Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

Article by Moreira Filho – We collectively look at the past 10 years and highlight 10 inspirational projects that have become icons of landscape architecture. We stepped out and took a look at the last 10 years of projects and separated out the very best and most awesome ones from each year to show you so that you can learn how to be an awesome landscape architect with these inspirational designs. Check them out. Learn more about any of these awesome projects by clicking on any of the images or headlines.

Inspirational Projects From the Last 10 Years

2015 – Know how to Link Work and Free Time with Navy Yard Central in Philadelphia

This project preserves the historical aspects of its surroundings and provides sustainability. Located inside a growing industrial and business part of the city, its design provides the idea of engines working, creating a work-place environment as a result and some places where workers can take a rest.

2014 – Want to Prove how Landscape Architecture can be Really Important for the World? National Arboretum in Canberra, Australia Teaches you how

In addition to being the recipient of 2014 World Architecture Festival’s Landscape of Year Award, it joins a gorgeous design of land with preservation and educational aspects. Sustainability integrated into design is the first factor that made this project a winner. Therefore, if you are looking for inspiration for your next project, surely this is our good tip; native and exotic species were separated into groups and put in the landscape as a big garden. WATCH >>> National Arboretum Canberra: World Landscape of the Year 2014

2013 – Are you Searching for Futuristic Inspiration? Take a Look at South-Marina Bay in Singapore

This project has as its highlight, vertical gardens full of tropical epiphytes, climbers and ferns positioned into 18 “Supertree” towers. They have a futuristic design that impresses the viewer with the sensation that we are on another planet. It takes up 54 hectares where horticultural gardens share space with different kinds of flowers and colored foliage. That’s why it deserved the 2013 Landscape Institute Fellows’ Award for Climate Change Adaptation.

2012 – Kyushu Sandyo University – Links Culture with Contemporary Design

Free walks make for a free creative mind. This project in Kyushu Sandyo Universiti in Japan, designed by DNA – Design Network + Associated – shows us how it is possible. It is divided into three spaces; The first is the Amphitheater, with its crackled and irregular lines reminding the traditional terraced rice fields. The second is a Central Plaza, an oval pergola with cloud-shaped benches and little stools share and mix up the place with shrubs, trees, flowers. In this scenario, you can walk freely because it doesn’t have any rules for walking marked on the ground by the design. Organic and geometric lines pass over the waterway harmonically and accessibly; free as our mind must be. And finally The North Street; a big path guided by camphor trees.

2011 – Learning how to Cause a Huge Unifying Sensation and Connect People with Darling Quarter Project

Created by ASPECT Studios on around 1.5 hectare in Sidney, it takes an innovative direction for this business part of the city, almost like a shopping mall – without roofs. How so? It is surrounded by two 6-star commercial buildings, a huge theater called Lendlease Darling Quarter Theatre, cafes, wine bars, restaurants and a large playground where children can play with water flowing like a small river through concrete stones. Everything was thought to make the connections between the city and people.

2010 – Quarry, Gardens and Landscape Architecture, is it Possible? Sure it is and Quarry Gardens Project Shows us how

Anyplace can be intervened in even though it can be a subtle intervention. This old quarry within Chenshan Botanical Garden in the surroundings of Shanghai was completely transformed with subtlety by THUPDI and Tsinghua University project. It’s about a combination of stones of that place, CorTen steel and a light wooden pathway drawn with minimal intervention over the water in the mirror lake. Sometimes, intervention is totally mixed withoriginal land, bringing a wonderful and unused combination to the landscape. That’s why it got an ASLA Honor Award in 2012.

2009 – Gubei Gold Street Shows that Living Outdoors is Better It is not a simple pedestrian area. It is Gubei Gold Street in Shanghai. All the good conceptions of landscape architecture were combined into this promenade by SWA project. In a very bustling and crowded part of the city, an old street was transformed into a shopping mall for pedestrians, with green spaces distributed in small plazas with colorful and illuminated benches, crossed by some fountains and rectilinear mirror pools and a large space opened for pedestrians – this point attracts people’s attention instantly.

2008 – Levinson Plaza – Boston: People Come Back to the Public Realm

Materials and vegetation chosen for lawns, canopy trees, and ground design, were all organized by Mikyoung Kim Design. And all these ancient elements of what used to be traffic and train congestion near Huntington Avenue in Boston were pressed artistically into the ground design. At this point, play areas were created for children, as well as community gathering spaces, recreational spaces, and other areas that provide to citizens a location for activities, such as tai chi practice, for example. Different sizes of trees and shrubs were chosen to minimize sound and visual problems. Pavement is strong and drawn along the diagonal in a graphic pattern.

2007 – Must we Know User’s Wishes Before we Start Designing? New Road, Brighton Project in Brighton, UK Shows that this is the way of Success

Landscape Projects and Gehl Architects worked together to find out all sorts of information about people’s lifestyle, experience and wishes before they started any thought of intervention in New Road, Brighton, UK. Lots of questions were considered before starting, i.e., how would the traffic of vehicles be, and how would the commerce react. So, they created a space where cars can pass slowly and people can walk around freely, with places to have a sit or park a bicycle and that could be lit in the night because of the theaters and restaurants around.

2006 – Renaissance Park, Chattanooga, US – Reborn to Teach that Landscape Architecture is the Best Tool for Recomposition of the Land

In a toxic land something started to change. An industrial area full of toxic residuals in the soil and water, forbidden for people to access, gave space to a public park. Elevated piers were created over wetlands as riparian vegetation was restored to offer opportunities for wildlife contact. Designers took advantage of the deep cavity that emerged from the excavation of contaminated soil. They planned a floodplain storage basin by creating a wetland system that collects wastes and naturally filters part of them before the water reaches the Tennessee River. So, the vegetation and the water does the work of regenerating the soil and air, organized as a big draw in the land by the design of Hargreaves Associates.

2005 – Do you Want to Know what Makes a Successful Street? Roombek, the Brook, in Enschede, the Netherlands, has the answer

The greatest challenge in landscape architecture is to make streets which restore life in urban centers, creating cities for the people. In this project, the river was developed for the citizens in a new design with crackled artificial stones surrounded by trees and paths, and of course, the street. These stones help the places flow in time. It is a strong rectilinear design but sufficient to improve people’s contact with the water and vegetal elements.

Observation is a skill every landscape architect must have. The study and comprehension of these projects allows us to take notice of our own mistakes and inspires us to improve our designs. There are so many huge projects that it is almost impossible to choose only 10. If you didn’t see your favorite project in this article, find the link in our site’s search box and put it in the comments. Tell us: what is your favorite one and why?

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Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs
• eBooks by Landscape Architects Network

Article by Moreira Filho

Article by Pooja Wahane – We explore the incredible event that is Hello Wood , a hub of ideas, creativity and sustainable design practices coming together to offer a unique experience.  Has this question ever crossed your mind; how would it feel to see your crazy design ideas in reality, be it architectural or interior design? To create something tangible, which you thought was a no-win proposition. Well, Hello Wood is the answer! Hello Wood is an internationally-acclaimed award-winning summer program for designers with its studio based in Budapest, Hungary. It is a design platform cherished by many budding architects and the existing international minds in the field. Founded in 2010 as a creative camp for students who hail from various design principles, it focuses on creating design through intense team effort. It has been 6 years since and there is no stopping it at all.

It is curious to know that the material used in realizing the designs is only timber. Hello Wood believes in an amalgamation of art and design through means of experimentation which is entirely based on innovation and development. This helps with staying original and thus, contributes to bringing social impact at various levels through improving quality of life by means of architecture and design.

Hello Wood

Creating Ripples in the Field of Architecture

Hello Wood is best known for its main event, a week-long art camp which takes place every summer. It is all knowledge when gained through experience and they make sure you learn through experience. This program exposes the participants to an exclusive opportunity which gives hands-on training in the craft of building and inventing. Hundreds of students volunteer each year to enroll in this unique program.

The camp currently works with more than 20 universities from 30 countries. Volunteers from various backgrounds and fields are divided into teams lead by professionals practicing in the field. They together work on their ideas, shape their concepts and share their information. The creative approach pushes the limits by challenging the students and group leaders to create a new architecture. The resulting wooden structures make use of various formal types, drawing inspiration from the landscape and variety of architectural typologies. It encourages talent. It motivates the young creative minds to step out of their urban, modern, digital environment. The team also organized a junior art camp in 2013 in cooperation with Demo team, for kids and teenagers as well. The program also provides scholarships for the volunteers.

