Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

Article by Selen Öztürk Elytra Filament Pavilion, a collaborative project in Victoria and Albert Museum, John Madejski Garden, London, England,  United Kingdom Elytra Filament Pavilion, a biomimetic installation by Achim Menges, Moritz Dörstelmann, Jan Knippers and Thomas Auer, in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s John Madejski Garden, London. Can nature contribute to architectural designs? As we look through Elytra Filament Pavilion’s design techniques, the answer is definitely: YES! The pavilion was designed by imitating the structure of the wings of flying beetles. But WHY? The practice of learning from nature is called biomimicry. In the Elytra Filament Pavilion, the construction of this biomimetic design is inspired by the fibrous structures of the fore-wing shells of flying beetles known as elytra. Also, this design is an example of how knowledge and innovation can be achieved on both technical and design levels. [read more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]

A team of architects and engineers from the University of Stuttgart – Achim Menges and Moritz Dörstelmann as architects, Jan Knippers as structural engineer and Thomas Auer as climate engineer – made this installation for the Engineering Season of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This experimental pavilion has been opened to the public on the 18th of May, 2016, and it will be on view until the 6th of November. A Short Look at the Design Process of the Pavilion The Elytra Filament Pavilion is the latest installation in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s courtyard. It is a result of four years of research on the integration of architecture, engineering, and biomimicry principles. The 200-square-meter structure consists of 40 hexagonal component cells and 7 supporting columns. Each cell weighs approximately 45 kg. The installation’s components have been fabricated by a computer-programmed Kuka robot in a four-month construction process at the University of Stuttgart and assembled on site in the V&A Museum’s John Madejski Garden. For the fabrication process, the designing team developed their own robotic procedures and processes themselves. The materials that are used to frame the components are transparent glass fiber and black carbon fiber. While glass fiber provides lightness, carbon fiber ensures the structural strength and stiffness of the system. Architect Achim Menges explains the goal of this process: “With Elytra Filament Pavilion we aim to celebrate a truly contemporary and integrative approach to design, engineering and production, resulting in a distinctive spatial and aesthetic experience. Based on the biological structure of beetles’ hardened forewings, we have created a novel architectural system that covers parts of the John Madejski Garden with an intricate, extremely lightweight structure made entirely from glass and carbon fibers.” Why Beetles? In nature, all living creatures deal with some problems and they develop different skills to overcome them. If we analyze the skills they have improved, we can learn lots of beneficial things that may contribute to our designs. The elytra structure is suitable to be used as a role model for highly material-efficient constructions. These structures are stiff forewings of the beetles and they have been modified to protect the sensitive wings (alea) under them when they are at rest. Likewise, the created canopy forms resting spaces for people who are visiting the museum. This is how nature and our daily life are involved in an interaction. Moreover, with this wing structure it is possible to create lightweight constructions. Both the geometric morphology of the double-layered system which flying beetles have and the mechanical properties of the natural fiber composite that is used enable this lightness and diversified capacity as Luis Eduardo Guisar Benitez explains in his article ‘Understanding the Basic Principles of Organic Design’. Evolving Structure The pavilion evolves and changes according to the situation that it is in, as things do in nature! Real-time sensors were placed in the structure’s canopy fibers and according to anonymous data on how visitors use and move under the canopy, the structure responds to them. The setup of the robot and the lightness of the material allows the design team to have local production in the courtyard; thus new components will be fabricated, live, in the garden, by a Kuka robot, on specified days. On 17th June, 18th June and 22th September, visitors will be able to see the structure grow and change its configuration. To sum up, by searching nature, understanding the structure of the fore-wing shells of flying beetles, learning the reasons they evolved in that way, and utilizing this research for the design of this pavilion, a team of architects and engineers from Stuttgart University put their signature on an important success. There are lots of biomimetic designs and architectural installations that change our point of view of situations; but the elytra filament pavilion not only integrates biomimetic and architectural features, but also adds engineering principles to the design for the Engineering Season of the Victoria and Albert Museum. In Elytra Filament Pavilion, nature contributes some features to the design, which makes it unique in its own classification. The beetle-imitating structure and evolving cells proves this opinion. I strongly believe that nature can contribute more to us for new innovations. I am looking forward to visiting the pavilion and being there on the days that the structure evolves.

Would you like to visit and be a part of this evolutionary process?

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Full Project Credits For Elytra Filament Pavilion :

Project: Elytra Filament Pavilion Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, John Madejski Garden, London Created by: Achim Menges, Moritz Dörstelmann, Jan Knippers and Thomas Auer, in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s John Madejski Garden Construction Completion: 2016 Project Area: 200 square-meter 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 Selen Öztürk[/read]

Article by Pooja Wahane A review of the shared open space under the project name of  Ocas at Hua Hin, by Landscape Architects 49 Limited, in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand.  Located in the beach resort town of Hua Hin, the Ocas condominium complex is spread over a sprawling 6.8 acres, revealing something previously unseen every time you look. Ocas has been worked into a unique space that maintains its own value. It has the highest percentage of common-use grounds per unit in all of Hua-Hin. Taking a stroll through this luxurious complex is like walking into a dream, with its infinity-edged swimming pool, lush green landscapes leading to the stunning beachfront, and absolute privacy. The Unique Concept of Private Vacation Villas Ocas is a three-story condominium complex comprised of tenant-owned, luxury vacation villas. Extended over a linear land shape, the complex is divided into two parts by mulit-leveled, landscaped green areas and a spectacular, infinity-edged pool that is the magnum opus of the design.

Plan Studio Co. Ltd. designed the project using a holistic approach, by laying out the buildings in an orientation that provides maximum shared open spaces, giving spectacular sea views to each villa. The wide-set, green open space in between favors the design against the soaring temperatures of coastal Hua Hin, allowing plenty of air circulation in addition to providing comfortable distance between parallel-running private villas. The Linear Layout Along the Beachfront The functional space arrangement through a luxurious design yields more than 10,000 square meters of open space. Landscape Architects 49 Limited has focused on designing this open space as a recreational public area. The idea of creating a recreational space has been made a reality by lowering the landscape areas by two meters below the actual ground level, offering abundant privacy and cutting out visual disturbances. Locally available plants such as coconut trees (Cocos nucifera) and sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) are used in a clean attempt to create a beachfront atmosphere. Amalgamation of hardscape elements, such as the concrete pathways, and softscape elements such as the lush, green grass cover connect the common spaces between the front areas and the beachfront. Ultimate Luxury Experience Bundled in a Private Villa Developed by Land & House, one of the largest residential developers in Thailand, Ocas is designed with a vision of providing the ultimate luxury vacation experience. Each villa of 90 square meters is designed in modern Western style, with a multifunctional living area, a spacious modular kitchen, and high ceilings. Two-meter projections enclose the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors at the ground floor, providing both ample daylight and soothing shade, creating the perfect outdoor seating. Balconies with strong, transparent panels offering relaxing views seamlessly blend with the surroundings. Sun-lounging facilities on the roof offer tranquility with unobstructed, breathtaking views of the white sandy beach. Building a smart space requires smart decisions in terms of use of materials. Efficient materials not only enhance the user experience, but also give durability to the project and reduce maintenance costs. UPVC is used in windows and doors for its salt-erosion resistance and lightweight properties. Mosaic tiles are used for the pool bottom. Tastefully done interiors create a sophisticated ambiance. Indigenous materials such as river rocks and pebbles are used around the infinity pool, which helps in achieving a perfect balance between harmony in style and nature. Beachfront Atmosphere The shared open spaces create endless possibilities for recreation, with an interesting mix of casual and formal seating areas. Five-meter-high concrete fences with rectangular pockets of minimal landscape around the property grant absolute privacy and the feeling of seclusion. Simple buff monotones of hardscape design elements emphasize connectivity and accentuate the surrounding natural texture. Eye-catching, lightweight materials are used for general elements. Holistic Landscape Approach Carefully designed levels and mounds with lush green grass intervened with hard-paved walkways around the complex are perfect for a relaxing stroll in the evening. A fascinating play of levels is on display in the design of the public area. The saltwater pool and the gymnasium below it serve as community areas. With this project, the architects have successfully revived the age-old concept of shared open spaces in residential settings. The modern infinity pool is designed with strong lines accented by a dark-stained hardwood deck bounded by a small concrete wall. Ipe wood decking has an extremely dense and tight grain, which offers slip resistance near the pool. Small pathways run parallel to the public areas, with a medium-sized screening of plants. This helps in maintaining the privacy as well as adding to the ambiance. Wrapping Things Up In conclusion, impeccably designed private villas, breathtaking views, a residential beachfront location, and a chance at an exclusive retreat from our monotonous lives makes Ocas a perfect gift of a luxurious experience for your family and friends. It is truly a home away from home. Who says luxury can only be experienced on the rooftops of sky-high towers and bars under exotic swimming pools? Why can’t luxury be given a new meaning by breaking the old, mundane design bonds at your doorstep? Think!

