ABOUT US Over the past 15 years project design work has taken Polis Group beyond New Zealand to exotic places like Qatar, Malaysia, China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, India and South Africa. Landscape planning of large tracts of land, architectural design within the public realm, and the design of urban areas have all featured in our portfolio. Our involvement with projects in the Middle East has allowed us to provide design solutions that incorporate indigenous and sustainable qualities in both building and landscape projects, as well as providing modern solutions in rapidly developing locations.
shared design goal through collaboration. This blending of knowledge and expertise in allied disciplines invariably leads to the adoption of well-grounded design principles, ultimately reflected in a harmonious and successful end product. Our company is often faced with optimising the benefits of development for our clients, while still maintaining a wider stewardship of environmental features and values. As facilitators of land planning and design, we are well placed to create places that have meaning, function and a sensitivity for environmental and social purposes. The end result of our work is about creating inspirational places and communities.
Thom is a director of Christchurch based architectural firm Thom Craig Architects LTD (TCA Ltd) with 35 years of experience in New Zealand, South Africa, England, Asia and Middle East. As a previous Director of Warren and Mahoney and MAP, Thom has received more than 30 NZIA awards to date.
As our Middle East based business development manager, Roslan is an experienced mechanical engineer, consultant and project planner.
Masterplanner and Landscape Architect. Over 35 years experience in projects throughout New Zealand, Malaysia, China and Middle East. Invited guest speaker at IFLA Congresses. Past Chairman NZILA (Canterbury Branch ).
Roslan has also worked and lectured in Malaysia and New Zealand.
HANMER SPRINGS NEW ZEALAND At New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular tourist attraction, a thermal alpine wonderland has been created. The design embraces an abstraction of nature using local materials, colours and vegetation. Elements include the design of streams, pools, planting, shade structures, rock work and bridges.
AL BAYT STADIUM QATAR The Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar will become a centre piece for the 2022 Football World Cup. The stadium landscape will impact a powerful message. The design inspiration is based on an abstraction of the Arabian desert with the plaza being located on the high plateau with wadis running off the plateau as waterfalls which form oases and give life to plants. A sadu pattern within the paving creates a local identity which complements the stadiumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indigenous pattern. Our seamless approach to this project integrates the disciplines of landscape, architecture, lighting, irrigation and engineering into a comprehensive and coherent whole. The project was undertaken in conjunction with QDC Engineers, who managed the design process.
The various designs for the restaurants, kiosks and activity nodes enhance the spirit of this place beyond the focus of the 2022 World Cup. As with the design of the main stadium building, these various ancillary structures maximise the functional use of their varied enclosures with the use of macro and micro scaled outcomes that includes the use of master planning, materials, structural solutions, and interior ‘drama’. That delivers a flexible design that supports the intended design use.
Note: Concept plan only. Areas are approximate and subject to final scheme plan & survey.
K ATARA PARK QATAR As part of the competition, the design for this 50ha parkland in Doha, Qatar has been strongly influenced by nature itself. It will be a parkland of topographical features, a stream with ponds and falls; trees and shrubland; and a complexity of small spaces with paths to encourage adventure. The design proposes a rich image of shade and shelter, of recessively placed buildings in a modernised and naturalised community for the introduction of bird life. It will symbolise a retreat from the world to a cool oasis which will foster harmony and enjoyment. The naturalistic forms celebrate the sound and sight of water, emphasises the spirit of harmony in nature.
GRAND HERITAGE HOTEL QATAR The early 18th Century English garden served as the principal design influence for the design of the Aspire Hotel in Doha, Qatar. The design is structured by water and path axes with parterres, pools and foundations, follies, a band rotunda, boat house, a maze, pergolas, copses of trees and undulating land forms. The project was undertaken in conjunction with QDC.
K ATARA MALL DOHA, QATAR Located near to the Doha seafront, this is a high quality mall with retail shops and fine dining restaurants for locals and tourists to enjoy. Our role was to assist QDC with the entrances, car parking and landscape design throughout and give a sense of grandeur.
AL EMADI VILLAGE DOHA, QATAR CGLA played a key role in the masterplanning and design of the streetscape and open space in this urban development in Doha. A large outdoor space for fine dining, promenading and socialisation. Classical elegance portrayed with landscape components of bridges, pergolas, plants lighting and water. An outdoor cooling system will allow for usage during hot conditions.
DOHA SK ATE PARK QATAR Polis Group has recently delivered a design for Dohaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary public skate park, set into a newly developed part of the Corniche area. Construction is currently progressing. The design caters for a range of abilities from beginner to advanced, also integrating planting, seating and shade elements into the design.
DOHA PORT STADUM QATAR The Doha Port FIFA World Cup Stadium will be an exciting, sustainable waterfront venue for spectators and players. The stadium design is an innovative, sustainable demountable design. Once removed, the surrounding landscape and seafront will become a stunning, vibrant framework for legacy projects to be built around. Spaces surrounding the stadium will provide green oases with canopy trees, enclosed courtyards for shade and relaxation. Use of water draws a connection towards the ocean and the seafront where recreation, play and delight are fused together to create a vibrant, exciting public space.
