SANGU STORIES, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Landscape Architecture by Vladimir Djurovic

January 20, 2021 Host: Mark Hehir - General Manager Season 1 Episode 4
SANGU STORIES, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Landscape Architecture by Vladimir Djurovic
Show Notes Transcript

The landscape connects the architecture to nature; in this podcast, we are delighted to have a conversation with Vladimir Djurovic from the Vladimir Djurovic Landscape Architects. Discover the style and concept preserving the beauty of the Maldives and complementing the architecture and design by Kerry Hill Architecture.
 
 For any further information or assistance, please contact Aminath.Haadhee@ritzcarlton.com , Marketing Communications Manager.
 
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Mark Hehir:

Welcome back to Sangu Stories. The landscape architecture adds the final touches to the design of the resort, an important component that connects the architecture to nature. We have here today, Vladimir Djurovic, our landscape architect. Welcome to the podcast, Vladimir.

Vladimir Djurovic:

Hello. How are you?

Mark Hehir:

We are so delighted to have you here today. We're going to talk about a really, you know, from ground up. Uh, and I said that literally, uh, of how, uh, the concept came alive in the work that you're doing, uh, in a few details, and we've prepared a few questions for you. Uh, I know it's from a distance and we're all really keen to see you over here, but I must say I just arrived on the island. Uh, I am in quarantine for the next few days, we saw the flyovers of all the landscape and, you know, all the islands are going along really well. Uh, and The Ritz-Carlton is just, you know, our listeners are very excited to hear about the approach and style that you've taken to create the landscape at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. Uh, any highlights you have to share with us

Vladimir Djurovic:

Look. So from the onset, we wanted to recreate a naturally occurring tropical Island, you know, with its lush vegetation and vibrant ecosystems. Uh, we knew that this would provide a natural embrace to the architecture, the singular architecture that Kerry Hill has designed and offer a strong sense of seclusion and privacy. And then of course, many moments of discoveries and highlight will unfold as you experience the island, especially around the public areas.

Mark Hehir:

Right? Understand. So what are the types of flora and fauna that we can expect once the project is completed,

Vladimir Djurovic:

You can expect almost a full botanical garden on display, revealing all the indigenous species that make up these remarkable islands. So, you know, as you know, you start over from the beach crest, uh, you have to all the beach pioneer pioneering plants that you will encounter species likes Scaevola taccada, Pemphis acidula, Tournefortia and Guettarda speciosa, which in common local, uh, you know, names are known as sea lettuce, ironwood octopus bush, and beach gardenias. So these, these, uh, primary plants are extremely resilient plants that are the first colonizers that can take all the harsh wind and salt spray and salt that happen on the, on the frontline, you know, very tough environment. And then as you move forward, uh, the plantation starts to settle and you start getting, ultimately reach the climax forest and some of the island, you have a coconut tree dominant, uh, climax forest, and some, you have regular trees such as hibiscus, cordia and pandanus species. So you will see a full display of, of all the native plants that you see on a natural Maldivian island.

Mark Hehir:

Wonderful. Yeah. So I must say the Magoo, which we call as well locally Magoo, which was the sea lettuce it's really, uh, come alive. It's amazing. Uh, so resilient, as you said, sort of salt, salt air, and, um, it's really filling in the island really well. And, and those coconuts, well, there, they really look like they've been there for, for many years. It's just amazing to think that they've been transplanted into the island.

Vladimir Djurovic:

Uh, absolutely. Yeah,

Mark Hehir:

Yeah. Any special origin and story behind the diverse vegetation of the island?

Vladimir Djurovic:

Well, you know, the origin, if the Maldives, itself, you know, it was mainly thanks to donor islands, that we were able to salvage a lot of these plant communities. These were areas that were going to be, uh, to be built up by the government and they allowed us to transplant the vegetation to our island. And we did so exactly how they occur naturally basically in the trees, shrubs and ground cover. So we took entire groupings together and we use them to form our landscape in the island. All right.

Mark Hehir:

I understand. Wow. The islands of the, of the Maldives are quite unique, uh, and they can be challenging in terms of the, uh, the fertility of the soil and the temperature and the unique approach that was considered to overcome this.

