One of the world's best-known and best-loved odes to nature is by Joyce Kilmer who wrote "I think that I shall never see, A poem lovely as a tree."
But his words, though simple, are no less profound. All too often, we allow ourselves to get caught up in what is built, what is man-made. Too often we forget the importance of sacred spaces; of the simple pleasure in immersing oneself in nothing more than stillness and nature all in its raw, glorious form. Although it is impractical to flee from the maddening metropolis permanently, we do, however, need to ensure we have space enough for our mind and soul, from time to precious time, to be set free amidst tranquility.
A firm believer in the healing powers of nature, it has become the hallmark of any and every YTL property to be distinguished by lush greenery. YTL Land's commitment to environmental preservation as well as ensuring ample land is dedicated towards the creation of beautifully-landscaped gardens and open spaces always exceeds the mandatory requirement set by local authorities in Malaysia. From towering tropical trees to serenely limpid pools, wide open fields and tranquil lakes, each YTL community also comes with its own private as well as public gardens. Sometimes coiffed and landscaped to perfection, sometimes rough and natural in its rugged beauty, just know that there is always a place for you to feel at one with Mother Nature in a YTL home.
Satisfied homeowners will bear testimony of how green is a key component of the YTL palette. Just as we need sanctuaries in which to seek respite from the rigours of life, space is also needed in which to simply run free. The roster of landscaping talents YTL Land chooses to work with is esteemed and extensive, ranging from the multi-award-winning Australian designer Jamie Durie of Durie Design, Sek San Ng of Seksan Design, Malaysia, and Huai Yen Chang of Singapore firm Salad Dressing. YTL Land communities like Lake Edge, The Maple and The Capers in Malaysia, and Sandy Island and Kasara, The Lake in Singapore, feature their own unique and distinctive gardens and community parks.
In Malaysia, innovative and sustainable design initiatives include the transformation of a 9-hole golf course in Sentul into a private park, creating space for residents to breathe freely while preserving a precious green lung in the heart of the city. Lake Edge in Puchong, Selangor, is also marked by inspired moves, including the transformation of a disused mining lake into a unique lakeside community, a sustainable initiative modelled after Australia's successful "green street" concept, where landscaping and traffic calming devices promote a thriving community in a neighbourly environment. In the development of Singapore's Sentosa Cove, mature 30 year old trees were consciously saved from felling and, instead, transplanted on Sandy Island, providing instant shelter to 18 waterfront villas as well as allowing nature's green canopy to continue to flourish. So, each time you feel the grass beneath your feet or be treated to a chorus birdsong as you greet a new day, be reminded how the earth's music always plays for those who listen.
