March 2020 by Landscape Middle East

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

middle east

March 2020

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

Editor’s Note In this issue, Working in an industry traditionally dominated by men can be intimidating, especially if you’re ambitious and want to move up the ranks. In honour of International Women’s day this year on March 8th, we’ve launched a new regular feature to highlight some of the most talented women who are thriving in their careers as landscape architects, planners and designers. Not only are these women at the top of their game but they are paving the way for future generations of young women to enter the industry. We start by profiling Annie Baillie, Associate Director of Landscape Architecture at Place Dynamix in Dubai. (page 10) At a time when there is a fundamental shift in consumer values towards experiences rather than things to bring happiness, we feature two of the UAE’s newly opened desert retreats; Al Faya Lodge in the emirate of Sharjah and Jebel Hafit desert park in Al Ain, both offer visitors the opportunity to switch off and immerse themselves in an authentic desert experience surrounded by dramatic mountainous views. Our cover story is brought to you by DesertINK, the landscape architecture firm who designed the external interface of Al Faya lodge which sits under the spectacular Hajar mountains in Sharjah. (page 22)

Managing Partner: Ziad Maarouf Amine Copy Editor: John Hampton Sales Manager: Boushra Dinnawi Administrative Assistance: Sarry Gan Art Director: Ramon Andaya Contributors: Jimena Martignoni, Nigel Cann, Annie Baillie, Hakan Thorselius, Charles Lamb, Romit Chakravarty, Duncan Denley, Rasha Samawi Printed by: Al Nisr Publishing LLC Webmaster: www.pdinventive.com

Skipping over to a project on the other side of the world, we showcase arguably the world’s most famous polo player, Argentine Nacho Figueras’ new polo stables located outside Buenos Aires. It has been described by architecture connoisseurs as a ‘work of art.’ (page 40)

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And British Landscape architect, Charles Lamb, provides a first-hand account of his research in the Philippine Cordilleras to research 2000-year-old water management techniques used by the indigenous tribes. (page 16)

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16 contents 10 March 2020 - Issue 153

Women in Landscape

Cramerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new battery technology for the industry

16 20 22 26 30 34 40

Lessons from the terraces A piece of living public art Al Faya Lodge Creating an oasis in the desert Theatre by the Red Sea Ornamental trees World class Polo stables

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I news & events

AUS tops the class in sustainability AUS became the Gulf region’s first university to begin to ban single-use plastics across its campus, with all campus vendors banned from selling plastic water containers holding less than 500 millimeters of water.

The plastics-ban follows the launch of AUS’ new Engineering and Sciences Building, awarded a highly sought-after “2 Pearl” rating by Estidama, a sustainable development initiative of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. The rating complements AUS’ position as the first university in the MENA region to have a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) classification for sustainability in higher education, awarded by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The university is committed to ensuring its students are at the forefront of its environmental advocacy, championing environmental causes that have impact beyond the campus. AUS students received two major honors at the recent Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency and Ministry of Higher Education’s Sustainable Campus Initiative (SCI) awards and exhibition. A group of students known as the AUS Green Team won awards for the Best Green Campus. These environmental endeavors complement the sustainabilityfocused academic offering of AUS. The university’s Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences, offered through the AUS College of Arts and Science, allows students to study environmental issues using scientific methods. In their senior year, students of the program tackle a real-world environmental issue through an internship program and via the guidance of an experienced mentor.

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I news & events

Dubai school on target to become a netzero energy school with help of solar panels

Since the placement of the solar powered panels at the American school of Dubai (ASD) in August 2019, it has generated 51,702 Kwh in total energy, the equivalent of approximately 570 trees, 28.5 tons of CO2 emissions or more than 14,531 litres of fuel saved. The initial installation of the solar panels has reduced the campus’ energy consumption from the grid by 4% with plans underway to reduce overall grid-sourced energy by up to 50% by 2027. ASD was one of two schools in the UAE to receive photovoltaic panels worth a combined AED 1 million, in addition to support from Expo 2020 for ongoing sustainability initiatives and training. Solar power is now an integral part of ASD’s science curriculum, with the panels already integrated into high school science, as well as Grade 8 and Grade 5 sustainability units.

DR. JANE GOODALL COMMITS TO 5 MILLION TREES IN 2020 The primatologist and founder of The Jane Goodall Institute has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to either replant or restore trees to help the group with their 1 Trillion Trees Campaign. Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) made the announcement at the 2020 World Economic Forum. With this effort, she hopes to give global forests, and our planet as we know it, a fighting chance. “In the last several years, we’ve witnessed the horrific, escalating cycle of harm that occurs when forests disappear and climate change ravages landscapes through fires and other natural disasters,” explained Dr. Goodall. Why is this important? According to the campaign, global

reforestation binds at least a quarter of the annual manmade CO2 emissions. Preventing the continued loss and degradation of forests and supporting sustainable and appropriate restoration could contribute to one-third of total climate change mitigation required by 2030. Dr. Goodall has long been a proponent of restoring, protecting and replanting forests as both essential for biodiversity and as a direct answer to mitigating climate change.

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.

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

I news & events

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla showcases its model for sustainable development An Innovative urban regeneration strategy was presented at World Urban Forum for a landscape of outstanding natural beauty and human heritage The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) unveiled its innovative model for sustainable development in AlUla, an area of extraordinary natural beauty and home to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site at Hegra, at the 10th World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi. Covering an area of more than 22,000 sq km in North West Saudi Arabia, AlUla is being developed as an open living museum for the world but with a clearly defined and master planned strategy that places urban regeneration and sensitive development at its core – fully aligned with the Forum’s theme “Connecting Culture and Innovation.” The plans are built on The Charter of AlUla – a framework document that includes 12 guiding principles that commit the RCU to long-term future development which safeguards the natural and cultural landscape while developing AlUla as a global heritage, arts and culture destination. RCU is committed to unleashing not only the power of AlUla’s natural landscape but its greatest asset – the 45,000 people who live and work in an area two thirds the size of Belgium that has been a crossroads of civilisations for over 7000 years. A key cornerstone of the regeneration programme is enhancing skills and accelerating prosperity through infrastructure development and community initiatives to improve education and healthcare facilities. Urban regeneration will focus on the existing built-up areas of AlUla and AlUla South, with 80 per cent of AlUla County remaining protected, including the historic Old Town of AlUla.

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I interview

Annie Baillie is an Associate Director of Landscape Architecture at Place Dynamix in Dubai. She tells Landscape ME why it’s so important for young women who are breaking into the Landscape industry to have a mentor when starting out in their careers. At what age did you realise you wanted to become a Landscape professional? I didn’t know about Landscape Architecture until I attended a careers convention at the age of 16. Once I read more about it and realized it combined my love of drawing and the outdoors there was no looking back! Where did you study to become a Landscape architect and why did you end up moving to the Middle East? I first studied at Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK and then moved to Birmingham where I completed my degree and post graduate diploma. During my time at Birmingham, I started to work part-time for a local Landscape Architecture practice, Munro+Whitten, in my home town of Leicester, in central England. I was offered a full-time position after completing my studies and Don Munro, Practice Principal, mentored me throughout my time at that practice. Almost 12 years later my husband’s work brought us to Dubai in 2012. I was here in Dubai for 8 months before finally finding employment as a Landscape Architect with Place Dynamix and where I have been ever since. Did you specialise in any particular area? What is Place Dynamix best known for? My personal specialism is planting design, but that said, I have experience in a wide range of projects and I consider myself to have a broad knowledge of development sectors and the different aspects of the Landscape Architecture discipline associated with those sectors. As a design practice Place Dynamix has been fortunate to establish a broad portfolio of landscape, masterplanning and urban design work here in the UAE, the wider GCC region and further afield. We endeavor to make places special. One of the key questions we ask ourselves when working on project is “Would I want to go there? Would I visit this place?”. We have worked on all types of projects – residential communities, commercial hubs, developed guidelines, been third party reviewers, and found ourselves working alongside some of the world’s premier architects and designers on several projects. While we may not be identified with a singular style, I feel we are respected as being collaborative designers towards a holistic solution.

