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

LIVE IN-PERSON: 12 - 15 SEPTEMBER 2021 DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

ONLINE: 22 AUGUST - 17 NOVEMBER 2021

THE ONLY LIVE IN-PERSON EVENT CONNECTING THE GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN 2021 Reconnect with the urban design and landscape industry safely.

Upskill to grow you career with free CPD talks.

Find new urban design and landscape products and solutions from across the globe.

REGISTER FOR FREE ENTRY WWW.THEBIG5.AE

Scan this code to find out more

Specialised events at The Big 5:

51

I new ongoing projects

middleeasttenders.com

+971 2 634 8495

Status : New Tender Trade Category : Agricultural, Landscaping and Irrigation

NEW & CURRENT PROJECTS Tender Name

Description

Client

Region

Tender Cost (USD)

Post Date

Closing Date

Ornamental Plants Applied Units O&M

Operation and Maintenance of Applied Units for Ornamental Plants and Cut Flowers.

Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs & Fish Resources - PAAFR (Kuwait)

Kuwait

1000

7/10/2021

10/5/2021

Drip Irrigation Network

Operation and Supply of Materials and Maintenance of a Drip Irrigation Network.

Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs & Fish Resources - PAAFR (Kuwait)

Kuwait

500

7/6/2021

10/5/2021

Artificial Grass Maintenance

Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Artificial Grass.

Ministry of Education (Kuwait)

Kuwait

1000

5/10/2021

8/15/2021

Irrigation & Horticulture Maintenance Services

Provision of Afforestation, Irrigation and Horticulture Maintenance Services.

Higher College of Technology) (oman)

Oman

65

7/8/2021

8/10/2021

Artificial Grass Maintenance

Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Artificial Grass.

Ministry of Education (Kuwait)

Kuwait

1000

5/11/2021

8/10/2021

Gardens, Green Spaces & Irrigation Networks Maintenance

Maintenance of Gardens, Green Surfaces, Pedestrians, Squares and Irrigation Networks.

Jazan Municipality (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

2800

6/21/2021

8/4/2021

Agricultural Tools

Supplying Agricultural Tools.

Greater Amman Municipality (Jordan)

Jordan

35

7/9/2021

8/3/2021

Irrigated System

Supply of Irrigated System Maintenance Contract (DVLD).

Public Security Department (Jordan)

Jordan

42

7/9/2021

8/3/2021

Agriculture & Irrigation Networks

Maintenance of Agriculture and Irrigation Networks.

Ministry of Awqaf & Islamic Affairs (Kuwait)

Kuwait

500

5/5/2021

8/3/2021

Cleaning & Agriculture Works

Cleaning and Agriculture Works at Shuwaikh Power Station.

Ministry of Electricity & Water (Kuwait)

Kuwait

1000

6/27/2021

8/1/2021

Landscaping & Irrigation Maintenance

Call-off Price Agreement for Landscaping ,Irrigation, Ancillary Works and Test.

Public Works Authority - ASHGHAL (Qatar)

Qatar

8585

6/29/2021

7/27/2021

Aesthetic Services & Irrigation

Execution and Development of the Aesthetic Services and Irrigation

Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs & Fish Resources - PAAFR (Kuwait)

Kuwait

3289

6/28/2021

7/27/2021

52

Rite EDGE

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

Rite Edge is the multi-award winning aluminium lawn edging system designed by landscape architects which keeps that pristine neat garden appearance with perfect straight, corners and enviable curves and shapes around borders, lawns and pathways.

Delivering Solutions Transforming Cities

WTB Middle East FZE Jebel Ali Free Zone, P.O Box: 261378, Dubai, UAE T +971 4480 9397 | f +971 4886 0701 Burdens Middle East Trading LLC Dar Al Salam Building, office 962, Nr Al Lulu St, Abu Dhabi, UAE

53

streetfurniture@wtburden.ae | www.wtburden.ae

54