Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

 Ansières Residential Park by Espace Libre Paysage et urbanisme, Paris, France What is the common thing between urban fabric, college and high school? Nothing, perhaps. But that “nothing” seems to be the missing link which needs to establish the connection between those unrelated elements. As you can guess, the best way to create this bond is certainly landscape design, and the best color for filling that gap – green. This is exactly the case we’re going to explore: A square surrounded by different institutions in the French commune of Ansières-sur-Seine, which needed to be redeveloped. This is where the exceptional work of Espace Libre Paysage et urbanisme landscape firm flourished.

Espace Libre To get to the heart of the Ansières Residential Park project, first we need to examine the ideology of Espace Libre (meaning free space in French). Espace Libre is a firm, engaged mainly in landscape architecture, urbanism and environment. The team of experts covers a wide range of work in varied areas of the landscape profession, including: urban redevelopment, infrastructure, business parks, parks and gardens, promenades, bicycle paths, playgrounds and sports fields.

Ansières Residential Park’s Mission: ‘Social Bond’

Besides the rich professional experience, there is one thing standing out among the other competencies of the company – the team is constantly striving for new standards and new technologies specific to the genius loci of each site. Espace Libre’s ultimate purpose is to create attractive, functional spaces with enhanced structural elements and reinforced social bond. To be able to fulfill their mission at Ansières Residential Park, the landscape architects had to create a successful, vibrant open space, which would transform the colorless square into a center of gravity for visitors.

The Project Design of Ansières Residential Park

The first step was to double the area of the existing park. This was important for both, the unification of the three adjacent buildings, and the best possible utilization of the space. To break the monotony of the relief, a half of the green area was raised by 0.5 meters. This raising on the other hand, felt more like a boundary between the two halves, so the landscaping team decided to fix this problem by “folding” the borderline.

In this way, the link connecting the two entrances of the park forms a natural path and provides a fine visual breakthrough. Following the fold’s pattern, the whole design of the residential park repeats and alters that motif. New Playgrounds at Ansières Residential Park After altering the topography and morphology of the site, attention was paid to the distribution of the four new playgrounds. The childrens’ playgrounds are situated around the center plot of the square in order to differentiate the area from the rest of the park. The playgrounds are also attractive for their asymmetrical irregular shapes, corresponding to the overall character of the site. The fourth element, highlighting the square’s center is the sports ground, which provides an active recreation program for college students. Secondary Accent at Ansières Residential Park One more key element of the residential park is the second square plot located at one of the park’s entrances. It serves the college as a gateway to the park, as it directs the flow of users. Besides that function, the square marks a secondary accent, which enriches the design and gives just the right finish to the overall composition of the park. Ansières Residential Park Accented in Purple and Green in Vegetation In addition to the subtle character of the design, a monoculture of lavender (lavandula angustifolia) is planted along the edge of the higher level. Its basic function is to underline the link between the two entrances, while adding color, texture and fragrance to Ansières-sur-Seine. Related Articles: 

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Trees are mostly used on the periphery of the site to encapsulate the inner space, with a few scattered among the central parts to cast shade where needed, and to form several vertical accents.

Hardscape at Ansières Residential Park The last design component concerns the use of materials for the hardscape. The two materials used for the surfacing are square pavers and rectangular white granite paving stones. The natural look and the bright hues of the pavement bring a sense of neatness and refreshment to an exquisite view of the park. Elements Elegantly Blended at Ansières Residential Park Having explored in detail the design of Ansières Residential Park, the project can be defined as a functional solution, which blends modernism, subtlety with a fine reinterpretation of geometry in one beautiful park. One, which above all, aims to create a social bond between people through landscape architecture – the best way possible! Article by Velislava Valcheva Recommended Reading:

• 100 Landmarks of the World: A Journey to the Most Fascinating Landmarks Around the Globe by Parragon Books
• Public Art: Theory, Practice and Populism by Cher Krause Knight

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Public Realm for NOMA Site, by Mecanoo, in Manchester, United Kingdom. NOMA represents a 20-acre regeneration of Manchester’s urban land which is owned by The Co-operative Group and Hermes Real Estate. This area is not only for living but also for the work, creativity, recreation and entertainment. Receiving the award for the highest-ever BREEAM rating of 95.32 %. It creates a new image for the city center of Manchester with a complete reconstruction and mixed-purpose neighborhood.

Public Realm for NOMA Site

The site is located on the northern fringe of Manchester’s city center, bounded by Angel Street to the north, Rochdale Road to the east, and Miller Street to the south. This public space around the Co-operative Group’s new headquarters on Angel Square – one of the world’s most sustainable buildings – was designed by Mecanoo.

It includes: public realm (8 hectares), a square with 60 percent green space (0.8 hectares), a courtyard for commercial purposes (0.5 hectares), and Arkwright Mill Garden (0.7 hectares). The location connects the city center to its largest park. The overall master plan seeks to generate a high-density, high-quality mixed-use neighborhood providing a variety of residential and business accommodations. More Articles Featuring Mecanoo:

• Is Nelson Mandelapark Amsterdam’s New Outdoor Living Room?
• How to Transform a Road into a Spectacular Park
• The Building That Wants to be a Landscape at Delft University of Technology

Focus on Sustainable Design

The architects focused on sustainability when they designed this space. Even the placement of surrounding buildings was selected very carefully. The whole space undulates, creating various smaller forms of landscape. Planted around these forms are trees, shrubs, and grasses that shape the whole space. Between them are lines that provide walkways through the space. Benches and seats in stainless steel and iroko wood line the pedestrian walkways.

