Landscape Middle East Magazine - October 2025

In this issue

As cooler days return, this October issue of Landscape Middle East celebrates design that balances purpose, passion, and place. Design is often at its most powerful when it slows us down, when a public space invites pause, a park restores a sense of balance, or a landscape reminds us that progress doesn’t have to mean excess. This month’s issue turns its focus to the people rethinking how we connect with our environments, and with each other. Our highlight story features Rowan D’Arcy of ASPECT Studios, whose work between Dublin and Dubai explores how public spaces can foster belonging in climates where outdoor life is both a challenge and a joy. His philosophy: landscapes should make people feel, not just function. Guylaine M. Raphael of DAR shares a more personal lens on leadership, showing how passion, perseverance, and purpose can guide teams across continents and climates. Her career proves that empathy and excellence are not opposites; they’re inseparable. And finally, we pay tribute to Professor Kongjian Yu, whose “Sponge City” vision transformed the relationship between cities and water. His passing this year leaves a legacy that continues to influence designers who see resilience not as a trend, but as a moral imperative.
Enjoy the issue!