The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East
middle east
june 2020
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Editor’s Note In this issue, Welcome to our special online edition of the June issue. We’re all dealing with the situation — “our new normal,” differently, some have embraced working from home and seeing a lot more of their family while others are keen to get back on the road travelling for business. In our diaries of a master planner during lockdown series, we get a unique perspective of what it’s like to maintain a career and more importantly plan for business post Covid. It will require all of us to think outside of the box and for Landscape professionals and architects, it’s going to require a fundamental shift in strategy and thinking when considering how we design open spaces and how urbanization and transport systems move forward. One of the most popular building trends of the past decade has been vertical buildings, with communal open spaces moving towards the sky as opposed to ground level where space is scarce. Will this trend continue? Or will consumers demand a new way of living post Covid? For now, we look at one of Asia’s most successful vertical living projects called Narra residences in Ho Chi Minh City.
Managing Partner: Ziad Maarouf Amine Copy Editor: John Hampton Sales Manager: Boushra Dinnawi Administrative Assistance: Sarry Gan Art Director: Ramon Andaya Contributors: Olga Scherbakova, Catherine Chan, Arch Luca Curci, Merve Ersan, Jimena Martignoni, Frederic Francis, Paolo Testolini, Dr. Anne A. Gharaibeh Printed by: Al Nisr Publishing LLC Webmaster: www.pdinventive.com
As the GCC begins to slowly open up again, we start to think about prospective recreational and leisure projects. See the proposal for a new waterpark in Salalah Oman. Charles Lamb also chronicles the life of Japanese Trees in this issue.
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4 contents 6 June 2020 - Issue 156
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Vertical living in a new age
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Diaries of a masterplanner during lockdown
12 16 22
A new pathway into Amman
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Water and theme park: Sinbad the sailor
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Working wonders on Russian riverbanks
Landscape Concept Design Narrative The cultural life of Japanese trees
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City Waterscapes The Link
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G-WALL System incredibly versatile so that anyone can start using the system straight from the box. It is quick and easy to assemble and requires no batons, rails, hanging grids or membranes. Each cell provides 4 pockets for planting and accepts standard 13/14mm irrigation pipe. The facia also includes pocket ‘drip through’ irrigation slots to ensure water is supplied to all plants.
with Plati-Mat® and our own engineered ratchet tensioner provides excellent stability and protection to the tree.
D-MAN® TREE ANCHOR SYSTEM Since pioneering the very first underground tree anchoring in 1983, Platipus have continued to innovate and develop high quality tree anchoring and irrigation solutions. With the ever-increasing desire to create beautiful landscapes in challenging urban environments there are many occasions where a standard tree anchoring system cannot be used due to the location of buried services or shallow planting areas. The award-winning D-MAN® is a strong, compact and lightweight system primarily designed to replace traditional heavy kerbstones. It comes as a complete system and significantly reduces transportation charges, material costs and installation time normally associated with traditional methods. D-MAN can be used individually or in multiples and cells simply lock / unlock together. It has a distinctive letterbox style wire tendon anchor point and a unique cup for valuable water storage. D-MAN is made from recyclable plastic and when combined
LIVING WALLS & GREEN ROOFS With urban areas continuing to grow around the world, the need to utilise available green spaces is at an all-time high. The use of living walls and green roofs has become the established solution for maximising urban green spaces and enjoying the many benefits that they bring. Platipus has developed their own living wall and green roof solutions, G-WALL® and G-ROOF®, to give all garden designers and landscape architects a durable and efficient system to transform their green spaces. G-WALL MODULAR LIVING WALL The Platipus G-WALL® System incorporates the already hugely successful and patented D-MAN cell, from the D-MAN Tree Anchor System, to ensure guaranteed strength and security for any living wall project. The modular nature of the G-WALL allows for incredibly simple vertical and horizontal expansion, using interlocking, omnidirectional cells with an individual cell capacity of 580ml. These cells use ‘jigsaw’ integration and are easily connected using lightweight hand tools. This makes the
G-ROOF STRUCTURAL SYSTEM The benefits of green roofs, podiums and terraces are also well established and Platipus has designed a system to make construction easier and more effective. The G-ROOF® is a modular structural and drainage support system ideal for intensive and extensive roof gardens. The durable G-ROOF cells can be connected and placed directly on a waterproofed surface and the rigid system provides ideal load bearing support without the need for a root barrier and other layers. By stacking and rotating cells 90° planting area levels can be constructed quickly. The G-ROOF system fully integrates with standard Platipus Tree Anchoring Systems to allow trees and shrubs to be easily anchored in any location. Cells also include large cups for essential water storage. With all the benefits living walls and green roofs provide they are becoming an integral part of all landscape designs. Platipus can now supply all the solutions you need to create your own amazing urban green spaces.
