Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

Article by Irmak Bilir Anchor Park by SLA/Stig L. Andersson, Malmö, Sweden. Anchor Park is located in the middle of a new urban neigborhood built at the former industrial estate and port area of Västra Hamnen in Sweden’s coastal city of Malmö. The park has a patchwork character and uses the water in a way we haven’t often seen: The water is intentionally collected in reliefs! In the spring of 1999, the City of Malmö invited SLA to build Anchor Park for the new district of Västra Hamnen, as a part of the international housing exposition BO01, held in Malmö in 2001. With Anchor Park, SLA gained a nomination for the European Mies van der Rohe Award in 2003. The park serves as an attractive urban space for everyone, not only for the area’s residents.

Anchor Park

The 29,000-square-meter, rectangular park is divided into two unequal halves divided by a low, sinuous wall consisting of a lawn with biotope islands. This provides a living place for a specific assemblage of plants and animals on one side, and a pool on the other. The canal of about 9,000 square meters of saltwater is a beautiful focal point. It is wide, and the park’s shoreline side is wavy, while the opponent side of it is linear. Visitors can cross over the canal on straight bridges that have fences and wooden floors. The largest bridge’s direction is not 90 degrees to the water’s flow — this positioning allows visitors to spend more time walking over the water. The bridge is easily accessible to people who have disabilities, as it has a low-slope entry. Moreover, straight jetties and winding chains make the park a place of continual experiences and surprises.

A Patchwork Park The most significant and distinctive characteristic of Anchor Park is its patchwork nature, in spatial terms. It is subject to continuous and ceaseless change and is not organized along hierarchical lines. Rather, its axes and perspective lines feature sequences of open, flowing spaces. Four biotypes play the main role as non-aesthetic materials, which include wood, concrete, metal, and rubber typical of the ancient port and coastal towns. All of them are different in sensory effect and change steadily under the influence of the weather. They are enclosed in steel and lie in the lawns like independent and self-sufficient microcosms. Another different component of the park is the reliefs that have been pressed into wet cement along the canal. Because rain falls an average of 113 days a year in this part of Scandinavia, these reliefs collect the rainwater and create water puddles on the bank. A string of fiber optics traces the line where the water and the bank meet, casting a glimmer of light across the water’s rippling surface and giving it artificial phosphorescence. The Vegetation Anchor Park has seven different species of grass, which will eventually grow together over time. These grasses assist the patchwork system of the park. The grass zones provide visual diversity with their various colors and textures. Some types grow taller, some are more thick and short, and all have some special features. All of the grass species wither and turn gold or brown during the winter months, and this maintains the homogeneity. In other seasons, the park offers refreshing changes every day and intensifies the experience of being present in a certain time and place. The trees and bushes are divided from the grass by a low elevation. Grass species cover most surfaces of the park. In addition, the park’s biotopes include alder swamps, pine species, oak forests, and saltwater biotypes with crayfish. All of these encourage contemplation and children’s play. Marine biologists assisted with the canal’s living population of seaweed. The park’s vegetation is complex, providing an opportunity to experience and learn about Swedish biotopes in the middle of the city. Thus, the park is a new type of urban park — a hydroglyph. Developed according to ecological considerations, it points out liquid compositions of different habitats. Landscape Elements Large and small Swedish boulders, embossments, and conical and cylindrical elements are used for visual effect and for seating along the kilometer-long concrete bank. If they prefer, visitors can sit on the wooden decks and swing their feet toward the water. We generally see boles as being horizontally cut in landscape architecture, but in Anchor Park, they are used more creatively. A long bole, cut from the middle with a quarterly shape, provides a place for seating. It is remarkably inspired and emphasizes the naturalness of the park. In landscape architecture, it is always so important to see objects that are used a lot in a different perspective. Surroundings The surroundings of Anchor Park are generally buildings of three to four stories. A tall, white conferance center – Turning Torso — is one of the determinative structures around the area. It is dramaticly tall and eye-catching if we compare it with other buildings. Its reflection can be seen in Anchor Park’s canal. There are a few other natural places in Västra Hamnen, but Anchor Park has created a completely new ecosystem and livened up this area. Trees, plants, and water provide residents and visitors with a way to experience the different habitats of the Swedish countryside. Moreover, it shows us how to create a patchwork park and different perspectives for using water and reliefs. Do you think Anchor Park has demonstrated this well? Let us know in the comments below!  

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Full Project Credits For Anchor Park:

Project Name: Anchor Park (Ankarparken) Location: Västre Hamnen, Malmö, Sweden Landscape Architecture: SLA Team: Stig L. Andersson, Hans Kragh, J.P.Berglund, Christian Restorff Liliegreen, Hanne Bruun Møller, Stine Poulsen Client: City of Malmö Design Phase: 2000 Construction: 2001 Project Area: 2.9 hectares Cost of Construction: €4 million Awards: 1st prize, competition by invitation, July 1999 Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Irmak Bilir

Article by Domenico Pistone We examine the term gentrification and take a closer look at what it means to Landscape Architects. It’s a word that now, more and more often, we meet while browsing articles on large cities undergoing transformation. It pops up notoriously around the topic of workers’ quarters; when reading a post on urban regeneration; whilst looking for examples of great world cities like San Francisco, Berlin, New York, or Rome; it is a word that seems far too complex to be understood easily.

So, What the Hell is Gentrification?

Gentrification Definition: “The buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, thus improving property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses”. – www.dictionary.com It is a term coined in 1964 by R. Glass, (1912-1990) a British sociologist of German origin. Fifty-two years since that gentrification definition, you need to look at an overall picture to see a phenomenon that is sometimes associated with any kind of urban regeneration; but all growth is not gentrification. The term derives from the noun, “gentry”, described first as the lower nobility, and, broadly speaking, as people from good families that make up the bourgeoisie. Gentrification is typical of global cities and is often the result of economic change. Since Ruth Glass analyzed this socio-economic phenomenon, the largest debate over issues of gentrification is that concerning the causes of this type of change. Gentrification Meaning There Were Two Main Lines of Thought for Gentrification The first, supported by King’s College professors T.Butler and C.Hamnett, is oriented to the demand side: the society is changing (reflect, perhaps is happening to you, too), the middle class, engaged in more paying jobs, begins to spend money, the economy turns and moves towards closer to work areas. The second, supported by the geographer Neil Robert Smith and the Scottish academics, focuses on the supply side, identifying the devaluation of housing as the engine of gentrification. In both cases, therefore, gentrification leads to the creation of real portions of the city abandoned or left to themselves, as maybe is happening outside our window and we do not know. WATCH >>> Gentrification: The New Age of Colonialism (Documentary)

How to Recognize Gentrification?

Glass claims that the gentrification process includes three different points of view: geographic, social, and housing. From a geographical point of view, when gentrification occurs in a big city, it takes on a neighborhood size and concerns especially deprived areas near the city center. From the social point of view, it assumes the immediate relevance of class membership. As it happens, families or individuals of the middle class go to occupy housing and neighborhoods from which the families of the working class have been expelled. From a construction standpoint, the process involves old, run-down homes, which are recovered and refurbished by the new residents with repercussions on their real estate value. The Glass description suggests an organized process, a plurality of uncoordinated individuals. This theory has been revitalized, in part, by Benjamin Grant (city planner, urban designer and head of the SPUR interagency Master Plan for Ocean Beach). Sociologist Jason Patch, in his book, “The Embedded Landscape of Gentrification“, rethinks the relationship between social environment and buildings, yet confirming the prime arena of gentrification: the city. It is only in the city, in fact, that this socio-cultural and economic process can and does happen. It is the city that allows these changes, driven by the economy, to occur at the speed of a change in fashions and trends. Times Change, Gentrification Does too Of course, in fifty years many things have changed in society. Now, perhaps, the term gentrification is used more commonly and is used to define a much broader concept than it did fifty-two years ago. You could say that we can define gentrification as any urban transformation that has two of the following three characteristics:

1. Social concerns
2. Building renovations
3. A central location

WATCH >>> The Pros And Cons Of Gentrification

Gentrification, however, leads to homogenisation of the areas of design, often stripped of any study linked to the specificity of place, design which is devoid of passion and character. Memory and historical identity give way to economic and sociological drivers that lead to a forced redevelopment of the sites. It is a capitalist and in some respects speculative approach which greatly influences the culture and character of a territory, making gentrification a controversial process. Perhaps we too are endorsing the practice and we do not know it? Many critics say that the most onerous damage caused by gentrification is the displacement of the original inhabitants of a redeveloped area even poorer areas. WATCH >>> Gentrification: Help or Harm?

Let the Past be our Future; the Role of Landscape Architect! Landscape architecture, the practice that often reinterprets historical memory in a contemporary way, may be interested in gentrification, this social and economic cultural process which instead of displacing residents, revitalizes a place, bringing benefits to those who live there now. Gentrification is a process that can hardly be stopped; it is useless to try. Change is inherent in the human soul, said Heraclitus, the ancient Greek philosopher, and one of the greatest pre-Socratic thinkers, “there is nothing immutable, but the need to change”, so why not take advantage of this change to the physical and mental well-being of the residents of a place? That’s why the landscape architect should be interested in gentrification because they are the right people to reinterpret an economic process with a participatory planning process and redevelopment of the sites aimed at improving the lives of residents. Imagine that this healthy change involves every neighbourhood of every city in the world. Imagine the potential contained in every story and how the landscape architect could reassess land development to create a general well-being requested by the affected; by those who are usually required to move because of gentrification. Has this article helped your understanding of gentrification?

