Maintaining an outdoor space in the desert can weigh down on your wallet and the environment. Here are some ways you can maximize your outdoor space while also being kind to the land it sits on.

Keep a garden that’s right at home in the desert

As tempting as the flamboyant Bird of Paradise and monstera plants are, their tropical appetites can do some serious damage to your water bill.

When designing your outdoor space, opt for native flora. Think cacti – there are 2,000 species to choose from. Cacti, similar to camels, have evolved to thrive in the desert. Some species can go up to two years without water.

In 2019, The National revealed that a modest-sized lawn gulps up to 36,000 litres of water per month in the summer. Padding your garden with rocks will further reduce the amount of water your desert garden demands.

Prepare for a rainy day with permeable paving

Ask a Dubai resident what the first thing that comes to mind when they think of rain is, and the answer will be flooding. While Dubai rain is rare, prepare your outdoor space for it with permeable paving.

Permeable paving soaks up water, increasing groundwater levels, and reducing chances of soil erosion. Building materials used for permeable paving include pervious concrete, porous asphalt, porous turf, resin-bound paving, stabilized decomposed granite, and bound recycled glass.

Fiona Environs uses responsible materials in its landscape projects, ensuring every project is in harmony with its environment.

Light the path to a greener tomorrow with solar power

All it takes is a short stroll on an August afternoon to understand how powerful the Middle Eastern heat is. Solar power is the main driver of renewable energy in the UAE. The use of solar panels is voluntary in the UAE with plans of making it mandatory in 2030.

Get ahead of the curve by lighting up your outdoor space using solar power. If solar panelling is not an investment you want to make right now, consider low-energy LED options instead.

Bring the outdoors indoor with biophilic design

You will have noticed that turning homes into urban jungles has skyrocketed as a trend. With roots burrowing into 2020, this trend is blooming. Biologist and naturalist, Edward O. Wilson, predicted this in 1984, in his book Biophilia.

Biophilia is the love of life and living systems. Japan has shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and Finland has “everyman’s right” (a law that allows explorers to tread any and all land, free from permission). Humans have an innate passion for nature – of course – given that our species evolved in it.

Green architecture, or biophilic design, prioritizes nature. Using natural light, living walls, and water features – biophilic design has a direct link to health and happiness. Fiona Environs is committed to creating spaces where people, and nature, thrive together. From fundamental design to the use of sustainable material, nature is a cornerstone of our work.