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Vertical living in a new age Inspiring Vietnamese Project wins Asia Pacific Property Awards
Conceived by 10 DESIGN, Narra Residences at Empire City in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, has won this year’s Asia Pacific Property Awards for the Residential High Rise Architecture category. The 278 unit residential complex will be amongst the most prestigious addresses within the new Empire City in Thu Thiem New Urban Area (District 2) of HCMC. Narra Residences is developed by Empire City LLC (a multi-national joint venture of prominent names in real estate development in Vietnam, Singapore, and Hong Kong - Tien Phuoc Real Estate, Keppel Land, Gaw Capital Partners, and Tran Thai Real Estate.) “Vertical living is an increasing challenge within many of the rapidly developing cities of Asia. Increasing density to accommodate the growth of cities is a manageable and exciting challenge. 10 DESIGN has sought to create an ‘inspired and inviting’ vertical environment by providing human scaled courtyards, community social spaces, and sky gardens to enhance the living experience for the Narra Residents,” explained Barry Shapiro, Managing Partner of 10 Design in Asia. The new emerging Empire City presents a unique lifestyle based living environment woven along the ribbon like Saigon River. Situated in this remarkable
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waterfront location, 10 DESIGN’s masterplan for Narra Residences not only maximises views for apartment units towards the Saigon River and the Empire City’s iconic tower but also maintains the unobstructed view corridor between these landmarks. The skybridge which connects the Narra towers on the 20th floor will become a strong feature along this visual axis. It also presents an opportunity to create resort amenities on the skybridge deck, lining with landscaped gardens, an infinity edge pool, and unsurpassed views back towards the skyline of the city. 10 DESIGN has also introduced the ‘Neighborhoods in the Sky’ concept by implementing a series of stacked apartment clusters which are expressed architecturally. These ‘vertical neighborhoods’ help create scale and a sense of community for the residents. They also help to differentiate groupings of units based on locations within the building including those with city views, garden views, river views, and street views. In the spirit of keeping with the Vietnamese culture, 10 DESIGN has created an oasis of calm on arrival by incorporating a garden that will provide an area of retreat and harmony for residents among the hectic urban environment. This will also be offered to residents in the vertical neighborhoods by creating an elevated garden along with recreational amenities such as a pool, barbecue terraces, and other leisure spaces for residents to enjoy. Credit to 10 DESIGN
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I environment
DIARIES OF A MASTERPLANNER DURING LOCKDOWN Photo credit: Woods Bagot
What the built environment will look like post COVID By: Paolo Testolini
Woods Bagot Principal and Global Sector leader of Cities and Places
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What can we say about COVID-19 that has not been said? Well to start, I could say that the post-COVID-19 era represents a time of greater promise or potential peril. We are living at a crossroad between two parallel urban futures; a future that is bland and antiseptic, or a future that is populated and vibrant. Day 1- THE TALE OF ALL CITIES Growing up, one of my favourite hobbies was to sit on a bench in the piazza and watch life pass by. I loved to see strangers going about their daily business. As a young architect, I experienced the joys of commuting in London. Despite the crowds and frequent delays, it is perhaps one of the things I miss the most. It was that daily ritual moving from point A to point B, being part of that human wave zigzagging through streets and parks that strengthen a sense of belonging, a sense of place that connects us and is one of major draws of city living. Aristotle defined man as politikon zoon, a political
animal: he ‘whose nature is to live in a polis (City)’. Cities have always been the heartbeat of civilisation; cities are what societies are built on. This is why a young Leonardo Da Vinci moved to Florence from the countryside during the 1500’s, and it’s still the reason, a millennial will choose to live in a small flat in a crowded city. The thing that attracts us to cities is the possibility of a chance encounter, the knowledge that you will start here and end up there, the crowded coffee shops that intensify our senses as we walk through small alleys knowing that something unexpected will happen along the way. An alchemist process that takes place in between buildings transforming our experiences. Cities have strong personalities too; they are complex artificial systems with unique identities. Smells, noises, light and shadow, voids and solids. Italo Calvino in his book Invisible cities, portrays a fictious dialogue between Marco Polo and the emperor Kublai Khan, during this conversation
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Marco Polo describes the cities of the Asian empire by giving them human characteristics. This has had a profound impact on the way I experience urban life; during my years living in China I used to describe Shanghai as the mistress; exciting, young and temperamental, in comparison to Beijing it felt like the wife; mature, wise and with rooted qualities of culture and knowledge. To me London feels like a moody and creative gentleman that is resilient and brave, New York as his younger brother, fearless and inspiring. Rome, the eternal and melancholic diva that holds tight to the past and refuses to look towards the future. A city is not a thing, is a living complex organism. Day 10- POST COVID DILEMMAS It is still projected that by 2050 there will be 2.5 billion more people living in cities. Even with this estimated growth, and particularly with post-COVID effects, cities will continue changing with patterns of development that can be irregular and difficult to predict. Designers and policymakers are now challenged to mitigate the potential long-term consequences of COVID-19 to the built environment, if negative, the effects could suppress economic, health benefits and supress resilient and sustainable urban environments. If we react and jump to conclusions too quickly, we are in danger of alienating the progress we have achieved in the urban fabric of modern cities, particularly in the last decades. Cities have experienced pandemics in the past, yet their resilience makes them bounce back and grow even denser. Take for example Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, that collapsed partly due to an invasion of diseases brought by the conquistadores. This settlement made its way to become one of the densest and largest cities in the world, nowadays Mexico-city. During the 19th Century the Cholera outbreak that happened in the Soho district of London, had a profound impact on the future grid of the city, the new sewage system forced wider streets. This was arguably a positive effect on urbanization as it brought sanitation and more efficient waste management into modern urban planning, but not all effects have been positive. During the early 20th century, outbreaks of tuberculosis, polio, and particularly the Spanish flu accelerated the modernism movement, which in a way gave an airy approach to urban planning, but also reshaped urban interventions into single use zoning, steering away from compact mixed use planning. This in the long run created business parks that separated the ethos of live, work and play developing suburbia and sprawl urban growth. The new pandemic and its impact on the future of cities seems unprecedented, but the reality is that diseases have been shaping the built environment for centuries.
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Day 20- DENSITY OR NOT DENSITY THAT IS THE QUESTION There is no doubt that COVID-19 has turned the world upside down and cities are in the epicentre of all this. Global cities are not perfect, far from it, and even before the pandemic, highstreets and town centres were in decline due to social and economic disruptions. Nevertheless, we cannot deny the benefits that dense environments have brought to society, from efficiency and low running costs to job opportunities, innovation and entrepreneurship. COVID-19 has steered back the debate of high-density living and that perhaps it is time to reverse the agenda to utopian suburbia. The contrast between the number of COVID-19 cases in less dense areas compared to crowded cities like London or New York is unsettling. However, it’s over simplistic to credit these statistics purely to density. In fact, this data reveals the real issues that global cities faced for decades such as inequality, globalisation, supply chains, food management, transport strategies and the overall impact that society has on natural ecosystems. All these issues are currently structured to be the perfect breeding ground for future pandemics. High density environments can become unsustainable sprawls depending on their context and the speed they grow. The lack of focus on the periphery exacerbates the increasing inequality between “destination districts� and overall urban neighbourhoods. COVID-19 represents an opportunity to systematically increment density in places that do not have yet critical mass whilst town centres are revitalised to mitigate future pandemics. This pandemic is already making companies and individuals realise that they do not need offices, Google has announced that all their employees do not have to come back to the office until 2021. On the other hand, the outsourcing industry is suffering, particularly in places like India, where home working is not suitable due to poor and crowded living conditions. Still, remote working could present the opportunity to re-distribute density more evenly, as millions of people opt to emigrate out of cities. During times were disruptors are being disrupted, innovative thinking on a city scale might make high dense environments more suitable for pandemics. If pandemics become a reoccurring event, where should we concentrate our focus to create resilient cities and neighbourhoods? Social distancing, constantly cleaning our hands and wearing masks cannot be the norm in the future. It is perhaps due to the pandemic that we can now accelerate the environmental changes we have been pushing during the last decades; less cars, more open green spaces and above all more equal societies. High density does not necessarily mean dense towers packed together; the polycentric approach