Go to Comments

Recommended Reading:

• Gentrification by Routledge
• There Goes the ‘Hood: Views of Gentrification from the Ground Up by Temple University Press

Article by Domenico Pistone Featured Image: Buildings on Mainzer Straße in Berlin. By No machine-readable author provided. Gryffindor assumed (based on copyright claims). – No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public Domain

Article by Brooklyn Williams We take a look at the considerations that need to be taken into account with backyard designs. We take a great deal of pride and enjoyment from our homes, but the structure itself has some constraints. There are those pesky walls, floors, and roof to deal with, after all. We have the flexibility to do a lot of other amazing things outside the home. Unfortunately, too many people miss the opportunity to build amazing backyard designs. Whether they think they are constrained by money, time, or space, they’re probably wrong. If you have backed off of your aspirations to elevate your backyard to legendary status, revisit your ideas and see if there may be some way to take it beyond simple grass and shade trees.

Backyard Designs

Let There Be Light A mantra of childhood for many people is to stay outside until it’s dark. But it’s possible to illuminate backyard designs and extend your outdoor hours, or even to make it the place you go after it becomes dark. Many people are comfortable with the cost of light fixtures and even the bulbs, but they balk over the potential increase in their electric bill. In states with deregulated electricity like Texas, the Power to Go plan can get you a much better rate on electricity so that you can enjoy more hours with more lights at a lower cost.

So imagine the ways you can use light. Make sure that walkways and steps are well-lit, of course, but don’t do it in the conventional way. Have the light strike from unusual angles or with unique colors, or even with changing colors. Think about using the shade to your advantage. In a matter of fact lighting situation, such as in a parking lot, the idea is to minimize obstructions to light and maximize the amount that hits the ground. But you can break away from that in the landscape. Let that Japanese maple receive some light so that its unique color shines after dark. Situate fixtures so that a culturally-reflective place has a solemn and calm appearance all day and night. Play-Friendly Vegetation That sounds like an oxymoron, but it is possible. When you have kids around the house, it can be very difficult to steer them toward the right places and to keep them away from the fragile elements of the landscape. If you can’t beat them, join them. A mulberry tree is a fast-growing, strong tree that can provide hours of (supervised!) enjoyment for kids. An added bonus: It provides delicious berries that can give kids a healthy snack without going indoors–or even climbing down. Think about your walking surfaces too. Make sure that your most open areas are carpeted with tough grass of some sort; that’s where the kids will choose to congregate for play. The challenge can be to decide what type of grass to use. If the hottest days of summer will see the most activity in your yard, choose a warm-season grass like bermudagrass or zoysia. These species are actively growing during the hottest months, as opposed to fescues and bluegrass, which go dormant (aka: brown and dead-looking) through the summer. Zoned Activity What parent hasn’t warned kids not to stop playing near the tulips? Designing your backyard in zones can help keep this type of conflict to a minimum, whether or not you have kids. Most backyard designs have at least some functional area. There’s a space where you need access into a storage building or to your home’s heat pumps. There may also be other functional components like a pool heater or a home backup generator.

Other Thoughtful Considerations When it Comes to Backyard Designs

Make sure that these elements are given the necessary space. Be careful to make space to allow for repairing equipment like septic tanks and buried or overhead utilities. From there, think about grouping things according to function. Make sure you have a safe, clear path from a pool or hot tub to the warm, dry indoors. Keep the swingset or trampoline near the pool. Place water features like ponds or waterfalls in an area where grass clippings won’t constantly get blown into the water. Be sure that seating area can be accessed in any type of weather. Thinking of sanitation, functionality, and the movement of people will keep backyard designs better organized to reduce costs, inconvenience, and mess. Too many people are content to let their backyards be a big patch of grass that provides little character. With some thought, you can step up the value of your house and your home with a better approach. Go to Comments 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 Brooklyn Williams Featured Image: From brewbooks, via Flickr, Licensed under CC 2.0. Photographed at Lotusland Santa Barbara, California USA

Article by Paul McAtomney Following up on our world series, we have selected 10 awesome projects that perfectly represent landscape architecture in Canada today. With Canada having cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary consistently scoring top marks in global liveability rankings, it is no wonder that the country also possesses a plethora of exemplary works of landscape architecture that are as diverse and varied as the country’s geography. Today, we take a look at 10 consummate projects that are excellent examples of landscape architecture in contemporary Canada.

Landscape Architecture in Canada

1. Sherbourne Common Park, by PFS Studio, Toronto, Ontario Sherbourne Common is a new urban park located on Toronto’s waterfront. This hybrid park-infrastructure folds in water treatment as a major organizational logic, resulting in a multifunctional piece of public space and landscape infrastructure. Sherbourne is one of the first LEED Gold certified parks in Canada, and successfully synthesizes the region’s quintessential lakeshore landscapes of the woods, the water, and the green with Toronto’s urban realm.

2. Sugar Beach, by Claude Cormier + Associés, Toronto, Ontario This 8,500-square-meter urban beach sits on a former parking lot site in an industrial area in Toronto. It is a sequel to HtO, the waterfront’s first beach park, also designed by Cormier. The designers took inspiration from the adjacent Redpath Sugar Factory, scattering the site with “sugar” in the form of rock “candies” and pink umbrellas. The result is a playful and vibrant destination that facilitates contextual exchange with the surrounding fabric. 3. Metamorphous, by Paul Sangha Landscape Architecture, Vancouver, British Columbia Designed as a unique solution to negate foreshore erosion, provide bank retention, and dissipate wave energy in front of a waterfront residence, this Cor-ten steel sculpture is an abstraction of sandstone formations seen on Saturna Island in British Columbia. The abstract shape of the wall provides not only a striking tectonic appearance, but also doubles as an aggregation device for sand and detritus washed ashore, in turn providing an armature for the coastal property. 4. McBurney Lane, by Hapa Collaborative, Downtown Langley, British Columbia Over a period of time, McBurney Lane in downtown Langley had dissolved into vacant and neglected public space. The revitalization of the space, by Hapa Collaborative, reconnects the lane to the surrounding fabric of Langley and strengthens internal pedestrian networks, creating a series of flexible social spaces that integrate permeable surfaces, drought-tolerant planting and rainwater infiltration as part of the city’s sustainability agenda. 5. Terra Nova Play Experience, by Hapa Collaborative, Richmond, British Columbia As part of the Terra Nova Rural Park in Richmond, Hapa Collaborative has designed The Terra Nova Play Experience — an adventure area that integrates “nature play” into the site’s agrarian landscape. Several years in the making, the play experience borrows the form and character of surrounding landscape typologies — intertidal zones, dykes, remnant sloughs, and agriculture — to create a physically challenging and provocative play space. 6. Place d’Youville, by Claude Cormier + Associés, Montreal, Quebec As a historical square in Old Montreal, Place d’Youville forms the meeting point of important roads at the gateway to the city’s waterfront and Old Port. Conceptually, the designers responded to the site’s archaeological significance and history by conceiving of a “quilt” — a protective blanket overlaid upon the square. This results in a beautiful intersection of materiality, including wood, concrete, granite, and limestone, that creates direct material links with the history of the Old Port. 7. Community Common Park, by Janet Rosenberg & Studio, Mississauga, Ontario Community Common Park was designed as a flexible and functional green space in downtown Mississauga. The design is minimalist in nature, comprising two distinct open grass areas and the site’s perimeter defined by allées of trees that connect to the wider site context. Topographical exchange defines the park’s character, as the designers have chosen to terraform a new geometric identity, giving the park a distinctive sculpted look, defining the park’s interior, and allowing users a novel topographic experience in downtown Mississauga. 8. The Canadian Museum of Civilization Plaza, by Claude Cormier + Associés, Gatineau, Quebec The architecture of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau exemplifies the country’s landscape — its glaciers, the Canadian Shield, and the Great Plains. Missing from this robust conceptual metaphor for some time, however, was the Prairie Landscape. The vast plaza encapsulated by the museum lay vacant for much of the year until the designers deployed an urban prairie onto the plaza landscape. Topography and sinuous movement now characterize the space, create a microclimate, and complete the site’s concept. 9. Poppy Plaza, by Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative and Stantec Consulting, Calgary, Alberta Poppy Plaza has transformed a residual road right-of-way into a landscape that celebrates and memorializes Canadians who have served to protect the country’s freedom and security. It is part of the second phase of Calgary’s Landscape of Memory, one of the city’s most significant areas in terms of history, location, and community. The design induces a tactile as well as an emotional response through the use of two main surfaces — timber and weathered steel — each laden with quotations and narratives that engage users. 10. The Evergreen Brick Works, by Claude Cormier + Associés, Toronto, Ontario The transformation of this 40-acre industrial brick factory into an active, environmentally based community center is yet another great piece of work by Cormier. The conceptual approach focused on the cultural value of the built heritage and the transformation of the degraded site into a “green” site. The result is a center of environmental education that adds another layer to the site’s rich historical legacy.

Landscape Architecture in Canada

Glancing at these 10 examples provides us with a small panorama of the development of designed landscapes in Canada. Landscape architecture in Canada makes a major contribution to the profession writ large. What other pieces of elemental Canadian landscape architecture would you have liked to see? Go to comments 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 Paul McAtomney

Article by Aybige Tek In this article, we look at 4 awesome examples of how people achieved excellence in small garden design. Your city maybe getting more and more crowded each day and small gardens are solutions for relaxing areas at your home. Downsized gardens are more economical. Small gardens are easy to design and create. They are easy to maintain. Small gardens require less soil and compost. With less space in your garden, is easier to control weeds, unwanted plants, and diseases and pests. These small gardens, when we add them together, they equate to bigger gardens in the cities. Bigger gardens make the city have a higher percentage of green space. What are the Small Garden Design Options in Your City? Your condo or apartment unit may have a balcony or a small terrace that can be used as a small garden. Single family houses can have small gardens. Any patio, porch, or unused outdoor space can be used for gardening. Green roofs and roof gardens are fine opportunities for gardens. Especially small buildings’ tops, like garage roofs and shed roofs, can be turned into something good for the planet if we create gardens there. Almost any unused space can be turned into gardens if we pay attention. How to Simply Create a Small Garden Design? Foundations, boundaries, colors, textures, pots and plants create small gardens. How can we have a maximum space in a small garden can be a great question from which to start designing. After maximizing the space, a great, firm foundation for plants or grass is important and the boundaries of our garden can be the areas where we get really creative and fun. How Can we Maximize the Space With Small Garden Design? One way is, we can maximize the space by taking out any nonfunctional walls and details and maybe planting grass in the middle and decorating the boundaries of the small gardens.

Awesome Projects for Small Garden Design

1 .Garden Design by Fernhill Landscapes Award winning Garden Design by Fernhill Landscapes has used sculptural garden elements, water, and plants in a meditative combination for the design of a small space. Contrary to the usual grass-and-plants garden concept, it achieved an award because of its concept of focusing the eyes and relaxing the mind. It is a successful small space design because of this meditative feel to it. Lush planting and modern design combined to give a person feelings of wellbeing. The top 3 elements the landscape architect has chosen are hard surface materials for flooring which is Teakwood flagstone, the water element, and planting materials. The effect is quite sculptural. Dark Mexican beach pebbles at the edges of the teakwood flagstones brings in a cultural feeling of natural beauty which also creates contrast with the sandy brown flagstone. In the middle of this small garden, water flows from a custom-made copper bowl into an attractive L-shaped pond. The plants are “Justin Brouwer” Boxwood, “Sum and Substance” Hosta, white Anemones, black bamboo, and grasses.

2. Stylish Terraced Garden by Modular Design Modular design team’s design stylish terraced garden in London is an outstanding example because of using the 6m x 9m space’s volume by dividing it into two parts. This splitting of the volume has created discrete areas for different garden functions with surrounding plants. Before the landscape design, when the living room opened onto the garden through a folding glass door, a person saw only walls. After the design, the upper garden, which can be accessed by seven concrete steps, has greenery as the view and no longer does a person see blank walls. Now from the living room, one sees a nice setting of greenery and materials. The lower portion of the garden looks like an extension of the indoors and the upper deck area is a more intimate and relaxing separate unit of landscape design area. Grays are spectacular; by using ceramic tiles in the garden and concrete flooring, a subtle color gradient is achieved. Another economical solution is adding gray painted walls to the hardscape. 3. Hilgard Garden by Mary Barensfeld Architecture Hilgard Garden by Mary Barensfeld Architecture has both levels and layers of landscape architecture. The house interior connects to the small garden outside and then the topography of the site helps the design by providing levels of ground which offer areas of land, like stairs, step by step. With these steps the house connects to the forest visually and extends to the greenery surrounding the house. Strong landscape design is achieved with the design of Corten panels and LED lights and with the plant palette of trees and shrubs (lemon thyme). The landscape architect has used cedar shingles for two functions in the garden:

• As benches for outdoor furniture
• As planters for plants

The fence features bamboo plants. All these materials and plants, as elements of design, are connected to each other, creating the flexibility of different perspectives in such a small area. The lighting project set behind the corten, because it is cut vertically, creates a fractured look and adds a subtle effect to the garden at night. This garden is located in an earthquake area. Elements of the property are inspired by the Japanese aesthetic, which has influenced the choice of Japanese Maples; another great example of culture added to a garden.

4. Vale do Lobo Garden Iúri Chagas, the landscape architect of Vale do Lobo — Vila 1148 has created a soothing combination of landscape architecture in 600sq meters with building materials and vegetation suited to the local Portuguese climate. The plants the landscape architects has used need minimal care for this climate in the Mediterranean atmosphere. The plants are Olea sylvestris, Quercus suber, Nerium oleander, Arbutus unedo, and Rosmarinus spp. Olea sylvestris brings in that exact Mediterranean look, standing by itself in the garden. Nerium oleander adds color elements with its flowers. Arbutus unedo has fruits and also adds color variety to this space. Rosmarinus spp’s purple colors and lush green is a perfect contrast with the stones and decorations. This region needs water storage for the residential garden and the way this was solved in this project is super smart. The landscape architect has built a drainage system connected to a rainwater collector to collect and use water in the garden in a sustainable manner which is also covered with the lawn to create esthetics. Recessed lighting installed in the Corten steel retaining wall creates the functional boundaries of the garden. Garden walls create perfect night views and a secluded and intimate look to the space. The water line in the deck flooring is another alluring detail.

Be Surprised by the Joy of Your Own Small Garden Design

At the end of a hardworking day or week, these private small gardens can be our stay-at-home vacation areas to enjoy the seasons and the changes they bring. They are economical long-term investments for our wellbeing at home. Also, if each one of us creates one small garden imagine how much of the city could be devoted to green space. Wow! Right ? Just by planting some plants and creating garden decorations we can easily enjoy our own backyards, doing many creative activities with friends and family. Audrey Hepburn said it best: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”. Go to Comments Recommended Reading:

• Royal Horticultural Society Small Garden Handbook: Making the Most of Your Outdoor Space by Firefly Books
• Small Space Garden Ideas by DK

Article by Aybige Tek

Article by Lidija Šuster These 30 reasons why landscape architecture is more important than you think will bring you closer to the core of the profession. Every person who is even in the slightest touch with landscape architecture knows that this profession’s field is incredibly broad. And when something is that complex, it must be important, right? Here is a not-so-short list of reasons that show the importance of landscape architecture. The complexity of the profession is divided into six categories in this article, so it will be easier for you to follow all the reasons. Now, let’s go and see what this list is about. Enjoy!

Landscape Architecture is More Important Than You Think

ENVIRONMENT 1. Evaluating the quality of the landscape and determining remediation requirements Before starting with the development of the design, the site must be assessed. This means evaluation of the site’s characteristics and contamination. It’s a very complex process which includes input from professionals like engineers, ecologists, and landscape architects. Landscape architects identify areas of opportunity or setbacks that may provide constraints, and also evaluate aspects of the landscape (geology, hydrology, scenic characteristics, etc.). With the assessing of the site we get information such as whether a site is safe for construction and which actions should be taken for that site’s remediation and organization. If the evaluation is done right, the site’s further design then has a better chance at success, which is shown in Top 10 Reused Industrial Landscapes.

2. Preservation of the environment As the global consciousness about the preservation of the environment is rising, the importance of landscape architecture is also going upwards very fast. There are plenty of landscape projects in the world that are all about environmental ecology. Besides bringing new solutions for all kinds of existing environmental problems, landscape architects also work to protect and preserve untouched natural treasures. A perfect example of the preservation of nature is Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, which shows us how one national park can be balanced between healthy environment, beauty, and human needs. 3. Developing sustainable techniques in favor of the environment This is the point where we need to discuss the word “sustainability”. But what is it, actually? It represents holistic strategies which are making our environment healthier and cleaner. Landscape architecture has a major role in this practice, starting with energy saving and going all the way to water purification. As you can see in these 10 Practices, the profession is deeply involved in sustainability, and here is the article which explains How Landscape Architects Are Leading the way in Sustainable Cities. If you need a concrete example, see these awesome 10 Projects That Put Sustainability at the Forefront of Landscape Architecture. 4. Regeneration of polluted areas Many regions of the world have been subjected to some kind of pollution, particularly if there are factories located there. Regardless of the fact that factories are crucial for our survival, we’re all conscious of their negative impact on environmental health. Depending on the type of factory, the surrounding area could stay contaminated for years after the facility is closed. Fortunately the consequences can be withdrawn, of course with a lot of work in cleaning up, landscaping, and proper planting. Take a look at Westergasfabriek Park to see how a major clean-up was successfully accomplished in this heavily polluted area of Amsterdam. 5. Stormwater management Stepping further into sustainability, it’s clear that water management is a must-discuss subject. We are faced with the degradation of ecosystems, climate changes, and dealing with water can sometimes be a real issue. As it is known, wetlands are endangered, and it’s a big issue because they are biologically very diverse, purify the stormwater, and control the floods. With the aid of landscape architects, these ecosystems can be rejuvenated and brought back to life; projects like Qunli Stormwater Park lead straight to the point of stormwater management. The usage of water can be improved outside of the wetland too, as represented by these 5 Projects That Make Incredible Use of Water. 6. Cleaning the soil and water Due to increased soil contamination, the world had to come up with a cost-effective solution for its cleaning. You probably already guessed that the solution is phytoremediation. In certain areas the soil is severely contaminated with heavy metals and other toxic materials, which means that the underground waters are endangered too. Usage of plants as natural remediators has a major positive impact on the soil because they’re capable of taking in the pollutants, concentrating them and metabolizing them in their tissues. If you want to know more about phytoremediative plants, read 5 Best Plants For Phytoremediation. 7. Contributing to air purification We know that trees (and vegetation in general) play a vital role in air cleansing. In addition to producing oxygen, leaves also absorb polluting gases thorough their stomata, which actively purify the air and improve its quality. And besides the concern over outdoor air quality, the indoor air should be plant-purified too, and NASA has done extensive research on that subject. According to the results, we have found The 10 Best Houseplants to Improve Indoor Air Quality, shown here infographically. 8. Natural materials are always welcome As landscape architects we’re striving to preserve our environment, and when working on some project we’re trying to make it as compatible with nature as possible. This means implementation of natural materials wherever suitable – whether in paving, seating, decorations, etc. Of course, the purpose and function of the project will dictate which materials we’ll use, but usually it’s realizable to implement wood or natural stone at least partially. Two projects that totally promote the usage of natural materials are The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat and Hasomrim Park; check them out. WATCH >>> Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.

PLANTS 9. Caring about plants’ needs As landscape architects, we need to take care of plants, which are our main tool and also living beings. They need to have a proper quality of soil, right amounts of water, sun exposure, and good protection from pests in order to grow and give their maximum. Sven Henrik Karlsson has created a perfect online search tool called PlantSelectr – with this you can search for the most compatible plants for your site. For more information about this tool, read the article Find the Perfect Plants for Your Projects, and be sure to try it for yourself.

10. Introducing roof gardens; the multiple benefits of roof plantings As time passes by and the population rises, cities are getting bigger and bigger. Lack of space for gardens sounds terrifying, but there is a solution – roof gardens. The first thing that may cross our minds is how much more beautiful a garden is than the standard roof of a building, but their other benefits are just as amazing. They’re sustainable in many ways, including cleaning the city air, retaining rainwater, and increasing biodiversity. If you are interested in green roofs, read this review of Ashley Penn’s book Living Roofs, and you might consider ordering it immediately. The book features 35 of the world’s rooftop projects, which covers all that you need to know about this subject. LAN’s content director Ashley Penn composed the text of the book Living Roofs. Landscape Architects Network offers a FREE Ebook Download on Green Roofs to all our VIP Subscribers, you can sign up HERE. 11. Bringing in green walls and facades If something is certain in landscape architecture, it’s that green walls are as cool as green roofs. They have their own benefits which are irreplaceable and always welcome. Besides hiding unattractive facades, there are plenty of useful things that living walls can provide to our cities and indoor spaces. They’re improving the quality of our lives by lowering the temperature of the air during summer, lowering the energy loss of buildings, and acting as air-purifiers. For more amazing information about vertical planting, read The Essential Guide for green walls, The History of vertical landscapes and 5 Amazing Facts about them. 12. Implementing orchards in urban areas, not just in private gardens If you like to eat fruits, you would certainly want to have at least one fruit tree in your backyard. In addition to growing food for eating, many trees with edible fruits can be used as decorative plants because of their attractive appearance. Local communities in many urban areas are now considering planting urban orchards, because that will provide not just edible fruits to the residents, but also will strengthen their social bonds. The article Can Urban Orchards Really Help Create Amazing Communities? will answer some important questions, and read these 9 Ways to see how edible planting can be incorporated into the urban landscape. WATCH >>> Wall and Rooftop Gardens, Living Walls and Green Roofs

SPATIAL FUNCTIONS 13. Landscape skills: highlighting the good, beautiful and important views; hiding the bad and poor views When talking about these skills, it’s clear that landscape architects are here to emphasize any valuable or attractive element in space, thus making it easier for visitors to spot it and approach it. Also, it’s here to hide any bad view, e.g. a deteriorated facade or an old warehouse that is not meant to be seen. All of this is accomplished by implementing the curvy paths, adding a green wall, etc. That’s why we’re able to make stunning landscapes, because we can get to the core of the space and really understand what’s necessary there. Recommended Reading: a book review of Landscape Site Grading Principles: Grading With Design In Mind. 14. Providing proper organization to the space For the success of any landscape design, organization is the key word. Proper organization of the space is related to right plantings, appropriate planning of paths and shortcuts, implementation of all necessary program elements (seating, parking for bikes), etc. People like to move through a space with ease while enjoying the view, and landscape architecture is there to fit in people’s needs. Just take a look at these 10 of the Best Urban Projects in the World, although it is just a glimpse of what the world’s landscape architects have to offer.

15. Hot days are alleviated thanks to the precious shade from trees Everybody likes to sit under the crown of a tree, especially during summertime. The cooling effect that trees provide is irreplaceable, but in urban conditions temperatures can be much higher due to concrete surroundings, and in cities of high density there is not enough space for large parks. Pocket parks are the perfect solution for such environment, providing not just shade, but a quiet and peaceful escape-place. We’re introducing you the 7 Top Pocket Parks, and additionally for tree lovers, we have 8 Amazing Facts About Trees That You Didn’t Know. 16. Creating safe places during the night by using street lights wisely Street lighting is for night time street life much more than day time. The reason for that is quite obvious – if there is no lighting, it can look pretty scary. Almost every space needs to be illuminated in order to be visited, considering that every person who walks down the street at night wants to feel safe. Ordinary lights are just enough to break the fear of darkness, but the landscape architects hold the key for more fun stuff. The Neue Meile project reveals a completely new way of street lighting, by introducing extraordinary light-rings designed with LED technology. Related to safety, another article may be useful: How to Design Out Crime with Landscape Architecture. 17. Any aspect that relates to water is strongly recommended for multiple reasons In the Environment category we were talking about water management, but now we’re switching to water enjoyment – people have been drawn to water elements since ancient times. Today decorative water features are more than welcome in every space where they could fit (especially if they’re decorative-utilitarian, like these 8 Incredible Pools With the WOW Factor or Cyan). Besides pools, water features can be implemented in the form of fountains, ponds, jets, canals, and even waterfalls. They’re contributing either to the dynamics of the space or to calmness – depending on their pace and construction. Also, water always serves for refreshment, relaxation, and noise-blocking. See how multiple water features can be combined in one project in Central Park of Hunnan Axis. 18. The birds eye view of a designed landscape is just amazing From the ground we must rise a little bit higher, perhaps on an airplane or a high floor of a nearby building, because some landscapes are so amazing from a bird’s eye view that they take the breath away (hopefully because of the beauty, not from fear of heights). The look from above can allow us to see things that we can’t see on the ground, esepecially if we’re dealing with some masterpiece of landscape architecture. The Haven Lakeside Residences and Earthly Pond Service Center are just a glimpse at what the world has to offer. Earthly Pond Service Center of International Horticultural Exposition 2014, by HHD-FUN. Photo credit: DuoCai Photograph WATCH >>> It’s (not) about landscape architecture: Mary Scipioni at

CREATIVITY 19. Appreciating the beauty of the plants by providing aesthetically shaped spaces Rarely something can beautify the space as much as plants. They come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, not to mention the variety in their cultivars. Humans have been enchanted by the beauty of plants since ancient times, and so are we today. Many landscapes are enriched with plants by different approaches, as you can read (and watch the videos) in the article 9 Awesome Ways to Use Plants. Additionally, plants are used indoors as well as outdoors. Read the article 10 Great Plants for Interior Planting, and you’ll see which plants are adapted for the interior, and maybe even get an idea for your next plant-shopping adventure. 20. Using the power of colors to create more attractive places The impact of colors on our psyche is a big deal, and it’s not just a simple nonsense, but it’s scientifically proven a long time ago. Actually, you don’t even need science here, just imagine being in some gray, dull space, and then in an amusing, colorfully-decorated space. What feels better? Exactly what science said. A striking example of this is the Spark Your City project, where one boring and depressive tunnel was turned into a joyful experience.

21. Tasteful and functional paving – a green light for an attractive space In landscape architecture the pavement style is as important as the planting. If there isn’t a two-in-one combination of beauty and functionality, the design probably won’t be very successful. Technical things, such as proper selection of materials or construction layers, play a major role in the making of permanent and beautiful pavements. Because this is a very demanding process and it’s easy to forget some crucial things, read 8 Common Mistakes People Make When Specifying Paving, and How to Avoid Them. 22. Lighting is a powerful tool for creating stunning landscapes Other than for decreasing criminal activities and increasing safety, lighting is widely used all over the world as an artistic expression of landscape architects. Considering that we’re all creative souls, there are literally countless ways and combinations for creating amazing lighting designs. The world is full of light-oriented projects, and instead of continuing to talk about it, we recommend you to take a look at 10 Great Projects Showing Lighting Design and Application, where the examples will speak for themselves. PEOPLE 23. Caring about people’s needs With caring about what people need in certain areas, landscape architects are giving them the opportunities to enjoy their outdoor time in the best possible ways. The most common technique for finding what people really want in a space is to take a survey of the local community members, as the designers of The Lyon River Bank did, and then they created a successful and highly-visited area. Additionally, there is a relatively new science (or rather a holistic perspective) called environmental psychology, which may help you to make a better designs. Read the article The Best Ways to Apply Environmental Psychology and think about these principles. 24. Raising playgrounds to a higher level Everybody knows how important it is for children to have proper physical and psychological development. All around the world there are playgrounds that aren’t just ordinary spaces for children’s jumping or running, they’re in fact much more than that – designed to be beautiful landscapes with numerous practical and psychological functions. We recommend you read The 10 Best Playgrounds of the World, to see how diverse and yet harmonious the world’s playground projects can be. 25. Providing an outdoor recreation Physical activity is also greatly important for adults’ health. If we exercise regularly, we’re lowering our risk of heart disease and also keeping ourselves fit and strong. For people who like to go outside to work out, outdoor gyms may be a favorite place for recreation and even socialization. They’re free, easily accessible, and fun. Landscapes designed for recreational purposes represent an interesting and health-boosting area, just like The Pulse Park – open space relieves the tiredness from exercising, and if you really get tired, there is always a place for relaxing. 26. Positive influence on people’s psychology and mood In the previous statement we saw that physical activity has a great health benefits for our bodies. But what happens with the mind? Even if you spend some time in nature just walking or sitting, not working out or running, you can see that your mood has changed. Nature has a tremendous influence both on our physical and mental health. If you’re planning to spend some time in nature, check out these 5 Top Health Benefits of Landscape Architecture, and you may go for a walk outside immediately. And if you’re a passionate gardener, we have 15 Reasons Why Gardening Is Good For You. 27. The history of landscape architecture has a strong influence on today’s gardens and landscapes Like any other profession, landscape architecture has people from history who are never forgotten. They shaped, developed, and celebrated our profession in such a manner that we will always know their names, as well as their projects. Needless to say, they marked their era with new ideas and styles, and therefore their work can be the source of inspiration for us today. Explore the Top 10 Most Influential Landscape Architects of All Time, feel free to say who your favorite person is, and of course add their name to the list if it’s not mentioned. WATCH >>> Garden design ideas and history

EDUCATION AND SOCIALIZATION 28. Botany-oriented educational function Botanical gardens are places for the exhibition of plants, dedicated to their collection, cultivation, and representation. However, these gardens are not just simple areas for displaying the diversity of plants, but rather places where people can learn while enjoying in beautiful landscapes. The Chenshan Botanical Garden represents a place where people can relax and learn in numerous themed gardens, simultaneously asserting the importance of bioenergy and sustainability.

29. Encouraging social interactions Just like education, socialization has always been a vital element in people’s lives. Whether it is a walk with your significant other, or just an ordinary “hang out” with friends, everybody likes to spend some quality time outdoors. Without any further thinking, we know that landscape architecture is the right profession to provide people comfortable and enjoyable outdoor places. Landscape architects are delivering, wherever possible, an inviting “package” of landscape elements for people to gather in, just like at Vanke Chongqing Xijiu Plaza, by meaningfully encouraging social interactions. 30. Preservation of historical heritage When we look back at times past, we can notice that many events had a great influence on people today. Whether it is about important national heroes, wars, revolutions, or any other kind of historical events – they all deserve to be remembered in the present. Some of them are really tragic, and they must remind us that something similar should never happen again. Many sites are dedicated to certain events like the Bluff (historical war site), some display national symbols like Place de la République, and some are an eerie reminder like a Memorial to Victims of Violence. For more examples of great memorials, check out the article 6 Unusual Memorials Where Landscape is the Element of Memory. WATCH >>> National Mall & Memorial Parks | Experience Your America

After reading this, it’s clear why we can rely on landscape architecture today, as well as in the future. Respect towards nature is a driving force that directs landscape architects to beat all the challenges that modern life has caused. Besides beautiful landscapes, we, as a profession, are striving to ensure a better and healthier life for future generations. Do you have any other reasons to add to the list? Feel free to comment! Go to comments 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 Lidija Šuster Featured Image: From Ebook – Green Roof Construction- The Essential Guide

Article by Diana Ispas Zire Wongamat, a high-rise condominium project by Shma, in Pattaya – Thailand. Landscape Architects Network is excited to present another project from the Thai condominium series. After Eleni Tsirintani’s article about How a Narrow Piece of Land Evolved Into a Luxurious Project, Naila Salhi wrote about How Baan San Ngam Takes its Inspiration From Nature and Elisa García Nieto presented Thai Residents Get The Most Luxurious Gardens. I would now like to bring your attention to Zire Wongamat, a luxurious high-rise residential condominium project developed by Raimon Land, a multiple-award-winning development company in Thailand, that has expertise in the development of horizontally and vertically spacious luxury residential properties in prime urban locations. Zire Wongamat development is located in Pattaya, a town on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast, 100 km south-east of Bangkok, well-known for the nightlife scene that attracts international tourists and Thai weekenders. Pattaya changed from a quiet fishing village in the 1960s into a cosmopolitan area lined with high-rise condominiums, hotel resorts, and large commercial areas. Today, Pattaya’s busy beaches are a perfect place for lovers of jet-skiing and parasailing.

The Zire Wongamat

Shma is a Thai landscape architecture company keen to create sustainable solutions through creative designs. For projects such as those featured in Awesome Roof Top Landscape Design in Thailand, and 23̊ Estate Takes Care of Erosion in the Most Beautiful Way Possible, it has been nominated, in 2015, by the Thai Association of Landscape Architects for Best Residential Complex Project, Best Commercial Project and Best Master Planning and Design Guidelines. The Zire Wongamat is the Perfect Place for a Weekend Retreat Zire Wongamat is a high-end residential condominium developed on a narrow plot of land on Thailand’s Gulf. Even if the freehold beachfront condominium is located in a quiet, secluded neighbourhood, it has a direct access to the sandy beach. All the sport, commercial, and wellbeing facilities, the accessibility, and the use of high-end construction materials make Zire the perfect place for spending a weekend outside busy Bangkok or for a longer holiday.

The high-rise towers of 54 and 34 storeys are set right on the Wongamat beach, offering an unobstructed breath-taking view over the Gulf of Thailand, the ocean, or the distant mountains. The world-class waterfront residence, consisting of more than 450 luxurious units, has it all; from a 25-meter infinity pool with spacious sunbathing decks and shaded areas, to a modern fitness centre with sauna and courts for tennis, basketball, volleyball and badminton. Kids have their own pool and a dedicated playing corner surrounded by multi-tiered gardens and timber-deck areas with direct access to a 45-metre-wide private beach. All units provide spacious lodgings with large glass panels for extensive views over the iconic landscape. A Timeless Design to Meet International Demands Zire Wongamat condominium continues Raimon Land’s series of Thai residential developments featuring innovative design, outstanding location, and high quality of construction and specifications. Soda Architecture and Interiors seek designs that are contextual, situational, and which create spaces in a memorable and sustainable way. With the two towers they wanted to create a sense of order through a clear geometrical design. The land, purpose, market pressure constraints, and the materials and technologies used lead to an exemplary piece of work. The two high-rise monolithic blocks that appear to be of enormous weight are compositionally opposed. In horizontal plan they are linked by tropical gardens and different levels of horizontal water bodies, stone plinths, pools and waterfalls. Soda suggestively described this project as ‘a planar landscape of horizontal edges’. All units are decorated with comfortable-feeling furniture in colours inspired from nature: beige curtains, blue carpets and red-brown blinds, recreating a local sea-side picture. The walls are painted in shades of sand from wet to dry, creating a neutral background for the brightly-coloured wooden furniture. Designed to Offer a Unique Experience Over Thailand’s Gulf The design of the communal gardens allows each resident to relax and enjoy a spectacular and unrivalled view over the surrounding landscape. The 25-m infinity pool integrated into this project is a perfect way to unwind from the noisy and busy life in Bangkok. The carefully designed outdoor area is a relaxing place for residents to get together. SHMA declared that ‘The large existing Lychee tree on the seafront of Zire Wongamat Condominium Pattaya was carefully reserved and integrated into landscape design to solidly anchor the mature feel to the overall project.’ Auburn wooden deck areas are framed by grey and brown gravel and timber borders. The reduced size and the flatness of the land called for a design solution made of platforms and pathways placed on different levels, linked by wooden steps. Clear water pools with natural-coloured tiles reflect the local high vegetation, creating a memorable landscape. Palms and low-water-use vegetation is planted nearby to create separate spaces and to shade and cool the decks in the sunny days. Ponds and water bodies are enhanced by flat islands with tropical plants and modern outdoor furniture to satisfy the most demanding requirements. Flat, fine-cut lawns are integrated into the landscaped terrace between grey stone stairs and white gravel plots to separate spaces by creating a material and colour contrast. The mirror-finish flooring in the lobby area and the glass walls create a link between the exterior and the interior. We don’t know how this development would look if the busy and noisy Bangkok didn’t provide so many tourists and resources, but we definitely know that both cities take advantage of this symbiotic relationship. There is no doubt that Zire Wongamat is a high-end residential project that relies on the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The whole project from concept to execution was a creative work based on high-quality materials and a flawless execution in order to offer remarkable views over Thailand’s Gulf. In a world changed at a very fast pace by technology, is landscape architecture the highest add-on to a real estate development? Are the big cities too big and noisy to find an oasis like Zire Wongamat? Go to comments

Full Project Credits For Zire Wongamat:

Name of Project: Zire Wongamat Location: Pattaya, Thailand Landscape Architect: Shma Company Limited Project Team: Design Director – Namchai Saensupha Landscape Architect – Kantaya Nopvichai Horticulturist – Wimonporn Chaiyathet Client & Developer: Raimond Land Architect: Soda (Thailand) Co., Ltd. M&E: Pro_En Technologies, Ltd. C&S Engineering: Warnes Associates Co., Ltd. Project Type: Residential Site Area: 9,822 SQM (6.13 Rai) Completion Year: 2015 Photograph Credit: Wison Tungthhunya Use: Residential Landscape Area: 8,392 sqm Building Scale: Building 1: 37 Stories Building 2: 54 Stories Site Area: 9,822 sqm Completed Year: 2015 Period of Design/Construction: 2010-2015 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 Diana Ispas

Article by Radenka Kolarov Following up on our world series, we have selected 10 awesome projects that perfectly represent landscape architecture in Italy today. “You may have the universe if I may have Italy.” This sentence by Giuseppe Verdi gives us a powerful reason to stand for a moment and admire what a beautiful country Italy is. Whether we are lovers of fine wines or expensive sports cars, fashion or enchanting art and culture, we can find our personal heaven in any corner of this outstanding country. With all of this, can you imagine the breathtaking landscape architecture projects Italy has to offer? So, let’s take a look at the top 10 projects from Italy, representing periods from the Renaissance to the present day, and find out something you might not already know.

Projects From Italy

10. Development of the Village Centre, by Alles Wird Gut, in Innichen The main idea was to design a place of comfort that gives a new aspect to the village — and Alles Wird Gut certainly managed that. The pedestrian zone makes the place safer and more useful for both tourists and locals. The long, dark-green serpentine path has five layers that are affiliated in just the right way, in a shape that represents the surrounding mountains, with ramps for easy access, a few coniferous trees and grasses, and pathways consisting of textures such as cement and gravel.

9. Mediterranean Terrace, by Studio S.O.A.P, in Alassio Usually when we think about Italian Renaissance gardens, we think of some determination order, symmetry, and vastness. This garden covers only 142 square meters, but yet has respected all of these principles, together with providing modern elements and functions. It has three levels, each specifically dedicated for a function: dining, outdoor living area, and swimming pool with sun beds. Beside water elements, we also know that Cypresses and boxwoods are an essential part of Italian gardening. 8. Piazza Nember, by Valeri Zoia and Stradevarie Architects, in Jesolo Jesolo is known as a famous seaside resort, thanks to its abundant holiday facilities and its 15-kilometer beach, Lido di Jesolo. This new design has provided a requalification of the space, giving roominess and a functional organization more in accordance with a square. At the same time, the project deals with the connection, both in a visual and functional way, of the two streets (Dei Mille and Verdi), which had looked perceptively “far” from each other. They are now linked by paths for walking and cycling. It has become a center for socialization and a preferred spot in the city. 7. Piazza del Campo, in Siena Piazza del Campo is a unique place in the whole of the world, starting with the very particular conformation of the ground, which turns the square into a big concave shell. The paving is made of red bricks arranged in a fishbone style, divided into a sunburst pattern by nine strips of travertine. Warm colors and rich textures make the square inviting, and it is always filled with people. 6. Contemporary Piazza Rosa, by Studio Fink, in Bergamo This well known Italian square, which Le Corbusier called “the most beautiful square in Europe” , was transformed for two weeks into an outdoor living room during an event attracting tens of thousands of citizens and tourists. The idea was to emphasize the contrast of a strong conceptual and artistic expression through bold use of noticeable colors, shapes, smells, and texture of plantings, while bearing in mind the theme of healing landscape and social sustainability. 5. Contemporary Italian Garden, by Giuseppe Lunardini Landscape Architecture, in Ortonovo The idea for this design was to create a series of outdoor green rooms that would become more natural and nuanced as one moves away from the primary residence. That design approach is an inspiration from Pietro Porcinai, a renowned 20th century Italian landscape architect whose projects featured gardens that were so integrated into their surroundings that they appeared to be natural and un-designed. In this project, all of that was satisfied through a terrific choice of plants and a very pleasant atmosphere. 4. Palma de Vecchio Pop-up Square, by Studio Fink, in Bergamo The 100-Day Pop-Up Square was full of artistic splendor and colorful inspirations to accompany the first large retrospective exhibition of Palma il Vecchio paintings. The designers opted for a strong contrast between the gallery’s setting and the general atmosphere of the city itself, in order to create a comfortable and memorable external room and a place encouraging social interaction, conversation, and contemplation before and after seeing the exhibition. 3. Villa D’este, in Tivoli There are not enough words to describe the beauty of the Villa d’Este. More than just a delightful palace and garden, it is one of the most remarkable and comprehensive illustrations of Renaissance culture at its most refined. Its innovative design, along with the architectural components in the garden (fountains, ornamental basins, etc.) makes this a unique example of an Italian 16th century masterpiece garden. 2. UAE Pavilion, by Foster+Partners and WATG, in Milan WATCH >>> UAE Pavilion Milan Expo 2015

For every lover of a desert, Eastern melodies, and food, this place would present a small utopia and a personal oasis. And even if you are not, now is a perfect time for you to consider all the charms that it provides. The pavilion was set for “Expo Milan”. It is based on the ancient principle of Decumanus design. A 12-meter-high wall is a simulation of dunes in the sandy desert with three zones: Sandy Dunes, Rocky Desert and Oasis. 1. ENEL Pavilion, by Piuarch, in Milan WATCH >>> Title: Expo 2015: Virtual Tour of the Enel Pavilion

Designers managed to create a pavilion, an LED forest, a smart energy grid, and a landscape instead of architecture. Six hundred and fifty polycarbonate vectors were grafted onto the grid, drawing a fancy cellular pattern on the ground. With the educational approach of conveying the idea of energy sharing, the grid uses a network of metallic elements that transfer electricity distribution and data flow. This is an excellent project that in the best way justifies the theme of the exposition — “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”.

Projects From Italy

If you haven’t found your personal heaven, Italy could be the place. Italy is a land of ancient history, colossal buildings, historic cities, famous painters, and remarkable pieces of art. Landscape architecture has always been at a high level of quality, too. Whether it is a Mediterranean terrace or perhaps the Villa D’este, the same spirit it merges. “Traveling is the ruin of all happiness! There’s no looking at a building after seeing Italy.” – Fanny Burney. Which of these projects do you prefer and like the most? Let us know in the comment section below! Go to comments 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 Terka Acton Lighting is about more than path lighting, cross-lit buildings, and uplights trained on trees. Here are 10 inspirational projects showing you lighting design and application in order to create engaging, imaginative designs with real impact.

Lighting Design and Application in Landscape Architecture

1. Undulating Bridge Hoofddorp by Lodewuk Baljon landscape architects, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands This Dutch pedestrian bridge won the 2015 Lamp Lighting Solutions Award. Lighting transforms it – from day to night, it’s a different project. How? The stainless steel railing is punctuated with perforations. By day these perforations read as a low-key graphic pattern, but when evening approaches they are lit from behind with LED lamps, revealing a stunning tracery of branches inspired by the local poplar (Populus) trees. This lighting is not merely decorative, though, since it removes the need for lamp posts. Here, lighting adds extra functionality and appeal to a well-considered design.

2. Torico Square by b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos, Teruel, Spain Torico Square was revitalised in 2007 by b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitecto. Water is central to this space, and Barcelona-based lighting design firm Artec3 created a lighting scheme in which the quintessential fluidity of water is evoked by colour-changing RGB luminaires embedded in the square’s basalt paving. The existing system, retrofitted with eco-friendly 70w HID ceramic lamps, was retained as a formal element to connect the plaza with the rest of the historical city center, while the fountain is lit with narrow-beam LED projectors and 150w HID ceramic lamps. While there were teething troubles with this project, perhaps this is sometimes to be expected when we push the boundaries with innovative technology. 3. The Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground, Chelsea College of Art and Design, London, England by Planet Earth When choices are restricted in terms of hard and soft landscaping options, consider foregrounding lighting in your design instead. Plant Earth’s award-winning renovation of this London space uses colour-changing LED lighting to describe the shape of the iconic Fibonacci Spiral, conjuring up a versatile, dynamic, and atmospheric space from an expanse of grey granite paving. 4. Finsbury Avenue Square, London, England. Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill with Maurice Brill Lighting Design Today, Finsbury Avenue Square is a busy, welcoming space – but prior to the 2001 renovation the square was perceived as dark and unfriendly, and was underused by day as well as by night. This redesign features a lighting matrix built into the ground, with a grid of LED-backed frosted glass strips forming supports for the square’s benches. Over 100,000 LED lights illuminate the space with ever-changing patterns, demonstrating how lighting can improve the energy of a space. 5. Aspire Public Art Lighting Project by Warren Langley, Sydney, Australia Sydney’s Aspire lighting project is a glowing forest of trees sculpted from high-density polyethylene, steel, and LEDs. Commissioned by Sydney City Council from artist Warren Langley to enliven a highway underpass, the trees seem to reach up and support the road above. This public art installation references a community campaign to preserve local buildings slated for destruction. This piece is powerful in the daylight, but making the trees glow amplifies their impact, helps to make the underpass’s pedestrian walkway safer and more attractive, and ensures that the art can also be seen from a distance. 8. Strijp-S, by Piet Oudolf, Carve, Deltavormgroep and Har Hollands, Eindhoven, Netherland It’s fitting that Strijps-S, created from the last Phillips factory in Europe, should feature strong lighting design. A collaboration between design firm Carve, landscape architect Piet Oudolf, lighting designer Har Hollands, and public space specialists Deltavormgroep, this project has reimagined the old factory complex as a modern housing development. The lighting highlights aspects of the architecture, notably the pipes of Leidingstraat (Pipe Street) which are lit from beneath by colored LED strips. The lighting sequences change to emphasise different elements, dynamically illuminating the scheme. 6. Grand Canal Square, Dublin, Ireland, by Martha Schwartz Partners with lighting designers Speirs & Major Associates Opened in 2007, Grand Canal Square is one of the largest, most innovative paved public spaces in Ireland, and a key element in the regeneration of the Dublin docklands. A red resin-glass carpet of paving extends from the square to the dock, intersected by green carpets created by planters of turf, grasses, and perennials that evoke Ireland’s rural landscapes. Angled red poles, clustered at contrasting angles, add height, impact, and playfulness, while granite paving offers a flexible space for festivals and performances. Colourful by day, the space comes alive at night. The red resin-glass paving lights up with in-ground LEDs, while the green carpet is lit by LEDs directed across the floor plane and the angled red poles are topped with glowing red acrylic tubes. Movement-sensitive sensors in the poles create an interactive element. Lighting ensures that this space is as vibrant by day as it is by night, enabling it to fulfil its role as an interactive, regenerative space. 7. Starry Bicycle Path, Studio Roosegaarde, Eindhoven, the Netherlands Eindhoven’s solar bicycle path, inspired by Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”, was created in 2015 for the 125th anniversary of the painter’s death. While the path looks ordinary by day, at night it glows with solar-powered LEDs and the light of 50,000 luminous, phosphorescent-paint-coated stones. The €700,000 path makes cycling safer and more pleasant, but also has a wider impact, attracting visitors and demonstrating the city’s capacity for innovation: it is telling that two of our featured projects are located in Eindhoven. Although the path has only been in place for a short time, it’s clear that the lighting in this project makes an impact out of proportion to its cost. 9. Hyllie Plaza, by Thorbjörn Andersson with Sweco architects, Malmö, Sweden Hyllie Plaza, completed 2010, is an urban forest of beech (Fagus) trees growing from twelve parallel planting beds in the granite and concrete hardscape. The lighting scheme adds a touch of magic to this highly symbolic landscape: a star-filled sky 16 meters above the trees, with 2,800 LED diodes strung over 1,800 meters of steel wire, programmed to create lighting scenarios adapted to the season and conditions. 10. Perikleous Street, Athens, Greece: public design intervention by Atenistas The other projects featured here took years of planning, and were realised at considerable expense. The Perikleous Street public intervention, by contrast, was completed in in a single day in January 2014 with the help of 40 volunteers after three weeks of planning by Atenistas, local business owners, residents, and the public lighting division. While the city’s lighting engineers installed new lights in the alleyway, volunteers painted a cheerful urban nightscape mural depicting lamp posts and brightly-let buildings. Lighting can be an inexpensive, effective way to make a space feel safe.

Lighting Design and Application

What can we learn from these ten projects? In each case, lighting plays a crucial role, bringing to the design important qualities like visibility, security, magic, and the expression of narratives – and sometimes all of these. Often, these results could not otherwise be achieved, whether because of the restrictions of the site or the budget. It’s also striking that the designs here are appropriate to each site: in the Grand Canal project, bold light sticks are balanced by more muted lighting across the horizontal plane, for instance, and only certain specific elements are picked out in the Strijp-S scheme. This sense of appropriateness extends to our stewardship of the environment: while advances in lighting technology can help manage our over-use of energy, concerns about light pollution demand that we balance our desire for safety and visibility with the need to protect the environment from the negative effects of excess light. When we make responsible, creative, and imaginative use of lighting a key element of landscape design, however, the rewards can be immense. Which projects would you choose to demonstrate innovation in lighting design and application? Go to comments Recommended Reading:

• The Landscape Lighting Book by Janet Lennox Moyer
• Designing With Light: The Art, Science and Practice of Architectural Lighting Design by Jason Livingston

Article by Terka Acton

Article by Agmarie Calderón Alonso We take a look at 10 common mistakes beginners make in Photoshop and how they can be avoided to ensure more efficient use of the program.  Photoshop CC is an amazing program for anyone who wants to be creative in a different way, such as making design boards for presentations or playing around with digital media. Either way Photoshop is a unique tool to use, it is the new way of drawing. Don’t get me wrong; drawing with pen and paper is always good (never miss a classic), but trying to apply new techniques in any design is a thrill and an achievement. In the first place, I suggest you take a course on the subject at hand; it is always good to have a tutor, someone who knows the program and what it can and can’t do. Also search different tutorials on the internet. With that said, I will explain the 10 common mistakes beginners make in Photoshop and how to avoid them:

Mistakes Beginners Make in Photoshop

1. Learn the Program Do not start using without any type of knowledge of Photoshop. If you are going to draw or write with it, you need to understand how everything works. Like I said before, take a course or watch some tutorials, so you can get familiar with the program. Here is a video, about 6 minute long, with a visualization about the program WATCH >>> Photoshop Tutorial – 1 – Introduction and Basic Tools

2. Always Click SAVE NEVER use this program and continue to work on your file without hitting the save icon or its alias CTRL+S. This is a must, not only on Photoshop but with every computer program. Most of today’s technology has a method of file recovery, but if not, SAVE will be your lesson. 3.  Name the Layers Do not start adding layers to your work without knowing what they are, because you will erase a layer that you were not supposed to. Once you have created a layer, automatically name it. WATCH >>> Photoshop CS3 Tutorial: Layers for Beginners

4. Use Shortcuts Once you learn how everything works on the program, you can use it faster by applying the alias to the commands. For example: You do not need to go to the toolbar and find zoom in or zoom out, just use CTRL+ (zoom in) and CTRL- (zoom out). Let your fingers be the pen on your masterpiece. WATCH >>> Top 10 Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts | Photoshop Tutorial

5. Same Font & Different Sizes When deciding to put words in your work, always choose a font that is easy on the eye. Also think about the presentation; if it is something that will be on display, you should use a reasonable size of text so people can read it from afar. There are 3 common sizes, depending on the work; 24 for titles, 18 for subtitles and 14 for the information. 6. Not Everything has to be Photoshopped When realizing what you can do with this program, do not go overboard with it. There are some things that can be useful to do in Photoshop, but not every picture or presentation has to be blown out of proportion. Use the program with the things that are absolutely necessary; for example: in a design presentation, adjust the colors of a photo you found online. Do not crop and retouch an image and use it as your own, that’s wrong and simply irresponsible on your part. WATCH >>> (Funny) 10 Worst Political Photoshop Fails

7. Use Guide Lines When trying to display an image or drawings, try always to use the guide lines that the program has given you. It’s easier to match the spaces and everything looks organized. Do not use measurement by eye, it is not that precise in this program.

8. Save in PSD and JPEG format Once you decide you have finished with your work, always save a PSD copy, this one will save the work with each layer as it is. Then save it as a JPEG copy; with this one you can save your work as an image; it will merge your layers. A JPEG is easier to send to printing because it compress the information, it is not a large file. Also having saved your work as a PSD file, if you decide to change something on it, you actually still can, contrary to the one in JPEG format. 9. Save a Color I always suggest that when deciding on colors for representation, that once you know the correct color, hit left-click with the mouse onto the swatches area, where a window will appear so you can fill the name of that specific color. WATCH >>> How To Save Color Sets On Photoshop

10. Excessive Editing When trying to edit a photo or drawing, do not go overboard. Try to minimize the use of Photoshop, because it will alter the results and will not look good. Beginners sometimes do not understand this part, that it is ok to edit what you’re doing but if you do it excessively, everything looks distorted. – I hope these tips help you better understand the Photoshop program, and how to avoid some common mistakes. Also you can go to the internet and check out different tutorials about the program, some are few minutes and others are a bit longer, but very useful. It is an awesome program to have in your computer, very useful and user-friendly. I also recommend that you download the Adobe version, and if you have an account with them, that’s even better. What other common mistakes do you know, that people could avoid? Go to comments Recommended Reading:

• Adobe Photoshop CS6 Classroom in a Book by Adobe Creative Team
• Photoshop Elements 14 For Dummies by Barbara Obermeier

Article by Agmarie Calderón Alonso

Article by Andrea Robezzati Following on in our world series we have selected 10 awesome projects that perfectly represent projects in Thailand today. Take one of the poorest and most problematic countries in the world and imagine finding some of the best examples of landscape architecture. Welcome to Thailand! The place where the worst natural catastrophe in history happened; the place where growing urbanization and climate change problems are the most significant. The tsunami disaster of 2004 left a deep mark on Thailand’s culture and people, and the motto “Build Back Better” became a strong and amazing reality in just a few short years. Let’s check out these excellent examples!

Projects from Thailand

10. Ladprao Condominium Garden, Shma Co. Ltd, Bangkok, 2011 Situated on one of the most congested and polluted roads, with very limited space available, this 3200 m2 garden makes the most of it, both on the ground and in the sky. Shma designed a small, high-density urban forest, with attention to providing the maximum diversity of plants to help purify the air, reduce noise pollution, offer a variety of wildlife habitats, plus secluded space for inhabitants, greatly improving the overall quality of life in the city.

9. Central Plaza, Shma Co. Ltd, Chiang Rai, 2011 Finished in 2014, this design makes you feel wrapped in a warm embrace. Shma Co. Ltd. designed the outdoor areas of a shopping mall and here they proposed a flexible nature to enhance the shopping experience with colourful native plant life, urban furnishings, and cascades, taking special care to use the consummate regional plants. Now it is not just a shopping mall in Chiang Rai, but a generous space for the locals to enjoy; a great balance between natural and manmade environments. 8. Siree Ruckhachat Nature Learning Park, Axis Landscape Limited, Nakhonprathom, 2014 The landscape design of this park establishes a new dimension for a learning process that expands from classroom and lab into nature and in collaboration with the local community. A contaminated site was transformed into a live laboratory for pharmacy students, researchers, health professionals, school students and also common people that leave locally or in the region. Siree Ruckhachat Nature Learning Park is an open green area where people can make themselves familiar with Thai medicinal plants and receive the best solutions for delivering knowledge of Natural Medication through a natural learning process. The park is also a great example of water management. Plants found on site were unhealthy, with shallow root systems and yellow leaves caused by salty soil and the high level of underground water in the area. The architects decided to replace and stabilize the soil, increase its bearing capacity, facilitate soil filling and provide soil amendment, all of which helped to add nutrients and provide a deeper root zone for plants. A ditch around the outside parameter of the site was created to control the different water levels. A strong example of sustainability to enjoy! 7. Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology Kamnoetvidya Science Academy, Landscape Architects 49, Wangchan, 2015 Completed in 2015, this masterplan developed under the concept of “Preserved Forest” by maintaining almost 50% of the existing forest on this site. The reservoir plays an important role in collecting and circulating the water system within the campus, creating the balance of a sustainable environment for the present and the future. Having the concept of energy-saving as a main purpose, the short distance between buildings of the campus encourages people to walk rather than using transportation which also creates a better atmosphere of liveliness and safety. In addition, all buildings have been designed with concern towards orientation and energy conservation by facing the natural wind drafts, for ventilation, and by avoiding direct sunlight. This green campus builds up an unbreakable bond and love of nature amongst its population. 6. Bang Sue Environmental Education and Conservation Center Project, Group Three Design, Bangkok, 2011 This center was designed to be in harmony with the existing environment and it shall be considered the prototype of a designed project which combines and integrates the needs of human urban communities and ecology environment well. A walk along its paths and among its buildings means a rising awareness of the importance of environment resources not only in a conserving aspect but also in integrating and promoting a lively urban environment. The main building is designed as a 2-storey structure with an underground Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) facility that permits the recycling of water for the 100-meter-long waterfall of the main building facade. The main floating-landscape viewing area is an educational Aquatic Plants study center; it appears as an open water garden which displays water plants according to their habitats and botanical groupings. 5. Ming Mongkol Green Park, Landscape Architects 49, Saraburi, 2014 Ming Mongkol Green Park has won the Excellence Award in the Public Space category at last year’s Thailand Landscape Architecture Awards. The design team took a disused piece of land next to the highway and turned it into a landscape that responds to local traditions, with regard to both the facilities and the plants. Sustainable design choices were adopted on the buildings, the hardscape surfaces went unsealed to ensure natural drainage runoff, and the client also opted for the incorporation of solar and wind energy. Ming Mongkol Green Park is a great place to get away, it’s very popular with locals and outsiders alike, who travel from Bangkok to visit a place that may be manmade, but that also brings people back to nature and drives awareness of the need to preserve it. 4. Thai PBS Headquarters, XSiTE Design Studio, Bangkok, 2011 “Office in the Park” is the concept that XSiTE Studio proposed for the landscape architectural design of the new Thai Public Broadcasting Service headquarters. TPBS is the first national broadcasting organization and this project expresses well its philosophy: interaction with the public. The design of outside spaces is strongly public-oriented and emphasizes the interaction between this public institution and the people it serves. All spaces are connected by a series of dynamic, energetic, networking lines that can be seen from all routing and pavement design. Each outdoor space is created to remind one of a warm welcome. A traditional Thai horticultural mood is used in a new way in order to compliment the cool industrial look of the company buildings. 3. Baan San Kraam, Sanitas Studio, Petchaburi, 2011 With this project, Sanitas Studio shows how it is possible to envisage land as an abstract form of the ocean. Only 10 per cent of its extensive area borders the beach, meaning that just 2 of 13 residential buildings have a direct sea view. The architects provided a landscape design allowing all residents to feel equally close to the beach, working with different elements that remind one of the nautical theme; islands, seascapes, jungles, villages, and floating houses. 2. PTT Eco-Forest “Rayong Wanarom” Learning Center, KV Art & Design, Rayong, 2015 Established in 2015, this center serves as a natural classroom for those who are interested in learning about the biodiversity of plants on their own. The center is an offshoot of a big Eco-Forest, a natural protection strip that works in the form of an environmentally friendly forest. This big green area is capable of soaking up carbon monoxide at twice the rate the normal forests do and in addition it releases more than 700 tons of oxygen back into the atmosphere per year. It also leads in biodiversity as evidenced by 172 species of existing organisms including birds, insects, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Eco-Forest is part of a bigger eco-industrial zone development project called “PTT Wanarom Eco Zone Industries” that started in 2012 in the Asia industrial estate. This project aims to develop the area into a prototype for Thailand’s eco-industrial zones and will play a vital role in raising the environmentally-sustainable level of the industries in the Rayong region. The goal is that industries, communities, and environments could exist in a sustainable manner. 1. Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, Landscape Architects 49, Phuket, 2014 Imagine what it’s like to walk in the middle of a jungle during your summer holidays and breathe an indigenous atmosphere! Following the dynamic layout of the site, local flora is everywhere and it leads you around the various buildings scattered throughout the area. The hotel complex stands on the grounds, flanked by two sand dunes between the Mai Khao beach and a lake on the inland side. The role of the pond in the lower part of the location is not only decorative but also functional and very impressive. This extremely beautiful artificial pond is actually used for draining purposes but, at the same time, is also an additional luxury for the rooms in the surrounding wing. This project is another example of the high quality and importance of landscape architecture in Thailand. These few examples of Thai contemporary landscape architecture demonstrate how landscape design is a greater necessity in contemporary society, especially in the cities where we are registering an incredibly fast-growing urbanization and a strong vulnerability to extreme climate events. Starting from a natural disaster, Thai architects show us how important it is to work with nature and be educated by it: in this way the Thai Eco-Forest program is the perfect expression. The Rayong Wanarom Learning Center and the Bang Sue Environmental Education Center are also fine examples of this. We have to admit that Thailand’s got really good talent and they send us a lesson: quality design can embrace a new balance between humans and nature! Go to comments 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 Andrea Robezzati

Article by Luis Guísar Windlicht artwork by Studio Roosegaarde, in Eneco wind farm at Sint Annaland, Zeeland, The Netherlands Studio Roosegaarde, founded by Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde and located in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, “creates interactive designs which explore the dynamic relation between people, technology and space” – Studio Roosegaarde. The studio is concerned about sustainability and art, which has led it to create a series of projects such as The Windlicht artwork and a smog vacuum cleaner in Rotterdam that is designed to improve the city’s air quality. To create the Windlicht artwork, Studio Roosegaarde wanted to transform the Dutch landscape by adding playful values. They also wanted to show how beautiful green wind energy could be. The inspiration came from a small town named Kinderdijk and its windmlls. The design team decided to take an old-fashioned and out-of-favor icon and turn it into something fresh. For Daan, “these windmills from 1740 are a perfect example of Dutch innovation. Reconnecting with the landscape and creating a positive image around green energy also drives him.” (Studio Roosegaarde). So, how did Studio Roosegaarde break the natural skyline without causing a major ecological disaster?

A Simple Solution for a Complex Purpose The studio’s design and technology teams faced a lot of challenges, but the most difficult was the synchronization of the elements of the installation — and we are talking not only about blades and lasers, but also the distance between windmills, the speed, and the wind. The project is based on the use of lasers to illuminate and follow one blade of each windmill. “A tracking system predicts where the blade will be, then sends a signal to the hardware attached to the center of the turbine – allowing it to adjust according to the strength of the wind and speed of the rotations.” (Studio Roosegaarde). We may think that such an innovative installation must use a lot of energy, but its all works thanks to green technology sponsored by KPN. Simple as it sounds, all the design processes behind it were difficult enough to extend the project planning over two years. In the end, what the Windlicht project produced is more complex and functions at different levels. WATCH >>> Windlicht by Studio Roosegaarde

A Spectacle of Lasers, Color, and Wind The first impressions we get from studying the Windlicht artwork are visual. They are produced by the combination of lasers, rotational movement, and the context of the site. The green light of each laser transforms the site’s skyline in ways we may think are impossible. First of all, the gentle and elegant movement of each blade are relaxing. This sensation is strong enough to make us not notice the fact that each blade rotates at 280 kilometers per hour, according to Studio Roosegaarde calculations. Here is the official movie in which you can witness this spectacle. The installation also transforms the rotational movement of the blades into a sort of light gear, which is in fact the truth: Windmills function and generate green energy based on mechanical gears. This way, we are witnesses to how two or more windmills interact, creating a unique synchronization. Each laser not only transforms the skyline of the Enco wind farm in Zeeland, it also changes the perception of the windmill itself and its surroundings. It is necessary to perceive the installation from the bottom of the windmills, at the foundation of the columns. A unique spectacle of contrast between the windmill structure and the reflection of the green light laser on the ground increases an abstract appreciation of both elements, allowing for personal interpretation.

An added bonus: Studio Roosegaarde established a bicycle path treated with a special paint that uses energy gathered during the day to glow after dark. Although the team didn’t have the opportunity to select the light color in the end, green proved to be the best option. The contrast created with the black background of the Dutch night is in fact the main characteristic that makes us identify with the Windlicht artwork. By taking advantage of their location and the distance between each windmill, the Windlicht artwork breaks the site perception. The presence of existing trees exploits the Windlicht green light in order to create textural patterns on the ground. The movement of lasers and the existing trees creates dynamic patterns of shadows on the ground. In this way, the Windlicht artwork also brings energy to the ground. The final combination between lasers and the secretive rotation of the blades generates a relaxing performance where both nature and technology act in perfect equilibrium, helping people understand how green energy and art can interact. With their Windlicht artwork, Studio Roosegaarde evokes beauty and creates a more realistic awareness of green energy by exposing how beautiful it can be. In the end, what Studio Roosegaarde imagined became real: They made evident a connection between past and present, light and feelings, technology and art. Studio Roosegaarde hopes to bring the Windlicht artwork to different places around the world. What kind of feelings does this project evoke in you?

Full Project Credits For Windlicht Artwork:

Project  Name: Windlicht artwork Design: Studio Roosegaarde Location: Eneco wind farm at Sint Annaland, Zeeland, The Netherlands Partners: KPN Design Timeline: 2014-2016 Completion: 2016 Photos: Studio Roosegaarde 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 Luis Guísar