Spring Street Park, by Lehrer Architects, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A The historic Old Bank District of Los Angeles is beautiful and has a lot of potential for renovation. In 2013, Spring Street Park opened, occupying a 0.7-acre space in the form of an L-shaped lot. The project was the result of a fruitful collaboration between the Bureau of Engineering (Department of Public Works, City of Los Angeles) and Lehrer Architects. The new urban park serves a need for an outdoor public space in the area. Revival of an old district made possible through urban development of Spring Street Park The architects recognized the potential of the Old Bank District. They have taken into consideration the creation of an urban park, preferring bold designs in order to make their statement. The area needed to be developed as the number of residential properties increased. It is common knowledge that any increase in the residential density will eventually attract a development where the urban infrastructure is concerned.

Spring Street Park is a wonderful addition to the Old Bank District. The park was designed to be low maintenance, but also long-lasting and functional. All the elements chosen for the park come together to demonstrate that urban development does not necessarily have to be overwhelming; it can be simple and yet highly functional.

Overcoming challenges at Spring Street Park

Like any project, Spring Street Park had to overcome design challenges. When the idea for the project started to form, the Old Bank District was marked by overall degradation. Plans for the urban park called for two parking lots to be reclaimed, and this was perhaps one of the biggest challenges to overcome. The idea was that these parking lots were soon to become Spring Street Park. The architects wanted the park to become the focal point of attention in the neighborhood. The project stemmed from genuine passion and was based on bringing something new to an old, historic neighborhood. WATCH: Construction of Spring Street Park – Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) An even bigger challenge related to obtaining approval for the project. The new urban park was bold and had a unique design. There were many people who had to be convinced that the community would benefit from it. Once again, it was the vision of the talented architects that helped the project become a reality. Related articles:

• Top 10 Reused Industrial Landscapes
• Community Turn Abandoned Industrial Site into Public Park
• $3 Million Investment in Urban Park Breathes New Life into Dying Downtown

Elements of detail sparkle in this amazing Spring Street Park

When considering the elements for the park, the architects had to take into consideration the historic context, not to mention the blend between old and new. The park was designed as a response to the needs of the community; the visual appeal had to be quite high, allowing for residents of the neighborhood to enjoy the park up close, but also from their windows and balconies.

The park was adorned with bench chairs, also designed by Lehrer Architects. These bench chairs are great for sitting, but they are also used for art displays at the monthly Downtown Art Walks. The backs of the seats are made from aluminum, guaranteeing a wonderful show of lights when the sun is high in the sky. The bamboo pattern is elegant and allows for the light to be filtered. Perhaps one of the most interesting elements is the red concrete path cutting across Spring Street Park diagonally. This element is vibrant and somehow manages to bring the park into a modernistic future. Plus, the path can be used for cycling, jogging, or even a simple stroll. Another element of modernism is represented by the elliptical lawn, surrounded by green-screen columns and lights. The bamboo hedge is all around the elliptical lawn, surrounding it to perfection. The acoustic element chosen for this urban park is the fountain. This is found near the street, so that it can be enjoyed by people who are walking in the park and also by those who are walking along the street. Aluminum has also been chosen to highlight the entrances to the park. Instead of conclusion, a revelation Urban parks are becoming more necessary in today’s modern world than one would ever imagine. As we are surrounded by so much technology, we need a place such as Spring Street Park to go outside and reconnect with nature. This urban park fully supports the idea of sustainable development, having been designed with the idea of low maintenance and water recirculation. This is the kind of project that every neighborhood should consider. Recommended Reading:

• The Contemporary Garden by Editors of Phaidon Press
• Gardens in Detail: 100 Contemporary Designs by Emma Reuss

Article  by Alexandra Antipa Return to Homepage

Biophilia is considered to be the missing link in sustainable design. Biophilia aims to provide space for respectful and enriching relationships between human society and the natural world. Anyone looking for the key to a future of prosperity that respects the Earth and improves everybody’s life should know about biophilia. Community gardens, healing gardens, and even gardens for prisoners – all of these types of landscapes are designed with biophilia in mind. Biophilia is the last missing piece in the puzzle of sustainable and healthy cities.

