RIGHT MATERIALS
An aspect of sustainability that has risen to the fore is the sourcing of materials, as Wigham explains: “The sustainable sourcing of hard materials – the transportation routes and the cost at source – is now extremely important. For example, if a designer is looking at two different stone products, one might have twice the environmental cost of the other, due to the way it is shipped or quarried. “We used recycled aggregate waste from Dubai Municipality for the temporary car parking at Dubai Rugby Sevens.
Dubai’s recycled aggregate passes all the stringent tests of the engineering institute – it’s a certified type one material.” Esquisse’s Fry reveals the choice of materials in the Al Zeina project: “Local materials are used wherever possible.
Materials have been selected to avoid rapid deterioration, fading, unreasonable staining, rust or corrosion. Hard landscape materials will include natural stone, exposed aggregate paving or loose gravel. “The predominant use of natural stone and timber will
see a series of decorative paving elements using stone and mosaic patterns. A variety of paving types will be used to differentiate between the various pathways.” The selection of incorrect materials for the Middle Eastern
climate is a common mistake made by designers, according to Wigham. He says: “A classic mistake made by many designers that aren’t familiar with the region is underesti- mating the effects of the heat on materials and finishes. “Some architects have suggested using black granite or
metal as the trim for paving around swimming pools. Black granite absorbs so much heat that you would burn your feet on it; if you used metal then people would end up branded. Sometimes it’s quite difficult to convince foreign designers that metal handrails get too hot to touch, or stone seats are unsuitable unless they’re a light colour.” He points out another issue with working in the desert:
“You have to recognise that everything is going to be dusty all of the time and design around that. For example, if you use finished granite then within half a day it will look like concrete. But clients in this region are switched on, as are designers that have worked here for a long time.”
LANDSCAPING VALUE
Fry believes that landscaping should be an inherent part of the design process, and calls for a closer link between landscaping and architecture. “Landscaping should co-exist with architecture – this view contrasts with the current practice of landscaping as an afterthought. By means of architecture, one can define and emphasise open and green environments in a vivid, comprehensible and impressive way, as can be seen in traditional gar- dening techniques of Arabia, Andalusia and Persia.” Stevens adds that emerging economies have tra-
ditionally possessed a lower awareness of landscaping issues than the West. He does, however, point out that the situation is now different in Arab countries: “Traditionally, there was less awareness of ecology in developing countries than in the West and a lack of individual and institutional support for relevant ideas and projects. Often, neither the desire nor the suf- ficient investment to conserve or improve open or green spaces was present. The concept of maintenance and conservation did not exist in traditional societies; however this is changing in Arab communities.” But do developers in this part of the world appreciate
the value of landscaping? For Cracknell’s Wigham, the answer is a resounding yes. “In the UK, landscaping is often viewed as a bit of an add-on to the ‘real world’ of engineering and architecture. But over here, people are a little bit more open minded and less bound by conventional thinking. Clients understand the value of landscaping – many are highly educated and want high standards. My work is far more appreciated here than in any other part of the world. To a certain extent it’s because developers realise that we are creating gorgeous environments from nothing.”
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4 Al Zeina, Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi 5 The Walk, JBR, Dubai
6 Old Town, Dubai 7 The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai 8 Al Sahra Desert Resort, Dubai
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