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could be reshaped towards low rise clusters that are creatively dense interconnected. How we manage urbanization will be fundamental to adapt for future health crisis. The key relies on innovative new urban typologies. Day 30- SOCIAL DISTANCING VS SOCIAL INTERACTION The latest reports from WHO (World Health Organization) proves that social distancing and long periods of lockdown are indeed effective in reducing the curve of infections. However, this cannot be a long-term urban solution. As we start relaxing lockdown restrictions and reopen our economies, we must focus on resilient solutions that reinvent our urban environments without destroying the fundaments of city life, socialising. Social distancing is already disrupting the qualities of successful open spaces. Urban designers create places for
people. With the fear of new pandemics, urban environments are in danger of moving from vibrant and populated places to bland and antiseptic. Designers often rely on ground floor conditions such as active frontage, retail hubs and F&B to create footfall of people. The post COVID-19 era represents new dilemmas that will affect the quality of city life and the overall wellbeing of its citizens if it is not carefully considered. The design and shaping of the built environment impact how people move around and carryout their daily activities in comfort and safety. Standing of the dynamic relationship between people and space is key to overcome the new challenges that this pandemic represents. Many urban interventions have failed or not performed optimally over time mainly due to not considering the contextual and strategic questions about their location. The understanding of scales of movement, land use, function and
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I Environment modes of travel across urban hierarchies are core elements to understand the established order in which offered designs could improve and add value. People need places to eat, work, live and play but not only for pure functional reasons. This process of foundation must take into consideration higher values such as the creation of happy places that encourage people’s wellbeing, environments that stimulate connections with the natural world and other human needs. Places that propel us into innovation and creativity. We should move away from the debate surrounding social distancing and focus more on flexible urban environments. This is where evidence-based design and human centric approach is crucial to mitigate the long-term effects of future pandemics. Day 40- THE STATUS QUO As we endure longer lockdowns local governments and society claims the need to go back to “normal” and restart the economy. But before we do that, we should reflect on what is “normal” when normal was dysfunctional. This is the time to “carpe diem urbanization”, seize the opportunities that this disruption represents to accelerate a more resilient and sustainable future. AGORA AND ITS IMPORTANCE POST COVID The concept of Agora was first found in the scripts of Homer, he described it as a place of interaction, and as a space that served to civic and social activities. Democracy, by nature, is a contest between clashing political desires. The agora is the heart of the city and is what gives streets their distinctive energy of scale and proportion. In the city, open spaces matter, particularly after long periods of isolation. Urbanization requires a fine balance between open space and buildings, it is the quality of the open space that makes a city successful. We remember the Spanish steps of Rome, or the Champs Elise of Paris due to it’s vibrancy and connectivity with people. Even the Bauhaus movement which put efficiency and logistics at the heart of their manifesto saw the value of spaces for people to interact. Lockdown conditions have pushed us to meet and interact via zoom and other digital platforms and this new norm will have a profound impact on the way we live and work, but a “digital agora” will never bring the same qualities of interaction and innovation. Current efforts to stop the spread of infection has restricted a fundamental human right: mobility. Historically, urbanization and transport have always been interconnected. During the last few decades efforts to create a holistic approach to density and mobility, methodologies such as TOD (Transport oriented development) and TOC (Transport oriented communities) have been in the centre of the polycentric process creating more resilient neighbourhoods. This approach puts people at the centre of the urban design
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process. With the fear of contagion people might opt for alternative modes of transportation. Mass public transport will have a significant impact, we should remember that transportation is something we have; mobility is something we do. By understanding how people will travel post lockdown we might be able to find some clues on how the open spaces and streets of the future will look like.
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DIGITAL SANITATION The potential of mobile-enabled solutions to help bridge the gap and move away from social distancing constraints is really encouraging. It is perhaps a combination of digital infrastructure, no touch technology, new antibacterial surfaces and vast investment in streets and open spaces that could help maintain social interaction whilst mitigating future pandemics. A reinvention of the public realm that will lead local communities to a more resilient future. Present day -A NEW BRIGHT FUTURE It is perhaps now more than ever that we should concentrate on reshaping cities that focus on people. This is the time to bring people back to the streets as opposed to cars, with pedestrian zones at the centre of urbanization. If everything is within walking distance: restaurants, offices, hospitals, pubs, schools, we will not need to rely heavily on long commuting. Therefore, mass public transport could be re-considered, if we get walkability right, the rest will follow: land use, security, traffic and wellbeing. If we reconsider streets based on speed and density, we could start looking at an urban recipe that mitigates new waves of pandemics. Local governments should shift investment from road infrastructure and carparks to urban farming, cycling routes and open space, then we will burn less oil and more calories. It is time to reshape human habitat, recovering neighbourhoods taken by the car, harmonized with community life and the human spirit.
Milan recently announced an ambitious scheme reallocating street space from cars to cycling and walking, in response to the coronavirus crisis, more than 35km of streets will be transformed. Under the nationwide lockdown, motor traffic congestion has dropped by 30-75%, and air pollution with it. Global cities should embrace this citywide expansion of cycling and walking space to protect residents as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. COVID-19 has shaken the foundations of modern society, but it represents a unique opportunity to reset cities without leaving people behind. This is the time to accelerate circular economies, eliminating the concept of waste, move away from transport ownership to transport accessibility. This pandemic will reshape supply chains and will create a different structure of economy, more online commerce, much less traditional retail and a great focus on glocalization. All these new trends could envisage a more sustainable future where the disruption of COVID is mitigated with the disruptors of technology. For cities to win the battle against current and future pandemics, we must bring nature closer to people, bringing rural values into the urban fabric and boosting their immune system. We need to bring back city life not just to recover but to thrive. We should use placemaking as a tool to reinvent urban environments and human centric approach must be the centre of the urban discussion. How far does this go and who will benefit from the changes? These remain the unanswered questions. The virus might disappear but the effects will stay forever.
