Green keeping

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The One and Only Royal Mirage Dubai is cited as an example of a project that has been well maintained.

Keeping a landscape true to the original vision is a challenge, but essential if a design is to have long-term value. Lauren Hills takes a look at the role of outdoor maintenance.

On paper or computer, the finished design appears to be near perfection, a studied solution combining aesthetics and functionality.

All too often, however, the design that gets realised is already a departure from the original, compromised by conflicting opinions and tight budgets. Five years on, and on visiting a site, a designer may find that the vision before him bears little resemblance to his original blue print.

Maintenance is integral to sustaining the landscape architect's vision. Once the design is implemented and the ground cover, trees, mulching and paving are all in place, it is only the maintenance that stands between the designer and his original idea. From adequate watering to regular pruning, weeding and waste removal, if a landscape is not maintained it will lose its integrity.

Maintenance is a key aspect of landscape architecture, says Geoff Sanderson, principal of Green Concepts. "People tend to think of landscaping as something you walk away from on completion. As far as I'm concerned, that is just the start. Maintenance teams need to understand the design concept - why a hedge is a certain height. It could be hiding unsightly fire extinguishers for example."

James Balderstone, project manager at Desert Group, the UAE's largest landscape contractor, agrees. "The problem with landscaping is that when you install it, it can look good for the next six months or even a year, but then depending on how well it has been installed or how well it is being maintained, it can start to fall apart."

Once landscaping has been installed, there is typically a period post-construction when the contractor is still involved. After that the client takes responsibility for the maintenance.

Typically they will outsource the maintenance with contract renewal on a yearly basis, but the frequency, as well as the period of time that the contract will cover, can vary.

Consistency

Consistency in maintenance is particularly important. While many clients change contractors or choose to employ their own maintenance service after the initial year-long contract has been completed, both the landscape architect and the contractor agree that, for reasons of continuity, it is best to keep someone who has been involved with the original project on-site for as long as possible.

"We have undertaken projects where we have built and maintained it for a year. Once the time frame is up, we have basically been told that we are too expensive, and another contractor has been awarded the contract. That happens a lot," says Balderstone.

Cost cutting is often cited as a reason for a change of contractor. But any short term savings may be at the risk of longer term costs.

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