10 Feature STAR METRO, SATURDAY 21 APRIL 2018

2018 landscape trendsAccording to of LandscapeArchitects Malaysia,these are the landscapetrends for this year. . \

to keepwith .timesLandscape architecture design provides solutions.to social economic and environmental problems

concept integratingtion into the design of u openspaces or livingenvironments.This serves to connect andeducate the public about plantswhich are edible yet aestheticallypleasing for landscape and evenlocal consumption purposes.

By JADE CHANjade@thstar.com.my

TRENDSand styles evolve over ._time, including landscape architec- '.ture design.

The practice changes to suit cur-:rent social needs, responding to .surroundings and shaping the life-style people live in.. "Landscape architecture used tobe about placing trees and having'individual green space. It is nowabout creating an environmentand integrating greenery with, other elements," said Institute of 'Landscape Architects Malaysia(flam) president Assoc Prof DrOsman Mohd Tahir .''The idea of a 'park then would

be where to place gazebos, foot-paths and plants; A park couldhave engineering, social, economicand environment problems thatcould be solved using landscapesolutions."

For example, he said, a retentionpond designed to address stormwa-ter runoff or flood managementissues could, at the same time, belandscaped into a park.

'''this creatively and innovativelysolves problems by incorporatingboth aesthetics and functionality,"explained Osman.He cited River of Life (ROL)as an

example of a project solving multi-ple issues.The project is aimed at trans-

forming the Klang River into avibrant and livable waterfrontwith high economic value.

Osman said ROLturned the riverinto a space for people to enjoy theoutdoors, provided a solution for .flood and water quality issues, andgave life to a river with thrivingflora and fauna.

"All towns and cities start with ariver. As a city grows, people willignore the river and throw rubbishinto it, making it a nuisance.

''They later realise that the riverplay-san important role in the city's .development and the need to revi-talise it..

c "ROLgives a positive impact toKuala Lumpur as a world-classcity," he said, adding that landscapearchitects played an important rolealongside engineers, architects andother professionals in a project.According to him, other iconic

projects that made an impact on, ,Malaysia's landscape infrastructure

inherent human inclination toaffiliate with nature. Biophilicdesign, an extenston ofbiophllia, incorporatesnatural materials, natural -light, vegetation, views ofnature and other experiencesof the natural world into themodern builtenvironment.

This concept injects greenery into.spaces where nature has been, reduced due to rapid urbanisa-tion. It incorporates a more.unkempt look,with overgrownplants and less managedlandscape, to create a forest-likefeel.

The use of materials such as untreated bricks, flooring and walls, unpolishedconcrete within buildings and hardscapetreatments bring a touch ofmodernity and lower maintenance costs to the design. Seen here is anexample of the raw and seasoned concept used at the BigDutchmanregional head office and warehouse in Bandar Bukit Raja, Klang.now an usage

outdoor spaces in gardens andpurposefully landscaped spaces forleisure, socialising and relaxation.Outdoor rooms or a confinedlandscape area can double up asactivity or quiet spaces withininnovative landscape designs.

Awareness of landscape 'architec-ture trends also affects the educa-tion aspect, he said, as the curricu-lum has to be adjusted to ensuregraduates keep up with the times._ "Students need to come up withnew ideas, look at things in a dif-ferent manner and meet industrydemand," said Osman, who is also 'the dean of Universiti Putra 'Malaysia's Faculty of Design andArchitecture.

He said flam sets the steward-ship and roadmaps as well asadvances the landscape architec-ture profession. .

''The institute offers continuousprofessional development pro-grammes for professional land-scape architects and related spe-cialisations, such as green infra- 'structure, green innovation, greentechnology, stormwater manage-ment and skyrise greenery," hesaid, adding that some pro-grammes are done with partnerorganisations.

He said. there were about 300landscape architecture graduates ayear, with an employability rate of

. 85%. -He was speaking at an intervIew

held ahead of the MalaysiaLandscape Architecture Awards(MLAA)and flam Gala Night.'This year marks the 10th edition'

of the annual event that recognises

Osman says landscape architectureis about creating an environment:while integrating greenery and otherelements.

and economy were KLCCPark andTaman Tugu.

"KLCCPark sets the standard ofa park functioning as a connectorby linking it to building's aroundthe area. This has multiple benefits- socially, economically and envi-ronmentally.

"Taman Tugu will have a greatimpact to the development ofKuala Lumpur. Having an urban ,forest with a dedicated amount ofspace to greenery is beneficial topeople."

effects, stand out amidst a lush,green backdrop. Designs withsplashes of contrasting coloursare often used for garden .elements, design features and.motifs, making these striking.elements stand 'out.

The 'ground tothe sky' designelement seam-. lessly connectsground levels torooftop gardens,and providescontinuousgreen spaces forpublic enjoy- ..ment. Seen here, is Laman PKNSin Section 14,Shah Alarn,

. connects ground levelstojooftop gardens, andprovides continuous greenspaces for public-enjoyment.This can be achieved via a,ramp or meanderingpathway that leads from theground to a green space on arooftop.

STAR METRO, SATURDAY 21'APRIL 2018 Feature 11

, ~.: > ~_--, ~",

The River of Life is seen as an example of a projectthat solves multiple issues, giving a positive impact toKuala Lumpur as a world-class city; - filepic

Ov~1.curved and irregular lines and shapes have taken centre stage as they create a less formal feel to a landscape design, Seen here isVerdi Condominium property in Cyberjaya. '

quality landscape architecture ,work, projects and professionals.

"MLAAstarted off by recognisingselected professionals for their con-tributions at the InternationalFederation of Landscape Architects(IFLA)Congress held in Malaysia in2007. ' ,

"As integration and collaborationwith stakeholders became moreimportant, we saw the industry asone and started recognising devel-opers, contractors, researchers,local authorities and the media for 'their efforts," he said, ,

MLAAis held in April to coincidewith World Landscape Architecture~onth. '

'The awards and MLAAyear-book honour the best projects anddesigns from the previous year." 'These have a huge impact onthe industry as they serve as a

benchmark for quality and stand-ard for landscape development .:They also give an idea of what thepublic needs and values they wantin landscape development," headded.

New to MLAA2018 is a categoryto recognise international projectsdone by non-Malaysians, as Ilamfelt it would raise the industry'sstandards.

He said the quality of awardsoffered by MLAAwas linked tothe National, Landscape Policy,which is for Malaysia to be themost beautiful garden nation by2020.''In conjunction with the IFLA

Congress; which Malaysia will nexthost in 2020, we are looking at for-mulating a new Landscape "'Architecture Agenda 2050 to pavethe direction for our profession

and to playa more influential rolein national development," he said.

"Malaysia's current population is .about 31 million, but it is projectedto reach 44 million by 2050, withmore than 90% living in urbanareas and cities.

"People will still need space forrecreation and living, but land willbe a commodity by then. It is still amust to have greenery, whetherhorizontally or vertically.

"We will also have to deal withissues such as urban heat island,climate change, food security andoxygen production," Osman added.

Realising the issues and needs tobe faced in future, Osman said theagenda would pave the directionfor the landscape architecture

. practice and for Ilam to playamore influential role in national

- development.The KLCCPark sets the standard of a park functioning as a connector bylinking it to buildings around the area. This has multiple benefits - socially,economically and environmentally. - Bernama