Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

Article by Zean Mair-Macfarlane Regents Park Block 20, by Scott Torrance Landscape Architects in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Now, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a rooftop garden in the middle of a city. So what makes this project different from the rest? Well, for a start, this project isn’t just a rooftop garden. It elegantly stretches over four different levels of an 11-story building. Regents Park Block 20 in Toronto, by Scott Torrance Landscape Architects, is Canada’s largest and oldest social housing project. It previously suffered from both social and criminal setbacks in the community. In theory, the project isn’t just a restoration of design, but an attempt to reunite the community and reconnect the area to its local parks.

Regents Park Block 20

Ground Floor Each floor has a different identity, but they flow cohesively through a limited selection of materials. Such materials include light shades of limestone, concrete, and light oak timbers. The ground floor streetscapes are full of planters and trees, not only to decorate the area, but to attract the public to the space. There is a selection of light concrete benches that merge with the concrete planters, giving the public various areas to sit.

The ground-floor layout follows a linear language that not only complements the flow of the pedestrians, but also somewhat mirrors the surrounding architecture. The concrete planters, light in tone, subtly merge with the light pavement, unifying the walkways with the landscaping itself. What is smart about this project is that it combines low-maintenance design while also meeting the Toronto Green Standards. An example of this attention to detail is that the landscape architects calculated the appropriate amount of soil that would be used to plant the trees. Now, that’s going the extra mile! Second Floor The second floor is the playground area. To my surprise, it somehow combines zen-like qualities with fun and adventure. It’s full of open, meandering spaces and is complete with a water feature that encourages children to play. The special sports surface of this level ensures the safety of all ages. Featured above is a fun sculptural turtle shell, comprised of irregular forms of natural limestone. I’m sure it will have both little kids (and big kids) racing to the top. Ninth Floor The ninth floor not only captures the beautiful Toronto skyline, but mirrors the reflections of the surrounding architecture. The floor itself is somewhat of a residential hub that promotes food security among residents by giving them a place to grow their own food. The plants are grown in linear planters made from stacked sandstone. Once again, a selection of pale materials is used to connect the space. With that said, there are injections of dark concrete planters on this floor. These planters are for smaller shrubs and sedums to grow. Generally, this space is more personalized than the other floors, where movable planters are welcome. A large covered dining area also allows the residents an opportunity to prepare and eat the produce as soon as it is harvested. Socialize, relax, or practice your yoga — this space ticks all of the boxes. The Roof The extensive green roof is designed to promote biodiversity, as well as to reduce the wasting of storm water. The sedums, forbs, and grasses are spread among rocks, logs, and gravelled areas. This not only enhances the insulation properties of the architecture, but provides topographical variation and habitats for insects and wildlife. The Connection So what can we take away from this project? First of all, the landscape doesn’t have to flow horizontally for you to realize a connection from one space to the next. We can also see how powerful a limited palette of materials and colors can be. Projects such as Regents Park Block 20 not only emphasise the importance of community, but also highlight the reality of our current living environment. Many of us live encased in an urban city. Now more than ever, we need to realize the importance of good landscape design in conjunction with several-story buildings. Does Regents Park Block 20 succeed in connecting the building to surrounding urban environment? Let us know what you think in the comment section below! Go to comments

Full Project Credits For Regents Park Block 20:

Project Name: Regents Park Block 20 Designer: Scott Torrance Landscape Architects Project Size: 2,800 square meters Date Completed: 2013 Owner/Client: Toronto Community Housing Corporation Project Team: Wallman Architects Ltd. (Lead) / Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc. Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Article by Zean Mair-Macfarlane Zean Mair-Macfarlane has recently released an illustrated ebook for architecture students. You can purchase the eBook here. If you are interested in receiving free advice on your course, you can find him on Facebook here. 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 Sophie Thiel We take a closer look at landscape architecture in Australia that also makes for great tourist destinations.  Geographically, Australia is not only the smallest but also the most isolated inhabited continent on our planet. That isolation has conferred an enormous advantage on the region: the development of globally unique fauna and flora. Today, Australia is not only home to a wide variety of fascinating landscapes, but also to groundbreaking landscape architecture projects that are overshadowing the rest of the world. Some of these projects were already featured in Paul McAtomney’s article 10 Great Projects Showing why Australia are Leaders in Landscape Architecture. Since the mainland of Australia is a country where landscape architecture has been booming for years now, everyone – especially landscape architects — needs to visit Australia at least once to see the incomparable landscapes and solution-oriented approaches that we can all learn from for our own projects. After visiting this spectacular continent, you might even decide to settle down there, as Australia is also one of the best countries in which to work and live as a landscape architect. But first, let’s see what places we recommend you visit.

Landscape Architecture in Australia

10. Pirrama Park – Sydney, Australia, by ASPECT Studios The historic development of Pirrama Park is a prime example of a project in which residents made their will known in favor of building a public park rather than another new residential development. The community action enabled the highly promising open-space area to become a multiple award-wining project of landscape architecture. Today, Pirrama Park is one of Sydney’s major public parks on the harbor waterfront, offering a plethora of refreshing experiences while connecting visitors with the water’s edge. I strongly invite you to take a look for yourself: Enjoy a picnic or barbecue on one of the many hot summer afternoons at this park. Pirrama Park is listed as one of the top 10 major parks on “City of Sydney”, the official visitors website of Sydney. Pirrama Park in the city’s Pyrmont area also got 4½ out of 5 stars on “Yelp”, a website that publishes crowd-sourced reviews about local businesses and more.

9. Centenary Square – Parramatta, Australia, by JMD Design On your way to or from Sydney, it pays to take a short break at Centenary Square in Parramatta. This plaza forms the central area of a former suburb that merged with Sydney a few decades ago. The design’s centrepiece is a state-of-the-art fountain – not only loved by children – that is illuminated at night with a colorful lighting and water display. An added design bonus: The fountain can be simply turned off to provide enough space for events such as markets, games, or concerts on the square. The mixture of fixed and mobile furniture also underlines the plaza’s adaptability to different circumstances – an aspect that is rarely used in design as beautifully as at Centenary Square. 8. The National Arboretum – Canberra, Australia, by TCL Australia’s mainland is one notable example of a country that works against the threat of extinction and habitat loss. The National Arboretum is one of the best examples of an outcome of this country’s efforts to deal with this worldwide struggle. The arboretum was built after multiple fires wreaked havoc on Australia’s unique forests in 2003. Today, it is home to 100 different forests of endangered tree species from around the world. It is a large-scale project that not only brings attention to issues of biodiversity, sustainability, and public environmental concern, but also serves as a seed bank from which endangered species are being preserved and propagated. Furthermore, the 100 forests serve as educational opportunities that allow visitors to explore and learn the special significance that plants and gardens have on the contemporary world. The National Arboretum is meant to continue to develop and grow over time. With its unlimited potential and possibilities, this seems to be a project that our great-grandchildren are also going to enjoy. The National Arboretum project was featured in Erin Tharp’s article about the Top 10 World Class Landscape Architecture Projects of 2014. 7. 717 Bourke Street Plaza – Melbourne, Australia, by ASPECT Studios It is very likely that you will find yourself at Bourke Street Plaza while visiting Melbourne. Only a short walk from the lively Federation Square, this plaza represents the gateway into Melbourne’s newly redeveloped Docklands district. The former industrial area represents one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects, covering a space of nearly 200 hectares. The landscape design of Bourke Street Plaza mimics the irregular surface of the buildings on site. It incorporates many topographic changes, such as steps, ramps, raised beds, and platforms where people are invited to rest and enjoy the strong relationship between landscape architecture and architecture. 6. One Central Park – Sydney, Australia, by ASPECT | OCULUS Due to their unique façades, the residential buildings of One Central Park stand metaphorically at the intersection of architecture and landscape architecture. The eye-catching green façades are said to be the world’s largest en-mass vertical garden, with a total area of 1,200 square meters. Australia is one of few countries that massively promotes living architecture as a means of responding to climate change and dealing with the scarcity of water and energy. Therefore, One Central Park really hit the jackpot — and also remarkably defies early scepticism. Since the project area is located next to the central train station, with its eye-catching appearance, you will find it difficult to pass by the project without being amazed by it. 5. Caulfield Campus Green at Monash University – Caulfield, Australia, by TCL You might wonder why a university campus is included in this list of top tourist destinations of landscape architecture in Australia. The fact that the design of Caulfield Campus Green proves that education can be an immersive experience and is welcoming to anyone who wants to learn will give you clarity. Whether the user is a student, a passer-by, or a tourist, any person can enter this space and be enticed to engage, discuss, and learn about the goings-on in the world. Caulfield Campus Green was designed with the idea that the grounds would become blueprints from ideas created on and within the campus area. It is woven right into the fabric of the local environment. It will pay off to visit this campus and be inspired by its detailed, colorful, and social design. If you’re loving this article don’t forget to bookmark these ones for later:

• 4 Incredible, Must-See Tourism Projects in Landscape Architecture
• 10 of The Best Tourist Spots for Landscape Architecture in Europe
• 10 of The Best Tourist Spots for Landscape Architecture in Asia

4. The Goods Line – Sydney, Australia, by ASPECT Studios The Goods Line — a 500-meter-long elevated park in Sydney — is one of the most famous and recent projects of the Australian landscape architecture bureau ASPECT. While the whole length is 500 metres, the recent upgrade is the northern precinct, which is at 275 metres. A lot of people will find similarities with other rail line design projects, such as New York City’s High Line. The Goods Line not only attracts tourists, but has become an important communal hub and green space for this developing part of the city. It provides a vital connection for tertiary students and other locals, and has carried the precious cargo of a thriving neighborhood since it opened in 2015. As a landscape architect, you should no longer wait to visit this modern mix of an urban elevated park and an infrastructure project. The Goods Line was also honored in Erin Tharp’s article Top 10 Landscape Architecture Projects of 2015 and is also featured at the “Best Sydney Walks” website. 3. A’beckett Urban Square – Melbourne, Australia, by Peter Elliott Pty Ltd Architecture + Urban Design and Taylor Cullity Lethlean Landscape Architecture The A’beckett Urban Square transformed a vacant space — formerly used as parking lot – into a vibrant, multi-use pop-up plaza. Through applying simple design principles, such as artwork to lighten up the environment, the square adapts it surroundings into a collaboration of ideas. Actually, the space belongs to RMIT University; however, it is accessible to the public of Melbourne until the temporary place will be redesigned again for its final use. Today, a lot of people gather on A’beckett Urban Square either to play ball games, table tennis, and more, or to watch others playing sports and to rest on one of the many wooden bench-and-deck-elements. When you are in Melbourne, go and get a feel for the vibrant plaza yourself. 2. The Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens – Cranbourne, Australia, by TCL In return for the 45-minute drive from the center of Melbourne, you will see one of Australia’s most remarkable landscape architecture projects in recent history. The Royal Botanic Gardens are the world’s first botanical gardens dedicated exclusively to Australian native flora. More than 25 hectares showcase the astounding diversity of 170,000 plants within 15 individually themed landscape areas. Additionally, the Exhibition Gardens are used as a tool to demonstrate to visitors how Australia’s native flora can be used in their own gardens, thus increasing the impact of the Australian Garden beyond its physical boundaries. Achieve your own didactic experience while taking a stroll around Red Sand Garden, Howson Hill, the River Walk, and many more! The Royal Botanic Gardens project was also part of Paul McAtomney’s article called Top 10 World Class Landscape Architecture Projects of 2013. 1. Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk – in Denmark and Walpole, Western Australia, by Donaldson and Warn You won’t find the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk twice in this world! This 600-meter-long pathway is built up to 40 meters above ground, allowing visitors to walk among a grove of a nearly 500-year-old giant tingle forest. In order to treat the sensitive ecosystem with care, the construction of this Tree Top Walk in the mid-1990s was peerless. Unlike other canopy walks, the pathway in the Valley of the Giants was built without heavy machinery to minimize the impact on the fragile tingle tree roots. With this project, the designers created an educational phenomenon that attracts tourists, yet creates minimal damage and produces a large economic return to the area. Every explorer’s heart will beat faster while meandering through the forest on this spectacular sculptural element in Western Australia. – As you can see, there is a variety of different and unique landscape architecture projects in Australia from which we can all take inspiration for ourselves. Australia is indeed a country and continent that teaches us how to deal with future questions and problems of the dynamic changes that affect us worldwide. This list should remind you that wherever you go, you should seek out such landscape architecture. Keep your eyes open and have fun on your trip to Australia. Which projects do you want to visit immediately? What designs do you think are you missing from this list? Let us know in the comment section below! Go to comments Recommended Reading:

• Sunburnt – Landscape Architecture In Australia by J. Raxworthy
• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden

Article by Sophie Thiel

Article by Paula Uzarek We review a holistic approach to Landscape Architecture in The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, by Malik Lip & Associates Sdn Bhd, in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia Think of limestone hills climbing vertically above geothermal hot springs, fused with a pristine, verdant rainforest and natural caves. What connotations appear in your mind? I see a sanctuary, a relaxing environment where I can escape from the external world, perfect for looking for balance and peace within myself. If I turn my thoughts to landscape architecture design, I see the use of natural materials and tropical plants. This space is not imaginary: It is the exact location and general idea of the Banjaran Hotspring Retreat, a great example of design blending in with the environment.

Holistic Approach to Landscape Architecture | The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

Will you have to fight your way through the rainforest to get there? No way! The distance from Ipoh, Malaysia’s third-largest city, is just a 15-minute drive. And if the travel to Malaysia is beyond your reach, just keep reading to take a lesson from this Asian landscape architecture treasure hidden in the heart of a tropical jungle, not far from the Ulu Kinta Recreational Forest. Malik Lip & Associates Sdn Bhd Preserve the Natural Heritage When talking about the tropical rainforest and geothermal hot springs, as a landscape architect you probably ask yourself how much incursion is too much? This is nature untouched by human hand. How does one design something that is under control here?