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WATCH >>> Walk Through Animation @ OCAS HunHin

Full Project Credits For Ocas at Hua Hin :

Project Name: Ocas at Hua Hin Location: Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand Site Area: 27,600 square meters Completion: 2012 Client & Developer: Land & Houses Public Company Limited Landscape Architect: Landscape Architects 49 Limited Design Director: Arrak Ouiyamaphan Landscape Architect: Suttida Tharanatham Architect: Plan Studio Co., Ltd. Photographer: L49, Krisada Boonchaleow 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 Pooja Wahane

Article by Nour Adel Darling Quarter, Sydney, NSW, Australia, by ASPECT Studios, in Sydney, NSW, Australia ASPECT Studios has completed a transformation of the public domain of Darling Harbour South, one of Australia’s most visited destinations. This public domain project now known as Darling Quarter was commissioned by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) and Lend Lease. It is a major 1.5 hectare place-making project for Sydney with a retail terrace, public park, two 6-star commercial buildings and an innovative children’s playground which acts as its centrepiece. At over 4000m2, the playground is the largest in the Sydney Central Business District and with its interactive water play facilities, this civic space has become a regional attraction for Sydney. “The time is not far off when companies will have to justify their worth to society, with greater emphasis placed on environmental and social impacts than straight economics.” –Dick Dusseldorp, Lend Lease Founder, 1997

Darling Quarter

ASPECT Studios’ Darling Quarter does not only create a huge public space and gigantic interactive playground, it plays a huge role in giving back to its community and demonstrates corporate social responsibility within an urban design scale, which is becoming highly necessary in the last few years, along with the goal of creating sustainable cities. Darling Quarter sets a new standard for achieving economic and social sustainability whilst becoming an easily accessible and simple-to-reach destination for people coming from any part of the city.

This contemporary-design park not only offers the most spectacular free kids playground, it provides a peaceful community green and a variety of cafes, a wine bar and fresh food, including takeaway outlets showcasing authentic cuisine from around the world. The park also includes a large theatre called the Lendlease Darling Quarter Theatre. Through innovative and dynamic adaptations of Australian Stories, the theatre hosted by the Monkey Baa Theatre Company offers shows for young audiences and those young at heart. Rejuvenating Sydney Darling Quarter serves its main function in building a strong pedestrian link to the city and reinforces the movement between the Entertainment Centre, Cockle Bay, and beyond. The project further reinvigorates the Darling Harbour area by upgrading ground plane materials, lighting, furniture, and planting, and sets a new benchmark with an emphasis on premium quality and highly sustainable initiatives. In addition to an extensively redesigned playground, it provides generous grassed community areas and plantings, civic water features, and a children’s theatre. The Darling Quarter public space provides an attractive, lively platform for people of all ages to meet, converse, play, watch theatricals, and meet people from different cultures in a safe and vibrant community. Parents can enjoy watching their children play in the water games or perform in a theatrical play. Due to this revitalization, Darling Harbour is now safe and lively both by day and by night. A range of different initiatives have been implemented including an enlarged park, table tennis tables, moveable public seating and rugs, and a lighting master plan which enriches the night-time experience. A Civic Connector The park has been located in a strategic spot in the city of Sydney. It occupies a pivotal location in the Central Business District which connects the two sides of Sydney together and gives a unique spatial definition to this urban area. The park builds a strong civic link to the city via the creation of a new pedestrian street – called the ‘civic connector’ – which connects Tumbalong Park to Bathurst Street and Town Hall. A second pedestrian link – the Pedestrian Boulevard – reinforces the movement between the Entertainment Centre, Cockle Bay and beyond and prioritizes the pedestrian connections throughout the site. As mentioned previously, at over 4000m² it is the largest play space in the Sydney Central Business District, and with its interactive water games and facilities it will strengthen Darling Quarter’s reputation as the most attractive tourist destination in Australia. The play area has been designed to feature innovative ways for the children to play, learn, and expand their imaginations. The children will have loads of fun exploring the unique equipment, which has been engineered with safety in mind. The park “welds” the city together, playing a huge role in the making Sydney an interconnected, socially sustainable city. The Darling Quarter represents a large-scale unique civic space that is not only considerate of the user’s social needs, but also successfully creates an attractive unified space by linking the two sides of the beautiful city of Sydney together. It maintains the reputation of Sydney being the most visited city in Australia and one of the most popular, most tourist-friendly cities in the world. Could this design approach be setting a new standard for the upcoming sustainable urban design trends?

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Full Project Credits For Darling Quarter :

Project Name: Darling Quarter Project Location: Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW, Australia Client: Lend Lease and Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Lead Consultant and Landscape Architect: ASPECT Studios Collaborators: FJMT, David Eager, Hyder, Waterforms International, Deuce Design, Speirs + Major, ARUP, SJB, Ramus Illumination, Lend Lease Design Photography: Florian Groehn, Hamish Ta-Me, John Marmaras Completion Date: 2011 Area size: 15,000 m² Awards: 2013 National Architecture Awards – National Commendation for Urban Design 2013 CCAA Public Domain Awards – Precincts Commendation 2013 Australian Institute of Architects’ NSW Architecture Awards – The City of Sydney Lord Mayor’s Prize, The Lloyd Rees Award for Outstanding Urban Design 2013 Property Council of Australia Innovation and Excellence Awards – People’s Choice, Development of the Year 2012 IFLA APR Award for Landscape Architecture – President’s Award – Landscape Design category 2012 Banksia Environmental Awards – BUILT ENVIRONMENT 2012 Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards Category of Public Playspaces Over $1M 2012 ULI Global Awards for Excellence 2012 Urban Taskforce Awards Best Commercial Development 2012 The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design International Architecture Award 2012 Australia Award for Urban Design – Delivered Outcome – large scale category 2012 Parks and Leisure Australia NSW Award of Excellence – Winner of Parks 2012 Asia Pacific Property Awards – Asia Pacific – Best Leisure Development 2012 Asia Pacific Property Awards – Australian Region (Winner Five Star) – Leisure Development 2012 Asia Pacific Property Awards – Australian Region (Winner Five Star) – Mixed Use Development 2011 CIBSE Commissioning Project of the Year 2011 AILA NSW Awards – Excellence Award for Design 2011 The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Design Award 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 Nour Adel

Article by Erisa Nesimi In this article we explore green roof benefits, looking at 20 reasons why you should have a green roof. If I am to define green roofs, I would like to describe them as: ‘tools to reinvent our cities’. Also known by the term “living roofs”, they stand for a counteraction to the fast urbanization of our cities. As a result of urbanization and technology, we are left with cities which are often non- enjoyable environments. Sometimes considered as a pile of concrete (concrete jungles), we have the duty to come up with ways to make our cities great again. Why green roofs? What are their benefits? I’m quite sure that a lot of you out there are very tired of hearing such a cliché phrase again and again; “we should have more green roofs”. Nevertheless, is this just a buzzword? Do green roofs help, and if yes, how? To download our eBook on Green Roof Construction join the Landscape Architects Network VIP Club by clicking HERE!

20 Green Roof Benefits

1. New Amenity Spaces Even if we do not consider the environmental benefits, green roofs will certainly re-create the lost connection we have with public space. Community gardens, recreational spaces, and places to meet and relax will improve the social life of people living nearby.

