1. Position Overview

The Landscape Architect is responsible for designing, developing, coordinating, and supporting implementation of landscape architecture works for resort development projects. This role ensures all outdoor environments meet luxury resort standards, align with the overall architectural vision, and are suitable for the Maldivian climate and island setting.

The Landscape Architect will work closely with the Design Team, Project Team, consultants, contractors, nursery suppliers and site teams to deliver complete landscape design packages, detailed drawings, planting and materials selections, irrigation integration, and site supervision support through to project completion and handover.

2. Key Accountabilities

The Landscape Architect is accountable for:

• Delivering landscape design concepts aligned with the project brand, masterplan, and architecture

• Producing complete landscape design documentation for construction

• Ensuring landscape works are implemented correctly on site to approved standards

• Ensuring planting palettes and materials are appropriate for island conditions, sustainability, and maintenance

• Coordinating landscape scope with civil works, MEP, irrigation, lighting and drainage

• Supporting project handover readiness and landscape quality compliance

3. Key Duties & Responsibilities

A) Landscape Design & Concept Development

• Develop landscape concepts and detailed design packages based on project brief and luxury resort positioning.

• Prepare mood boards, concept narratives and presentation materials for internal/partner approval.

• Ensure cohesive alignment between landscape design and:

  • architecture

  • interiors and guest journey

  • marine frontage and beach interface

  • resort identity and brand experience

• Design outdoor spaces including (as applicable):

  • arrival and entrance landscapes

  • villa gardens and outdoor bathrooms

  • public realm landscaping (lobbies, pools, restaurants)

  • pathway networks

  • lighting-enhanced landscape features

  • beach landscaping and dune edge strategies

  • staff/BOH landscape zones

B) Technical Design Documentation & Construction Drawings

• Produce complete landscape architecture documentation including:

  • landscape plans and layout drawings

  • grading/levels integration with civil team

  • planting plans with schedules

  • hardscape plans, detail drawings and sections

  • outdoor furniture/feature placement (as required)

  • irrigation layout coordination inputs

  • landscape lighting coordination inputs

• Prepare tender / IFC packages, technical specifications and BOQs (where assigned).

• Ensure drawings are clear, buildable, and coordinated with all consultant scopes.

C) Planting Design (Island-Appropriate Horticulture)

• Select and specify plant palettes suitable for:

  • salt tolerance (coastal exposure)

  • tropical climate and rainfall

  • shading needs

  • low-maintenance luxury outcomes

  • pest resistance and resilience

• Maintain plant database / palette library aligned with local availability and sustainability.

• Recommend substitute species when procurement constraints arise, ensuring design intent is maintained.

D) Hardscape, Materials & Finishes Coordination

• Specify landscape materials appropriate for resort conditions:

  • paving, stone, sand-set finishes

  • timber decking edge details

  • raised planters, retaining edges

  • beach interface details

• Ensure durability against corrosion, humidity, UV exposure, heavy rainfall and guest traffic.

• Coordinate materials with architecture/interiors to ensure premium and cohesive finish palette.

E) Integration with Drainage, Irrigation & Lighting

• Coordinate landscape needs with:

  • drainage (avoid waterlogging and flooding)

  • irrigation (automatic systems, zones, water efficiency)

  • electrical/lighting (path lighting, feature lighting, safety illumination)

• Ensure irrigation strategy matches planting needs and sustainability targets.

• Coordinate water source planning if required.

F) Site Supervision & Implementation Support

• Conduct site inspections and ensure landscape works are implemented according to approved drawings/specs.

• Review contractor shop drawings, samples, and mockups for landscape components.

• Provide guidance on:

  • planting methodology

  • soil improvement and planting media

  • installation sequencing (protect completed works)

  • garden edge details and finishing standards

• Identify issues early and issue corrections through proper reporting channels.

G) Contractor, Vendor & Nursery Coordination

• Support procurement by preparing technical requirements for:

  • nurseries and plant suppliers

  • soil/compost suppliers

  • landscape contractors and specialist vendors

• Evaluate suppliers for compliance with specifications and quality.

• Support selection and inspection of plants prior to delivery and planting.

• Coordinate logistics considerations (transport, acclimatisation, storage).

H) Quality Control

• Maintain landscape QC checklists aligned with luxury resort standards.

• Conduct snagging inspections and issue snag lists for rectification.

• Support final handover including:

  • as-built drawings (where required)

  • maintenance manuals and watering/fertilising schedules

  • plant care and replacement recommendations

• Support post-handover landscape performance monitoring where required.

I) Sustainability & Environmental Compliance

• Ensure landscape solutions promote sustainable, climate-sensitive design:

  • native/indigenous planting where possible

  • erosion mitigation strategies

  • reducing invasive species risk

  • water efficiency

• Ensure compliance with environmental approvals / EIA requirements where applicable.

J) Reporting & Design Management

• Provide structured reporting to Design Manager/Project Director including:

  • design progress status

  • documentation schedules

  • site progress and non-conformance findings

  • key risks and mitigation plans

• Maintain a structured archive of drawings and revisions with proper version control.

5. Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture (or equivalent)

  • Minimum 5+ years’ experience in landscape design and delivery

  • Demonstrated experience in hospitality/resort, luxury residential, or large development projects preferrably in the Mladives or simillar environments

• Preferred:

  • Experience in island/coastal projects and tropical climate planting design

  • Experience with international consultants/brands

  • Experience preparing documentation and construction coordination

  • Membership in relevant professional body (where applicable)

6. Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong landscape design sensibility with luxury resort aesthetics

• Technical landscape architecture expertise and construction detailing

• Strong knowledge of tropical horticulture and planting specification

• Strong coordination skills across architecture/civil/MEP/irrigation

• Ability to manage multiple packages, deadlines and revisions

• Excellent communication and reporting discipline

• High attention to detail, quality, and finishing standards

• Professional integrity, confidentiality and strong work ethics

• Software Skills (Preferred/Expected)

• AutoCAD (mandatory)

• SketchUp / Primervera P6 (advantage)

• Adobe Suite for presentation boards

• MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

8. Working Conditions

Role requires site visits and outdoor inspections in tropical weather.

Travel toor based in resort sites is required based on project schedules.

Must be available for inspections, mockups and key milestone reviews.