UAE Archives - Cracknell

Lovebrinth Agustin

Lovebrinth is a Senior Architect Designer with 13 years of experience in design development of both landscape and architecture projects across the Middle East and Asia. In 10 years of practice in the United Arab Emirates she has been involved in large scale projects that mainly focus on concept design development facilitated through high quality graphic masterplans, expert hand sketching and 3d model development. She is passionate about exceptional design, developing ideas and blending creativity to satisfy user needs and connect people with the environment.

Phil Black

Phil leads Cracknell’s Abu Dhabi studio with over 20 years’ experience as a landscape architect and horticulturist within designed and constructed landscapes across the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Phil specialises in landscape design and built environments with a particular focus on environment, art and cultural landscapes. Phil is passionate about all phases of the design process, from concept preparation to detailed documentation and project delivery taking pleasure in solving complex site issues during the construction phase of either small scale urban landscapes or large-scale public realm projects.

Bojan Ilijin

Bojan has over 7 years’ experience in landscape & urban design in the MENA region. An Associate Landscape Architect at Cracknell, he has been involved in some iconic projects. These include the Cultural District in Abu Dhabi to the new leisure & entertainment hub, Aljada in Sharjah, as well as a stunning desert resort in Liwa. Bojan believes that creative landscapes, incorporating architectural shapes & programmatic functions, must stimulate users by inviting them to interact directly with the space. He aims to design cities that make people feel alive & connected to the world & people around them.

New York University

High quality walkable campus at the primary university in Abu Dhabi. Working with Rafael Vinoly Architects, the landscape vision was to use shade and water to create a ‘curated landscape’ that could be used throughout the year, providing collaborative outdoor learning, permanent and temporary exhibition and meeting spaces for students. An activation programme ensures that the functionality and value of the space is maximised.

Upper floors of residences are linked by linear ‘highline’ landscapes and footbridges from which the lower central spine, sculptures, exhibition spaces and grand Palm Court can be viewed.

Robert Conchie

Robert is a Senior Associate – Project Manager, based in Abu Dhabi, with 28 years’ experience within the landscape construction industry in the UAE and Middle East. Robert is Project Manager on the Post Contract team ensuring that the professionally created designs and details, from Cracknell’s design teams, are implemented on site to the required quality and aesthetics and within program and budget, maximising the long-term sustainability and enjoyment of the project whilst protecting the Client’s investment.

Robert’s extensive experience both as a General Manager of contracting companies as well as Project Manager for Cracknell enables him to understand the challenges of project implementation with a fair and rational approach.

Project quality is Robert’s passion, and he strives to achieve excellence in the projects he manages, and to ensure the project team working with him have the same objectives through collaboration, teamwork and mentoring.

Asha Mallya

Asha has over 21 years’ experience in HR and Finance. Commencing her professional journey as a qualified accountant, she soon discovered her true passion lies in fostering collaboration among individuals and cultivating a positive working environment. Leveraging her financial expertise and HR management, with exceptional business acumen, she has built the HR function to effectively support Cracknell’s growth.

Notably, Asha assumes the role of an efficacious team leader, bearing the responsibility of overseeing and managing HR functions with resounding success. Cultivating relationships and trust among her colleagues is important to Asha. Her unwavering belief revolves around creating a supportive working culture that thrives on diversity, inclusivity, collaboration, mutual respect, and recognising the significance of a harmonious work-life balance.

Wasl1

A mixed-use parkside development with hotels and dining experiences connected by an inviting and walkable public realm.

Streetscapes between the areas are vibrant, active, lush and welcoming. The Metro Plaza is the jewel in the crown, where colour and light burst in artistic displays contributing to cohesive identifiable urban spaces.

Desktop Long Image 1380x650 -IMG-W1-CR-Cracknell_3

Desktop Long Image 1380x650 -IMG-W1-CR-Cracknell_9

Desktop Long Image 1380x650 - IMG-W1-CR-Cracknell_7

Mobile Long Image 600x600-IMG-W1-CR-Cracknell_9

Mobile Long Image 600x600 - IMG-W1-CR-Cracknell_7

Mobile Long Image 600x600-IMG-W1-CR-Cracknell_3

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard

Dubai’s most famous street encircles the Burj Khalifa tower in a 3km arc. With the creation of a major new global city came the need to create a Downtown District for Emirates to take pride in, for tourists to cross off their bucket-lists & for the world to recognise as a global centre. The 73m wide Boulevard links the iconic tower, Dubai Mall & other prominent visitor attractions, & residential, commercial & retail developments with an extensive pedestrian esplanade; together with a dramatic lakeside promenade it provides a civic focus for Dubai’s capital city.

The design challenge was to create a world-class boulevard with the same recognition as the Ramblas & Champs Elysee, with activated public realm featuring high-end retail, art & theatre.

Defined by feature paving & aligned with gaps between the buildings, the Boulevard intersections delight onlookers with framed Burj Khalifa views. Themed details such as ramped steps, artwork, stone faceting & water jets celebrate these moments, encouraging socialising & cafe culture.

Solidifying the area’s identity & referencing UAE culture, patternation was developed through optioneering. Created for expression in the paving, tree pits, sculptural settings, ramps & venting details, the pattern was proliferated through all public realm elements so that collaboration on street furniture, kiosks, wayfinding & lighting reflected & strengthened the sense of place.

The Boulevard is trisected, reflecting neighbouring character areas, enticing visitors to explore. With open views of the Mall & Burj Khalifa, the Arrival Area is characterised by low planting punctuated by Delonix regia & its bursts of red flowers. Clear stemmed Pheonix dactylifera palms define the Urban Zone whilst both trees line avenues in the Garden Gateway, underplanted with ample shrubs & groundcovers.

Trees, palms & plants sourced at mature size gave immediate shade. To accommodate for growth, 1.8m wide tree pits were installed. 16 years on, this foresight is providing year-round use with cooling established avenues, demonstrating the importance of urban greening.

With the advent of personal electric transport and the birth of social media, the way we interact with cities, & art interfaces with landscape has changed irrevocably; however the feel of the Boulevard has remained true to the original aesthetic largely due to the success of the guidelines & design.

Photography by Alessandro Merati © Cracknell

Desktop Long Image 1380x650 - IMG-SMB-CR-AlessandroMerati_3

Desktop Long Image 1380x650 - IMG-SMB-CR-AlessandroMerati_4

Desktop Long Image 1380x650 - IMG-SMB-CR-AlessandroMerati_2

Mobile Long Image 600x600 - IMG-SMB-CR-AlessandroMerati_3

Mobile Long Image 600x600 - IMG-SMB-CR-AlessandroMerati_2

Mobile Long Image 600x600 - IMG-SMB-CR-AlessandroMerati_4

Volante Residences

An exclusive collection of 45 luxury residences facing the Dubai Canal and the iconic Burj Khalifa; all apartments have access to the exclusive club bar and lounge terraces that take full advantage of breath-taking views.

There are elegant, shared terraces and courtyards for social gatherings and health & wellness facilities include jacuzzis, saunas and an infinity pool.

Desktop Long Image 1380x780-IMG-CR-Volante7

© Leigh Williamson, Managing Director, Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty

Mobile Long Image 600x600-IMG-CR-Volante7

Sheikha Fatima Park

With a focus on healthy living, sports and getting outdoors with the family, we worked with Benoy to give the local community an invigorating space to get together and have fun.

A network of running trails lined with flowering shrubs and shady trees, mountain bike tracks, pump tracks, sports courts, a skate park, splash pads and industrial style cafés have quickly made this park the place to be.