Timber as the Sole Material of Innovation

Hello Wood practices material constraints and enforces a time limit to execute an idea in reality. Timber, being economically available and exceptionally strong relative to its weight, is the ideal choice for this program. It is easily manageable, amenable to fabrication into an infinite variety of sizes and shapes using simple on-site building techniques.

Usually pine wood is used, but Bent wood is also a favorite. It basically depends on the needs of the project. Pine wood is a soft wood, light in weight and resistant to shrinking and swelling. It is mostly used in high-value carpentry works like furniture, window frames, roofs etc. Hello Wood believes in taking a green approach. Therefore, most of the materials used are recycled into the next project. Collaboration and Teamwork Leaves a Mark on History Hello Wood has been collaborating with the Sziget festival since 2011, one of the leading festival companies in Europe. Together, extraordinary sights are developed through principles of architecture, art and social impact. Hellowood won the 2015 A+Awards, Jury’s Choice, for the Architecture + Learning Category with Hello Wood International Architecture Camp. Recently, the team published their first book “HW 1_5”. This book summarizes the first five years of Hello Wood quite subjectively. Besides the installations and constructions, it presents those phenomena and processes that shaped the character, scale, goals and methods of this camp, and still do so today. Hello Wood’s second book “BUILDERS” is also out. It discuses socially-engaged architecture from Hungary.

Following are the 5 Promising Years of Most Lauded Installations Done by Hello Wood :

1. Project Village 2016:

In the second year of Hello Wood’s Project Village, architects reflected on the themes of arrival and settling. Participants were asked to construct a place of arrival, permanence, and connection. They explored the first architectural acts of settling, while debating current and historical precedents on the topic during the symposium and roundtable discussions, examining what subtle cues and territorial definitions make the roles of host and guest change or interchange.

2. Project Village 2015:

In 2015, Hello Wood worked on the concept of reversed urbanization. It was co-curated by Johanna Muszbek, architect and lecturer at the University of Liverpool, and by the team at Hello Wood. With a goal of redefining the concept of a village community, architects and students arrived from more than 30 countries to Hello Wood’s summer workshop to create an architectural experiment. A whole new village was created with a holistic approach and real-time master-planning which consisted of numerous installations. The major elements included those of a traditional village; community space, dwellings, a market, a school, a barn, and so on.

3. Charity Christmas tree installation in Budapest:

The “tree” form of this installation is primarily made from timber and the structure is filled with 33,000 pounds of stacked, sawn logs that will be distributed as firewood to families in need once the tree is taken down on Twelfth Night, after Christmas. It was created with the hope that it would become a symbol of the power of community-building during the Christmas holidays, and later on, 100% of the building material will be recycled. The tree reaches a height of 36 feet.

4. Balance, 2014:

A total of 14 installations played with balance at Hello Wood. The theme was “play with balance” in an attempt to question stability and equilibrium in architecture.

5. Step Closer:

Set in the countryside north of Lake Balaton, this year’s motto was “Step Closer”. Following a holistic design approach, designers focused on the senses, resulting in an intimate environment. We need more Hello Wood, to learn the basics from and the use of the interplay of ideas to create something extraordinary out of the ordinary, which stays for the long term. Hello Wood is a possibility for learning based on making. It is a great opportunity to break down the walls between different generations, to connect in ways that are beyond the walls of universities. Why not take the chance and learn something new in this ultra-digital modern world while keeping social impact in mind? Check out the Team’s dream work here

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Full Project Credits For Hello Wood :

Founders’ names: Péter Pozsár, András Huszár, and Dávid Ráday Firm name: Hello Wood Ltd. Location: Hello Wood,Budapest, lorinc papter 3,1088 Hungary Awards Won: A+Awards, Architecture + Learning Category Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs
• eBooks by Landscape Architects Network

Article by Pooja Wahane

Article by Meenal Suresh – Revitalisation of the Historic Urban Center that is Castle District of Sopron, by Hetedik Műterem Ltd. Hungary. Can a city close to nowhere regain its tourist inflow just by improving the road channels? Can a city that people just passed by without giving a second glance become an eye-catcher that forces you to roll down your car windows or just step out to feel it for yourself? Is it possible to restore a small historical District overburdened with vehicular traffic over time to its initial beauty while glorifying its historical core? Find out how Hetedik Muterem did exactly that by giving a makeover to the Castle District of Sopron, Hungary.

Historic Urban Center

The Castle District of Sopron is a U-shaped province at the location of a water ditch, situated on the Austrian border. A widespread fire in 1676 devastated the city and it was reborn over the next few decades with Baroque architecture replacing the earlier medieval style. The Second World War affected the city dramatically, making it the victim of numerous bomb explosions, its effect still evident in some of the buildings. Ironically, tourists fly down to admire the sufferings of the medieval buildings; a rarity in war- torn Hungary.

The city boasts of strong architectural styles over subsequent years – walls and foundations from the Roman Empire together with a wealth of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque structures display the District’s prosperity, stability, and history. With its growing popularity, it was a paradox that cyclists and pedestrians weren’t attracted to the square because of major problems like traffic overload, the breaking of the continuous streetscape, traffic stalling due to parking, and insufficient lights acting as a deterrent for people to unwind after dusk. Would you prefer to walk into a commercial public space where there is no place to relax, no kiosk to have a quick bite, no track to put on your headphones and walk, or no chance to catch up with a friend that you bump into without having the fear of vehicles scraping you or darkness closing in on you during the evenings? The thin flora, hedges, and retaining walls were overbuilt and in addition, the traffic-dominant roads made the old houses a mere background, leading to the loss of the District’s identity. To find a solution, the city council announced a competition – “Sopron – Revitalization of the Castle District”. The competition’s aim was to give the area surrounding the historical city a new look and improved function. It was won by Hetedik Muterem along with landscape designer GEUM Muterem. The first phase of the 15000 sqm public space was completed in 2015 with the middle part of the Castle District devoted to cyclists and pedestrians. What makes the redevelopment of Castle District of Sopron so successful? They simply concentrated on the three major issues to flip the situation. What did they do and how?

Pedestrians are the Priority

The 1.5m long Castle District incorporated a “One-side Channel” structure wherein the existing road was retained and vehicular traffic was trimmed, resulting in ample parking lots and an expansive green belt. The two-way lane was separated from the cyclists track and pedestrian path bordering the houses. Outdoor furniture, streetlights, fountains and temporary pavilions not only enhanced the aesthetic beauty of the Channel but it also encourages people to hold festivals, exhibitions, concerts or a forum for interaction.

A centrally-located, small Tourist Information Centre houses service rooms and toilets for the public. This building was built recalling the reconstruction works of the latter half of the 20th century using concrete with board formwork, precast reinforced concrete louvers, and wood-panelled facades. It contrasts with the District’s architecture (old blending with the new), making it immediately visible. Being a help centre, this visibility is an added advantage.

Materials Differentiate the Zones

Due to the deep historical roots, unity plays a pivotal role. A pavement of dark-coloured clinker bricks and granite stripes evenly sloping towards the outer arc was adopted to give a uniform colour. The different sectors of the 40 – 60 m wide boulevard are visibly separated with granite stripes still ensuring the integrity, but the pedestrian- and cyclists’ zones have equally placed clinker. Modern materials are used to maintain the small-town coziness.

Natural landscaping elements were used to create illusions in appearance. Trees with small canopies were placed close to the building – to make the buildings seem larger than they are so that the historic scape catches your eye first; and also to cater to the various needs of the pedestrian zones. Tall trees with pierced foliages were grown in the central zone for their majestic appearance and functional use as a shading element.

Identity Established – History Celebrated

The main road is essentially a ring road wrapping the city centre flanked on either side by a row of 18th and 19th century Rococo- and Louis VI-style houses of alternating heights. The brownish-red tiled sloping roof caps all of the 2- and 3- storied houses with white/cream-shaded walls, punctured with a line of repetitive rectangular windows with or without ornamental frames. All the houses are different but unified by a common style, in turn giving the District an identity as a whole. Squares with statues, fountains and water sprays simply add to the beauty.

