Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

Article by Moreira Filho – We explore green roof systems and look at how they can benefit big cities, choosing key examples of how it has already worked. Green roof systems come to landscape architecture as one of the solutions to make up for concrete spaces of big cities nowadays. But, how useful is it? Some people say these green systems are expensive and difficult to install. Let’s think about it; brick houses used to be expensive in the past. Nowadays they are more accessible for lots of people. TVs, computers, smartphones are normally expensive when they are starting into the market, but they become cheaper as more people acquire them. Why would it not be the same with green roof systems? Here we found 10 reasons and benefits to put some green on our roofs.

Green Roof Systems

1. New Green Areas: Let’s Paint the Grey Landscapes Green

In lots of countries, big cities are synonyms of concrete, pollution and grey color as consequences of dense urbanization. There is no space for vegetation and when it exists, it brings some shadows, attracting violence because of bad public management. Certainly, this is a matter for public administration and politics. But, how it would be if we could take some vacant places –like full satellite-filled antenna roofs, for example – and change them into pocket parks or even a beautiful garden?

And open it to the public?

You are smiling, aren’t you? Because this idea of new green areas in the city brings lots of ancient memories of prosperity; greenness means we have water, food, calmness and peace. Green roofs helps in the balance between concrete and vegetation areas. Take a look at the link and see how a shopping mall in Rotterdam, Netherlands, has used this system correctly. Now you know; lack of green areas? Put green roofs systems on them.

2. Less Carbon Dioxide Trees and other vegetation help the transpiration and the exchange of gases between earth and the atmosphere. Increasing green areas means less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and a reduction of greenhouse effects and urban heat island effects. We can have vegetation uses like the examples in our article Top 10 Plants for an Extensive Green Roof.

3. Air Humidity

Atmospheric rivers are flowing over our heads all the time. Forests are responsible for more than half of these vapor rivers, because they precipitate more than the ocean. So, why not give a hand to the Nature in this way? After all, cities and plantations take lots of lands. We can soften environmental impacts of human intervention into the landscape.

4. Thermal and Acoustic Insulation. 

Environmental conditions inside a building tend to be more pleasant when you have green covering it. Since ancient caves, passing through Babylon and old Swedish Viking houses, human beings know that natural solutions are able to give comfort for living. The soil layer over a roof stops heat and sound waves, blocking them from entering the building. In 2005 at the University of Toronto, a research study was developed by Brad Bass, where he found that green roofs can even reduce the energy consumption of buildings in winter conditions.

5. Ecosystem

Parks and squares with gardens and nature, always attract biodiversity. Birds, butterflies, bees, and other little friends can stand in the cities. Researchers say the contact with nature reduces stress and increases life quality. If we could balance and coexist with Nature, we could find the Paradise craved by the religions all over the world.

6. An Intelligent way to Promote a Business

In some cases, green roof systems could be supported by some companies, businesspeople, markets, etc. They could maintain the place and use them as a marketing announcement. Very well-regarded by consumers!

7 Status

Buildings and houses with a green roof system gain more in value over time. Brokers often say that houses with gardens are more attractive to their clients than houses without them. And they are also more expensive. It indicates that greenness aggregates more value to any building. It can be useful for historic restorations and can be included in situate areas, as this good example in a historical residence in Porto, Portugal

8. Reducing of Floods

In some countries where it rains a lot, floods are terrible problems – bad urban design added a thick layer of concrete, spread on the ground, waterproofing it. Gardens built on the top buildings are able to slow the rainwater flows, increasing the permeability and helping to reduce floods.

9. Better than a Conventional Roof

When properly installed, green roofs have greater durability than conventional roofs, they reduce the direct exposure of the elements to the structure, including humidity, and they obey even more stringent standards of impermeability than conventional types of roofs, based on tiles or conventional materials.

10. Economy of Water

A well-designed green roof system allows rainwater capture. Roots, sand, bricks and other draining objects are able to filter water that can be stored, conserving and economizing water as a result. Sustainability is the word to describe green roofs. Although they are a little bit more expensive than conventional roofs, the benefits are higher than disadvantages and make other costs become cheaper – as in economy of water, for example.

Solving Environmental Problems

Green roof systems are not the only way to solve environmental problems, of course. We must take lots of actions, basic ones and big ones. It is all like a puzzle where green roof systems are just one piece of the solution. Do you know how to install a green roof system? To download our eBook on Green Roof Construction join the Landscape Architects Network VIP Club by clicking HERE! Article by Moreira Filho

Article by Farah Afza Jurekh – Thanks to our partners at ZinCo, we have a been able to build on their knowledge of green roofs to build a list that looks at the ecological benefits of green roofs . The term “heat island effect” is widely being used when it comes to urban areas. Among many other leading factors, traditional roofing material is one of the factors contributing to the heat island effect. So what the traditional roofing materials basically do? The traditional roofing materials absorb the sun’s radiation rather than reflecting it. This raises the temperature of the surface faster than the surrounding air temperature and hence, the overall ambient temperature soars. To contribute to the reduction of these problems, the use of eco-friendly, green roofs has emerged worldwide. Green roofs change our perception about roofs. Roofs are no longer considered just as components to cover the buildings. Rather, nowadays, the green roofs form an integral part of the building structure, sometimes dictating the formal languages of the buildings. This adds a new dimension to contemporary architecture.

Green Roofs – A Great Choice for Urban Areas

With the added functional value, green roofs prove to be one of the best choices in urban areas. Green roofs are offering us a new horizon of opportunities to provide spaces which can counteract the loss of natural living spaces.

Nature, which is gradually being replaced by paved and concrete structures, with native habitats being destroyed rapidly, are compensated for by the design of landscaping in roofs. Green roofs now act as a place for social interaction in residential and commercial buildings and as components to mitigate the urban heat island effects. Other than involving us socially to indulge in the beauty of nature, the green roofs have a wide range of benefits. In this article, we will go through six of the ecological benefits of having green roofs.

Ecological Benefits of Green Roofs

1. Storm Water Management and Water Retention

Green roofs can help with controlling the storm water runoff which is major problem in many cities. They have the ability to retain water at a rate of 50-90% depending on the design of the roofs. Pipes and drains can easily be incorporated into green roofs. As rain water falls on the roofs, a portion of it evaporates while the other portion is gradually drained through the pipes and drains. Thus reducing the pressures on the street drainage system and helping with storm water management.

2. Improvement of Microclimate

As rain water evaporates, it humidifies the air above it, making the air cooler. This reduces the ambient temperature of the air above rooftops, improving the microclimate. Since the rooftop becomes cooler, the efficiencies of the building’s AC units are improved. This is particularly economic in office/commercial areas, reducing the huge loads on electricity which the commercial areas need to bear, and cutting their expenses. Apart from cutting the expenses, the improvement in microclimate ensures comfort zones to the users residing under the roof.

