10 Landscaping Experts You Should Know

CW Staff , July 28th, 2010

With an abundance of open spaces, the UAE presents a wealth of opportunity for landscape professionals throughout the country.

The climate doesn't make things easy but with considered planting plans and a thorough understanding of the local demands on resources, landscape architects are able to fine tune modern architecture with a local natural flavour.

Below, and over the following few pages are 10 landscaping experts with a deep knowledge of the UAE and its specific requirements for lush natural environments that also make the most of a limited supply of water for irrigation.

They're the people that are called in for some of the largest and most demanding jobs going in the UAE, and they should be on your call-lists too. The list is presented in no particular order.

Deffufa Décor
Deffufa Décor is a company that provides design, execution and maintenance for projects including high-rise buildings, parks, roads, bridges, roundabouts and schools.
The company minimises water consumption by using plants with minimal water requirement and implements appropriate irrigation systems and water retaining additives.
The company was named fmME Landscaping Contractor of the Year during this year’s fmME awards.

Contact details:
Address: PO Box 90118, Dubai
Tel : 00971 4 263 9554
Fax: 00971 4 263 9556
Email : deffufadecor@gmail.com

Al Ryum/Arco General Contracting
Al Ryum General Contracting has six companies under its belt. Three companies are based in Abu Dhabi including Al Ryum Contracting, which specialises in construction, design and landscape solutions; Arco International, which offers landscape maintenance and maintains around 75% of Abu Dhabi; and Al Ryum Trading, which supplies a range of projects including sports surfaces and irrigation products.
Dubai also has a landscape solutions provider (Arco General Contracting), as well as Arco Electromechanical and Arco Tech Trading.

Contact details
Tel: +971 4 339 0995
Fax +971 4 339 0996
Email: Contact@arcocontracting.com
Web : www.arcocontracting.com

3 Square
Formed in 2006, 3 Square is a Dubai-based company specialising in interiors but also deals with landscape designs and installations.
Most of the company’s projects are private residential villas located in places such as Dubai Sports City. 3 Square also has a potential green roof project coming up but details are being kept under wraps.

Contact details
Address: PO Box 212306, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 321 55 92
Fax: +971 4 321 55 91
Email : ideas@3square.ae
Web: www.3square.ae

Terraverde
Terraverde is a professional landscape contracting company based in Dubai and is specialised in creating outdoor living spaces combining natural elements with style and design.
The company was awarded the honour of fmME ‘Landscaping Contractor of the Year’ in 2008 and 2009, for its implementation of innovative landscaping maintenance, including the conservation of natural resources.

Contact details
Address: PO Box 38240, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 344 3228
Fax:+971 4 344 6650
Email: info@terraverde.ae
Web: www.terraverde.ae

Cracknell
Cracknell was established in Dubai in January 1993 and in London in 1987. It is registered with the Dubai Municipality and the British Landscape Institute.
The company offers master planning and urban design, landscape architecture, concept architecture, irrigation engineering, horticulture, project management and construction supervision.
It is currently working on projects such as Abu Dhabi International Airport, a sustainable housing development in Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Central Market.

Contact details
Address: PO Box 66231, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 344 5417
Web: +971 4 349 3675
Email: dubai @cracknell.com
Web: www.cracknell.com

Proscape
Established in the year 2000, Proscape has seven companies under its belt catering for various landscape requirements in the Middle East.
Since 2006, the company has worked on a number of Dubai’s high profile developments such as the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, Mirdif City Centre and Victory Heights. The company is also charged with services provided for the Jumeirah Beach Residence development, including the 2.2kms of Beach Road that has been landscaped, 26 water features, imported trees from Italy, Indonesia, Egypt and India, street furniture and lighting from Italy and other parts of Europe.

Contact details
Address: PO Box 3151, Dubai
T +971 4 333 8855
F +971 4 333 8831
E info@proscapegroup.com
W www.proscapegroup.com

Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls Global Work Place Solutions offer a full range of real estate and facilities management services. Landscaping design and maintenance services are provided through its total facilities management model.

Contact details
Address: PO Box 32459, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 331 7770
Fax: +971 4 331 2806
Web: http://www.johnsonscontrols.com

Greenpeople
Greenpeople introduced its synthetic lawns in the Middle East six years ago and has been implementing them into commercial, residential and sporting developments ever since.
Lawns are made in the USA and custom made for the Middle East’s climate. They are UV resistant, recyclable and require no water to maintain them.

Contact details
Address: PO Box 37096, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 347 6197
Fax: +971 4 347 6198
Email: sales@greenpeopleme.com
Web: www.greenpeopleme.com

Green Concepts Landscape Architects
GCLA is a global Landscape Architecture Studio made up of International Designers includingspecialists in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Engineering, Urban Design and Project Management.

As a leading design consultancy in the Middle East, GCLA is recognized for its innovation, creativity and regionally significant design. Our focus is on sustainable design and our current projects range from Masterplanning and Urban Design through to design and documentation of Streetscapes, Public Open Space, Palaces, Heritage Projects and Boutique Hotels & Resorts.

The company was appointed to provide landscape architectural services for the The Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Staybridge Serviced Apartments constructed prior to the staging of the first Formula 1 event in the UAE on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi last November.

Other major projects include the landscape concept and detail design of Tunisia Sports City for the Al Bukhatir Group, and the landscape design of ALDAR’s Al Raha Beach plazas, marinas, waterfronts, parks, playground, promenades and parking areas in Abu Dhabi.

Contact details
Address: PO Box 211373 Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 50 451 6017
Fax: +971 4 340 7231
E: info@greenconcepts.ae
W: www.gcla-international.com

Fitco
Fitco is a locally established distributor of irrigation systems representing manufacturers from the US, Australia and Western Europe. For more than 20 years it has been supplying products from K-Rain, Hit, Orbit and Grisworld Controls to businesses, contractors and home owners in the Middle East. Products include pop-up sprays and nozzles, sprinklers, control systems, pressure control valves, hydraulic valves and filters.

Contact details
Address: PO Box: 1678, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 222 1217
Fax: +971 4 228 9130
Email: fitcoind@emirates.net.ae
Web: www.fitcoirrigation.com