Syria Files - Gardens Response

The Syria Files,
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The Syria Files

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# The Syria Files

Thursday 5 July 2012, WikiLeaks began publishing the Syria Files – more than two million emails from Syrian political figures, ministries and associated companies, dating from August 2006 to March 2012. This extraordinary data set derives from 680 Syria-related entities or domain names, including those of the Ministries of Presidential Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Information, Transport and Culture. At this time Syria is undergoing a violent internal conflict that has killed between 6,000 and 15,000 people in the last 18 months. The Syria Files shine a light on the inner workings of the Syrian government and economy, but they also reveal how the West and Western companies say one thing and do another.

## Gardens Response

Released on 2012-07-17 02:00 GMT

Email-ID | 2090083
Date | 2011-01-31 13:00:14
From | FL@mopa.gov.sy
To | mansour.azzam@mopa.gov.sy

PLEASE CALL ME TO DISCUSS
It is clear that a lot of though has been given to the overall feel of the compound and the specific structures or areas within it. Based from previous experience, the overall palettes for planting provide the right backdrop for the space and in
particular the main guest house. The suggestion of adding water features throughout the compound is not something that we would like to develop further. There are other elements however which need to be adapted due to wrong context or the initial brief
and they are presented below. The beach and ruins have not been discussed in great detail or comment provided as they are deemed to be part of a later stage.
Gateway
The design presented works on the assumption that the design for the gates has been approved and hence develops a 'grand' landscape accordingly. The designs presented are suggestions that have been put forward, but no final decision has been made. The
entrance to the gateway should be redesigned as a discreet entrance into a private road rather than a statement of 'Here is the entrance to the Palace' Indeed the road is used by locals who farm their land within the compound.
Summer_Palace_Guest_House_-_Entrance
Please refer to this building as 'The Main Guest House' throughout the document. The idea of creating a more discreet entrance is welcomed and very much in line with the requirements of the gateway. However please note that the current cubicles on the
entrance are never used and the design should be adapted slightly as there is no need for a Sentry Station at all in the area.
Summer_Palace_Guest_House_-_Arrival
We would like to see other suggestions for the arrival area that incorporates other ideas than water features.
Summer_Palace_Guest_House_-_Walled_Garden
The rooms on this side of the building will be used more for administration and meetings with locals. As such the landscape should reflect a more modest entrance (back door feel). The Pergola is a nice feature which should be kept, but please remove the
water features.
ENTERTAINMENT_TERRACES
Summer_Palace_Guest_House_-_Lower_Terrace
Lovely design, simple with hard edges. Not sure if the water feature will stay now as the assumption was that it was coming from a source above which has been removed. Please clarify.
Summer_Palace_Guest_House_-_Breakfast_Area_with_Cantilevered_Terrace
Great idea and very well positioned.
Entertainment_Garden_-_Perspective_View_2
Please present other alternatives than the water features. It is very beautiful but not what we want to building to feel like. Please try to think of this as a guest house rather than a grand palace!
Entertainment_Garden_-_Perspective_View_3
Very nice relaxed area, simple and informal setting.
Entertainment_Garden_-_Perspective_View_4
The mood presented is well structured and reflective of the atmosphere required. From a security (and privacy) perspective, the pool will have to come back in, as at the moment they are too close to the cliff, where usually guards would be positioned
when a guest is in residence.