‘Flower Tower’ to be unveiled at Outdoor Design Build and Supply show 11.03.2013: Photo caption: The Flower Tower could make a GCC debut as the inaugural Outdoor

Photo caption: The Flower Tower could make a GCC debut as the inaugural Outdoor Design Build & Supply show opens in Dubai this month.


Residential building with inbuilt balcony and façade plants among latest innovations at Dubai outdoor landscaping and gardens event


A residential tower with plants built into façades and balconies could soon be making a UAE debut, when the building is introduced to a captive Mid East audience for the first time at the region’s dedicated outdoor landscaping show this month.
 

The ‘Flower Tower’ is the creation of French architect Edouard Francois, and is designed to be an extension of surrounding parks, blending gardens with concrete and glass, creating an impression that even in urban areas, inhabitants feel as though they are surrounded by forests.


With one building already constructed in Paris, the Flower Tower will be presented by Italian company Teracrea at the Outdoor Design Build & Supply Show, taking place from 25-27 March at the Dubai World Trade Centre.


An incubator of ideas with the aim of encouraging greenery, plants and plant systems to play a leading role in architecture and outdoor design, Teracrea will have a full line-up of innovative solutions from its portfolio at the three-day show, including clay and terracotta pots, vases, trellises, and hydroponics.


The Flower Tower will likely steal the spotlight though, and is expected to be a major draw card for Teracrea, as regional governments and developers step up their commitments to place more emphasis on creating green spaces in outdoor environments.


Lamberto Scalabrin, Export Manager at Teracrea, said: “We believe there is a huge potential for our products both in the residential and project market in the Middle East.”


“Teracrea is a brand new concept of design in the greenery of outdoor environments and the Flower Tower is an extension of this philosophy. The building will be encircled by plants blending perfectly with the surroundings and using centralised automatic irrigation.


“From every room in every apartment, the view will be filtered by plant life, giving the impression that there is a garden directly outside one’s window.”


Partnered with Dubai Municipality, and supported by Municipality of Abu Dhabi City and Al Ain Municipality, Outdoor Design Build & Supply is the only event in the Middle East focusing on the design, build, and supply for all private and public outdoor spaces.


The inaugural edition of the show has witnessed a surge of international and local exhibitors in the last two months signing up, as they look to capitalise on recent announcements that will play a major role in reshaping outdoor environments in the UAE and other GCC countries in the coming years.


The Dubai Municipality has outlined its vision by 2025 to see a quarter of the emirate covered in green space, spanning some 38,000 hectares, while expected legislation this year across the GCC will require developers and contractors to include a minimum of 25 per cent of 'green space' and 'outdoor landscaping' in all residential and commercial projects.


Visitors to Outdoor Design Build & Supply will include government and urban planning officials, corporate project managers and horticulture experts who will give exhibitors the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships while putting them in front of a targeted market.


Outdoor Design Build & Supply is supported by the largest buyers of outdoor products and services.  More information is available at www.theoutdoorshow.ae.




- Gareth Wright, Total Communications Dubai - also photo