3. Dust and Toxic Particles Binder

Air pollution is a common phenomenon in all major cities. Green roofs can play a vital role in filtering the air pollutants, improving the quality of air. When the air flows, the foliar surface of green roof reduces the speed of air flowing above it. This filters 10-20% of dust particles from the air, thus, helping to purify the air. Apart from that, while rain water percolates into a several-layered green roof, nitrates are filtered from the rainwater, improving the quality of the storm water.

4. Protection from Noise Pollution

The green roofs can be of great advantage when it comes to noise pollution. Urban areas are mostly subjected to sources of loud sounds and noises particularly because of buildings being located under flight paths, adjacent to night clubs, markets, malls, and fairs and so on. Green roofs, which have the capability to reflect sounds by 3dB and improve soundproofing of a roof by 8dB, protect us from noise pollution.

5. Provide More Green Space

The foliar surfaces of green roofs allow designers to offer the users the experience of being closer to nature. The roof surfaces give the opportunities to the landscape architects and designers to think responsibly and show their concerns about the extinction of species in nature. If carefully designed and thought about sensitively, extensive landscaping on green roofs offer wonderful opportunities to restore the destruction of native species and their dependent habitats. These green areas can, as well, act as breathing spaces for the users in the busy city life.

6. Utilize Recyclable Materials

Even the materials used in green roofs are recyclable materials. Recyclable materials like rubber, polystyrene, polyethylene are used in drainage pipes. Green roofs, in all respects, can be regarded as eco-friendly roofs. Going along the list of benefits of green roofs, I think that when rapid urbanization is ousting the nature, creating an imbalance in the ecology, green roofs are one of the best choices for environmentally friendly and sustainable architecture. Apart from being ecologically responsive, the green roofs are equally socially responsive, bringing people together for social interaction.

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To download our eBook on Green Roof Construction join the Landscape Architects Network VIP Club by clicking HERE! Article by Farah Afza Jurekh This article was adapted from The EcologicalBeneigts of a Green Roof, as seen on the ZinCo website. 

Article by M Daniela Hernandez Gibert – We explore 8 urban design projects around the world that have had a dramatic impact on public space. Click on any of the headlines or images for each project to learn more.

8. Dong Da Lake, Vietnam

7. KALA Playground, Germany

6. Estrella Hall, USA

5. Village Centre, Innichen Italy

4. Urbanization Church’s Square, Barcelona

3. The Riverside Terrace, Russia

2. The Soundwave, China

1. Hart’s Mill Surrounds, Australia

Harts Mill Surrounds. Photo credit: Don Brice

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 M Daniela Hernandez Gibert

Michelle Biggs interviews architectural photographer Patrick Bingham-Hall , gaining insight into the creative process behind his photography. Landscape and architectural photographers play a key role in the field of landscape architecture. In the digital age, perhaps this is true now more than ever. Photographs are valuable tools for designers to effectively communicate and share past projects, and good photos of a completed design can be a powerful way to promote our work. Additionally, thanks to digitization, photography has also become increasingly accessible as a creative medium in the past 25 years. Today, more and more students and professionals in landscape architecture and design are turning to photography as a way to diversify their portfolios and better communicate their work. Patrick Bingham-Hall is an internationally recognized architectural photographer and writer, who as the owner and editor at Pesaro Publishing, has published a number of books on the topic of architecture and design. Today, he speaks to Landscape Architects Network about his work, and about how beginning photographers can improve their skills.

Interview With Patrick Bingham-Hall

LAN: First, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us at Landscape Architects Network. Let’s jump right in. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and the kind of work you do? PBH: First and foremost, I have always been a photographer. I didn’t have a clue what to do when I left high school in 1975, so I went to university and vaguely studied philosophy for a year or so. But I gave up when it became apparent that I was good enough at photography to make real money and get a ‘real’ life. So by the age of eighteen, I was a self-taught photographer with a reasonably lucrative business. I honed my photographic skills for the next fifteen years, and I also taught myself all that I could about the world of architecture, art, landscape, design, and the history of civilization. I did that through constant travel, and I conscientiously avoided formal tertiary education, in order to keep an open mind and to ensure that my photography did not lose its intuitive spark. By the mid-1990s, I felt obliged to broaden my scope by publishing books, and by writing as well as photographing. I had hit an intellectual ‘glass ceiling’ with photography. I had too many ideas and observations that needed further explanation. So I started up a publishing company, which did far better than I expected, and inevitably I began writing more and more of the text for the books. I had seen so much – in a variety of countries, cultures, and environmental contexts –that I had become a mini-encyclopedia. My writing just flowed out, and it worked very well in combination with my photos. Most of my recent books have been on architecture, landscape, and design in Asia, which has been fascinating because Asian cities and society have been changing so quickly.

LAN: In your early years of photography, you spent time working in Australia’s underground music scene; what made you decide to shift your focus to architectural photography? PBH: It was the mid-1970s… rock and roll ruled. So as a teenager, I didn’t really think about much else. But it quickly became very limiting at a creative level, as I wasn’t a musician. And, to be honest, by the late 1970s the music scene had lost its excitement. The great days of rock and roll were over. At a personal level, architecture suited me; because, I guess, I’m one of those dreamy people who like to look at things over a period of time… landscape, weather, artifacts. Nobody was going to pay me for photographing the landscape or the weather, but photographing buildings (architecture) was genuinely profitable. So I could make good money from doing the only thing I’d ever been good at, which was standing around looking at things. My parents had despaired of me, but I showed them! LAN: What kind of tools and equipment do you use on a daily basis in your work? PBH: I’ve never been obsessed by camera equipment. I know enough about cameras to get the quality required, but I do not want to be distracted by technicalities, and I prefer convenience and spontaneity to needless precision. I find it very frustrating to work with cumbersome or fragile equipment. Until the digital revolution, I used 35mm cameras for spontaneous shots and 5×4 inch plate cameras for formal commissions. The plate cameras were hilariously difficult to use, but the quality was remarkable. Because the film and processing was so expensive for all formats, I had to make sure that every photo was perfect. I still have this no-waste mentality… every shot must be terrific. Pre-digital, I used a Nikon 35mm and a Cambo 5×4 plate camera, each with a set of three lenses; wide-angle, medium range, and telephoto. I kept to those constraints, and concentrated on the composition rather than experimenting with optical distortion. These days, I only have a Canon EOS 5D (the same shape and size as pre-digital 35mm) with a wide-angle perspective correction lens and a telephoto zoom. I think that larger format equipment is now superfluous, because the quality is so high when I put the images through Photoshop. It has been such a turn-around. It’s fantastic. I wish it had happened forty years ago. I must stress that a tall, rock-solid tripod is imperative. Nothing has changed there. I hate blurred images, and I need to use long shutter speeds because controlling the depth of field (range of sharp focus) by using a small aperture is essential for architecture and landscape. LAN: Can you describe your process when working on a photography project? Has the paradigm shift from film to digital photography changed this? PBH: As most of my photography is outdoors, the process is entirely weather-dependent. So I either have to spring into action immediately, or hang around and wait and plan. Quite often, I have to make the best of a lousy situation, because of deadlines and schedules. I must confess that some of my best shots have resulted from lateral thinking when the weather has been dire. My basic plan of action is a speedy reconnaissance on the site, whilst bearing my client’s preferences in mind. I usually have a printed site plan, and if not, I sketch one. I cover the plan with little arrows and with notes as to the best time of day for certain views. I always look out for the unexpected. And I hate it when the architect or designer accompanies me… I can’t think freely, and continually discussing photos gets me nowhere. I’ve never used an assistant, unless they can keep their mouths shut! The switch to digital has had one amazing advantage… the amount of photographs that can be taken. I can now take forty in a day, whereas fifteen used to be the practical limit. Of course, this has a downside, as one day’s photography means two days worth of Photoshop on the computer screen. I do all my own Photoshop (digital imaging), and I do that the way I used to work in the darkroom. It’s all about achieving a harmony of light and shade, and adjusting the colour balance. Unless absolutely necessary, I refrain from manipulating the image with layers of backgrounds, and adding psychedelic skies. You can always tell when that’s been done, like you can always tell when HDR (High Dynamic Range) has been used. LAN: Where do you get your inspiration from? Are there any books or websites you can recommend as resources for inspiration? PBH: To be honest, my only tangible inspiration has come from earlier photographers and artists, who rarely photographed or painted architecture, although they all depicted landscape. I loved photographers such as Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank, Brassai, Kertesz, Dorothea Lange and Harry Callahan. But my most direct influence came from gazing at paintings, particularly the landscape settings of the Renaissance, Chinese scrolls, and the Pictorialism of the late 19th century. I hate to say this, but I have never really paid much attention to professional architectural and landscape photography. I look at the content, rather than the photographic style. So I don’t have any recommendations for contemporary books or websites. I would advise studying the architecture and the landscape (the subject matter) before getting too caught up in the photographic possibilities. LAN: Many of our readers are interested in developing their skills in photography so that they can better communicate their work. What advice would you give to any beginning photographers? PBH: The most important thing is to document and to correctly interpret the design or the architecture. The photograph means nothing if you can’t decipher the subject matter or the designer’s intention. Obviously, the most desirable outcome is a stunning photo that also shows the architecture and landscape in its best light. Patience is crucial… you need to wait for the critical moment, and that can take hours, maybe days. So many things conspire to spoil a photograph, such as unfavourable weather, the wrong people in the wrong position, shoddy construction or maintenance, etc. A photographer must be philosophical, whilst preparing for that brief period when everything falls into place. LAN: On the other hand, what are some of the biggest and most common mistakes you see students and amateur photographers making in their work? PBH: It took me fifteen years before I thought that I was good enough! I guess that most people don’t want to wait that long, so here are a few basic tips… Correct perspective is essential. That means buildings, and objects, and trees, should rise in a perpendicular manner, at 90 degrees from the ground plane (unless they’re designed otherwise). When we view the landscape, we automatically factor in the perspective correction, but cameras do not. So unless you fix the perspective, everything falls over backwards. Utilize the angle of the sun effectively, whether it’s back-lighting, side-lighting, front-lighting, or no sun at all. I automatically prefer a diagonal (45 degree) sun angle, both vertically and horizontally, because that best displays the volumes, the spaces, the textures and the components. Learn the fundamental laws of photography and camera use. Nothing has changed, despite the digital revolution. In order to know what you’re doing, you need to understand shutter speed, aperture width, depth of field, correct exposure, ISO rating, and lens distortion. It only takes a day to figure that out, and there is little else that you need to know in a technical sense. The rest is just trial and error. LAN: What do you think are some of the benefits of learning photography for designers like landscape architects? PBH: I’m not sure that there are any real benefits, apart from research and reference. I have met very few architects, landscape architects, and interior designers who take good photos; which is possibly an interesting topic in itself. Maybe they’re too close to the subject, whether it’s their own work or somebody else’s. Whenever I look at a designer’s photos of their own work, I quietly chuckle about how they got it wrong! They only see what they want to see, which is what was in their heads, not the real world. LAN: Finally, would you mind sharing with us one of your favourite shots or a favourite project you’ve worked on? In terms of LAN and this discussion, possibly the most rewarding projects were two collaborations between an architectural practice and a firm of landscape architects. WOHA Architects and Cicada Landscape Architects worked together on two resorts: Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali, and the Sanya InterContinental on the island of Hainan in China. The landscape and the architecture blended seamlessly, so it was impossible to say ‘this is architecture and this is landscape’. I think I referred to both projects as ‘archi-scape’ in books that featured the resorts. I was lucky enough to be commissioned separately by WOHA and Cicada for each project, but both firms used all of the photographs. When I took the photos at Bali and Sanya, I realized that I was not specifically trying to show off either the architecture or the landscape. The formal geometries and the contextual integration were consistent across both sites, as the forms of the buildings extended into the gardens, and vice versa. Ecological awareness and rehabilitation were central to the planning of both sites, which I found particularly pleasurable in a resort environment, where human comfort is usually prioritized at expense of the natural landscape and habitat. LAN: Thank you again for taking the time to discuss your work with us here at Landscape Architects Network. To learn more about Patrick Bingham-Hall’s work, you can visit his website or check out any of his stunningly illustrated books.

Recommended Books Featuring Work from Patrick Bingham-Hall :

• WOHA Selected Projects: Selected Projects v. 1: The Architecture of WOHA by Pesaro Publishing
• WOHA: Selected Projects, Vol. 2 by Pesaro Publishing Pte Ltd

Interview by Michelle Biggs

Article by Ho Chun Kit Dennis – Orto fra i cortili (Garden Among the Courtyards) based on wooden pallets, by Piuarch, Milan, in Brera, Milan, Italy. How would you use a rooftop garden? Some people want to create a pleasant or interesting outdoor space for visual enjoyment. Others want a space in which to gather with family and friends. What makes a rooftop garden special is the way its design fits its purpose. Even better if it doesn’t break the bank and is environmentally friendly. Such challenging goals can sometimes be achieved by taking some rather drastic measures, as this garden in the Brero section of Milan, Italy, shows. In this project, two industries that seemingly share no similarities collide – landscape architecture and, yes, logistics. How did it work?

Attraction of Palette

This cleverly designed rooftop garden in the sea of Milan’s blocks of housing creates interesting optical effects. Orto fra i cortili pays tribute to Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez for his signature kinetic and optical art. In English, this back yard is called The Kinetic Garden for its visually dynamic character.

It was created through the use of a modular system of pallets that hosts four types of plants using a variety of color palettes. The plants include two varieties of salad in purplish red and green, and two types of pansy in yellow and purplish blue. The flowerbed is arranged in repetitive straight lines, resulting in monochromatic color strips. When a person walks by the plants, the vision slightly changes along the way and an optical illusion of movement is created. This visual effect is amplified by the use of triangular boards placed between the borderline of color strips. This increases the optical depth being perceived by the eyes. As a result, users are more engaged with the environment. The special arrangement of the color strips to create this visually dynamic effect is the highlight of the garden. However, as I mentioned, logistics is another major part of the project.

The Magic of Pallets

While the palette may catch our eye, it’s the underlying structure of pallets that shows how smart the project is. The former design, which aimed to rediscover the pharmaceutical usage of plants, involved the planting of medicinal plants with the use of an additional layer of pallet. For the present design, most of the flowers are no longer placed via another layer of pallet. Instead, they are embedded in the platform.

Let’s think about the basic composition of a pallet. Depending on the type, it would have two deck boards with a stringer or block. In other words, there is space between the deck boards. This makes the installation of plants fairly easy and secure. The area of the deck boards without plants becomes a walkable surface that can create the platform. Therefore, the dual usage of the pallet here utilizes those structural characteristics intelligently and completely. Another economy of space: clever!

Make Space for the Place

You may wonder whether the design employed the space for environmental purposes. Sure it does. When we examine it closely, we notice that the pallets are placed above the beams. This means the beams are supporting the pallets, and the structure is located above the actual roof. This leaves a lot of space between the pallets and the top of the structure. The shielding effect of the platform can help reduce the temperature of the building, and consequently help save money for cooling in summertime.

What about the gaps in the podium? What happens when it rains? The garden designers have taken this into account — the roof is slightly inclined on two sides. When it rains, the water on the roof slides along the plane. The water is then collected from the open drainage installed at both ends of the inclined surfaces.

A Small Twist for a Large Leap

I believe a project like this is one of the reasons for the rising popularity of landscape architecture. With the mindset brought by the specialty, a small twist can bring surprising improvement to an already pleasant place. If I had seen the original garden, I would have been happy to stay and enjoy time with my friends. But since the plants are secured using separated pallets, users can reorganize the plants easily.

However, one may notice this extra layer abruptly rises up from the surface, making it a problem from the aesthetic side. Now, it looks more tidy and clean, since the flowers have been aligned nicely. Last but not least, the art movement that inspired the use of the specific salad and pansy plants makes the users become more engaged and hence more attuned to the environment. The Kinetic Garden successfully reminds us of the physical flexibility of a pallet and the kinetic potential of colors and flowers. The original merits of the garden have been strengthened by these wise tricks. For sure, we will be looking for chances to be there more than ever. What makes a nice garden? What else would you add to Orto fra i cortili to make it even better? Let us know by sharing your ideas below!

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Full Project Credits For Orto fra i cortili :

Project Name: Orto fra i cortili Designer: Piuarch Location: Brera, Milan, Italy Date of Construction: 2015 Size: 300 square meters Green Area: Cornelius Gavril, VerdeVivo Modules: Vivai Mandelli Beams: PCR srl Structure: Sice Previt Others: Battaglia Contractor, Marazzi, Manuel Coltri – Marmi Due Ci, Colleoni Roberto & C. srl, Amea 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 Ho Chun Kit Dennis

Article by Frank Bourque  – Dock Street Roof Terrace, by James Corner Field Operations, in DUMBO neighborhood, Brooklyn, New York Have you ever wondered what living with panoramic views of Manhattan looks like? Well, you don’t have to wonder anymore. The Dock Street Roof Terrace transforms the dream of many to reality, and offers a pleasant experience that will give you another view of Manhattan and its urban architecture from up above. So, What is the Dock Street Roof Terrace?

Dock Street Roof Terrace

The name refers to a landscape architecture project that recreates a rooftop and gives it a unique perspective. The location for this Dock Street Roof Terrace is hand-picked and perfectly nested in the urban fabric, offering spectacular panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, the East River, and the Manhattan Skyline.

With nearly 6,000 square feet of space, this garden is located on the corner of W 36th Street and 10th Avenue, in what is known as the DUMBO neighborhood in Brooklyn, on top of a seventeen-story apartment complex which was designed by Leeser Architecture and developed by Two Trees Management. James Corner Field Operations is the company that puts the cherry on the sundae with this amazing rooftop terrace that allows every resident to view the panoramic scenery of the skyline, river, and bridges through the prism of modern landscape architecture. The terrace allows residents to see the beauty of New York surrounded by a meadow of various grasses, each giving the space a special charm and intimacy. Whether it’s for an event, relaxing, outdoor drinking with a view, or just exploring, it is the perfect place to be for these residents.

Meadow in the Sky

This project has been carried out by James Corner Field Operations. As they state on their official page, they created a ‘meadow in the sky’ that carves out a series of distinct rooms and environments oriented towards each of the unique views. So, the Dock Street Roof Terrace is not only a terrace which highlights different views. It is actually a terrace which recreates several different environments, each tailored to a unique ‘vista’ (view), and offering a continuous horizon from a modern architectural viewpoint.

What Makes This NYC Roof Terrace Special

Obviously, this roof terrace is not the first or the last roof terrace in the Big Apple. In fact, it is just one of the many modern landscape architecture pearls that balance great views with great architecture. However, the Dock Street Roof Terrace has something that sets it apart from the competition and gives it a unique edge. The focal point that makes this roof terrace a modern landscape architecture project is actually the mirrored cube it features, which transforms an existing egress stair into a focal point and creates a continuous horizon that reflects the urban metropolis views. Along with that, it offers premium comfort and convenience for sitting, dining, and/or entertaining.

Featuring custom alcove benches, linear water features which can even cool your feet on a hot day, and large wood decks, Scandinavian-style design leaves its mark on this amazing project as well. The dining area is surrounded by a tall meadow composed of various grasses and perennials including Moor Grass, Coneflower, Yarrow and Calamint plants which make the Dock Street Roof Terrace in NYC a great example of landscape architecture using unique plants and complementing them with solid, state-of-the-art design.

The Lust to See it in Person

Let’s face it, no words could describe the glorious views this NYC roof terrace can bring to residents. So if you don’t have a chance to see it, the truth is, you will miss a lot. However, reading about it can let you experience it through these high quality photos.

The Dock Street Roof Terrace once again proves that modern landscape architecture is becoming a huge thing nowadays. Also, it brings to the forefront the entire idea of utilizing this concept in the spaces with glorious views and making them truly special in the eyes of both residents of and visitors to (in this case), New York City. The entire idea of landscape architecture and projects like these is to create a modern, yet comfortable space, in which the main use can vary. That being said, guests visiting the Dock Street Roof Terrace can enjoy the ambiance while walking around it, cooling their feet in the waters, or dining while watching the sunset.

What the Dock Street Roof Terrace Means From a Promotional Aspect

The promotional aspect behind this project is huge. Aside from Field Operations, the company that designed this rooftop terrace in NYC, the project itself works as the biggest advertisement for the progress of landscape architecture in the United States over the last couple of years. On top of that, it gives a solid answer to the question of utilizing modern spaces through the environment-saving prism. In other words, every visitor to the Dock Street Roof Terrace can see the idea behind landscape architecture and what it aims to achieve in the modern world. More precisely, visitors can see how versatile and environmentally-friendly this project is and why New York as a city needs more of its character. This clearly scratches the surface of the future of architecture and how everyone will start to utilize it in their own spaces.