DOHA CORNICHE QATAR Polis Group has recently undertaken conceptual work for an extention to the Corniche in Doha. The work focuses on access and seafront improvements along a 3km stretch of the Doha coast, which connects the Doha Port World Cup Stadium to the existing corniche. The design incorporates several nodes of activity which include public spaces and facilities including shade, play, kiosks, cafes, fan zones, an ecological reserve area, boardwalks, and use of existing features such as jettys and pontoons.
MT COOK NATIONAL PARK NEW ZEALAND The design at Mount Cook Village has created a distinct and attractive area with a sense of arrival for visitation. Connections and linkages are established with the surrounding facilities through roading and pathways. The use of local materials and colour schemes integrates the design into the environment. For housing units, an indigenous alpine landscape has been created with the mounded periphery. The use of boulders, woodsets, bridge beams and alpine shrubs as landscape features help to relate the place to its context.
CAIRO HOUSING EGYPT The Kasbah includes the design of Egyptian vernacular architecture in a modern idiom incorporating gardens, shade and water with different styles and densities of housing.
ALMARAI BOTTLING PLANT SAUDI ARABIA This proposed development to the NW of Riyadh for a fresh water bottling plant is based around a central shaded forecourt and water feature. This provides the focus for the overall development which includes a museum, offices, conference facilities, mosque, production, bottling plant, and housing, linked to the development by a landscaped spine.
EAST COAST TIANJIN CHINA This coastal location of a 10ha mixed use and multi-storied village includes apartments, open space, retail, roading and car parks. The design is based on the mythical journey of Odysseus, from Homer’s “Odyssey”. Objects such as the dolphin shaped pools, cave, lighthouse and tapestry garden were included from the story into the site.
CHRISTCHURCH SEAFRONT NEW ZEALAND The design incorporates a mix of recreational and aquatic facilities for all ages, coastal defences and dune restoration. The splash park and playground, opened in 2017, is a hugely popular destination as well as a regeneration catalyst along the seafront and commercial area. The hot pools facility is on track for completion by the end of the year.
MULBERRY RESORT CHINA Set amongst Mulberry and Walnut trees, this resort has many facilities for tourists to enjoy as well as the natural beauty of huge Limestone mountains with shear walls, forested slopes, and Macaque monkeys nearby. Water is a theme throughout. We worked in conjunction with a local Chinese architectural company to undertake the conceptual design.
KUALA LUMPUR ADVENTURE PARK MALAYSIA Kuala Lumpur Adventure Park is set in central Kuala Lumpur beneath the Telecom tower amidst a tropical rainforest. Our design for this park is a multi-purpose one, with an escalator transporting people from the busy street to the hilltop where they can enjoy the many recreational features such as bungy jumping, reverse bungying, treetop walkway and flying fox. It is a delightful setting in which one feels far from the noise and clutter of the surrounding city.
WELLINGTON STADIUM NEW ZEALAND The 35,000 seat circular sports stadium caters for rugby, soccer, cricket and concerts. Positioned as a gateway structure to Wellington city, the building also acts as a linkage to all of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transport infrastructure including rail, air and sea.
UNIVERSITIES MALAYSIA This collection of university campuses around Malaysia addresses climate, topography, materiality and culture inputs. They all derive a unique sense of place for higher education and learning.
PARRAMATTA TOWERS AUSTRALIA Two elegant ‘shimmering’ minimalist towers slide though a 4 storey podium, hovering 3 floors above the ground. The podium provides the necessary ‘edge’ to the square as well as an elevated ‘roof’ extension to the transit hub/station. The roof of the podium is grassed. Two large water features provide ambience and cooling opportunities for the square development and two transit sky lounges link the Towers.
JB OASIS MALAYSIA The 90 storey mixed use skyscraper in Johor Bahru acts as an iconic gateway beacon connecting Malaysia to Singapore. This building consists of offices, hotel and apartments above a 5 storey retail and commercial base.
MASTERPLANNING, HAIKOU WEST HAINAN ISLAND CHINA The urban design and development of this 52km2 long coastline required a holistic design approach to planning, architecture and landscaping. The contents of the masterplan included new towns, resorts, marinas, a commercial area, iconic buildings (aquarium, museum and port terminal), ecological areas, new roads, lakes and canals, and housing areas.
RYELANDS ESTATE NEW ZEALAND Ryelands residential subdivision was planned and designed to enhance Lincoln township by incorporating its delightful attributes. A substantial width of open space is now provided alongside the spring-fed Liffey Stream between the groups of houses and adjacent to recreational areas. Features include tree-lined streets, water retention ponds, elevated boardwalks, informal footpaths, recreation (tennis courts, playgrounds and social spaces) and native planting, all providing linkages through the development and connecting the stream and play areas to the residents.
HOTELS & RESORTS NEW ZEALAND This page illustrates the range of hotels and resorts designed by Polis Group. The range includes three lakeside resorts at Tekapo, and hotels in Queenstown and Dunedin.
PRIVATE RESIDENCES NEW ZEALAND These examples of the bespoke houses shown, all respond to the uniqueness of place, climate and the individual aspirations of the different owners. A variety of material selection, and forms coupled with a rigorous attention to detail has been acknowledged with numerous institute awards for our clients.