About South

We look at sites and listen to our clients, so that we can provide unique and functional design solutions that respond to project context.

With a focus on quality and attention to detail, we also understand the synthesis of competing natural, social and economic forces that is required to achieve well balanced landscape design.

The two founders, Claire Williamson and Christiaan Van Schalkwyk, have been working together in various capacities in and around the Gulf region since 2003. In addition, they bring with them project experience from their respective home countries of Australia and South Africa.

Having originally worked together at a large landscape architectural practice in Dubai, between them they have worked alongside large multi-national consultancies, developers, architects, engineers, contractors and private clients.

MEET THE TEAM

Christiaan Van Schalkwyk

Christiaan van Schalkwyk

Director / Landscape Designer & Horticulturist

Nationality - South African
Qualification - National Diploma in Landscape Technology, Cape Town Technikon, South Africa

Christiaan has over 25 years’ experience working in the Landscape Architectural field, both in South Africa and The Middle East. He has worked on numerous projects of varying scales, including hotels and resorts, palaces, residential estates, public parks, and a number of golf estates. As a Designer and Horticulturalist, his work has exposed him to all aspects of the design, specification, procurement and implementation of both hard and soft landscape materials. Christiaan has also been extensively involved in the supervision and project management of the major transplanting of large palms and trees.

Claire Williamson

Claire Williamson

Director / Landscape Architect

Nationality - Australian
Professional Affiliations - Registered Landscape Architect, Australian Institute Landscape Architects (AILA)
Qualification - Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Melbourne
- Post Graduate Diploma (Planning & Design), University of Melbourne
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Hospitality & Tourism), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

Claire is an experienced landscape architect, being involved in a variety of project types and sizes throughout Victoria, Australia and the Middle East. Having worked in Melbourne for a number of years and then moving to the UAE in 2003, she has seen many high profile projects develop from concept design through to construction.

In a diverse portfolio of work that includes parks, leisure, infrastructure & masterplanning, civic buildings & education and residential landscape architecture, Claire has demonstrated her ability to manage the pre-contract phase of design as well as facilitate site co-ordination and supervise construction. Her knowledge and experience enable projects to realize design intent and achieve a high quality result.

Munzeer Mohamed

Landscape Architect

Nationality - Sri Lankan
Qualification - Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, University of Moratuwa

Munzeer is a landscape architect with over 5 years of professional experience,
having received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the
University of Moratuwa in 2018. He has worked at landscape architecture
consultancies in both the UAE (Abu Dhabi & Dubai) and his home country of
Sri Lanka and is an Associate Member of the Sri Lankan Institute of Landscape
Architects (SLILA).
Contributing to a broad range of projects, Munzeer has worked on memorial
gardens, amusement parks, community parks, commercial developments,
various residential typologies as well as and educational facilities. He is familiar
with conceptual landscape designs, 3D modeling, rendering and technical
documentation. In addition, he is experienced in the preparation and review
of shop drawings, material selection and the preparation of mock ups.

Jun Caiman

Jun Caiman

Landscape Technician

Nationality - Filipino

Jun has comprehensive experience in the preparation of landscape drawings, from graphic representations during the initial concept stages to the technical drawings of detailed design. His skills with production enable quality control and assurance both throughout the pre and post contract phases.

Noel Delos Santos

Noel Delos Santos

Landscape Technician / Site Supervisor

Nationality - Filipino

In both the Philippines and then the UAE since 2009, Noel has gained wide experience in the documentation and delivery of many different landscape projects. He also has extensive experience in the supervision and coordination of landscape construction, ensuring a high quality end product.