Introducing Margaret – and Why Landscape Architecture Isn’t Just “Nice to Have”

If you’ve ever walked into a home and gasped at the view from the window— how the trees are placed just so, or how the light catches a quiet corner— you’re already feeling the power of landscape architecture.   We’re thrilled to welcome Margaret Pluta as Nellis Architecture’s first dedicated Landscape Architect. And this isn’t just a milestone for our team— it’s a mindset shift.   Born in Poland, Margaret’s journey into design started with hours of sketching as a child and long days spent outdoors with her grandfather, learning how to grow, trim, and respect plants. “That planted the seed,” she says, and it eventually led her to study both landscape architecture and urban planning.   So, what is landscape architecture?   “People often confuse it with garden design or just planting,” Margaret explains, “but it’s much more than that. A landscape architect brings structure, flow, and technical precision to outdoor spaces. We consider how people use a space—whether it’s sitting, walking, playing, or simply viewing from inside—and design for that lived experience.”   In a region like the UAE, where temperatures can soar above 45°C, the challenge is even more nuanced. “You might only use your garden in cooler months, but you still see it year-round. So the views from your windows become important focal points. Even in summer, a garden should feel alive.”   From Chelsea Flower Show to the Desert   This year, Margaret attended the iconic Chelsea Flower Show in London for the first time. “It blew my mind. The detail, the materials, the speed at which full gardens were built—it was a masterclass in design.”   But it’s the work in the UAE that excites her just as much. “Turning desert into something green, even slowly, is powerful. There’s a move toward sustainability here. People are more conscious of using local, drought-resistant plants and minimising water use. You can still create beauty—just with intention.”   She’s also fascinated by the future: AI sensors in gardens that read moisture and nutrients, allowing planting decisions based on real-time data. “That’s where we’re heading. Design backed by science.”   Can we stop calling the gardener an architect?   When asked if there’s one cliché she could erase from the profession, she doesn’t hesitate. “It’s the idea that a gardener and a landscape architect are interchangeable. Gardeners are incredibly skilled, but they aren’t trained in things like safe stair height, circulation flow, or environmental impact. Design is about structure, not just greenery.”   How she works with the team   Margaret’s philosophy is deeply collaborative. “Ideally, I want to be involved from the very start. When we talk about the brief for a project, it should already include how the client imagines living outdoors. My work ties into the architecture, the interiors, the whole rhythm of the home.” And when that rhythm clicks, magic happens.