2. Aesthetic Improvement There is a raising awareness about the fact that our cities have become this huge pile of ugly, gray concrete. What if we say there is a light at the end of the tunnel? With very few interventions, green roofs can help make our cities aesthetically pleasing. 3. Stormwater Management Green roofs help in reducing the amount of stormwater runoff. This results in decreased pressure on sewer systems at peak flow periods. With green roofs, water is stored by the substrate and then taken up by the plants. From there, it returns to the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration. In summer, green roofs retain 70-90% of the precipitation that falls on them; in winter they retain between 25-40%. A grass roof with a 4-20 cm (1.6 – 7.9 inch) layer of growing medium can hold 10-15 cm (3.9 – 5.9 inches) of water. (https://www.greenroofs.org) How does this work? WATCH >>> Here is a video to illustrate better: Green Roofs: The LiveRoof Difference

4. Improved Air Quality It is obvious that more green areas equals better air quality. The plants on green roofs can capture airborne pollutants as well as filter harmful gases. The temperature-moderating effects of green roofs can reduce demand on power plants, and potentially decrease the amount of CO2 being released into the air. 7. Improves Health and Well-being This is both in terms of physical and psychological health. Plants and green areas mitigate air and water pollution whilst in psychological aspects, they can serve as community hubs that increase social cohesion and public safety. WATCH >>> News Flash: Carlisle’s Roof Garden

8. Raising the Value of the Buildings A green roof can increase a building’s marketability. They are an easily identifiable symbol of the green movement and can act as an incentive to those interested in the benefits offered by green roofs. Having a green roof raises the price of the properties in the real estate market. 9. Noise Reduction Green roofs have excellent noise reduction properties. An extensive green roof can reduce sound from outside by 40 decibels, while an intensive one can reduce sound by 46-50 decibels (Peck et al. 1999).

10. Biodiversity & Wildlife This is done not only by sustaining a variety of plants and invertebrates, but also providing a habitat for birds. They can also act as a habitat for migrating species. 5. Energy Efficiency Green roofs offer insulation which reduces the amount of energy needed to moderate the temperature of a building, as roofs are the cause of the greatest heat loss in the winter and the greatest temperature gain in the summer. 6. Reduction of Electromagnetic Radiation With technological advancements, we are faced with new challenges. The risk posed by electromagnetic radiation (from wireless devices and mobile communication) to human health is still a question for debate. Green roofs are capable of reducing electromagnetic radiation penetration by a considerable amount. 13. Agricultural Products As a site for an urban agriculture project, they can reduce a community’s carbon footprint through the creation of a local food system. People can grow vegetables and other agricultural products, serving as a community empowerment. 11. Moderation of Urban Heat Island (Albedo Effect) Due to the evaporation cycle, plants are able to cool cities during hot summer months and reduce the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. The light absorbed by vegetation would otherwise be converted into heat energy. WATCH >>> Green Roofs: Saving the Planet One Building at a Time part 1

12. Waste Diversion Green roofs can prolong the life of waterproofing membranes and even the service life of heating, ventilation, and HVAC systems. 14. Educational Whether built on educational facilities or regular buildings, they can provide a laboratory to teach students and visitors about biology, green roof technology, and green roof benefits in general. 15. Local Job Creation The growth of green roof market generates new job opportunities related to manufacturing, plant growth, design, installation, and maintenance.

16. Recycled Materials Some of the materials used in green roofs are from recycled sources, such as the membranes and growing mediums, like crushed porous brick, which is used by some suppliers. 17. Reduced Building Maintenance Costs Absorbing the heat from the air and keeping the building warmer during the cold winter months, while the growing medium blocks the heat during the hot summer months, considerably reduces the building owner’s costs for heating and cooling. 18. Roof Lifespan Increase They increase a regular flat roof’s lifespan because they have an exceptionally long life span – up to 50 years. (Conventional flat roofs typically have a lifespan of 10-15 years.) 19. It can Provide Natural Shading This of course depends on the type of green roof. If there are high plants or trees (intensive green roof), they create possibilities for natural shade in summer, creating a nice environment to stay in. 20. Not Only for Homes They can be built everywhere; on hospitals, offices, schools, shopping centers, etc. In the prevailing trial, to object to the continuous creation of spaces which are unlivable, green roofs are one of the best tools to be used. If any of the points mentioned above could convince you and you want to benefit from having a green roof, here is a video on how to build your own: WATCH >>> DIY living green roof installation

What green roof benefits can you think of that weren’t on our list?

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To download our eBook on Green Roof Construction join the Landscape Architects Network VIP Club by clicking HERE! Article by Erisa Nesimi

Article by Carlos Cortés Why is designing with varying levels a challenge for the user and the landscape architect? – 10 10 projects that show us how to design with varying levels. Playing with the varying levels of a landscape invites users to experience and discover what each point of the site has to offer. It promotes a more conscious visit of the place through its vistas, spots, and of course the overall big picture. Nonetheless, for designers and landscape architects, it’s a challenge to know when and how to play with levels. This is because every project is unique and responds to different conditions. Let’s take a look at 10 projects that show us amazing ways to design with varying levels. 10. Where the River Runs, by Penda, inside the 10th China International Garden Expo, Wuhan, Beijing, China Where the River Runs by Penda is a beautiful conceptual project with a lot of meaning. The designers evoked the path of a river to make people more conscious of the importance of clean water. This path has been created with wildflowers, grass, and lawns, but it also features different heights that fit incredible well into the landscape as soft hills and valleys. People can experience this landscape in various ways, including at the path level or on the grassland above the canyon. It is a very fun place to visit and relax while reflecting on our environment.

9. The Soundwave, by Penda, in Xiangyang, Hubei, China “Music is liquid architecture; architecture is frozen music.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. This is another piece of art by Penda. Trying to capture the nature of music, rhythm, and dance, Penda architects show us how those elements can coexist within an already existent landscape. The varying levels are featured on the terrain, but the sculpture of sound waves that brings its name to the project is rich on movement, making this an incredible landscape! 8. Kyushu Sangyo University Landscape Design1, by DESIGN NETWORK + ASSOCIATES, Fukuoka, Japan This project for Kyushu Sangyo University involves three major areas, one of which is placed as the landscape for the amphitheater and is composed of irregular lines reminiscent of traditional terraced rice fields. This space allows users to spend time while waiting or relaxing, featuring marvelous vistas of the place that features camphor trees. This design provokes in the users the desire to experience those irregular lines for themselves. 7. 8 House and Landscape Design, by BIG | Bjarke Ingels Group, in Copenhagen, Denmark Designing with varying levels, as BIG | Bjarke Ingels Group has done with the 8 House and Landscape Design, is a perfect example on how to combine spatial experience with purpose and functionality. Here, the levels are presented in both ways — vertical and horizontal. A patio with organic topography and another with low geometric hill terraces are designed to please the user with more levels to enjoy. 6. Fangshan Tangshan National Geopark Museum, by HASSELL and Studio Odile Decq, in Tangshan, China A geopark has to feature sustainability and functionality — and in this case, a very intuitive and intelligent design. The Fangshan Tangshan National Geopark Museum, by HASSELL and Studio Odile Decq, includes various gardens, each having different qualities of a specific period of the Paleozoic era. We can appreciate how the designers played with the levels, not only in the gardens, but also in the project as a whole. One majestic example is the skylight in the center of the building. 5. Earthly Pond Service Center of International Horticultural Exposition 2014, by HHD-FUN, in Qingdao, Shandong, China To get incredible results with levels, you have to think about shapes. This project proves that, as all the mathematics and geometry behind the design provides a calm and quiet space. The gradients and elevations works perfectly for the aesthetic experience. The main spaces are in a lower level than the street, and other elements – such as the rooftop platform or the observatory deck — are placed to integrate perfectly with a landscape that conserves all of the trees and connects people to the lake. 4. One Island East, by Hargreaves Associates, in Taikoo Place, Hong Kong, China Can urban plazas be intimate places and serve their purpose of hosting common events at the same time? One Island East proves that the answer is yes. Hargreaves Associates designed this plaza for transition. Terraces, green platforms, and water basins provide softness and a very simple but effective game of heights. With proper lighting, this plaza in Taikoo Place is a must to visit! 3. Velenje City Center Pedestrian Zone Promenada, by ENOTA, in Velenje, Slovenia To talk about rivers is to talk about varying levels. How can landscape architects take advantage of the challenge to design for such places? That’s what ENOTA show us with this project. The city of Velenje was built in the 1950s on the Modernist idea,l and the Promenada zone keeps those ideals with a design that goes from open spaces to green intimate spots at different heights. The river is now the focal point of the city, as it features an amphitheater that serves cultural purposes when the river isn’t raging. 2. Espace Bienvenüe: Paris Est. Scientific and Technical Pole, by Jean-Philippe Pargade Architecte, in Marne-la-Vallée, France The rolling platform of Espace Bienvenüe is such a fun feature of this sustainable architecture. The platform is a perfect element and provides a break from the other linear qualities found in the surroundings. This space is covered with grass, providing a large park for recreation, and is a must-see for all green roof lovers and people interested in bioclimatic design. Another great example of sustainability and landscape for the user. 1. Vache Noire (Black Cow), by Agence TER Landscape Architects, in Arcueil, France Vache Noire proves that when you really try to use all the space, you go with varying levels. In this case, the objective was to create at least 2,000 square meters of green space for the city. Designers took this place, once only used by cars, and created a public park with living sculptures. The project is composed of three main parts that are defined by an eventful topography to admire. You must not miss this one — check it out!

