March 2023

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EDITOR’S NOTE

In our March issue, we’ve focused on both new build and renovated residential projects with stand-out landscape design. Our cover story is by NGS Architects, the team behind a garden villa project in Dubai Hills Estate. Their brief was to create more space within a modern minimalistic style. See page 14 to see the surprising results.

Another residential project worth mentioning is the property known as ‘the Ray White Residence’ located between the Jordanian capital Amman and the hillside town of Salt. Landscape architectural firm, MK Associates worked on the sustainable landscape design and construction and said the name of the property is a reflection of the project’s design philosophy and its emphasis on natural light and white materials. See page 28 for more details.

It’s also been a busy month for announcements of mega-projects in the region, including Saudi Arabia’s Murabba project, expected to be the world’s largest modern downtown area when it’s completed in Riyadh in 2030. At its center will be a new landmark tower the “Mukaab”, standing 400m high and taking inspiration from modern Najdi architectural style. The new downtown area is expected to have sustainability as its core theme, and hence feature a number of green areas, including walking and cycling paths.

In Dubai, Expo City bosses announced their vision for the legacy expo site with two major residential developments, Expo Valley and Expo Central Mangroves, both projects are said to promote a cleaner, greener, nature inspired way of life for residents when it opens in 2026. Expo Valley will feature villas and town houses and have a ‘Green Spine’ running throughout the development, which includes dedicated car-free zones and native animals such as Gazelles running free. Read more on page 6.

We also have projects from Miami, Uruguay and Istanbul featured in our March issue.

Enjoy the issue!

Please email us admin@landscape-me.com if you would like to have your company’s landscape projects featured in the magazine.

Managing Partner: Ziad Maarouf Amine

Copy Editor: John Hampton

Administrative Assistance: Sarry Gan

Art Director: Ramon Andaya

Contributors: Jimena Martignoni, Nabil Sherif, Susanna Vissani, Yazan Mahadin, Emily Mclelland

Printed by: Al Nisr Publishing LLC

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Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport Inaugurates Al Masar Park in Khalifa City

The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), announced today the opening of Al Masar park in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, the public park that offers an integrated and exceptional experience for residents and visitors of the emirate. The inauguration ceremony was attended by H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, H.E. Dr. Salem Al Kaabi, Director General of Operational Affairs at the DMT, H.E. Saif Badr Al Qubaisi, Director General of Abu Dhabi City Municipality, and H.E. Hamad AlMutawa, Executive Director of Operations Affairs Sector at DMT. Also in attendance were other senior officials from the department.

The park provides additional amenities for leisure and entertainment, aligning with DMT’s strategy to increase green spaces and public facilities to enhance the quality of life in the Abu Dhabi emirate. The project is in line with Abu Dhabi’s urban development plans, promoting sustainable development and delivering qualitative projects that position Abu Dhabi as a preferred destination for living, working, and visiting.

The new public park offers a wide range of facilities and amenities, including a multipurpose sports playground equipped with spotlights and featuring beach volleyball, badminton, and basketball courts. The new park boasts a 2.1-kilometer jogging track and is adorned with 2,841 trees, 58,000 shrubs, and ground cover plants. Additionally, it features parking lots with a capacity for up to 97 cars, including four designated spaces for individuals with disabilities.

EXPO CITY DUBAI SET TO REDEFINE SUSTAINABLE URBAN LIVING WITH NEW RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES

Expo Valley and Expo Central Mangroves will promote a clean, green, nature inspired way of life for its residents when it opens in 2026

Ahmed Al Khatib Chief Development and Delivery Officer Expo City Dubai

Expo City Dubai has launched the first phase of Expo Valley and Expo Central – its new residential developments that plan to redefine urban living within a smart, sustainable, people-centric city of the future.

The innovative new residential developments are integral to the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and will be central to the transformation of the sprawling expo site, featuring 10km of cycling tracks, a 5km running track, children’s playgrounds and 45,000 square metres of parks and gardens.

The City “will serve as a blueprint for the way we live in the future — a best-in-class example of sustainable, regenerative, connected community living” said Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer at Expo City.

I URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Expo Valley will lie adjacent to the main World Expo site and will overlook a nature reserve, lake and wadi, according to Expo bosses.

