Life & Style | Home & Interiors
Terraverde: For a greener garden
With the much-coveted title of Landscaping Contractor of the Year, Dubai's Terraverde LLC is becoming a household name among Dubai's elite homeowners
- By Helga Jensen-Forde, Contributor, InsideOut
- Published: 00:00 October 1, 2009
- Good landscape design, whether it be of a practical or of a decorative nature, can add value to any home
- Image Credit: Supplied
Having ameliorated gardens in both commercial and residential properties all over Dubai, including some of the most prestigious homes in Emirates Hills, Palm Jumeirah and Arabian Ranches, partner and managing director of Terraverde LLC, Nehme J. Moujaess and his team have become familiar personalities around town.
Following the accolade of winning Landscaping Contractor of the Year at the Facilities Management Middle East Awards, it seems that the company is certainly on the right track. So what is Moujaess' secret? Is it because he is an eye-popping Diarmuid Gavin style whizz around the garden, or does he prefer to keep things a little more demure?
"As designers we appreciate all styles and trends, as they represent the evolution and transformation of landscaping throughout history coming to the present," admits Moujaess. "Ultimately the landscape must be tailored to the client's needs and incorporate their requirements and personal tastes. Different aspects do come in and out of fashion, but successful landscape designs are a realisation of the client's vision. When it comes to creating the ideal garden, the more meaning associated with the foundation and accents utilised, the more impact the garden will have."
Impact is something that Terraverde have created quite a lot since they launched in Dubai in 2004 and, while much of this can be accredited to the company's dynamic and innovative approach, it is also largely due to their passion for the environment.
"At the Facilities Management Awards, the judges were particularly impressed with our passion to ‘ensure a sustainable legacy for generations to come', and our efforts to implement organic solutions wherever possible," says Moujaess. "We hold ourselves responsible for our actions and how we can make a positive impact on future generations. We campaign for sustainable landscapes with an appealing atmosphere, that are in harmony with the local climate, and require minimal resource input. The most effective way of achieving a sustainable landscape starts with an appropriate design that is functional, cost-efficient, aesthetically pleasing, environmentally-friendly and easy to maintain."
Indeed, something that more people than ever are realising is that the right landscape design proves financially lucrative in the long-run. "We find that people are strategically looking to add value to their homes by enhancing the exterior to generate increased market value," says Moujaess. "A well-designed garden is an investment that will continue to give back for years. A great design will not only add value to the environment and living space but also give the garden a theme and a purpose."
With astute homeowners recognising the benefits of a well-planned garden, the team at Terraverde continue to be busy enhancing the local landscape. Where does all this inspiration come from? "We find beauty from nature and all creation and strive for ways to capture this essence for each garden we create," claims Moujaess. "Every garden starts with a concept design that translates the client's requirements, style, and vision into an outdoor living space that will be implemented and executed to the highest standard," adds Moujaess. "Every project is a challenge in its uniqueness as there is no cut and paste when it comes to garden design. There is an identity for each project, a style for each client, and a budget for each requirement."
While budgets may vary vastly, does Moujaess have a favourite garden? "Every garden is a favourite, and special for its own character, style, and special features," he says. "Each garden is beautiful and unique in its reflection of the owner's personal style. Each individual project is cherished and remembered in a different way."
It is this sense of satisfaction that makes Moujaess' career such an enjoyable one. "I enjoy enhancing areas where people live, work, and play. This motivated my move into a field where I could truly change the way people feel when enjoying the outdoors," he comments. "The reward comes from seeing something you have created from scratch come to life in a unique finished product that will continue to grow, change, evolve, and interact with the living space."
One thing that Moujaess would very much like to see, however, is more of this outdoor living space around cities in this area. He concludes, "There is great potential in the region for landscaping as there is a need for greener areas to counteract all the construction. Green spaces have the power to breathe life into a project and soften the concrete, making any area more comfortable."
Many of us will, no doubt, agree with these sentiments, but with the dedication of Moujaess and his team at Terraverde, there is certainly hope that one day we could well enjoy a greener city.
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