Design with Varying Levels

Can we play with varying levels more often? From parks, neighborhoods, rivers, and plazas, we have seen how playing with different heights can be done on almost any project. It can be featured on the furniture, be the very own topography of the place, or even the roof like in Espace Bienvenüe. Landscape architects use this to add fun to their designs and economy for the projects. As a user, I love to experience different heights at a place. Do you know any other landscape architecture with varying levels? Let us know in the comments.

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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 Carlos Cortés

Article by Moreira Filho Leyteire Courtyard Project, “Opération Campus” at Victorie Campus of Bordeaux University, France, by Debarre Duplantiers Associés Architects, Landscape Architects and Urban Designers. An iron gate opens at Bordeaux University, inviting entrance, offering pieces of green and benches for sitting. Inside the campus, you may notice how important and special this place is: islands of heat – so commons nowadays – are relieved by the freshness of this courtyard. Leyteire Courtyard takes place at “Opération Campus” at Victorie Campus of Bordeaux University, France, in a big block among Leyteire, Broca, Candale and Gintrac streets, in front of Victorie’s Square. This picturesque plaza in the historical Bordeaux downtown deserves a design like Debarre Duplantiers Associés Architects, Landscape Architects and Urban Designers had amazingly worked out in the project called Leyteire Courtyard Project. In the past, this courtyard was used for the circulation of students and furthermore, used to be the place for deliveries of goods to the Campus. You would probably find there some rubbishes bins, boxes of food, delivery bicycles and cars mixed with students. However, the localization of this Campus is very strategic and of course, had to have another use, as Debarre Duplantiers Associés Architects well observed. Victorie Campus was founded in front of the Victorie’ Square, a very important plaza in Bordeaux.

Leyteire Courtyard Project

Why not Open this Place to the City? Universities always have social functions, right? So, why not open it to the citizens in general? This is what you may think when you design a landscape like that. Taking advantage of the location, social function, and history of the space, matching them with contemporary design is the objective that the project must reach. In fact, the project starts with this job of the circulation of people and deliveries through the maze of buildings formed from university buildings, an anthropological museum and an amphitheater. From this point, Debarre Duplantiers Associés Architects divided the courtyard into four kinds of environments, one for the circulation of people, one small one for the deliveries, another for the meeting of groups and at last, one for intimacy or an isolated ambiance.

What does the Courtyard Look Like? Linear concrete ground shares space with green plants and concrete benches. In the central part of the courtyard, you can have a view of windows of the University buildings and also observe walls made of stone blocks. The pavement is designed with discreet colors of grey and orange in the concrete, mixed of crushed stone. A small sidewalk surrounds some of the buildings; it works like a very small plateau stage and it’s made of rectilinear wooden planks. These wooden planks are the pastel shades and light colors of the wood, so it gives a very elegant image when you are walking through the gardens and a very best finish to the stairs – of which the treads are made of limestone planks – completing the charming view of the landscape. Once this space is an opened area, sunlight gets to each edge of the garden. Shadows of the buildings and vegetation bring freshness into hot days. As the sunlight changes position through the day, new scenes of the same place are naturally offered – perfect models for artists and photographers. This is that kind of transformation of places you might love! You can observe a contemporary design closely communicating with historical spaces and French façades from around the 17th century. Tremendous Furniture, Wonderful Vegetation and Water are an Astonishing Surprise The gates of Leyteire Courtyard don’t give the impression of prisons or cages. They are instead a kind of work of art, and you pass through them with this sensation. Their bars seem like inclined gentle stripes or ribbons, although it’s steel material. Too nice! Benches built in grey concrete blocks go along with the linearity of the paving. They are big, practical and charming. Ready to receive different kind of users: one person (individual blocks), a group, or even someone who wants to take a nap. As you pass through the courtyard, looking for some bench to have a sit, you’ll probably notice the freshness of the vegetation. Cercis siliquastrum (Judea’s tree) ensures the vertical colors of flowers in the beginning of spring. Choisya grandiflora stand as evergreen shrubs with aromatic leaves and fragrant white flowers going with the beauty of Cornus kousa tops and also the Mediterranean elegance of Chamaerops humilis (European palm tree). Greenspaces like that helps the city in combating against Urban Heat Island Effects, once Old Bordeaux’s center is paved all over, without any greenness. That’s one of the reasons for the success of this project; it brings the sense of an average park (a little bit more than a pocket park) into the middle of downtown, and it is opened for the population! After all this tour, there is still a final surprise remembering the centrality of the ancient courtyards. Have you ever gotten that last piece of delicious cake with that very last sweet cherry over it? Well, the water feature of this courtyard causes this exact sensation. But now the freshness melts with the water over a dark grey polished concrete block in a shape that reflects the water table. Its sound and visual effect is a paradisiac vision, a different point of view of an oasis in the desert or ponds of old monasteries. At night, spotlights around the pond are turned on, guaranteeing the sophistication of the place. Night with light steps up the façades and provides a safe walking environment. They are distributed through the plats giving accentuation to the vegetation, water table, façades and walking lanes. They were not put directly into the passageway as streetlights used to be, but they were disposed in a spreading pattern and indirectly through the courtyard. We must agree that a well-done illumination has always made any place comfortable. Vive la France! France is known for affairs, meetings, wonderful wines, perfect cheese and gastronomy, cultural life, tourism and lots of other qualities. Bordeaux, which was for a little while the Capital of that country, is full of charm and history (it is very old!). Having a walk in such streets or even travel by tram, cycle, car or whatever, is always an amazing experience. Places like Leyteire Courtyard (or Victorie Campus) shows that our designs are able to contribute to the transformation of a historical place into a full-of-life public square. Water effects and the freshness of vegetation aromas within a garden always causes vital sensations. The right combination of materials (wood, rocks, bricks) with the vegetation and an exquisite water feature join the 17th century buildings to the 21stlandscape architecture, like a grandpa playing with his grandson. Revitalizing! Furthermore, as Bordeaux City is a synonym of elegance, the requalification design must have style enough to hold together. Lighting effects must be considered not only for the dark periods but also all day long with the use of sunlight. Indirect lighting provides comfort and cosiness. Preservation of centenary façades and views, joining them to a modern and non-aggressive style is entirely possible and increases sophistication. All these effects were well-reached in the Leyteire Courtyard Project by Debarre Duplantiers Associés Architects, Landscape Architects and Urban Designers. What about you? What inspires you when you see a historical space asking for a renewal? Write it down in the comments below.