“Combining care for the planet with the health, wellbeing and happiness of its residents. Its smart, sustainable villas and townhouses are dispersed throughout an undulating native landscape that overlooks a nature reserve, lake and wadi, with its unique topography creating a micro climate that lowers temperatures and provides a natural buffer against noise and dust.” Residents of the new expo communities will benefit from car-free lanes, dedicated tracks for cycles and e-scooters, as well as farm-totable dining and retail options, with easy access to all the attractions of Expo City Dubai via a ‘green link’ corridor for pedestrians, cyclists and autonomous vehicles.

The first phase of the neighbourhood consists of 165 units – a mix of five-bedroom independent villas, four- and five-bedroom duets (semi-detached villas) and three- and four-bedroom townhouses, with prices starting at AED 3.4 million.

I URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Expo Central, located at the heart of the legacy city of the World Expo, consists of three apartment clusters, each with its own design philosophy and target audience. Mangrove Residences is the first cluster to launch, with its three towers offering incredible views of Al Wasl Plaza and Jubilee Park and within a five-minute walk from the city’s facilities and attractions.

The first phase comprises 450 luxury and premium residences, priced from AED 1.2 million,

include one- to three-bed apartments, four-bed loft apartments and three-bed townhouses, all providing smart, tech-enabled living environments and access to podium gardens and sky terraces. Mangrove Residences features pedestrian-friendly avenues, vibrant, green public spaces, swimming pools, play areas, gyms, retail and F&B, with all the convenience of a new urban community at the doorstep. Two more clusters – Sky Residences and Sidr Residences – will launch in the near future.

The New Face of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia to build the world’s largest modern downtown in Riyadh with an iconic landmark “Mukaab”at its center

The New Murabba project plans to build the world’s largest modern downtown in Riyadh, contributing to the city’s future development in line with Saudi ‘s Vision 2030, adding SAR180 billion to non-oil GDP and creating 334,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to the company. Sustainability will be a core theme of the project as it features green

areas, walking and cycling paths that will enhance the quality of life of its visitors by promoting healthy and active lifestyles. It will also feature an iconic museum, a technology and design university, a multipurpose immersive theater, and more than 80 entertainment and culture venues. A 20-minutes drive from the airport, the New Murabba project will offer

living, working and entertainment experiences within a 15-minute walking radius and will even have its own internal transport system. Situated at the intersection of King Salman and King Khalid roads to the North West of Riyadh, it will expand over an area of 19 square kilometers, to accommodate hundreds of thousands of residents. It will offer

more than 25 million sqm of floor area, featuring more than 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, and more than 980,000 sqm of retail space, as well as 1.4 million sqm of office space, 620,000 sqm of leisure assets, and 1.8 million sqm of space dedicated to community facilities.

The focal point of the new downtown area will be the “Mukaab”, an iconic

landmark standing 400m high and featuring the latest innovative technologies. The cubic shape of the “Mukaab” will ensure the ultimate utilization of space to accommodate the technologies necessary to develop the building, which will be inspired by the modern Najdi architectural style. It will encompass a tower atop a spiral base, and a structure featuring 2

million sqm of floor space that will house a multitude of restaurants, retail, cultural and tourist attractions, along with residential and hotel units, commercial spaces, and recreational facilities. Due to be complete in 2030, the project is part of PIF’s strategy to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors and diversify sources of income for the Saudi economy.

GREAT THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

NGS Architects take us on a journey to showcase a family garden in the Golf Grove, Dubai Hills Estate

Before NGS Architects design a project brief for our clients, we like to understand them first and really get to know their story. In this case, we saw parents who worked hard over the years and were devoted to giving their children the best life possible.

After living in an apartment on Sheikh Zayed Road for many years, the family purchased a beautiful end of row villa in Dubai Hills Estate, Golf Grove. NGS had a restricted timeline to design and build the Interiors, roof terrace and landscape to fit the family’s needs so they could move in.

NGS’s introduction to this family was through referral, and as we do with all our clients; we ask them to trust us, to be open to new ideas and allow us to marry both the project brief and our vision in order to produce an exceptional design and build outcome.

The garden space was initially small and constricted by unnecessary steps and landings which didn’t allow much room for variation. The brief was to create more space within a modern minimalistic style, it had to include a BBQ area, and seating area, and abide by a restricted pallet of materials, as well as play with different levels, light and water.