The key concept was that when one stands at any point in the Castle District one should know that he is very much part of that area. The duality of the longitudinal dynamism and cross-sectional diversity is the greatest value that they wanted to strengthen in the plan. A sensitive approach was required as the historic dwellings alongside the roads were a major part of the urban space and were to remain dominant. The first and the largest phase has been successfully completed. The public plaza revitalization will be finished shortly and the renewal of Kisvarkerulet (Small Castle District) and Szechenyi ter will commence. It has managed to unify the present and the past and acts as a bridge between the east and west neighbours of the country. The goal is to create a well-integrated, bustling plaza that is a haven for pedestrians, while vehicular traffic will soon become destination traffic, so that the District indeed becomes the much-needed landmark of Sopron. Have they succeeded in inviting more public to the plaza? Small changes make a huge difference in the urban fabric. Is this true here? Is it possible to recreate a lively atmosphere just by proper redefining of spaces? Leave your comments below

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Full Project Credits For Historic Urban Center – Castle District of Sopron :

Address: Sopron, Castle District Area: appr. 15000 sqm public space and 40 sqm public building Design phase: 2009 (national competition), 2010-2013 Construction: 2014-2015 Client: Sopron City Council Architecture: Hetedik Műterem Ltd. Architect in charge: Levente Szabó DLA Landscape design: Csenge Csontos (†), Borbála Gyüre, Gergely Lád Geum Műterem Co-architects: Balázs Biri, Jessica Dvorzsák, Dávid Kohout, Orsolya Simon (Competition: Orsolya Almer, András Páll, Tibor Tánczos) Inspector of monuments: András Veöreös, Sándor Tárkányi Traffic engineering: Ádám Rhorer, András Mezey (Közlekedés Ltd.) Public utilities: Ádám Szabó (Aqua-Duo-Sol Ltd.) Street lighting technology: Tibor Galazka, Ferenc Horváth (GT-Vill Ltd.) Civil engineer: Csaba Horváth Structural expert: Géza Kapovits Water engineering: Gergely Drobni, László Skublics Accessibility: Anna Kormányos General contractor: VEMÉVSZER Ltd. Photos: Balázs Danyi Awards: ICOMOS Award 2016, DaNS 20th Salon of Architecture in Novi Sad, Salon Award in urban design category Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs
• eBooks by Landscape Architects Network

Article by Meenal Suresh

Article by Giacomo Guzzon – Parson Green by Cityscapers, in London, England, shows us how to escape city stress and transform a back yard.  Designing gardens is a very important aspect of our profession, because it allows landscape architects to test ideas and focus attention on particular hard and soft landscaping details that we can learn from and eventually use in the public realm. Parson Green, a small urban garden designed by Cityscapers and located in Hampstead, a wealthy area in northwest London, is a good example to analyze in order to understand what to consider when designing back yards.

Urban gardens often become a refuge for people — an oasis where they can be immersed in nature and forget about the stresses of urban life. Here are some key elements to creating an oasis:

Use Lots of Vegetation

It sounds obvious, but plants are the very essence of almost every garden, regardless of whether they are small, big, rural, or urban. Plants should always cover at least a third of the volume of the whole project; therefore, they are very important in giving character to a place. In Parson Green, since the garden covers an area of only 25 square meters, the plant palette is pretty simple, yet in some way exotic. In such projects, the rule to follow is: Less is more. It is much better to stick to one or two bold plants and repeat them throughout the garden rather than use many different ones. These plants will help to give a particular style or mood to

These plants will help to give a particular style or mood to the space. In this case, the only bigger plants used are a bamboo Phyllostachys aurea and a cabbage palm Cordyline australis. For groundcover and structure, ferns, shrubs, and climbers such as Buxus sempervirens , Dryopteris affinis and Trachelospermum jasminoides were planted. The plants help to give the garden an exotic and cosmopolitan look, since the plants have origins in different continents, and they ultimately connect the garden with London, considering it is the most multicultural city in Europe. Screen out the City In order to create an oasis and give the illusion that the garden is somewhere else, it is fundamental to make the surrounding neighbors’ houses less visible. Privacy can be achieved by using plants, and in Parson Green, the tall bamboos planted around the perimeter of the garden help to screen out the city and create an intimate atmosphere. Vegetation is also useful to hide what you don’t want to see in a “paradise” — for instance, utilities and technical equipment. Tall plants at the margin of a garden help to make the boundaries less visible and therefore make the garden feel bigger.

Juxtapose Particular Materials to Create

The minimalist style of Parson Green seen in the planting continues in the palette of hard materials. The only materials used are stone, cedar timber, and white walls. In this case, the juxtaposition of different materials that normally refer to a particular style — such as the white walls suggesting a Mediterranean/southern look — lend a cosmopolitan feel and make users forget that they are in London. In Parson Green, the combination of materials used is very particular and surely not common in other gardens in the area; this enhances the uniqueness of this space.

The blue and white azulejos Portuguese tiles, used together with the white rendered walls, surely convey a southern look to the garden, but the juxtaposition with the bamboo plants makes it difficult to attribute a particular style to this design. Simplicity and restrained color palette is surely a rule to follow in every small garden, for the planting as well as for the hard materials.

Link the Garden to the House

In cities where space is always limited, it is important to design the garden as an extension of the house, to make it another room where people can feel comfortable and use it as much as possible. In Parson Green, by using timber for flooring in both house and garden, the designer achieved a sense of continuity between the interior and exterior spaces. Don’t forget about the lighting, which not only extends the use of the space during the night, but also connects it with the adjacent living room. The spotlights placed within the bamboos and close to the stone-clad wall create a suggestive atmosphere by casting interesting shadows.

This garden shows us how a simple design and a restricted palette of materials are the best solution for a small and modern space. Nevertheless, simplicity doesn’t mean that the garden is less interesting or intriguing. On the contrary — this space is highly sophisticated in the complex combination of different elements. It has components that lend it a Mediterranean feel and others that owe a lot to the East Asian aesthetic. The mood in the garden varies between the day, when the relation between forms and materials conveys an almost zen-like character, and the night, when the warm light reveals its southern Latin side. The simplicity of forms and materials, the use of exotic plants around the perimeter, and the lighting are all elements that induce a contemplative mood to the space. This is ultimately the key for creating an oasis in the city.

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Full Project Credits For Parson Green :

Project: Parson Green Designer:  Nigel Gomme @ Cityscapers Location: London, England Size: 25 square meters Completion Date: September 2014 Client: Private Photo Credits: Nigel Gomme and Edoardo Taricco Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs
• eBooks by Landscape Architects Network

Article by Giacomo Guzzon

Article by Alexis Alvey – We explore 10 of the best books out there for anyone who is an urban designer or who just loves urban design. The design of our cities and other urban spaces has a huge impact on the wellbeing and day-to-day life of residents. What makes an urban space appealing is often below the conscious awareness of its inhabitants, but nevertheless is still deeply felt. As landscape architecture continues to expand its traditional role, successful urban design and planning becomes more and more relevant for our profession. What constitutes successful urban design is, in itself, a challenging question. Over the years, many authors have attempted to elucidate the complex process of urban design and planning.

Become a Better Urban Designer

Below are the top ten books to help make you a better designer. Time-honored classics are interspersed with new books, representing some of the most innovative thinking today.

10. The Image of the City – Kevin Lynch

This classic urban planning book was first published in 1960 and is still as relevant today as it was over fifty years ago. Within its pages, Lynch introduces and elaborates upon the idea of imageability, which is perhaps even more relevant today, given our image-driven society. A tiny book with less than 200 pages, The Image of the City is a quick and engrossing investigation of how cities are perceived by their residents – Available Here!

9. Where We Want to Live: Reclaiming Infrastructure for a New Generation of Cities – Ryan Gravel

Published in early 2016, this new book elaborates on the timely topic of revitalizing infrastructure systems to bring new life into our cities and make them places that we really want to live. Drawing from his experience with the Atlanta Beltline, Gravel contends that the revolution we are experiencing in new and repurposed transit systems is comparable to that generated by the automobile. Take a ride with Gravel in this book and see how infrastructure can lead to successful urban regeneration – Available Here

8. The Garden Cities of Tomorrow – Ebenezer Howard

In 1898, English land reformer Ebenezer Howard spearheaded the Garden City movement in town planning with his publication of Tomorrow – A Peaceful Path to Real Reform. Later editions were released under the more commonly known title, Garden Cities of Tomorrow. His work has been hailed as the single most influential contribution to modern urban planning, and critics have noted that it has transformed the way we think about cities entirely. Get a glimpse of history as you read about Howard’s progressive vision for an ideal town, which was created as a counterpoint to the overcrowded English slums and tenements of his day – Available Here.