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Full Project Credits For Leyteire Courtyard:

Project Name: Project: Leyteire Courtyard – “Opération Campus” Client: Bordeaux University Architects: Anouk Debarre landscape architect, Martin Duplantier architect, Yon Anton Olano light design Completion: 2012 Area: 1 900 sqm of concrete, 450 sqm of green area Construction Cost: 0,9 M€ – “Opération Campus” – Address: Rue Leyteire / Rue Broca, Victor Segalen University – Bordeaux Brief: exterior spaces Client: Bordeaux University Architects: Anouk Debarre landscape architect, Martin Duplantier architect, Yon Anton Olano light design Completion: 2012 Area: 1 900 sqm of concrete, 450 sqm of green area Vegetation: Judea trees, camellia, chamaerops Humilis, arbours, choisya ternata, cornus – kousa Construction: grounds in poured-in-place concrete. Pre-cast concrete furniture. Materials: grounds in coloured concrete, with either broomed or desactivated finish with a 3cm stone mix. Wooden stage and steps in limestone. Grey concrete furniture. Water table in dark grey polished concrete. Construction Cost: 0,9 M€ 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 Moreira Filho

Article by Erisa Nesimi We explore 10 projects that were made successful by their focus on being people-oriented designs. Design is a discipline that, regardless of its subject, is closely related to people, because they are at the end of the chain. Designs that listen to the end users are being implemented in projects all over the world and have been very successful. I strongly think that they are the key to better living conditions and healthier lives. Therefore, I want to share with you some great examples of landscape designs that focus on people’s needs, raising awareness on social sustainability. As Jan Gehl, an important figure in urban design, has stated: “Only architecture that considers human scale and interactions is successful architecture.”

People-Oriented Designs

Here are 10 of the best examples of designs that empower people: 1. Design to Enhance Activity — A’beckett Urban Square Since the Situationist movements of the 1960s, which proclaimed the importance of design as a tool against the apathy that people are often thrown into, designing to support the opportunities of moments in life has come into focus. A’beckett Urban Square in RMIT, Melbourne, Australia, is a wonderful example of how a space — no matter how small in scale — can accommodate dynamical social interactions and be a design of experiences. The key is in the small features of urban furniture, such as various sport facilities, which generate a stronger relationship between users and the space.

2. Urban Furniture is Key – Kic Park Here, I am referring to an example that is so simple it’s fascinating. Kic Park in Shanghai, China, uses the material of wood to create a variety of shapes that create numerous pieces of urban furniture. In some cases, the material takes the form of a bench to sit on. In another, it is a bench you can lie down on. In yet another, it’s a shelter. All of these, emerging from the same material, make this design unique and inclusive. The material holds the feeling of warmth and comfort, adding to the great effects this design has. Flexibility in urban furniture makes this project a place where everyone finds his or her own place. 3. Design for People with Disabilities — Van Campenvaart playground When stating the phrase “design for people”, we should bear in mind the fact that different people have different needs. This is the case for Van Campenvaart playground in Hague, the Netherlands. Here we see an example of how we can approach people with disabilities, but in a way that does not expose their disability. To the contrary, it creates a mixture of environments that are accessible for them, but do not note their particular conditions. This way, it creates a space for all, a space for every child to feel like he or she has the same possibilities. 4. Community-Driven Designs — Mesa City Center What is more user friendly than relying on users helping during the process? The initial idea for a new public space was approved by the city residents of Mesa City, Arizona. The design teams worked intensely with the community and deeply considered public opinions in order to address the inhabitants’ needs. Crucial to the success of the winning team’s proposal was the integration of public opinion into the design strategy by asking questions before they went to the drawing processes. This is a literal “from the community to the community” project. 5. Stimulating Landscapes — Vanke Chongqing Xijiu Plaza Public spaces are designed for people to conduct their activity, in groups or individually, but they should also promote vitality. Vanke Chongqing Xijiu Plaza, in Chongqing, China, makes use of the site context to do this. It not only offers people an opportunity to meet and get together, it also gives them the chance to sit and enjoy some marvelous scenery and stimulating landscapes, all in the middle of a buzzing city. Numerous trees, shrubs, and water features provide a thrilling experience. 6. Identifying with the Place — The Playground at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens One of the main characteristics of human beings is the need to identify themselves with the spaces they use. Psychologists see these patterns in humans’ everyday life. But how can a public space achieve this? The Playgarden, at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron, Ohio, is an example of achieving personal identification. It recalls the history of the city in one petite playground that is not only for children. It consists of elements that bring into focus parts of history and different individuals. There is a particular care for elements, such as footsteps on the ground, which enact our longing to identify with the place. 7. Safety and Comfort — Plaza de la Luna Various studies have been made on how architecture and design can help to prevent crime. Jane Jacobs stated in her book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” that elements such as sidewalks and streets serve a vital role in ensuring the safety of their users. Plaza de la Luna in Madrid, Spain, makes this possible due to the choice of materials. Using the same paving for the sidewalk and the vehicular street creates a sense of ease for pedestrians and gives unity to the whole space. Materials that are difficult to vandalize were used, but the detail that proves their point is, of course, the lighting. The light fixtures generate a sense of safety during the nighttime, especially in the arcades zone, where the light is accentuated by white screens in the ceiling, creating a bright area. 8. Leave Room for the Unexpected — Genk C-Mine What is truly amazing in the human character is the fact that not everything is programmed. Therefore, designs that are people oriented should show this characteristic in their concept. The Genk C-Mine design in Genk, Belgium, integrates this aspect into a design that offers a lot, but still leaves room for daily surprise. The unexpected can be visible from day to nighttime, when the lighting creates a vibrant space and beautiful scenery. It is also a place where events have been held, since people have found this place to be particularly fit for that purpose. 9. Know your Target — Kyushu Sangyo University Campus Design Each design addresses a certain group or community, which means that particular care should to be put into their meeting their needs. This is the case in the Kyushu Sangyo University Campus Landscape Design in Fukuoka, Japan. Since the spaces are mainly used by students and professors, the designers have paid attention to their daily activities, resulting in spaces to sit and relax, as well as an amphitheater-like structure for their events. Various plant types have been used to reinforce the seasonal changes, which is very important to notice in a university environment. Small, informative tables create the chance to get to know more about each of the design aspects, adding to the educative character of a university. Based on studies of how students use spaces, there are no clear circulation routes. 10. Diversity — Superkilen, Copenhagen This project shows how crucial it is to have a diversity of spaces in one place, especially when the context requires it. Consisting of three main places — ,the Red Square, the Black Market, and the Green Park — this design in Copenhagen, Denmark, satisfies the needs of all the people in the neighborhood, becoming a spot that offers many chances to meet people. In some areas, you are encouraged to be active, while in some others you are faced with more calming environments. This was achieved using very simple design elements, such as bright colors in contrast to black and white, a diversity of urban furniture, and vegetation, as well as elements to represent each nation of the community. We as designers often forget about the social impact our projects have. Focusing too much on the aesthetical aspects results in projects that only look good on paper. Pretty designs sometimes lack the ability to address their users, and we often see people “misusing” these spaces. User experience should teach us lessons that we can base our further projects on. Landscape architects should create designs that affirm the presence of people. When designing parks or other public spaces, remember the expression “Do unto others as you would have them do unto 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 Erisa Nesimi

Article by Farah Afza Jurekh We explore 10 awesome YouTube tutorials to master hand drawing.  Hand drawings are simply the visual translation of the thoughts of our creative minds. In architecture, hand drawing is one of the most powerful and essential tools. The sketches and drawings of architects should be able to speak, obviously metaphorically; it means that they should be able to communicate with our clients. It must be a medium to express and convey our thoughts and ideas. Now, if you are a beginner, I will suggest that you read this wonderful article; The Complete Beginners Guide to Improving Your Hand Drawing by my colleague Carlos Cortés. For those who have already read this helpful article, assuming that you are now a pro in hand drawing, you need to give your masterpiece life which means I am talking about rendering. Renderings add lives to sketches. It is true that digital renderings are comparatively easier and less time-consuming, but the impression that hand renderings can make surpasses everything. In this article we will explore 10 YouTube tutorials to improve your skills in hand renderings. 1. Rendering by Adding People and Trees WATCH >>> Drawing in progress: How I sketch people

Suppose you have drawn a building. The form, the spatial quality, and everything may be nice. But, you will still feel an emptiness, the absence of something in your sketch. Now, try adding a few trees, bushes, a few people or the surrounding environment and see the magic! These few things will surely accentuate the liveliness of your sketches. This is because when we see drawings, we automatically try to relate that to our real world. And in reality, a building does not stand alone on a white canvas. In reality, it is surrounded by nature and its users. Thus, by adding trees, people, and the related surrounding elements, you can easily bring life to your sketches. Rendering with Different Media Rendering can be done with different media. The best part is that we get to choose whatever media we like and are comfortable with. So, it is actually fun to do. The commonly used media are pencils, pens, markers, water colors, oil colors and so on. 2. Basics for Ink Pens and Markers WATCH >>> Ink Pen Comparison for Sketching, Drawing, and Copic Marker Rendering