NGS proposed to have two water features, one at the entrance of the villa as a show piece, and one at the rear of the villa in order to add a simplistic feature that subtly blended in with the landscape. We played with levels, raising the front water feature and having it cascade down the steps, stretching the side platform steps to reach the garden area and forming a terrace at the back neighboring wall creating a seating area covered with a custom pergola to view the beauty the garden has to offer. We increased the play and grass area by demolishing the steps that were there to have access from the living area and only allowed access from the dining area. NGS included pergolas to the landscape area, as well as the roof terrace and also gave the option of a BBQ area to both ground and roof levels for different entertaining experiences. The perimeter planter box stems from our signature design which holds an abundance of exotic, colorful plants and trees offering a fresh resortlike feel. The color pallet was more neutral tones with the perimeter walls and pergolas to the side of the villa mimicking the same color

to the aluminum frames of the villas windows; we also added a mirror to the entrance to enhance a reflective experience contributing to the grandiose experience the garden as a whole has to offer.

The client requested for a distinctive design feature for the steps at the rear of the villa; we then created curved levelled steps to compliment the straight and curved lines of the project emphasizing a quintessential harmony between these two design features.

The client was consistently cooperative and this allowed for us to go beyond the projects expectation to create an amazing space for them and an experience that they can enjoy every day through by enjoying the garden accessories and the additional structures we added.

A journey is truly measured by its success in achieving what was desired and delivering beyond the expectation. We delivered, we fostered great relationships along the way and we created a refined space positively impacting their life and lifestyle.

Sacromonte, Craft Wines & Landscape Hotel

A blend of pleasure, respite and beauty in the hills of Uruguay

By Jimena Martignoni

Photo: Tali Kimelman

In October 2019, Decanter —the world’s leading wine media brand— described Uruguay as “South America’s under-discovered jewel: a patchwork of predominantly boutique-style and family-owned producers” and, among other few images, it featured this striking panoramic view of Sacromonte, Craft Wines & Landscape Hotel. Later, at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards, the Sacromonte Vineyard won both Gold and Silver Medals and was presented as “a sustainable luxury wine and hospitality project located in Uruguay’s most vibrant wine region”.

The luxury, in fact, is the landscape of the Eastern Sierras where this vineyard and hotel shelters are placed; as carefully and beautifully crafted as its medal-winning wines, the site offers a blend of pleasure, respite and the most amazing views of gently rolling land at the highest location (Sierra de Carapé, 500 MASL) of the smallest nation in South America. With an area of 176,215 square kilometers and a population of about 3.5 million, bordered by the largest countries in Latin America —Brazil and Argentina—, Uruguay definitely is a jewel.

Both the country and the sierras region were chosen by Peruvian entrepreneur Edmond Borit to revive his family viticultural tradition, originally started in France by his grandfather, to create not only the greatest local vineyards but also a hotel that would not be a hotel but a short number of “shelters” dotting the green local setting. In 2013, subsequent to an in-depth research on the most adequate conditions for growing wine grapes in Uruguay, which revealed that the sierras’ soils were indeed the best local terroirs, he acquired a 100 hectare-site. After further in-detail studies and once he defined he would only use five hectares for the entire vineyards’ area (and actually discarded the idea of also growing olive trees because that would mean a huge change in the local natural environment –with 25 hectares as a minimum size required), he hired landscape designer Roberto Mulieri with the intention of developing a holistic and unique master plan. In 2015, they started visiting the site on a regular basis and the site’s survey was carried out over a whole year.

“When we started conducting the site visits — says Mulieri— the area was almost inaccessible, the hillsides were covered with dense and shrubby vegetation and the only way to get there was through a dirt road. But the owner’s objectives were very clear

and the potential of the site was fantastic”. Based on these existing conditions, the landscape design team —in close collaboration with specialists such as geologists, biologists and agronomists— conducted a geological survey, a flora and fauna census and also a study on the local cultural context and history. As a result, an overall data analysis established the basis for the master plan and the landscape planning main decisions, considering and including both the natural conditions of the site and the local cultural knowledge of the area. Past overgrazing had caused high levels of soil degradation; in this regard, all possible references obtained from locals meant a good source of information for the land restoration practices that the design team established as an initial stage.

From a landscape concept perspective, the productive character of the site had been originally and essentially defined with the incorporation of the five hectares of vineyards, thought out to be the soul of the project; personally chosen by Edmond Borit and especially brought from France, the plantation includes six different grape varieties. However, offering a unique wine tourism destination and a relaxing rural experience for travelers was also a main condition for the project. With this idea in mind, Roberto Mulieri explains that after

Photo: Leonardo Finotti

A bird-eye view of part of the vineyards, one of the reservoirs and the “Vineyard” shelter

CRAFT WINES LANDSCAPE HOTEL

Cno. La Guillermina Km 7 Sierras del Carapé Maldonado, Uruguay 34º31’14.2”S 55º03’31.1”W T.