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I urban development
A new pathway into Amman Plans to rejuvenate a stretch of highway into Amman will aid local inhabitants and boost tourism By Sara Nusseir and Heba Saleh Supervisor: Dr. Anne Gharaibeh
Department of City Planning and Design, College of Architecture and Design, Jordan University of Science and Technology
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Jordan Highway is the main Northern entry to the City of Amman. It is a popular access artery for at least three governorates because of its stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The way gently curves around the topography which makes the lands at its sides extremely attractive to wetness daily sunsets. This urban design project is especially in this area where people took a habit of watching the sunset from its banks— when the sky is clear, people can see beyond Gelaad Mountains far out West to Haifa on the Mediterranean Sea. Further down the slope, you’ll find some of the most fertile agricultural lands in Al-Baqaa’. However, it’s also
home to one of the largest refugee camps in the country with lots of young, unemployed people. Yet the area has potential to become a tourist and recreational site, which could become a source of employment and training for many local inhabitants and refugees. Site analysis revealed contour arrangements, slope percentage, and near underground water sources in the form of fresh springs. The prospective of this site arises from the combination of soil types, rainfall, and biogeography. The highlands’ potential land-uses are horticulture, dry farming, and forestry. Other land-use includes chalets, restaurants, and cafés that benefit from the mountainous
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I urban development
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view; handcraft workshops, galleries, and training classes that can employ and educate the youth; and three mixeduse buildings; and lots of outdoor recreational facilities. The concept predicated on the idea that vista is the goal in each development on this 380,000 square meter land stretching on both banks of the street. The project will include pottery studios to teach both minorities and interested young people and will provide a showroom to sell their products. Besides this, there will be two other workshops; one for traditional embroideries and fashion and the other for local foods. All workshops are for training, producing, and selling. A botanical garden will display many of the local plant species and act as a recreational and educational site for school children. One of the buildings will house an IT assembling line for Samsung. A second building will include a pharmaceutical research institute. All buildings will be within the contour levels to respect
the natural environment and preserve the uninterrupted views. Anything buildings outside of this will have to provide terraces facing the western views. The project will also use green roof terraces for guests on upper levels with the majority of the project accessible to people of determination. The project intends to harvest water and make use of the natural springs around the site to provide lush water features in the terraces. There are designated hiking trails specifically carved out for the elderly and families, while others will suit athletes and younger people. The project is an investment project that can create job opportunities for inhabitants as well as a healthy recreational place. It promotes local products and local culture. The proposal invests in every piece of land on site despite its steep slopes at some places. The location is characterized by the perfect wide view and it represents a welcoming entrance for the capital Amman.
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I RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE
Landscape Concept Design By: Francis Landscapes 16
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The tranquillity and drama of this setting, magnified by the breeze in the trees, has inspired the landscape architectural design of this residence located on the northern coastline of Lebanon. From the minute, you step into this Mediterranean yet tropical property, you’re immersed in a dreamy setup engulfed by luxury, comfort and serenity. Smells of exotic fruits fill the Orchard with lemon and pomegranate trees along with colourful tones of Oleander, framing the vehicular entrance.
The leading driveway is made of aggregate concrete to withstand the heavy loads and storms. The sound of pea gravel stretched all over the orchard, crackle under your feet as you forge your way in. Large strips of stepping stones sitting on a bed of white pebbles walk you to the stairs leading to the hidden garden. Two majestic olive trees guide you to the main house entrance coming from the pedestrian access where a simple hidden black fence hints at the undiscovered little island of pleasure you’re about to enter.
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The front garden, designed like a patio, is surrounded by walls adorned with plants and water elements for a welcoming and private space. Not only does this green space provide pockets of tranquillity, it creates a buffer zone and a green natural fence to distort the noise and embrace the house. Two brown patches of a beautifully carved wooden deck occupy the seaside terrace: one leads to a recessed seating area where a warm fire and a fresh breeze are there to regulate your temperature according to your needs. A water channel crafts its way in an axial tracing and ends in a circular sphere shaped water feature. The second parallel patch leading from the living room will escort you towards the infinity pool which boasts spectacular views with the
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I RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE glimmering ocean beyond. The deck is bordered by white pebbles on one end whereas on the other end it sits on a water channel as a reminiscence of the prominent use of water throughout the site. The green berms of manicured lawns beneath the deck reveal a few steps towards the swimming pool, plunging you straight you into the solemn oasis which slowly starts revealing itself. Grab a beverage at the outdoor floating bar and sip it in the pool’s sunken stools while
enjoying a sun-kissed vibe reigning all around. Making the most out of its waterfront setting, a shallow pool area is integrated within the swimming pool. On its right extremity, a relaxation island with white loungers and floating drapes will take you to a whole level of ultimate relaxation setting the ideal spa mood. This seaside residence is an oasis of rejuvenation and peace where every exquisite detail has been thought out and carefully excuted.
Project Data Name: Private Residence Location: Halat- Lebanon Area: 3,000 m² Project’s Landscape Concept Design www.francislandscapes.com
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I trees
The cultural life of
Japanese trees By: Charles Lamb
Trees permeate Japanese life. At least, that may be the impression one receives from seasonal newspaper articles on the annual progression of hanami (cherry blossom) across the country and the sense of celebration that can accompany it, or of the progress of the koyo (changing leaf colour) in autumn. But what of other trees in Japan and their associated culture? As part of a dissertation into ‘The cultural life of Japanese trees’ for a Masters in Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield, I spent some time in Japan during the summer of 2017. The following areas formed part of the final dissertation. 1: Trees in gardens Adams argues that those following Shintoism (one of the primary religions of Japan) feel ‘an instinctive
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reverence for every stone, tree, plant and animal’ and that as a result the land itself became ‘a conscious ground for religious worship.’ It could be argued that the reverence that Adams asserts is felt for every tree within the garden has led, in part, to the meticulous nature that trees are tended to within many Japanese gardens through the practice of niwaki (trained garden trees). With such reverence, the question is raised as to whether such trees transcend from being merely a tree into a specific work of art, to be viewed and appreciated from a distance. Certainly, such a premise is not without historical visual precedent, with prints from the Edo-era highlighting how the landscape was to be viewed and appreciated from a platform, rather than necessarily entered into.
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The immortal symbology of the pine was also used in juxtaposition with ‘that symbol for impermanence, for the transience of all earthly life’ – water. Japanese gardens use this play on the pine with water either metaphorically in the form of a pine tree surrounded by a sea of gravel (representing the waters of the oceans) in Zen Buddhist gardens, or more literally with a pine propped up on stilts and leaning over man-made or natural water bodies. Fig. 1: The panels overlooking the garden have been removed to provide a backdrop for entertainment and a view from a distance, with the form of trees highlighted by a dusting of snow.