Malik Lip & Associates Sdn Bhd — a leader of Malaysia’s environmental planning – has the answers. Their aim is to preserve the natural heritage. Their green landscape architecture design within the Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat successfully incorporates the natural elements into a wellness center. According to the company’s vision, the landscape architect needs to understand not only the topography of a place, but also “the surroundings, natural resources, its potentials”. Sensitivity compliments these features and allows recognition of “the perpetuation of the natural heritage and identity”. Holistic Resort Shows a Holistic Design The resort’s approach to energy efficiency includes detailed planning, design, and environmental friendliness and sustainability for all the elements you can think of. The design process puts nature in line with social well-being, not below economic value. Taking advantage of the existing topography and incorporating existing landscape, caves, vegetation, and water into the design, the resulting site provides a strategically located complex with therapeutic values. It is worth mentioning that the air flow is continuous, thanks to the buildings’ distribution. Natural ventilation and a minimizing of solar heat, together with the water elements, are planned in a similar, thorough way. Harvested rainwater is used for landscape setting, and the measuring tools equip all places that have a potentially high water usage. Healing With the Power of Nature The features of the Banjaran include harnessing the natural power of the hot springs and its minerals. A bath in geothermally heated water is said to relieve stress. A steam cave contains geothermal hot spring water, serving as a natural sauna without consuming energy. Next to the hot water, there is also a toughening ice bath, a meditation cave absent from external sounds, a crystal cave influencing metaphysical healing by its amethyst and quartz crystals, and a fitness center for improving physical strength. There’s also a Garra Rufa fish pool, where spa patrons can rejuvenate the skin on their legs and feet. Guests can also stroll the paths that wind among the buildings. Their curvilinear and regular forms correspond with gentle plants’ surroundings. Some are so narrow as to allow one person to pass, but most are designed for groups of people. The retreat’s villas include small gardens that are accompanied by water features. The gardens are architectural gems paralleling the ones found in the crystal cave. The water features take various forms. Some are dripping from the stone wall. In others, the natural hot spring water is directly pumped into Jacuzzis. All the planting and materials correspond with the other parts of the whole Banjaran design. Natural Materials Above All Natural stone and wood create balanced areas where a state of relaxation is easy to access. The design is full of harmony, assisting guests in clearing their minds. Most of the materials are local, from palm leaf thatching in roof construction to recycled wood in interior design. Here, the material choice also shows ecological recognition and heat minimization. Jungle-Reflecting Plants The greenery is chosen to appear as if we were in a jungle — but in a more controlled one. The leaves of tropical trees rustle above verdant shrubs and sharp grasses, creating a green canopy. They provide shade and amazing visual effects. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) and ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) emit marvelous scents and are natural mosquito repellents. Their long, thin leaves are complemented by other plants, such as Tropic Fleur Heliconia (Heliconia ‘Tropic Fleur’), whose orange flowers pop up with every single step. Purple Water Lily (Nymphaea nouchali) is an example of water plants, with their floating leaves with crenellated edges accompanying stunning flowers that fill the water surface. Next to these neatly designed plants, we can go through an informative herbal garden. Many of the herbs are commonly used by locals, who believe in their medical values. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Opuntia cochenillifera (Nopalea cochenilifera), Big-sage (Lantana camara), Shield aralia (Polyscias scutellaria), and Bitter ginger (Zingiber zerumbet) are only a few examples. And among all these, well known Pomelo (Citrus maxima) offers the green variety. Preservation of the natural environment and the designer’s approach toward the place merge the tropical jungle with a relaxing spa and wellness atmosphere. The designers used a wide range of plants and materials, and looked to nature’s healing potential for inspiration. Just by looking at the photographs, I want to take a deep breath of the fresh air. Are you already relaxed? Asian projects are more and more often mentioned in our articles on the Landscape Architects Network. To see another work of Malin Lip & Associates, you can read the article by Elisa A. M. Varetti: The Haven Lakeside Residences or 10 of The Best Tourist Spots for Landscape Architecture in Asia by Sophie Thiel. What do you think of the holistic development? Let us know in the comments below! Go to comments

Full Project Credits For The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

Project Name: The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia Architects: Malik Lip & Associates Sdn Bhd Client: The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat Awards: Highly Recommended Landscape Architecture, International Property Awards 2012, Asia Pacific, Landscape Architecture Malaysia BCI Asia Top Ten, Green Design Award 2009 Honour Award, ILAM, Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards For Excellent Landscape Design & Planning 2009 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 Paula Uzarek

Article by Miriam Judith González Bolívar We look at how to reduce vehicular impact in the development of the Village Centre project, by Alles Wird Gut, in Innichen, Italy Converting streets into pedestrian zones has become very popular. With the necessity of being more sustainable while taking note that walking is elemental for mobility, it’s an alternative transportation model that helps with climate change and certainly has health benefits. Nowadays, with motorized evolution, these places have been invaded by vehicles, reducing spaces for recreation, service areas, commerce, etc. The influx of transportation has become one of the biggest enemies to the cities. But wouldn’t it be nice to take back pedestrian areas in our cities? A great place to start is in the hearts of our cities.

Reduce Vehicular Impact

A good example of this is the village of San Candido, located in the natural preserve of Dolomiti di Sesto, a small commune in Italy next to the border with Austria, declared a Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. It’s one of the favorite destinations for hiking and climbing lovers in summer and a paradise for skiers, lugers, and snowboarders in winter, when the mountains are covered in snow.

The Austrian architects, Alles Wird Gut, won first place in the competition to redesign the old city center into a free-traffic shopping mall. As San Candido is a very small commune, with a low rate of population (3,175 in 2010), only in peak tourism seasons is it full of people. Contrary to this, in spring and autumn, the old city center is a completely deserted zone. The conversion of the streets into pedestrian-only zones is a dynamic function in response to the fluctuation of tourist season, reducing the transit hassles to a minimum. Designing a place of comfort that gives a new aspect to the village, tourists and locals are able to walk to shopping malls, restaurants, bars, hotels, newsstands, and open air markets, etc. The project is emphasized by five layers

• Basis
• Morphology
• Platforms
• Reactive
• Green

Basis Layer This is the area used to give form to the pedestrian zone. This current space uses Via Peter Paul Reiner with Via Drava, as an axis reaching to Piazza San Michele and Piazza del Magistrato.

Morphology Layer This main axis leads the pedestrians to the pathway with a natural circulation to the plaza and different areas within the historic center, like the cathedral or the Museo della Collegiate, which are the highlights of this village. Local materials were used to give a whole new appearance to the project which incorporates perfectly to the historical buildings and surrounding landscapes. The materials used were The materials used were dark green serpentine (a greenish or brownish mineral, commonly found in serpentine rocks, used as a source of magnesium and asbestos, also as a decorative stone), which resembles the coniferous forest; for the cemented surfaces, local gravel was used, which quite literally represents the surrounding mountains. These pathways have different textures, giving a special attention to the urban typology, making feel the tourist and the locals like they have traveled in time to the past, simulating how this place looked in ancient times. Platform Layer There are a number of platforms distributed across the pedestrian street making transitions between different areas. These have a 50cm height, approximately, but to get onto them, people have to walk up ramps which provide easy access. When night comes, these platforms are illuminated, giving the pedestrian a nice ambiance in which to walk. The platforms are mostly used as spaces for social purposes. In many of these, we find chairs for pedestrians who want to rest or drink some coffee. Reactive Layer This layer has a special arrangement with elements that can be adapted according to particular needs. Some interactive elements are wooden grates, set upon platforms which may be removed and replaced with flower pots. These are supported by lighting elements giving warmth and illumination to the open area. Another interactive element are individual panels which can be flooded, making a game with water features and giving a different aspect to the urban landscape. Visually, these make the open area look bigger when the community is not in peak tourist season. Green Layer There are five green areas distributed across the project. These are the spaces that make the pedestrian street a friendly place to rest and create a relaxing and enjoyable place to rest after a long walk, set up with contemporary urban furniture made of wood and austere vegetation with a few coniferous trees and grasses with pathways with textures such as cement and gravel. As well as the platforms, the benches in this layer also get illuminated when night comes. Benefits of Pedestrianization The project “San Candido a piedi”, finds better solutions to the pedestrian in public spaces. Creating constant interventions to the city to make it safe, sidewalks and pedestrian paths contribute to pedestrian security. To increase use, numerous notices were created to protect the pedestrian and the cyclist, determining a vehicular speed limit of only 30km/h. In addition, the historic center has allowed only a limited number of vehicles in summer, which guarantees the safety of the local population and tourists. For this, San Candido was granted the WALK SPACE AWARD in 2010. San Candido also works to satisfy the needs of the cyclist, making a dedicated cycle lane from different places around the village, including the historic center where points featuring bicycle parking lots are set across the layer. This project gave a new identity to the small but engaging village of San Candido, making it even more attractive to tourists, not just for the majestic surroundings of mountains, meadows and forest,  intrepid activities and all amenities, but for this new concept given to the city where the most important thing is not just to give the pedestrian a comfortable and enjoyable place to live, but also safety, and to give all tourists from around the world a nice place to rest and have fun, as a place to remember and to feel a part of San Candido. As landscape architects, would you convert the old city center of your city into a pedestrian zone? Go to comments

Full Project Credits For The Development of the Village Centre

Project: Development of the Village Centre Location: Innichen, Italy Client: Community of San Candido Area: 6300 m² Construction: 1999-2003 Planning: Alles Wird Gut 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 Miriam Judith González Bolívar

Article by Erisa Nesimi We take a look at 6 unique parks that have significantly contributed to their community. Stating that parks are important for our cities is not breaking news; the advantages of these spaces are generally well known and accepted. Ever since the Garden City movement in the 1900s, the importance of such green spaces has been considered in a significant way. Nevertheless, nowadays, it is not enough to simply make parks a part of our cities; it’s important how we do that. Parks have been shown to be elements that make the world a better place in which to live, but the question you might surely ask is, how? As a person living in a city where parks are generally not well designed, I can tell you that the impact of these environments can be huge. There are several reasons why these environments are improving our lives, and we shall explain those further, supported by examples for each.

So, What Do Parks Offer?

1. An opportunity for Re-establishing Social Bridges A great example of this is Tianjin Cultural Park, by Atelier Dreiseitl, in the city of Tianjin, China. It is a park attached to the cultural center of the city, but I would dare to say that the design allows for this park to become a cultural space itself. The variety of its details — such as the presence of water, local trees and plants, a grand open theater, and so many others — establishes the park as a place for people to relax and to conduct activities, making possible the creation of social bonds. It is a place for social interaction, where events can take place and enrich everyone’s personal experience.

2. Power of Transformation There are some particular spaces, such as old industrial sites, which — while being abandoned — represent places people avoid going to, or simply don’t have a reason to visit. Landscape holds the key to making these places vivid again. MFO Park in Switzerland is a wonderful example of how parks embody the power to transform environments. This park is part of an extensive redevelopment of one of the most industrialized areas in Zurich. It is part of a vision to transform and integrate residential development in the area, and the construction of this park is most certainly a good step toward turning the old elements of the site into a new and contemporary design that allows people to utilize the space in different ways. 3. Standing for a Strong Cultural Identity-Telling History Agodi Park and Gardens, by Earthwork Landscape Architects, in Ibadan, Nigeria, serves as a very strong example for cultural identity. Located in the center of Ibadan, which is known to be a bustling metropolis, Agodi speaks for a truly African urban park. That is because it constitutes a significant environmental reserve for indigenous forest and savannah. Being a combination of forest and savannah, it becomes a representative of the African culture and nature, but it also offers a variety of activities for people living nearby. Thus, it has become a real community space. 4. Simple, but Influential Who’s to say parks need to be intricate to make the spaces we live in better? Freundschaftsinel Potsdam Park, by POLA, in Potsdam, Germany, is the best example of this. As the entrance to a bigger network of parks, it has immediately become a favorite place for the locals. It is a very simple design, but why should simplicity not be appropriate? Sometimes, keeping it simple is better, and often we are witnesses to the fact that less stands for more. That is because this park, being very simple, gives a sense of freedom to its users. Isn’t freedom what we look for in a park? 5. A Playground to Learn From Parks can also be places where you can learn. Mary’s Garden, by BASE Landscape Architecture, at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa, California, is a wonderful example of this. It is a child-oriented design, where kids not only have fun in the playground, but can also learn a lot by experiencing a variety of natural processes. As an interactive environment, it allows children to learn and be inspired. The main aim of this project was to bring the surrounding landscape into the design through the integration of the city’s main river, which adds to the park’s contextual character. Even though the main target group is kids, we think that adults can also learn a lot from this space. 6. Economic Advantages While some might say that parks are a huge waste of money, many of them indicate the opposite. If well designed, parks will be a source of positive economic benefits. How? By enhancing property values, increasing municipal revenue, bringing in home buyers and workers, and attracting tourists. Perk Park, by Thomas Balsley Associates, in Cleveland, Ohio, is an example of what I mentioned above. Food vendors, cafes, and other economic activities have been developed after the construction of this park, creating possibilities for economic progress. The initial investment has paid off, creating a vibrant community that contributes to the neighborhood. – It is not only important to build a park but to build it with the right reasons in mind — how it connects to the surroundings, what it brings to the community, and how interactive it can be. There are also cases in which parks have not added much to the context, but if properly designed, they can be huge attraction points, making the communities we live in better, hence making the world a better place in which to live. What are the parks that have made your cities better? What particular elements are decisive for the transformation they have made? Tell us in the comments 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 Tahio Avila

Article By Tahio Avila We take a look at 5 Projects That Make Incredible Use of Water Let’s get lost in the projects that landscape architects are developing more and more every day. It’s clear we are in the sustainable era, where every design we make should be eco-friendly and sustainable. Searching for projects that include the element of water, I realized that every one of them had something in common: the concept of sustainability. Over the past several years, landscape architects have been using water as an accessible resource, using it as a way of getting renewable energy or just designing projects that will help the community collect it. The projects in this article will help us understand why water shouldn’t be a single-use item. Many interesting projects have being developed in countries around the world, but in northern Europe, they are really taking it seriously, with governments introducing new laws to guarantee the use of natural resources — bound to public transportation, bikeways, pedestrian ways, and renewable energies — that help to improve the lifestyle of the community. Here are some European projects – and one from the United States – that focus on sustainability and the resource of water. 1. SW Ecodistrict by ZGF Architects LLP  — Washington, DC, United States This is a new project everybody should know about. The firm focused on three strategies: creating a rich street life, making use of net-zero energy, and paying attention to green infrastructure and urban agriculture.

Maybe we don’t see water all over in this project – despite the topic of this article — but the designers did make an incredible use of water by letting residents achieve net-zero energy. They used thermal pipes to bring geothermal heat to the buildings. Sewer mining and organic waste are used to provide additional firepower, and the clean water travels throughout the district in “living machines”, distributed later to each building through an underground network beneath the streets.  

“investing in shared rainwater collection infrastructure is critical to capture and store storm water from the district to balance water supply and demand, and to reduce operational costs”.

The green infrastructure is proportioned by green streets and greenways used as a fertile area for growing some native products and conveying water. The designers transformed a six-lane, asphalt highway into a greenway for pedestrians, bikes, and agriculture. The organic wastes from rainstorms and other sources are collected, treated, and reused as fresh water for the neighborhood, reducing potable municipal water use by 70 percent. The designers add that “investing in shared rainwater collection infrastructure is critical to capture and store storm water from the district to balance water supply and demand, and to reduce operational costs. This can be achieved through municipal water treatment savings, plus storm water retention credits, making the infrastructure investment a cost-effective approach to a district water system.”

2. Waterplein Benthemplien -– The Netherlands Completed in 2013, this project consists of a water square that combines water storage with the improvement of the quality of a public urban space. The designers decided that the element of water had to be “excitingly visible” while running over the square. The design collects rainwater from the larger area around the square. There are a lot of special features, including a water wall and rain well. Both dramatically gush the rainwater, through waterfalls, fountains, and even an open-air baptistery next to a church on the square.   “The system gradually separates the storm water from the black water with each intervention, because of a mixed sewage system that lowers the frequency of dirty water”.   After the rain or in dry periods, the collected water can be used, thanks to basins that are connected to an underground infiltration device, which are used to help maintain the city’s green areas in good condition — reducing urban heat and providing a flow into the open water system of the city. The system gradually separates the storm water from the black water with each intervention, because of a mixed sewage system that lowers the frequency of dirty water. In total, there are three basins to collect water. When the shallow basins are dry, they are open to those who want to play sports or hang out. One of them is open for skaters and anyone on wheels; the second contains an island with a clean and shiny floor; and the third can be used for football, volleyball, and basketball. Each entrance contains intimate areas and well-selected grasses and wildflowers that surround and complement the existing trees. 3. Roombeek the Brook — The Netherlands This is a successful urban street, visually and functionally appropriate to users, as we talked about in our article What Makes Roombeek the Brook a Remarkable Urban Street. The designers tried to follow nature and restore life in the urban center. Years before industrialization, this neighborhood was “alive”, thanks to its conformation and the most important element of the city, the Roombeek River. This area contains the highest number of streams in the Netherlands, but residents lost sight of the river because of new construction and water contamination.   “They created a distinctive pattern of edged stepping stones on the water surface, making the stream not only accessible to users, but reducing the flow of water”.   The designers brought this area and the river alive again, giving the place a new identity. The stream flowed underground in the past. Today, the designers restored it in an asymmetrical way so that the waterway “widens and narrows” along the surface of the street, accentuating the urban environment and becoming the new central point of the city. They created a distinctive pattern of edged stepping stones on the water surface, making the stream not only accessible to users, but reducing the flow of water. The bottom of the brook is designed with a transverse, ribbed, concrete structure that causes constant movement of the floor and water surface. The brook is also surrounded by a selection of deciduous trees that add some color during the seasons. This is a good example of how to take advantage of every element the neighborhoods already have. 4. Moses Bridge — The Netherlands Call it a bridge, passageway, crossing element, or whatever you want; there’s no doubt this is a unique design and a new way to fuse into the landscape instead of deforming it. That wasn’t the main idea for the construction, but it clearly takes us to a high level of innovative design, construction, and use of materials. This is a special way of getting in contact with nature and reviving the history of the zone. In my opinion, this is definitely one of many starting points of landscape architecture that we should continue to develop. 5. Water Playground – Poland This playground was finished in 2011 by local architects RS+Robert Skitek. The designers wanted it to be inspiring for kids, not only in regards to landscape and nature, but to their life in the out-of-doors. Kids today spend more time at home watching TV or playing with their cell phones. This project hopes to lure them outside to play on summer days. The shape of the park reminds us of a peanut. The designers worked with this shape to match the contours of the landscape and prevent removing any of the trees that provide shade to the play area. They made it clear that one of the main ideas of the project was to minimize the intrusion on the natural landscape; the technical rooms, for example, were covered in grass so that the playground wouldn’t interfere with the atmosphere of the park. The fences were designed especially for the park, with a parametric structure based on sine waves.   “By night, the playground is transformed into a fountain show lit up by LED’s”   On the other hand, what’s inside the fences is really another world, filled with bright colors, shapes, climbing nets, ropes, slides, light technology, and obviously lots of water. By night, the playground is transformed into a fountain show lit up by LED’s. It is definitely a nice area to visit day and night, for children and adults. – Studying projects like this, we realize how some countries are really trying to connect with nature and landscaping, by collecting water or simply by not interfering with the environment. All those steps help introduce the new era of sustainability to every person in the world, and should be taken into consideration when we begin to design a project. What water inspired projects would you add to our list? Tell us in the comments! 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 Tahio Avila

Article by Luis Guísar The historical war site, the Bluff, by OMGEVING, in Ypres, Palingbeekstraat, Belgium. OMGEVING architects were in charge of the landscape design for one of the most important battle zones of World War I, the Ypres Salient in Belgium. The design was conceived subtly, in order to respect the site’s history and its present conditions. It was not OMGEVING’s intent to send visitors down into war trenches or inside a bomb crater. What really mattered to the design team was to improve access for visitors so that visitors can see what the unique landscape framework in which the fighting took place looked like. Thus, the design leaders decided that the project would pay tribute to the site’s history by its own subtlety.

Historical War Site

To Understand the Present, We Must Understand the Past The site is known as the Ypres Salient, an area that surrounds Ypres town, which is located in northwestern Belgium, near the border with France, in the province of West Flanders. Its geographical location made it a strategic war site that allowed the German army to invade Belgium and then France. Because of this, five major battles took place at the Ypres Salient between the German army and the Allies (British, Canadian, and French armies) from 1914 to 1918. During this period of time, the Ypres Salient was under constant bombing. Another interesting fact about the Ypres Salient is that it was one of the sites that hosted an unofficial Christmas truce in 1914 between German and British soldiers.

Post-War Challenges for the Landscape Studio The main test for the OMGEVING architects was to restore a site that was affected by World War I activities and recover its natural landscape. One of the landscape design goals was to counter all the damage that the war provoked on the site. In order to do it, the architects decided to take advantage of the site’s heritage and establish the subtle concept as the design line. The project could be seen as simple, but the intention of OMGEVING was not the pursuit of a spectacular landscape project or to show off their capacity as architects. What was really important to the design team was to restore the site in order to transform it into a place of contemplation and calmness, where visitors can be in touch with a little part of human history. A Subtle Program and Landscape Intervention While in the past, the German army used The Ypres Salient as a strategic location for war, the same site was used as a landscape workshop to restore its natural conditions from 2013 to 2015. The master plan is composed of vehicular parking lots and bicycle racks, an information pavilion, a long decked pathway, and two types of pedestrian pathways: contemplative and interior. Each one of these spaces helps to integrate the Ypres Salient site areas so that visitors can enjoy the whole project. Designed as floating platform, a long decked pathway extends from the parking lot and provides visitors a unique experience. It allows them to be immersed in one of the Ypres Salient’s highest points and to have a lookout for extensive views over No Man’s Land — the neutral zone between the front lines. Furthermore, the long pathway gives a unique sense of profoundness to the meadow. The platform design is simple and reinforces its geometry and floating characteristics. With gray, precast pavements and matte black steel railings, the platform creates a unique shelter for visitors to be in touch with the landscape and the history. At the end of the platform, a brief summary and a panoramic photograph of the site during the First World War are presented to visitors like a command post. Despite the fact that the site presents natural and artificial topography, the project makes accessible almost all zones by proposing singular pedestrian and bike pathways. OMGEVING made a detailed topography study in order to propose a regular path, perpendicular to the entrance, and a second, irregular pathway. It is impressive how OMGEVING architects permit comfortable pedestrian access to almost each area of the project. It is important to remember that this site was affected by strong bombing. So, every person (child, persons with disabilities, and elder persons) can walk through all of the project and stay immersed in the site’s history. Everything is a Reference to the War Such was the impression caused by World War I in the Ypres Salient that the battles are still on Belgians’ minds. For this reason, OMGEVING commemorates the war through gentle landscape details. The use of materials is the better way to achieve this. Wooden pedestrian pathways, Cor-ten steel panels, and concrete compose the material palette. Their combination with sunlight creates unique, soft brightness and shadow patterns. As time passes by, the memories get stronger, and the OMGEVING landscape design evolves to restore the site’s natural aspects. Vegetation growth transforms the car park and the information pavilion and takes possession of both spaces. Finally, the proposed materials get old and used — variation that reinforces OMGEVING’s tribute to the past. Almost 100 years after the site was a fundamental part of World War I, The Bluff gives the starring role to landscape design in order to remember the past and consolidate the present of the Ypres Salient. Do you think the Ypres Salient was restored adequately? Let us know in the comments below! Go to comments

Full Project Credits For The Bluff

Project Name: The Bluff Landscape Architecture: OMGEVING Designers: Koen Moelants, Tompy Hoedelmans, Peter Seynaeve, Luc Wallays, Kevin Favere, Sofie Vandervliet Location: Ypres, Palingbeekstraat, Belgium Client: Province of West Flanders Design: 2013 Completion: 2015 Area: 20.000 m² Photos: Yanninck Milpas 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

Article by Terka Acton Public space renewal in Celje’s Old City Centre, by Darja Matjašec, Sergej Hiti, and Klara Sulič of Ljubljanski urbanistični zavod, d.d. (LUZ), Ljubljana, Slovenia. Cities must adapt if they are to survive. Faced with a shrinking, aging population in its city center, the municipality of Celje resolved to redesign and revive Celje’s open public spaces. For the most recent stage of this work, they engaged Darja Matjašec, Sergej Hiti, and Klara Sulič of LUZ. As landscape architects working in Slovenia, LUZ’s designers are experienced in negotiating the delicate balance between honoring the past and creating spaces for the future. This is something of a Slovenian speciality, as LAN’s Erin Tharp showed in How Velenje Promenada brought light and sunshine back to the city. Celje is Slovenia’s third-largest city. It dates back thousands of years, and its paved streets, imposing castle, and medieval wall fragments reflect this rich history. Today, Celje is an important administrative, commercial, and cultural hub – a status recently boosted by the renewal of public spaces in the historic city center.

Public Space Renewal

The project area includes a total of four public squares in the old city center and two main pedestrian streets connecting them. LUZ’s design for the renewal of Celje’s public spaces was realized in 2014. Building on the Past Archaeologists had expected to find some evidence of earlier times during the renewal work, of course, but they did not anticipate the richness of the finds. These include colonnaded Roman roads and villas with murals, mosaics, and hypocaust (hot air) heating. A stone well discovered at the intersection of the two main pedestrian streets — where it is now displayed — neatly illustrates the layers of the city’s history: Originally constructed in the Middle Ages from fragments of Roman stonework, it had the city’s starred crest and the date “1781” chiselled onto its upper rim, recalling the city’s time as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Genius Loci With so much history to draw on, genius loci – the spirit of the place – is key to this design. But this is not a heavy-handed pastiche: It is, instead, a subtle evocation and interpretation of the past. Each of the public squares has a different identity, and these identities are reflected in the design. The historical context is foregrounded in some parts of the design, for instance in the case of archaeological finds on display in Main Square and elsewhere. In other locations, this heritage is simply suggested, as in the choice of pavers in each site: While the same gray stone is used throughout, large, modern pavers set in stretcher bond are used in motive spaces, while small setts reminiscent of Roman mosaics create a more reflective atmosphere in quieter seating areas. Repaving so much of the city in variations of one material afforded the opportunity to unify the space, and also allowed the landscape architects both to reflect the heritage of each site and to indicate its intended modern use. Working with historical sites is never straightforward, since it always involves landscape architects in intricate planning and inevitable delays. While the discovery of archaeological finds necessarily complicates a project, there is a compelling argument that it also adds immeasurably to its value and importance by offering a narrative unique to that particular place. Properly communicated, a strong historical narrative brings a space alive, giving it real power and saving it from the homogeneity that so often leads to mediocrity. This is certainly true for the renovation of Celje’s old city: LUZ’s approach to historical elements has resulted in a public space renewal project that is both a source of civic pride and a big draw for visitors. New Stories for a Bright Future In addition to making the most of the city’s past, all of the public spaces include fresh elements. Krek Square features a new central fountain outside the imposing neo-Gothic Celje Hall. The fountain’s 12 jets of water are a refreshing sight and sound in the heat and bustle of the city, and the space doubles as a children’s playground. Metropol Square boasts a newly built platform under the existing plane (Platanus x hispanica) trees. This provides seating for the concerts, open air cinema, and other events held in the square, which is also home to the People’s Savings Bank building designed by Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik. And as well as showcasing the most important of the Roman finds unearthed in the construction works, Main Square has been designed as a key venue for cultural events. Close attention has been paid to the design of the sleek, modern street furniture displayed throughout the project, with dark gray, powder-coated steel and wood predominating. This palette is complemented by the gray stone used in paving treatments throughout the design, and contrasts nicely with the muted colors and terracotta tiles widely used on the old city’s historic buildings. These durable, high-quality materials will withstand constant use and weathering, and send a clear message about civic pride. Intriguing sculptures in the streetscape encourage passers-by to linger and — since vehicular traffic is now largely excluded from the old city — children can now freely cycle down the pedestrianized, tree-lined streets. The streets themselves have been the focus of close attention, with metal street names chased into the stone pavers. A star motif (recalling the city’s crest) was restored as part of the work, and marks the intersection of the main thoroughfares. This project has succeeded in refreshing Celje’s city center. Renovated squares and streets, innovative features, and the recognition of an eventful past all add to the appeal of the city center as a meeting place for both residents and visitors. Has drawing on the past helped to revitalize a city near you? Tell us about it in the comments below. Go to comments

Full Project Credits For the Public space renewal in Celje’s Old City Centre:

Project Name: Public space renewal in Celje’s Old City Centre Location: Celje’s old city center, Slovenia Budget: € 7.6 million Date of Design: 2011 Date of Construction: 2014 Size: 1.32 hectares / 13,200 square meters Client: The Municipality of Celje Landscape architecture: Darja Matjašec, Sergej Hiti, Klara Sulič / LUZ, d.d. Municipal and energy infrastructure, traffic: LUZ d.d., Elektrosignal d.o.o., Hidroprojekt d.o.o., PIRING s.p., Lespro d.o.o. Lighting design: Arcadia Lightwear Construction: PIRING s.p. Fountain construction: Genera d.o.o. Contractor: Mineral d.o.o with subcontractors Supervision: NAVOR, d.o.o. Photographer: Luka Vidic 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 Terka Acton

Article by Lidija Šuster Following on in our world series we have selected 10 awesome projects that perfectly represent landscape architecture in China today. It is known world-wide that China is a very active country in all areas of life (civil engineering, martial arts, all sorts of industry, etc.), but what stands out the most is the landscape architecture. As a part of a “Got Talent” series, like USA’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent, we are now introducing you to the top 10 outstanding projects from China. Let’s take a closer look at them, because they’re showing us what sustainability, functionality, creativity, and environmental care really means.

10 Awesome Projects From The China

10. Zhengzhou Vanke Central Plaza, by Locus Associates, Zhengzhou Creating high-quality public space should require a good and functional design. But most importantly, public spaces are being designed for people and therefore must be in accordance with people’s requirements and needs. Locus Associates did exactly the right thing, and the Zhengzhou Vanke Central Plaza has become a very popular social area. Implementing proper spatial circulation with shortcuts, landforming, water features, and human-scaled elements, this Plaza hits the jackpot.

9. One Island East, by Hargreaves Associates, in Taikoo Place, Hong Kong Creating an urban plaza that should satisfy the needs of a densely inhabited building and a commercial office tower, simply said, requires a major amount of knowledge, skill, and imagination. Hargreaves Associates successfully solved the problems of a densely populated area by creating a vivid and useful space. This dominantly rhomboid-shaped dplaza connects people in a human-scaled landscape, and furthermore, brings viridity into the surrounding concrete jungle. 8. Earthly Pond Service Center of International Horticultural Exposition 2014, by HHD_FUN, in Qingdao, Shandong When creative and talented minds combine environmental elements, human needs, and architecture into the landscape, in the end it certainly must be piece of art. The HHD_FUN designers played with geometry and the result was a strong connection between landscape architecture and nature. Providing fluidity in space through a diamond-shaped grid system, they managed to implement water, vegetation, architecture, and a peaceful place for humans, with perfect preservation of nature. 7. The Red Ribbon Park, by Turenscape, Tanghe River, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province The edges of beaches are often neglected and hard to maintain. That also happened in Qinhuangdao, where the beach was nothing more than a garbage dump. Fortunately, the Turenscape designers renewed this area into an amazing landscape. According to plan, they preserved as much of the natural river corridor as possible, promoting diversity of vegetation and access for wildlife. The name Red Ribbon stands for the 500-meter-long red-colored steel structure that stretches through the park, which glows at night, therefore becoming even more interesting and attractive. 6. Where the River Runs, by Penda, inside the 10th China International Garden Expo, Wuhan, Beijing Expressed through its motto “An ode to water”, this project gives a true illustration of how water connects humankind with the planet. Water is a major part of human body, and therefore is essential for our survival. Further, rivers and oceans are bringing rich flora and fauna upon which many people’s lives depend. The importance of clean water and a healthy environment is clearly exposed through the whole garden, as the Penda designers called it: “Where the River Runs.” 5. The Soundwave, by Penda, in Xiangyang, Hubei Imagine entering into a landscape made up of water and stones, but instead of plants there are more than 500 vertical stainless-steel fins. This doesn’t have to mean something bad; instead, the result is more than awesome. The Soundwave project carries along a deep meaning – putting together music, art, and nature, playing with the senses through light, sound, colors, shades, and reflections. The myrtle-purple color of the pillars creates an outstanding landmark, which subtly invites visitors further into the natural landscape of the Myrtle Tree Garden. 4. Quzhou Luming Park by Turenscape, in Quzhou, Zhejiang This park represents simplicity of natural processes, but also brings sustainability and an economy-boost to the region. Designed in such a way as to respect nature, the Quzhou Luming Park is becoming a green oasis. The Turenscape designers tried to go as natural as they could, so they implemented natural-red sandstone into their design and used floodplain-fertile soil for planting low-maintenance plants. Additionally, according to their words, they were “making friends” with the water by only minimally interfering with the river. 3. Slow Down: Liupanshui Minghu Wetland Park, by Turenscape, in Liupanshui, Guizhou Province The designers of Liupanshui Minghu Wetland Park transformed a seriously deteriorated peri-urban site into a regenerative and highly ecological area. This nationally-celebrated wetland park developed a holistic strategy to solve severe problems like the regeneration of the River Shuichenghe, extensive water pollution, and many others. The final task was to bring people into the restored green space, because that was much needed in a densely populated area like Liupanshui. With successful completion of the required tasks, this project won a 2014 ASLA Professional Award, and according to the words of 2014 Awards Jury: “You can tell they’re actually cleaning the water with the design.” 2. Quarry Garden in Shanghai Botanical Garden, by THUPDI and Tsinghua University, Shanghai When one abandoned and ruined quarry yard gets full ecological restoration and preservation of cultural and historical heritage, then that could be considered a masterpiece of landscape architecture. Numerous challenges appeared in front of the designers, because the site had laid abandoned for a long time. Various actions were taken for its regeneration, like restoring the ecology of the quarry, making oriental-style experiences and applying difficult construction techniques. The Quarry Garden won the 2012 ASLA Honour Award, as it deserved. 1. Tianjin Cultural Park, by Atelier Dreiseitl, in the city of Tianjin In a very large city like a Tianjin, with a population of more than 14 million people, there must be some actions initiated in order to keep the environment working properly. The Atelier Dreiseitl designers, with massive qualifications in environmental engineering, have come up with a great solution for an outstanding design for a large space of 90ha. With everything else that’s on the plate here, they managed to preserve the culture of the city, as well as to collect, recycle, and purify precious water on a large scale. Needless to say, this short list is just a small chunk from the very large pie that is Chinese landscape architecture. Currently, the cities are expanding tremendously fast, and the world is more and more hungry for designers and landscape architects that have their minds oriented towards the green side of the planet. After reading about these 10 masterpieces, we recommend you stay tuned to the other works found here – because China’s really got talent. What do you think about our Top 10 projects from China? Which one is your favourite? Tell us in the comments! 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

Article by Carlos Cortés Hand drawing is not just essential in landscape architecture. It’s also fun! Here we have the complete beginners guide to improving your hand drawing. Do you feel amazed when looking at other people’s drawings or sketches? Do you think you don’t have what it takes to do your own hand drawings? Give a try —you might be surprised. Landscape architects use hand drawing to express ideas visually. It’s also a tool to analyze and explore the environment. If you are not sure on how to start or think you lack the ability, take a look at our guide. Here, we will show you some tips to start improving your hand drawing skills.

Improving Your Hand Drawing

First of All, Can You Draw? If you can talk, you can sing If you have fun, you can draw! Of course you can draw — you probably have being doing it for a while, even if it was just back when you were a child or today scrawling lines when you are bored. It’s really not a matter of learning to draw, but recognizing that you actually can. WATCH >>> Why people believe they can’t draw – and how to prove they can | Graham Shaw | TEDxHull

We are all born artists. This means that we all have the talent and ability to express ourselves through different mediums, in this case hand drawing. As we grow up, we might keep developing those skills. But if we don’t, we will need to start where we left off. Just be patient and practice! Some of the things that block us are directly related to our minds. Take a look at the 10 Reasons Why You Still Suck at Drawing, by Nick Shannon

It’s All About Having Fun! The main reason we stop doing something is because we are not having fun doing it. The fact is that to master a skill, we must practice a lot. But if we don’t find our activity enjoyable, we are going to quit sooner or later. It’s no different with hand drawing. The secret is to put aside all of our pre-conceived notions and get lost in our drawing. Hand drawing will make you more conscious of the environment and you will be able to express your ideas in a clearer way. But the benefits of drawing go beyond strictly work. This is why art therapy is becoming more and more popular nowadays as an alternative to reduce stress. Try different things, from perspectives and forms to techniques. Feed your imagination by watching the work of others. Risk and let your pen flow. WATCH >>> Why you should practice drawing

Watch and Copy Method This is a method to apply whenever we are learning something new. We learn by watching and then doing. What we watch and then replicate is what we call technique — and there’s good technique and bad technique. How do we differentiate between good technique and bad technique? Bad technique looks forced and can deteriorate our material, such as pens, pencils, and the paper we use. It can also cause long-term injuries such as wrist pain. On the other hand, good technique looks relaxed; it allows you to understand what you are doing, and it’s a money saver! WATCH >>> Linescapes: How to draw a tree

Find Yourself! What makes a drawing incredible and beautiful is the creator’s essence. You might want to draw in a specific style or like someone you really admire, but at the end of the day, your creations will be unique. The more you practice, the closer you will get to your very own style. This will allow you to know what suits you and your drawings better. You will be able to solve problems faster and bring people your personal view of a project or idea. Practice, Practice, and More Practice From 10 minutes per day to a four-hour class, what really matters is that you draw daily. You can pick your goals and objectives, such as filling a sketchbook with trees, and another one with rocks, patterns, clouds, etc. Then you will have the evidence on how much you have improved your skills. WATCH >>> How to start a Landscape Sketch

Those are the basics for every beginner at hand drawing. With the right motivation and constant practice, your drawings will become the best tool for your projects, but also something you enjoy doing, not just for work. Drawings are our thoughts on paper, and this may help you to achieve clarity of ideas and self-knowledge. Remember that most of the roadblocks are in our minds. Copy what feels good, but don’t force yourself to be like someone else. Practice makes the master, and as Pablo Picasso once said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”

What tips would you give someone who is a complete beginner when it comes to drawing? Let us know in the comments below! Go to comments Recommended Reading: 

• Drawing for the Absolute Beginner: A Clear & Easy Guide to Successful Drawing (Art for the Absolute Beginner)  by Mark Willenbrink
• You Can Draw in 30 Days: The Fun, Easy Way to Learn to Draw in One Month or Less by Mark Kistler

Article by Carlos Cortés

Article by Rosa di Gregorio Amstelveen Zonnehuis Care Home, by HOSPER, in Amstelveen, Netherlands. Sustainable development is becoming, in many places around the world, the way of re-thinking the city. To face issues like urban decay, brownfields and marginalization of some districts, instead of planning new buildings in non-urbanized areas. We see the implementation of the concepts of re-use, refurbishing and transformation of the current building heritage. An experience like this has happened in the Dutch city of Amstelveen, by the HOSPER studio. HOSPER is a multidisciplinary design bureau for landscape architecture and urban development. In this example we find the presence of an obsolete Care Home that has bestowed on the whole neighborhood the nickname of ‘elderly island’, leaving this area completely marginalized and without any interaction with the rest of the city.

Amstelveen Zonnehuis Care Home

“The principal aim was to create an integrated design for an urban environment which stimulates interaction between different groups of people” said HOSPER. The project consisted of the demolition of the old building to create a new space completely reshaped with new goals to achieve a variety of objectives such as: social cohesion, quality residences, healthy lifestyles, accessibility to structures and services, and a high quality of the surrounding environment and aesthetics.

The construction and success of this project has been made from the articulate process of integrated design that took place between several designers including landscape architects (HOSPER), architects and designers (THIJS ASSEMBERKS, RIJNBOUTT and OCTATUBE) and specialized designers in dementia-friendly gardens like Anke Wijnja (Bureau Fonkel) and Annie Pollock (of the Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling, Scotland).   …key to the whole project has been the interaction between the designers and the users…   Also key to the whole project has been the interaction between the designers and the users on the other side of the planning, bringing to light all the needs and expectations fulfilled through this operation.

The Project Experience of Amstelveen Zonnehuis Care Home

Two different stages defined the project development: The first stage for this project was the “Zonnehuis Care Home”, a complex of elderly care facilities designed by Thijs Asselbergs where we find a very interesting design project: a canopy made up in steel and glass, designed by Octacube, which protects residents and staff members moving from one building to the other from the rain.

The second stage was the residential complex called “De Ontmoeting” designed by Rijnboutt. These complex buildings create a few solid building blocks that define one side of the street front and on the other side, some semi-internal courts define the opposite street edge. The project of the open space, designed by HOSPER, has the strategic role of promoting the desired social inclusion, they said: “The design for the outdoor space makes a strong connection between the two developments.” The idea behind this space is to create a new public area, easy to access, in which to spend free time and make connections between the residents of the complex and the neighborhoods. The Right Urban Context for Connecting the Space The research and study about the footpaths and access to the buildings has been the main focus in planning the open space. Each entry on the ground level of the buildings has been connected to this open space in such a way to create multiple crossing gateways between the whole complex and the surrounding areas.   “It creates a drawing like a flower, departing from the centre of the open space up to spread into the internal courts of the buildings with a petal-like shape”.   The result is particular and unique: “Its expressive, spatially fluent design resembles in an abstract way “life and nature” in a built-up environment” said HOSPER. It creates a drawing like a flower, departing from the centre of the open space up to spread into the internal courts of the buildings with a petal-like shape.

The Design Choices at the Amstelveen Zonnehuis Care Home

HOSPER’s project could be defined like a Garden-Piazza. They have designed an open space without fences (except for the two dementia-friendly gardens), “where open, functional spaces and green oases of lush vegetation alternate,” they said. A really green, relaxed, and lively environment persists on the ground floor, where the roads for car traffic are positioned entirely on outside of the site. This allows the residents to move between the buildings of De Ontmoeting and the Zonnehuis Care Home in a relaxed manner.

In the plaza floor around the care complex HOSPER designed gardens with perennials and a greenhouse for activities with residents. There is also a large terrace for the restaurant of the Zonnehuis and as well as a playground for children. In the residential area, the courtyards are designed with boxwood hedges and Juneberry trees (Amelanchier lamarckii) which creates the appeal of wavy leaves enclosing a flowery hill. Central to this design is the connection path between the two areas, “Large ornamental grass surfaces featured with trees form the transition between De Ontmoeting and the Zonnehuis Care Home. They ensure that the boundary between the western part of the plaza and gardens with underground parking, and the eastern part without underground parking, is not visible in the terrain”, said HOSPER.   …textures in the pedestrian paths emphasizes the easy and light garden shape through colour variations…   The pedestrian path merges together the residential complex De Ontmoeting in the west, and the complex of the Zonnehuis Care Home in the east, with specific texture and pattern shown throughout the pavement. These textures in the pedestrian paths emphasizes the easy and light garden shape through colour variations.

Latest Developments at the Amstelveen Zonnehuis Care Home

Since 2014 when the project was done the whole city started gathering in this space. The aim to create an integrated design for an urban environment which stimulates interaction between different groups of people has been achieved. This regenerated new public space, once just an ‘elderly island’, is a real urban landmark for Amstelveen today, which has been able to attract both people and economic activity. Like this example, I think that the answer to the daily challenge for a contemporary city to improve its environment is found through urban regeneration. Has this regeneration project inspired you to design better? Let us know in the comments below! Go to comments

Full Project Credits For Amstelveen Zonnehuis Care Home:

Project Name: Amstelveen Zonnehuis Care Home Location: Amstelveen, Netherlands Date of Construction: 2009-2014 Size: 3 ha Client: Stichting Zonnehuisgroep Amstelland, M.J. de Nijs projectontwikkeling Designers: Ronald Bron, Frits van Loon, Elizabeth Keller, Petrouschka Thumann, Marike Oudijk Partners: DG groep, Bureau Fonkel, Dementia Services Development Centre (University of Stirling Schotland), Rijnboutt, Architectuurcentrale Thijs Asselbergs, Octatube Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Rosa di Gregorio