6 minute read
Creating an oasis in the desert
from March 2020
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
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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”.
A modernized majlis The client’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.
“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 daylight”.
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.
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.
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.
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