The 100 hectare-site with the connecting trails, the creek, reservoirs, viewpoints, the three vineyard areas and the four shelters. The project leaves almost 90% of the natural landscape, untouched.

Drawing by MAPA Arquitectos.

the land clearing and grubbing, the road construction and the design of an accordingly consistent access to the site, the landscape proposal’s focus was about creating an itinerary or a “journey” through different key spots in the Sacromonte grounds. In this way, the landscape project would bring back to life the nature of the site and would enhance some of the existing scenery, allowing the visitor to have a dynamic and very vivid experience; the incorporation of viewpoints and productive-related “stations” such as the orchard and the henhouse, would add some specific new small areas of interest and natural places of contemplation. (Thoroughly planted and with a great and precious variety of vegetables, the orchard supplies the on-site Sacromonte restaurant where Chef Tupambaé Cámara creates daily unforgettable multi-course meals using seasonal ingredients).

In line with the conceptual layout of “discovery trails” and special areas opening onto the landscape, the project incorporates the shelters at four very diverse locations on the hill slopes. Named after the exact area where they are placed and crowning four plateaus with different attributes —Lake, Vineyard,

Sierra and Horizon— every one of the current shelters overlooks a specific natural scenario with respective stunning views. The sunset time with colorful changes in the sky and the night hours, ideal for stargazing due to inexistent light pollution, turn into additional great possibilities for landscape observation and relaxation.

Another important aspect of the landscape project was water. On the one hand, two water reservoirs shaped as lakes were incorporated into the site, both for aesthetic and functional purposes. On the other, a stream that was concealed by the existing woodland was added as part of a different walking circuit, separate from the main road that connects all shelters and with the reception area. The lakes, known as “tajamares” in Uruguay, were constructed at existing lowland areas in the site, in order to respect and take advantage of the natural slopes as much as possible. Following topographical studies and local precipitation measurements, these earthen reservoirs implied a five meter-deep excavation and the use of local clay for waterproofing. The “Lake” shelter is placed on top of the largest reservoir and offers a particularly bucolic view that changes at sunset, when the water becomes a mesmerizing mirror and reflects the

The “Lake” shelter is on top of the largest reservoir. The water supply for the irrigation of the vineyards is the main objective of this water body.

Photo: Tali Kimelman

evening sky, commonly referred to as the golden hour; regarding functional needs, the water supply for the irrigation of the vineyards is the main objective.

On a romantic note, the existing brook was actually found while working on the site, at initial stages. “We heard the sound of water flowing and we kept exploring the area until we discovered this charming creek surrounded by pristine vegetation” —explains landscape designer Mulieri. Based on the research that was conducted with the aim of knowing and listing the local flora, the project for the stream does not add any new planting and only works on the recovery of existing species found both at the bed and the shores of the water body. At some points, where the stream finds its way downhill or at some natural clearings where visitors can make a short stop, the design team included a few pieces that serve as marks and as outdoor furniture. The “rumas” are vernacular constructions made of piled logs that were discarded during pruning and clearing processes and afterwards reclaimed; this traditional technique was used both by the landscape designers for the construction of the bench backrests alongside the stream and by the architects for the back façades of the shelters.

The architectural layout for the “landscape shelters”, which provides guests with a one-of-a-kind type of accommodation, made part of the final stage of the planning process. The Montevideo-based office MAPA Arquitectos was in charge of the design and implementation of these box-like pieces that appear to be floating above the landscape.

“At the time we stepped in and we visited the site, we knew that the design proposal should be thought out from a very integral perspective —states Mauricio López Franco, a partner at MAPA Arquitectos—, considering the overall site conditions and the guests’ preferences for this kind of niche tourism.”

Originally, the owner’s plan envisioned two 120 m2houses; however, the architects presented a proposal that not only partitioned the buildings’ areas but also created an alternative design intimately integrated into the land. First, they decided to have four buildings, every one of them covering 60 square meters and offering a more suitable scale for wine-loving tourists looking for a relaxing vacation and an all-embracing nature experience; second, they created one single piece that would be repeated across the landscape, meeting

Photo: Leonardo Finotti

Every one of the four shelters overlooks a specific natural scenario with stunning views, duplicated on the main façade.

construction and transportation efficiency needs and, primarily, offering a consistent language and one that would make the surrounding landscape the project’s protagonist.