Summary

Wooden picnic tables that can easily be converted to high-fashion and luxury dining tables, a wood deck that is a pleasure to walk on, and glorious views at any time of the day; that is the Dock Street Roof Terrace in a nutshell. Yet, these words fail to give you even the slightest idea of the experience you can have at this NYC roof terrace. It is up to you to be part of the glorious views of Manhattan and climb up on this wonderful Dock Street Terrace. Surrounded by the sky and the urban appeal of New York, this project won’t fail to amaze you. The question is, does New York need more of its kind?

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Full Project Credits For Dock Street Roof Terrace :

Project: Dock Street Roof Terrace Designer: James Corner Field Operations (with project team including the names of James Corner, RLA, Founding Partner, “Design Director”; Lisa Switkin, Principal in Charge; Isabel Castilla, Senior Associate, “Project Manager”; Chi-Yin Lee, Designer) Size: 5,608 sq. feet Location: DUMBO neighborhood, Brooklyn, New York Date of Construction: Spring 2015 Client: Two Trees Management Company 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 Frank Bourque

Article by Irene Crowo Nielsen – Constitution Garden, by SdARCH Trivelli&Associati, in Kuwait Every country has its history and its past. Some have struggled a little more than others have. Some have fallen along the road and some have risen like superheroes. Common for all countries is that they are the way they are today because of their people and their actions. Kuwait has had its tough times, but shows now, the path towards democracy. In 2012 Al Amiri Diwan, the government agency, decided to build a garden inside Al Shaheed Park in Kuwait City to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Constitution of Kuwait and to erect a monument, a titanium brass sculpture, that shows the path to democracy of the State of Kuwait.

Constitution Garden

With Kuwait being a country in the Middle East, it has a hot and arid climate. Designing and building a park is therefore complex. The differences in temperatures between winter and summer are huge, it can get up to 50 degrees Celsius, and sandstorms are frequent. Usually one does not sit, walk or stop because of the heat and the direct sun radiation. SdARCH Trivelli&Associati was hired to design this important Constitution Garden. How did they manage the complex task of designing with democracy, an arid climate, and landscape architecture? The Path Towards Democracy

Telling a Story

The Constitution Garden of Kuwait tells a story about the path to democracy and it is designed according to Islamic tradition, as a reflection of paradise; a place to stay and where time passes.

SdARCH Trivelli&Associati designed the garden by dividing it into two areas; the “Old Age” and the “New Age”. The monument marks a passage from the “Old Age” that represents pre-constitutional time, to a “New Age” that represents the post-constitutional period of the State of Kuwait.

The Old Age: Unstable

The old part of the garden relates to the time before the constitution. It is represented by a messy landscape. The garden is designed to be arid and furious, creating a feeling where instability and insecurity would reign. The paths are not ordered and quite confusing, and the landscape is rough. Only trees and shrubs are survivors in this tough arid environment without water.

The New Age: Safe Haven                               

Entering the “New Age” is a calming experience; the landscape is organized, prosperous, and orderly. You feel safe. The pathways are straight and clear cut and there are different plants with adequate water, coming from a reverse osmosis treatment system.

The garden shows great symbolism to the Constitution. It forms an oasis made up of 183 olive and palm trees that each represent the individual articles of the Constitution. There are also a great variety of shrubs, in different sizes and colors, representing the different ethnic groups that together make up the people of Kuwait. There is a fountain, centrally placed, to represent the precious treasure of being protected and the water’s surface reflects the clear sky of Kuwait. It is a garden full of symbols and meanings.

Designing with Vegetation and Water to Deal with an Arid Climate

As mentioned in the beginning, a huge challenge for SdARCH Trivelli&Associati was how to choose the right type of vegetation that would work in this arid climate. Usually SdARCH Trivelli&Associati chooses local plants according to their hardiness zone, but in this case it wouldn’t be enough because of the solar radiation and temperatures being so high. SdARCH Trivelli&Associati chose vegetation for the Constitution Garden that is suited for the hot climate. Symbolic trees were chosen; palm trees and olive trees because they are resistant to the climate and because of their evocative power, great resistance and adaptability to context.

The garden contains a variety of shrubs, grasses and flowering succulents. Euphorbias, Bougainvillea, Plumeria, Lantana and Carisse are planted in mixed patterns with grasses, ground cover and palmettos. To improve the comfortable feeling of the garden, seawater filtered with a reverse osmosis system was used. It is a high-technology water treatment which produces clear water for a series of jets of vaporized water spread among the shrubs and also feeding the large fountain. History is Written SdARCH Trivelli&Associati has managed to design the Constitution Garden of Kuwait by combining the symbolism of democracy with the hot arid climate of the Middle East in a clever way. The Constitution Garden is a story of how one can design with the arid climate rather than against it with the use of vegetation and water and at the same time make a public garden full of meaning. The people of Kuwait now have an oasis-like garden where one can enjoy the shade of the trees and cool down with the water sprinkler system while finding the roots of their citizenship. The Constitution Garden of Kuwait will always be there as a clear symbol and celebration of Kuwait’s path to democracy for generations to come. It is a place full of history, but first of all, it is designed for its people.

How would you tell a story of the path towards democracy through landscape design?

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Full Project Credits For Constitution Garden :

Project Name: Constitution Garden Location: Kuwait City Architects: SdARCH Trivelli&Associati: Architect Alessandro Trivelli, Architect Silvia Calatroni; with: Alhadeff Architects:  Architect  Giancarlo Alhadeff Team: Architect Antonella Rinaldi, Engineer Arda Beyleryan, Engineer Ettore Valentini Client: Public Administration; Al Amiri Al Diwan, Kuwait Government Budget: $ 6,000,000 USD Date of Construction: 2012, by Cotham International Group LTD Phase: Built Size: 7.000m² Lights: iGuzzini Fountains: WaterCube s.r.l. (Marano Vicentino -VI) Vegetation: Azienda fornitrice : Janayen Nursery Company – Kuwait 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 Irene Crowo Nielsen

Article by Radenka Kolarov – Following up on our world series, we have selected 10 awesome projects that perfectly represent landscape architecture in Sweden today. Do you like winter? How about a cold, dark, long winter? You have to admit that it sounds like I am going to tell you a scary story. But let me introduce you to a country where you can spend a night in an igloo if you want to. You might also be rewarded with a chance to see one of nature’s most spectacular displays – the Aurora Borealis — and perhaps drive your own dog sled. Who knows? Landscape architecture at its best adjusts to its natural environment and very specific climatic conditions. So let’s take a look at the top 10 projects in landscape architecture in snowy, wintry Sweden. (Click on any of the images to read more about that project)

Landscape Architecture in Sweden

10. Fish Market Plaza, by Thorbjörn Andersson with Sweco Architects, Karlskrona

The only thing fishy about this former market is its name. Nowadays, it is a square where people can meet leisurely by the sea, reshaping Karlskrona’s city identity. A wooden surface called the “Sun Deck” is illuminated during the night, creating a landmark that can be seen from a distance. The Fish Market also is home to a sculpture made of granite and glass called “Doldrums”, by the artist Pål Svensson.

