Landscape Middle East - February 2024

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Our cover story this month reveals how outdoor landscapes have been adapted for high-rise living. Whether it’s a skyscraper or a two storey apartment building, people need a connection with nature beyond the standard vertical garden. One of last year’s top trends in Landscape architecture was the use of smart technologies to elevate the design of urban spaces, which is at a premium, to make it more convenient, comfortable and accessible for residents. Sky Hills Residence in Dubai Science Park has done just that — currently under construction, off-plan development stands out for its commitment to fostering an outdoor lifestyle rarely seen in high-rise residences. Due for completion in 2026, NGS architects has ingeniously crafted a beach resort theme, that may be the first of its kind for high-rise buildings. The outdoor recreational area also features a 375m running track that loops around both towers and an elevated lazy river on the east side of Tower 2. Another impressive project worth mentioning for its commitment to sustainable design is the newly opened Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort. With a near perfect natural setting amidst the lush mangroves and serene lagoons of RAK’s biodiverse landscape, I don’t think that LMS were too stretched when drawing up the landscaping plans. They capitalised on panoramic views of glittering waterways and thick-rooted mangrove ecosystems, home to beautiful pink flamingos. The resort was designed to minimize its environmental footprint, with furniture and fittings within the resort crafted from sustainable wood and recycled fabrics and plastics utilized wherever possible. It also has its own greywater waste recycling, harnesses thermodynamic solar panels for water heating, and operates its own water bottling plant to provide local drinking water. We also have an article from UAE based Arborist, Mark Laurence, setting out why it’s so important to have healthy soil for tree planting.