Before starting to render with pens and markers, we need to know what different types of pens and markers are available. The line weight of each pen varies significantly and so does its use. Hence, this tutorial is important to pick up the right pens to meet your style. 3. Rendering With Ink WATCH >>> Architectural Sketching – Day 06

A common drafting pen does wonders. This tutorial is very helpful for those trying to improve your skills with pen. With a few simple line strokes, the rendering is done over here. The tonal variation gives depth, adding a 3d effect to a sketch. All you need to know is how to hold the pen in the correct position, how to make your strokes bold. Remember, the strokes are very important in drawings! Strokes can easily differentiate an amateur from a pro. The bolder the strokes are, the more vivid and communicative the drawing will be. 4. Ink Texturing WATCH >>> Ink texturing – Architecture Daily Sketches

Well, rendering can be done by adding textures to your sketches. This is basically performing the hatch command of AutoCAD by hand. Of course it will be time consuming, but you need to be patient because it’s worth trying! All you need to do is to know about different types of textures for different materials. This type of rendering will be very informative, giving clear details of materiality in your design. And this can be a great technique especially for interior designers. 5. Rendering with Watercolorand Markers WATCH >>> 2 story building – Architectural sketching and rendering If you want to render your sketches with watercolors or markers, this video can really be very helpful. Watercolor is fun to do and the artistic look it gives to sketches is simply mind-blowing. But, I must say, to do these water color washes like a pro, takes a lot of practice. With markers, shadows can easily be defined which brings depth to sketches. Adding shadows will also make sketches more realistic. Markers are easy to use. You can easily turn your sketch into a colorful masterpiece. 6. Rendering with Ink and Watercolor WATCH >>> Pen, Ink speed demo by Joe Cartwright

7. Landscape Coloring Techniques WATCH >>> ASMR Landscape Coloring Techniques

Another awesome tutorial showing coloring techniques with markers. It is important to emphasize o the strokes while working with markers. To learn about it watch landscape coloring techniques 8. Rendering with Caligraphy pen or Waterbrush WATCH >>> watercolor architectural presentation

This is another type of media. The technique is intriguing. Calligraphy brushes create awesome watercolor effects. A light water wash can bring dramatic changes to your sketch! 9. Pencil Rendering WATCH >>> Architecture rough sketch drawing

If you are in love with black and white, pencils can do magic. Just like pens, variations in tones with pencils are great techniques with which to render your drawings. The sketchy effect that pencil rendering produces gives a casual look to your work which is artistic and at the same time very appealing. The technique of holding the pencils plays an important role in mastering your skills. 10. Combo of different media WATCH >>> Expresión Arquitectónica – Arq. Eloy Vera Lahaye

Well, this tutorial is a great example of how the use of different media like color pencils, color markers, and pen, along with the additions of people, trees and other natural settings can transform a simple drawing into a vibrant one. Well, I hope, following the tutorials, you will get to learn the techniques of hand rendering and will soon be a pro. Do comment in our comment section. We will love to hear about how you have improved your rendering skills!

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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 Farah Afza Jurekh

Article by Rose Buchanan We take a closer look at 10 projects that show how Turenscape is Leading the way in ecological design. The name Turenscape is derived from two Chinese words: “Tu” (meaning “land”) and “Ren” (meaning “people”), combined with the English word “scape” to create a word that indicates the harmony between land and people. It is this philosophy that drives the creativity behind the multidisciplinary firm and allows them to create landscapes that are both ecologically ground-breaking and culturally significant. Turenscape is undoubtedly a favourite of Landscape Architects Network and so we thought it fitting to feature 10 of their ecologically powerful projects.

Turenscape is Leading the Way

1. Floating Gardens at the Yonging River Park, Taizhou Turenscape approached the design of this riverside park through the use of two layers: a restored “natural” matrix and a new network of paths, forming a “human” matrix. The natural matrix involved removing the concrete embankment of the river and providing a more ecological approach to flood control and stormwater management through the use of riparian wetland along the flood plain and a marshy wetland which runs parallel to the river. They then overlaid a “floating” human garden which allows access for tourists and locals and provides urban connections between the river and the city.

2. Red Ribbon Park, Qinhuangdao City The Red Ribbon is one of Turenscape’s most well-known projects through its dramatic use of a single curvilinear element that combines seating, lighting, and walkway. This element allows visitors to access the 20-hectare park without impacting the natural vegetation and riverine system. The project is also a good example of ecological infrastructure as processes such as stormwater management, biodiversity, and green networks are woven into the design. 3. Quzhou Luming Park, Quzhou This park shows Turenscape’s unique approach to public space by combining agriculture with an urban waterfront park. The park creates a place for people to gather, exercise, and recreate while providing space for productive urban farming. Combined with this was the need to preserve the natural topography of red sandstone hills and to ensure that the flood plain was maintained. The result is a multi-layered park consisting of boardwalk structures and pavilions which bring people in contact with an ever-changing landscape of rotating crops and geological features. 4. Qian’an Sanlihe Greenway, Qian’an Neglected and polluted by garbage and sewage, the Qian’an Sanlihe Greenway was not a pleasant place for residents. Turenscape transformed this landscape into a green pedestrian and cycle route by managing the pollution and cleaning the site. The concrete channel of the river was removed and in its place, a beautiful wetland system was creates with an elegant tree island. Elements of art create interest and boardwalks allow for connectivity while preserving the ecological systems. 5. Qunli Stormwater Park, Haerbin City The Qunli wetland is surrounded on all four sides by roads and development, resulting in pollution from stormwater run-off. This was solved by Turenscape’s clever design whereby the inner core of the park was left untouched and a wetland perimeter of ponds and mounds clean the stormwater. Overlaid onto this was a network of paths which invite people into the park and an elevated skywalk with viewing platforms that gives users a view of the core without disturbing the wetland habitat. 6. Yanweizhou Park, Jinhua City Yanweizhou Park occurs at the confluence of three rivers: Yiwe, Wuyi and Wujiang, providing an extremely ecologically sensitive approach to the design. Combined with this was the need to provide a physical connection which Turenscape beautifully executed through the design of the 764 Bayong pedestrian bridge. This allowed them to restore the ecosystem wetland and allows the park to become flooded without inhibiting access for visitors. 7. Zhongshan Shipyard Park, Zhongshan This 11-hectare site was home to a disused shipyard located between the Qijiang River and the city. The design thus called for a link between natural and man-made spaces by bringing water into the park and creating a green public space. The existing infrastructure of the shipyard was used within the design and a clever network of bridges at various levels accommodates the fluctuating water levels. 8. Qiaoyuan Wetland Park, Tianjin Turenscape approached this project by embracing the “messiness” of nature while transforming a previously flat shooting range and slum into a sculptural public space. Here they created ponds and wetlands to clean water and create natural habitats while a network of pathways weave in between the vegetation patches. In places, timber platforms jut out into the wetlands, allowing visitors to experience and connect with nature. 9. Shanghai Houtan Park, Shanghai Previously polluted and prone to flooding, this site was a negative aspect of the city until Turenscape’s intervention. Their design turned a brownfield industrial site into a beautiful, safe place for visitors which cleans water and prevents flooding of the river. Using the strategy of a mile-long wetland system, Turenscape created a functional park which has become a valuable recreational and economic asset for Shanghai. 10. Minghu Wetland Park, Liupanshui City Here Turenscape transformed a deteriorated peri-urban site into a regenerative and ecological park. They achieved this by integrating the existing streams, wetlands and low-lying lands into a stormwater management and purification system, forming a series of wetlands and retention ponds that clean the water. Combined with this was a network of continuous public spaces and an iconic rainbow bridge which allows visitors to access the central wetland. Turenscape is definitely one of the leading landscape architectural firms to watch and we can’t wait to see what they do next!