9. Sjövikstorget Square, by Thorbjörn Andersson with Sweco Architects, Stockholm

As we have learned from Japanese gardens, a space can be “borrowed”. This is the case with Sjövikstorget Square, which is designed in such a way that the views toward the water and the distant surrounding landscape appear to be a part of the square. With the site being convex in shape, it naturally impels outward motion toward the water and more distant views. One-hundred-meter-long wooden promenades frame the plaza and bracket the view, acting as a framing device to limit the borrowed scenery to desirable elements. Terrific!

8. Sankt Johannesplan & The Konsthall Square, by White Arkitekter, Malmö

This project is divided into two squares. The first one, Konsthalltorget, is adjacent to the city’s art gallery and the Triangeln shopping center. This space acts as an extension of the art gallery and was designed to complement and showcase the gallery’s unique and stunning architecture, as well as to host temporary outdoor exhibitions. The second square, Sankt Johannesplan, is oriented toward St. Johannes Church, also called the Church of Roses, as an important landmark in the city. The paving is inspired by the Art Nouveau architecture of St. Johannes Church, perfectly adding dynamism to the space.

7. Umeå Campus Park, by Thorbjörn Andersson with Sweco Architects, Umeå A campus design like this is very promising, because visitors can be a part of the landscape in a natural space molded by the architects. The hills and the birch trees create a unique, well designed atmosphere. It can be said that “minimalistic design” is almost always the best design. Campus Park is made up of three terraces that connect the park and the lake with floating piers. The paths are projected around the lake, with very subtle, clean lines and a few connections with the buildings, leaving free spaces that provide users with comfortable and quiet spaces to interact.

6. Sandgrund Park, by Thorbjörn Andersson, Karlstad

Situated by the Klar River, this authentic park marks its place. The city’s central axis has been extended from the train station, through the museum, and into the Sandgrund Park peninsula, finally dissolving into an almost infinite view of the river. As the design team points out: “While the museum is a collection of the world, the train station collects the world.”

5. Liljeholmstorget, by Nivå Landskapsarkitektur, Stockholm

Liljeholmstorget is a great example of the historical tradition of the Stockholm school. The main aim was to create an intimate room for meetings. Benches are turned in different directions, and holes inside the iron material catch the sun throughout the day, giving the square a unique look. With Robinias trees and curved benches, the square looks rather minimalistic. But the detail that makes it original and atypical is a pavement patterned with flowers.

4. Winter Bay Culture Park, by Thorbjörn Andersson with Sweco Architects, Stockholm

This is the place where Alfred Nobel established his factory and research lab, where he invented an enormous revolution for armaments and explosive manufacturing — dynamite. Today, the site is renovated due to the major reconstruction that provided the park with sculptures, walking paths, small gardens, restaurants, and a café. It serves as an art gallery, and the area around it is a big lawn, terraced into several levels, lightly curving and blending with the landscape.

3. Plantscraper, by Plantagon

One of the big conundrums of modern life is that while people want to live in cities, we must still produce enough food to feed us all. How can that be done in the city? Plantscraper! This is a building exclusively designed for growing crops exactly as you would in agricultural fields, but in an urban environment — vertically, floor after floor. WATCH >>> Plantagon

2. Hornsbergs Strandpark, by Nyréns Architects, Stockholm

The talented landscape architects who worked on this project definitely thought about every element and the way it would integrate into the landscape. Three floating piers have been added to extend the connection between land and water. Park visitors feel like they can practically float on the water, enjoying the way the sun makes the water shine.

1. Borås Textile Fashion Center, by Thorbjörn Andersson with Sweco Architects, Borås

This center is designed to pay homage to the long history of the textiles industry in Sweden. By incorporating details of the textiles industry into every aspect of the design, both inside and out, the Fashion Center is a living history laboratory. During the design process, the client received a gift — a 25-foot-tall sculpture by Jaume Plensa, valued at about 2 million euros. It was really a challenge to fit the sculpture into the project, but the sculpture now rests near one of the entrances, marking the gateway to textiles knowledge and innovation.

“Venice of the North” — Heart of the Sweden

Generally, “The Land of the Midnight Sun” is one of the most environmentally friendly countries, and that is the huge secret that lies behind all of these projects. And the landscape architect behind the transformation of most of the public spaces in Sweden is Thorbjörn Andersson. Oh, I can see, you will love him! Let me leave you with one fun fact: Sweden has run out of trash, so it is importing garbage from Norway. Think about it! From which country would you like to see another Top 10? 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

Article by Radenka Kolarov

Article by Mai Nguyen – Art Installation at the Nature Concert Hall 2016, by DJA (Didzis Jaunzems Architecture), in Zalenieki Manor, Latvia Landscape architecture in general is the comprehensive arrangement of different components to create a better exterior space experience. The scale of landscape design can vary from a regional forest to a simple garden or art installation. With the development of new materials, the design of art installations has achieved tremendous improvement and been gradually recognized worldwide. In general, the art installation, especially in landscape design, is usually aimed at creating an icon, to promote the identity of its surroundings. Just completed in July 2016, the Nature Concert Hall in Latvia by the young and ambitious architects of DJA (Didiz Jaunzems Architecture) is not an exception to this trend.

Art Installation Nature Concert Hall

Imitation of Nature

The Nature Concert Hall is made up of 10,000 paper bats comprising a unified component. The main inspiration for the whole installation might be the unpredictable shapes of nature. From the far distance, this piece of art implies an image of a flock of bats converging on the main stage in the middle. Indeed, the original design intent is to generate dynamic geometries, imitating natural features.

First and foremost, one notices that the concert hall is purposely placed in the middle of the existing buildings behind it. This helps make the project part of the overall site instead of being an alien insert. Indeed, the main frame also promotes the view toward existing buildings. Hence, this new member has blended itself into the surroundings, reserving the existing visual elements and adding more value to the overall picture.

The Scattering of 10,000 Bats

In considering the flock of bats, it is noticeable that its density changes from the edge toward the center, implying an image of flying and levitation; using thin wire and a natural-looking wooden column helps to camouflage most of the artificial elements, attracting more attention to the flock. This flock is intended to serve as a screen for video and light projections. Obviously, the abnormal pattern of this special screen would create an interesting lighting effect for the shows.

Promoting Local Identity

As mentioned before, one typical purpose of art installation is to promote the identity and iconic nature of the local site. Given that the main character of Luznava and Zalenieki manors, Lativa, is long-eared bat, Plecotus Autirus, the project managed to amplify this icon by introducing thousands of this species at once.

The Dark World of the Bat

The architects note that the effect from light projections and composed music contributes to the interpretation of the dark world of the bat. To outsiders, this idea is bizarre yet stunning; meanwhile, with the local residents, this idea might encourage a familiar yet exciting feeling.

