Leading Dubai based interior landscaping company Planters Horticulture, have again been contracted by Dubai Civil Aviation to landscape Dubai’s new International Airport Phase 2, which is scheduled to be completed in 2007. The contract involves sourcing the specified exotic plants, acclimatizing, storing, and transporting them to Dubai as well as installing the plants according to the landscape design.
A total of nearly 4,000 plants, which includes 46 large and uncommon plant specimens ranging from 2 to 7 metres tall, will be installed in the new airport terminal building. The plants have been sourced from Central and South America, China and USA specifically for the project. Planters will also be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the completed project.
This is not the first time that Dubai Civil Aviation have awarded Planters with a Dubai Airport landscaping contract, in 2000 Planters were also responsible for providing 32 ten metre tall preserved palms for the Sheikh Rashid Terminal in 1999 and in 1986 they also supplied new planting for Terminal 1.
Jonathan Pardoe, General Manager of Planters stated “The concept of the landscape of this project is to create an oasis setting in two areas of the main concourse, this will provide a restful and contemplative garden for passengers to unwind and relax during their journey. The most unique part of this project is the plant selection. Some of these plants have never been seen in the Middle East before and will be a ‘wow factor’ for visitors all around the region.” Mr. Pardoe continued, “We are hoping to achieve a world class landscape which will act as a showpiece for the new airport.”
When asked if they have to work within any restrictions or challenges, Mr. Pardoe replied, “the major trees are extremely heavy and cumbersome, but at the same time very delicate. It requires a huge amount of coordination with the client and other contractors working on site, to ensure the plants arrive at the right time, are handled correctly and planted with the minimum amount of disturbance and stress to the plants. We have a good team of technicians who have a lot of experience in the handling of these types of plants, both in terms of installation and subsequent maintenance. This is essential, because if any of the major plants fail, the cost and disruption of installing a replacement in a fully operational space is immense.”
The installation of the plants will take a month. However, there is a huge amount of preparation and documentation to be handled prior to this. Mr. Pardoe continued “We have to work very closely with the plant growers, client and main contractor on a weekly basis for many months before the plants are even shipped to the UAE. Every intricate detail has to be checked before the plants arrive and it is imperative that the site is fully ready to receive them”.
About Planters
Established in the U.A.E. since 1978, Planters Horticulture specializes in the supply and maintenance of interior landscaping. Our installations range from a small number of individual plants through to comprehensive landscapes. Each installation is designed to suit a given location and budget with almost no restrictions as to the size or complexity. With close to 1,000 ongoing maintenance contracts within the UAE that include banks, offices, shopping malls, hotels, and royal palaces we are now recognized as the leading interior landscaper within the Middle East.