In order to find a highly sustainable project’s implementation method the architects’ team carried out a comprehensive cost benefit analysis and weighed different options; having studied also the access road possibilities and average dimensions of local industrialized architecture, they chose a 12 meter x 6 meter-module that always presents the exact same interior design and the same appearance on the landscape.

The modular metal structure introduces two very different façades: the main façade, composed by a one-way mirror sheet that covers the cabin while generating an unreal and magnetic reverberating effect, and the back façade which is made out of a system of piled logs that recreates the regional “rumas”. Offering both state-of the-art technology and a methodology that honors traditional construction techniques, these shelters become both a sensory experience and a design statement.

As a final key component of the architectural design, there is a transitional piece that mediates between the prefab architecture and the soil, responding to technical needs and to the poetic idea of creating a flowing conversation between the two very different elements. Built onsite with local stones, one meter above gradelevel, and shaped with organic lines that relate to every one of the four natural scenarios and wind/sun exposure conditions, these raised decks that fully open onto the landscape provide guests with a more tailored outdoor design. In this manner, the balcony-like pieces give the visitor the ultimate chance of becoming part of a breathtaking natural enclosing while inhabiting a human scale space: a sense of natural order.

Indeed, not only is Sacromonte about tasting and visual pleasures but it also brings an energetic and spiritual feeling that comes with the possibility of becoming one with nature.

From top to bottom:

•A transitional piece mediates between the prefab architecture and the soil and offers a more tailored outdoor design for guests.

•The main façade is a one-way mirror sheet that reflects the natural surroundings.

•The back façade is made out of a system of piled logs that recreates regional construction techniques.

•Due to inexistent light pollution, stargazing becomes a great possibility for landscape observation.

Opposite page:

The design of the terraces changes according to the shelter’s location.

Photos: Tali Kimelman

Completing the holistic development plan for Sacromonte, one last but invaluable characteristic of the project is the implementation of local hiring. Creating employment opportunities by hiring people living in the nearest towns and rural villages has been a relevant objective from early stages of the master plan and, in fact, one of the key subjects of preliminary surveys. Edmond Borit explains that the Sacromonte grounds include housing for up to fourteen people that work and live at the site, most of them from Uruguay and Peru. Also, neighbor peasants are employed for specific tasks that require a great deal of local knowledge, such as horse caretaking and sheep grazing. “We don’t use mowing machinery —says Edmond— because we want to remain sustainable in as many aspects as possible. With this purpose, we hire neighbors that need ample space for their flock of sheep and we use the animals to cut the grass, so it’s a win-win situation.”

This integrative sustainable approach for both the planning scale and that of the smallest details is what makes Sacromonte, Craft Wines & Landscape Hotel an outstanding comprehensive design and a timeless memorable experience.

Location: Eastern Sierras, Uruguay (514 meters above sea level)

Site’s Area: 100 hectares / Site’s Altitude: 300/360 meters above sea level

Date of completion: 2017/2018

Landscape Architects: Estudio Siempreverde-Roberto Mulieri

Architects: MAPA Arquitectos (Luciano Andrades, Matías Carballal, Andrés Gobba, Mauricio López Franco, Silvio Machado)

Client: Edmond Borit

Photography: Tali Kimelman; Leonardo Finotti

Photo: Leonardo Finotti

This bird-eye view shows the green roof of one of the shelters, the terrace’s design and a small private green area into the vineyards’ landscape.

Ray White Residence:

AHilltopLuxuryOasis

A sustainable residential project in Jordan featuring swathes of natural light and hues of white

By Shaker Khulief and Yazan Mahadin

Shaker Khulief Yazan Mahadin

The Ray White Residence is a stunning residential property situated on a 2,790 square meter site in the Al-Fuheis town, a residential district located between Salt and the capital city of Amman in Jordan. The ultramodern property is located at the top of a hill capturing the panoramic views of the surrounding area and is well integrated into the natural landscape which consists of slopes, plants, and water features.

‘Ray White’ refers to the use of white materials and effects in the design, as well as the way the rays of light interact with the space. The skylights, landscapes, trees, and shrubs allow natural light to enter the residence, creating a play on light and shadow that enhances the overall ambiance of the space. Therefore, the name is a reflection of the project’s design philosophy and its emphasis on natural light and white materials.

Landscape architectural firm, MK Associates played a critical role in creating a sustainable and healthy ecosystem for the property with a minimal carbon footprint. They also considered the climatic region when designing to ensure the landscape provided improved air quality, better water management and soil health. This was also achieved with the use of Jordanian native plants peppered throughout the design to blend in with the natural landscape and promote biodiversity and a natural habitat for the local flora and fauna.

Another key aspect of the planting plan was to design for different seasons of the year. This resulted in a diverse range of plants throughout the year, as well as a constantly changing and vibrant patterned landscape for its residents to benefit from.

The property is composed of two masses that are connected together, constructed using local materials and glass. Both masses are cantilevered above the landscape, with one mass resting on a stone wall that runs both inside and outside the house and the other mass supported by a steel system and structural columns. The house also features an infinity pool that overlooks the stunning landscape. The property comprises three floors: the basement floor, which houses the parking and service areas; the ground floor, which contains the living spaces; and the first floor, which features four master bedrooms, a seating area, and private terraces.

MK Associates collaborated on the project with Jordanian based building consultancy, BIM Lab to create not only a luxurious but also environmentally responsible and sustainable landscape, showcasing the importance of integrating sustainable practices into architectural and landscape design. They created a split-level spatial system to accommodate the topography of the site and address the programmatic need for adaptable spaces.

The property’s large openings provide extensive views of the surrounding landscape, creating a rich experience that blends the building seamlessly into its surroundings. The large expanse of glass also ensures that the house remains naturally ventilated and does not require central ventilation.

The residence incorporates the use of natural resources like the sun and wind. The sun provides natural lighting during the daytime through skylights and generous window openings, and it also heats the water in the bathrooms and kitchen, as well as the pool water. The wind provides cross-ventilation to keep the property cool, ensuring that it is comfortable for its residents even on hot days.

Thinking globally and acting locally is a fundamental principle of sustainable design. The Ray White Residence is an excellent example of how local design decisions can have a positive impact on a global scale. By prioritizing sustainability and working with the natural surroundings, the architects and landscape architects were able to create a luxurious property that respects the environment and contributes to a healthier planet.

Top of Form Bottom of Form

Credits

Design Team: BIM lab team

Landscape Architecture: MK Associates

Structural Engineering: Modern Design House

Mechanical Engineering: ASPECTS Consulting Engineers

Electrical Engineering: BIM Factory

Bridging Past and Future through play

The playground in Tophane Park is a tribute to Istanbul’s unique heritage, blended in a contemporary setting that invites people of all ages and backgrounds to play and enjoy.

Galata port is an urban redevelopment project in Istanbul aiming to transform a previously inaccessible area within the Tophane district into an artistic and cultural hub. As part of this project, Tophane Park offers a mix of historic landmarks, such as the 18th-century Ottoman-style Mahmud-Han fountain, and new developments including the Istanbul Modern Museum and the Resim Heykel Museum.

Galata port, a harbor development in the city center, is located at the Bosporus quai in the heart of Tophane and is flanked by the hip and upcoming Karaköy neighborhood. The Galata port Mall, part of the development, features an underground customs office for the new cruise ship terminal.

Inspiration

In 2020, Carve was asked to design a play area in the historical Tophane Park. The exceptional setting, including a blend of ancient and contemporary structures such as the Ottoman baroque-style building, the Ottoman-style MahmudHan fountain and the modern museum and mall, quickly captivated and challenged our attention to create a playful as well as distinctive design. Our aim was to pay tribute to the peaceful atmosphere of the park and harmoniously connect the historical and new structures within it.

Materials unveil the local history

By embracing the long and rich tradition of Turkish craftsmanship, Carve opted to integrate traditional stone carving and wood carpentry techniques into the design. The use of local materials such as hardstone and wood, along with sand from the Aegean shoreline, resulted in a harmonious material palette that perfectly blends with the surrounding structures.

A sculptural playscape

Inspired by the square shape of the nearby Tophane fountain’s footprint, we sculpted a dynamic and inviting play area that pays homage to both the fountain and the nickname of its patron: Mahmut I “The Hunchback.” During the design process, the shape was stretched and deformed to adapt to the context and one of the original four corners was removed. The resulting configuration looks like it just escaped from the nearby Istanbul Modern museum and it’s envisioned as a sculptural interaction among form, colour, materials, and body.

