We are thrilled to announce that last night we received three project awards for our landscape design work in the MENA region and our Group Design and Technical Director Rajan Dewan received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Landscape ME Sustainability Awards Ceremony at the Atlantis The Royal in Dubai.
At a ceremony befitting of the prominent and important role that landscape architecture has played in the MENA region, our resilient and water efficient landscape for the Museum of the Future, Dubai was recognised in the Tourism and Retail category. In line with the Museum’s ethos – a place where ‘people can see, touch & shape our shared future’- the landscape presents the latest innovation in green wall/steep slope technology. Smart IoT technology monitors and controls irrigation needs and suspended irrigated root zones collect & recycle excess water providing a lushly planted ‘hill’ – an arresting counterpoint to the urban context. Steps & walkways encourage exploration of a unique city view from a native landscape of grasses & acacias, creating a memorable journey under one of the ‘most beautiful museums in the world’. (National Geographic 2021) The scheme’s success is evident in its opening annual visitorship of over 1 million people from 163 countries.
Our landscape of learning influenced by Arabesque gardens at the House of Wisdom, Sharjah was honoured in the Landscape Art and Landmark Legacy category. Based on 4 pillars of Heritage, Culture, Environment & Education, the House of Wisdom’s landscape design extends the project’s cultural influence in creating a repository for important books, & celebrates Sharjah as 2019’s UNESCO World Book Capital in recognition of the Emirate’s literacy promotion. The building’s scale & formality are complemented by a series of screened geometric landscape ‘rooms’ & shaded courtyards – the knowledge garden, educational garden, poetry garden, Arabic calligraphy garden & play areas – the sequential journey through which provides opportunities for education on the UAE’s diverse culture, heritage & environment.
The lofty Summer Garden and activated community setting of ICD Brookfield Place, Dubai on which we worked together with Townsend Landscape Architects received an award in the Urban Landscape category. Lauded for its focus on well-being & sustainability, ICD Brookfield Place is a multi-functional work/retail environment in DIFC. Centred around a 53-storey building, the character is informed by the urban setting; the verdant landscape softens lines, creating vibrant vistas into & out of the space. Detailed hardscape reflects design quality whilst a huge entrance-statement Rain Tree & mature treed avenues lend contemporary streetscape design & a calm green setting for working & socialising. Four acres of public realm promote physical activity and movement, providing direct access to nature for positive mental wellbeing and the 31m high ‘place-defining’ indoor/outdoor Summer Garden is activated by a leading arts/events program for memorable and culturally-enriching experiences that contribute to a sense of community
And we were very proud to see our Group Design and Technical Director Rajan Dewan receive a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award. Rajan has been at Cracknell for nearly 25 years; his valuable input in design and construction detailing has been instrumental in achieving the company’s quality and sustainability objectives to create sustainable communities by conserving natural resources and investing in clean energy. Congratulations Rajan!
These awards could not have been achieved without our clients, project stakeholders and fellow design teams with which we collaborate so closely in the pursuit of a successful project outcome.
Museum of the Future: Killa Design (Architect); Buro Happold (Civil/Infrastructure Engineers); Cracknell/Buro Happold (Lighting Design); BAM International (Contractors); Desert Landscape Co. (Landscape Contractors); Museum of the Future (Client)
House of Wisdom: Foster + Partners (Architect); Aurecon (Structural Engineer); Cracknell (Landscape Lighting)/Delta Lighting(Architectural Lighting); Collaborating Architect (Shurooq, Aurecon); RLB (QS); McLaren (Contractor); Sharjah Investment and Development Authority – Shurooq (Client)
ICD Brookfield Place: Townshend Landscape Architects (Lead Landscape Architect); Cracknell Landscape Design (Executive and Construction Landscape Architect); Foster + Partners (Lead Architect); BSBG Group (Executive Architect); Robert Bird Group (Structural Engineer); Speirs+Major (Lighting); AECOM (MEP/Project Management); Proscape (Landscape Contractor); Brookfield Multiplex (Main Contractor); ICD Brookfield Place (Client)