7. The City of Tomorrow: Sensors, Networks, Hackers, and the Future of Urban Life – Carlo Ratti and Matthew Claudel

Clearly alluding to Ebenezer Howard’s peceeding title, Ratti and Claudel’s new book was published in early 2016. While I personally have not had the chance to finish reading this book yet, it is an intriguing and timely topic that addresses the intersection of the city and technology. The authors assert that our cities are at a moment of pivotal change as digital systems become integrated at multiple levels, transforming urban life. This book provides a fascinating and optimistic perspective of how urban systems may be designed and organized in the not-too-distant future – Available Here.

6. Happy City: Transforming Our Lives through Urban Design – Charles Montgomery

Happy City was published in 2013 and seeks to answer the question of how cities can generate positive qualities for their residents. By combining the science of happiness with urban design, Montgomery proposes a uniquely positive vision for the future of our cities. Montgomery’s journalistic style creates an exciting read as he delves into psychology, neuroscience, and his own urban experiments – Available Here.

5. The Landscape Urbanism Reader – Charles Waldheim, Ed.

Landscape urbanism is one of the most important concepts to emerge in urban design in the past decade, and its champion is Charles Waldheim. The Landscape Urbanism Reader is a compendium of articles by the who’s-who of contemporary landscape architecture. The book’s articles draw in the reader with intriguing titles such as, “Terra Fluxus,” “Drosscape,” and “Synthetic Surfaces.” This book is essential for anyone who wants to obtain an in-depth understanding of what landscape urbanism really is – Available Here.

4. Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time – Jeff Speck

Walkable City is an easily accessible book, published in 2012, that provides practical guidelines on how to create vibrant downtown life within our cities. Not unsurprisingly, Speck uses the principle of walkability to gauge the success of our urban spaces. The process of creating walkable cities is broken down into ten easy steps (to use Speck’s pun), ranging from “putting cars in their place” to “picking your winners.” For anyone who is interested in the timely topic of creating livable cities, Speck’s book is a must-read – Available Here.

3. The Death and Life of Great American Cities – Jane Jacobs

Originally published in 1961, Jacobs was well ahead of her time as she introduces her book as an “attack” on modern city planning. Jacobs concentrates on unearthing the inner workings of large, dense, American metropolises, and determining what works and what doesn’t on the ground. The Death and Life of Great American Cities is profoundly insightful, still highly relevant today, and an enjoyable read – Available Here.

2. Design of Cities – Edmund Bacon

First published in 1967, Design of Cities is a classic text that is a tour-de-force of historic city making. Using examples from throughout the world, Bacon demonstrates how myriad decisions lead to the generation of urban forms. By looking back into history, we can learn from both its mistakes and successes to sculpt and create thriving cities today. With numerous hand-drawn diagrams and photos, Design of Cities is fundamental to understanding the framework of city form – Available Here.

1. Design with Nature – Ian McHarg

The number one spot has to go to Design with Nature by Ian McHarg. In 1969, McHarg published his seminal book, which challenged landscape architects to utilize the ecosystem as the foundation of urban design. Out of this book, the field of ecological planning and design was borne. Reading (or re-reading) this book will rekindle your desire to design and create a better world for both human- and non-humankind – Available Here. What urban design books have you read lately and enjoyed? If you have a favorite city planning book that’s not on our list, be sure to leave a comment in the section below! Article by Alexis Alvey Featured Image: Chicago Riverwalk Expansion, by Sasaki and Ross Barney Architects, in Chicago, IL, USA. Photo credit: ©Christian Philips

Article by Radenka Kolarov – In this article, we explore how the popular game Minecraft has an influence on and similarities to real life and landscape architecture. The point of Minecraft seems simple: build practically anything you can imagine. Some players recreate famous pieces of architecture; others express their creativity through grand designs. But what makes Minecraft such an irresistible game? Through the unexpected journey that this article will take you on, you are going to find a whole new level of skills and knowledge that lies behind this game. It’s like it was made for landscape architects! Relax with the following playlist that will not leave you indifferent, whether you are a fan of Minecraft or not. WATCH >>> Minecraft Music [Full Playlist] With Download Link!

Game of Minecraft

Here are the Top 10 real-life skills a landscape architect can learn from Minecraft:

10. Survival Ability

One of the very first things you figure out when you enter the game is that the sun is moving, it is getting darker, and you have no shelter. That is the point of landscape architecture: We adjust the environment according to our needs. In the game, we start with the basics — like using nearby tree bole blocks to build a box in which to spend a night. We start with wooden tools and weapons, and wait to get stronger materials later. When it comes to food, this game pretty much respects the primeval story about the domestication of plants, so the first seed that most of us plant is wheat. Interesting, isn’t it?

9. Inspiring Confident Exploration and Teamwork

You can roam through this world and explore without an urgent set of tasks, but most of the time is spent alone. But you can also cooperate with other players. It is an important moment when you realize that one of the best real-life simulation games ever made — with an open, unlimited environment — really does teach us the meaning of teamwork and necessary cooperation. The same applies to creating a landscape design: You are free to make your own mistakes and learn from them on your own, or you can work with others and take their advice and inspiration. Whatever suits you best.

8. Unlimited Imagination Field

If you are creative and turned on by planning and design, an adventure game mode could be your own fairy tale. Since there is no need to carry a weapon, you can fly, and given the unlimited number and shapes of blocks, the only boundary is your imagination. Hanging gardens looks stunning. Take a look!  WATCH >>> Minecraft – TOP 50 BEST Creations in Minecraft 2015 / 2016

7. Environmental Awareness

Believe it or not, you can learn about ecology from Minecraft. Of course, these are basic lessons, yet at some point, we all were just beginners. One of the good examples from the game is the problem with fire. We know how much damage fire causes each year, and what it takes to renew a damaged area. So if you carelessly use a flint, even the smallest spark could burn down a forest, same as in real life. After that, the first plants that begin to grow are grassy communities, with the characteristic plants of that area. On the other hand, if you are not careful about how you create and use water elements, don’t be surprised when the flood comes.

6. The Magic is in the Details

As we saw in an article by Win Phyo, landscape architecture’s power is in the details of design. Minecraft teaches us the same. When we arrange the interior or exterior of a place, it is important and worthwhile to take the time to consider what you want to accomplish and accent in your design plan. Wise choice of materials and simply experimenting with all the possibilities of crafting in the game will for sure develop your sense of a good design.

5. Basic Geological Strata Facts

Have you ever thought about how many years it took to create the soil we see today? We speak about billions of years — how amazing is that? In this game, a landscape architect could not only craft and build the stuff he imagines, but even learn about the ground base. On the surface in Minecraft, the basic block is dirt, with the variation of a podzol ground in the taiga biome. Deeper under the surface, we come to igneous rocks such as granite, diorite, and andesite, each with its characteristic color. When it comes to ores, the most common are coal and iron, and as we dig further, the more exciting it gets. The most valuable and elusive blocks are, as you can guess, gold, diamond, obsidian, and lapis lazuli. If you run into an emerald, you are really lucky!

4. Diversity of Biomes The 63 different biomes of Minecraft are quite a good opportunity for learning, exploring, and testing one’s survival abilities. As long as you have enough resources and willingness, you can run from a savanna to the jungle across the desert. It is up to you. WATCH >>> Minecraft Biomes

3. Secrets of Planting

Since each biome has its own authentic plants, so do the growing conditions change. In the dry areas, without an irrigation system, you couldn’t even grow plants for food. If you want to have mushrooms in your yard, you certainly must make their preferred conditions, such as a lot of water and space under the ground. In the game, you must even take care of your plants — don’t forget that. Also, check the article Benefits of Trees, by Alexis Alvey, which certainly tells us something new about plants.

2. Global Warming Reminder

Each day, the desert is spreading, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. But you can slow it down with forestation and with other plantings. You can learn about the ways that green infrastructure can solve our global problems in the article Green Infrastructure by Alexis Alvey. At some point, the world we know today will permanently disappear, because the polar ice is melting and the ocean levels increase more and more. Sounds scary? It should, because it is not just a game we are talking about.

1. Sustainability at its Finest

Most important of all the skills you could possibly learn from playing Minecraft is caring for nature and the concern for future generations. Remember that if you cut down all the trees, none will grow up again. If you wait long enough for the plants to grow, you will have even more saplings than you planted, so you can rejuvenate them. Here is the excellent article by Jeanne Connolly that teaches us very important things when it comes to planting design. Same rule for all the components — use them responsibly and always give back to nature.

Craft for all Ages

Back to the question we posed at the beginning: What is so special about this game of Minecraft? With every step, you can learn something new, starting with the basics, such as orientation to the north, and moving on to the most magnificent building skills and abilities, biological facts, and survival tips. If you haven’t already played this game, don’t delay. The adventure is waiting. We’d love to hear your views on this. Let us know in the comment section below!

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Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs
• eBooks by Landscape Architects Network

Article by Radenka Kolarov

Article by Joanna Łaska – UTS Alumni Green by ASPECT Studios, in UTS City Campus, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, Australia Who says that university campus grounds have to be dull and boring? ASPECT Studios strikes again, proving that thinking outside the box can transform a student-only campus site into a green and lively space for everybody to enjoy. UTS Alumni Green by ASPECT Studios won a competition held by the University of Technology, Sydney, to breathe new life into the future of Alumni Green, the university’s main outdoor space. The project, which was inspired by the world’s iconic public spaces, creates a new, multifunctional meeting point for students, staff and the public at large.

UTS Alumni Green

Compromising to Meet Everyone’s Needs

The brilliance of the design lies in the details. The project’s creators have thought through many aspects that will influence the design, now and in the future. The designers have kept in mind the immediate users of the space — the students and staff of the university — as well as other potential users.

Alumni Green’s contemporary design has three distinct zones, each with its own individual character and facilities, which provide for all the various needs of its users (who, in fact, comprise many different ages). With its differentiated zones and activities, Alumni Green provides everybody with something to enjoy. The three zones — The Green, The Heart, and The Garden — have individual landscapes that enhance the differentiated qualities of technology — the university’s domain.

The Green

A large, raised turf platform dedicated to special events and everyday activities is surrounded by informal seating areas in The Green. The seating areas are dotted with large umbrellas, creating a casual atmosphere. This only adds to the fun aspect of the whole design, motivating lively interaction among people.

The Heart

The Heart resembles a typical city square. It has been modeled on city squares such as the Federation Square in Melbourne and the Pompidou Centre in Paris. The Heart truly deserves its name, as it is the epicenter for every ceremonial gathering of students, staff, and visitors. It is the most representative and decorative part of Alumni Green.

The Garden

The Garden is a tree-and-plant-enclosed mini oasis of connected “pods”. All of these pods serve different functions — from BBQ grills to power outlets for laptops and phones to ping pong tables. The pods are also accompanied by many comfortable seating benches. The casualness of the place is important in making the space feel as comfortable as possible. When people feel relaxed, it improves their interactions with others and allows them to enjoy a quick rest between lectures.

Materials Unite the Zones

Alumni Green is made up of three very different zones, and the clear boundaries among them create food for thought as to how to unify them into one solid space. The coherency of the three zones has been achieved by the use of certain materials throughout the project. Openwork metal, wooden seats, raw concrete — all of these materials are repeatedly and consistently used in Alumni Green, uniting all of its zones into one coherent space.

Supporting Nature

In addition to providing many different facilities and activities for users to enjoy, Alumni Green also considers nature in its design. The university asked ASPECT Studios to create an extensive green roof on top of the new DBJ/BVN science building. Such solutions provide huge positive environmental impacts on the building. The ecological aspect has been carefully considered and developed throughout the project, and the extensive green roof is a great envisioning of this. The green roof also serves as another space for social engagements.

Perfect for All

The importance of Alumni Green in terms of the overall landscape of Sydney is greater than we may think. Alumni Green is not just a typical campus site. Alumni Green’s importance lies in its openness to all people. The varied functions and facilities the project has to offer add to the value not only of the university, but also to the city itself. The project serves as a connector between academic and city lives. Such projects add to the quality of city life. Considering everybody’s needs and thinking outside the box can be hard at times, but as we can see from the Alumni Green that when it works, it works perfectly.

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Full Project Credits For UTS Alumni Green :

Project Title: UTS Alumni Green Location: UTS City Campus, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia Client: University of Technology Sydney Project Lead and Landscape Architect: ASPECT Studios Team: ASPECT Studios (Project Lead and Landscape Architect) Taylor Thomson Whitting (Structural Engineering) Warren Smith + Partners (Hydraulic) Steensen Varming (Lighting & Electrical) Durbach Block Jaggers + BVN Donovan Hill (Architects for the Science and Graduate School of Health Building [Building 7]) Hassell (Architects for the Library Retrieval System) Arup (Hydraulic) Savills Project Management (Project Manager) Richard Crookes Constructions (Head Contractor) Regal Innovations (Landscape Contractor) Photography: Simon Wood, Florian Groehn Year: 2015 Area size: 6,500 sqm Budget: AUD $5 million Awards: 2015 AILA NSW Awards – Excellence in Design 2015 Sydney Design Awards: Gold Winner for Landscape Design Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs
• eBooks by Landscape Architects Network

Article by Joanna Łaska

Article by Domenico Pistone – A review of Coro Field: Phase I, by Integrated Field Co.,ltd., in Suan Pheung, Ratchaburi, Thailand, helps us answer the question, how can nature facilitate design? This new design uses a simple, straightforward intervention, which is reflected very well in the project. Everything is marked by nature, the true protagonist of the project, a nature that takes its time and that gives to visitors. Perhaps this is the beauty of the project: Coro, in the local language means “time” and the name itself hints at what the purpose of this place is, that is not a simple farm or even a simple restaurant; it is an experience. Coro Field is now a place that has about 2,000 visitors a day, a place where time becomes liquid and is able to irrigate organic plants that, with patience and love, flourish. This represents a return to origins, but without taking one’s feet off the ground, looking towards the future. That’s Coro Field: a bank of time, in which to put in the safe serenity.

Coro Field: An ‘Experience for the Five Senses

Let’s try, now; close your eyes and imagine an agricultural field over a large area of Suan Phung (we are in Thailand),. We imagine the cohesion between the simplicity of design and the power of the sprouting of a plant, we listen to the 15 staff people who care, without chemicals, for every plant and fruit. We savour the smell of the air. We open our view onto different visual levels; the parallel grooves of the ground, the light that filters through the horizontal lines of the structures, the inclusion of nature in the project and the branches of the wind-lulled trees. We open our view onto different visual levels; the parallel grooves of the ground, the light that filters through the horizontal lines of the structures, the inclusion of nature in the project and the branches of the wind-lulled trees.

Experience, we said, that boasts of being among the first in the world. An organic body, because he lives through every part; the structure of which, the skin, the services, the various spaces you argue with each other, a system of modular parts to each other which helps to better enjoy Coro Field. A design that is inspired by a book; “How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They’re Built“, by Stewart Brand (an American writer), in which appear the key elements such as “seasonal objects” or “Grid System” or “movable surfaces”. The relationship between these spaces, furniture, interchanges, and lives, generates and encourages, in those who experience it, creativity and diversity. Coro Field is divided into two main areas: the built area of 1,345 sq.m and the landscape, an area of 8,548 sq.m. The built region is divided into ten areas; information, Coro cafe, market Coro, playground, house Coro, Coro garden, ampitheatre (defined by sunken topography), Coro me, bbq Coro, and parking.

Eat Better, Feel Better

In Coro Field nothing is left to chance, the physical and mental well-being of those who visit and live side by side in direct contact with the earth and its productions. The German philosopher L. Feuerbach, already in 1862, said “man is what magic”; so he who enters Coro Field and is lost among the fruit scents of the season and the soft colors of the furniture or the ground-level curves that surround the amphitheatre and definitely will come out renewed. In the Coro Market, it will be so easy to find wisely and patiently cultivated fruit in season or out-of-season, preserved by the Coro Field staff. The Coro Market is accessible to all visitors, and has a wide variety of fruits and vegetables from all over the world.

Minimal Design, Maximum Pleasure

In the greenhouse, whose roof is removable, the space is divided by vertical steel pillars 1.5 m apart (the proper distance for farming); it has pathways that have an inclination to favor the gradual drainage of water (according to the principles of permaculture). The greenhouse, with its paths and where they mix the scents of Hokkaido melon, of Holland Cherry Tomato, or simply of freshly cut grass, leads to the Coro Cafè.

The café is a simple space, tidy, never the same. A natural extension of the fields onto which it opens, it becomes a place of encounter, dialogue, exchange, and cohesion. A place founded on the idea of nature, upon renewal of an idea could not fail to have a suitable place for the exchange of ideas, dialogue and friendship. In each space you see the will to interpret the movement of nature, a nature never the same and always dynamic. IF architects reinterprets this dynamism through a study of portable, modular objects. It lulls Coro Field between the clean lines and unfussy orders, with a minimal design that culminates in mobile kitchens or social white metal tables with wooden floors, portable and light which we can find within the first area and can be transported, thanks to the wheels, to the fields to enjoy the scents and colors, the roof of the Coro Cafè can be reduced to let nature into the built space. Coro Cafe, in its refined simplicity, is a place to be taken for an example, a space that facilitates integration and happiness.

Exploring, Living, Learning and Sharing

As we understand, Coro Field is not “just” a great use of the architecture of the landscape, but a way of living, thinking and acting in a world mistreated by ourselves. Here one senses a strong and powerful thinking behind the creation of this structure that can be summarized in; exploring, living, learning and sharing.

Coro Field, with sensitivity to the world and to more sustainable agriculture and intelligent food production, tries to create a new way of life whose essential elements are home, food and care. Knowledge and learning are essential to Coro Field and every process comes from experience, from study, and from ideas. What most honors Coro Field is to share this policy. They are in fact convinced that sharing with as many people as possible could lead to the creation of a better world. Better Places for Better World We have seen how Coro Field is not just a Farm, but an experience that attempts to offer beauty and simplicity to those who visit. It is an example to follow and share in order to know ourselves and our planet. Coro Field helps us to know each other and respect each other as a result, we learn from this magical place and we share this healthy idea.

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Full Project Credits For Coro Field: Phase I :

Project Name: Coro Field: Phase I Location: Suan Pheung, Ratchaburi, Thailand Owner: Coro Brother Co,.Ltd. Architect: IF (Integrated Field Co.,Ltd.) Interior architect: IF (Integrated Field Co.,Ltd.) Landscape architect: IF (Integrated Field Co.,Ltd.) Lighting designer: Kullakaln Gururatana Corporate Identity: Symbolist Co.,Ltd. Structural engineer: Kor-IT Structural Design and Construction Co.,Ltd. Electrical engineer: Kor-IT Structural Design and Construction Co.,Ltd. Sanitary engineer: Kor-IT Structural Design and Construction Co.,Ltd. Main contractor: Rattanaphon development Co.,Ltd. Interior contractor: Rattanaphon development Co.,Ltd. Modular furniture contractor: The Brick Design and Construction Co.,Ltd. Softscape contractor: New TL Nature Co.,Ltd. Signage contractor: Beetwart CNC Co.,Ltd. Area Architecture: 1,345 sq.m. Landscape: 8,548 sq.m. Design: Dec 2013 Completed: Oct 2015 Photographer: Ketsiree Wongwan Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs

Article by Domenico Pistone  

Article by Jeanne Connolly – We explore 10 projects that feature unique uses of paving in landscape design , exploring what works with this fundamental landscape feature.  Plants aren’t the only material landscape architects are trained to use. The ground beneath your feet is an important detail that can make a bigger impact than you think. While paving material is sometimes overlooked, it is an important piece of the landscape palette that can make or break a design. A skilled designer chooses every material thoughtfully, relating to the meaning or concept of the site or context.

Paving in Landscape Design

Here are 10 unique projects that display different ways paving can impact the experience of a space:

1. Place d’Youville

Claude Cormier uses wood, concrete, granite, and limestone to create a quilt-like appearance at Place d’Youville. This paving technique is used to reflect Montreal’s 500-year history of sidewalk construction. Even the placement of these paths complements the site’s history, as they meet at the access points of important surrounding historical buildings. From “New Public Square in Montreal” on the Claude Cormier and Associes website, it is interpreted as “creating a dialogue with the area’s history.” This is a great way to think of materiality, as a “dialogue” for the site.

2. Van Gogh Path

Based on Daan Roosegarde of Studio Roosegaarde’s SMART HIGHWAY initiative to make sustainably smart roads that incorporate night lighting, this project showcases pavement as a way of making roads safer for bicyclists at night. Inspired by Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” painting, the Van Gogh Path is a 600-meter-long bicycle path running where Vincent Van Gogh lived from 1883 to 1885. Light stones are used to create patterns on the path that are charged by sunlight and glow at night. This use of materials interplays light and poetry while making a more sustainable and safe pathway.

3. Beaufort Street

Beaufort Street displays artist Roly Skender’s creative approach to improving driving experience with an alternative to dull black asphalt. He designed interesting and vibrant patterns that indicate “slow points” at the entrances and exits of this busy street. It’s not just paint, either: StreetPrint is a decorative paving system installed by DrainPave that can replicate just about any design with a wide range of colors. The material combines the strength of concrete with the flexibility of asphalt, resulting in a visually appealing and durable road surface. Imagine the difference this would have on our driving experience if streets were designed this artistically in more places in the world!

4. Superkilen Located in one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Copenhagen, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Superflex, and Topotek1 Landscape Architects symbolize 60 different nations in this urban park project. The distinct change in materials differentiates the park’s three divisions: the Red Square, the Black Market, and the Green Park. The Red Square, symbolizing market, culture, and sport, is a vibrantly red-painted concrete. The Black Market is The Black Market is place of gathering and social interaction, including game tables, a Japanese playground, and barbeque areas. The striped asphalt creates an optical illusion that gives the space a sense of movement and really draws you through the place.

5. Beekman Plazas

James Corner Field Operations and Piet Oudolf’s use of paving imitates the rhythm and movement of busy downtown Manhattan. Although the concept of this design is to replicate the daily life of a city that is known to be highly stressful, the blending of materials creates a calmness that is attractive and inviting. The interlacing concrete and granite pavers are skillfully placed, creating what looks like a sporadic blend of light and dark. This paving technique really defines the movement and flow of the space, while also relating to the context of the city.

6. Brown University’s Jewelry District Public Realm

As an expansion of Brown University’s Medical School, the urban plaza of Ship Street Square designed by !melk Landscape Architects and Urban Designers innovatively introduces a new paving material. A defining characteristic of historical Providence, Rhode Island, is the traditional cobblestone streets. To continue this timeless style, the iconic “!melk blue®” paver was designed exclusively for this project. The pavers interconnect with several other materials, such as wood decking, keeping the space unique and interesting. Innovative and historically sensitive, the pavement makes this project a success.

7. Levinson Plaza

Inspired by New England’s regional garden landscapes, Mikyoung Kim Design created an urban grove that clearly catches the eye with one glance. The bold herringbone pattern of Levinson Plaza’s pavement was thoughtfully designed throughout the grove, creating access to entry and exit points. The alternation of vegetation and pavement defines the human scale of this design, which makes the space so comfortable.

8. Solingen Town Hall Square

The design team at scape Landschaftsarchitekten takes a more modern approach to paving at Solingen Town Hall Square. The distinctive concrete carpet at Solingen Town Hall Square gives the project visual continuity while also physically connecting different areas. The paving changes where vegetation starts, creating a smooth blend throughout each of the spaces.

9. Coyoacán Corporate Campus

DLC makes use of sustainable materials for Coyoacan Corporate Campus in one of Mexico’s oldest neighborhoods. The materials were chosen based on their low maintenance and durable characteristics. Black volcanic granite is used for the ground surfaces and walls, and composite wood (60 percent bamboo, 40 percent non-toxic resin) was used for the wooden decks. Sustainable paving contributes to a space designed to last years into the future.

10. Centenary Square

Using local materials, JMD Design improved connectivity and reestablished Centenary Square as Parametta, Australia’s civic center. Meant as a place for community events and gathering, the Australian black granite paving unifies the large central space. The custom-cut pattern shows off a high quality and look consistent with the City Centre of Parramatta.

Take away From Paving in Landscape Design

It is just as important to consider paving as any other material in landscape design. We’ve seen that it can be symbolic, sustainable, artistic, and even relate to the history of the site. When used correctly, the blend of paving into a site can create movement and visual continuity, resulting in a successful design.

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Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs

Article by Jeanne Connolly

We explore the world of hydroponics and how you can garden year round with this clever application that enables you to achieve great results. Nowadays, most foods that we eat are mass-produced from commercial farms. There is a growing sentiment that commercially-grown plants are not any better for our health. This is because of the use of chemicals such as pesticides and other chemical fertilizers in order to ensure a good harvest for farm owners. You might be someone who lives in the city or possibly someone who lives in the country and want an alternative way to grow their own vegetables and fruit for personal consumption to make sure that what they eat is free from such chemicals. Therefore, eating your own vegetables is much safer. There are many ways to grow your own plants at home. The most popular one is through hydroponics.