The hypothesis that the garden, and thus also the trees within it, formed part of an artistic image that was to be appreciated from the side-lines is continued by Jellicoe, who argues that the Japanese house and garden, over time, ‘were indivisible,’ with the objective being ‘to live and move in the abstractions of a painting’ and to contemplate it also. The development of the garden as art, and the necessity for trees contained within it to fit into the idealised microcosm of the landscape that the garden represented, arguably forces the hand of the gardener to create trees to be just-so. 1.1: As symbolism In the transmission of information from mainland China to Japan, Ito notes that the Japanese appear to have adopted the Chinese Taoist concept of ‘immortal beings,’ notably in relation to the pine tree. From the mid-eighth century, the pine tree became a symbol of eternity due to apparently never losing its needles, unlike the fall of leaves from a deciduous tree. Due to this apparent immortal nature, the pine came to be used within the crane and tortoise islands of Japanese gardens: the crane and tortoise acknowledged for their longevity, the pine for its immortality.
Fig. 3: Pine trees supported across the water, Ritsurin Garden, Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.
1.2: As background Whilst Japanese gardens may arguably be most well known for their large expanses of ranked gravel and consciously placed stones laden with symbology, ‘nobody ever talks about the trees behind the wall.’ Talking of the garden at Ryoan-ji in Kyoto, Kerr comments that the garden there ‘lives because of the surrounding trees.’ Indeed, the perhaps harsh, enveloping experience of the vast expanse of raked quartz gravel, punctuated at selected intervals by larger rocks, would be altogether different without the seasonally changing backdrop of trees behind the garden wall.
Fig. 4: Trees creating life at the perimeter of Ryoan-ji Temple, Kyoto, Japan.
Fig. 2: A combination of Pinus thunbergii atop rocks signifying a crane spreading its wings on a tortoise’s back. Ritsurin Garden, Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
1.3: As niwaki Beside residential buildings, in the grounds of temples, and in the public parks of Japan, as in many other countries, there are trees. However, the majority of the trees appear
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I trees coaxed and trained into forms which have the appearance of something that has been distilled, idealised, and revised further – in short, ‘the essence of tree.’ These trees become niwaki: garden trees. In commentary on this particularly restrictive regimen applied to trees, Pavord notes that the intention of such an approach is to ‘distil in miniature the essence of nature’ whilst keeping the soul of the tree intact. It is this distillation and evocation that therefore becomes key to understanding the place of niwaki within the realm of Japanese gardens: the representation may be of an individual tree, or an entire landscape. It is this representation of perhaps more abstract thought that can be found within the gardens of Buddhist temples in Japan, where the clipped, trained trees ‘conveyed the sense of vast landscapes disappearing into infinity.’ However, the combination of bamboo canes holding branches in place and wires pulled taut to elicit a certain desired shape, may arguably lead to another observation of the Japanese approach to trees: that of a ‘desire to bind and restrict nature.’
the atmosphere created by trees, notably pine trees, which evoke a ‘sense of melancholy’ when trained to look weatherbeaten and much older than their years.
Fig. 6: Pine tree trained as a monkaburi (gate covering) over a gateway, Kyoto, Japan.
2: Art as inspiration; Trees as art
Fig. 7: ‘Cloudy Mountains’ by the Chinese artist Mi Youwen, pre-1200, depicting stylised images of trees that bear a striking resemblance to the style of niwaki found in contemporary Japan. Fig. 5: A heavily trained pine tree by the entrance to Daisen-in Temple, Kyoto, Japan.
Kerr cites an example of the temporal nature of this art of binding and control at a Buddhist temple in Kyoto: in conversation with the abbot at the temple in question, Kerr remarked on the fine shape of a particular pine branch, to which the monk responded ‘Well, it’s not quite right. It’s taken about 150 years to get it to this point, but I’d say another seventy, no, eighty years, and it will be perfect.’ It is this attention to the minutiae of detail in terms of how trees are trained within a garden setting that becomes apparent from observations within Japan. Yet perhaps such an approach should not be surprising. Indeed, in distilling an individual tree to its essence, this approach is arguably an exemplification of the Japanese philosophy of wabisabi: a ‘beauty of things unconventional’ and ‘a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.’ Hobson argues that, in the realm of niwaki, wabi-sabi is most felt in
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In a contemporary context, the use of art as inspiration for making a garden, and the nature and composition of the trees contained within it, has been taken to its next logical stage at the Adachi Museum of Art, Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture. In the creation of a combined art museum and garden, Adachi Zenko, the founder, viewed the garden as ‘a living Japanese painting’ and that a window frame should be used for highlighting ‘the changing seasons and shadows.’ The gardens created at the Adachi Museum of Art often take as their inspiration the paintings by Yokoyama Taikan, of which the museum holds a significant collection, with the gardens intended to be viewed in conjunction with these paintings. Like the gardens of Zen Buddhist temples, those that surround the Adachi Museum of Art are intended to be viewed from dedicated frames within the building, or a separate viewing platform at certain, specified points. Within this context, the trees contained in the landscape play a vital role in manipulating and contextualising the views that may be experienced in each image.
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Fig. 8: Viewing the gardens and trees at the Adachi Museum of Art as if in a gallery.
As an example, from within the building at the Adachi Museum of Art, the Moss Garden can only be viewed through a collection of red pines (Pinus densiflora). Each of these have been cross-planted so as to create the impression of trees growing on a mountain slope, accentuated even more by the comparatively flat nature of the site.
Fig. 9: Pinus densiflora planted at angles within the Moss Garden for mountainous effect.
Elsewhere in the garden, the size of the pines is controlled so as to merge the boundary between the garden and the surrounding landscape, none more so than in the White Gravel and Pine Garden. This uses Taikan’s ‘Beautiful Pine Beach’ as its direct source of inspiration, with a gradation of sizes for the pine trees used as the eye travels towards the landscape beyond. The size of the pines, especially in the White Gravel and Pine Garden, is carefully managed to control the proportions of the view and retain the balance with the other elements within the composition.
Fig. 10: White Gravel and Pine Garden, Adachi.
Fig. 11: Taikan’s ‘Beautiful Pine Beach’.
Conclusion The Japanese approach to trees is one couched in layers of symbolism and resonance, from religion and the cultural conventions ascribed to trees, to forms of personal representation through trees within the home and garden. What has developed in Japan is the percolation of trees, in varying forms, into the fabric of Japanese culture. It would appear to show an understanding that trees are inextricably linked to a sense of happiness, even wellbeing – whether in displays of religious devotion, the detailed tending to a tree, the appreciation of art, or the act of remembrance.