The Ventilation Shafts The most important parts of this square are the three ventilation shafts that are several meters above ground level. They provide natural ventilation for the building’s indoor climate system. The central part of the square is called Angel Gardens. The concept for the garden is derived from the woven form of the building’s elevation, hearkening back to Manchester’s history as a center for cotton production. During the day, people can visit café terraces and facilities, but the space is closed in the evening.There is also a large, rolling lawn within the center of the space, with a mosaic of ornamental flowerbeds, clipped shrubs, and low hedges. Materials used for paving are granite and precast concrete. Modeling With the Wind Plants – mostly cedar and pine — are laid out so that they mitigate the effect of the wind. In addition, the trees were also selected for their appropriateness and tolerance to unique locations and conditions, offering a rich palette of colors throughout the year. The LED lighting was designed in a way that minimizes any spill into the surrounding areas. Setting the standard for best practices in sustainable building design, operation, and construction has become one of the most comprehensive and widely recognized measures of a building’s environmental performance. This project was really a challenge, but the designers managed to create an ecological oasis in the heart of a modern city. It is important to create such spaces, precisely because they represent the future of sustainable eco-cities. Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture Now! by Philip Jodidio
• Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns by John Massengale

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We take a closer look at Green Walls with key examples from green wall company Cultiwall. Green walls are becoming increasingly popular in modern architecture and landscape architecture. .Green walls — from the simplest ones built from climbers to the most exquisite and technologically advanced — are known for their aesthetic value, creation of ecosystems, and positive influence on a building’s heat efficiency. They also have a profound positive impact on air quality, especially in regard to humidity and dust content, both indoors and outdoors. There are many different types and systems of green walls, from the very simple to the increasingly technologically advanced. The simplest green wall usually consists of some sort of durable, lightweight support structure and climbers, growing up from the substrate at the base of the wall. Sometimes, the structure can support small containers of plants such as epiphyts, ferns, and small climbers. This way, the effect of undivided greenery is achieved faster and is varied. However, this type of green wall usually comes with its own problems — issues with the effective irrigation of plants and the visibility of the not-so-decorative planters.

Green Walls from Cultiwall

This is where the most sophisticated of green walls could be the solution. These are the walls that come closest to the idea of growing plants directly on vertical surfaces. One of the simplest and most effective systems currently on the market is produced by Cultiwall, part of the Saint Gobain Corp. Usually, green wall systems are based on strong construction, attached to the wall in a stable manner, and support the plant elements, which vary greatly depending on the manufacturer. Sometimes, it is simply a durable material formed into pockets.

More advanced green walls, such as those made by Cultiwall, are based on the construction of steel installation beams and modular panels with plants. The beams are required to be screwed tightly to the wall, while the panels are mounted on them without any additional screws. More Articles With Green Walls:

• The World’s Tallest Living Green Wall
• Going Vertical: The History of Green Walls
• 5 Amazing Facts About Green Walls That You Didn’t Know

The pockets or panels are filled with suitable substrate, which may be organic or — better still — mineral. For example, the panels of the Cultiwall system are filled with very light and durable mineral wool. The repetitiveness of the pattern and the modularity make the whole construction incredibly easy and fast to install, yet very stable and flexible in terms of design.

How to choose the right plant material for a green wall The plants for the green wall must be chosen with great care. The selection has to be made with the particular location in mind. The light conditions, temperature, humidity, and future maintenance must all be carefully considered. The designer might opt to place the species in more natural disarray or opt for sophisticated patterns. All the plants should require similar conditions and none of them should be too fast-growing to avoid have one species monopolize the whole wall. Taking Care of Irrigation The irrigation system is essential for the well-being of the plants. In the most advanced systems, it is an integral part of the green wall. The plants require the right amount of water as well as fertilizer. That is why Cultiwall comes equipped with an irrigation system, complete with sensors measuring the humidity and the temperature in the wool and in the air. The water can be directed outside or it can be collected and reused as appropriate.

The Rise in Popularity for Green Walls

Green walls are gaining in popularity. The numerous examples of the newest installations include one of the largest interior walls in Europe by Cultiwall, which has just been installed in Wrocław Zoo. The benefits of green walls can hardly be overlooked or overestimated. Their beauty and their positive influence in biodiversity and microclimate are certain to make them a major feature in our cities into the foreseeable future. The simplicity of the installation, the durability, the lightness, and the flexibility, combined with the prestige of the Saint Gobain company and the experience and knowledge of the Cultiwall engineers, make this system a definite number one for all landscape architects. Cultiwall Cultiwall is a part of a global enterprise – Saint Gobain. The Cultiwall green wall system is a flagship product of the highest quality, installed in many prestigious locations all over the world. You can download Cultiwall’s brochure by clicking here! Recommended reading:

• Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls by Nigel Dunnett
• Gardening Vertically: 24 Ideas for Creating Your Own Green Walls by Noémie Vialard

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LAN Tutorial: How to Place Large Quantities of Trees in a Master Plan Instantly with AutoCAD expert Rob Koningen. Placing a tree in a design for a garden is an entirely different task then placing trees in a design for a master plan of a few hectares. For a garden design, you pick the positions carefully; for a master plan, you may just need sheer quantity, roughly placed. And when that deadline is approaching, you may need to place them quickly. In this article, you will learn two ways to place trees — and place them fast.

How to Place Large Quantities of Trees

Sweep Your Mouse

It is recommended to use blocks for trees. The UrbanLISP Trail command allows you to place blocks with a free hand. Once the command is activated, you need to pick the block you prefer and click a point in the drawing. Then it’s just a matter of sweeping your mouse across the drawing. You will see points appearing behind the mouse. When you click again, the command will pause and wait for you to click again. When you hit enter, the command will end and will place a block on every point it created. You can control the spacing between the trees and the spread of the trees, so you can make a dense forest or an open forest. For every sweep, the blocks will be grouped, so if you’re not entirely satisfied with the position of that swipe, you can easily move them altogether. More AutoCAD Tutorials: 

• How to Show Topography in your Plan Drawing in AutoCAD
• How to Add Detail to Your Sections in AutoCAD
• How to Randomise Hatches in Your AutoCAD Drawing

Pick Points

If a forest is too dense, you might want to use the UrbanLISP Spray command. With this command, you can place clusters of blocks. Once you’ve picked the block of your preference, you can pick points in your drawing. Every time you click, the command will place a random number of blocks around the point you picked. By default, the command will place two to five blocks, a number that you of course can change. Also using the Spray command, you can determine the spread and spacing between the blocks and select an entire cluster as they are grouped together by default. You may not place trees with these commands in a garden design, but you could use them for other elements, such as rocks, stepping stones, or flowers. It all comes done to adding a lot of detail to your drawing instantly. After all, the more detail, the richer the drawing. The tools are here — how you use them is up to you! Watch the full Tutorial here: (1:40)

Recommended Reading:

• Digital Drawing for Landscape Architecture by Bradley Cantrell
• Detail in Contemporary Landscape Architecture by Virginia McLeod

Article and video tutorial by Rob Koningen You can see more of Rob’s work at UrbanLISP Return to Homepage

Roofpark Vierhavenstrip, by Buro Sant en Co with the municipality of Rotterdam, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. How can you combine and reunite indoor and outdoor urbanity? Have you ever wondered why the public space around shopping centers lacks urbanity and design? Well, in the majority of cases, the whole design of public spaces is brought indoors, so that the gap and in the spatial experience between inside and outside becomes greater in a negative way. The spaces outside the buildings remain without any creative design or the feeling of urbanity, which means safety and diversity in activities is not a given. To deal with this phenomena, Buro Sant en Co together with the municipality of Rotterdam created the project “Roofpark Vierhavenstrip” retail (indoor) with a spacious public roof park (outdoor), resulting in multiple positive aspects, not only for the surrounding neighborhood but also for the whole district.

It is a contribution that aids Rotterdam in getting greener without the loss of spaces for retail businesses. As a part of the European “Good practice report”, the innovation of the green roof park Vierhavenstrip represents the sustainable development of Rotterdam.

The Roofpark Vierhavenstrip

The location of the park – Delfshaven and Stadshaven – is one of national interest. This area will be transformed into an attractive, sustainable living and working port area. The access to the public garden on the roof is facilitated through a wide stairway that has a waterfall in the middle. The image of the park is shaped by “use of slopes, folded lines, and intertwining paths that together create a zigzag pattern” (santenco.nl) and is characterized by an abundance of footpaths.

Major Points of Interest Throughout the Park The eastern part prevails an urban character. It is located on the top of the commercial façade and is planted with tall trees and green hedges. The western part is accentuated by the folded surface and several theme gardens. The Roofpark has three special places: the Mediterranean garden, the playground, and the community garden. It also has a central water stairs and a greenhouse as focal points. “Flavoring Ingredients” Roofpark Vierhavenstrip is a combination of recreation, playground, catering, and a wide view of the city and port. But which are the main components that draw together the entire image of the roof park project? There are four elements that form the Roofpark Vierhavenstrip. The business (shopping center) is the first important component and also the enabler of the roof park. If you go “deeper”, the ground under the building is used as a service road, but it’s invisible to the outside world. A third element in the mixture is the dike with a protecting function for the city against floods. Related Articles: 

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A Creative Response This is a response to the biggest dilemma in Rotterdam — the water issues. Physically — but maybe also metaphorically — seen on the top of these ingredients and on the highest level is the park that completes the flavor of the project. Working with the given limitations – railway restrictions, harbor authorities, climate and constructional requirements, location on top of a building complex – this combination of elements has resulted in a public-accessible green park using creative and innovative solutions. Added Value Besides the popular benefits of a green roof, this project fulfills two special desires of the Rotterdam municipality: The need for a new park for the surrounding neighborhoods and improved quality of life in the district. Buro Sant’s en Co’s strategy was to involve the residents, the municipal services, and the developers in the intensive planning process. It became a pleasing place to live, work, and recreate, where not only the beauty, but also the usefulness of green roofs, were shown and communicated. 600 New Jobs Created On the eight hectares, there is enough space for local residents to meet and recreate, fulfilling their green wish. The whole project also answered to the desire for business growth. The shopping center means more employment in the district. The shops and the park created 600 new jobs in total. Simultaneously, the park provides a recreational space for the employees. A Shift in Thinking The way in which Buro Sant en Co managed to design the public space not around but on the top of a shopping center shows creativity, sustainability, and a shift from just indoor to indoor and outdoor urbanity. As one of the largest roof parks in the Netherlands, Roofpark Vierhavenstrip is an example of multiple ground and intensive spatial use. It is also a perfect example for doing the best with sites that have many limitations. The multifunctional use of space and the created indoor – the shopping center – and outdoor urbanity – the park – makes it a compact, green, sustainable, and healthy development in the district of Rotterdam. Now it’s time to wonder not about lack of style but the well-designed public space on the top of a shopping center! Recommended Reading:

• 100 Landmarks of the World: A Journey to the Most Fascinating Landmarks Around the Globe by Parragon Books
• Public Art: Theory, Practice and Populism by Cher Krause Knight

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University Park Essen, by Scape Landscape Architects, in Essen, Germany. University Park, designed by Scapes Landscape Architects, is an open space adjacent to the University of Duisburg-Essen, lying within easy reach of the campus, the city center, and Limbecker Square shopping mall. Not long ago, it was an urban wasteland. How could a disused railway site near the heart of Essen be transformed into a usable public space? This was the question the landscape architects had to answer when designing the park. The chosen design retains much of the existing layout and reflects the history of the site. The choice of material and the shape of the physical elements were inspired by the site’s history as a residential quarter for Krupps foundry workers. Three phases of the park have been completed and are open to the public. The fourth and final phase is due to be completed later this year.

University Park Essen

A Unique Design Strategy Based on the History of the Site At the turn of the last century, Essen-based Krupp was the largest company in Europe and famous for its steel production. Since the site has historical associations with the foundry, the designers used shapes inspired by foundry technology, including chamfers and non-right angle corners. Hence, elements from paths to street furniture, lawns to water basins, all display a uniformity of shape.

Embracing History in a New Park The elevated pathways are built with mastic asphalt and the promenades are in turn elevated above the narrower paths, giving the impression that the whole park is one homogenous iron element. Through the repetition of shapes and materials, the character of the old foundry lives in the new park. The park’s design is also inspired by nature, which is mimicked in many places, evoking the feeling of natural countryside. Human-scale Outdoor Spaces Geared Toward Practical Use The park is narrow and the surrounding buildings accentuate the narrow feeling. Being in the inner city, the park is expected to be intensely used by residents and other pedestrians. A spacious central promenade bisects the park, passing several specialized locations at various points along the path. Secondary paths radiate from the promenade to the park edges. Designed to Meet the Human Scale The park has been divided into smaller human-scale spaces, or specialized “places” that are dedicated to particular recreational pursuits or uses. A multifunctional main event area is located at the intersection of the major pathways. At one entrance to the park is a grove of ornamental fruit trees. A little further along is a place known as Play Park that is dedicated to games and sunbathing. Next is Garden Park, which includes lawns and ponds and is suitable for quiet recreation. Beside another entrance is Park Lounge, an attractive place for reading under the trees. Water Is Carefully Managed Rainwater from the site is contaminated and is not used for the ponds. Instead, water from surrounding areas is channeled into the central pond, where it is purified mechanically through an underground filter and biologically through the use of water-loving plants. Excess water is discharged into an adjacent creek. Plants For Many Purposes Plants are selected for character, to give the illusion of space, and for ease of maintenance. Shrubs are avoided for security reasons. Existing Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) trees mark the entrance near Berliner Square. A grove of ornamental fruit trees lies immediately to the west. Outer rows are planted in Japanese style. Trees lining the promenade include Magnolia, the Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa), American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and the Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa speciosa). Red Maples (Acer rubrum) line the avenues of the University Downtown axis. Related Articles: 

• Beautiful Plaza Celebrates Canadian Landscape
• Perez Art Museum Embraces the Landscape Inside and Out
• Ceramic Museum and Mosaic Garden

Water-purification basins dominate the northern end and are planted with marsh reeds and irises. The southern boundary is edged with grasses and shrubs. A part of the central promenade is lined with perennials and bulbs. Lighting for Nighttime Functionality Due to its location, the park is well trafficked even at night. The central promenade is brightly lit. Lighting provides security, but is not too obtrusive because of the presence of residential areas nearby. Secondary paths are darker yet adequately lit. Each place along the promenade is illuminated with angled spotlights to provide a stage-like atmosphere. A Design in Tune with a Philosophy for the Future University Park is an excellent example of how a former urban wasteland can be given a new lease on life as a public space with many uses, both functional and recreational. The design and rebirth of the site reflect the philosophy of Scapes. According to the firm, today’s landscape architecture goes beyond mere planting around buildings. Through the design of public open spaces, landscape architects are called to play a fundamental role in improving the quality of life of city dwellers. It is indeed possible to design high-quality landscapes with a relatively small use of resources. The firm advocates innovative and ecological construction methods and uses high-tech, three-dimensional modeling to enable a clearer visualization of the end result. Recommended Reading:

• 100 Landmarks of the World: A Journey to the Most Fascinating Landmarks Around the Globe by Parragon Books
• Public Art: Theory, Practice and Populism by Cher Krause Knight

Article by Gerard de Silva

Designers: Matthias Funk; staff: Sandra Belana, Kerstin Gehring, Jan Heimann, Sven Herrmann, Christian Marx, Johannes Middendorf, Bernd Nengel, Katharina Schuberth, Kai Spurling, Alexander Stark, Doron Stern, Ariane Wendt

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Fengming Mountain Park, by Martha Schwartz Partners, in Chongqing, China. Fengming Mountain Park is the kind of project that was meant to draw attention to the nearby development structures, but managed to attract visitors with its unique elements. Located in the Shapingba District of Chongqing, Fengming Mountain Park covers a surface of 16 hectares and bears the signature trademark of Martha Schwartz Partners, being commissioned by Vanke. The talented team has managed to take a space that was bleak and transform it into a genuinely dynamic urban experience, with amazing splashes of color. The project was completed in 2013 and it represented a definite success for the professional team of landscape architects.

Fengming Mountain Park

What Was the Original Idea Behind Fengming Mountain Park? The area occupied by this park reaches as far as an old housing quarter in the Shapingba district, surrounded on all sides by important roads such as the Fengxi Road, where one will also find the main entrance into the park. The original idea behind this project was to draw attention to the Vanke Golden City Development sales center, allowing visitors to enjoy unique and dynamic elements in the park at the same time. The team of landscape architects worked on this beautiful project, managing to go beyond the original idea and create a splendid space of urban living.

What Are the Unique Elements of This Project? Given the complexity of elements chosen for this project, it should come as no surprise that visitors can actually enjoy a dynamic experience when coming to Fengming Mountain Park. The choices included not only the mountain-shaped follies, but also elegant and carefully placed plazas, a splendid choice of greenery, and the most amazing water elements. It seems that every element has been chosen for its uniqueness, managing at the same time to draw attention to the closely located development project. The Topography of the Site While the mountain-shaped follies represent the most dynamic elements, special pathways have been created in order to facilitate the movement of visitors coming to the park. The topography of the entire area has been designed so as to facilitate the movement of vehicles, as well. Basically, vehicles can go directly from the car park to the sales center. Related Articles: 

• Beautiful Plaza Celebrates Canadian Landscape
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• Ceramic Museum and Mosaic Garden

An Entrance That Sucks you in Apart from the mountain follies or pavilions, one can instantly fall in love with the wonderful zigzag paths and the amazing colors that have been used for this project. Even the entrance into the park is lined with vivid shades of red and orange, the sculptures being strategically placed so as to draw visitors to the park. Multi-Functional Sculptures  The mountain pavilions are visible throughout the entire park, resembling a series of mountain shapes that have a pleasant aesthetic value. Plus, each pavilion serves a double purpose, providing shade during hot summer days and a beautiful glowing effect during the night. In fact, one can easily compare these strategically placed pavilions with the Chinese lanterns everyone knows and loves. Urban Identity Expressed Through a Series of Elegant Features Fengming Mountain Park has been designed with the concept of urban identity in mind. The team of architects working on the project has taken into consideration the future development and how this urban space is going to serve visitors not only in the present, but also in the future. For such purposes, they wanted to give elegant features to this park – moving on from the pavilions, zigzag paths were added and visitors can identify a beautiful geological pattern while visiting this park. A Point of Interest at Every Turn Each walking trail has been equipped with a platform from which people can enjoy the entire landscape. Dark concrete has been used for the making of balustrade walls that surround the paths, the rocky silhouettes adding even more elegance to the space. Everywhere you turn, you have a wonderful blend between nature and abstract elements, between static and dynamic features. Water is an Integrated Part of the Whole Dynamic of the Park It is a known fact that water elements often add a dynamic vibe to any project. With Fengming Mountain Park, you get to see water elements presented in the most diverse ways. Visitors can enjoy a wealth of water effects, including stream channels, small pools, and water jets. People are drawn not only by the cooling effect of the water, but also by the wonderful sounds and atmosphere created with the help of these water elements. All in all, water is responsible for making this unique landscape even more captivating. There are not many parks out there that can deliver an experience as dynamic as the one of Fengming Mountain Park. Visitors are guided through a unique journey, discovering mountain peaks, zigzagging pathways, and water features before reaching their final destination — the Sales Center. Talk about China and its ever-changing landscapes! Design Team: Martha Schwartz, Nigel Koch, Jasmine Ong, Christabel Lee, Aigars Lauzis, Ignacio Lopez-Buson, Ceylan Belek-Ombregt, Markus Jatsch and Gilles de Wever Recommended Reading:

• 100 Landmarks of the World: A Journey to the Most Fascinating Landmarks Around the Globe by Parragon Books
• Public Art: Theory, Practice and Populism by Cher Krause Knight

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Place de la Fontaine Chaude designed by OKRA in collaboration with OTC Engineering, AAPP Architects, in Dax, France.  At a time in which the global water supply is running out, it is hard to believe there are millions of liters of water flowing from a fountain in a city’s downtown. Dax is a small city established by the Romans in the 1st century AD, located in the southwest of France, and well known since Roman times for its thermal waters. The legend of the “Legionnaires’ Dog” illustrates the discovery of Dax’s waters’ healing abilities and the birth of hydrotherapy. According to the legend, a legionnaire stationed in Dax left his dog, crippled from rheumatism, in the river before leaving for battle. After he returned, he found his dog rejuvenated by the thermal mud. Today, the city lives up to its tradition and is one of the top health resort destinations in France, due to its waters’ rheumatism-treating qualities.

Place de la Fontaine Chaude

Located in the heart of the city and built in 1814, La Fontaine Chaude is the genuine symbol of the resort. As reported by the Dax  Commune, 2.4 million liters of water flows from the fountain, with temperatures reaching up to 64 degrees Celsius. Approximately 60,000 hydrotherapy patients go to the local thermal spas every year. In 2010, in an attempt to improve the citizens’ quality of life and increase tourism, the district decided to revitalize the La Fontaine Chaude and its surroundings.

A Two Phase Project The project was entrusted to OKRA. Originally, the revitalization project was divided into two phases of construction: the first one, with approximately 1.5 hectares, includes the central area — or esplanade — on the east side of the Fontaine Chaude portico, and it was completed in 2010 after two years of construction. The second phase, with 1.5 hectares total, has been divided into two: the central area on the east side of the Fontaine (stage A) and the “Place de la Course” on the north side along the city wall (stage B). The First Phase In the first phase, OKRA brought Dax’s downtown back to life with a great solution. The project concept seems simple and intuitive: to make cars and pedestrians co-exist harmoniously on the same carpet. Looking for a pedestrian-friendly platform, OKRA made the level of the street even with the level of the sidewalk. With this simple but fantastic solution, the area became more integrated, forcing all road users to slow down and look out for other users, improving safety while making the environment much more pleasant for everyone. Additionally, this solution further highlighted the La Fontaine Chaude, recovering its position in the center of the carpet and showing its deserved features. A Clever Lighting Design The lightning is another feature that makes a huge difference in the environment of the area. Instead of suggesting direct lighting in La Fontaine or even in the pedestrian area, OKRA adopted two indirect lighting solutions built into the pavement. One of the spotlights on the fountain is an art piece, and the other lightning element is the continuous line that surrounds the shape of the fountain’s public space. It is important to observe that many of the buildings that surround La Fontaine are cafes, restaurants, and shops with their own lighting, acting as complementary light to the public spaces. Considering this fact, OKRA’s solution for lighting, without a doubt, benefited both the public space and the merchants. Related Articles: 

• Beautiful Plaza Celebrates Canadian Landscape
• Perez Art Museum Embraces the Landscape Inside and Out
• Ceramic Museum and Mosaic Garden

The Design is in the Details Another element that shows the entire integration of the project is the shape and position of each architectural constituent. Three shapes should be especially noted: the paving pattern, the material pattern of the bench, and the La Fontain Chaude plan shape. Certainly, these shapes were carefully thought out by OKRA to be extensions of one another, composing an intricate geometric play. Indeed, these characteristics accentuate the attention to detail in every element of the project, which is certainly a mark of a successful project. The Second Phase The second phase makes more use of vegetation. Possibly, this solution was bounded by the fact that the square would be used to organize events and festivities and, thus, needed more ample spaces. In addition, the water table might also have limited the use of trees in the surroundings. OKRA renewed this area by creating an open space at the back of the monument named “Bosquet de la Fontaine”. The “Bosquet de la Fontaine” will be an excellent area for people to contemplate the fountain along wooden benches and in the shade provided by nine trees. The La Fontaine Chaude square revitalization plan exemplifies how history and functionality can be integrated to the benefit of the citizens, highlighting the important role of the thermal waters to the patients and to the city while preserving its centuries-long tradition. With a simple and admirable solution, OKRA restored not only Dax’s downtown, but also one of its most important historical monuments. Recommended Reading:

• 100 Landmarks of the World: A Journey to the Most Fascinating Landmarks Around the Globe by Parragon Books
• Public Art: Theory, Practice and Populism by Cher Krause Knight

Article by Sarah Suassuna Return to Homepage

“A Changing Neighborhood”, designed by Espace Libre, Mantes-la-Jolie, France. The urban neighborhood of Val Fourré, located in Mantes-la-Jolie, France, has undergone an amazing transformation, going from bleak to awe-inspiring. The project was completed in 2014 and it covers an area of 56,500 square meters. Escape Libre was the firm responsible for the successful project, commissioned by HLM Interprofessionelle Région Paris. This is the kind of project that demonstrates how much it is possible to change a neighborhood; starting from inspiration and adding talent, one can ensure urban renewal at its finest. Nature is brought back to being the source of everything that is alive and beautiful, blending in with the rest of the urban landscape. 

“A Changing Neighborhood”

What Was It Like Before? When the neighborhood of Val Fourré was developed in the 1960s, it was surrounded by nature on all sides. There was the Mantes forest, the Vexin hillsides, and the Seine River, each bringing its own appeal to the urban area. Urban boulevards were created from the conversion of major roads, as the main idea was to link Mantes-la-Jolie with neighboring towns.

Parking spaces were transformed from private to public, thus allowing more space to be obtained. However, in time, the neighborhood degraded and its aspect was desolate, to say the least. Has Val Fourré Been Reborn from its Ashes? Thanks to the talented people working on the project, Val Fourré, like the mythical phoenix, went from bleak to fascinating. The architects working on the project knew how to eliminate all the sadness and the gray, taking advantage of what the neighborhood had to offer. They wanted to make a shift toward nature, making the space a pleasant place to live. And they succeeded, bringing the exceptional landscape back into the center of attention. What Was the Inspiration for the Project? As this is the kind of neighborhood in which nature is present in almost every part, it was not difficult for the architects to find their source of inspiration. They took nature as their major source of inspiration. Through talent and experience, the architects chose to link each landscape element, including the water, with the rest of the existing environment. Related Articles:

• How The Fish Market Plaza Revamped This Forgotten Site
• Sjövikstorget Square: Traditional Techniques in Modern Landscape Architecture
• Discover the Ancient Secrets of the Physic Garden 

What Changed in the Neighborhood? Perhaps one of the most interesting changes was related to the capturing of stormwater. Marshlands, meadows, and infiltration basins were carefully chosen for such purposes. Regional plants were added and special materials were included for a high-infiltration guarantee (grass concrete). It was the delicate and yet highly efficient urban planning that led to a change in this urban neighborhood. The approach was clearly connected to nature, as every landscape element was highlighted in the most unique manner. The neighborhood slowly became a prime example of what sustainable development should be all about. What Elements Were Chosen for the Urban Renewal of the Neighborhood? In changing the face of the neighborhood, it was necessary for the buildings to receive a makeover, as well. The undulating buildings are now in touch with the beautiful Vexin hillside. It is amazing how nature was connected to an urban area and how simple elements made such a huge difference. How Nature was Brought Closer to the Residents To bring nature even closer to the residents, each building was adorned with a green roof. This allowed for the buildings to integrate more easily into the landscape, but also represented a step toward sustainable development. The water was an element of unity and structure. Because of its closeness, it was reproduced in an undulating form, as well. Different scales were chosen for such purposes, and many references were made to this aquatic element. This project was a clear blend between architecture and landscaping. It was meant to bring the residents of the neighborhood closer to nature, and it succeeded 100 percent in achieving this objective. Nature, with all of its elements, is so present in Val Fourré that it would be a shame not to include it in an urban change project. Local residents have enjoyed the urban renewal of the neighborhood, as they were brought closer to nature and were allowed to forget about the previous bleak aspect that characterized the area. Today, thanks to the urban renewal, this area has turned from grim to exceptional and the site can be given as an example of talent, knowledge, and skill. There are beautiful views to be discovered, with so many elements of nature nearby. One can enjoy the Vexin hillsides from the inside or outside of the buildings. Recomended Reading: 

• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke
• 1000x Landscape Architecture by Braun Publishing AG (COR)

Article by Alexandra Antipa Return to Homepage

Our partners Building Trust International are are aiming to save wildlife with eco-lodges. Building Trust international are pleased to announce a new sustainable design prototype for an eco-lodge that will assist local villagers protecting natural areas by attracting local and foreign tourists to see critically endangered species thereby creating local income that is not based on selling forest products. Building Trust international have worked alongside Atelier COLE, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Sam Veasna Center (SVC) on a new eco-lodge designed and built by the local community, NGO partners and through a hands-on participatory design and build workshop.

Eco-lodges in Cambodia

A Special Request Building Trust were requested by WCS to work with the local community in Tmat Boey, in the north of Cambodia to design and construct a new lodge facility for WCS and SVC’s well established award winning eco-tourism project. The project is located in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary and is managed by the Ministry of Environment. Why are Birdwatchers Flocking to Cambodia? Birdwatchers from across Asia and beyond flock to Cambodia for a glimpse of two of the world’s rarest birds: the giant ibis and its cousin the whiteshoulderedibis. The birds’ nesting grounds sit at the outskirts of Tmat Boey, a rural village where WCS and SVC have worked with the community to develop an eco-tourism project. This ground breaking project has turned village farmers into custodians of the natural habitats the wildlife around them inhabit. Protecting threatened forests and in doing so providing an income to the whole community. Sustainable Thinking in Action The community receive a conservation contribution from every visitor who sees an ibis while on their tour. These community contributions are then used by the village to purchase items such as medical supplies, school books and pay for repairs to local infrastructure. A great incentive for the locals to protect these magnificent birds. Making the Most out of Natural Material The design makes use of natural materials such as earth and bamboo. An adobe mix was created to place on the external walls with a lime plaster used to form a smooth, clean finish. Bamboo was sourced locally and used to create the roof and side wall facades. Recycled plastic bottles were collected from the local community and used to help create a staircase to reach the lodge itself, while also educating on the importance of recycling and reusing materials. It is hoped the newly designed lodge will attract wildlife enthusiasts from Asia and beyond who while being amongst nature will be inspired by the sustainably built lodge. The adobe and lime plaster have a cooling effect and the form creates a natural airflow throughout. The new building features moveable swinging windows which were built from locally sourced timber and can be positioned to allow guests to watch wildlife from thecomfort of their own room. Ecological Thinking is Just Common Sense Applied The overhanging split roof was used to create a frame protecting the natural materials within. The concept of the wrap around angled roof is based on reducing solar gain on the walls and defining the building against the dense forest canopy with more than a nod to traditional northern Cambodian architecture. See more wonderful features on Building Trust International: 

• Building Trust International-PLAYscapes Competition
• Building Trust International Interview
• Reflecting on the Past While Looking Forward to the Future with Wildlife Conservation

The workshop itself allowed for the crossover of skills between the Tmat Boey community, local contractors and Building Trust volunteers. Working alongside the community ensured ownership of the project by the people it supports. Building Trust are due to host a number of design and build workshops throughout 2015 promoting natural building, community engagement and sustainable construction techniques.

“WCS and BTI share a set of core values, valuing high quality outputs with a commitment to sustainability. We also share a similar approach; community consultation is at the heart of what we do, at every stage of the conservation process, because of this we are excited to work with BTI. Their beautiful, functional and sustainable designs help us increase the benefits that remote communities receive from the biodiversity values of the areas where they live and we work.” Ross Sinclair, Director, WCS Cambodia Press Release from Louise Cole, Building Trust International You can find out more about Building Trust International on their official LAN Partners page here! Return to Homepage

Killesberg Park by Rainer Schmidt Landschaftsarchitekten GMBH, in Stuttgart, Germany. Every place has its own story. And that story very often is the line framing its authentic character and spirit. In order to reinforce the unique experience each site bears, designers try to “capture” that spirit within their projects. But capturing isn’t enough. It is just the beginning of what is needed for a successful human intervention. To make the most of a place, there are a few necessary and sufficient conditions. They cover the understanding that nature and history should always be treated with respect. In this way only, designers will find the balance between design and function, emotion and conservation. Finding that balance isn’t easy, but it isn’t impossible, either. Landscape architects from Rainer Schmidt Landschaftsarchitekten GMBH found it; let’s see how their project Killesberg Park proves what’s been stated above.

Killesberg Park

The Story Behind the Landscape The history of Killesberg Park dates back to the time when the area was used as a quarry for industrial purposes. Years of mining at this sandstone quarry caused severe damage to the landscape’s topography. And although the place had a prime location, the land was unsuitable for buildings on account of its former use. Since the 1920s, the goal of planning the area has been focused on connecting the separate parks and gardens of Killesberg. An early sign of its current use came in 1939, when the city of Stuttgart applied to host the Reichsgartenschau (National Garden Show). This is when the idea to redevelop the area and make it an accessible green space for residents emerged.

Two Interweaving Themes, One Design Concept And since the citizens were the people who would actually visit the park and spend time there, they inevitably had to take part in the design process. As a result, the design of the park was the fruit of the collaborative work among landscape architects, local authorities, and the local population. “graceful fusion of the two themes“ The starting point of the design concept was the graceful fusion of the two themes that characterize Killesberg – soft, natural landscapes and manmade quarries as hard topographies. The hard karst forms, representing the typical quarry topography, change over time, varying from sharply broken hardscape into soft, rounded landscapes covered by earth and greenery. The trans-formative process is simulated through the gradual softening of the irregular shapes, which become green “cushions”. In this way, the park topography is sculpted by meter-high meadow cushions laid among the path network. The meadow profiles also unite the three areas of Feuerbach Heath, Green Joint, and the Park before the Red Wall, as they blend them together in the overall picture. A new landscape arises, and tells its own story. Playing With Perspective Besides the praiseworthy approach of designers to treasure and reinforce the identity of the park, there is one more creative aspect within the project that deserves attention. The dynamic forms of the new landscape provide a variety of different perspectives due to the eye-height raised topography and the sunken path network in between the meadows. A playful optical illusion skews the perception of human scale and makes people feel like they are entirely absorbed in the landscape. This is a perfect example of a surprising element in the park, which brings new experiences and sensations to visitors. Related Articles: 

• Beautiful Plaza Celebrates Canadian Landscape
• Perez Art Museum Embraces the Landscape Inside and Out
• Ceramic Museum and Mosaic Garden

Forward-looking Design Within all these new sensations and underlying themes honoring the social and environmental past lies the ultimate idea of creating a future-oriented design. The idea is implemented by different environmentally conscious methods used in the construction of the ecosystem in the area. The main sustainable and ecological approaches used in the project are two: • The rain water management is successful due to the underground cistern, which collects water from roofs and pipes it to the park’s lake. After that, water returns to its natural circulation; • The park’s green “pillows” form various biotopes for flora and fauna by their individual microclimatic conditions. The meadow grasses require mowing only twice a year, which reduces significantly the money and time spent on their maintenance.

Interaction Between People and Nature Sustainability is just one of the numerous ways people can attest to their love and respect for nature. And if accompanied by a treasured history and a functional, interactive design, as in Killesberg Park, landscape architects may know for sure that they have made the most of the place. For they have found the much needed balance in design, which determines the way people interact with each other and with nature. Awards: Phases 2 – 9 HOAI, 1st Prize, 2008; Certificate of sutainability in Gold from DGNB (the German Sustainanble Building Council) Article by Velislava Valcheva Recommended Reading:

• 100 Landmarks of the World: A Journey to the Most Fascinating Landmarks Around the Globe by Parragon Books
• Public Art: Theory, Practice and Populism by Cher Krause Knight

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Netherlands Army Museum and Netherlands Air Force Museum Landscape Design, by H+N+S Landscape Architects in the Former Airbase Soesterberg, the Netherlands. War is a painful, devastating, and dynamic situation. Maintaining the memory of such events is hard, yet necessary in order to protect the next generations from repeating the mistakes of the past. This should be the purpose of a war museum nowadays. The landscape design for the Netherlands Army Museum and the Netherlands Air Force Museum sheds a new light on the concept of memory and provides a new perception regarding our notions of war, history, and the armed forces.

Netherlands Army Museum and Netherlands Air Force Museum

The complex that houses both museums is located in the facilities of a former military airbase called Soesterberg. The location bears traces of World War II history and NATO use, and also maintains important natural qualities. What is truly fascinating about this project is that what once used to be part of the military facilities has been restored into a natural reservoir. It appears as if nature has taken its toll over human action. The museum complex seen from above seems to have been invaded by the adjacent forest and heath. This coexistence forms a dynamic relationship between the building and its surroundings, which gives more emphasis to the museums’ character.

The intervention has dealt with the following issues:

• Forming the museums’ surroundings as well as interesting vistas toward the landscape from the building’s interior, also serving to complement the museums’ exhibitions.
• Creating access to the museum complex.
• Preserving and restoring the important traces of the military base.
• Allocating a monument, a memorial garden, and a 3,000-person arena.
• Restoring the 45-hectare area and creating a sustainable sylvan ecosystem.

The museum complex is divided into three terraces. Each terrace has a special function. The top of the hill is a natural landmark surrounded by a heath valley. On the middle terrace — where the visitor arrives — the history of the area is displayed. The museum complex itself has been situated near the runways. The arena is on the lowest level, and there is a memorial area with garden and plaza on the east side.

Preserving History Through Design The structure of the former military base has been preserved. Elements such as the gabions wall that was originally used for military purposes now forms part of the retaining walls. Crumbled remnants of a hangar entry platform have been left onsite to recall a trace of the past. This gesture gives destruction an almost poetic dimension. A new interpretation of military elements redeems them from their former role and invents a new use for them. Related Articles: 

• Beautiful Plaza Celebrates Canadian Landscape
• Perez Art Museum Embraces the Landscape Inside and Out
• Ceramic Museum and Mosaic Garden

The Style of Planting  The planting scheme plays an important role in the intervention. An inviting and ecologically significant forest has been developed around the museum complex. The innovative planting plan was put together in collaboration with forest ecologists and was inspired by natural forest dynamics. The Purpose of the Memorial Garden The memorial and the memorial garden have been clearly outlined in the master plan. This is an introverted open space that allows for reflection and silence. The planting scheme bears various connotations that enhance the strong symbolism of the garden. The monument is surrounded by a large, round taxus hedge. The robust form of the hedge creates a sense of enclosure while being outdoors. Along the hedge, a planted area with borders in color palettes has been created. The blooming color variations tell a story that leads from war, which is red, via emotions, noted with purple, toward reflection colored with blue, and finally reaching peace that has been marked with white. The museum complex entryway is elevated above the ground. It seems that one has to become detached from the surroundings in order to enter the museums. This sense of transcendence can also be observed in the elevated entry bridge in the fern garden. Visitors cross the landscape, yet they are not part of it. This design gesture seems to me like introducing war history and characteristics to people, but keeping them at a safe distance from this narrative. It is an almost dramatic aspect of the intervention.

Netherlands Army Museum and Netherlands Air Force Museum

This project has managed to reveal beauty where beauty was hard to find. It has not evaded the context and the history of the place, nor did it turn away from the negative tension that the memory of war bears. The Netherlands Army Museum and the Netherlands Air Force Museum Landscape Design has taken context, history, nature, and landscape narrative a step further. Recommended Reading:

• 100 Landmarks of the World: A Journey to the Most Fascinating Landmarks Around the Globe by Parragon Books
• Public Art: Theory, Practice and Populism by Cher Krause Knight

Article by Eleni Tsirintani Return to Homepage