Women

in Landscape We meet the inspirational women who are designing the future

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Tell us what a typical day at Place Dynamix involves from a personal perspective? I usually get up at 5.30am and I’m typically at the office by 8am or sometimes earlier. Each day presents its different tasks and challenges, be it project related such as proposal writing or admin like catching up on emails and calls. I try to finish by 5pm but that sometimes slides, again depending on the day’s events. As a company, we offer flexible working hours as many of us have interests outside work hours and we like to be able to provide for those commitments by working around each other and collaborating. We also respect the value of home life and try, where possible, to manage the workload to give everyone a good home/ work balance.

What advice would you give other women who are looking to enter the profession or are just starting out in the industry in the Middle East? I find this discipline is greatly underestimated, in terms of the extent of what we do as specialist consultants and the effort and level we contribute and coordinate to help finalize projects. In this respect, I would urge anyone considering entering the profession to undertake a good internship to get a thorough insight into what the job really entails. For those just starting out; I would say find a good mentor that is willing to nurture you in your early career – there is no better way to learn the job than being alongside an experienced and seasoned professional that can guide you in all aspects of the discipline. I have certainly taken

I interview inspiration from my mentor and I in turn, enjoy mentoring our interns. If I can demonstrate, being a successful career woman in the construction industry, this is an industry that women can consider and achieve a fulfilling career in then I’m happy to help in whatever way I can. What qualities have helped you succeed in such a male-dominated industry? Listening and learning, determination, persistence and not being afraid to speak out. How can companies encourage more women to work in the landscape field? We certainly tend to receive more female applicants from regional universities but generally we find there is an even mix of more experienced LA’s. Construction, in general, is a very male dominated sector, particularly in this region. I would say that the Landscape Architecture profession could do a lot more to promote and make the discipline more visible and appealing in terms of the challenges and opportunities the job presents, generally. For women, in particular, wanting to enter a design and engineering related field, Landscape Architecture is a small, close-knit industry and as such the scale of landscape teams in larger multidisciplinary companies or independent practices can be quite small, therefore finding the right fit for you is key to a successful career and a happy working life.

The workplace as we know it is changing. How are you and your company adapting so you are able to solve some of the biggest challenges that come your way? The local climate and water shortage is always high up on our design agenda when facing new projects and one of our biggest struggles is convincing developers to steer toward a more sustainable landscape. The requests for a ‘green and lush’ landscape design is still very common, but as stewards of the environment, we endeavor to deliver a sustainable landscape design that responds positively to the client’s vision. In doing so we look to other countries with similar dry environments, such as USA and Australia,

to provide guidance on water conservancy and arid planting design. As landscape professionals, we feel we should be making efforts to introduce more desert adapted species to help combat the constraints of lower TSE volumes and, in doing so, increase the demand of lower water demand species so that commercial growers can provide us with a broader palatte of plant material to work with. Plant material is only one aspect of the wider sustainability challenge and we work closely with irrigation specialists to deliver a complete irrigation design that meets the plant’s actual water requirements through the use of efficient irrigation devises and the latest technology systems. We also work closely with storm water engineers to use the landscape as an opportunity to help alleviate the burden of storm water on the positive drainage network. In doing so we can help reduce capital costs to the developer by giving the landscape a secondary purpose as storm water attenuation. What has been your most memorable project you’ve been involved in to date? City Walk was the first project I worked on here in Dubai. I don’t mind admitting I cut my teeth on that project. I learned so much more about my own discipline, as well as other project related disciplines, not to mention how fast projects move along in this region! As a keen cyclist, I was delighted to see so many people gathering to watch the end of the UAE Cycling Tour finish on the main boulevard. It was a very proud moment. Another project that was particularly memorable was when I worked alongside our Managing Director, Eric Wright, on the VIP Garden elevated high up the Dubai Creek Harbour Observation Tower. We spent a lot of time researching and problem solving the complexities of planting in an unusual and elevated environment and a lot of that new-found knowledge has been really helpful on other projects. Do you have any ambitions to start your own practice in the future? If yes, what would that look like? I worked as a lone practitioner back in the UK, following redundancy during the 2009 economic crash. I missed the day to day interaction with work colleagues and as such it isn’t something I would rush back to. Place Dynamix is a small practice, very much like M+W where I first started out in Landscape Architecture, and having worked for bigger companies as well, in the past, I feel this size of practice is the right fit for me. Although I am an employee, I feel a sense of ownership with Place Dynamix as we have grown and established so much together. The PD team are a great bunch and I think of colleagues as my second family, as we also spend time outside of work socializing. We have fun and I think that reflects in the way we work together.

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I advertorial

Clean technologies are transforming landscape maintenance Cramer’s new battery technology is improving environmental standards Hakan Thorselius

Managing Director, Cramer International

Despite a lot of buzz and millions of dollars spent on marketing campaigns by companies to promote their ‘green environmentally friendly’ practices, the majority of machinery still used in the professional landscape industry is old fashioned and normally operated by petrol. These machines are noisy, dirty and costly to maintain. They also often cause logistical problems as petrol has to be transported to the work site and there are difficulties in finding spare parts for their old, outdated technology. More importantly, petrol machines are bad for worker’s health, the economy of the landscaper, and a nuisance and disturbance to the general public. However, we no longer need to use these products according to Hakan Thorselius, the Managing Director of Cramer International in Dubai. Thorselius explains that these petrol machines can now easily be exchanged for battery operated Cramer 82V products, which are more powerful than petrol and much better for the environment, not least the landscapers themselves. Mr. Thorselius has 20 years of experience in executing sales and marketing strategies in the Middle East, he told Landscape ME his aim is to transform and improve the landscape maintenance sector across the region by encouraging companies to switch to high powered battery equipment. When did your company first set up business in the region? We established Cramer in the UAE in 2018 but as a global company we are over 200 years old. We are rapidly expanding in this region as customers discover the benefits of our products and the aftercare support we can offer.

All of your products use rechargeable battery technology. How does this create a greener future for the company? If you are looking into the total lifecycle analysis of making a petrol machine compared to an electrical machine, we can see significant CO2 savings. By using electricity instead of petrol, we are helping the environment. Inside the product there are also less components compared to a petrol machine, which also gives a lower CO2 footprint, but also gives less problems with maintenance and spare parts. We would also argue that a greener future includes noise reduction. The customers are much less disturbed by our machines. In fact, the landscape workers can start several hours earlier in the morning to work in the gated communities without disturbing the residents. Why is Cramer a leader in the manufacturing landscape industry since 1835? What’s been key to the company’s success? Since Cramer was founded back in 1835, we have aimed to become the leading manufacturer within professional gardening equipment, hence delivering the highest quality for professional applications. Our partnership with Globe Group is the next step towards a successful future in professional gardening. Globe Group has affiliates all over the world, with skills ranging from research and development to production. This enables us to control every bit of the supply chain, ensuring great efficiency, quality and the capacity to produce suitable equipment for a professional landscaper. For our professional battery range we have a development office in Sweden where we have around 40 engineers specialized on developing only professional products, that is why we today are the only ones able to offer the very powerful 82V range specially designed for professional use. In addition to that we have over 500 engineers working on battery systems and consumer products which supports the professional team in Sweden and Germany. Which products are your best sellers in this part of the world? We focus on hedge trimmers, brush cutters, chainsaws, pole hedger, pole saws but also robotic lawn mowers as a new product launch in 2020.