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I parks
Sinbad the Sailor
Theme park will indulge kids and adults
alike with childhood favourite The new waterpark is proposed for Sohar in Oman By: Merve Ersan
Landscape Designer, Orientalis Sinbad the Sailor is a mystical character in contemporary Middle Eastern culture, the mythology of the seafarer is made evident by the number of places that claim him as one of their own. One such place is Sohar in Oman, claimed to be the birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor and the proposed site of a new waterpark inspired by his “Adventures of the Seven Voyages”. The mythology of Sinbad the Sailor still retains a powerful attraction for many across the Middle East; he is a symbol of the region’s seafaring history and tales of his exploits are retold in different forms throughout the Arab Peninsula. Blueprint and Strategy The water park as a plan resembles a circular shape divided into seven functional areas around a centralized main tower, neighboring private villas and service areas.
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The project consists of two circulation axes— the main and secondary axe. The main axe connects the main entrance to the seaside. At the main entrance (referred to #1 on the map) there is a preparation/changing area for guests to get ready for their day ahead at the waterpark. This area consists of cabinets, changing rooms and shops. ‘The seven voyages of Sinbad’ is showcased via a wave pool with a sandy area, as well as zones consisting of a lighthouse, sliders, kids pool, spray action, splash battle and sliding river. The main hub of the project is a bridge that connects the theme park with the centralized Sinbad Tower, which is inspired by the deck of a ship (referred to #15 on the map). The first floor of the tower is designed as a terrace offering 360 degree views of the entire project. The bottom level of the tower offers cool shaded areas including a juice bar with
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panoramic views of the waterfall. At the top of the mast located at the center of the tower, lies a Sinbad sculpture/ landmark showcasing himself as the explorer captain gazing though the theme park as if navigating and cheering the users on their daily excursions of the theme park. At the upper end of the tower lies a kids swimming pool with spray action consisting of a tiny beach for children to play and parents to safely watch their children. The splash battle feature is a fun water game for all ages (referred #13 on the map). This is a biological pond surrounded by tropical greenery creating an adventurous treasure island atmosphere. Adjacent to the splash battle, is a vortex slider offering a journey through the seven seas (referred to #14 on the map).
In addition to splash battle, there is an Olympic size swimming pool to host swimming competitions, perfect for spectators with its state-of-the-art grandstand. (referred to #14 on the map) Beyond the main circulation zone, there is a Sinbad corner acting as a meeting point for guests. To the right, there lies a river consisting of multifunctional sub-zones, each serving a different purpose. The river design is inspired by the figure 8 Knot creating micro islands, facilitating boat tripping and pressurize water. There are three micro islands; Albatros island (featuring Sinbad’s bird who was an integral partner on his journey). Treasure island where the sunken ship is located and a space designed for kids to find treasure – all surrounded by an island with a huge green area. Mill island is the largest of them all. This is the only island connected by a bridge and therefore is proposed as a restaurant by mill concept. Following riverside, Anchor is also inspired from navigation tools and it is proposed as one of the major landmarks, with an added function as a lift to take people to the upper level to access the biplane which runs on top of the islands as well as three towers for zipline stations. At the Beach side (#9), there are trendy cabanas, water sports and a dock, all designed with the theme in mind. While a circus and amphitheater is also proposed in front of the entrance for use in the evening time. It’s also been requested by a client to construct private villas with pools so families can enjoy their own space. Either way, families are destined to have a memorable experience!
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I PUBLIC SPACE
Working wonders on Russian riverbanks How to create a public space on a swampy riverbank for residents of all ages
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Creating an all-inclusive promenade on the bank of a river with a complex relief is an example of how you can turn the apparent disadvantages of a place into its advantages. That’s what Basis Architectural Bureau achieved in Zhukovsky, Russia when they constructed a new embankment with balcony views. The narrow path on the steep bank of the Bykovka river turned into an all-inclusive promenade with balconies on stilts and various functional zones.
The new embankment is divided into two main zones: ‘quiet’ and ‘active’. The ‘active’ area includes a dog walking area, projecting balconies suitable for fishing, a playground for different ages and a central area for events. The ‘quiet’ zone is a long promenade on winding bridges among trees with scenic balconies on stilts and secluded places for rest. A feature of the project was the installation of balconies and walkways on stilts where the relief was complex.
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I PUBLIC SPACE
The team managed to significantly increase the usable area of the embankment and plan recreational areas with the best view of the river. With the help of winding wooden paths, they increased the length of the walking route and made it convenient for bicycles and prams. The main hiking route goes off from the scenic balconies, so nothing prevents visitors from enjoying the privacy of nature. Minimalist modern street furniture made of steel and treated pine is used in the project and emphasizes the natural colour of the wood. Thanks to its modest colour scheme and basic design, it blends in delicately with the natural environment. This naturalness is especially distinct in the fencing around the decks which have a slight ‘irregularity’ of the rods.
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I waterscapes
City Waterscapes Wetlands for an office building in Santiago de Chile By: Jimena Martignoni This office building was the first attaining LEED Gold certification in Chile and is part of a large 30-hectare Masterplan which will include additional office spaces, housing and commercial spaces. Located in Vitacura Municipality, one of the most prosperous boroughs in northeastern Santiago, the site enjoys west-facing views of the iconic Manquehue mountains and seamlessly blends with the local landscape. The overall architectural project incorporated energy efficiency systems for climate conditioning based on geothermal energy, collected from a well which goes 75 meters into the earth, and also by the passive evaporation of water into the air. When landscape architect Juan Grimm started to work on the project, the architectural plans showed some undefined water surfaces around the building. Instead, he recommended the creation of wetlands that would not only serve for the project’s original purposes but also would create connections with the living environment, embracing the character of the region and attracting local wildlife.
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Now, with these newly created wetlands, Grimm is working on the next phase of the masterplan, together with the architects, and suggesting taking things a step further in this same direction. “This is the first cell of a much larger system” —says Juan Grimm— “I want the site to offer a natural structure made of interconnected wetlands which over time will become a biological corridor connected to Cerro Manquehue”. The initial reference image he used to design the first two wetlands, located at opposite sides of the building, was that of Lake Caburga in southern Chile. “I found visually interesting how natural slopes, creeks and water bodies form a system and I wanted to recreate that image within the site”, explains Grimm. With this in mind, he modeled two irregular areas at both sides of the building that would make up two different wetlands. One of them is somehow private and only possible to appreciate by people working in the building; the largest, on the other hand, is located adjacent to the sidewalk and can be easily appreciated by anyone passing by. In this manner
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the aquatic landscape seems to take over the street, incorporating the natural ambiance of the wetland into the public realm of the neighborhood. Once the masterplan is finished, the site’s central area will be a park following an opening and closing schedule and the proposed interconnected water bodies will mark a trail for locals and nature lovers. The building seems to come out from the water, and the idea of the unknown origin of this natural resource is what Juan Grimm wants to strengthen with his design. Water grasses such as Festuca (Coiron in Spanish) and reeds frame the composition, helping to create natural habitats for herons, ducks and frogs; underwater, aquatic plants provide shelter for fish, oxygen to the water and filter out pollutants. The greener side of the wetland, opposite to the building, presents a rocky flat surface cracked by winding strips of water that appear to flow and get into the land, clearly representing a landscape of meanders. The central garden is connected on one side to the largest wetland and, to the other, to a semiburied conference room. This more formal area can be made out from the large window panes of the building’s main lobby, offering wide vistas towards the green and, in the background, the distant mountains. Large native trees shape a solid green border, providing a strong visual connection and a mediation of scale that goes from a grand landscape to that of the garden. Master of playing with scales and shapes, Grimm offers wild-looking compositions which combine
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I waterscapes
perfectly with the wooden facades of the building and the rocky pathways. Another practice he is fond of is that of paralleling architectural elements with those of nature. Following the lines of an existing staircase positioned right between the main lobby and the central garden, the landscape designer outlines a series of lawn terraces and 20 meter-long granite steps which descend from the sidewalk level to the site’s central point. These steps are aligned with the stairs and when approaching the natural composition of trees they adopt subtle curvilinear forms that visually soften the walking surface.
The planting plan in the garden incorporates coastal species and some introduced shrubs that became established in the region. Native trees such as Prosopis chilensis (Chilean mesquite), Schinus latifolius (Molle), Cryptocarya alba (Peumo) and Myrceugenia lanceolata recreate the typical landscape of Chilean scrubland or “Chilean Matorral”. The gardens offer a gradual progression from building and wetlands to the landscape of the magnificent omnipresent mountains of Santiago de Chile. While walking these spaces —the paths framed with tree canopies and enclosed by large surfaces of groundcovers, the bucolic water edges and the open vistas—, the visitor is able to forget about the smoggy city and forgets, too, about schedules and duties.
Location: Santiago de Chile, Chile Landscape Architect: Juan Grimm Architectural Plan, First Stage: Alex Braham / Master Plan: Krause-Bohne-Gmbh Energy Efficiency Systems: Bohne Ingenieure Total Area, First Stage: 17,000 m2 Date of completion, First Stage: 2010 New Master Plan (2017): Mecanoo Architecten / Area: 30 hectares Client: Empresas Transoceanica Photography: Renzo Delpino
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I urban development A new urban design project is being touted as the first smart “conscious oriented� city in the world by its designers. It will prevent urban sprawl, produce and store energy, improve air quality, increase urban biodiversity, and create a healthier lifestyle for its residents. The vertical city for 200,000 people is the brainchild of Architecture firm Luca Curci Architecture. The project aims to rise above the challenge of population density by successfully combining vertical expansion with economic innovation. A self-sustainable city-forest, that will absorb CO2, produce oxygen for cleaner air and increase urban biodiversity. The idea is to form interconnected communities’ programs, and by eliminating suburbs, the architects believe there will be less poverty. With its 300 floors THE LINK will reach the maximum height of 1200 meters. The project combines sustainability with population density, and it aims to build up a zero-energy citybuilding. The city- forest is made of 4 main towers, connected to each other, equipped with green areas on each level, natural light and ventilation and 100% green transport systems. The vertical city promotes a healthier lifestyle for its residents and encourages connection with natural elements, re-thinking the traditional concept of community and society.
The Link
A conscious city-forest for 200,000 people
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Using an urban operating system with an AI (Artificial Intelligence), the vertical city will be able to manage the global city temperature, levels of CO2 and humidity, will control the global lighting system, and will store extra energy produced by solar panels and other renewable energy resources. Why THE LINK Half of humanity, 3.5 billion people, lives in cities today and 5 billion people are projected to live in cities by 2030. The world’s cities occupy just 3 per cent of the Earth’s land, but account for 60-80 per cent of energy consumption and 75 per cent of carbon emissions. Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies, communities, and countries dearly today and even more tomorrow. Weather patterns are changing, sea levels are rising, weather events are becoming more extreme and greenhouse gas emissions are now at their highest levels in history. Urban sprawl, the rapid expansion of the geographic extent of cities and towns, is often characterized by low-density residential housing, single-use zoning, and is increasing reliance on the private automobile for transportation. Urban sprawl has been correlated with increased energy use, pollution, and traffic congestion and a decline in community distinctiveness and cohesiveness. The suburbanization of poverty is one of the most important demographic trends of the last 50 years. Poverty rates across the suburban landscape have increased by 50 percent since 1990. THE LINK city-forest with a multi-level vertical urban planning, will prevent urban sprawl while bringing trees, shrubs, and plants closer to everyday life. The urban system THE LINK urban system is planned to incorporate smart city technologies and to connect more than 200,000 people,