The playground consists of three areas that cater for different age groups. Each section embraces an inner sandy space where additional adventurous play elements are located. This big sculptural object is also designed for playing and offers several functions (sliding, stepping, climbing, lounging, crawling, performing, balancing), but none are clearly recognizable at first glimpse. Our hope is that children invent new and unexpected ways to play on these dynamic shapes!

Going beyond the ordinary

In designing this project, we broke away from the regular playground concept which relies on directive activities and limited interactions; instead we created a multifunctional element that inspires play. Playing includes more than just specific activities or pieces of equipment. It’s about entering a new world, nourishing imagination and creativity, socializing, pushing oneself to new limits, and discovering the world around us.

Our unconventional approach resulted in a smooth sculptural object, attractive and playful for everyone -kids and adults- subtly recalling emerging ruins coming from the past, yet with a modern twist.

Bridging techniques

To streamline the construction process and ensure coherence of the final construction, we worked together with a local manufacturer to bring our vision to life. The

manufacturer approached the task with a pragmatic and efficient method in order to ensure a coherent final result. During the design and engineering phases, we faced together multiple challenges. For instance, how to effectively build an extensive stone sculpture with many double curved surfaces and various finishes with an outstanding final result? The answer was found in the combination of some of the latest 3D digital techniques with the skilled local craftmanship.

Public pace first, a playground next

At Carve, we see play as a vital component in the public realm. We create environments for people of all ages, groups, and backgrounds. We find it most fascinating when public spaces facilitate various events, encourage user groups to interact, but also serve as a venue for experimentation. The unique thing about Tophane park playground is the surrounding public spaces that continue through it. The playground is not a fenced off area where parents are watching from distance, it is for everyone, open to those who are not afraid to get involved!

Design: 2020

Completion: January 2022

Client: Galataport Istanbul Liman Isletmeciligi ve

Yatirimlari a.s.

Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Design team: Elger Blitz, Mark van der Eng, Jasper van der Schaaf, Lucas Beukers, Wilco Spruijt, Gaia Glereani, Susanna Vissani

Photo credits: Playdium, Susanna Vissani (Carve)

The Perigon Miami Beach

By: Gustafson Porter + Bowman

The Perigon at 5333 Collins Avenue, Miami, is a large residential complex consisting of beachfront dwellings designed by architects OMA and landscaped by Gustafson Porter + Bowman.

The site’s gardens offer stunning views of the ocean and reflect the rich diversity of Florida’s tropical flora in a sequence of ‘garden rooms’

that connect with the Perigon’s elegant interiors. Here you will find four different character areas: the dune terraces that face east towards the Atlantic Ocean; the water garden that is placed alongside the buildings south elevation; the shade garden that connects the entrance to the club house; and the entrance hillside that looks across Collins Avenue to the lagoon. The

combination of curved and rectilinear planters reflect the geometry of the building, while the presence of a soothing, linear water feature filled with aquatic plants adds to the tranquillity of the place. Finally, on Collins Avenue, Palms interlaced with silver buttonwood trees provide shade on the street and announce the entrance to the building.

Client : Douglas Elliman

Project duration: 2021-

Architect: OMA

Landscape architect: Gustafson Porter + Bowman

Books of interest

oUDoLf HUMMeLo

ISBN-9781580934183

PRISE-215.00Dhs.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

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

rooteD in sesiGn

ISBN-9781607746973

PRISE-107.00Dhs.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

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

Ur B an e nviron M enta L Lan D scape

ISBN: 9781864706307

Author: Dieter Grau

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publication Date: (10 Jun. 2015)

BOOK DESCRIPTIONS:

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

With its headquarter in Tokyo, Japan and world class stores spread over countries like America, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Taiwan and now in DUBAI – UAE, Kinokuniya is a globally known book seller of repute. The store in Dubai Mall is a massive 68,000 square feet wide paragon book gallery which stocks more than half a million books and thousand magazines in English, Arabic, Japanese, French, German and Chinese at any given time.

The Store is also a distinct cross cultural hub wide range of time to time multicultural events such a comic art demonstrations, language learning workshops, book launches etc.

The pleasant ambiance, stenographic design and add to it the impressive view of modern skyline – world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, Kinokuniya at The Dubai Mall is just the place to evoke emotions and add pleasure to your book shopping. You may like to visit our website for more information. www.kinokuniya.com

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