Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

21st Street, by SvR Design Company and Cannon, in the City of Paso Robles, California. Sustainability, ecological balance, climate, social interactions, community involvement, health and economic benefits, and aesthetics are the challenges an architect struggles with when deliberating the design of a project. It’s like a brainstorming exercise to incorporate all of these multidisciplinary yet integral aspects into a single project. When successful, this process can produce a project such as the 21st Street Complete and Green Street Project. In 2011, the City was awarded a $1 million grant and hired Cannon, a full-service, local engineering and landscape architecture firm, to take the concept plan through design development and prepare construction documents. SvR was retained to work with Cannon and provide technical guidance and review for each design submittal, to ensure appropriate implementation of green infrastructure strategies. It is located in the heart of the City of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County, California. The project’s name itself implies the use of “green elements” in its infrastructure. The sensitivity in the use of green elements and eco-friendly design is why it won the 2014 Green Innovation Award.

21st Street, the City of Paso Robles, California

In the past, 21st Street experienced frequent and severe flooding, poor pavement conditions, discharge of sedimentation into the Salinas River, and inadequate facilities for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. To improve this, the city of the City of Paso Robles, in partnership with the Central Coast Low Impact Development Initiative and SvR Design Company, developed a conceptual design for a green/complete street. The city obtained an Urban Greening Grant in the amount of $993,000 and, with additional funding from the city, transformed the conceptual design into a reality. Related Articles: 

• Innovations in Urban Hydrology at Holalokka, Norway
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• 9 Ways to Incorporate Edible Planting into the Urban Landscape

Management of Stormwater Runoff The design of stormwater management is exemplary: The contaminated runoff from the impervious surfaces was addressed separately from the overflow from Mountain Springs Creek to control the quality and quantity of the runoff. The Engineered Median Channel High-volume, high-velocity water flow from the creek to the landscaped channel in the median of the street imitates the flow of the creek watershed while at the same time recharging groundwater through underlying infiltration trenches and engineered mixes of soil. Due to this, from the last nine rain events, approximately 250,000 gallons of water has recharged into the groundwater basin — equal to the amount of potable water for a four-person family for an entire year. The Pervious Pavers Impervious pavers were replaced with pervious pavers over a pedestrian area of 26,000 square feet to seep up stormwater. The designers intentionally didn’t install underdrains, leaving the water to percolate into the depressed bio-retention areas at the edge of the street. These areas can treat more than 500,000 gallons of water for every rainfall greater than 0.5 inches. Through Infiltration, pollutants are removed. If the water flows through to the Salinas River through the open channel, water pollution caused by sedimentation can be reduced. Complete Streets Complete Streets are designed to ensure safe and comfortable access for users of all ages and abilities. Following the policy’s aims, three-quarters of a mile of new marked bike lanes, ADA pathways, and a railroad crossing. Crosswalks and widened walkways were added to improve mobility. But I think little attention was paid to the access of physically challenged people who require curb ramps with tactile surfaces indicating changes in level. To protect the bio-retention areas from unwanted subsurface water, other design elements such as deepened curbs, impermeable liners, and trench dams were installed. These measures will also help keep the asphalt road dry, prolonging its lifespan. Sense of Place It was really great to know that despite submissions from national firms, the city selected local firms, allowing those companies to develop their skills in these new concepts. Also, local and recycled materials were used, creating economic benefits for local residents. Moreover, from the conceptual level to the final phase of the design, many workshops were held to raise awareness among city residents. Their input and feedback played a key role in the street’s construction — which is a great way to foster emotional attachment to a place. Native Trees, Plants Trees and plants were not only used to enhance aesthetic appeal but to serve different functions. For bio-retention areas, drought-tolerant native plants were added to alleviate soil erosion. Eighty-one large native trees were also planted to increase shade and reduce the amount of heat radiated from the pavement. Although numerous new trees were added, existing trees weren’t forgotten. The Spanish meaning of the City of Paso Robles is “the pass of the oaks”. To celebrate that legacy, an ordinance was passed to preserve the existing oak trees, which is undoubtedly an acclaimed design decision. Street Amenities For wider use of local materials, contemplative seating areas were constructed, including Gabion basket retaining walls using local Adelaida stone and recycled concrete. Biking racks and high-efficiency decorative streetlights were added to enhance aesthetic appeal. Interpretive signs were also included to explain the landscape process. Truly, the innovative and ecofriendly features of stormwater control and management have set an example for landscape projects. Apart from that, the strong initiatives taken by the city for the betterment of its residents surely teach us a lot about the impacts of well-thought-out design in our lives!

Full Project Credits for 21st Street:

Project Name: 21st Street Designers: SvR Design Company and Cannon Location: The City of Paso Robles, California Budget: $2.5 million Date of Construction: 2010-2011 Awards: 2014 Green Innovation Award Client: The City of Paso Robles Show on Google Maps

Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke

Article by Farah Afza

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Nadia Amoroso, Director of Nadia Amoroso Studio and adjunct Professor in Practice, at University of Guelph shares with us her insights into Geodesign the solution. Cities around the world are striving to improve the quality of life for their citizens, creating great places to live where people can feel safe, healthy, happy and engaged in the community. Urban and regional planning plays a vital role in this effort as design of spaces, comprehensive planning, zoning regulations, creation and monitoring of special districts, multi-modal transit, enhancement of the public realm, historic preservation, permitting and overall design factors impact a community’s sense of place. These all affect the city’s vibrancy, sustainability and ability to flourish with changes over time. Planning has become complex and multi-layered, resulting in the need for multiple design programs and strategies.

Geodesign the solution

As designers of the built environment, we are faced with new challenges in the 21st century. Ensuring the safety and the resiliency of our private and public realm now involves complex issues such as managing storm water for cities and flood-prone areas, or designing transportation solutions to alleviate traffic congestion.These are large-scale issues requiring thoughtful analysis and creative solutions by planners, landscape architects, and urban designers. Geodesign is the solution to these complex problems. Geodesign takes geographic data and integrates it with GIS technology to create smarter, evidence-based planning and design. Geodesign helps planners envision the solutions needed to help solve complex environmental problems. It is a new way of thinking about the design process, taking site inventory and analysis to a whole new level by really understanding the location and the site through the integration of geographical data. Patterns are revealed, connections made and design decisions formulated with the help of key performance indicators.

Geographic Information Systems technology (GIS) offered by Esri includes 2D and 3D design tools that incorporate data into the modeling and design process. Esri’s software solutions in support of the Geodesign framework include GeoPlanner for ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, and CityEngine. Together these three programs create an integrated platform, connecting with one another to provide specific outcomes and improve workflow efficiencies. The resulting design solutions can be shared with the public in a clear and understandable format. An interesting point; Jack Dangermond, the founder and CEO of Esri Inc, is by training a landscape architect, having studied landscape architecture at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. His dedication to environmental design and GIS has been seen in the successful global technologies he has developed throughout the decades. Now his commitment has been further amplified through the development of Geodesign technology, taking GIS to a whole new level as it is integrated with the design process. Esri Geodesign technology combines the power of site data with smart 3D modeling to help generate meaningful data visualization, test scenario impact simulations and communicate the story of a place. This technology aids landscape architects and designers of the built environment to really dive deep and understand the region or neighborhood in which they are working, enabling them to interpret data and leverage existing conditions to create an intelligent design. The resulting parametric and evidence-based designs give designers great credibility, as their decisions are backed by solid data. In this way, Esri’s software solution in support of Geodesign is similar to a BIM for urban design and planning. Much of the value of Geodesign technology lies in real – time feedback. When changes are made to a design, there is instant reporting of the data connected to the new solution. The impacts of the designs are assessed against specific indicators. In a recent webinar, entitled “How Geodesign is Busy Envisioning and Engaging with Your Neighborhood”, Brooks Patrick, one of the leaders of the Geodesign team at Esri, spoke about the value and importance of Geodesign in urban design and planning/ landscape architecture. Devin Lavigne, the principal at Houseal Lavigne Associates, a landscape architecture, and urban design firm, contributed his thoughts on the importance of the Geodesign process. The new technologies, particularly CityEngine, have enabled him to work quickly and efficiently, cutting the time needed to model, detail, render and export by almost half. The Geodesign framework allows for collaborative feedback from stakeholders, clients, and other members of the project team, enabling the creation of in-depth designs by allowing inputs and exploration from many points of views. Designs and stories can be exported to a 3D web scene and made available to the public or a select group within an organization. With input from all stakeholders, designers are able to make intelligent and highly informed decisions, resulting in a successful design for the community. Check out the webinar (below) for more information on the value of Geodesign and to find out the many ways Esri technology works with it to improve urban design and landscape planning. Case study examples are provided. WATCH:  Learn How Geodesign is Busy Envisioning and Engaging with Your Neighborhood

Also, check out this Gedesign Story map on the web To learn more about the Geodesign approach and technology- click here and download free trials of GeoPlanner, ArcGIS Online, CItyEngine and ArcGIS Pro. Books by Nadia Amoroso:

• The Exposed City: Mapping the Urban Invisibles
• Representing Landscapes: A Visual Collection of Landscape Architectural Drawings
• Digital Landscape Architecture Now
• Representing Landscapes: Digital

Article by Nadia Amoroso, PhD, ASLA Return to Homepage

Qian’an Sanlihe Greenway, by Turenscape, Qian’an, Hebei Province, China. As children, we grow up listening to fairy tales in which the main character goes through a series of adventures until reaching the top of the mountain. These stories teach us that many things are possible in life; all you have to do is believe. When talking about Sanlihe Greenway, it is practically impossible not to be reminded of Cinderella and her final happily-ever-after ending. Bearing the trademark signature of Turenscape, the Sanlihe Greenway went from a landscape that had lost its purpose to an amazing green infrastructure, demonstrating once more that landscape architecture is capable of genuine miracles.

Qian’an Sanlihe Greenway

From Pauper to Prince: A Space Revived to Perfection When the team of talented landscape architects from Turenscape was commissioned to work on the Sanlihe Greenway in 2006, the property was not a pretty sight. The space had been commonly used as a garbage dump and, even worse, for sewage drainage. The landscape was neglected, to say the least, and it took a tremendous effort — with an equal portion of talent — to revive this space and organize its green infrastructure.

Restoring Local Systems A series of strategies was chosen in order to guarantee the restoration of the local ecosystem. The idea was not only to restore the natural landscape, but to transform it into a functional space for both residents and visitors. Pedestrian and cycle paths were carefully introduced within the new infrastructure, serving a dual purpose (commute and recreation). The whole infrastructure benefitted from the influence of art, with its identity being revitalized with the help of social traditions. It is amazing to see the before and after photos of the Sanlihe Greenway, and it takes just one look to understand that this project is all about sustainable development, providing both ecological and aesthetic benefits. See More Projects From Turenscape: 

• Turenscape Design Outstanding River Park
• How the Extraordinary Qunli Stormwater Park got Listed as a National Wetland Park
• The Stunning Yanweizhou Park Recaptures Lost Ecology

Human Intervention — Always Swinging Between Good and Bad Before presenting the strategies that were chosen for the revival of this forgotten landscape, it is essential to note that the greenway was not always a neglected eyesore. With a length of 13.4 kilometers and a width varying between 100 and 300 meters, the greenway spans the city of Qian’an, covering no less than 135 hectares. The landscape serves a population of 700,000 people, with the city of Qian’an being located at the foot of Yanshan Mountain and on the bank of the beautiful Luan River, in the Hebei Province. Why did it suffer from pollution? Before the intense industrialization and development of the urban communities prior to the 1970s, the former Sanlihe River was revered for its crystal clear waters. As more and more industries started to develop in the area, attracting urban populations, the river started to suffer from intense pollution, with sewage and waste affecting its quality. The Sanlihe River soon dried up, and its channel was actually blocked due to the increased waste. The design strategies chosen by the creative minds at Turenscape managed to transform a space that was longing for its long-lost charm into an amazing landscape, demonstrating that it is still possible to reverse the effects of misguided human intervention on nature. Carefully Chosen Strategies Promote Sustainable Development The recovery of the landscape was based on a number of carefully chosen strategies, including sewage management, ecological restoration, and urban design along the Sanlihe River Greenway. The sewage management was successfully accomplished by a redesign of the sewage pipes. This change allowed for wastewater to be separated from the urban stormwater runoff. And in an effort to maintain the concept of sustainable development, the organic garbage collected from nearby households was used to shape the landforms, while the industrial waste was cleaned from the site and further treated, minimizing its effect on the environment. Design with Control In designing the scenic water byway, the designers took advantage of the natural altitude difference between the bed of the Luan River and the city. A fountain was made through a pipe that actually goes through the high embankment, allowing for constant control over the amount of water flowing through. Each element has been ingeniously chosen to guarantee a complete transformation of the landscape. Keeping the Existing Trees As part of the ecological restoration, the concrete channel of the river was removed and a beautiful wetland system was created. This allowed for the existing trees to be kept on site and for the natural wildlife to enjoy newly created habitats. Apart from that, the riverbanks were transformed into elegant tree islands, connected through boardwalks and demonstrating enhanced functionality for residents and tourists. The preservation of the trees minimized construction costs, which is another advantage. Ecological and Functional This project is a perfect example of how functionality can blend with aesthetics, especially if you take a look at the chosen design strategies. Pedestrian and cycling routes have been positioned along the greenway, increasing the access of local communities to the newly designed space. Low-maintenance vegetation, wetland species, and wildflowers were chosen for the design of the green infrastructure. A beautiful contrast appears between the elements of functionality and the green nature. The elements of art — with a red Folding Paper made from fiberglass as the center of attention — come to complete the already beautiful image of the landscape. Red Folding Paper: Integration of Art Taken to Perfection Looking at this project, it is amazing to see how art has been integrated into the new landscape. The Red Folding Paper is the main point of attention, demonstrating a perfect choice of material (fiberglass) and an inspired option when it comes to color (Chinese red). Making the People a Part of Nature The interesting thing is that this 800-meter-long corridor is not only pleasing from an aesthetic point of view, but also highly functional. Throughout its entire length, one can find integrated shelters and seats, as well as a boardwalk and lighting options. More on The Red Folding Paper Structure In choosing the Red Folding Paper as one of the main elements of this project, the landscape architects have drawn their inspiration from the local folk art of paper cutting. The multiple elements integrated into the Red Folding Paper serve both children and families, providing them with a fun experience. Plus, the bold red color is in perfect contrast with the vegetation, adding to the overall aesthetic effect. The landscape is enriched by this element, demonstrating that local art can definitely be used as a source of inspiration when redesigning a landscape. In conclusion, this project serves as a perfect example of how powerful landscape architecture can be in transforming a space, taking it from neglected to extraordinary. After reading all about this amazing rejuvenation of a forgotten landscape, can you name similar projects and tell us why they have left an impression on you?

Full Project Credits for Qian’an Sanlihe Greenway:

Project Name: Sanlihe Greenway Location: Qian’an, Hebei Province, China Size: 135 hectares (334 acres) Designed: March-July 2007 Completed: May 2010 Design Firm: Turenscape Client: Construction Bureau of Qian’an City Show on Google Maps

Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke

Article by Alexandra Antipa

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Agodi Park and Gardens, by Earthworks Landscape Architects, in Ibadan, Nigeria. When we think of large, inner-city parks, we immediately visualize scenes such as New York City’s Central Park, with its rolling lawns, park benches, manmade lakes, and sporting venues. The purpose of these parks is to create an escape from the city and an ideal sense of nature. While these sorts of parks succeed in providing function and green beauty in an urban context, they often fail to place themselves in a specific cultural context. In Africa, one cannot afford to separate culture from the natural environment. In Africa, parks need to provide recreational green space, but also address multiple community and environmental concerns. These projects are not about prescriptive design, but rather involve working with the community to create design solutions that respond to the community’s needs and future development.

Agodi Park and Gardens

With this in mind, we look at a truly African urban park — Agodi Park and Gardens in Ibadan, Nigeria, by Earthworks Landscape Architects. The name “Ibadan” means “between the savannah and the forest” and it is at the cusp of these two biomes that we find Agodi Park and Gardens. This unique green space lies in the center of Ibadan, providing the bustling metropolis with much-needed park space while serving as an important environmental reserve for indigenous forest and savannah. Over the years, Agodi had fallen into disrepair. A lack of programmatic activity and infrastructure meant that the park was seldom used. Earthworks’ brief was to rehabilitate the natural environment while creating an important economic and cultural asset for the city. Related Articles: 

• Cape Town Skatepark Under a Bridge Opens
• Sensational Winding Tree Canopy Walkway
• Top 10 Most Controversial Monuments of the World

More Than a Pretty Green Space Earthworks approached the project from the concept of maximizing the contrast between the forest and the savannah. The focus was on rehabilitating the park environment while creating healthy programmatic activity that would connect to the city and entice people to enter and use the park. At the same time, the project aimed to improve the city’s economy and to uplift the community through job creation and skills development. Developer AM&SE trained and employed up to 300 local people per month during the construction, making this park development far more than the creation of a pretty green space. A Programmatic Solution So what program does one assign to an African park that needs to generate income, be environmentally sensitive, and create a cultural identity? Well, quite a lot, actually. Once completed, a visitor will be able to spend the day by splashing around in the water park, taking a boat ride on the lake, having a picnic or restaurant lunch, hiking through the savannah and forest, playing a round of golf, and even seeing wild African animals! The park has also managed to become part of the city by integrating urban activities, such as cafes, shops, hotel facilities, and event spaces, making Agodi an active hub both day and night. Re-Defining the Zoo One of the greatest challenges of the brief was to retain the existing zoo while maintaining environmental integrity. Earthworks managed to restructure the zoo by designing large and spacious enclosed areas that would facilitate natural animal behavior. At the same time, they envisioned pathways and structures giving visitors the opportunity to safely view the animals from various viewing points. The emphasis was on allowing visitors to imagine the animals in their natural habitat, providing an important educational platform for the community. Construction of the zoo is to commence soon. A Natural and Fun Experience The design of the park focused on creating healthy outdoor activity within the unique savannah and forest environment. This focus ranges from playground areas for younger children to large swimming pools and water slides. Their placement within the park creates an experience of the natural environment in a fun and exciting way while at the same time creating aesthetic place-making through materials and form. Elements such as the existing lake were integrated into the various activities, and the scenic views were maximized in order to maintain the natural park setting. Another unique approach to this outdoor experience is the design of the forest walk. Here, Earthworks envisioned a tree-top experience of the forest biome by raising a steel and timber walkway above the forest floor, supported by the existing trees. This walkway will be wide enough for movement and viewing to occur simultaneously, and will be integrated into the zoo and various forest walking trails. Although the project is not yet complete, the park has already proved to be extremely successful and is very popular with locals and tourists. Its placement within the city has provided an important landmark, creating a sense of cultural identity through place-making. Agodi Park and Gardens has proven that landscape architecture has the ability to integrate nature into the city in a manner that is culturally unique and economically uplifting.

Full Project Credits for Agodi Park and Gardens:

Project Name: Agodi Park and Gardens Landscape Architect: Earthworks Landscape Architects Location: Ibadan, Nigeria Developer: AM&SEA with South African and UK partners in construction, engineering, and landscape architectural services. Completion: Phase 1: 2014. Phase 2: In construction

Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke

Article by Rose Buchanan

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Place Lazare Goujon, by In Situ, in Villeurbanne, France. The renovation project of the Place Lazare Goujon square is located at the entrance of the “Gratte-ciel” (skyscraper) district. Some of you already imagine a project in the heart of New York City amid its many towers, but it is far away from that. Place Lazare Goujon is located in France, in the town of Villeurbanne. It’s in the neighborhood called “Gratte-ciel” that we discover a large pedestrian square at the end of a street leading to two towers of 18 floors. These two towers give their name to the district and create the entryway. Extending away from the towers is a series of buildings, ranging from nine to 11 floors and arranged in a graduated manner. Designed by architect Morice Leroux, the buildings’ design somehow creates lightness in the face of this grandiose architecture.

Place Lazare Goujon

The towers were rather something unusual for their time. Thus, we might ask how they got there. This requires us to jump into the past and return to the 1930s. At this time, Lazare Goujon, mayor of Villeurbanne, wanted to provide social housing to the city’s inhabitants. He embarked on the project of designing the housing towers, with an attention to detail and aesthetics remarkable for the time. Goujon, a doctor, also felt it was important for the residents’ health to provide air circulation in the streets around the buildings.

Too Many People to Handle As time moved on, the square – once light and airy – became more crowded as the city grew around it. Two important city monuments flank its sides: City Hall and the National Popular Theater. With the theater across the square, the area receives a large flow of pedestrians. Add to that, illegal parking in the area had disfigured the place. Related Articles: 

• Top 10 Public Squares of the World
• Top 10 Political Squares
• Revitalizing London’s Finsbury Avenue Square

In Situ – Competition Winners Eventually, the city built an underground parking garage to deal with problems of space and illegal parking. That sparked interest in redeveloping the square. In 2003, the design office In Situ won a competition to design the project with a more modern layout that matches the neighborhood’s structure. The Design and Concept The design is mainly based on the implementation of two large basins separated by a forecourt of the same width with a large public space organized around it. These basins reflect the buildings that surround the square. An overflow basin with outdoor border tile offers seating around the pools, giving visitors a nice venue to enjoy the freshness of the basins and the 40 fountains that enliven the place. Artist Philippe Favier slipped in a rain of stars by nestling blue and gold glass paste pieces in the blue background of the basins. Planting on Site More than 80 silk trees (Albizia sp.) were planted to replace the catalpa trees (Catalpa sp.) that were there before. These were planted along the two streets bordering the square to the skyscrapers and on the square between City Hall and the theater. The silk trees were selected for their small size, providing a human scale to the neighborhood while also respecting the architecture around them. The lightness of their foliage also offers a bit of flexibility in this straight area, and, of course, provides shade and coolness in the walkways. Roses climb concrete pergolas, and statues including “The respite from the farmer” by Jules Pendarès, “The Republic Shackled” by Georges Salendre (in which lies a sealed urn containing earth from the concentration camps of Nazi Germany), and a bronze bust of Lazare designed by Jean Chorel were added. In Situ envisioned great things for this project and they have done well, demonstrating simplicity and sobriety despite the large size of the elements. Thus, as a tribute to Lazare Goujon, the In Situ team rejuvenated the site and restored its function as a central place dedicated to pedestrians. Do you think this layout is what Mr. Goujon would have wanted?

Full Project Credits for Place Lazare Goujon:

Project name: Place Lazare Goujon Landscape Architect: In Situ Partners: E2CA, BET VRD Location: Villeurbanne, France Area: 10,000 square meters Year: 2008 Show on Google Maps

Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke

Article by Alexandra Wilmet

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The New St.Petersburg Pier, Rogers Partners, ASD and Ken Smith Landscape Architect, St. Petersburg, Florida. Rogers Partners Architects & Urban Designers, in partnership with ASD and Ken Smith Landscape Architect, have been chosen as the team to redesign the iconic pier of St. Petersburg, Florida. Each town has its famous landmarks, and the pier is certainly a central element of St. Petersburg. Throughout its history, it has been known as the Railroad Pier, Electric Pier, Municipal Pier, Million-Dollar Pier, and simply The Pier. The pier, which is so essential to the identity of the city, is going to benefit from a redesign process that bears the trademark signature of a talented team.

The New St.Petersburg Pier

What is the Vision Behind the Project? In choosing the elements of the new St. Petersburg Pier, the creative minds behind the project wanted to create a place full of vitality, serving the needs of both tourists and local residents. The idea was to maintain the pier as an iconic element of the city while turning St. Petersburg’s downtown area into an oasis of relaxation. The project is meant to connect the pier with the rest of the city, especially in relation to the transportation and recreation systems. The team has included bike paths and jogging trails that can be used by tourists and residents alike. Apart from that, the redesigned pier will provide access to new transportation options, such as the Looper Trolley or the potential high-speed ferry.

Essential Icon Brought into the Present with Amenity-Rich Design Perhaps one of the most interesting changes that have been proposed in the redesign project relates to the introduction of smaller and flexible programs on the platform of the pier. These programs would be used by tourists, but also by those from the local community, guaranteeing a multitude of experiences regardless of age, occupation, or personal preferences. On the newly redesigned pier, one can enjoy nature to the fullest, connect to the water elements through boating or fishing, or take delight in a fine dining experience. Transforming into a hub of Activity The amenities chosen for the Pier Park are modern, and they are meant to transform this part of the city into a hub of activity. Children can enjoy the interactive water play area, while adults can benefit from the expanded spa beach, to which changing rooms, restrooms, and a beach playground have been added. The environmental center is also an interesting element to discover, providing both an outdoor and indoor experience to enjoy. Apart from the flexible programs, one will also have the opportunity to use the floating docks to gain access to the water. Activities such as boating, fishing, or swimming are promoted by the newly chosen elements for the pier project. Pier Redesign Concentrated on the Public Experience It is interesting to notice how the pier redesign has concentrated on the public experience rather than on the actual architectural intervention. Having in mind concepts such as “shade” and “comfort”, the newly redesigned pier is going to appear as a space that can adapt to new venues with the passing of time. In this way, the existing space is going to be used to its maximum potential. What can you  do there? The programs that have been chosen for the pier include a bar and grill, a welcome center, a tilted lawn, wet classrooms, and an education center. The tilted lawn is of particular interest, as it can host live concerts for up to 4,000 people, while the several gardens provide plenty of fresh air. To all that, one can add the network of durable floating docks, which provide easy access to the water and encourage water-related activities, such as swimming, fishing, or boating. Related Articles: 

• Race Street Pier Becomes a Vivid and Exciting Place
• How Pier 55 Floating Park is Making the Impossible, Possible
• Could West Harlem Pier Park Be a Model of Environmental Justice?

Splash pads and Thick Vegetations The new plan for the pier has allowed for the elevator shafts and the caissons of the original building to be kept. In this way, the inverted pyramid of the pier is going to be transformed into a four-story building, with a beautiful fabric roof. Inside the building, you will find spaces designed for various events. At each floor, a promenade of splash pads is going to be present. The natural, thick vegetation will provide the desired shade and cover during hot summer days. Is This Iconic Design? In conclusion, the Pier Park is desired to be a place that everyone can enjoy. It is meant to redesign the St. Petersburg Pier as the essential icon of the city, filled with vitality and characterized by functionality at the same time. The project comes with a long-term vision plan, which will be undertaken in the second phase. The basic idea is to extend across the uplands, as far as the Beach Driver, with new waterfront amenities. Taking a look at the proposed vision for the Pier Park, an important question arises: How many forgotten iconic landmarks wait patiently for their redesign in different parts of the world? Can you name at least three?

Full Project Credits for The New St.Petersburg Pier

Project Name: New St.Petersburg Pier Location: St. Petersburg, Florida Status: In progress Architecture: Rogers Partners and ASD Landscape Architect: Ken Smith Budget: $46 million

Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke

Article by Alexandra Antipa

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Central garden block B4, by TN Plus, in Boulogne Billancourt, suburbs of Paris, France. Located at Boulogne Billancourt, (suburbs of Paris, France, near the La Seine River) the Boulogne project, designed by TN Plus architects and also called “Central Garden Block B4”, is a landscape project whose leading idea is “to create an undulating green plinth stretching from facade to facade through the garden,” in the words of project manager Andras Jambor. The project integrates public spaces by using a central concrete plateau and proposing a sinuous topography aside the buildings to promote privacy. Because of its form and geometry, the concrete plateau becomes a green plinth that undulates from facade to facade through the open space. The green areas were proposed by considering the preservation of the sunny zones, which are affected by the shade the surrounding buildings create. This aspect defined the flora palette, the color palette, and the geometry of the plateau.

Central garden block B4

As we can observe, the combination of colors and textures of the existing buildings represented a contextual problem that affected the public plaza. In order to establish equilibrium, TN Plus landscape architects proposed sober materials and colors, which, in fact, create an attractive contrast with the existing surroundings. For example, the white color of the concrete plateau contrasted against the brown of the mulch increases the perception that the pavement and mulch platform are floating. Finally, the furniture used at the B4 project respects the presence of the proposed green areas. Along the same design line, benches, fences, and lights interact with space and visitors.

A Space That Blooms Every Year Most of the opinions about “Central Garden Block B4” would say that the planting palette is very basic and boring, but there is a very good reason why the palette has been planned this way. Daylight is the most important aspect to preserve in a reduced public transitional space such as the B4, not only for the vegetation but also for indoor activities within each building. Because of this, the flora palette is based on trees with medium development and light foliage, such as Gymnocladus dioicus, a carpet of low perennials, and lush wetland vegetation. Other Articles Featuring TN PLUS: 

• How the New St. Petersburg Zoo Could Change the Stereotype of Captivity Zoos
• City of Troyes Old District Gets a Complete Makeover

Even with the reduced variation of vegetation species of the flora palette, the distribution of them along the entire concrete plateau creates a colorful pathway with random areas full of flowers. Most of the blooming plants grow in a natural way, creating big purple and pink areas. It is a simple solution, which gives the space a lot of color with low maintenance.

As Time Goes By, the Space Grows Up Thanks to research into the project, we have specific information on how it has changed over the years. The first impression of the green areas for the B4 is that there is a low quantity of plants and that the size of each plant is very small. Instead of seeing big green areas surrounding the concrete plateau, we see these green areas as part mulch and part vegetation. Establishing a More Dynamic Geometry Over Time As we can see in recent pictures, the initial landscape strategy has encouraged the natural growth and distribution of each proposed species of vegetation. The final aspect of the green areas is more natural and dramatic, where natural associations between plants take control over the garden. At the end, the white boundary of the concrete plateau will be lost, thanks to the natural growth of bushes and grasses, establishing a more dynamic geometry for the concrete plateau. This final landscape strategy closes the gap if we are concerned about maintenance and the cost of the project. By thinking about the natural growth of the plants, TN Plus architects has transformed the preconception about how expensive landscape design could be. This final characteristic goes hand in hand with all of the revised design concepts, which have as a design axis transforming the outdoor area into a blooming garden. Do you think TN Plus made a good choice by being more concerned about the future aspect of the “Central garden block B4” project? What other strategies would you propose in order to obtain an adequate landscape design for projects such as the one at Boulogne Billancourt?

Full Project Credits for Central Garden Block B4

Project: Central garden block B4 / Seguin District Location: Boulogne Billancourt, suburbs of Paris, France Team: Agent: TN+ / BET VRD : SEGIC Architects: Brenac y Gonzalez, Sauerbruch Hutton, KOZ Surface: 1 ha Date of Completion: 2014 Client: SAEM Val de Seine Furnishing / NEXITY Budget: 900,000 euros Developer: SAEM Val de Seine Aménagement Client: NEXITY Team: Landscape Architect Mandatory: TN+ landscape architects / Engineering: SEGIC / Constructing Enterprise Vallois // Architects of the surrounding buildings: Brenac et Gonzalez, Sauerbruch Hutton, KOZ Project Manager: Andras Jambor Show on Google Maps

Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke

Article by Luis Eduardo Guísar Benítez

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This week’s Sketchy Saturday top 10. Welcome to the internet’s biggest melting pot of sketchy talent. Each week you guys send us in your best handy work and the LA Team go through it, carefully selecting who should make it into the top 10. It’s no easy task, for two main reasons; one it’s hard to establish a criteria for selection when there are such a diversity of styles on display. Secondly a lot of you are so enthusiastic about Sketchy Saturday that you send in several sketches and as a Sketchy Saturday policy we only select a maximum of one sketch per artist to be featured, this does make things fair but it also means a lot if incredible work does not get featured. Enjoy this week’s Sketchy Saturday top 10! 10. by Kyle Schellhorn, Student at Iowa State University, United States

“On a field day, while studying abroad in Rome, Italy, my classmates and I visited Campo Ciesto. Campo Ciesto is an overwhelming cemetery with lush vegetation. After taking some time to get acquainted with this fascinating place, we were suggested to sketch a collage of what caught our eye. In this case, it was the diagonal walking paths against the personable headstone that caught my eye. Every headstone had a story to tell that could not be read through a photo”. 9. by Eric Arneson, BFA student of Landscape Architecture at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, CA, USA “This sketch was an experiential montage to aid in the development and execution of a final photoshopped presentation image. A very quick and relaxed drawing helps express the design with minimal time invested”. 8. by Pete Bonette “The split image is a close-up and the view from the covered terrace on the house. The design is a spa doubling as a water feature. It is drawn on trace with colored pencil and marker.” 7. by Ming Song, from China, studying in Bernburg, Germany “A perspective for the pavilion and landscape design for a fair. The drawing is made just with one pencil and some watercolors”. 6. by Brian Hartwyk, Landscape Architecture Student at Morgan State University, in Baltimore, Maryland,, and Landscape Designer at TDH Landscaping in Monkton, Maryland USA “The drawing was created to show a client how to complement the architecture of their home through a new planting design. The private residence is of a contemporary style of architecture and called for a contemporary planting design. The use of a stacked Pennsylvania Fieldstone boulder fountain draws the material from the façade into the landscape. This drawing was created on trace paper over a photo of the existing structure”. 5. by  Chester Arante Atienza, Architecture Student/Artist from FEATI-University, Philippines “This piece was actually a course work for my Landscape Architecture class in college, and it’s more than that. I like breathing life into every sketch I make. In this free-hand drawing I made, I left the main structure (a beach house) white; in order to emphasize the life that surrounds it. I used a variety of markers, a technical pen, the ever reliable HB pencil, and, of course, the imagination”. 4. by Nuntiwa Waiyasith, final year student of the Landscape Architecture department in Thammasat Design School, Thailand. “The sketch is a part of my urban design studio. Site design location is Lumpini, Bangkok. This sketch is the home office zone in my master plan. My design is to create the plaza to be the gathering space, for events and linking to other spaces, as well as including art to show the identity of this space. My sketch technique is pencil and pen drawing and colored pencil drawing”. Drawing Related Articles:

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3. by Nor Hidayah Ramlan International Islamic University Malaysia Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. “This sketch is adored from the movie that I watched entitled Illustration. I like the architecture facade which is in front of the seashore. As for the medium, it is drawing pen with the style of hatching”. 2. by Osadha Wedyanto, a freelance illustrator, in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia “My motivation for making the sketch is for practicing and upgrading my sketching skills. I took a photo and sketched this street corridor in Bandung. I tried to reimagine the street and the night activity. I did this on A4 paper 80 grm with a drawing pen and colored pencil”. 1. by Kamila Służewska, landscape architect, Poland, www.warsztat-zieleni.pl “The drawing presents a part of a villa garden in a historic area of Wroclaw, Poland – Grabiszynek. It has been made with a use of a quill and watercolours. The villa serves as a main office of a big company and the garden is to represent its character, and function as leisure space for the employees. The heart of the garden is a wooden platform situated under an old magnolia with a water wall next to it. Materials used are: granite, exotic lumber, and stainless steel”. – That’s this week’s Sketchy Saturday Top 10, congratulations to all of you who featured, you have come out on top of a very talented bunch of people. Check out the Sketchy Saturday official Facebook album and see literally 1,000′s of incredible sketches! Follow all the winning entries on our dedicated Sketchy Saturday Pinterest page. If you want to take part send your entries to us at office@landarchs.com Recommended reading:

• Sketching from the Imagination: An Insight into Creative Drawing by 3DTotal
• Architectural Drawing Course by Mo Zell

Article by Scott D. Renwick Return to Homepage

Rakafot School, by BO Landscape Architects and KNAFO KLIMOR ARCHITECTS, in Kiryat Bialik, Israel. The Rakafot School is a project of BO Landscape Architects in Kiryat Bialik, a city in Israel’s Haifa District. This project was designed with the idea of reducing environmental impact and combining the lightness and diversity of nature, not only in the design but in the structures, too. From organic shapes to color palettes, the architects intended to give the kids a closer look at the environment by creating an outdoor space where they could play and learn. The Rakafot School is a pilot project of Israel’s Ministry of the Environment. The main idea is to produce a line of ecology-oriented construction for the future so that environmental education will be an essential component of new schools in Israel. Awareness and preservation of the environment, efficient use of resources, and optimum learning conditions are the main concepts to adapt to the new constructions.

Rakafot School

The school consists of three buildings — or wings — each with two floors connected by a liner covered route. Eighteen classrooms are divided into areas for technology and science, library, and administration area. The outdoors is also part of the “learning areas”. Although the designers look at it as a complementing space for the classroom area, they wanted it to be as close to nature as possible, flexible, with movement, and with a lot of forms and color. They see it as a “refuge” from the classroom, a place to observe, study, and learn. Related Articles: 

• How PS 234 Independence School Play Yard Transformed Into Flexible Play Space
• How Yi Zhong De Sheng Secondary School Mixes Play With Learning
• How to Grow a School Garden – Book Review

Establishing a Connection Between the Interior and Exterior The plan for the project has a rectangle shape, and the buildings were placed to establish an immediate connection between interior and exterior, using courtyards, a patio, and a green roof to emphasize this connection. The buildings are connected with two bridges on each side of the main route, creating a continuous movement among the buildings and a green roof. The green roof is directly accessible from the first floor as an integral part of the building’s flow, providing great isolation while preventing refraction of sunlight. The designers call it a “visually interesting” learning space. It also offers the students the inspiration to maintain the environment, because they care for the plantings of herbs and spices in the roof garden on a daily basis. Making Good Use of Natural Light The buildings have been designed with large openings so the natural illumination penetrates on an important part of the indoor areas, bringing “nature” into the building. The central spine connects the entrance to the structures built around it; this is the focal point of the project, an outdoor covered space that lets the children interact with nature, forms, and color. Because of its dimensions and variable areas, this pedestrian route connects the school’s back yard, sport hall, and playing area. Single trees were planted and integrated throughout the school, becoming important characters in every space. The Adventure Path The designers also created the “adventure path” — a narrow yard area much more interesting and intriguing than a wider central pathway. It is made of asphalt, begins in the parking lot, and passes through grassy hills and vegetation. The designers consider the pathway an extremely meaningful play environment that facilitates movement and challenges the imagination. Importance of Water The architects designed “ponds” filled up with water and a diversity of flora and fauna – such as frogs — that help to clean the zone when mosquitoes show up. This area is used as an opportunity for the students to observe and learn about the variety of life forms. In this project, water is not just a decorative element; the pond collects runoff water after the abundant first rains at the beginning of the school year, to be used later for irrigation and gardening. This is a great example of how the designers combined the principles of green construction. They also designed areas where the rainwater infiltrates the soil, and shaded areas with pergolas and local water-efficient plants. They designed some “micro-habitats” to restore local flora and fauna: For example, the butterfly garden in the main entrance, where they planted striking species of plants, is a welcoming habitat for the local butterflies. The Creations of Learning Spaces The school is formed by “learning spaces” that are meant to be used in informal gatherings, creating a unique interaction between students and teachers. The architects were very clear in their position: They designed not only a natural environment between outdoors and indoors, but they also gave the school an identity that reflects the value of traditions, culture, and the new vision of the community to encourage the sustainable design and forming learning scenarios, so the kids grow with the sense of taking care and, as the architects say, “redesign” the environment. Sense, Observe, Discover All the outdoor spaces were designed so that students could sense, observe, discover, and learn about the environment, facilitating the creation of a rich and changing ecosystem. Every area has unique characteristics that are meant to host different age groups and diverse activities that encourage the students to experiment while playing in the outdoors.

Full Project Credits for Rakafot School

Project: Rakafot School Architects: Knafo Klimor Architects Landscape Architects: BO – Landscape Architects Structural Engineer: Remix – Consultants, Planning & Engineering Electrical Engineer: Tel – Electric Engineering Green Construction/Service Engineer: Advanced Energy Systems Water & Drainage: S. Agnon and Partners Safety Consultant: Naftaly Ronen Architects Roads Design & Planning: Zvika Nave Development Contractor: Hisham Khmeisi, Hisham Group Project Management & Supervision: Nativ Engineering & Management Ltd. Location: Kiryat Bialik, Israel Area: 2,700 m² Year: 2015

Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke

Article by Tahío Avila

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Quarry Garden in Shanghai Botanical Garden, by THUPDI and Tsinghua University, Shanghai, China. When reclaiming a quarry, many landscape architects typically return the site as close to its original context as possible — or at least downplay its industrial past. That is exactly the opposite of what THUPDI and Tsinghua University did when designing the Quarry Garden in Shanghai, China, and the results couldn’t be more dramatic. The stripped landscape offered a unique opportunity for the designers to create an unusual space that gives insight into the practice of mining in China, as well as breathe life back into the site by creating an eco-friendly public space. The design’s sensitivity and acceptance of the former quarry’s historical, cultural, and ecological context are largely the reason why it won the 2012 ASLA Honour Award.

Quarry Garden in Shanghai Botanical Garden

The Quarry Garden is situated within the Chenshan Botanical Garden, the largest botanical garden in Shanghai. The 4.26-hectare space that comprised the quarry was operational from the early 1950s until it was abandoned in the 1980s. The landscape on Chen Moountain was left badly scarred, stripping away the surface vegetation and creating habitat fragmentation. As part of municipal improvements for Shanghai’s 2010 World Expo, the government spent an estimated $319 million on the entire botanical garden project.

Creating the Dramatic Effect Everything about this design was intended to create a dramatic experience for visitors through a space that had little to no human contact for more than 20 years. The combination of stone, steel, and water with minimal intervention creates a bold landscape. Bringing in CorTen Steel An even and lifeless rock surface became the new entrance to the Quarry Garden; it was transformed into Mirror Lake, a clear, shallow pond that reflects the Chen Mountain peak. At this point, visitors descend a CorTen steel staircase into a deep pool at the lowest point of the former quarry. A wooden pathway across the water offers multiple vantage points to admire cascading waterfalls and the dramatic surrounding cliff face. Related Articles: 

• Cor-Ten Steel: The Essential Guide
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Ancient Chinese Landscape Ink Paintings The designers cut a steep, 25-meter (82-foot) tunnel into the rock wall for tourists to gain a better understanding and appreciation for not only the beauty of the raw stone, but also for the people who mined it. The bold and minimal shapes created by the pathways are reminiscent of the strokes of ancient Chinese landscape ink paintings, giving a hint of the Asian culture. Less is More and This Project Proves it While there were considerable challenges in creating a project such as this, given the rough landscape that remained, the Quarry Garden appears as if little was done to create the unique space. The jagged rock face was left as it was for many years to weather and erode naturally, surrounding the deep pool of water that was left after mining ceased. The effect is an honest piece of landscape architecture, not shy of enhancing its industrial past. The 2012 ASLA Professional Awards Jury said: “It’s a very honest project. It’s not trying to cover up what it is and it’s an example of everything done right in reclaiming a quarry. As it seeps down and stains, it will be even more beautiful.” The brave design has attracted many tourists to the remote Songjiang District of Shanghai and will continue to do so. This project should be an example to all landscape architects facing the challenges of renewing rock quarries or any other landscape scarred by human impact; presenting the site in a truthful and unashamed manner can still create a beautiful and unique space. Do you think it is better to be honest and upfront in the way you present a landscape, or is it better to leave a little to the imagination?

Full Project Credits for Quarry Garden in Shanghai Botanical Garden

Project: Quarry Garden in Shanghai Botanical Garden Landscape Architecture: THUPDI & Tsinghua University, Beijing Lead Designer: Yufan Zhu Landscape Architects of Record: Yufan Zhu, Yujun Yao, Fanyu Meng, Zhenwei Zhang, Shuni Feng, Ling Qi, Dan Wang, Weiwei Zhai, Chang Guo, Zhiguo Yan, Jianyu Sun, Tianzheng Sun, Zhanzhan Yang Location: Songjiang District, Shanghai, China Client: Guiping Peng, Construction Headquarter of Shanghai Botanical Garden Award: This project won ASLA Honor Award 2012 Date of Construction: 2010 Size: 4.26 hectares (10.53 acres) Photography credit: Yao Chen Firm/School/Agency involved: Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University Research Center of Landscape vs Design Study Urban Planning & Design Institute of Tsinghua Engineering Design Group Xiaohong He (Senior Structural Engineer) Aijun Cui (Water Supply & Drainage Engineer) From Beijing Zhongyuan Engineering Design and Consult Co. Show on Google Maps

Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke

Article by Taylor Stapleton

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Offenbacher Hafen, Atelier Dreiseitl, Frankfurt, Germany. For the past two decades, sustainability and creating ecological cities have become the buzz words dominating discussions on nature in the city. But these countless discussions and debates on the matter are often accompanied by a shadow of skepticism in regard to their actual implementation. Landscape architects are among the main key players — although not the only ones — who have taken on the responsibility of showing how these concepts can be applied to real-life projects. So what are the factors that can contribute to shaping an ecological city through a landscape architecture project? The award-winning design of Offenbach Harbor (Offenbacher Hafen) shows a genuine example of how it can be done.

Offenbacher Hafen

The Legacy of Industrial Revitalization in Germany One of the challenges standing in the way of creating ecological spaces is represented by the many factories and industrial landscapes made obsolete in the decline of heavy industry. Examples from the Ruhr and other regions of industrial Germany prove that this country stands as a pioneer in industrial revitalization. Offenbach Harbor, located on the Main River in Frankfurt, Germany, is a former industrial port that had been utilized since the 1950s for the storage and transportation of petroleum, sand, scrap metal, and gravel. The plan to transform this area into a new commercial and residential zone has initiated a €800-million project that would change the face of the port and give it a new identity.

Why Expertise Makes Sense We are living in an era of a continuously growing need for experts in pretty much everything. Interdisciplinary and crossing interests are becoming vital in facing the challenges of the 21st century, such as answering ecological questions. The design of Offenbach Harbor, which is to be completed in 2020, is a conception made by Atelier Dreiseitl, an expert in water-sensitive urban design, as featured in our article How Zollhallen Plaza is Ready for a 100 Year Flood. See More Projects Featuring Atelier Dreiseitl:

• How The Chicago City Hall Green Roof is Greening the Concrete Jungle
• Potsdamer Platz in Berlin Becomes a Sustainable Ecofriendly Urban Square
• How Bishan Park Became “The Central Park” of Singapore

Specialists in Water Use in Urban Design Founded by landscape architect, artist, and urban hydrologist Herbert Dreiseitl, the firm is especially known for its genuine and environmental use of water in urban design. Architecture, art, and water come together in harmony, producing groundbreaking solutions. A Design Sensitive to Environmental Elements The site’s location on the river and its former industrial character has meant that this project faces several environmental challenges. They are being met with clever and creative procedures: Flood Protection Measures In order to protect the port from potential floods caused by storms, the site was elevated by four meters from its original ground level. Landfill was performed by recycling rubble from the war and gathered debris from a dam construction project. Water and soil remediation The soil of the port is highly contaminated with fuel oil and other polluting material, which is why a remediation plan was crucial for the creation of a clean riverfront. The remediation procedures are in fact still ongoing and will go through several phases in order to be completed. The remediation plan was based on an accurate data collection of hydrogeological information and a list of existing pollutants. Visual and Physical Connection to the River The redevelopment of the port allows not only for an aesthetically pleasing visual connection to the river, but also provides access to it. The river is linked to the city in this area through the many access points created by stepping terraces with benches and trees. Some of these terraces do not solely border the water, but also allow streams to cross their sides. Creating a Strong River Identity The terrace located at the end of the port even follows in its design lines the movement of the water, as it is curvy and wave-like rather than geometric. A strong river identity is also created by encouraging running and walking on the promenade along the water and proposing kayak and canoe activities. Fine Attention to Accessibility The ecological infrastructure of the project is not the only thing that illustrates its sensitivity. Accessibility is also key in the design, as wheelchair ramps were introduced in some of the terraces. Sustainability is About Valuing our Environment There is not one definition or understanding about what sustainability is. To many, this notion brings to mind images of highly advanced technology that makes up for the loss of nature in the city. Landscape architects and urban designers define through their projects — as the design of Offenbach Harbor showcases — sustainability as progressive means that allow for the reinvention of a lost connection with our environment in the city. Do you know of other projects that introduce innovative, environmentally sensitive designs? Let us know in the comments if you’d like us to write articles about any particular ones.

Full Project Credits for Offenbacher Hafen

Project Title: Offenbacher Hafen (Offenbach Harbor) Landscape Architect: Atelier Dreiseitl Client: Mainviertel Offenbach GmbH & Co. KG Location: Frankfurt, Germany Expected Year of Completion: 2020 Area: 290,000 m2 Budget: 800 million euros Award: DGNB Gold Sustainable City District

Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke

Article by Dalia Zein

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Levinson Plaza, Mission Park, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, by Mikyoung Kim Design. A city plaza is more or less like an urban jungle where people can unwind and get in touch with their inner naturalist. Maybe they do not even know that they secretly admire nature in this mechanized world. But a plaza in the midst of busy roads and lanes has always attracted people of all ages and has helped people to unveil that secret. Located on what had once been a raised plaza that was largely exposed to the traffic and train congestion of nearby Huntington Avenue in Boston, Levinson Plaza in Mission Park was redesigned to shelter it from the nuisances of the busy thoroughfare and to satisfy the need for a children’s play area, a community gathering space, recreational spaces, and other multi-programmatic activities for nearby residents. Mikyoung Kim Design designed the new urban plaza, creating an urban park and a green refuge in the city.

Levinson Plaza

Easily accessible to all, the design team planned the plaza as an urban grove to accommodate a complex program. The plaza consists of lawns, canopy trees and different types of textured plant species, contemplative seating areas for different groups of people, and flexible open space to serve as venues for large gatherings during festivals such as the Chinese New Year, Russian Unity Day, and other cultural and civic events. The seating areas are designed thoughtfully and creatively. There are different sorts of seating arrangements. One is the bench type just beside the textured, flowering plants shaded by canopy trees. This type of seating is for people to admire nature and to enjoy their time in solitude. Another sort is the ones that can serve groups of people playing games such as Tai Chi and chess.

The Herringbone Pattern The strong, graphical pavement pattern is what makes this project stand out from others. The herringbone pattern concept is derived from the regional garden landscapes of New England. The lawn areas, often used for sunbathing, are carved out diagonally from the pavement to preserve a seamless pattern, while the paved areas within the garden are carved out of the grove to allow for direct access to major entry points and public transportation. Throughout the 30,000-square-foot project, the pavement pattern seamlessly stitches together the areas of gathering and circulation. Visual and Sound Screening An absence of sound and visual screening were two of the major problems that needed to be solved. Initially, continual exposure to train congestion and the four lanes of vehicular traffic on the nearby avenue made the plaza almost unusable. To solve this, buffering was very important. As buffers, nothing can act more suitable than trees and plants. They can segregate different functional bodies and can easily serve as sound and noise barriers without being a physical barrier. Related Articles Featuring Mikyoung Kim Design:

• Crown Sky Garden Inspires Healing
• The ChonGae Canal Turns an Auto-Centric Zone into a Pedestrian Haven
• 7 Female Landscape Architects That You Need to Know About

Choice of Plants Thus, the architectural team chose from the rich palette of plant species very meticulously. Plant species of various sizes, from canopy trees to hedges, are organized in different layers. These layers filter these urban conditions while maintaining privacy and views for safety throughout the space. Although the densely planted canopy trees imitate the aspect of a grove, I think the linearity in their organization gives an expression of rigidity to some extent. Instead of maintaining the strong geometrical lines, an approach to break the linearity would have given a more flexible and natural look. The plant species vary from hedgerows of River birch to Zelkova. This palette of plants was chosen because it can withstand the demanding conditions the city provides — high winds, winter salt applications, poor soil conditions, and high ranges in air/soil temperature. The choice of the combination of hues, starting from the pavement patterns to that of plants and trees, is extraordinary. The use of subtle colors complements each other gorgeously. The combination of the cream and gray colors of the pavement patterns with the green trees appeals to all. Besides its aesthetic qualities, the durability of pavement materials is also considered. The designers used pavement materials that are durable, require low maintenance and withstand Boston’s long, challenging winters. Overall, the success of the plaza lies in filtering out the urban conditions, satisfying the community’s demands by creating a place that gently transitions from busy city streets to a quiet, intriguing space. In doing that, it has once again reminded us of the capabilities of plants as natural landscape elements and has also taught us how even the simplest features, such as a change in pattern, can bring uniqueness to a project.

Full Project Credits for Levinson Plaza

Landscape Architecture: Mikyoung Kim Project: Mission Park Plaza, Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA Completion: 2008, Area: 2800 m2, Design budget: $82,000, Construction budget: $1.2 million. Client: Roxbury Tenants of Harvard Photography credit: Lisa Garrity, Charles Mayer Landscape Contractor: Paragon Landscape Construction Show on Google Maps

Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke

Article by Farah Afza

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