with a total volume of 14.500.000 cubic meters, and green areas of over 1.200.000 square meters. Dividing the city in functional areas. The city-building consists of 4 buildings, each of them with different destinations. The tallest building with its 1200 meters of height and 300 floors, will host apartments, villas, common areas and services, with green areas, private and public gardens. The main residential tower is connected to the other three buildings, from 650 to 850 meters of high, that will host offices, government departments, healthcare facilities and educational institutions, including all levels of schools and universities. The interconnected system will also work as a tourist destination, appealing more to lifestyle amenities such as hotels, wellness and spa centers, sport centers, shopping malls, bookshops, and leisure attractions. The vertical city-forest, with a high-density forestation is designed to reduce indoor and outdoor temperatures, absorb CO2 and dust while producing oxygen for cleaner air. Several renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar panels are also incorporated. Energy storage solutions. Food production and farming integrated and follow a zero-waste policy. THE LINK will host more than 120,000 trees and 2 million plants of over 150 species, improving the air quality, absorbing CO2 and improving the biodiversity of living species. Farming is integrated with social space and will enable communities to provide their own food and be self-sufficient. Every building will include a community framework for living, including water baths, markets, spiritual and cultural hubs. It is possible to reach THE LINK by land or by air. The basement is equipped with external and internal docks for pedestrians and public electric transports. Moreover, the tower is provided with drone ports connected with the upper garden-squares of each tower and vertical linking- installations. More info: www.lucacurci.com
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I Company Listings Landscape Contractor Nakheel Landscapes T: +974 44085333 F: +974 44983420 info@nakheellandscapes.com www.nakheellandscapes.com Desert Group T: +971 4 3404440 T: +971 4 34044416 group@desertgroup.ae www.desertgroup.ae
Building Materials Creative Concrete Concepts T: +971-6-532- 1119 F: +971-6-532-8833 www.tex-crete.com info@tex-crete.com Hepworth T: +971 4 2894670 F: +971 4 2894620 www.hepworth.ae
TURF/LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS Polyclean LLC (Turf Division) T: +971 4 338 8226 F: +971 4 338 8785 babiker.khateeb@polyclean.ae riyad.mustafa@polyclean.ae www.polyclean.ae
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Hunter Industries T: +001 760 591 7114 F: +001 760 591 7194 Hanna.Zaidan@ hunderindustries.com www.hunterindustries.com METTS Fzc T: +971 4 4470927 F: +971 4 4470928 info@mettsfzc.com www.mettsfzc.com
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Trees & Herbs Orientalis T: +971 4 429 00 44 F: +971 4 422 52 96 info@orientalis.co www.orientalis.co
Sport’s Facilities / Playground equipments Raymond Sport T: +971 4 3391331 T: +971 2 4499196 F: +971 4 3391080 office@raymondsport.com www.raymondsport.com Gebal Group T: +971 2 446 4684 F: +971 2 446 4683 sales@gebalgroup.com www.gebalgroup.com
ACQUATIC PLAY Vortex T: +15146943868 info@vortex-intl.com www.vortex-intl.com Gebal Group T: +971 2 446 4684 F: +971 2 446 4683 sales@gebalgroup.com www.gebalgroup.com
Swimming pool Olympic Swimming Pools Installation LLC T: +971 4 3362266 F: +971 4 3355299 info@ospools.com www.ospools.com Pentair T: +971 4 44470927 F: +971 4 4470928 malikhan@mettsfzc.com www.mettsfzc.com Satma International L.L.C. T: +971 4 2956088 F: +971 4 2956077 satmaint@emirates.net.ae www.satma.ae
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Books of interest Waterfront Landscaping
Publisher: DesignMedia Publishing Limited (December 26, 2011) ISBN: 9789881545213 Hardcover: 272 pages Price: 159AED BOOK DESCRIPTION: “Waterfronts continually evolve, moving through phases and meanings. Today, the landscape urbanism and waterfront reclamation movements are inextricably linked and are now as inevitable as the rising sun. More than seams between city and water, waterfronts are metaphorical links between our past, present and future. The book selects and showcases 46 of the very latest projects of waterfront landscape designs, from around the world. These projects respond to different design challenges with a commitment to providing responsible and innovative solutions. With highly illustrated images, professional design drawings and detailed texts, the book offers readers a large variety of methods and visions for approaching waterfront
Garden Design Solutions
ISBN-13: 9781910254028 Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Jacqui Small LLP (September 28, 2015)) Language: English Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 1 x 11 inches Price: 163.00 AED Book’s Description: Award-winning garden designer Stephen Woodhams demonstrates how to make the most of any outside space, whether it is a typical urban garden, exposed roof terrace or shady courtyard. Drawing on his many years of experience designing gardens of all sizes in different climates around the world, Stephen shares his expertise and offers clever design solutions for all types of outdoor spaces in a range of styles. Illustrated with inspiring photographs, plans and three-dimensional visuals of some of his practice’s most celebrated projects, Stephen gives advice on everything from conceiving a scheme and planning the layout to choosing surfaces, materials and furnishings that will make your garden an extension of your home that can be enjoyed all year. There are ideas for devising planting schemes that will provide colour, texture and scent through the seasons, and advice on how to make your garden environmentally friendly and create points of interest with arches, water features and other structures. There are also many techniques for using scale and proportion to create the illusion of greater volume. Case studies offer detailed insights into exemplary garden layouts, design choices and planting plans, illustrating clever solutions for incorporating all your requirements into your outside space.
Landscaping Lighting ISBN: 9781910596319 Author: Roger Narboni Hardcover: 248 pages Publication Date: Sept. 2016)
Book Descriptions: Lighting is a key feature of almost all interiors and exteriors, but it is often treated in a superficial manner in most design books. This book features more than 50 recent international projects where the lighting is the defining design feature. For large schemes, a professional lighting designer is usually employed, but for smaller projects it will often fall to the architect or designer to specify the lighting. In either case, it is crucial that the architect or designer understands what lighting is available, how it can be used and controlled and how it can be fitted. The projects featured in this book include road lighting, square & park lighting, architectural facade lighting, bridge lighting and furniture lighting schemes, each with detailed plans, diagrams, sketches to demonstrate the lighting techniques involved. Each project is also accompanied by an explanatory text that looked at the original brief, the design concept, and the detailed specification of light fittings. 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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I new ongoing projects
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6/15/2020
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Plant Protection Supplies
Supply of Supplies for Plant Protection.
Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture (Saudi Arabia)
Saudi Arabia
267
4/22/2020
6/3/2020
Development & Maintenance
Provision of works for Execution, Development and Maintenance of Aesthetic Agriculture and Irrigation.
Amiri Diwan (Kuwait)
Kuwait
11513
3/10/2020
6/9/2020
Organic Agriculture Development
Development of Organic Agriculture.
Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture (Saudi Arabia)
Saudi Arabia
267
8/14/2019
6/23/2020
Parks Refurbishment Works
Design and Build for Refurbishment of 3 Parks in Ras Abu Aboud, Al Wakra & Al Shamal Project.
Public Works Authority - ASHGHAL (Qatar)
Qatar
3434
4/9/2020
5/17/2020
Modern Irrigation System
Installing a Modern Irrigation System from Al-Muldah Roundabout to the States Borders with Suwaiq.
Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment & Water Resources (Oman)
Oman
65
4/6/2020
5/17/2020
Gardening, Farming
Provision of Gardening, Farming and Irrigation Services.
Ministry of Health (Oman)
Oman
65
3/31/2020
5/11/2020
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The First First Specialised Specialised Landscape Landscape Magazine Magazine inin the the Middle Middle East East The
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