Print this page
Email this to a friend
Discuss this article (0 Comments)Green thinking
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 22 May 2008
zoom
A long-term approach is essential to regional landscaping, says Geoff Sanderson, principal of Green Concepts. Michele Howe finds out more.
Established four years ago, Green Concepts is one of the best-known landscape architecture practices in the UAE.
Part of Consolidated Media Holdings and GRM International, the multi-disciplinary firm has worked on some of the largest projects in the region including the Dubai Creek extension and the Al Raha Beach in Abu Dhabi.
The company currently employs approximately 45 staff, of which 27 are design staff including landscape architects, engineers, architects and horticulturists. It plans to take on a further 15 design staff and boost its headcount to 75 by year-end as it expands its operations.
In addition to offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Green Concepts is in the process of opening an office in Doha, Qatar and plans to open an office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at a later stage.
Despite its growth, the company remains true to its core focus."We do projects through North Africa and other parts of the Middle East, but we will always remain as landscape architects," says principal, Geoff Sanderson. "We're not going to sell ourselves as architects or engineers, it's landscape architecture that we do."
With more than three decades of experience in the region, Sanderson is one of the leading authorities on the changing landscapes in the Middle East.
What troubles him most about the region, he tells COD, is the lack of long-term thinking in regard to landscape and its management. "Over time as the city's new developments age, there will be a replacement factor and authorities will continue to replace with works that will last 15 years, 20 at most. Landscape can't work like that. Trees have got to be there for at least 60, 70, 80 years. And yet it's not in the minds of many people, they don't think that far ahead," he says.
"It is this long-term strategic vision, in relation to the aesthetic character of the city landscape that I'd love to see."
Which projects are you working on in the region at the moment?
There are many but, as examples, we are working on the landscape design of Aldar's Al Raha Beach development and the new Midfield terminal of Abu Dhabi Airport. We have recently completed the landscape for Dubai Creek extension with Halcrow and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). In Qatar, we are working on the redevelopment of landscape for the Intercon hotel.
How important is maintenance to landscape architecture?
People tend to think of landscape, once it is built, as something that is finished and you walk away. As far as I'm concerned, that is just the start. Unless somebody knows what the design intent was, for example, instead of the hedge staying at a certain height, it grows too high and blocks whatever is behind it, because no-one has ever explained what its role is and why it needs to be kept at a particular height.
How well does this work in the Middle East region?
It doesn't work well enough. There is a defect liability period after construction and during that period the landscape contractor is still involved and they have to rectify anything that is deemed to be unsatisfactory. The landscape architect usually continues to be involved in that phase by making monthly inspections.
READERS' COMMENTS
MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM
TOP IN MIDDLE EAST CONSTRUCTION & INDUSTRY
TOP MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS STORIES
ALSO IN MIDDLE EAST CONSTRUCTION & INDUSTRY
RELATED STORIES
Green Concepts
| 5 stories- Form and function
2 Jun '08 | Comment - Understanding the hotel landscape
2 Jun '08 | Comment
Mobile
EMIRATES ID DOWNLOAD