Vladimir Djurovic:

Yes, yes, actually, actually it's easy when you work with nature and not against nature. So as I said before, you think exclusively indigenous plants, these plants are intrinsically, you know, adapted to these conditions. So you are off already to a very good start. The big surprise for us was exactly, as you mentioned, was the rate of adaptation and how fast these plants took root and in just two seasons, they almost already look like they've always been there. Of course. I mean, you know Mark, we have to thank the amazing team on site. You know, I don't know if you met Raymond, Raysinger and Reddies, who has been there for a few years. Yes. He's been leading a team. I mean, they've been working non-stop for the past few years procuring and planting these islands and without them, we couldn't have achieved this amazing

Mark Hehir:

With Ronnie as well. And those guys have done that incredible Job.

Vladimir Djurovic:

Yeah. Um,

Mark Hehir:

And also I noticed there's irrigation, uh, planned, and I know that they're, they're, they're almost set up for the full loop of that, which I guess we'll also have support from our gray water system.

Vladimir Djurovic:

Yes, yes. We, we, uh, we are trying, I mean, we have to irrigate in the first few years to get all the vegetation established and then we will be reducing and reducing, and then there'll be off on their own.

Mark Hehir:

Perfect sustainability. He is an important component to the whole project and Evan and I had a conversation about that. And then we indeed had another conversation with Kerry Hill, uh, and we spoke about, uh, the solar and the choice of woods and these things. Can you share with us, uh, about your approach to reduce the negative footprint and striving for a sustainable future?

Vladimir Djurovic:

Yes. Uh, well, it started with, of using these endemic plants with nothing exotic being introduced into the island. And these plants of course required little maintenance after establishment and certainly no chemicals or pesticides. So that will be out of the islands. And as far as the built-up intervention, anything we've, we've designed and built, you know, we reduce that to the absolutely absolutely, you know, just a few focused areas, where they were needed, leaving the bulk of the Island intact in order to, to thrive and slowly build itself into a resilient and self-sustaining ecosystem. So that was really from the beginning. So we had very little built up areas, built up interventions, and the rest is just green and starting to turn into these, uh, climax forest that will after where you don't have to do anything

Mark Hehir:

Beautiful. You know, we, we were just having a conversation with Jean-Michel Cousteau's team. We've been really lucky to sign an exclusive arrangement with Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassador of the Environment program, which is exclusive for Ritz-Carlton. And we're bringing out the team in the next few months, and they're really interested in all of the flora and fauna that's available on the island. And also they know that when this is well set-up and there's no pesticides and other rodents running excretions into the water that we can have turtles come and lay eggs, and, you know, this whole environment starts to come alive. So I'm really keen on, uh, Jean-Michel Cousteau's team, uh, getting involved in connecting with your team and, um, really working on how all of this beautiful marriage comes together. And, uh, you know, we have a clean, beautiful platform to work from and a great future ahead of us. Thanks for your time today.

Vladimir Djurovic:

Uh, my pleasure, my pleasure, and hope to see you in a live very soon after they spend that into the over.

Mark Hehir:

It's been tough on everyone, but, uh, as you said earlier, your team, uh, with Raymond and Ronnie here has particularly for Ritz-Carlton and know they've been doing great work as a team over in Patina as well. And, um, they've done an incredible job. And when I show people the photos of the resort, they can't believe, uh, the growth. So congratulations on all of that exceptionally, we're just really pleased with the natural feel and the way that the roads have come through as well. And the site is kept so clean. Uh, we really can see, in fact, we'll be bringing our first level of photography soon to do some overall, uh, shots, just to get some of the marketing and media going with social. And we're going to be doing some architectural, uh, flyovers and zoom in zoom outs. And the garden is normally the thing we struggle with in the Maldives having that ready, you know, uh, so our photographer was really pleased that he can get some angles that just, you know, with the beach

Vladimir Djurovic:

Look, Mark. I mean, I tell you when I came with Evan, w I mean, he came and showed me the site and said, where's the site. I cannot see it. It was of course, just water and really in few years to see that image behind you and see that it looks as if it's been there. And of course this was our intent, but we never ever thought it would happen that fast. And, and, you know, I mean, we've always preached about, about Lu using native species, et cetera, et cetera. But to see this, this, uh, tremendous rate of adaptation in soil that was pure salt, almost, you know, this was remarkable for us remarkable.

Mark Hehir:

Mm, no, it's good sign. It's good sign for the start,

Vladimir Djurovic:

At least a little bit of good news. Yes. Good news. Yes. We need some good news.

Mark Hehir:

A hundred percent. Thank you very much. And we look forward to seeing you out here in the Maldives very soon,

Vladimir Djurovic:

Same here, looking forward to seeing you real soon.

Mark Hehir:

Thank you. Take care. Well, I hope you enjoyed today's podcast. Join me next time. When we discover more about The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands.