Reshaping the land

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Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre. The unique landscape design was inspired by the Emirates’ rich desert heritage.

Established in Dubai in 1993, Cracknell claims to be the largest landscape and urban design practice in the Middle East region.

The firm offers consultancy services in masterplanning, landscape architecture, concept architecture, urban design, irrigation engineering, horticultural design and project management. It manages projects throughout the design process from initial site masterplanning and concept design, to construction documentation and contract administration.

Commercial Outdoor Design talks with Paul Cracknell, founder and managing director of the company.

You established Cracknell in this region in the early 90s. How has the company evolved since then?

The Dubai office was little more than a one-man band when we started in 1993 as the benefits of having landscape architects engaged in the design process were not fully appreciated in the Middle East region at that time. We have since grown into the largest Middle East based landscape practice and currently have over 160 employees in the region. We opened our Abu Dhabi office in 2004, and are in the process of opening another branch office in Muscat, Oman.

You have been working in the region for a long time. What changes have you seen during this time?

When we started in Dubai, most landscape design was being undertaken by architects and contractors, and consisted of little more than simple pavings, planting, amenity lighting, and the occasional water feature.

With the commencement of the development boom in the mid-90s, our first large commissions were hotel and resort developments including the Jebel Ali Hotel extension, the Jumeirah Beach resort development, the Meridien Mina Seyahi, and the Sheraton Abu Dhabi. The use of landscape consultants on resort developments was initiated by the clients and international operators who were aware from experience of the positive impact of a professionally designed landscape and its importance to the ultimate success of the resort.

It was largely as a result of these projects that other clients and developers became aware of the merits of including landscape architects in the design process at an early stage. Now the landscape consultant is considered an integral member of most design teams and for many development projects where landscape is a key component we are appointed as lead consultants.

What changes have you noticed in client requirements over the years in the region?

Over the last ten to 15 years, the type of projects and clients that Cracknell has been involved with has changed dramatically. As the practice has increased in size, we have tended to work on larger and more ambitious projects both within the UAE and internationally. Many of the larger Dubai-based developers have recently embarked on projects in other countries and we have been fortunate to be appointed on a number of these. Similarly international developers are coming to us based on our reputation with UAE projects in order to work on the developments they have overseas.

These days we rarely get involved in small projects such as villa garden design as it is not economical for a practice of our size. Our project portfolio currently consists mostly of the larger landscape masterplans for the extensive development and ‘cities' currently being planned or constructed in the Emirates.

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