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Please tell us about your family and educational background?
What inspired you to get involved in the landscaping industry? |
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Jigyasa Balachander |
Environmental responsibility, sustainability, carbon footprints and water conservation are the big issues affecting the landscaping industry at the moment. How do you ensure these key factors are incorporated into your work without sacrificing on the overall design and layout of a project?
The above mentioned Environmental issues have become a Prerequisite to the design process in today’s context and for the future as well. These principles actually complement the overall design. Consideration for the above in the design process evolves; design to suit the context of local environment. This key factor can be incorporated by concentrating on use of local flora, ecofriendly materials and water wise irrigation system. Grouping of plant species having similar water requirement helps to avoid wastage of water. Incorporation of the local culturural elements also helps to reduce the use of Hardscape and provide definition to the designed space without any sacrifice to the overall design.
Please tell us about your family and educational background?
I grew up in Gondia, a district place in Maharashtra, Central India. My parents being literature and science teachers provided an artistic and logical approach towards life. I have a bachelor degree in Architecture from Nagpur University and then I moved to New Delhi to get my masters and then M.phil in Landscape Architecture & Natural resource management. After education, I worked for the State Government’s, Delhi Development Authority as Landscape Consultant, where I was involved in one of the finest landscape projects of the Country. I’m also married to a landscape architect and we moved to the UAE as a family to develop our careers internationally and build extensive knowledge of environmental sustainability, in one of the fastest growing regions in the world. Presently I’m with Mirk Architecture & Engineering Consultants and involved in landscape construction works for a world-class project, Sofitel Resort, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.
What inspired you to get involved in the landscaping industry?
History of Architecture has always been my subject of interest. The development of Mankind and Community systems, impacting the land and environment is an interesting morphology.
The contemporary social and environmental conditions possess a dynamic impact on environmental and conservation practices. These associated dynamism and challenges inspired me to become involved in the industry.
Environmental responsibility, sustainability, carbon footprints and water conservation are the big issues affecting the landscaping industry at the moment. How do you ensure these key factors are incorporated into your work without sacrificing on the overall design and layout of a project?
The above mentioned Environmental issues have become a Prerequisite to the design process in today’s context and for the future as well. These principles actually complement the overall design. Consideration for the above in the design process evolves; design to suit the context of local environment. This key factor can be incorporated by concentrating on use of local flora, ecofriendly materials and water wise irrigation system. Grouping of plant species having similar water requirement helps to avoid wastage of water. Incorporation of the local culturural elements also helps to reduce the use of Hardscape and provide definition to the designed space without any sacrifice to the overall design.
Do you think that the scarcity of water in the region has put pressure on landscape architects to create more Hardscape with arid desert plants and trees that can withstand the heat?
Yes, water scarcity in the region has put pressure on landscape architects to meet client’s requirement for an exotic and decorative landscape. However, availability of TSE and adapting water wise landscape techniques minimizes the pressure.
If so, do you agree that the need for water conservation and less irrigation will have a negative impact on your creative abilities when it comes to designing ‘green’ landscape?
Landscape in this region, has always been inclined towards exotic and decorative appearance. If the Design is in response to the Cultural Landscape, than water conservation and less Irrigation would not have a negative impact.
Which projects have you been most proud of throughout your career and why?
In India the project “Habitat appraisal and rejuvenation of animal enclosures” at National zoological park, New Delhi has been a project close to my heart and I am most proud of it. The project’s aim was for effective zoo management through animal enclosure design considering their behavior and requirement for Natural Habitat. The project aims to conserve, educate and raise awareness towards the natural habitat of the animals.
In Dubai working with GCLA and with my present firm, I have been given the opportunity to work on the world-class large-scale projects, also making me proud of my involvement.
If you could create your dream project, what would it entail?
Design of a Conservatory for the Rare and Endangered species of animals and plant species which would act as an interpretation centre for information and knowledge. The project aims at survival of species and natural systems along with an opportunity for the community to modify their behavior towards them.
As a woman in a male dominated profession, what has been your experience working in this field in the Middle East?
The People in the Middle East landscape industry whom I have come across are very distinguished. Work has been always distributed regardless of the person, gender and age. This positive approach has never made me feel that woman in this field are a minority group.
My present firm Mirk Architectural and Engineering services provides a gender unbiased environment to all at work place.
How do you see your field developing in the Middle East? Do you have any concerns, advice, opinions regarding this?
The field of landscaping in the Middle East is optimistic and envisages that it continues to be the same. Regeneration of native plants by local nurseries would increase the choice of choosing native plants for landscape projects. This leads to design development with water conservation principles and the use of salt water for irrigation leading to a sustainable approach.
What advice would you give other women wanting to enter this profession, both here and overseas?
Landscape architecture is a vibrant design profession which applies artistic, cultural, and scientific knowledge to the design, planning, and development of the land. The practice of landscape architecture requires an appreciation and understanding of natural and social processes for a given region, a creative imagination, and a commitment to preserve or improve the environment.