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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 Rose Buchanan

Article by Irene Crowo Nielsen Hart’s Mill Surrounds, ASPECT Studios, Port Adelaide, SA, Australia. It is no secret that children (and adults, for that matter) are attracted to bright colors. Did you, for example, know that yellow is the color people most associate with amusement, optimism, gentleness and spontaneity? That is also a description that fits the Hart’s Mill Surrounds, by ASPECT studios in Port Adelaide, perfectly, and what it quickly has come to represent. But it was not always like this, in fact the historic area around the Hart’s Mill used to be an abandoned, unused, impermeable, contaminated piece of asphalt with weeds growing from the cracks. So how did ASPECT Studios manage to turn this piece of asphalt jungle into an energetic community hub and integrate cultural heritage through interpretive play using the color yellow, and to top it all off; win seven awards…?

Hart’s Mill Surrounds

The Past – Mill Let us start by taking a trip down memory lane. Hart’s Mill is a prominent landmark in Port Adelaide’s history and unique by way that it was the longest continuously serving flour mill in South Australia (operating from 1855 to 1980). This is also why it was such an important area to reclaim and make available to the public as a part of Adelaide’s history. The revitalization of the Hart’s Mill focuses on the conservation and re-establishment of an abundant space as an active part of the Port and the broader metropolitan area in Adelaide.

ASPECT Studio was the asked by the government of South Australia to transform the area around the Hart’s Mill buildings. They worked closely with Mulloway Studio, who designed a shelter (which functions as a marketplace today) with reference to the site’s heritage and set out on what was to become an award-winning task. Concept; a Vibrant, Attractive Public Realm The urban renewal of the area around Hart’s Mill includes extensive new grassy recreation areas with trees that invites one to stay for a picnic. The trees planted in this area, Urbanite Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica ‘Urbanite’) have a distinctly pyramidal crown and are planted in raised concrete planters two by two to let the visitors have full visibility of the waterfront. If you feel like having a good old barbeque instead of a picnic you can easily withdraw and use the BBQ areas covered by a shelter. The main attraction of the area is an innovative playground, themed around the site’s flour milling history. You will find reminders of the mill’s rich history spelled out in bright yellow tubular steel scattered throughout the playground. Kids are running around trying to decipher, read, or invent games around these yellow letters that spell out the old mill’s processes: wheat, flour, blend and purify. A clever way to be a reminded of the site’s history and at the same time be a multifunctional space for play, events and markets. Another key concept relates to the fact that old industrial areas and contaminated soils almost always occur together. Also in this project, there were contaminated soils involved. One of the most important considerations was to minimize ground disturbance in order to manage contamination issues and also to protect archaeological remains. “All external works were constructed on top of the existing ground surface, with trenching being limited to minimal service runs,” ASPECT studios writes on their website. This resulted in raised green platforms designed as vessels containing new park spaces within what is a highly modified and contaminated site. Materiality; Yellow Enthusiasm Material selections reflect the area’s industrial heritage. Salvaged materials from local harbour-side demolitions were used in the construction of shelters, seating and planters. The play space is cleverly designed by only using the bright color yellow in contrast with the rubberized black and grey surface. Together with the blackened timbers, ropes, and silver steel, the playground is making a bold but sophisticated statement. There is variety in the play elements relating to children of all ages. Maybe you’ve always wanted to experience the hamster wheel? Or conquer heights by climbing the 7.5 m tall “Dalben Tower” and then feel the tickle on your tummy when sliding down? Or the adrenaline when you set out on the Flying Fox? There are raised planters with native grasses and South Australian Bluegum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) trees popping up around the playground, creating green pockets along with the green recreational platforms. History as a Magnificent Backdrop There is no evidence left of an abandoned, unused, impermeable, contaminated piece of asphalt with weeds growing from the cracks. It is, in fact, the total opposite. ASPECT Studios has made a successful, attractive and inspiring playground full of optimism, amusement and spontaneity just like people associate with the color yellow. Kids as well as parents are loving it. An empty asphalt area has now been turned into an energetic community hub with a prominent piece of Adelaide’s historic buildings creating a magnificent backdrop for life’s simple pleasures. There are Sunday markets and other events already happening. It is a playground that provides the opportunity for creative and co-operative play. It differs, to our relief, from all the multicolored playgrounds out there, by only using yellow as a bold, but sophisticated statement. Adelaide has, with help from ASPECT Studios, managed to revitalize Hart’s Mill and has reestablished the area as an active part of the Port, which together with the market space, forms a node at the western end of the main wharf promenade.

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Full Project Credits For Hart’s Mill Surrounds:

Project Name: Port Adelaide Renewal: Hart’s Mill Surrounds Location: Port Adelaide, SA, Australia Budget: $2.1 million Date of Construction: 2014 Client: Renewal SA Landscape Architects/Lead Consultant: ASPECT Studios Collaborators: Mulloway Studio, LUCID Consulting, SMEC Australia, HydroPlan Photography: Don Brice Area size: 7100 square metres Awards: 2015 Australia Award for Urban Design – Delivered Small Projects (with Mulloway Studio) 2015 AILA SA Awards – Excellence in Design 2015 AIA SA Architecture Awards – Urban Design (with Mulloway Studio) 2015 AIA SA Architecture Awards – The David Saunders Award for Heritage (with Mulloway Studio) 2015 Good Design Award – Architectural Design; Urban Design and Public Spaces 2015 Parks and Leisure Australia (SA/NT) – Award of Excellence in Major Playspace (+0.5mil) 2014 Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards Highly Commended Award 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 Maria Giovanna Drago The Jack Evans Boat Harbour, by ASPECT Studios, Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia Tweed Heads is an amazing, large city at the Tweed River delta, right on the border of New South Wales and Queensland, where the economy is mainly based on tourism. It is known as a paradise for surfers, for its “Fingal Head” (unique hexagonal columns of volcanic rock), and for the its houseboats along the river. It also hosts one of the best landscape renovation projects in recent years. Forget flashy technologies or pretentious designs; here you will discover what it takes to bring a project into harmony with the natural environment. What’s the secret? Making the project feel as if it has been designed just for you.

The Jack Evans Boat Harbour

A Newborn Bay The Jack Evans Boat Harbour is enclosed in an attractive bay right on the east coast, in a safe area for recreational activities and attractions by the sea that has been dedicated to the city’s pioneer of the local tourist industry. This project upgraded a beautiful park that unfortunately did not take enough advantage of the convenient location. In fact, the main area was a parking lot and most of the shabby meadow was dotted with motor homes. How could people appreciate the bay without a welcoming design or a proper promenade?