In fact, it is not a very easy task to promote the identity of a place, especially in this globalization context in which almost anything can be found anywhere. The use of local images is usually expected to be able to create a familiar feeling, yet stand out from other projects. Therefore, a thoughtful understanding of local context is crucial in the mission of promoting a site’s identity. In that sense, the use of a simplified image of a local animal in an innovative design by DJA can be considered a successful idea.

Two-Way Influence of Form and Function

One important role of landscape design is to enhance the external space experience for users. The usual spaces for landscape design are public/community places. Therefore, the role of landscape design in the development of community is undeniable. Similarly, the expectation for an art installation in a landscape design is different from one in an exhibition. In other words, the added value of a functional art installation is generally preferable. In the case of Nature Concert Hall, it is a place for multimedia nature-educational annual events integrating science, dramaturgy, music, and art, which all can be considered as cultural activities. In that sense, it is true to state that this piece of art is placed in an appropriate context. Its iconic character makes it part of the events.

A Simple Yet Elegant Design

In short, the design of Nature Concert Hall by DJA is not arduous with complicated combination. In fact, it is a simple yet elegant design focusing on the essential identity of the site. However, being simple is not the same as being easy. In fact, the project expresses a careful understanding of local context and successfully conveys it into a functional design for community. This character evokes an architectural trend of the 1960s, usually remembered by the statement from Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe — “less is more”. With the development of new material and the blooming of contemporary art recently, should this become a new trend of landscape design in the near future?

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Full Project Credits For Nature Concert Hall 2016 :

Project Name: Nature Concert Hall 2016 Project Team: Project Author: DJA (Didzis Jaunzems Architecture) Client: Association “Nature Concert Hall” Video Projections: Roberts Rubins, Viktors Keino, Maris Kalve Lights: Oskars Timbars Site Area: 1,000 square meters Completion: July 2016 Location: Zalenieki Manor, Latvia Photograph Credit: Uldis Lapins 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 Mai Nguyen

Article by Alexis Alvey  – In this article, we explore how three projects show how green infrastructure can solve our global problems. Traditionally, the management of stormwater has relied upon the use of underground pipes, pumps, and other devices used to control the direction and flow of water. However, these gray infrastructure systems require a large capital investment, costly maintenance, and can fail. Green infrastructure, on the other hand, offers a low-cost, adaptable solution that encompasses innovative design strategies used to manage stormwater and flooding while minimizing the impact of development. Strategies are diverse, and can range from permeable paving systems to green roofs to strategically planted street trees.

Green Infrastructure

Below are three exemplary projects from three major cities across the United States that demonstrate how green infrastructure can be successfully incorporated into the parks, streets, and plazas where we live, work, and play.

Buffalo Bayou Promenade

In Houston, Texas, the Buffalo Bayou Promenade, designed by SWA Group, is a 1.2-mile stretch of riverfront that links the city center with an urban park. Although the bayous and rivers of Houston have been essential to the city’s development since its birth in 1836, the city continues to be plagued by major flooding events.

300,000 Plants were Planted

Flood control was therefore one of the necessary goals of the project and green infrastructure was employed to combat this. Existing steep slopes were regraded and stabilized with stone-filled gabions to control bank erosion, and riverbanks were vegetated to provide maximum flood control. A total of nearly 300,000 plants were planted, with a focus on flood-adapted and native species. Swales made of recycled concrete were also installed to help absorb high volume water flows. By utilizing green infrastructure, Houston residents now have 23 additional acres of urban greenspace. Improved wildlife habitat is also an important benefit of green infrastructure, and ducks, herons, turtles, and fish have now been spotted along the bayou.

The SW 12th Avenue Green Street

The second project is located within the Pacific Northwest climactic zone in Oregon. The city of Portland is faced with a very high annual rainfall rate, and subsequent stormwater management challenges. To combat this, the city has developed a Green Streets initiative. The SW 12th Avenue Green Street project effectively demonstrates how green infrastructure can be retro-fitted into our existing streets. Designed by the city’s Sustainable Stormwater Management Program, SW 12th Avenue now boasts a series of stormwater planters that capture and cleanse street runoff. Before the project was implemented, stormwater had been siphoned into a system that fed directly into the Willamette River.

Reduce the Runoff Intensity by at Least 70 Percent

Now, strategically placed curb cuts and small groves of native rush and Black Tupelo trees allow street runoff to enter planters, be cleansed, and infiltrate soil or head downhill to the next planter. Pedestrian circulation and on-street parking are still maintained in the design, which is now estimated to reduce the runoff intensity of a 25-year storm event by at least 70 percent.

The Avenue

The last project is from Washington DC, which has also started a Green Streets initiative. The United States capitol is situated in the delta of the Potomac River, the Anacostia River, and the Rock Creek Watershed. Green infrastructure projects are designed to intercept stormwater before it reaches any of these waterbodies.

The Avenue, designed by Sasaki Associates, Inc., is a great example of what can be done in a small plaza to address stormwater issues. Located at 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, the Avenue is a dynamic, mixed-use development, located only six blocks from the White House. All rainwater that falls within the area is collected and then drained through a stormwater filter to a 7,500-gallon cistern that is located in a parking garage below the courtyard. The stored water is then used to provide irrigation for the plaza plantings throughout the growing season.

An 8,000 Square Foot Green Roof

The project also contains 8,000 square feet of green roof, which filters water before it is collected by the cistern. The performance of this project has been assessed, and it is estimated to prevent 76,000 gallons of annual stormwater runoff from entering Washington DC’s aging combined sewer system.

Landscape architects have the opportunity to implement green infrastructure in many different project types across the globe. All cities are connected to a greater watershed, and by focusing on this low-impact, sustainable design approach, we can re-establish the vital connection we have to our land and waterbodies while preserving them for future generations.

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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 Alexis Alvey

Article by Amela Djurakovac We explore 5 YouTube videos that highlight tips and tricks for drawing better so that you can enhance your ability to get your ideas across.  When it comes to drawing, it is a form of art where the learning of new techniques never ends.The fact is that there are so many different ways by which you can improve your existing talent! Beginners, and those who are already engaged in drawing, alike, are constantly looking for new tips and tricks like experimentation with making marks, lines, shapes, tones, textures, proportions and shadows, which will help their drawings be little masterpieces. To express feelings, thoughts or creativity, all you need is a few good-quality exercises that can increase your drawing skills. Some of them are very simple but they can be very useful. We can find them online as tutorials and videos and when you learn the basics of each technique, the rest is only limited by your imagination! Here are some simple but useful bits of advice and YouTube tutorials that will make you want to draw even more.

Tips and Tricks for Drawing

1. “Vision on Paper” –Where to Begin?