What is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is “the process of growing plants without the use of soil.” From the word “hydro,” you can easily have a clue that it is through water. You may have seen a plant with its roots hanging in the water in a jar. This is an example of hydroponics. However, hydroponics today is more than just water. It involves several components such as nutrients and growing medium. WATCH >>> Hydroponic Greenhouse Project, Indoor NFT Pac Choy and lettuce for winter eats!

What is a “Growing Medium” By the Way?

A growing medium is any material or substance in which roots grow. These substances can be sand, gravel, coconut fiber, vermiculite, perlite, Rockwool, and more. Take note that this is an inert substance that doesn’t actually help grow the plants by supplying nutrients. The nutrients are supplied by water solution itself.

Is It Easy to set up a Hydroponic Garden?

Although hydroponic gardening can be more sophisticated, it doesn’t have to be. You can set up your own hydroponics garden at home and even indoor. The important thing is that you need to supply and control the amount of nutrients you will need to supply to your plants. What you need is a light source, growing medium, and water.

Is Hydroponic Food Healthy?

According to a study made by Treftz, it is said that “healthy” anti-oxidant compounds (e.g. Vitamin C, tocopherol and total polyphenolic compounds) were significantly higher in hydroponically grown strawberries compared to the soil-grown, but the opposite was true for raspberries!” In other words, hydroponic food is even healthier than food grown in a traditional way. WATCH >>> Indoor Hydroponic Vegetable Garden After Just 4 Weeks

What Do I Need to Set up a Hydroponic System?

Let us assume you are just a beginner in hydroponic gardening, and you want to set up your own indoor hydroponic garden. You don’t need to think of sophisticated materials. What you need is a tray or anything in which you can put the inert growing medium. You need water and fertilizers together. Moreover, light source is important to plants. In hydroponics, full spectrum-fluorescent bulbs are a good light source. Setting up your own hydroponic garden is not difficult. If you are curious where you can have one, you can have it anywhere in your home for smaller operations, so you can enjoy your favorite fruits and vegetables in limited supply. If you wish to have an indoor hydroponic garden on a larger scale so you have fruits, and vegetables year round it is better to build a separate structure intended only for your plants. There are several types of structures available such as wooden sheds, green houses, and even garages that can be insulated. If you happen to be living in the countryside or have extra land to build in the city than you have the option of having a metal carports built as well. These metal buildings make an excellent option for your hydroponic gardening and possibly act as a workshop, extra storage, or a place to keep your vehicles. What fruits or vegetables would you like to grow in your own hydroponic garden?

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—————————————————————————————————————————- Author’s Bio Name: Wendy Dessler Title: Super-Connector at OutreachMama Wendy is a super-connector with OutreachMama who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition. Twitter Handle: @outreachmama Twitter URL: https://twitter.com/outreachmama Website URL: https://www.outreachmama.com/

Article by Irmak Bilir – Square des Frères-Charon, by Affleck + de la Riva Architects, in Montreal, Canada. Small beautiful public spaces can be the signature of the cities to which they belong. Square des Frères-Charon is this kind of public space in Montreal, Canada, designed by Affleck + de la Riva Architects. It has become an essential component of McGill Street’s larger network of historic spaces and a key element in Montreal’s cultural tourism branding strategy. It provides identity, civic pride, and generous outdoor areas for all-season public use. In the year 2009, when the project was constructed, it won three design awards. There are various components which make the square fascinating but some reasons are at the forefront like respecting its history, cooperation, and participation.

Square des Frères-Charon

Commemorating the Old

Before the 17th century, the area where Square des Frères-Charon is located was a marshy meadow located outside the walls of Old Montreal. Then, a windmill had been installed on the site, by the Charon brothers, who were the owners of the land. Later, the area was used for the storage of construction materials and for car parking. Now, in the 21st century, historical remembrance is still alive there because the Square des Frères-Charon project respects the history of the area and seeks inspiration from it.

Remembering the Windmill

The windmill no longer stands; it was demolished in 1840, but the two axes of the square were designed like the propellers of the mill. One of them connects the northeast and southwest corners and the second one connects the southeast and northwest corners of the square. The main axle has a darker pavement than the outer part of the square; the second axle is quite narrow and a little bit lower than the main axle. It looks like propellers which are viewed from not the front but the sides. And the paving stones are rectangular in the main axle, yet they are small squares in the narrower pathway.

Design Details and Wheelchair Accessibility 

The site is a rectangular pavement with filleted corners in the midst of four streets, and a big circular planting area which is a little bit lower than the pavement, and which is divided with two axes which are overlapped. The street-level public domain was designed to be comfortable for wheelchair accessibility. The surface of paving is coated with light granite corresponding to Old Montreal. The pavement inside the intervention invites the passers-by to come across the square.

A Meaningful and Functional Park Pavilion

A park pavilion is in the form of a belvedere-folly, which is perched on the site. It houses the technical equipment for sewers and provides access to infrastructure and technical services by a 20-meter–deep cylindrically-shaped underground tower. Access is possible with stairs but it is a long way to the base.

A Place to Enjoy the View

A collector is located inside and it is one of the largest sanitation and water control facilities in Montreal. The belvedere also has some spiral stairs to go up, but much, much less than at the bottom. The access is provided from the street side and it has a vertical, linear texture with a few openings. It also provides a view to the area from above and a seating element for those who want to enjoy the view.

Planting Design

The planting design of the project also commemorates the past. As a reminder of the original landscape and the site’s natural state, a meadow consisting of grasses and shrubs was installed. No tall trees were used for the planting design of the project; instead, tall grasses and shrubs offer a fairy-tale aspect. Sustainable initiatives include the planting of local species of wild grasses which take a significant load off the municipal irrigation system and the use of durable Quebec granite for hard landscaping and the cladding of the park pavilion.

Seating and Lighting in Design

The seating elements which are back-to-back are located in the middle of the main axle and some of the benches are recumbent at the axle’s edge. The others are interspersed at the outer parts of the square, next to the lighting. Furthermore, the square has a specifically-shaped drinking fountain. The lighting of the project is pretty colorful, it is provided by the various size vertical lightings which surround the square and with smaller lights which are on the inner side and on the pavilion.

The Power of multidisciplinary Work

Square des Frères-Charon is the result of a rich inter-disciplinary collaboration and an innovative consultation process. The design team’s main members were an artist, an architect, and a landscape architect. The team’s objective was to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries, collaborate, and converge on common ground rather than divide and distribute tasks according to habitual professional domains.

No Project is Wonderful Without Public Participation

The design team worked at encouraging and facilitating citizen involvement in the design process with communication tools. As well as roundtables and public presentations, a citizen-friendly communications channel was set up on Montreal’s web portal. It helped to connect and exchange ideas between the public and the design team.

The latest information about the project’s progress was on the website; moreover, the citizens could comment on the viewpoints of others appearing on the site, and they could write their opinions on the future of the square. This platform was a bridge between the design team and citizens for creating this impressive square. And in the end, the citizens could enjoy their new space, which they had participated in its process. Affleck + de la Riva architects state that “The project uses a simple, refined, and minimalist architectural language to create a dialogue between circular and cylindrical forms including a garden of wild grasses, the vestiges of the windmill and a park pavilion in the form of a belvedere-folly. Complementing these gestures, the lighting scheme proposes a chromatic garden that alludes to the changing seasons.” Square des Frères-Charon commemorates the old and embraces the new. It is a real team project with its multi-disciplinarity and the intense public participation, so the different views and perspectives provided a spectacular design. It is not surprising that the project was the recipient of three design awards in 2009.

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Full Project Credits For Square des Frères-Charon :

Project Name: Square Des Frères-charon Location: Montreal Canada Area: 1 640 M2 / 17 650 P2 Completion Date: 2009 Cost: 2 200 000,0 $can Photographer: Marc Cramer Design Team: Affleck + De La Riva Architecture And Urbain Design Robert Desjardins Landscape Raphaëlle De Groot Arts Consultants: Éclairage Public Lighting Sandra Baronne Horticulture Morelli Designers Inc. Industrial Design Moitiémoitié Exposition Inc. Museology Genivar Structural / Mechanical / Electrical / Civil Construction: Quartier International De Montréal Constuction Management Terramex (Landscape) / Celeb Ltée (Pavilion) Contractors Materials Floor: Quebec Granite & Eastern Cedar Walking Paths: Quebec Granite Furniture: Eastern Cedar, Painted Steel & Stainless Steel Illumination: Colour-changing Led Plants: Wild Grasses Others: Galvanized Steel (Railings) Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs

Article by Irmak Bilir

By Maria Giovanna Drago – We take a look at 5 projects and show how they represent landscape architecture over the 5 continents.  The stories of people can keep on living within architecture and transform it into the materialization of dreams and wishes or actions and roots. For this reason, we have researched, loved, and finally chosen five landscape architecture projects with a strong connection to people whose stories have not been told enough. We want you to discover and love them too! Keep on reading to excite your imagination. We encourage you to choose one relatively close to you and visit it in person, with the awareness of knowing a little bit about it before you go.

Landscape Architecture in Australia

1. Barangaroo Reserve (2015) – Sydney, Australia, by PWP Landscape Architecture and Johnson Pilton Walker 

There’s a naturalistic park along Sydney Harbour where you can stay in touch with the wild side of nature and the spirits of the natives. The Barangaroo Reserve used to be a container terminal. Nowadays, it’s a green headland that recreates the shape of the ancient seashore. It’s the first step of a three-part master plan for the space. The 5.7-hectare reserve boasts a spacious lawn that slopes to the sea, with luxuriant terraces and a giant serpentine wall of stones along the shoreline. Alongside this is a 10-meter-wide walkway called “Wulugul Walk”. Large staircases and paths connect the top to the bottom. Shiny green algae grow over honey-colored sandstone blocks falling deep into the sea.

You must be careful not to slip! There are more than 10,000 blocks in 300 different sizes carved directly from the site and neatly arranged — a good and economic example of local sources employment. The reserve remembers that progress is not just about industrialization, but also about roots and respect for the environment. Why roots? It’s meaningful for history and memory, but also for nature. Barangaroo is named after the female leader of the local Aboriginal community who is known for the planting program that restored the native vegetation that flourished here before the European settlement. Fifteen hundred Aboriginals lived here, fishing and hunting, and 84 species have been chosen by an expert horticulturalist to stay here. They were grown in Mangrove Mountain before being transplanted, and now they all give rebirth to a landscape that once seemed lost forever. WATCH >>> Barangaroo Reserve’s whole of life time lapse

Landscape Architecture in Africa

2. The Freedom Park (2007) – Pretoria, South Africa. by GREENinc Landscape Architecture 

This is a garden with a strong story: the hard journey to freedom of the South African population. It develops along the gentle slope of a ridge, and all its elements have a secret meaning. Visitors start at the north entrance, at the Hapo Museum building, where they can retrace South African history back to the prehistoric period. The landscape of the park stretches right outside in front of their eyes. Along a series of paths, they can reach the top and the S’khumbuto — a terraced amphitheater that embraces a small body of water overlooked by the Sanctuary on the other side.

The Sanctuary is an indoor place with a terrace sloping to the ground. It is rectangular and features a big window opening onto the lake, connecting the inside with the outside. The Eternal Flame burns in the water right in front of the window. Visitors can hold private ceremonies in here. Next to the complex to the south runs the 697-meter-long Wall of Names, where 75,000 names of victims and heroes are written. Adjacent to the left there’s another indoor space: the Gallery of Leaders,which honors local and international personalities who inspired heroism. Next to it stand 200 tall metal reeds that are visible from across the city, symbolizing the rebirth of the nation. Further along the paths, visitors can reach the Isivivane. Here, there is a semi-circular seat around an Umlahlankosi tree, reminiscent of the trees used by African tribes to discuss important issues of the day. A circular, flat shape encircled by nine boulders represents the resting place for the spirits of heroes. There is no place here for grief, but for celebration. The Freedom Park is a collective memorial that inspires fraternity and meditation.

Landscape Architecture in North America

3. Fort Worth Water Gardens (1974) – Forth Worth, USA, by Philip Johnson and John Burgee 

The Fort Worth Water Gardens rise just in the middle of the city from the ashes of a small quarter where people used to spend their time at brothels and drinking in saloons. Amon G. Carter – publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram – decided to make a gift to his fellow citizens, renewing the space with a breath of fresh air. He commissioned the project to architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee.

The 4.3-acre garden has become the flagship of the city. It sits adjacent the Fort Worth Convention Center and is surrounded by large avenues on the three other sides. Its main element is water, as three unique fountains develop around a central plaza together with two terraced knolls. The giant terraced pool is amazing: It drops 38 feet down into the ground, with streams of water cascading from the side walls into a small vortex at the bottom. Thankfully, there are large steps that people can walk down so that they can sit around the pool. It’s astonishingly unique to be embraced by water and its roar! Next to it on both sides are two terraced knolls, one higher than the other, that screen the avenues. People can sit here to read books or work out on gym equipment. There are also other two pools: The bigger one is surrounded by a line of cypress trees and a more external wall that makes the space more intimate; the other is known for its water features. Water is a symbol of renewal, specifically chosen to give a message of hope. The status of the area today confirms how the project has reached its creator’s purpose of keeping the quarter vibrant and attractive. Today, this once maligned space is a mandatory stop for tourists and citizens and a cultural gathering place where people can listen to orchestras and bands.

Landscape Architecture in Eurasia (Bordering Asia and Europe)

4. Fast Track (2012) – Nikola-Lenivets, Russia, by Salto Architects – Eurasia

There’s a path in Russia with the magical power to awaken the child within you. It’s hidden in the landscape of a park that gives you the chance to challenge gravity and movement. The Fast Track is a 51-meter-long trampoline on the ground accompanied by a row of trees. It’s one of the 10 best projects for a contest about the dualism of architecture and landscape published on the occasion of the 2012 Archstoyanie festival in Nikola-Lenivets. WATCH >>> Designer Proposes Trampoline Walkway

Its shape is simple, but it’s static and useless without people experiencing it. You can walk on the soft elastic band, jump, lie down, of fly down its length barely touching the surface. So whoever uses gives transportation an interactive meaning. How does the landscape look while you are jumping? Up and down? Slow or fast? People are not simply part of this landscape project: They are the protagonists. Without them, the project has no meaning. The Fast Track is also a place for artistic performances.

Landscape Architecture in Europe

5. Parco Dora (2012) – Turin, Italy, by Latz + Partner

This is not just a park, but a memorial to industrialization and the citizens’ own history. The city of Turin decided to take advantage of such a relevant area to reactivate and imbue it with new importance. Parco Dora is born from the recovery of a former huge industrial area in Turin where Fiat and Michelin had big factories up until the 1990s. Five lots make up the area: Vitali, Ingest, Valdocco, Michelin, and Mortara. The site is also crossed by the Dora Riparia, a 102-kilometer-long river.

The Valdocco area is on the east side on both sides of the river; this last is currently covered by a concrete slab that is expected to be removed. Beyond the ordinary walkways on the green, it’s quite a surprise to discover a big cage: It’s the remaining structure of a warehouse of small irons in which tall trees have grown to peek shyly through the bars. The Mortara area to the north is a pedestrian itinerary developing on a busy road. What was once an open-air road is now a large green promenade lined with trees and characterized by blooming pergolas. It also hosts a dog-friendly picnic area. Lotto Vitali dominates the central area of the park, with unique high steel columns painted red, which can be seen from afar. Some of them enclose an amazing piazza characterized by a rectangular lawn, while others still keep part of the cover. The space below the roofing is equipped with playgrounds, a tennis court, a volleyball court, and a skate ramp. There are some walls available for young writers near a mural dedicated to the Irish activist Bobby Sands. The Ingest area connects to Vitali by an elevated walkway on pre-existing pillars and reaches its core at the water garden. The garden is characterized by water channels in motion and artificial basins, realized by filling the foundation site of previous buildings with water. You can admire the large plinths still emerging. Last to be opened, the Michelin area is a large green lawn dotted with trees and crossed by pedestrian paths. Its emblem is the preserved silhouette of the cooling tower of the industrial complex, which marks one of the main entrances and is the logo for the whole park. We always wish to make our readers curious and give them an additional point of view. We act behind the scenes to investigate and find out the secrets that make each project so special. It’s hard work, but we are rewarded by the deeper knowledge and appreciation that we share with all of you.

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Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs

Article by Maria Giovanna Drago