Now, both citizens and foreigners come here for a stroll or a ride on the wooden path. They can simply enjoy the view or take advantage of area attractions, since the new design includes the earlier Anzac War Memorial, as well as the new Small Formal Gathering area. The latter is a shaded area at the east end of the pathway that is quite popular for wedding photos. There’s a 6-meter-long, curved bench facing the sea, with a curved retaining wall on the back that separates it from the meadow. The wall is quite elegant, because it’s half masonry on the bottom, with the top half made of wood. On the opposite side, a balcony protrudes onto the sea. At the harbor, people can also have a cocktail in the nearby open-air café while their children have fun on the shaded playground. They can anchor their ships and enjoy nature. And every weekend, the local market is held on the meadow, which is now flourishing because motor homes can’t park on it anymore. The meadow is also freely used for yoga or fitness all the days of the week. Double Beach There are two large sandy beaches in the inlet. The South Beach extends in front of the memorial; it’s the larger one and is flanked by the ending of the wooden pathway. This latter space is a resting area with five shaded benches. The Central Beach is the flagship of the whole project, and it’s reachable by walking along the South Beach in a northerly direction. Central Beach is smaller and is enclosed in an arena characterized by three different sides, each with a unique approach to the water. The central one is made of three regular wooden steps, about two meters wide, which allow people to go down directly to the sand or sit on them to face the sea. There are big white blocks of stone on the west side, about two meters by 60 centemeters. Some of them are placed parallel to the seashore, while others are orthogonal; those most in contact with the water have lost their whiteness and now are mostly brown, providing a two-toned effect. The most unique experience is on the east side, where stepped blocks are arranged in a dynamic way and flanked by a ramped, handled side. Big rocks stand casually on the steps, as if they had fallen from the sky. The blocks of rectangular stone slope directly into the sea, and people can keep on walking on them, giving the impression of walking on water. The arena is also popular at night for music performances and special events. Precious Green The rock revetment along the seashore enhances the growth of mangroves, the plant known to stand out from the water, which re-established in the bay in a couple of years ago. This particular plant is the subject of student research and community initiatives because it is typical, but also protected because it facilitates erosion control. The presence of the coastal river and the rare frost make this habitat perfect for mangroves. In fact, one-tenth of the world population is along the northeast Australian coast, and this particular part of the country hosts the highest diversity in Australia, with six different species. Isolated Space If you like fishing and are looking for a quiet and intimate place, check out one of the exclusive footbridges at the entrance to the bay. There are four of them, each about eight meters long. One is at the southwest extremity of the bay, right in front of the Seascape Apartments. Another is at the northeast extremity, near the Tweed River Shore Dives. The other two are even more exclusive, as they are reachable only by boat because they are located at the end of a half-submerged barrier. Protecting the Coast The Jack Evans Boat Harbour was jointly designed by the council and thelocal community, not just for the purpose of amusement, but also to prevent floods by protecting the coast with stones and rocks. It’s a clever strategy that has garnered awards including “The Medal” — 2011 AILA NSW Awards; Design — 2012 AILA National Awards; Precincts Winner — 2013 CCAA Public Domain Awards; and Best Overall Project — 2013 CCAA Public Domain Awards. Being Part of the Landscape What we can learn from this project is that each visitor experiences it differently. The designers have understood the potential of the inlet to offer the community a space that they can identify with. The design doesn’t dominate nature; instead, they work together. That’s why people love it, and why it’s not a place to be experienced in just one day.

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Full Project Credits For Jack Evans Boat Harbour – Tweed Heads:

Project Title: Jack Evans Boat Harbour – Tweed Heads Landscape Architecture: ASPECT Studios Location: Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia Client: Tweed Shire Council Budget: AUS $8 million Scope: Concept design, design development, documentation Design Team: ASPECT Studios Tweed Shire Council McGregor Westlake Architecture Consultants Cardno Grogan Richards Multispan Australia Project start: 2007 Completion date: 2011 Area size: 4.9 hectares Photography: Simon Wood Awards: 2013 CCAA Public Domain Awards – Best Overall Project 2013 CCAA Public Domain Awards – Precincts Winner 2012 AILA National Awards – Design 2011 AILA NSW Awards – The Medal 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

Article by Rosa di Gregorio Le Monde Garden vineyard design, by Alessandro Isola, Prata di Pordenone, Italy Italy is famous around the world for its history, cultural heritage, design, and food – and also for its beautiful and unique landscape. That landscape has been transformed over time by the skillful agricultural art that has given us the incredible scenery that can be admired today. One of the quintessential Italian agricultural landscapes is that of grapevine plantings and wine production. The culture and connection with the territories where wine is produced has always been essential to building the identity of each region. It’s in one of these great poetic contexts that we find the award-winning project “Le Monde Garden”, by Alessandro Isola. The garden bears the name of the wine company Le Monde, active since the ninth century in northeastern Italy. Le Monde produces a wine quality called “Friuli Grave” (controlled designation of origin — D.O.C.), with red and white varieties. The viticultural model consists of medium and large fields whose boundaries are defined by rows of trees or hedges, characterized by the linearity of the rows of vines.

Exploring the Area The owners of the company had the need to renew their business. In 2008, they started a complex and virtuous process to restyle the entire geographical area of their land and their factory. This redesign allowed the firm to be opened to the public and accessible to visitors. “The focus of the winery garden project was to create a space that played with the balance between public and private space whilst creating a controlled journey for the visitor,” designer Isola said. Everyone who arrives at the company will enter into the brand new part of the building: the Wine Tasting Room. After this first welcoming experience, the visitors will be led to a pathway that forks left, down toward the main garden (the route visitors will be taken), and right, directly up to the winery building. The pathway floor is covered by rectangular slabs of natural stone, laid down linearly and regularly in a width of 150 centemeters. The light gray tone of the floor stands out compared to the intense green of the meadow surrounding the path. When the visitors leave the Wine Tasting Room, they find themselves in front of the surrounding fence, made of flat CorTen steel pieces arranged vertically. The width and the rotation of each individual piece allow visitors to lose their view into the vineyard (on the left), instead of focusing on the fence. Walking along the fence, you reach the main entrance of the garden, where the architect uses large, flat CorTen steel pieces engraved with evocative phrases from the wine culture, written by famous historical people. The height of the large, flat CorTen steel pieces — 160 centimeters each — is designed in such a way as to make a clear view of the entire vineyard also within the private garden, keeping the depth of the vineyard gaze. Echoes of the surrounding vineyards can be found in the linearity expressed throughout the garden. The visitors at this point have, both in front of them and at their back, two very picturesque scenes. On one side is the old building from the 18th century, a typical example of the rural architecture of Friuli’s countryside (rectangular floor plan with longitudinal development; ground floor porch and windowed upper levels; structure made out of red brick supporting wooden floors and wooden roof). On the other side are rows of vines designed by their linearity, stretching for 42 hectares. It’s in this space between the historical building and the vineyards that the private garden sits. The Private Garden The solution proposed by the designer has resulted in a visual permeability of the garden. Those who are inside the garden can have full perception of the external environment, while those who are outside have just a partial glimpse of the private garden. This has been made possible by two specific project solutions:

• The height of the wall around the garden — constructed with a stone face – rises from the entrance to the main building in order to obscure the view of the swimming pool, showers, and seating areas of the private space.
• A harmonious look is created by solids and voids along the entire length of the wall, through which horizontal strips of vertical garden alternate to micro openings through the stones.

This wall stretches along the whole garden and surrounds what can be considered a jewel of landscape architecture — the private garden area, intended for use by guests of the family.

At the point where the garden meets the main historic building, it branches off from a roof composed of wood and glass elements that covers the outdoor area and protects guests from the sun during the heat of the day. The supporting structure of the cover consists of CorTen steel frames. Flat, inclined wooden beams fit among the frames, and above them lie transparent, square glass panels that rest directly on the supporting structure. From here, the guests can access the pool through a few clear, natural stone-slab steps, starting on the ground floor and leading straight into the water. The entire pool is bordered by the peripheral wall of the private garden, and as you go down deep in the water, you can reach out and touch the horizontal strips of vertical garden. The linear form of the green wall is softened by the pendulous trailing foliage, so that the vertical garden both softens and stands out from the grays of the stone wall behind it. The designer emphasizes the linearity of this area, establishing within the private garden the same depth of linearity as the vineyard by creating a path that leads from the seating area just described to another staging area. In its first course, this path is made up of some stone steps, just sited above the level of the water, giving the illusion that they float. These stone steps separate the pool into two sections: On one side there is a shallow bathing Jacuzzi, while on the other side there is a larger, deeper pool area that allows for swimming. All of the seating areas are designed by the famous designer Paola Lenti. In its second course, this path switches materials into a teak timber flooring for the entire length of the pool and even beyond, reaching the green lawn. At the far end of the garden, this timber surface seems to fold back on itself, raising up on curved steel beams and becoming a shade for the sunken seating below. The Reached Result of the Garden The feel and character of this private garden has two levels: From one side, it’s very introspective, because of the constructive elements that collect and protect the intimate atmosphere of the garden from the scenario of the wider landscape; from the other side, the same garden expresses a strong depth (created by perspective effects), as if it wants to penetrate the landscape around it. The overall result is a garden that is at one with its surroundings and offers visitors a beautifully considered environment that they feel welcome to journey through, while ensuring that the residents and guests have a private space to relax within. The focus of the winery garden project was to create a space that played with the balance between public and private. Is this goal reached by this project?

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Full Project Credits For Le Monde Garden:

Project Name: Le Monde Garden Designer: Alessandro Isola Location: Prata di Pordenone, Italy Date of Construction: 2014-2015 Client: Maccan Family Engineer and Site Manager: Marco Sari Contractor for Swimming Pool: Zorzi Impianti Loose Furniture: Paola Lenti Photographer: Studio Auber 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 Rosa di Gregorio