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What are the main challenges of doing business in the current Middle East market? Customers do not understand yet that the battery powered Cramer 82V outperforms petrol and is in fact more powerful. Some customers think that because they are not loud and noisy they are not powerful. Will you release any new products this year? We have a new Robotic program that we are launching which will revolutionize the way you maintain certain lawn areas. We can program it so grass cutting can be done during night if it is preferred by the customer. All our Robotics follow the European safety standards, so they will immediately turn off if they are lifted up from the ground for example. We have sold thousands of robotics in Europe and they are loved, as pets, by our customers there. We think the GCC is a perfect place for new technology and a place to push for a greener way of life through technology. What benefits do professional landscapers who use your products receive? Product and battery warranty 1 year plus considerable cost savings using 82V Cramer versus petrol products. There is much less maintenance, so no fuel filters, no spark plugs, no air filters etc. This is a considerable cost saving. As a petrol engine has up to one thousand moving parts, you

will need a lot of spare parts to keep it running, it is much less in an electrical engine run on battery power and here the landscaper will have considerable savings. What other steps is the company taking to reduce their carbon output? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re currently investigating how we can improve the recycling process of our batteries. Recycling basic substances such as lithium and cobalt would enable us to save even more environment resources in the future. What does the future for this sector in the Middle East look like? We think that petrol products in this sector will be banned by law very soon, as there is no longer a reason to use this outdated technology. We already see signs of this in both Europe and the US, where cities are demanding only battery products to be used in the maintenance of public spaces. This regulation is rapidly spreading. Even in the UAE we see some gated communities and hotels, by their own accord making this demand on their landscapers. We believe that rulers in the GCC countries which are highly developed will make this decision, to go only with battery products, to improve the environment for the citizens.

LESSONS FROM THE TERRACES I news & events

TRAVELS IN THE PHILIPPINE CORDILLERAS

British Landscape architect Charles Lamb travelled to the Philippine Cordilleras to research 2000-year-old water management techniques used by the indigenous tribes.

or over 2000 years, tribes in the high mountain regions of northern Luzon - the Philippine Cordilleras - have developed and managed an irrigation system that captures water, slows its progress, and ultimately provides the lifeblood of the area by irrigating the terraces carved into the hillsides. Could aspects of such a system have contemporary applications, and if so, how practical would it be to translate these to the other side of the world? With these considerations in mind, the Philippines beckoned. The rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are unique in the Philippines not only for their scale, but also for the way in which they are managed and cultivated by the local tribes. It is thought that the early settlers originated from mainland China, bringing with them their knowledge of terrace construction. In any event, the indigenous tribes have developed and managed a system that utilises the entirety of the

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01 The amphitheatre The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East of terraces at Batad, Philippines.

02 Irene Binalet, my local guide for my time in Batad, inspecting rice. 03 At the Landscape Architecture Department at the University of the Philippines, Diliman campus, Manila. Left to right: Frank Fontanoza, Avegail Casono, Charles Lamb, Cathe Nadal.

watershed, in particular the high, forested mountainsides above the terraces. This, coupled with an understanding of rain patterns and geology, help them to manage the environment and topography to sustain life in an otherwise seemingly inhospitable, rugged and impenetrable terrain. In contrast to many other terrace systems that utilise naturally occurring springs as their main source of water, those created in the Philippine Cordilleras access the majority of their water via a managed forest ecosystem (the muyong) a multi-layered forest stretching above and through the cultivated rice terraces. Under usual rainfall conditions, rainwater is absorbed into the ground and gradually percolates downhill, eventually emerging into dedicated channels at the level of the terraces (the kinnaw). These direct the supply as needed to the terraces which, through a system of secondary channels, overflows from one terrace to the next (the kula)

Contentsri sua o effretimovit; nm tim The terraces eris acta of trum Batad arenih esci.retimovit; nm monumental eris in trurm scaleeris tru and purposefully leaky walls, regulates the flow downstream whilst helping to ensure that all terraces are equally irrigated. In preparation for heading up to the mountains, I met with professors from the Landscape Architecture programme at the University of the Philippines, Diliman campus, in Manila. They too have undertaken their own research on the terrace system. We discussed whether knowledge gained by

the indigenous peoples of the Philippines was being applied to new developments. The consensus was that this was generally not the case: many developments are often short sighted in their outlook in terms of water management systems, and are primarily concerned with moving water away from their development as quickly as possible. Rectification is often only sought after a problem has occurred, usually after a significant flood event. Arguably this could be mitigated by a more sensitive approach to water management from the outset. I also investigated a water management scheme carried out by a large developer on the Ayala Land Technohub at the University of the Philippines, which utilises swales and retention ponds to capture and absorb significant quantities of rain water on site. However, and from my observations of other developments around the Philippines, using such systems

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would seem to be the exception rather than the norm. Whilst this particular development had the luxury of space to create such water management systems, the pressure on the existing stormwater network â&#x20AC;&#x201C; certainly in Manila â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was evident in many a downpour, with roads quickly becoming lagoons as the drainage network proved unable to cope with the volume of water. Notwithstanding the shortfalls of many modern Filipino developments in terms of their water management systems, that is not to say that the more indigenous methods operating in the Cordilleras are without their own problems. The challenges currently faced by the terrace system, can broadly be split into two: environmental and social issues. Both impact the long term future of the terraces, ranging from more macro themes of an increasingly unpredictable global climate and the pull of work in towns and cities away from agricultural labour, and more localised in terms of the changing ecosystem of the muyong due to variances in maintenance regimes, increased pressures for the cultivation of different crops, and the draw of money to be made from tourism

in certain areas of the mountains. Eventually leaving Manila behind, I headed north. After an overnight bus ride, I arrived in the largest town in the area â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Banaue - to be greeted by my incredibly guide, Irene Binalet who is a member of the local Tuwali tribe. Rather appropriately, she also possessed a few terraces which are still farmed for rice. Wending our way out of Banaue on a motorbike tricycle, we switched up hairpin bends hugging the mountainside and were soon deep into the rice terraces. Inheritance of the terraces in the area operates by age, rather than by primogeniture. The younger siblings, regardless of sex, will often not receive terraces. Instead they may have historically foraged for plants and materials in the muyong, or specifically cleared areas on an ad hoc basis to grow crops or harvest building materials as a way of supplementing their income. This pattern of temporary clearing and periodic harvesting resulted in a multi-layered forest canopy developing, with the consequence of increasing rainwater absorption and helping to further regulate the flow of water from the upper

hillsides into the terrace network. However, Irene suggested that such a trajectory in life for the younger siblings is now not so clearly followed, with many seeking other ways to make a living. The impact of tourism, however, remains relative - to exclaim that your destination is at the end of the road takes on a more literal meaning once into the hinterland of the Cordilleras. This was certainly the case for my journey to Batad, some way outside the main settlement of Banaue, where I based myself for my time in the mountains. The road leading to Batad unceremoniously ends in a jungle clearing, with a final trek along often narrow, washed out paths, accompanied by precipitous drops into the pine and tree fern clad forest below. The terraces of Batad are monumental in scale, with its setting of a natural amphitheatre revealing itself as you round the final bend on the track. Terraces stretch seemingly impossible distances up and around the hillside. Small, often thatched, houses perched on stilts cluster on the more level parts, with people bent double working in the fields below under the early afternoon sun.

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04 Local farmer clearing the kinnaw channel running between two sets of terraces.

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05 Kinnaw running down through the terraces, observed by a Filipino scarecrow. 06 Charles Lamb at the terraces of Batad.

PHOTO CREDIT:

At close quarters with the terraces, the genius of their operating system becomes apparent. A slow, but constant, stream of water either trickled from the muyong along the kinnaw, or flowed from one terrace to another through the kula. Ferns protruded from the damp walls, where water seeped through at a much slower rate, whilst rice ready for harvesting created a wheaten patchwork across the valley. There were however scars in the form of landslides, with terraces having collapsed on each other like dominoes due to the more frequent rains that follows unprecedented periods of dryness. The Philippineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government has tried to mitigate further collapses by renewing one of the uppermost retaining walls that border the surrounding muyong above the Batad terraces. Significant amounts of concrete predominate, with only a few plastic pipes protruding through to allow some water seepage. The end result jars with the vernacular, with little acknowledgement of local, more environmentally sensitive construction techniques. The argument for using the concrete was that the entire section of

Contentsri essuam,co effretimovit; nium tim eris Challenges trumFacta faced byesci. avernih people from Volum optili other times ntentsri and cultures essuam,co are often not effretimovit; so dissimilar nium tim eris to our own truVolum optili

hillside was at imminent risk of collapse, and by using concrete the stability of that section was assured, at least in the short term. At present, walls elsewhere in the terraces are yet to be replaced in such a way and are maintained to retain their more porous nature. Coupled with this, I discussed with Irene whether the periodic collapse of the terraces was compounded by the varying maintenance regimes in the muyong. From her experience

this has certainly been the case: as fewer people have cleared areas in the muyong for their own enterprise, a denser, higher level tree canopy has developed at the expense of many of the plants in the medium and lower layers of the canopy. Any rainfall therefore has fewer layers to fall through before reaching the ground, leading to more frequent and high-volume run-offs. Notwithstanding the issues that the terraces face for their long-term survival, there are some interesting potential applications of how the system operates that could be utilised elsewhere. The potential effect that a multilayered forest canopy has on reducing rainwater run-off is an intervention that could mitigate runoff in areas with the space to implement such a scheme, although it would require ongoing management in order to maximise its efficiencies. The channelling of water to dedicated areas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the terraces themselves in this instance, although possibly equally applicable to retention ponds or similar â&#x20AC;&#x201C; allowing for overflow from one basin to the next, could be another application. Similar techniques were used in the UK in Pickering, North Yorkshire, to seemingly positive initial results. Whilst it may be impractical to try and emulate the highly labour intensive management system that operates in the terraces of the Cordilleras, it should be remembered that the challenges faced by people from other times and cultures are often not so dissimilar to our own, and it would be imprudent to dismiss their techniques out of hand as archaic. Whilst some may prove to be only of historical or cultural interest, the ability of a landscape to survive for two millennia in a tropical, ever changing and challenging environment does provide ideas for how we may adapt our own landscape for a more sustainable future.

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I parks

A piece of living public art

Photo Credit: Ryan Muir

Photo Credit: Soski Photo

Montreal’s Musical Swings brings strangers together to make music

Musical Swings is an urban interactive installation by French Canadian art and design studio Daily tous les jours. The ‘living piece of public art’ is described as a collective experience that is designed to stimulate human connections in public spaces by inviting strangers from all backgrounds to make music together. It’s an intuitive game, where cooperation between participants unlocks secret melodies, encouraging collaboration and an active awareness of each other. Created in 2011, the installation has become a celebrated icon of Montreal’s entertainment district, Quartier des Spectacles. The shared experience has been designed to transcend social isolation by inviting people to stop for a moment and enjoy life with the people they anonymously pass every day. “Collective experiences have the power to break down the social barriers that prevent us from interacting in a public space,” explained Mouna Andraos and Melissa Mongiat, the masterminds behind the installation. “The cooperative nature of the installation transforms unusual and underused sites into thriving destinations that are welcoming for all. Over time, the swings create new urban habits, bringing in a new sense of ownership over the shared space.” Andraos explained, “When the swings move together in unison, they create a musical composition through which unique melodies can emerge if participants cooperate. The gentle, kinetic quality of the acoustic sounds blends seamlessly into the urban environment.” Participants reported feeling like they were making music with their entire bodies; surrendering themselves unexpectedly to this collective performance, almost as if by magic!

Photo Credit: Olivier Blouin

Photo Credit: Thomas Kimmel

Photo Credit: Cushy Creative

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Daily commissioned an independent study over a 19week period to analyze the economic and social impact of the temporary installation and its results were music to anyone’s hears! Musical Swings had 156 visitors per hour and a 293% return on investment- not a Since its installation in Canada, Musical Swings has toured the world and received international recognition for its design, including; the Grand Prize at UNESCO Shenzhen Design Awards, Best in Show at the Interaction Awards and the Global Innovators Prize at the Knights Cities Challenge. “We want to generate more of these daily shared experiences. In anything we do, we try to move the unmovable and highlight the benefits of cooperation.” See Daily tous les jours latest art installation, The Pearl Divers, currently on display at Dubai Creek Harbor.

I Architectural Realm

A desert landscape Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah has stayed true to its desert roots By: Romit Chakravarty and Duncan Denley Located along the rugged transition between the Arabian desert and Hajar mountains in the Emirate of Sharjah, Al Faya Lodge encompasses an exclusive boutique hotel, spa and restaurant which combines desert wilderness with a certain understated luxury. The hugely-challenging and exposed local environment is defined by the majestic Hajar mountain range which rise like shark’s teeth from the sands of the Arabian desert, draping their serrated shadows over the lodge each morning. Combined with views over the rolling dune-scape to the West, the site of the Lodge has a distinct drama and presence which is hugely captivating. Shorooq’s bold decision to convert existing buildings bisected by a desert road into a visitor attraction was as bold as it was inspired. Partnering with Dubai and London-based Architects, Anarchitect, desert INK was commissioned to manage the lodge’s external interface with this unique environment.

From the outset, desert INK recognized that any landscape intervention to address the three visitor components must work in harmony with the desert setting and not attempt to materially change the character of the area. In such a distinct setting, nothing could look more alien than a sudden explosion of green lawns, lush trees and polished granite, so desert INK pitched the concept of utilizing locally-sourced materials to enhance, not contradict the existing site’s character. Collaborating with the Architect and client, a concept soon emerged which drew inspiration from roadside motels found in Arizona and New Mexico. A small boutique hotel would occupy one existing building, complemented by a new-build spa and pool courtyard carved into a dune. The opposing existing building shell would be developed into an up-scale diner catering for guests and visitors passing through on the road between.

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Rather than attempting to soften, or tone-down the rugged setting with extravagant planting, desert INK sought to celebrate the desert and mountain setting, welcoming it into the property and framing its rich earthy tones within the site. Managing Director, Duncan Denley expands; “Being from all over the world, the desert INK team are in love with the desert and mountains of our adopted home. The dunes and mountains hold an exotic fascination for us, because our home environments are so different. I believe this is what drives us to so frequently draw inspiration and materials from our setting”. With these principles in mind, the team constructed a design which utilizes locally-sourced materials applied in a contemporary manner. Stone from the adjacent hillsides was stacked into gabion baskets to create a series of platforms for fire-places, seating, parking and dining. Meanwhile, the same stone was crushed and combined with a reinforcement mesh to create surfacing for the car park and pathways. With weathered steel a key component of the architecture, this wonderfully rich material was likewise threaded through the landscape in the form of retaining walls slicing through sand dunes, furniture and paving edgings. The deep rust colour of

the metal perfectly harmonizes with the rich arranges of the desert sand and equally with the browns of the mountains ascending behind the site. A striking, yet simple use of the material was employed at the entrance to the spa, where a pair of metal retaining walls slice a narrow passage through the dune to reveal the entrance to the spa. This narrow passage builds the mystery and seclusion to discover what lies within the dune. Upon passing through the door, visitors are rewarded to find a walled courtyard, with expansive views to the West framed by a series of fall weathered steel

shutters. Keeping true to the ‘less is more’ principle, the design seeks to carve out geometric spaces from the fluid geometries of the sweeping desert and mountains. One such space is the west-facing sunken fire pit court, which extends a rectilinear, gravel-filled terrace retained by gabion baskets over undulating natural landscape, offering perfect views of the setting sun.

I Architectural Realm While the hard landscape is striking, it is with the soft landscape that desert INK has really taken a departure from the region’s typical design approach. “Upon visiting the site, we came upon occasional bushes growing on sand dunes and between rocky outcrops naturally. The only source of water for these plants was rain which is very limited in the region, yet they were surviving well. With the growing need for drought tolerant species in our region, these plants were our starting point for our project plant palette.” Comments, William Bennett, Senior Landscape Architect on the project. Lead designer, Swati Noble takes up the story “one of the biggest success of this project was the use of native and adaptive plants around the site. Many species being planted in a commercial setting for the first time. This was extremely exciting for us because it set a benchmark to demonstrate that these plants can look stunning and at home in a designed context, are extremely resilient, and consume almost no irrigation.” Seed from native plants was collected and germinated to provide drifts of planting at strategic points. Using indigenous shrubs such as the Convolvulus virigatus helped in creating sweeps of low density planting interspersed with dunes and boulders. Towards the buildings several adaptive species were used to create accents, particularly succulents like Aloe vera. desert INK likewise aimed to test new approaches in terms of irrigation for native species. Adopting an unconventional approach, the team decided to move away from the standard drip irrigation for shrubs and groundcovers. Instead the design implements a sprinkler system which sprays water occasionally allowing the natural germination of native seeds in the surrounding soil. This approach allows for a ‘crescendo’ effect, where the sparse desert gradually becomes marginally greener towards the buildings without any clearly defined lines or boundaries. “Desert Group has always been a proponent of pioneering innovative practices in the landscape industry in the Middle East. With a growing need to reduce the consumption of irrigation water and adopt draught tolerant plants, the team at Desert Group is taking strides into experimenting and propagating native species

that are well adapted to the region.” Comments Michael Mascarenhas, CEO, Desert Group. Mascarenhas continues, “Wahat Al Sahraa, sister company of desert INK, operates the largest plant nursery in the Middle East which has been instrumental in desert INK’s quest to ‘go native’. Comprising of a team of expert growers who have identified plants from, or best suited to the region, the nurseries team are leading the charge towards native and adaptive plants. We ensure that they provide a feedback loop to desert INK and other sister companies which allows all of us to select drought tolerant shrubs like Aerva javanica, Convolvulus virigatus, Cenchrus ciliaris etc. which actually provide the lush effect, yet require a fraction of the water.” Being fabricated from the surrounding materials, the resulting composition feels at home in the setting, while its rectilinear geometry retains a fiercely contemporary character. This use of locally-appropriate materials and planting not only sits comfortably within the setting, but is inherently sustainable. In terms of carbon footprint, and resilience to the harsh climate, this simple palette of materials out-performs any combination of imported materials. Since opening in 2018, the hotel and diner are now attracting visitors keen to enjoy the wild setting without sacrificing the comforts and simple sophistication associated with a boutique hotel. Guests now enjoy fireside dinners overlooking the majestic dunes, while it has likewise become popular with motorcyclists on day trips into the mountains. Photography: Fernando Guerra Architecture and Interior Design: ANARCHITECT

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I LANDSCAPE INSIGHT

Arushi Bhatnagar

Fiona Environs, Creative Director

Creating an oasis in the desert

Entertaining at home is the cornerstone of Emirati social life and optimizing outdoor space is key, Fiona Environs shares a residential garden project that does just this By: Fiona Environs Starting from square one With a knack for overcoming obstacles using contemporary techniques and cutting-edge execution, the Fiona Environs team was given a blank canvas with the client’s garden. Quite literally. With nothing but sand and a built-in swimming pool - that could be a safety hazard for the client’s young child - Fiona Environs was tasked with making the space look stylish, while also keeping it safe for young children. “We only just had the pool constructed, and we needed to test it to ensure it works. We surrounded the pool with a protective - yet elegant glass fence. The client’s main objective was to use the outdoor area as a social space, and somewhere for his children to play. So we created pockets of open spaces in between”, says Arushi Bhatnagar, Creative Director at Fiona Environs.

Transporting guests to an urban oasis The UAE receives an abundance of sunshine throughout the year, making plants that aren’t heavily watered wilt, and outdoor spaces obsolete during the summer. Despite these conditions, we were determined to create an oasis in the client’s home. An olive tree, with its dramatic height and cultural significance, was specially sourced as a statement piece for the garden. This paved the way for other natural design statements to accentuate the space. Bamboo plants were used to enhance privacy and low-hydration plants were installed. “The olive tree is about 19 feet tall - an unusual sight in the GCC. Olive trees are native to the Levantine region, and also grow in countries with warmer climes like Portugal and California”, Arushi says. “We wanted to create a focal point at the heart of the garden that provides a mesmerizing element to the garden and view”.

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A modernized majlis The clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden was transformed using hand-picked materials including travertine stone, striking blue mosaic tiles for water features, and high-quality polished granite for kitchen slabs. Paying homage to his heritage, the client wanted a modernized majlis to entertain and socialize. Majlises are a typical social space in Emirati homes, acting as the center of life during the weekends and during celebrations such as Ramadan and Eid. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know Islamic architecture has certain principles that are followed, and geometry plays an integral role within the landscape design. The plan involved elements of Islamic gardens such as shade, water and geometry to guide the landscape design. We created geometry through paving patterns that were reflected by the shade above, creating a clash of patterns during daylightâ&#x20AC;?.

Exotic water features Water features are a common addition to landscape designs in the UAE- a trend that has been around for centuries. Evoking a sense of tranquility, water features calm the mind - both visually and audibly. They enhance the ambiance of a garden- from koi ponds to standalone fountains.

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Location: Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Meydan, Dubai. Client brief: Transform the fallow garden into a modernized majlis, inspired by Islamic tradition but paying heed to contemporary design. Design focus: The design required complete dedication as the original space was a patch of desert with a built-in swimming pool. The landscape needed to be enhanced to look stylish, while also minding safety hazards around young children, and serve as a space that can be used for entertaining. Result: A transformed garden that serves as an entertaining space. Fiona Environs constructed two water features in the client’s garden - a fountain that flows into a square pool underneath and a three-tiered water feature. “Mosaic tiles were used for both water features in classic blue. A popular choice for swimming pools and water features - color psychology comes into play here. Blue is renowned for its blissful appearance, transporting guests to the seaside or tropical islands”, Arushi says. The dramatic appearance of mosaic tiles make them an effortless statement piece to any space. When used in a compact space - as a backsplash or tiling for a water feature - mosaic tiles add a stunning pop of vibrance.

Embracing the power of contrast Arushi added, “The overall plan had contrasting colors to use for the flooring, complemented by the greens of leaves and trees”. The fabric for the client’s al fresco majlis was beige and striped green - inspired by the natural hues of desert sand, sunshine, and native flora. This choice ensured the majlis blends in to its environment in the daytime, and is illuminated at night. Creating spaces where people and nature thrive together Fiona Environs has worked on numerous projects with notable landscape architects. Its portfolio features notable projects including Akoya by DAMAC, Jumeirah Golf Estates, JBR Walk in Dubai, Muscat Convention Center in Oman, and several private villas in Dubai and the UAE. Employing a people-first approach, Fiona Environs optimizes spaces for human happiness.

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stays cooler than 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: l Surface temperatures cooler than concrete, asphalt or rubber l Independently verified anti-slip rating for wet or dry applications l Resilient yet soft underfoot l Excellent impact attenuation for playgrounds l Hygienic and easy to maintain. l The strong chemical bond between PolySoft particles ensures superior lateral strength and durability. l 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: Tanseeq LLC, PO Box 28665 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 29 W: www.tanseeqllc.com E: info@tanseeqllc.com

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I heritage

Theatre by the Red Sea A vibrant park and recreational gem in Aqaba By: Rasha Samawi The Aqaba Amphitheatre is a delicate balance of a classical Greek theatre with modern iconic architecture features, designed to stand firm in the heart of the southern coast of Aqaba, overlooking the radiant red sea in Jordan. CC Group,Â a pioneering multidisciplinary architectural and engineering consultancy firm developed a landscape master plan design for the Amphitheatre project. The project scope of services included landscape master planning and design, architectural design, comprehensive infrastructure and engineering design and construction documents. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hoped that the creation of an open theater which will act as a permanent site for hosting some of the most spectacular world-class events will enhance Aqabaâ&#x20AC;şs competitiveness as a tourist destination. Site Panoramic Views The project site is characterized by its distinctive sea views on the entire western interface, its easy access and the presence of a high-level difference, which gave the design team a big challenge to achieve a creative design

which suits the requirements of the project, the functional program and client requirements. During the site visit, it became clear that the amphitheater shall be stepped naturally utilizing the contour lines and that the landscape shall be terraced gradually to meet the sea level. The Project Program An inclusive space program was prepared to accommodate various activities and needs at all times. The project consists of the amphitheater area (seating area, stage, stage building and administration building), themed public plazas, panoramic plateau, linear park, kiosks, and public facilities building and parking for 800 cars which were required by the client. Themed public plazas play a vital role in organizing the masterplan as it acts as the main connectivity nodes at different levels since it creates accessible meeting points at all levels. Three main plazas were introduced, the first plaza (main plaza at the upper level) provides visitors a useful landscape with a relaxing, multi-use experience at the entrance with beautiful lawns, plantings and design

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Enhancing Connectivity Accessibility was a shared theme between the design team and the client, and it was not an easy obtained requirement as the site has around 15m slope difference and providing accessibility for all category groups adding real value through the early design process. Access points, ramps and gateways from varied directions where designed to manage pedestrian traffic and enhance mobility through a hierarchy of terraced plazas. The project is accessed from the new coastal street, and loading and unloading areas, parking spaces for VIPs, parking lots from the northern and southern sides of the site and from the lower street are also provided. The entrance and exit points were provided in line with the international standards in the design of theaters taking into account the design codes of the civil defense.

elements that form a welcoming first impression, the second plaza (intermediate level) provides access for visitors at the stage gates level, and the third plaza (beach level) connects the linear park with the project elements and features. The presence of small kiosks at the beach plaza plays a major factor in creating good spaces for interaction,Â eating and drinking which has always been a community-building activity.Â The Landscape Concept The design vision of the landscape environment is based on creating a variety of spaces that offer interest, stimulation, comfort and amenities. The main idea is to place the amphitheater facing the sea and to respond to the site topography to minimize cut and fill. The amphitheater acts as the prominent node influencing all other spaces in the master plan, all spaces are connected to each other through a terrace curvilinear space starting from the upper plaza to the linear park at the lowest level. A range of passive, active and semi-active gathering areas that provide high connectivity, shade, shelter and well-designed amenities, safe access at all times of the day and a comfortable pedestrian environment through the combination of hardscape and softscape.

Local Community Appreciation and Involvement The design team believes that an integrated landscape design with its local community and the urban fabric has the power to transform neglected spaces into active places. The amphitheater project will bring new life to Aqaba and it will help foster a sense of community, by encouraging collaboration between people and businesses, leading to a greater sense of identity. It will also actively encourage tourism, social and economic investment that will benefit the local community. Planting Strategy The planting strategy for the amphitheater project includes a range of plantation, covering both evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, groundcovers, climbers and ornamental bedding annuals. This is required for

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developing a landscape design concept within the potential and limitations of the local ecosystems. This ensures landscape sustainability and allows for the conservation of biological diversity and provides project character that is indigenous to the region and that contributes positively to enhancing the genius loci. The landscape design for the site attempts to accommodate the requirements of the program of facilities, taking into consideration the environmental, ecological, aesthetic, and economic context of the site.

High water use plants such as turf grass and annual color plantings are restricted in landscape area.

The environmental and ecological aspects are the primary consideration when selecting the plantation. All proposed plantings are climatically appropriate, tolerant to grow in a variety of soil types and able to survive in temperatures with limited watering needed once established. The planting scheme for the site is organized according to the different typologies of open spaces. Each typology has a selection of trees that are most suitable for its functions. Repetitive use of shrubs and some selection of trees gives coherence and balance as well as a unique identity. Plant materials reflect the architectural theme of the project while giving careful attention to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;blendingâ&#x20AC;? or transitioning of the proposed landscape with the surrounding landscape. Landscape materials that are considered invasive to the area are discouraged.

Clear and legible markings for all steps and ramps. All paving to meet international standards for access provision and slip resistance. Extend the material finish and textures to the streetscape to provide unified character and make the streetscape a part of the development. Minimizing the environmental impact of the development through careful selection of materials and by employing design applications that are considerate of sustainability issues without compromising on quality, durability & service life.

Hard Landscape Strategy All hard landscape areas are treated with high quality and durable materials. The proposed paving materials are a combination of permeable and non-permeable materials, textured precast concrete blocks, granite and stone tiles. The landscape design for the different spaces maintain the following strategies:

Client: Aqaba Special Economic zone Authority â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ASEZA Design Consultant: CC group | https://www.group-cc.com/ Gross area: Site 60,000 Sq. Period of services: 2018 -2019 Venue Category: Performing Arts Seating Capacity: 5,000 persons

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Phoenix dactylifera at Dubai Silicon Oasis

PALMS ADAPTED TO ENHACE LANDSCAPING IN THE GCC By: Shaaista Ahmed

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is an ancient species of tree that is the cultural identity of the Middle East, bearing the sweet date fruit that has been a staple of the local diet for millennia. As they are indigenous trees with a beautiful ornamental structure, date palms predominated the majority of landscaping projects until recently. There are multiple varieties of this tree, each with its own unique leaf structure and fruit type, such as Ajwa, Barhi, Medjool and Lulu. The more popular varieties of the date palm were used in streetscapes and commercial landscaping projects, with rarer types used in private villas. However, once so extensively adopted in local landscaping date palms have become more scarce in recent years, partially due to increased demand but also because of a decrease in date-palm orchards due to depletion of ground water used for irrigation. Most date palms sourced for landscaping projects in the UAE are from local farms in Al Ain, Liwa Oasis; Abu Dhabi and Dhaid; Sharjah. Acacia LLC, a subsidiary company under the Tanseeq Investment Group of Companies, is currently the leading supplier of ornamental plants for landscaping projects in the GCC. In addition to locally sourced palms, Acacia LLC imports different types of palms around the world including

Thailand, Malaysia, Spain and Italy that can be adapted in the GCC. Date palms are renowned for their distinctive sculpted scales, fibrous trunks and fanned canopies with feather-like pinnate leaves sprouting from the center of the trunks. They are grandiose trees that can reach up to 30 feet in overall height and each leaf can grow to an average of 20 feet in length. As local trees, they are well-adapted to the hot desert climate (but do require plenty of water when fruiting and/or flowering). Date palms are slow growing, taking 5 to 7 years to fully mature which is when the female trees can finally start bearing fruit. As the supply of date palms has become more limited, there is a surge in demand for different varieties of palm trees that can flourish in the local climate. Acacia LLC specializes in supplying several species of ornamental palms, each with its own unique set of characteristics to suit different landscape requirements. Tanseeq Investment LLC heads a group of fifteen successful companies founded and lead by Mr Ahmad Anoohi, Chairman and Mr Naser Ahmed, Group CEO. Each company specializes in a select discipline of landscaping and, together, offer a one stop solution for all landscaping requirements.

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Type-B: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Livistonia chinensis (Chinese fan palm) Bismarckia nobilis (Bismarck palm) Prichardia pacifica (Fiji fan palm) Sabal palmetto (Cabbage palm) Washingtonia robusta (Mexican fan palm) Washingtonia filifera (Desert fan palm) Copernicia alba (Wax palm)

These palms are elegant trees with a solitary brown trunk extending to short wide foliage with palmate (fan-shaped) leaves. Their compact structure makes them ideal candidates for most landscaping projects, and all seven species in this category are very popular in the region. Type-C: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Washingtonia robusta at North Park, DSO Since there are currently no standards available for specifying palms to adapt for their application, Acacia LLC has developed its own set of applied parameters under the guidance of Mr Naser Ahmed, Group CEO of the Tanseeq Investment Group of Companies. These are as follows: 1. Type of tree 2. Stature of tree 3. Texture of trunk 4. Leaf structure The palms are classified as follows: Type-A: 1. Archontophoenix alexandrae (Alexander palm) 2. Roytonea regia (Florida royal palm) 3. Wodyetia bifurcate (Foxtail palm) 4. Carpentaria acuminate (Carpentaria palm) 5. Neodypsis decaryi (Triangle palm) 6. Hyphorbe lagenicaulis (Bottle palm) 7. Caryota urens (Fishtail palm) These palms are single-trunk tropical trees native to California and Florida in the USA, Southern Africa and far Eastern countries like Thailand and Malaysia. They have a tapering trunk that leads to a green shaft characteristic to these species. They generally require plenty of water for optimum growth and are sensitive to heat. The pinnate leaves are long and have a beautifully distinct shape; in fact, the Wodyetia bifurcate is affectionately named the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Foxtail palmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the strong resemblance of its leaves to the tail of the forest creature.

Phoenix dactylifera (Date palm) Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island date palm) Phoenix sylvestris (Silver date palm) Cocos nucifera (Coconut palm tree) Brahea armata (Mexican blue palm) Butia capitata (Jelly palm)

These palms are also very popular in the region and resemble the stereotypical palm tree that comes to the minds of most people. The Phoenix dactylifera is the treasured date-palm that is native to the Middle East and North Africa. The Phoenix dactylifera, Phoenix sylvestris, Cocos nucifera and Brahea armata are commonly preferred in local landscaping projects. Type-D: 1. Phoenix reclinate (Wild date palm) 2. Paurotis wrightii (Paurotis palm) These species are multi-branch palms, with all stems growing from a single point in the soil. They are gorgeous and striking trees that draw the eye. Both species are commonly chosen for courtyards as they are sensitive trees that require protection from wind and sun. Type-E: 1. Caryota mitis (Burmese fishtail palm) 2. Chrysalidocarpus lutescens (Butterfly palm) 3. Rhapis excelsa (Broadleaf lady palm) The specialty of these palms is that they naturally grow in clumps. Type-E palms similar to Type-D palms are preferred for selected landscaping projects, like private gardens, since they are sensitive plants that require more care, including a shaded area. Although they do not resemble the traditional palm tree, they are fantastic trees that are highly ornamental. Since they are relatively small, only growing to a maximum height of 6 meters, they are ideal for villas, hotels and residential courtyards. Type-F: 1. Chamaerops humilis (European fan palm) 2. Chamaerops cerifera (Blue Mediterranean fan palm) 3. Chamaerops excelsa (Chinese windmill palm)

I advertorial Type â&#x20AC;&#x201C; F palms are similar to the Type â&#x20AC;&#x201C; E in that they are non-traditional palms and are more sensitive trees requiring additional care and protection. The Chamaerops humilis and the Chamaerops cerifera are hardier outdoor trees but the Chamaerops excelsa requires at least partial shade. As this article has demonstrated, palms are a very versatile species of accent tree. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be adapted for all types of landscape projects, including streetscapes, large corporate projects, residential communities, shopping malls and outdoor recreational developments. Their noble structure and unusual beauty will add tremendous aesthetic value to a landscape, instantly elevating visitor experience and positively contributing to the popularity of the project. Palm illustrations and specifications to follow.

Phoenix dactylifera at The Address, Downtown Dubai

Copernicia alba at Acacia Nurseries

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Chamaerops humilis (European fan palm) Chamaerops cerifera (Blue Mediterranean fan palm) Chamaerops excelsa (Chinese windmill palm)

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I polo stables

In the infinite pampas, the design of details Famed Argentine Polo Player creates his own Polo Stables just outside of Buenos Aires City By: Jimena Martignoni The Figueras Polo Stables designed by Estudio Ramos are located to the northwest of the City of Buenos Aires, in a rural area where the horizon always appears unreachable, almost as a mirage, and where silence prevails. The vastness of the existing landscape, which is that of the infinite pampas, becomes both the perfect natural scenario for the practice of Polo (a key constituent of the Argentinean culture and a niche sport in most parts of the world) and the very essence of the design. The poetic horizontality of the local flatlands seems to be emulated with every aspect of the enclosing and conceptual plan and with every built piece of the building. The lines of the roofs of the two volumes, which from afar look

as one single composition, the linearity of the freestanding walls that outline intimate gardens in front of the social areas and, especially, the manner in which the architectural layout surrendered to the existing tree planting, strengthens the fascinating sense of infinity of this typical region of extensive farmlands. In the past, the area destined to polo fields and stables exhibited a green avenue consistently planted with large and luxuriant London plane trees, which turned into the origin of the conceptual design. This linear presence marks part of the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s itinerary including the walking circuits for horses, and it was also used as a condition for the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s formal articulation. Differentiated in

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volumes which, combined, house 44 stalls plus horse grooming and training facilities, the building’s shape was defined in response to the trees’ existing position. One can make out the trees from any possible angle: the trunks creating a subtle rhythm along the full extension of the two linear volumes and the crowns casting shadows on walls and pavement, surrounding the visitor in unexpected ways.

With their reflections, the shapes of the trees are also present in an expansive shimmering pool lined with locally-sourced cobblestones. The pool is positioned exactly in front of the living room, almost as an outdoor extension of this relaxing indoor area. The building’s front elevation overlooks the polo field which measures 270 by 150 meters, in compliance with the official international dimensions of a polo field. The back elevation houses the groom’s quarters and work facilities. In the main facade, the concrete roofs look as floating planes coming out from the sloped land that serve both as access and as natural stands from where to watch the matches. The recessed second volume, which faces a courtyard outlined by freestanding walls, is shuttered from direct sunlight via a series of reddish louvers. These patinated corten steel vertical pieces also demarcate the walkways for horses and help to preserve the sense of quietness and privacy, away from the matches. In order to take care of the preservation of the horses’ health and appearance the site had to be very carefully planned, incorporating areas for resting, feeding, exercising, bathing and drinking. The circuits for these actions are part of a daily routine and the functionality of the spaces was essential for the project. Even tiny design details such as the ironwork for the stall doors

I polo stables

have been customized, making everyday operational aspects successful and helping to assure an overall low maintenance plan. In the same detaildesign direction, for every set of stalls and located at opposite sides of the floor plan, there is one elevated infinite pool made of raw concrete, from where horses drink. As a sculptural gesture, a seductive concrete spiral staircase leads to the floating rooftop above which is entirely covered by native grasses and seems to blend into its environment. These green roofs were thought out as another natural podium from where to observe the polo fields and enjoy the matches

during the polo season. The views from this elevated wild-looking platform are overwhelming, reminding the observer that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, not just there; beauty is definitely (also) in the eye of the designer. Location: Gral. RodrĂguez, Buenos Aires Architects: Estudio Ramos: Juan Ignacio Ramos & Ignacio Ramos Total Area: 3,600 m2 Date of completion: 2017 Photography: Daniela Mc Adden

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I cultural heritage

Historic site brought to life

Jebel Hafit Desert Park preserves the UAE’s biodiversity, archaeology and cultural heritage The UAE’s newest tourist attraction, Jebel Hafit Desert Park in Al Ain, occupies a 9-kilometre stretch on the eastern flank of Jebel Hafit mountain, where visitors can enjoy the park’s stunning natural surroundings while discovering the unique archaeological and historical remains that have been unearthed in the area, all of which attest to the rich history and ancient inhabitation of the United Arab Emirates. A site of unique historical significance The Jebel Hafit Desert Park site allows visitors to experience and gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the environment and human settlements from the Neolithic age until the modern day. Jebel Hafit Desert Park is a component of the World

Heritage Sites of Al Ain, the first designated World Heritage Site in the UAE. UNESCO designated Al Ain with “Outstanding Universal Value”, with its various sites providing “exceptional testimony to the development of successive prehistoric cultures in a desert region, from the Neolithic to the Iron Age”. For thousands of year’s people have recognised the value of the Jebel Hafit area, from Neolithic herders taking advantage of the good grazing though to Bronze Age people finding spiritual significance in this natural monument and choosing it as a site to build tombs for their kin. Dating back as far as the Iron Age, where people used ingenious new ways to control the water supply here in the form of Aflaj and for the Bedouin it was an important stopping place as they moved through the landscape.

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It is the combination of these factors – the incredible geological story of the birth of the mountain, the biodiverse environment it has created, and evidence left by the remarkable peoples who have used the site over thousands of years – that makes the Jebel Hafit Desert Park site truly unique. The tombs and artefacts from the site are testament to how, over many millennia, the ancient peoples living in the area adapted to changing climate conditions and learned how to exploit the many resources in the vicinity of the mountain. This history of occupation reflects many of the major transformations that took place throughout the country over the past 8,000 years. The site boasts a wealth of features, both natural and cultural, of international importance, including geology and fossils from the Cretaceous period; Neolithic sites; 122 Bronze Age tombs; the natural fauna and flora of the Jebel Hafit ecosystem; Falaj systems; Mezyad Fort; and Mezyad Palm Garden. The primary purpose of Jebel Hafit Desert Park is to protect, preserve and present the site’s biodiversity, archaeology and cultural heritage. Activities at Jebel Hafit Desert Park To discover everything Jebel Hafit Desert Park has to offer, visitors are welcome to explore on their own, or avail themselves of the multiple site tours that are given daily. Visitors can sightsee by bike, walk the trails, take a buggy ride or experience a horse or camel tour, making for an adventurous and unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages and activity levels. Three shelters within the grounds are perfect for picnics, and shaded benches are placed throughout for hikers and bikers to rest and enjoy the views.