All ideas and inspirations come from our minds and all the things that we see, so the first thing before drawing is to ask yourself; what do you want to draw? What feelings and expressions do you want to show? Always start with sketches or diagrammatic drawings and let the paper be the means for transmitting your thoughts. You can also use drawing to research a given task or subject that you want to draw, or use them to try to understand the drawings of other artists. Find your perfect place for drawing, and obtain all the necessary equipment you want to draw with. For an example of where to start, take a look at this video about some art supplies for realistic drawings. WATCH >>> My Essential Art Supplies for Realistic Drawings – FAQ Part 2

2. Use of the Value Scale

The value scale is a very important element of every drawing. Why? Well, drawing is an illusion of shadows and lights and the combination of these factors can really add a professional look to your drawing. You can make your one value scale with different values and create a nice depth for your drawn objects. Pay careful attention to reflected light, shadows, and highlights, so if you want to draw a very realistic picture or abstract subjects or even give a three-dimensional shape the illusion of form, you will need to measure light levels and observe the highlight, mid-tone, core shadow, reflected light, and cast shadow. In perspective drawing, by reducing the contrast in more distant objects, you can effectively portray depth. WATCH >>> The Basics of Highlights Midtones and Shadows

3. The Problem of Dimensions

In everything that we want to draw, there is a problem of dimensions. Finding the right dimensions is really an important step especially when we want to produce a complicated drawing like a human figure. For example, if you want to draw a human face, these are the dimensions that you should know; the eyes are halfway between the top of the head and the chin, the center of the upper lip is halfway between the eyes and the chin, the width of the mouth is the same as the distance between the pupils, and a horizontal line drawn through the center of the eyes should be parallel to a line drawn through the center of the mouth. If you are not sure, you can use the grid method. WATCH >>> Draw Realistically with the Grid, Realism WATCH >>> How to use the Grid Method with a Drawing of Chuck Close as an Example

4. A Combination of Different Drawing Techniques

Sometimes you may be wondering what technique to use for your drawing? And whether, for a particular type of drawing, there is a ‘best’ technique? As you may know, the pencil is one of the most popular drawing tools, and you can use it for all types of drawings, as well as colored pencils. For landscape drawings or adding details, it is good to use watercolors or pastel, although oil pastels are a very expressive media used for impressionistic landscapes. Soft media, such as charcoal, is excellent for atmospheric techniques or quick drawings. This potential you can see in the landscape drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, where he produces atmosphere with a simple piece of chalk. Or, you can use different techniques in combination with hand drawings or digital drawings. For landscape drawings or adding details, it is good to use watercolors or pastel, although oil pastels are a very expressive media used for impressionistic landscapes. Soft media, such as charcoal, is excellent for atmospheric techniques or quick drawings. This potential you can see in the landscape drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, where he produces atmosphere with a simple piece of chalk. Or, you can use different techniques in combination with hand drawings or digital drawings. WATCH >>> Pastel Tips for Drawing and Painting

WATCH >>> Colored Pencil Tips

5. Some Simple key Advice:

• Never save money by buying low-quality drawing accessories
• A smooth, glossy paper requires a much softer pencil, whereas rough paper takes a harder pencil
• The drawing instrument should be connected to your arms – learn how to use it
• Before beginning a drawing, always note where the light is coming from
• If you are not sure whether the composition of your drawing is good, you can make a frame in the shape of a square for different views and pick the best one. Usually landscape drawings are placed on horizontal paper
• Drawing is both a way of seeing and a way of knowing a subject, so look carefully at what you want to draw
• Regardless of technique, color is always added gradually with as little pressure as possible
• To avoid contaminating lighter colored areas with darker ones, paint them first when they are adjacent to darker colors.
• Always keep your hands clean while drawing
• Practice, practice, practice!

Before learning any technique or tips for drawing, you need to enjoy the moments of drawing because it is not just a drawing technique or skill that determine the quality of your drawing, but the love that you express while you are drawing. In the arts, there are no limits, so in addition to daily exercise and experimentation, you need to know yourself through drawing so that it becomes a facet of your lifestyle. In other words, it becomes your response to how you see the world around you. Have you got any tips and tricks for drawing? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Recommended Reading:

• SketchUp for Site Design: A Guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain, and Architecture by Daniel Tal
• Rendering in SketchUp: From Modeling to Presentation for Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Design by Daniel Tal

Article by Amela Djurakovac Feature Image: Printscreen from featured YouTube Tutorial | Source

Article by Bilal Sajjad Raised garden beds aka garden boxes are perfect to plant small plots of vegetables or flowers. Before you learn how to build these garden boxes, let me share their advantages:

• They prevent soil compaction.
• They provide good drainage for water.
• They protect the plants from slugs and snails.
• The sides of the boxes keep the soil from eroding when it rains.
• They are easier to tend, freeing you any back strain.
• They Keep the Plants Away From Pathway Weeds

Raised Garden Beds

How to build Raised Garden Beds?

To build raised garden beds, you need some tools and materials. Here’s the list: 1. Lumber 2. Fastenings (Screws, nails, stainless screws) 3. Cross supports (Aluminum flat stock) 4. Hand saw 5. Square 6. Carpenter’s level 7. Mallet or sledge 8. Screwdriver 9. Hack saw 10. Drill WATCH >>> How to Build a Raised Garden Bed with Wood – Easy (EZ) & Cheap

After you gather the above tools and materials, follow the steps given below to start building your own raised garden beds: 1. Cut and build the basic frame: Clear the area where you want to place the garden bed. Decide how long you want it to be and mark the ends of the wooden plank. Cut it with a saw. Use two screws to hold the planks in place. Select the level for the raised garden beds and put blocks underneath it to keep the level.

2. Screw boards into the corner posts:

When cutting the posts, keep them longer than your actual need. Saw a point on the bottom of the posts. Arrange the first post in the corner of the wooden frame. Insert the post a few inches deep into the ground. Use two screws per side to attach the frame to the post. Do the same with the other posts and screw them similarly.

3. Insert the boards to the ground:

To add the bottom row of boards to the ground level, use the same method of screwing into the posts. To fit the boards in place, push them into the ground. Now, cut the posts that are sticking up using a saw. Now that they are flush to both sides of the bed, smoothen the ground in the pathway and fill the raised garden bed with soil.

4. Add cross bracing:

If you want your raised garden beds to be longer than 8 feet and taller than 18 inches, it is wise to use cross bracings. This way you can prevent the garden beds from bowing outwards in the center. Take an aluminum flat stock and cut it to a width equal to that of your garden bed using a hacksaw. Using a drill machine, make holes on each end of the stock and attach the cross brace to either side of the posts with 1 inch stainless screws.

5. Top with soil. Start gardening!!

Collect the best soil from your garden to fill your raised garden beds. Screen the soil through a half inch mesh if it contains rocks and stones. If you don’t have a mesh, you can do so with your hands too, only it will take more effort. Add different soil amendments like lime, organic fertilizers, peat and rock phosphate to improve the fertility of the soil as required. Shower the soil with a fine spray and then top with more soil, because the soil level lowers a bit owing to water. Done!! Your raised garden beds are ready for gardening. Apart from raised garden beds, if you want to beautify your garden yourself, you can check out these amazing garden shed ideas too.

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WATCH >>> How to Build a Raised Garden Bed for Under $15!

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 Bilal Sajjad Featured image:  © Copyright Steve Daniels and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence