Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

Restructuring of Town Center and the District of La Fonderie, by Urbicus, in Inzinzac-Lochrist, France. The ability to bring together the elements of nature and those belonging to the urban world is one of the greatest gifts that landscape architecture has to offer. So many of the projects that bear the trademark signature of a reputable landscape architect are characterized by this blend. On the one hand, nature is brought closer to the people, its elements allowing for the natural soothing that one always yearns for. On the other hand, the urban elements allow for the exploration of nature. THIS PROJECT FOCUSES on the restructuring of Inzinzac-Lochrist’s town center, commissioned by the officials of the city. Completed in 2010 and covering an area of 40,000 square meters, the project demonstrates that nature can always be integrated within the urban atmosphere. A second part of the project concerns the renovation of the district of La Fonderie, with the talented team at Urbicus working just as hard to implement the elements of nature into a space that clearly needed such an influence.

Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Successful Rejuvenation Project with Amazing Back Story

Sometimes, it takes years of decay for a certain space to draw the attention of the right people. Going back in time, it was the decay of the forge in the area that led to the growth of brownfields at the end of the 1960s. The passing of time only managed to lead to the appearance of an exceptional site by the water.

Selecting The Right Team 

When the municipality of Inzinzac-Lochrist commissioned the creative brains at Urbicus to work on the project, it was clear that it was motivated by a strong historical and geographical backdrop. The idea behind the project was to reconcile the center of the city with the river, which was explored to the fullest by the landscape architects. It was through their talent and dedication that the local community was offered access to a rejuvenated space. The new arrangements included an incredible variety of accommodations, not to mention a diversity of leisure equipment. See More Great Projects From Urbicus:

• The Leisure Center at Madine: The $14.5 Million Investment in Ecology and Tourism
• Facing Environmental Problems at Thalie Park and Solving it with Landscape Design
• How to Make an Unnatural Space Feel Like a Natural Park

Layered Elements Blended with a Careful Selection of Vegetation

When working on a project, landscape architects always take into consideration the end users of a space. While you, the “end user”, might perceive the elements included within a certain space to be chosen upon the inspiration of the moment, things are not exactly like that. As it is clearly depicted through this rejuvenation project, all elements chosen for a space have been given careful consideration.

ELEMENTS OF WOOD, GRAVEL, AND STONE came together in order to create layers and create a unique urban atmosphere. The choice of vegetation was not random, either – all of the plants and trees that have been included in the project are suited to the soil in the area. The geometrical symmetry of the elements of vegetation adds a unique touch to the redesigned area, demonstrating how much of an influence mathematics plays over the world of landscape architecture.

High Level of Space Usability: Mission Accomplished

When dealing with any project (and especially those that concern the rejuvenation or restructuring process), landscape architects have to cover two essential aspects – the aesthetics and the usability of a space. While creativity stands behind choosing the elements that are visually pleasing, when it comes to the concept of usability things are not as easy.

A Story of Success

This project shows that one can guarantee a high level of usability for any space. With walking paths filled with vegetation and urban elements such as banks that add utility, this rejuvenation project is a story of success. It shows that it is possible to make a space beautiful and usable at the same time. But it also suggests, in a subtle manner, how much work actually goes into a landscape architecture project. The people who work on such projects are not only creative minds, but also specialists in envisioning the future of any space, together with the end users.

How Has the Local Community Benefited from the Newly Designed Space?

While this may sound obvious, the restructuring of the town center, as well as the one involving the district of La Fonderie, encouraged the development of local businesses. This just goes to prove, once more, that landscape architecture projects have the great power of increasing the level of sustainability in a specific area. The question that you have to provide an answer for is this: Why does it take so long before certain spaces receive the attention they clearly deserve?

Full Project Credits For The Restructuring of town center and the district of La Fonderie

Project: Restructuring of town center and the district of La Fonderie Project Name: Town Center “On the Edge” Location: Inzinzac-Lochrist, France Client: City of Inzinzac-Lochrist Contractor Agent: Urbicus/Jean-Marc Gaulier Team: Olivia Samit, Nicholas Renard, Yuli Atanassov Co-contractor: Artelia Project Completion: 2010 Area: 40,000 m2 Budget: € 3.200.000 HT Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Alexandra Antipa Return to Homepage

LAN writer Caitlin Lockhart, met with several professional landscape architects who have started their own practices to find out what mistakes people should avoid when following the same path. Starting a firm is a goal for many landscape architects and designers. Some start working for themselves right out of school, while others wait, learning from more experienced professionals before setting off on their own. No one will tell you that it’s easy to start your own business. Mistakes will be made and lessons learned, but it is entirely possible. We interviewed several entrepreneurial landscape architects and designers on the do’s and don’ts of starting your own firm. Here is their best advice of what to avoid when starting a business:

Starting A Landscape Architecture Firm

1. Not Having a Vision

Know what kind of work you want to do long before you get started. This way, you can begin taking steps toward your goal. Questions such as “Do I need a license?” can only be answered if you know what work your firm will focus on. Are you going to start a design/build firm focusing on high-end residential design? Then no, you don’t need a license. Do you want to work with parks, public spaces, or public housing? Then yes, you absolutely do. Knowing what kind of design you want to be doing on your own is essential to knowing what kind of networking, licensing, and insurance you should be thinking about.

2. Underestimating Word of Mouth

All of the professionals we interviewed couldn’t stress enough the importance of face-to-face networking and word-of-mouth referrals, especially in the first few months after opening their doors. “Having an online presence is important, as well,” Carlos Camara, principal of Juxtapose Design/Build in Seattle, said. “But prospective clients generally find you online only after hearing rave reviews from someone they know.” Rather than spending precious seed money on ads, another principal joined community groups focused on sustainable design in her city. She learned what kind of work was already being done and how she could fit into a design niche. “Join organizations that speak to your heart and purpose,” she suggested.

3. Undervaluing Yourself

Many new designers undervalue their time and expertise for the first few months or years, until they find their footing in the industry and their voice as a creator. Don’t let someone talk you into a design fee you’re not comfortable with, and don’t work for free. You went to school to become a professional; your services are a valuable commodity that should be fairly paid for. “It took me five years to realize I am bringing a gift to my clients, it is valuable, and I have spent years developing it. I want to share it with people who appreciate it,” said Molly Maguire, of Molly Maguire Landscape Architecture in Bellingham, Washington.

4. Not Take Advantage of Available Resources

Many cities have small business development organizations that help new businesses get set up with grant funds, advice on taxes, writing a business plan, mentorship, and a business license. Most of these resources are free.

5. Thinking Startup Costs Will Be Too Expensive

Several of the principals we interviewed started out of their houses or garages, printed and scanned work at Kinko’s, and used bare-bones design software in their first few years. Like one principal said earlier, she saved money on advertising by growing her online presence and joining community organizations to grow her client base. Starting a business can be expensive, but you don’t necessarily need a loan to get going.

6. Not Having a Great Accountant, Insurance Agent, and Lawyer

Chances are, if you are a landscape architect or designer, it is unlikely that you also have a degree in accounting (but if you do, go you!). Starting a business has basic principles that, as an employee up until now, you may not have had to deal with. Payroll, taxes, handling lawsuits, and creating business plans are just a few. Consulting experts on topics in which your knowledge is lacking is the best way to make sure all of those bases are covered. Figuring out exactly what kind of insurance you need to keep your business covered is vital. Ask friends or colleagues who they have gone to for accounting and legal services. It’s OK to shop around and find the best fit for you and your business.

It’s All Worth It

Starting a landscape architecture firm and leaving the comparative security of a guaranteed income can be stressful, just like any other venture without a guaranteed future. But all the professionals we interviewed were very happy with their decision to strike out on their own. “I love being my own boss,” one said. He enjoys being able to pick and choose the clients he takes on, the control over his networking, and the scope of his business. There are many reasons to start one’s own firm. If, like Molly Maguire, says, “you find you are constantly butting your head against a wall in your work environment and your passion is being diminished, absolutely begin the process of going out on your own. Take action!” Is there any advice we missed? If you’ve started a business, what makes it successful? Is being licensed important to your business? What would you tell someone just starting in the landscape architecture field? Recommended Reading: 

• Drawing Scenery: Landscapes and Seascapes by Jack Hamm
• Drawing Nature for the Absolute Beginner: A Clear & Easy Guide to Drawing Landscapes & Nature (Art for the Absolute Beginner) by Mark Willenbrink

Article by Caitlin Lockhart Return to Homepage Featured image: License: CC0 Public Domain / FAQ via Pixabay

Paulay Courtyard Garden, by Ujirany/New Directions in Budapest, Hungary. What is your first thought when you see a landscape project for the first time? The answer is straightforward: Do you like it or not? Could you explain why? To answer this question, let’s do an exercise, taking as an example a 430-square-meter project located in the capital of Hungary. According to World Atlas, Budapest is the most populated city in Hungary. Budapest’s climate is humid continental, which basically translates into a huge temperature difference across seasons, meaning that summers can be extremely hot and winters extremely cold. Consequently, species that live in this type of climate must be able to withstand extreme seasonal and temperature changes. Back to our example: Paulay Garden was designed by Ujirany, and it is located at V. Paulay Ede Street, 65.

Designing a Landscape for Mixed-Use Buildings

The Paulay Eden Building was competed in 2007, and it is a mixed-use building that blends residential and office apartments. Paulay Eden was one of the first mixed-use projects in downtown Budapest, as reported by Habitat Consultants. The offices are situated on the ground level, and there are 44 luxury flats on the upper levels. The inner yard, called Paulay Garden, is surrounded by offices.

The main idea of the project was the creation of a representative and playful area for both the residences and the offices. Each of the offices has a small deck in order to create an open and intimate area, allowing people to enjoy the summertime even during working hours. Furthermore, these decks divide the Paulay Garden into two different areas: a private one for people who work in the offices and a public one for the residents. Another interesting element in this garden is the large, pebble-shaped ceramic, in which water flows to form a little artificial pond. Now that we are aware of some of the characteristics of the Paulay Garden project, let’s think about a few other points.

What is Your Perception of Paulay Garden?

What was the budget for the construction? Do we have sufficient knowledge about the local culture? What about the people who are really going to use the place? What do we know about them? At this moment, you are probably thinking that there are too many questions and almost no answers. This is exactly the purpose of this article: to make a self-criticism and question ourselves as to what extent our tastes and culture override the local culture and context of the project, influencing our repository of knowledge and creating positive and negative influences over our perception of good and bad.

Should We Use Curves or Straight Lines in our Design?

Far away from the curves of Burle Marx, Paulay Garden was designed and built based on straight lines, from the shape of the decks to the shape of the pathways. Is that good? The answer is certainly not objective. Is that wrong? Absolutely not. You might rather see the curves of Burle Marx or the symmetry of André Le Nôtre, but it does not make the Paulay Garden project right or wrong. Related Articles:

• Award Winning Small Garden Design
• Stylish Terraced Garden Makes The Most Out of Small Space
• Luxurious Small Urban Garden Getaway

  Instead, the question should be what were the main characteristics the landscape architect was prioritizing, what result was he willing to obtain with this shape, and what is the main concept underlying its conception? In some cases, the answer is not obvious; in others, you might not find one. However, in all of the answers, you should find an underlying concept.

Finding Meaning in the Pebbles

At a first look, who thought the pebble size was exaggerated? Honestly, I did. However, when analyzing the entire garden, the pebbles (designed by ceramic designer, Edit Szabo) were indeed special and they bring a different concept to the project. First, because the river pebble can be found in great numbers in the vicinity of the village and can be considered a symbol of Budapest. Secondly, the pebble holds two important roles: one especially during the winter, and the other when the spring comes.

During the snowy days of winter, the turquoise pebbles break the monochromatic feeling caused by the snow, and their size is perfect to be seen from the residences in the upper levels. In the spring, the pebbles sprinkle water and announce that summer is arriving. Without a doubt, those who have lived through a harsh winter know how it is to expect the spring and the summer days. There is a small number of species used, basically bamboo, that are complemented by the astonishing variety of flowers showing the colors of spring.

Playing With Areas of Contrast

Contrasted with the couryard, this always sunlit place is a resting area designed for the occupants. The yard and three wooden terraces were given space here. It provides the possibility for the occupants to organize community meetings or family meals and parties. Amongst the raised terraces and the paved surfaces we find a lot of grassy and planted areas. The pergola organized on the line of the chimney-like ventilation tubes supports the fragrantly blooming climbers.

Last, but not least, who is this project for? What are the opinions of the people who use the space? We all have the habit of looking at a project and immediately making some points emphasizing what should be different in order for the project to suit our own taste. Indeed, if architects are not born with this critical sense, we easily develop it in the university. Taking into consideration this critical sense, what are the points that you like in the Paulay Garden, and what are the ones that you do not like?

Full Project Credits For Gubei Gold Street

Project Name: Paulay Garden, at 44-flat condominium Designers: Ujirany/New Directions Ceramic Designer: Edit Szabo Location: Budapest, Hungary Total Area: 430m² Project Year: 2005 Status: Completed in 2007 Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Sarah Suassuna Return to Homepage

Liljeholmstorget, by Nivå Landskapsarkitektur in Liljeholmen/Stockholm, Sweden. The famous Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman once said that Stockholm “is not a city at all. It is ridiculous of it to think of itself as a city. It is simply (a) rather larger village, set in the middle of some forests and some lakes.” – *Ingmar Bergman: An Artist’s Journey, by Roger W. Oliver The interview was given many years ago, but Bergman’s point of view still resonates in modern Sweden. Undoubtedly, the relationship between a vibrant city and nature is strong. One example is Liljeholmen, which is known for being the first suburb outside the Stockholm city limits. Liljeholmen was eventually incorporated into the capital city in 1913. Many offices, apartments, and industries are situated there. At first thought, we can probably perceive Liljeholmen as a strongly urbanized area. But as Bergman noted, “Stockholm seems always to have had the aspect of a village.” Moreover, the village is always identified with fresh air, greenery, and community integration. Is Liljeholmen that same kind of village?

A Vibrant District in Need of a Public Square

Liljeholmen is situated in the southern part of Stockholm. It is known for its offices and factories. But new residential areas are being built around industrial sites (close to Årstaviken) and the central square. It is not fortunate that this area is under construction, since it is a part of several projects to enlarge the inner corner of the capital city. The project cannot be completed without green areas and meeting points. Which brings us to the public square called Liljeholmstorget, which was designed by Nivå Landskapsarkitektur and completed in 2011.

The Pavement Focuses Attention

Liljeholmstorget is a great example of the historical tradition of the Stockholm school. With trees and benches, the square looks rather minimalistic. But the detail that makes its original and atypical is a patterned pavement. That part has become a fundamental feature of the public place.

The most characteristic feature of the Stockholm school is floral decoration. It is mostly perceived as an imaginary meadow. Liljeholmen is a great example showing that even a simple and functional square can be significant in a district’s urbanization. It almost seems impossible that a former subway station on a small commercial site has evolved into a new sector, with housing, offices, a new shopping mall, and a place of transit for public transportation. But this is true, and the heart of the new district is definitely Liljeholmstorget.

The Major Challenge for Designers

One of the most significant questions is: What was the main challenge while designing the public square? We need to point out that this part of Liljeholmen is situated close to the bus station. Designers from Nivå Landskapsarkitektur had a difficult task: How to invite people to stay at the busy hub and transit at the same time? How to encourage them to come here and relax before they catch their bus? First and foremost, the typical solutions were rejected at the beginning; ordinary benches and trees were not suitable for the creative designers’ idea. Instead, the landscape architects proposed curved benches with intriguing perforations.

Curved Benches for Meeting in the Square

Are the benches just a marvellous design or also an innovative idea? It is hard to deny that nothing is random at Liljeholmstorget. The main aim was to create an intimate room for meetings in the central part of the square. It was accessible by “curved screens”, which are in fact benches. They are turned in different directions, and holes inside the iron material catch the sun throughout the day. This provides great access to sunlight, even though the screens are rather tall. The benches’ simple shape without aggressive detail is emphasized by vibrant yellow color. The benches are noticeable from every point of the square. See More Great Projects in Sweden:

• A Dramatic Peninsula Setting Makes Way for a Reflective Park in Sweden
• How to Provide Easy Access to Urban Agriculture in Over Populated Cities
• Borås Textile Fashion Center Mark the Beginning of a new Phase in the Textiles Industry

 

The Flora Transforms the Square Throughout the Year

Liljeholmstorget contains a small number of different plants species, but what makes this square unique are definitely Robinias. Their lobed foliage gives pleasant shadow in the daytime. Moreover, they provide an exotic and light impression. The seasonal variations of the Robinia are known for transforming the square throughout the year — cheerful with green leaves in the spring and stunning with colorful foliage in the autumn. Moreover, in springtime the trees burst out in large, bright flower bunches. In the warmer months, the Robinias are complemented by summer flowers, perched in pots that were specially designed for the public square.

Taking everything into consideration, Liljeholmstorget is a wonderful and unusual public square. Landscapes architects from Nivå Landskapsarkitektur proved that it is possible to create a magnificent, relaxing area just a few meters from a bus station in a busy district. The designers combined the Stockholm school’s rules with typical Scandinavian aesthetic. As a result, the marvellous concept with patterned paving arose – and a green spot in a vibrant district was created. Perhaps Bergman’s quote is still fitting for Stockholm today. What do you think?

Full Project Credits For Liljeholmstorget

Project Name: Liljeholmstorget Landscape Architect: Nivå Landskapsarkitektur Client: Stockholms stad Artist: Beatrice Hansson Lighting: Alteco Contractor: HIFAB AB Area: 8,500 sqm Location: Liljeholmen/Stockholm Opened: 2011 Photographs: Anders Karlen and Nivå Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Paulina Sawczuk Return to Homepage

With a growing interest in sustainable travel and ecotourism, landscape architects are playing a bigger role in the tourism industry than ever before. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, we here at Landscape Architects Network want to showcase some of the coolest landscape projects in tourism today. Highlighting the diversity of what landscape architects are contributing to the realm of tourism, these projects were selected for their uniqueness, their contribution to tourism, and their respect for local and environmental context.

Tourism Projects in Landscape Architecture

1. The National Tourist Routes of Norway

Stunning landscapes come together with stunning design along Norway’s National Tourist Routes. In fact, here at LAN we love this project so much that we have previously featured it. Twice. With good reason. The 18 separate stretches of highway total nearly 2,000 kilometers in length. Each route has its own character and was selected for its unique and picturesque scenery.

Along each route, stunning rest areas designed by teams of artists, designers, architects, and landscape architects deliver spectacular views of some the country’s most picturesque landscapes. The architectural elements are of typically minimalist, Scandinavian design. Their geometric forms contrast with the rugged landscapes, but manage to highlight rather than compete. Cultural activities, lodging, and local shopping have also been developed along each route, stimulating the economies of the rural areas through which they run. Why see it? Anyone who undertakes the cross-country trip by this route is bound to find himself mesmerized by the beauty of the Norwegian landscape. The 18 different routes were selected not only for their beauty, but also for their uniqueness within the Norwegian landscape, so it might just be the best way to get an overview of the beauty and diversity the country has to offer. The success of the project is indicative of a current trend in tourism: Visitors are seeking authentic experiences rather than manufactured attractions. As a result, more and more countries are choosing to attract tourists by highlighting their unique, natural beauty and local culture. Although not strictly a landscape architectural project, the National Tourist Routes are a great example of how the profession is playing an increasingly important role in tourism infrastructure projects.

2. Valley of The Giants Treetop Walk

Walpole-Nornalup National Park in Western Australia contains some of the most unique plant and animal life in the country, with many ancient species found nowhere else in Australia. Because of its unique landscape and wildlife, the park is a popular destination for tourists — but this popularity also poses a threat to the long-term preservation of the area. The Treetop Walk, designed by Donaldson and Warn was created as a solution to this problem, one that would allow the continued enjoyment of the Valley of the Giants, while better preserving and protecting the area for future generations.

Even during implementation, preservation was an important consideration for this project. Even the way that the construction phase was carried out minimized impacts on this ecologically sensitive area, with the designers opting for slower, but less invasive construction techniques. The completed 600-meter-long walk is completely wheelchair accessible and consists of six bridges, each spanning 60 meters through the tingle tree canopy, rising into the treetops at heights of up to 40 meters. So lightweight are these steel bridges that they sway gently as you cross. Looking straight down, you can see the forest floor below your feet. All of this creates the sensation of being suspended in the air, as if you were part of the forest canopy. The Treetop Walk has been a huge success for the park. Opening to the public in August 1996, at a total cost of $1.8 AUD, by 2007 the walk had brought 2.2 million visitors to the park. Why see it? The unique biodiversity in the park, plus stunning views and vistas from the canopy of an ancient forest … what more could you ask for? The Treetop Walk offers a unique and unforgettable experience to visitors: The suspended bridges allow visitors to get up close and personal with the forest’s giant tingle trees and to see the landscape from an entirely new perspective while learning about Australia’s biodiversity. The Treetop Walk is a great example of how landscape architecture can use design to reconcile and balance the need for tourism with the need to preserve and protect nature. By treating these seemingly incompatible interests as an opportunity rather than a conflict, landscape architects are often able to successfully bridge these gaps and create effective solutions that protect both interests.

3. Puerto Vallarta Malécon

A collaboration between Trama Arquitectos, Estudio 314, and West 8, Puerto Vallarta’s seaside promenade stretches across the waterfront and the downtown, bringing tourists and locals together in the heart of the city. The project’s aim was twofold: to promote and grow tourism in the city, as well as to strengthen local identity and serve the day-to-day needs of locals.

The resulting space is one that prioritizes the needs of pedestrians, creating an extremely accessible and pleasant waterfront park that is well used by both locals and tourists alike. The Malécon is especially lively in the evenings, and custom lighting is used both to create a stunning nighttime atmosphere and to reduce light pollution. This new, lower-intensity lighting reduces the disruption of the breeding and nesting of sea turtles. The seawall that separates the pedestrian traffic from the shore also functions to reduce the impacts of human activity on local wildlife. The planting plan makes use of drought-tolerant species native to the local area, reducing the need for care and maintenance. All along the Malécon, sculptures by local artists add elements of local culture, mythology, and tradition. The paving pattern is a traditional, river rock mosaic designed by Huichol artist Fidenzio Benitez and tells the origin story of the city. Why see it? With the heart of downtown on one side and stunning ocean views on the other, plus local life animating the space from morning until night, you could easily spend the entire day enjoying the Malécon. In the daytime, the area is bustling with locals going about their daily business. As it cools down in the evenings, the boardwalk is packed with people out for their evening stroll. Seeking a more authentic experience, tourists increasingly want to see the local life of a city, and as a result the separation of tourist and local areas is no longer as clear-cut as it once was. Many designers see this as an opportunity to create unique and lively spaces and to cultivate unique experiences for tourists and locals alike. The Puerto Vallarta Malécon is a great example of how designers can create quality spaces that respect and highlight local culture in an authentic way while still catering to tourists. This type of project emphasizes the need to create spaces that appeal to both groups, rather than catering exclusively to one or the other.

4. The Pool and Garden at Hilton Pattaya

The beachside city of Pattaya, just a two-hour drive from the capital of Bangkok, is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist areas. Once known for its beautiful, uninterrupted coastline, today the beachfront has become overcrowded with restaurants, shops, and nightclubs and has gained a seedy reputation as a destination for sex tourism.

As a result, the beach city has lost much of the magic it once had. However, many are trying to change this, to revive the area and turn it back into the sophisticated destination it once was. Aimed at travelers seeking a more upscale experience, the word “stunning” might come to mind when describing the Hilton Pattaya, designed by Thai firm TROP terrains + and Open Space. Planting, furnishings, hardscaping, and waterscaping have all been carefully selected to create a soothing environment — an oasis escape from the overcrowded beach town. There is nothing “cookie cutter” about this project; every element feels customized. In fact, what makes the project so impressive is how each element and material has been purposefully selected. And the masterful orchestration of each of them has created a sort of ethereal beauty in the space. Use of water and lush greenery really makes the space feel like a tropical oasis. Too often, minimal green is incorporated into private spaces, but the results of TROP’s use of lush planting is well worth the extra care and maintenance involved. Perhaps the highlight of the project is a beautiful infinity pool that sits at the edge of the rooftop, overlooking the ocean and creating a seamless view that makes swimmers feel like they are floating toward the edge of the earth. Why see it? Simply put, TROP’s design work at Hilton Pattaya is beautiful. Each element and material feels purposefully selected and works harmoniously together, and the elegant rooftop pool affords a spectacular ocean view. Today, many travelers are seeking accommodations that feel unique and authentic, and the Hilton Pattaya certainly delivers. Providing an oasis escape from the chaos of the crowded beach city, Hilton Pattaya’s design creates a luxurious atmosphere that helps to make guests feel relaxed. The project is a good example of how landscape architecture is increasingly contributing to private projects in tourism. Landscape architects and designers can bring a unique perspective to private projects, often creating stunning results. In the past, the same standard designs would often be applied to hotels to save time and money, but today, more and more travelers are demanding a unique experience.

Landscape Architecture Brings a Unique Perspective

Landscape architecture is playing a growing role in tourism, and these projects are just a few examples of how the profession is contributing. Landscape architects often bring a unique perspective, and by focusing on place-making, are able to strike a balance between environmental integrity and human use. What’s on your bucket list? If you could travel to see any landscape architectural project in the world, what would you see and why? Tell us in the comments! Recommended Reading: 

• Designing the Sustainable Site: Integrated Design Strategies for Small Scale Sites and Residential Landscapes by Heather L. Venhaus
• Lifelong Landscape Design by Hugh Dargan

Article by Michelle Biggs Return to Homepage

Gubei Gold Street, by SWA, Shanghai, China. Shanghai is recognized as one of the most important Chinese cities, being considered as China’s gateway into the world. At the same time, it is often presented as the biggest urban construction site, with more than 640 skyscrapers. As the skyline of Shanghai reaches new heights, the need for pedestrian areas becomes imperative. Gubei Gold Street appears as a rare hidden gem; the pedestrian promenade is not something you can often come across in bustling Shanghai. In conceptualizing the project for the pedestrian mall, the talented landscape architects at SWA wanted to come up with a truly unique design. Shanghai becomes more and more crowded with each day that passes. For this reason, finding a place to develop a pedestrian promenade proved to be quite a challenge. The final choice was represented by a corridor flanked by 20-story, high-rise residential towers.

Gubei Gold Street

In order to guarantee that it would not be perceived as a simple pedestrian area but rather as an iconic presence, it was necessary for a multitude of elements to be integrated within the project. The area chosen for the project needed enlivenment, and that was made possible by adding plazas, fountains, and cafes. Local residents and tourists visiting the area have access to dining and retail terraces. An amphitheater and a raised, tree-lined terrace complete the final image of the project.

Pedestrian Mall: Oasis of Peace in the Center of a Bustling City

Shanghai is crowded, especially when it comes to the Gubei district. Thanks to the creative minds at SWA, the excellent location of the pedestrian mall provides an oasis of peace for the residents of this large, urban district. The newly designed open space can be easily perceived as a sanctuary from what can be otherwise described as a hectic city. This project can be offered as an example of what other similarly bustling cities should consider – pedestrian areas that offer peace and opportunities for relaxation.

The plaza is the central element of the project. The large open space attracts visitors instantly, with the large fountains bringing the elements of water closer to the ones of earth. The plaza serves the purpose of being a buffer between the peaceful pedestrian area and the busy thoroughfare. As for the eastern opening, this appears to be toned down, in conformity with the end of the residential street. See More Great Projects in China:

• Is China Transforming its Relationship with Water? A Look at the Aiyi River Landscape Park
• Contemporary Landscape Architecture in China: Beautiful or Dangerous?
• Lotus Lake Park Sets Precedent for Sustainable Urban Design in China

Modern and Classical Design Elements Pair with Excellent Vegetation Choices

For landscape architects, one of the biggest challenges is to choose the right elements of design for an open space. On one hand, these elements have to be functional, adding to the overall functionality of a space. On the other hand, one of the biggest jobs that landscape architects have to handle is the one of aesthetics. Those who visit the space need to find it both functional and pleasing from an aesthetic point of view.

Blending Functionality and Aesthetics

Gubei Gold Street is a classic example of how utility and aesthetics can be blended. The choice of modern elements in combination with classical French motifs has led to an amazing result. Each element has its purpose, demonstrating that random choices are never made when it comes to landscape design. For example, the retail promenade is lined with tall gingko trees. These deliver a powerful visual message, helping the visitor make the transition from the tunnel created by the high buildings to the more intimate gardens of the pedestrian space.

Planting on the Site

Evergreen camphor trees have been chosen in order to ensure a welcoming canopy all year round. Cherry trees attract visitors with their seasonal bloom and amazing colors. Looking at the overall choice of vegetation, it seems that every element has been chosen to appear in contrast with the hard-edged environment of the city.

Designing For The Senses

While many of the elements have been chosen to stimulate the visual sense, the choice of fragrant plants has been especially made with the purpose of stimulating the sense of smell. The landscape design of Gubei Gold Street provides a complete sensory experience, with fragrant plants such as olive trees enticing with their tiny yellow flowers. Walking through the area, you can smell rich scents, including rich peaches and apricots.

A Project Like No Other: A Source of Inspiration

The urban promenade definitely serves as a source of inspiration. It is amazing how the elements of landscape design blend perfectly, while each serving their purpose. The concrete thoroughfare practically becomes an urban park, while the vegetation lowers the ambient temperature by five to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The tree canopy covers and cools 47 percent of the paving while filtering an amazing quantity of 72 tons of pollutants and particles. Last but not least, there are custom permeable pavers and architectural follies that come to complete the whole project.

Full Project Credits For Gubei Gold Street

Project Name: Gubei Gold Street Location: Shanghai, China Landscape Architect: SWA Team Members: Ying-Yu Hung, Gerdo Aquino, Hyun-Min Kim, Leah Broder, Kui-Chi Ma, Dawn Dyer, Yoonju Chang, Shuang Yu, Ryan Hsu, John Loomis, Jack Wu, Al Dewitt, Youngmin Kim Client: Shanghai Gubei Company Area: 4.6 hectares Dimensions of Promenade: 700 meters in length and averaging 60m in width Design: 2005-2008 Completion: 2009 Photo Credits: Gerdo Aquino, Tom Fox, Ying Yu Hung Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Alexandra Antipa Return to Homepage

We take a closer look at the surge of interest in the revitalization of industrial landscapes bringing about some of the world’s best landscape architecture.  Parks created on former industrial sites are becoming a recurring theme. Dumping grounds, abandoned factories, industrial ports, and mines are being turned into vibrant public places that celebrate these sites’ industrial past. Traditionally, industrialized spaces have been considered polluted and unappealing zones that must be hidden and tucked away from peoples’ everyday lives. So what changed? In this article, we explore four reasons why industrial sites are becoming a favorite to work with for landscape architects.

The Revitalization of Industrial Landscapes

1. They Represent a Large Number of Vast and Unused Spaces

The industrial revolutions witnessed the manifestation of new landscapes, especially since the late 19th century. Steam-powered factories for iron, textile, and steel swept through the rural landscapes, replacing them with an urbanized scenery of grim and grand manufacturing structures. The industrial demand in Europe and the United States was especially high during the two World Wars, due to the need to produce heavy machinery and vehicles. The need, however, decreased during the 1970s, forcing many factories to close. The crisis augmented as well with the development of information technologies.

This industrial decline resulted in a great number of abandoned warehouses and other derelict sites. The potential that these spaces hold became a hot topic of discussion among architects and landscape architects, especially because open spaces in urbanized areas are increasingly lacking.

See More Industrial Inspire Landscape Architecture:

• Offenbacher Hafen Turns from Polluted Industrial Port to Ecological Riverfront
• Top 10 Ex-Industrial Sites Turned Into Stunning Landscapes
• Industrial Site Transforms into Beautiful Landscape

2. The Rising of Industrial Heritage (UNESCO)

The need to rethink industrial open spaces amplified after the UNESCO included a section on its World Heritage List entitled “Industrial Heritage”. More than 45 industrial sites from all around the world have been added to the list since 1978 as “important milestones in the history of humanity, marking humanity’s dual power of destruction and creation that engenders both nuisances and progress.” (UNESCO). The list includes but is not limited to railways, mining sites, irrigation systems, factories, mills, and landscapes incorporating industrial structures. While industrial heritage usually brings to mind the grandiose structures of the 19th and 20th centuries, it also includes more ancient functions, such as the Aflaj irrigation systems of Oman, which date back to as early as 300 AD. The fact that industrial sites — counting structures, buildings, and landscapes alike — are increasing on the list of protected heritage means that designers have been mobilized to enable not only strategies of conservation, but sometimes also of reuse.

3. Great Potential for New Creative Design Solutions

Industrial landscapes are viewed to a certain extent to be places of no aesthetic value and — even more so — places that are scarred for life and will never regain their natural beauty. And there lies the challenge of the landscape architect. For he or she carries the mission of changing the public’s popular perception that abandoned facilities such as factories cannot be anything but ugly. Another design challenge is to remain faithful to the original structure and yet reintegrate it in a contemporary technology and function. Lighting is one of the vital elements to industrial revitalization, as it highlights and enlivens the existing structures. The second importance is the usage of material inspired by the site itself (such as using rusted steel or recycled tires).

Moreover, industrial sites are blossoming into exciting new spaces that are becoming new cultural and entertainment centers in the given city or town. Children’s playgrounds, ice-skating rinks, nightclubs, and libraries are all examples of functions that occupy past industrial landscapes and buildings. An example of a successful industrial revitalization is the C-Mine Plaza located in Genk, a Belgian town with an industrial past.

4. A Platform of Economic and Ecological Innovations

As mentioned earlier, creating new designs for industrial spaces requires the reinvention of their functions. This provides the surrounding communities with new cultural and entertainment hubs, but also with new economic opportunities. Turning an abandoned building that is generating nothing but rust into a new local and tourist attraction is a definite advantage. The UNESCO-inscribed Zollverein coal mine industrial complex in Essen, Germany, which used to be the largest coal mine in Europe, has been successfully transformed into an arts and cultural center. The new design also integrates an ice-skating rink in the coking plant, as well as a restaurant.

Add in Sustainability

The revitalization of industrial spaces also allows for a chance to explore with sustainable design. Industrial zones are very often contaminated with oils, heavy metals, and other polluting materials that prevent the site from regaining its natural feel. This is why when working with an industrial site, a landscape architect must be fully aware not only of its aesthetical properties, but also of its environmental conditions. The Offenbach harbor presents an outstanding example of how a polluted port can be transformed into an ecological site. Flood protection measures and water and soil remediation were key solutions to creating an environmentally sensitive design.

Opportunity Rises from the Ruins

From providing large open spaces that are much needed in our urbanized world, to being a new tourist attraction, to creating new economic, ecological and design opportunities, former industrial sites leave much to look forward to, and that is why working with them is increasing in popularity among landscape architects! Tell us about your favorite redesigned industrial landscapes, and we might feature them in a new Top 10 of ex-industrial sites. Recommended Reading: 

• Designing the Sustainable Site: Integrated Design Strategies for Small Scale Sites and Residential Landscapes by Heather L. Venhaus
• Lifelong Landscape Design by Hugh Dargan

Article by Dalia Zein References: https://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution https://www.utppublishing.com/Industrial-Ruination-Community-and-Place-Landscapes-and-Legacies-of-Urban-Decline.html https://whc.unesco.org/archive/ind-study01.pdf https://whc.unesco.org/ https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1207 https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/984 https://www.inyourpocket.com/essen/industrial-tourism-in-the-ruhrgebiet_56002f Return to Homepage

With climate change being an increasingly hot topic, we give an overview of some startling facts on the subject today.  Climate has always changed and it always will. But in the past few decades, the climate has changed quickly, making it less predictable and leaving humans less able to adapt. There are many reasons for this climate change behavior, from natural factors such as the sun’s energy output to human activities that increase the release of gases into the air, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Some say climate change is just another Internet hoax or a political invention. Others believe it is really happening right now and that it will become even worse over time. What are the scientific facts?

10 Fascinating Climate Change Facts

1. There is More Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere Today Than at Any Point in the Last 800,000 Years

According to NASA, in the 650,000 years before 1950, the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere had never been above around 300ppm. Today, it’s around 400ppm. This evidence is based on a comparison of atmospheric samples contained in ice cores and more recent direct measurements. Human activities are suspected to be the cause of this boom in carbon dioxide, and it will surely get worse if we don’t stop polluting our environment.

2. Trees Offer Carbon Storage

Yes, it’s really a simple fact: Trees provide good carbon storage. They offer us a simple way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees — and other green plants — use photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide into sugar, cellulose, and other carbon-containing carbohydrates that they use for food and growth. The ability to absorb carbon varies with species, climate, and site, but in general, younger and faster-growing forests have higher carbon-absorption ability. So remember, the next time you design a project site, keep in mind that using trees, bushes, herbs, and any other softscapes can really help to keep our Earth cool.

3. Around 15 Percent of the Carbon Released into the Environment is Due to Deforestation and Land-Use Change

Following the fact that trees provide carbon storage, it goes without saying that land-use changes and deforestation have an impact on climate change. They contribute about 15 percent of the carbon released into the environment. Deforestation often occurs when humans change how they use land, turning forests into farms, settlements, and livestock pastures. Land — especially forested land — is a limited and valuable natural resource. Sustainable uses of this resource can be achieved through comprehensive land-use planning and policy in which landscape architects are involved. Through well-planned land use, we can protect and establish more forests by optimizing land resources’ potential benefits and preventing land-use failure.

WATCH: The REAL cause of climate change: deforestation

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4. Buildings Are Responsible for One-Third of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, buildings account for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and also are responsible for 40 percent of global energy used. The emissions from buildings and construction sectors are mainly non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions such as halocarbons, CFC (chlorofluorocarbon), and HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) due to the use of cooling systems, refrigeration, and insulation (in the case of HCFC). In order to reduce the emissions from buildings and the construction sector, we must turn to the green building movement and sustainable building initiatives. Many technologies, such as green roof and green wall construction, are becoming trendy in the building and construction industry in response to climate change issues. Related Articles: 

• Fracking: All You Need To Know
• Will These Solar Roadways Change The World?
• The Secrets Behind the Smart Highway

5. Urban Areas are More Vulnerable to Climate Change

While cities cover less than two percent of the Earth’s surface, more people live in crowded urban areas rather than in suburban and rural spaces. For example, in the United States, more than 80 percent of the population lives in urban areas — not to mention that most of the vital economic and social infrastructure, government facilities, and assets are also located in cities, making them extremely sensitive and vulnerable to natural disasters.

Millions of people in urban areas all over the world will most likely be affected by the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, increased precipitation, inland floods, and more extreme cyclones and storms. These threats are even worse in coastal cities. In order to respond to climate change, urban areas need to be well planned, designed, and managed with a view to the natural environment and the pattern of climate change variability to create more responsive and sustainable cities.

WATCH: NASA | Urban Heat Islands

6. A Gallon of Gasoline is Equal to 19 Pounds of Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, burning a gallon of gasoline is equal to putting 19.4 pounds (or 8.8 kilograms) of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This number is an average; the real emission amount from our cars varies, depending on many factors, so it could be a little less or a little more. Imagine the numbers of cars in big cities with serious traffic issues. Imagine how many gallons of gasoline are spent each hour, each day, each year. According to statistics, a big city such as New York is likely to have more than 9 million cars registered. Take that number and multiply it by the number of miles driven each day and the required gasoline — that’s huge! And now imagine this big city suddenly turning its streets full of cars into bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly avenues — imagine how much emission could be reduced. It is the landscape architect’s role to design cities creatively to slow the rate of climate change.

WATCH: New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions as one-ton spheres of carbon dioxide gas

7. The Sahara is Going Green Due to Climate Change?

Hotter temperatures, severe drought — that’s how people look at climate change issues in Africa. They believe arid desert lands that already lack water will become hotter and drier due to global warming. But evidence says otherwise. According to National Geographic, scientists are now seeing signs that the Sahara desert and surrounding regions are greening due to increasing rainfall. The rains could revitalize drought-ravaged regions, reclaiming them for farming communities. This desert-shrinking trend is supported by climate models that predict a return to conditions that turned the Sahara into a lush savannah some 12,000 years ago.

8. Threat to Global Food Supply

According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, climate change will also have a serious impact on the global food supply. High population growth and rising income levels will undoubtedly mean a rapid increase in global demand for agricultural commodities, especially food (including feed for livestock). As we all know, agricultural practices depend on local weather conditions; they are very sensitive to climate change. This problem could become very serious, not to mention that nutrition value and health issues on agricultural products are also impacted by the extreme climate change.

9. Global Sea Levels Are Rising

According to NASA, global sea levels have risen up to 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) in the last century. Sea-level rise can be caused by two factors related to global warming — the added water from melting land ice and the expansion of seawater volume caused by rising temperatures. This evidence clearly shows that big cities in coastal areas all over the world would be vulnerable to the impact of climate change, whether through floods caused by rising water levels or from heavy rains and typhoons caused by extreme climatic activities.

WATCH: Earth Under Water – Worldwide Flooding | Sea Level Rise (SLR)

10. Ocean Acidification

Carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by human activities is being absorbed into the ocean. The numbers are huge; the carbon emission absorbed by the upper layer of the ocean is increasing by about 2 billion tons per year. Absorbed carbon is then causing a chemical reaction that reduces seawater pH, making it more acidic. According to NASA, this has made the ocean about 30 percent more acidic since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. This acidification threatens the marine ecosystem. Even worse, it could lead to the extinction of several marine species.

WATCH: Acid Test: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification

– It doesn’t matter whether you are a believer or if you are skeptical about climate change and its effect on the future. Climate change is happening, right here and right now; like it or not, the evidence is out there. But it’s not too late to prevent this climate change from getting worse. Lots of things can be done to help keep our Earth healthy. Technologies such as green roofs and green walls, energy-saving habits, water-saving initiatives, and many other sustainable activities can be easily done in our daily lives. The question is, will you? Article by Harkyo Hutri Baskoro Recommended Reading: 

• Designing the Sustainable Site: Integrated Design Strategies for Small Scale Sites and Residential Landscapes by Heather L. Venhaus
• Lifelong Landscape Design by Hugh Dargan

Sites/links Referenced:  https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/ https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/47481.html https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-deforestation.php https://www.unep.org/sbci/pdfs/SBCI-BCCSummary.pdf https://www.science20.com/science_motherhood/i_wanna_go_green%E2%80%A6_so_show_me_math-2490 https://dmv.ny.gov/statistic/2014ReginForce-Web.pdf https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090731-green-sahara.html https://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/293954/icode/ https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/What+is+Ocean+Acidification%3F

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Featured image: Image Copyright David Baird. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic Licence. To view a copy of this licence visit here. or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA.

We take a closer look at how landscape architecture is influencing architecture. Architecture and landscape architecture pursue the same aim: to provide mankind with diversified indoor or open spaces while addressing individual needs. However, landscape architects in most countries are paid less than architects for the same number of working hours. It is also too seldom the case that a landscape architect is consulted early in the design phase whenever architects and landscape architects work together on a project. This is in spite of the fact that early cooperation could lead to a successful merger between landscape and structure and provide the best outcome. “My belief that all good architecture begins with the land makes me value and appreciate landscape architects.” – Architect Frank Harmon Within this context, both professions should be more eager to foster an atmosphere in which they can learn from one another while building on mutual experiences. But what exactly should landscape architects be sharing with their architect colleagues?

What Do Architects Need to Learn from Landscape Architects?

There is one huge difference between the two professions: While landscape architects mostly create landscapes that fit into their natural surroundings or try to retrieve a part of the original landscape that once defined the appearance of a place, architects build over those natural landscapes to create something completely new. Over time, this has resulted in homes, communities, and entire cities that stand out from their original environment in an inharmonious way and force nature to its knees . Especially in the past two centuries — under the so-called Modernism and other architectural styles that sprouted up in an era of abundant and cheap fossil fuels – lots of houses were built that are far from being in accordance with nature. Not until recent years — and in the face of climate change – have most architects considered the ability of landscape architecture to unite the built and natural environments. Since then, many architects have truly tried to counteract the status quo through ecologically resilient designing, often in collaboration with landscape architects, who have always worked with those design principles. The aim of these new buildings is to reduce their negative impact on their surroundings. A video of “Shma Company Limited” gives an example of how architecture and landscape architecture firms successfully worked together to create stunning, sustainable buildings that “carefully respond to the complexity and diversity of natural and human ecology which composed of climate, topography, history, culture, and social phenomenon.” – as their website informs.

WATCH: Green Impact – Landscape Documentary Film

Should Architects Create Landscapes, Too?

The realization that nature nourishes the city has powerful implications for how cities are built and maintained, as well as for the health, safety, and welfare of each resident. Thanks to the new “Green Technologies”, architecture awakens and sees new possibilities to evolve. Finally, elements such as plants and organic forms are becoming commonplace when architects design new buildings. Even lots of multiple-story buildings that accommodate living trees will be found in the future. On one hand, it seems that this way of designing is future-oriented, but on the other hand, it can be seen as a more or less brilliant adaptation of what landscape architecture has created from the beginning: Landscapes. Landscape architects are able to create green oases in the middle of cities through parks, gardens, and green roofs. Now it seems that architects want to make their new buildings look like green hills among the older, greyish structures. The picture below of this beautiful green wall from the world-renowned Patrick Blanc is just another example of Architects trying to cover their walls in green landscapes.

Landscape Architects Discovered These Tools More Than 150 Years Before Architects

These new vertical landscapes are the way architecture is finally committing to play its part in improving the health of the environment — through mitigating the urban heat island effect, filtering air, and reducing water runoff. The two Milanese buildings called “Bosco Verticale” (literally “Vertical Forest”) by Boeri Studio deal with the concept of regenerating the lost forests on the ground within the inhabitable space of buildings.

With picking up the importance of the original landscape in their concept Boeri Studios work strongly reminds us of the well-known concepts of any Landscape Architect firm. For example, even Frederick Law Olmsted has already underlined the importance of taking up the advantages and disadvantages of every site with these words: “The design should take advantage of unique characteristics of the site, even its disadvantages. The design should be developed and redefined with intimate knowledge of the site.” Today there is also a plethora of tips and tricks for making architecture more sustainable and greener. One example is the ten “Principles of Resilient Design” with statements such as “Durability strengthens resilience” or “simple, passive and flexible systems are more resilient”. Those principles are found to be remarkably similar to principles stated by early landscape architects such as Olmsted 150 years ago. It can be presumed as evidence that architects are becoming more and more inspired by the work of landscape architects.

Failed Architecture: When Architects Forget to Think in a Broader Context

It seems like basic knowledge, yet so many architects tend to forget about the fact that their buildings – as well as every open space — are always in large and complex settings. A major problem happens when architects treat their buildings in isolation from their (urban) context. While designing a building, the systems may appear to be well engineered within their original defined parameters — but they will inevitably interact with many other systems once they are built.

Landscape architects, on the other hand, are drilled to always plan for the long term and design on different scales for every project. The picture above of “Shma Company Limited” shows a few details of such a planning process. This company chose to consider their building as a part of the active city life and connected its appearance to the surroundings. Thinking in such a wide context can be very challenging for landscape architects, too, since those systems are often unpredictable and non-linear. However, this is no excuse for architects to fail to see the connection between their super-arty buildings and the buildings’ environment. A recent study from “Preservation Green Lab”’ even shows that reusing old, existing buildings can be more environmentally responsible than building new, particularly when these old buildings are retrofitted to perform at advanced efficiency levels. “The good building is not one that hurts the landscape, but one which makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the building was built.” – Frank Lloyd Wright Of course, it needs to be mentioned that, by far, not every building of the 20th century is harmful to the environment. It is also true that not every landscape architect comes up with designs that respect future generations. Architects such as Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Frank Lloyd Wright designed in harmony with nature. Their buildings are examples of a philosophy that was ahead of its time, and to this day their designs are known to be future-leading and strong evidence that landscape architects and architects can share the same philosophies.

Concluding the Influence that Landscape Architecture has on Architecture

Architecture is often associated with aesthetic and functional design, whereas the link to nature and reduced impact on the environment is still missing in most new buildings. This often comes from architects who don’t feel responsible for environmental changes. The new ecological buildings with their (vertical) greenery all over the facades are the beginning of understanding challenges that both professions face: Buildings and open spaces in urban contexts are just small pieces of the bigger whole. In conclusion, architecture needs to learn from landscape architecture how to not only design something new, but also how to respect the natural initial elements of the site, as well as the long-term changes and the impact on the urban context. Through different landscape architecture design principals, the negative effects of architecture on its surroundings can change for the better. Modern buildings often seem to scream for the need to get back to our roots in nature. Therefore, landscape architects should provide architects with suitable design principles to help them come a step closer to their new, innovative understanding. Do you know other principles of landscape architecture that are influencing Architecture? Article by Sophie Thiel Recommended Reading: 

• Designing the Sustainable Site: Integrated Design Strategies for Small Scale Sites and Residential Landscapes by Heather L. Venhaus
• Lifelong Landscape Design by Hugh Dargan

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ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2014-15, by The Institute for Computational Design (ICD) and the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) of the University of Stuttgart (Germany), in Stuttgart, Germany. The Institute for Computational Design (ICD) and the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) of the University of Stuttgart (Germany) are known for their full-scale bionic research pavilions’ experiments, computational design, robotic fabrication strategies, functional integration, and material efficiency. One of the most recent structures at the university is the 2014-15 Research Pavilion, which demonstrates the architectural potential of a novel building method inspired by the underwater nest construction of the diving bell water spider, Agyroneda aquatica.

ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2014-15

This project is part of a successful series of pavilions that showcase intense studies about simulation and digital fabrication processes, as well as biological research and novel and efficient design strategies for architecture. These building prototypes explore the application of novel computational design, simulation, and fabrication processes in architecture. The new Research Pavilion was studied, designed, and built over one-and-a-half years by researchers and students of architecture, engineering, and natural sciences. The result is a lightweight fiber-composite shell that forms the pavilion with unique architectural qualities, while at the same time being a highly material-efficient structure.

The Design

The designs of the ICD and ITKE do not require complex formwork and are capable of adapting to the varying demands of individual constructions. For this pavilion, the design concept is based on the biological construction processes for fiber-reinforced structures; these structures are formed in a highly material-effective and functionally integrated way. The building process of the water spider’s web was analyzed, and the designers transformed the underlying behavioral patterns of the spider and design rules into a technological fabrication process.

The Process

An industrial robot, placed within an air-supported membrane envelope made of ETFE, was used to transform this biological formation into a building. The inflated soft shell is initially supported by air pressure, and, robotically reinforce the inside with carbon fiber and gradually hardened into a self-supporting monocoque structure. The carbon fibers are applied for structural reinforcement and the pneumatic formwork is simultaneously used as functionally integrated building skin. Related Articles:

• ENEL Pavilion: Will Smart Energy Sharing Feed The Planet?
• The Mind-blowing Design of Porsche Pavilion
• Outstanding Bicycle Pavilion in Sanya to House a Velodrome on its Roof

The Studies

The designers studied the behavior of the water spider to understand its process of construction. The Agyroneda aquatica spends most of its life underwater, and therefore must construct a reinforced air bubble to survive. First, the spider builds a horizontal sheet web, under which the air bubble is placed. Then, the air bubble is sequentially reinforced by layering a hierarchical arrangement of fibers from within. The result is a stable construction that can resist mechanical stresses, such as changing water currents, to provide a safe and stable habitat for the spider.

At the beginning of the design and construction process for the pavilion, the shell geometry and main fiber bundle locations are generated by a computational form-finding method, which integrates fabrication restriction and structural simulation. Similar to the spider, a “digital agent” (created to determine and adjust the fiber layouts) navigates the surface shell geometry, generating a robot path for the fiber placement. This computational design process enables the designer to navigate and simultaneously integrate the parameters into various performative fiber orientations and densities.

The Custom Made Robot 

This pavilion also required the fabrication of a custom-made robot tool that can place carbon fibers based on integrated sensor data; this became an integral part of the architectural design process.

Materials

ETFE was the suitable material for the pneumatic formwork and integrated building envelope, since it is designed to endure high corrosion resistance and strength over a wide temperature range; its mechanical properties could minimize the plastic deformation during the fiber placement. A high degree of functional integration is achieved through the use of the ETFE film as a pneumatic formwork and building envelope, saving the material consumption of conventional formwork techniques, as well as an additional façade installation. A composite adhesive provides a proper bond between the ETFE film and the carbon fibers. During production, nine pre-impregnated carbon fiber rovings are placed in parallel.

This additive process not only allows stress-oriented placement of the fiber composite material, but it also minimizes the construction waste associated with the construction processes. This pavilion is a small examples of the new structural architecture, studies, and research for future designs that can be implemented on bigger structures, helping us to understand the huge benefit of no-waste materials and lightweight structures in daily architecture. They show us how to adapt to fabrication strategies and utilize them to create new structures, but they also help us to understand nature and imitate it so that our designs as architects can be both beautiful and functional.

WATCH: ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2014-15

– Full Project Credits and Data For ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2014-15

Project: ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2014-15 Institute for Computational Design: Professor Achim Menges Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design: Professor Jan Knippers Scientific Development: Moritz Dörstelmann, Valentin Koslowski, Marshall Prado, Gundula Schieber, Lauren Vasey Total Area:40m² Internal Volume:130m³ Width:7.5m Height:4.1m Total Construction Weight:260 kg – 6.5kg/m² Address Keplerstr. 11-17, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany Completion date: June 2015

System Development, Fabrication & Construction

WS13/14, SoSe14, WS14/15: Hassan Abbasi, Yassmin Al-Khasawneh, Yuliya Baranovskaya, Marta Besalu, Giulio Brugnaro, Elena Chiridnik, Tobias Grun, Mark Hageman, Matthias Helmreich, Julian Höll, Jessica Jorge, Yohei Kanzaki, Shim Karmin, Georgi Kazlachev, Vangel Kukov, David Leon, Kantaro Makanae, Amanda Moore, Paul Poinet, Emily Scoones, Djordje Stanojevic, Andrei Stoiculescu, Kenryo Takahashi and Maria Yablonina WS14/15: Rebecca Jaroszewski, Yavar Khonsari, Ondrej Kyjanek, Alberto Lago, Kuan-Ting Lai, Luigi Olivieri, Guiseppe Pultrone, Annie Scherer, Raquel Silva, Shota Tsikoliya With the support of: Ehsan Baharlou, Benjamin Felbrich, Manfred Richard Hammer, Axel Körner, Anja Mader, Michael Preisack, Seiichi Suzuki, Michael Tondera In Collaboration With: Department of Evolutionary Biology of Invertebrates, University of Tuebingen Prof. Dr.Oliver Betz. Department of Palaeontology of Invertebrates, University of Tuebingen Prof. Dr.James Nebelsick, Dr.Christoph Allgaier. Institute for Machine Tools, University of Stuttgart Dr. Thomas Stehle, Rolf Bauer, Michael Reichersdörfer. Institute of Aircraft Design, University of Stuttgart Stefan Carosella, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Middendorf Funding: KUKA Roboter GmbH, GettyLab, tat aiRstructures, SGL Carbon SE, Sika Deutschland GmbH, Daimler AG, Walther Spritz- und Lackiersysteme GmbH, Lange+Ritter GmbH, Gibbons Fan Products Ltd, igus® GmbH, Peri GmbH, HERZOG Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, AFBW – Allianz Faserbasierter Werkstoffe Baden-Württemberg e.V., Reinhausen Plasma GmbH, Reka Klebetechnik GmbH, HECO-Schrauben GmbH & Co. KG, Airtech Europe S.A., Mack Gerüsttechnik GmbH, RentES, Stahlbau Wendeler GmbH + Co. KG, CARU Containers GmbH, EmmeShop Electronics, STILL GmbH, SH-Elektrotechnik, GEMCO, Zeppelin Rental GmbH & Co. KG More Information: https://icd.uni-stuttgart.de/?tag=RP14 https://www.itke.uni-stuttgart.de/entwicklung.php?id=69 Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

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Zhengzhou Vanke Central Plaza, by Locus Associates, Zhengzhou, China.  If you think that social media is the best way to bring people closer together, you might want to think again. Places are what really help people interact and build connections. It has long been a trendy idea to design meeting points. But designing places where people want to be, modeled in a way to offer something for everyone, depends mainly on the quality of the design and remembering the needs and preferences of the people who will be using the place. In other words, those people should be involved, somehow, from beginning to end when it comes to conceiving public spaces. There are many projects out there that can illustrate what a great plaza could look like. Here, we are spotlighting a landscape project in China designed by Locus Associates in 2014.

Let’s highlight some of the key qualities that make this particular plaza work:

Zhengzhou Vanke Central Plaza

1. The People-Centered Approach

Before Locus Associates jumped into designing the plaza, the designers tried to understand the nature of the people who would use the place. That helped them to easily identify tools to facilitate group interactions and strengthen relationships among individuals. It was important to take the Chinese culture into consideration. Interactions that appear to be casual in Western cultures aren’t the same in Eastern cultures, especially when it comes to starting conversations with random people in public spaces.

2. A Public Space for All

The landscape design strategy was to showcase a variety of programs for people of all ages so they could socialize, play, shop, eat, and relax. As the designers have explained in a statement: “The Central plaza is the most active hub for Zhengzhou Vanke City. We envisioned attracting people of all age groups to participate in various active and passive programs in this civic space.”

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The amenities include a dry fountain and a mist garden, connected by a serpentine bench that the children have adopted as a runway. The designers have integrated the edges of the landforms to become long benches, a children’s rock climbing wall, a sunken playground, and a skating rink with seating areas dotted all around to enhance social interactions. “We pushed and pulled the earth to create different landforms. They frame view corridors, provide embankments for safety, and create interactive spaces to see-and-be-seen,” The designers said.

3. The Human Scale

Landscape architecture is about and for people. Thus, the design of a plaza needs to be to a human scale, whether in outdoor furniture, framing views, or circulation. “There is a perimeter circulation that loops the major buildings around the large plaza together. But we wanted shortcuts to further connect various nodes and fragment the site into a more comfortable human scale,” the designers said.

4. Accessibility

A plaza that actually works should be well connected and serve as many pedestrians as possible, without creating endless or narrow paths. Locus Associates has avoided adherence to a rigid design by shaping shortcuts with angular forms to break up the mass of long paths. As they have said: “We overlaid the shortcuts onto the programs that resulted in an initial form of the plaza. With a complex network of routes, activity nodes were redistributed and long, laborious paths were avoided.”

5. Diversity in the Program

The plaza was shaped in a way to provide civic spaces and recreational activities for its future users. In doing so, various activities were smartly layered together. Starting with a series of al fresco spaces that were integrated all along the shopping area in the north, the designers have broken down the scale of the long commercial façade, opting to insert reflecting pools and water cascades. The water also works to calm the hustle and bustle of the busy Central Plaza, separating areas into zones that are less noisy and buffered with the sound of water, along with open lawns appropriate for enjoying food and beverages. “We break down the al fresco space to the north into four decks with various water features. It creates an integrated yet ever-changing commercial atmosphere. Spaces are clearly defined by a myriad of water features. A dry fountain and a mist garden create interactive active spaces for kids, whilst the reflecting pools and water cascades abut al fresco decks form quieter dining spots,” the designers said.

6. Sustainability

For the sustainability approach, the central plaza was toned with an animated star promenade made of environmentally friendly resin-bonded granules. The star promenade was a way to channel a further flow of energy from the western riverfront park to accentuate the connection between independent spaces and take it to the future diagonal shopping street to the east.

7. Context and Identity

A plaza should always reveal its own unique appearance through cultural and contextual elements that contribute to enrich its identity by creating details that complement and enhance the overall picture of the surrounding landscape. Once again, the designers of this plaza have hit the jackpot by designing an urban square that echoes the surrounding multifaceted crystalline architectural façade, along with a series of elevated landforms. This constructed topography was integrated with dry fountains and children’s play zones, which has helped to create an interesting and enjoyable landscape experience for visitors.

By becoming a popular meeting spot, this plaza has inevitably proven that it fits into the context of the site and also preserves the cultural identity of the Chinese population.

8. The Plaza in the Near Future?

Certainly, the plaza has become a model for other public spaces, and its success is bound to be more than temporary. However, this plaza is aiming to become a popular, memorable, and important hub for public reunion, not only as an events venue for commercial activities, but also for residents and for the big population of Zhengzhou that continues to grow quickly. This vibrant public space persists as a central hub for social activity in Zhengzhou. It has certainly succeeded in creating a great impact on the social life of visitors and residents by demonstrating a clear idea of how a public space can be strikingly simple while still providing a wide range of uses.

Full Project Credits For Zhengzhou Vanke Central Plaza

Project: Zhengzhou Vanke Central Plaza Location: Zhengzhou, China Client: Zhengzhou Vanke Landscape Architect: Locus Associates Design Lead: Brandon Huang Design Team: Jerome Lee, Kenny Fung, Ray Wan, Jonathan Dones, Katevin Kuang, Ken Qiu LDI: Chongqing DaNaila Salhioyuan Design/Implementation: December 2013/May 2014 Site Area: 10,500 square meters Photographer: Béton Brut Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Naila Salhi Return to Homepage

Plaza Victor J. Cuesta by DURAN&HERMIDA arquitectos asociados, in Vargas Machuca, Cuenca, Ecuador. What is the significance of public space? Many things can be said with regard to this particular question. In general, people perceive public space with a social connotation; others see it as an essential element in the sustainability of cities for political, economic, public health, and reasons of biodiversity. Public spaces include a variety of different places, from old historic city centers to suburban development sites. Residents of many countries have seen how local authorities are giving priority to open green spaces, urban renewal, and the revaluing of historical buildings. However, there is still a lot to be done. In South America, several countries face similar mobility problems and overpopulation. Local authorities have a tendency to prioritize the construction of expressways and bypasses to give more space to the millions of cars and informal public transportation that take our cities under siege, instead of developing the social side of urban intensification.

Plaza Victor J. Cuesta

It is both inspiring and encouraging to find projects such as the Plaza Victor Cuesta, located in the historical center of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador, which seek to revalue open spaces and give society an interval in the daily vortex. The Plaza Victor Cuesta is a renewal project that was started in 2006 and completed in 2008. The project was designed and built by Durán & Hermida Associated Architects. A young studio formed by Javier Durán and María Augusta Hermida, both architects have extensive experience in housing and urban projects.

First Prize Winner

In 2008, this project was awarded the First Prize in the category of Urban Design Projects in the XVI Architecture Biennale of Quito in Ecuador. The jury’s decision highlighted the challenge of building a medium-scale project with harmonious details, which prevailed on the value of its historical context.

Public Space and the Plaza’s Renewal

In the beginning of the 19th century, the urban area of Cuenca was formed by “quintas”. The meaning varies from country to country, but generally stands for a suburban typology of low-density housing in which houses share a cul-de-sac or dead-end. They are often occupied by the working class. These “quintas” were located next to farmland. In 1920, Cuenca city officials decided to transform this area into a public space, but it remained empty and was not used for 20 years. The lack of a project transformed it into an urban blight and an insecure area for the community.

The Challenges of Public Space

Unlike the traditional way of creating plazas and open spaces in South America, which vary depending on the taste of the local governors and are often closed with fences to protect the green areas from pedestrians, this project proposes a homogeneous surface that integrates circulation and the greenery.

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The studio decided to divide the platform into seven strips in order to generate terraces and control topographic variations. The complex is perceived as an accessible platform from any corner, creating fluidity by the absence of physical barriers in its tissue.

A Good Public Space is Multi-Functional Space

Spatially, the Plaza Victor Cuesta gathers a variety of uses that are integrated meticulously with its urban surroundings. The area where the stone prevails was thought out for social gathering, a meeting point, and pedestrian flow; it is also used as waiting space for public transportation. The green area located to one side of the square was conceived as a playscape for children, with a pergola built to give shade during the summer. The project included existing local trees found in the area and added five new ones, as well.

Choosing Materials

The aesthetical care is also reflected in the combination of materials and the close relation with the landscape. The studio opted for materials such as wood, rust-colored steel, and stone. The material featured is rock stone used in the platform, which subtly disappears and gives way to grass carpets. Taking advantage of the retaining walls, the architects designed wooden benches that are supported by these structures, reducing the height difference among its terraces.

Lighting Design

The lamps placed along the slopes and circulation ways are the focal point during the night and add a modern atmosphere to the project. The final touch is given by the strategic relocation of the monument of Victor Cuesta, which was installed in a higher podium so that it could be seen from any place on the square.

Respectful Design

Durán & Hermida studio evidences the thoughtful and responsible way of the design. After analyzing the location and relevance of its past, the designers proposed a contemporary design with the understanding of its forms and the relation as an urban structure. The Plaza Victor Cuesta is a plan linked to the past that at the same time initiates opportunities for the future.

The Key to Making a Sustainable Public Space

The form of public space, its uses, and maintenance raise important questions regarding urban planning, from the local to the metropolitan scale. Over the last three years, the Plaza Victor Cuesta has been facing degradation due to the inattention of authorities and occasional vandalism that has contributed to damage of this valuable project. It is of fundamental importance that authorities practice good public administration, to pursue the plaza’s preservation and establish a joint effort with civil society by generating cultural programs to show the importance of this space for them as a community.

Full Project Credits For Plaza Victor J. Cuesta

Project: Plaza Victor J. Cuesta Architects: DURAN & HERMIDA arquitectos asociados / Javier Durán y María Augusta Hermida Location: Vargas Machuca, Cuenca, Ecuador Photo credits: Sebastián Crespo Completed: 2008 Contributors: Sonia Guzhñay, Edison Castillo, Fernanda Aguirre, Josue Vega, Cristian Sotomayor Construction: Illustrious Municipality of Cuenca Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Claudia Canales Return to Homepage