Those keen to extend their visit can take advantage of the public campsite, spending the night under the stars in a traditional tent (pitch your own, or hire one onsite). There is also a serviced overnight desert camping package, including meals in a Bedouin-style tent and a five-star ‘glamping’ experience in an air-conditioned bubble tent, offering the utmost comfort in a luxurious setting. Location and Directions Jebel Hafit Desert Park is located 20 kilometres south of Al Ain. Head south from Al Ain Museum along Route 21 towards the border point with the Sultanate of Oman. Jebel Hafit will appear on your right after 15 km. The park entrance is just before the border point. Opening Hours Jebel Hafit Desert Park is open daily from November to May. The park is open from 8 am – 6 pm (subject to time of sunset); the campsite is operational 24 hours a day. jebelhafitdesertpark.ae

I advertorial

UltraScape reaches for the sky in Dubai UltraScape’s Mortar Paving System in accordance to British Standard BS7533,the global standard for rigid paving construction has been used to install and joint 15,000m² of paving at the iconic Residences Sky View in Downtown Dubai. Designed by the same architects who created the Burj Khalifa, Residences Sky View is set to become the next landmark in Dubai. The luxurious twin towers are home to a 166 room hotel and 531 serviced apartments with the complex and beautiful Sky Bridge connecting the two towers together. The Sky Bridge is home to world class restaurants, stunning ballroom and infinity pool offering panoramic views of Dubai. Residences Sky View is the epitome of elegant and grand living and so it was crucial that the materials used to create this development were aesthetically pleasing and could withstand the constant trafficking from tourists, visitors and residents. UltraScape’s Mortar Paving System, supplied by Instarmac’s partner in Dubai, Tanseeq LLC, was used to install and joint 15,000m² of paving around the base of the complex. UltraScape’s Mortar Paving System is made up of tested, trusted and proven materials including Pro- Bed HS bedding mortar, Pro-Prime slurry primer and Flowpoint Smooth rapid set flowable grout. Pre-blended for ease of use, Pro-Bed HS fine bedding mortar provides the ultimate laying course for all types of paving. It can be laid from 10mm – 75mm, is shrinkage compensated and can be opened to foot traffic in just 12 hours, allowing contractors to move on to the next part of the project quickly.

Formulated to provide an exceptional bond between your paving element and Pro-Bed HS, ProPrime slurry primer eliminates costly failures caused by general wear and tear and heavy load bearing. To complete the installation, Flowpoint Smooth rapid set flowable grout was used in Charcoal to joint the selected pavers. Flowpoint Smooth is a flowable grout which allows for large areas of paving to be grouted quickly. Suitable for joints from 3mm to 50mm and as deep as 200mm, Flowpoint Smooth has been developed over a number of years to provide a durable finish which will not crack or stain – even in the extremely hot temperatures in Dubai. With an initial set after just 15 minutes, and a walk on time of one hour, it is unsurprising that Flowpoint Smooth has become synonymous with fast application, cost-effective and robust jointing. Residences Sky View is the latest in a long line of prestigious projects for UltraScape’s Mortar Paving System in Dubai. Other projects include MBR City, City Wal , Dubai Opera House, Bvlgari Resort, Mandarin Hotel, Dar Wasl and Mudon park. Pro-Bed HS, Pro-Prime and Flowpoint Smooth are available throughout the UAE through Tanseeq LLC. To contact Tanseeq please call +971 (04) 361 7199 or visit www.tanseeqllc.com. For further information on UltraScape’s Mortar Paving System please email international@instarmac.com or call Instarmac’s International Sales Team on +44 (0) 1827 254402.

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I book review

Books of interest Design for Outdoor Recreation

Books Description Design for Outdoor Recreation takes a detailed look at all aspects of design of facilities needed by visitors to outdoor recreation destinations. The book is a comprehensive manual for planners, designers and managers of recreation taking them through the processes of design and enabling them to find the most appropriate balance between visitor needs and the capacity of the landscape. A range of different aspects are covered including car parking, information signing, hiking, waterside activities, wildlife watching and camping.

How to Read the Landscape

years of that taking notes of what he sees, everywhere from the Isle of Wight to the Scottish Highlands. This book is the fruit of those years of experience. In How to Read the Landscape, Patrick explains everything from the details, such as the signs that wild animals leave as their signatures and the meaning behind the shapes of different trees, to how whole landscapes, including woodland, grassland, and moorland, fit together and function as a whole. Rivers and lakes, roads and paths, hedgerows and field walls are also explained, as well as the influence of different rocks, the soil, and the ever-changing climate. There’s even a chapter on the fascinating history of the landscape and one about natural succession, how the landscape changes of its own accord when we leave it alone. The landscape will never look the same again. You will not only appreciate its beauty, it will also come alive with a whole new depth of appreciation and understanding.

ISBN-13: 9780415441728 Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Taylor & Francis; 2 edition (August 15, 2008) Language: English Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 8.8 x 10.8 inches Price: 319.00 Dhs.

ISBN-13: 9781856231855

Paperback: 226 pages Publisher: Permanent Publications ( January 12, 2015) Language: English Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches Price: 111.00 AED Book’s Description: According to an ICM poll, 77 percent of UK adults, or about 38 million people, say they walk for pleasure at least once a month. It is remarkable, therefore, that no one has written about the landscapes they’re walking through and enjoying...until now. Patrick Whitefield has spent a lifetime living and working in the countryside and twenty

The Good Garden, The Landscape Architecture of Edmund Hollander Design ISBN: 9781580934152 AUTHOR: Anne Raver PUBLICATION DATE : 20 July 2015 HARDCOVER: 320 pages BOOK DESCRIPTION: This book presents dozens of gorgeous estate gardens across the Northeastern states of the US, approached thematically; individual sections reveal how components such as gateways, paths, pool terraces, bisques and

groves, walls, and borders contribute to lush garden rooms, windblown seaside gardens, calming meadow gardens, intricate formal gardens, and shady tracts of woodland. Over 300 color photographs of beautiful properties in the Hamptons, Connecticut, and upstate New York provide glimpses of the best garden design happening today while breaking down its ideas for the home gardener. Author Anne Raver details how the firm works to envelop visitors in landscapes that feel entirely whole: plantings near architecture create a dynamic entry progression; hardscape features that lead out into a broader garden gradually cede to more natural, living elements; pools are surrounded by gracious swaths of flowers that bloom in sequence as the season progresses to provide privacy for bathers and a sense of quiet seclusion.

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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NEW & CURRENT PROJECTS Tender Name

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Organic Agriculture Development

Development of Organic Agriculture.

Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

267

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Ministry of Agriculture (Lebanon)

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Supply and Installation of irrigation network for Menjez hill lake.

Ministry of Agriculture (Lebanon)

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Supply and Installation of Irrigation Network.

Ministry of Agriculture (Lebanon)

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Maintenance of Gardens and Green Spaces in Bish (Stage 2).

Municipality of Bish Province (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

2800

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Project for Operating and Maintaining Crops.

Qassim Municipality (Saudi Arabia)

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United Nations Development Programme UNDP (Lebanon)

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Plantings Care

Supply of Care for Plantings.

Ministry of Higher Education (Oman)

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Provision of works for Lebanon Agriculture and Rural Empowerment (ARE) Activity.

US Agency for International Development USAID (Lebanon)

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King Abdul Aziz Military University (Saudi Arabia)

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2/28/2020

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Saudi Arabia

3/4/2020

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Muscat Municipality (Oman)

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2/5/2020

3/16/2020

Providing Workers

provision of works for Providing Workers for the Project to Control the Red Palm Weevil in Al Buraimi Governorates.

Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (Oman)

Oman

12/12/2019

1/8/2020

267

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March 2020

Articles inside

Al Faya Lodge

Ornamental trees

Creating an oasis in the desert

World class Polo stables

Theatre by the Red Sea

Cramer’s new battery technology for the industry

A piece of living public art

Lessons from the terraces

Women in Landscape