The Definition and Meaning of Biophilia

Originating from the ancient Greek (bios “life” and philia “love”), the term biophilia literally describes the love for life and expresses the ethos of maintaining and developing the life of mankind in all dimensions (physical, psychological, social, artistic, moral, etc.). It was Harvard University biologist Edward O. Wilson who coined the term biophilia for design, defining it as “the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life” and arguing that every person has an innate and evolutionary-based affinity for nature. WATCH: Biophilic Design How Does Biophilia Affect Human Life and What Are the Impacts on Landscape Architecture? Even if lots of people would call city dwellers or technology freaks their own separate species, it cannot be denied that all human beings evolved within nature and that we will always feel most comfortable surrounded by green landscapes. Numerous studies over the last few years have proven the positive impact of green spaces on the lives and work quality of every human being. However, biophilic design goes even further. In biophilic spaces:

• patients recover more quickly,
• students learn better,
• retail sales are higher,
• workplace productivity increases, and
• absenteeism goes down

How to Design with Biophilia

Integrating biophilic design strategies into your projects starts with using sustainably produced, natural materials from the region and incorporating views to natural textures and colors, as well as natural sounds and fragrances. But the most interesting part is to arouse the forgotten human connectedness to nature through those various elements. Joseph Clancy, an emerging expert on biophilia and a colleague of mine, already has given us an interesting insight into biophilic design on a bigger scale with his article What Makes a Biophilic City? Regardless of scale, people find peace and relaxation and can draw strength from biophilic spaces. Healing gardens at hospitals are one of the best examples of biophilic design. The “Garden of Healing and Renewal” at the McLaren Health Care Village in Michigan is one of those great examples. The different water elements, sculptures, and the plethora of different views of nature bridge the gap from a random park to a sustainable biophilic garden. Various seating options allow visitors to regenerate and find inner peace. Plenty of fountains and lush gardens allow active interaction with natural elements for both adults and children. Visitors can also experience the seasonal changes close up, which helps people synchronize their internal clocks in periods of personal change. Related Articles:

• What Makes a Biophilic City
• 5 Great Ecological Powerhouses of Landscape Architecture
• 5 Amazing Facts About Green Walls That You Didn’t Know

Singapore’s “Gardens by the Bay” is another example of biophilic design. This park offers a green oasis in the midst of the city for those who want to escape from the stress of everyday urban life. The vertical gardens of the so-called Supertree Grove are not only an architectural highlight that serves to provide air intake, but they also mimic natural shapes and give visitors insights into nature. The different play of light during the day and in the night creates different tensions and varies the sensory experience of a space within time, change, and transition. Biophilia owns the power to stimulate a wellspring of profitable innovations. While some of the leading examples of green design incorporate aspects of biophilia, many others unfortunately do not. Now it is up to us to implement the concept of biophilia into the everyday design process, because we as designers have the power to change our designs. We have the responsibility to restore natural stimuli and experiences into the built environment, to create places that are not only beautiful to look at, but also give people the chance to improve their lives and experience their innate human affinity for nature in these new, sustainable biophilic places. Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Sophie Thiel Return to Homepage

16-March-15 In this week’s Latest News in Landscape Architecture we share an interesting interview with Martha Schwartz, highlight an amazing residential apartment complex modeled after a treehouse, and announce Rome’s plans to design an elevated park of their own. Did you know that when you Google “elevated park” you’re presented with about 102,000,000 results! (Click the headline for the full story) Design Professionals Should Be Leaders, Not Followers: Sourceable As the headline says, design professionals should strive to be leaders. However, what does this mean for landscape architects? In a bold op-ed, Daniel Bennett, Vice President of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, makes the claim that in order “to achieve a more integrated approach, designers, including landscape architects, need to stand up and make more informed, wider contributions and start lobbying to make these city-shaping projects better for the people they serve.” Ultimately, Bennett contends that designers must leverage their design thinking in the early project phases and challenge the typical flow of project procurement by doing their due diligence rather than simply seeking a ‘brief’. Related Article: 6 Reasons Why Our Future Depends On Landscape Architecture Q&A With Landscape Architect Martha Schwartz: Newsweek One of the top landscape architects in the modern-day recently conducted an interview with Newsweek. Throughout the interview, Martha Schwartz  offered tremendous insight on the future of the profession, while reflecting on her more than 32 years of experience. While I encourage everyone to read the entire article, below are a few highlights.

• “The profession has grown immensely. It is the fastest-growing design profession in the U.S.”
• “I also love really tough and rough projects such as post-industrial sites, trying to both heal the ecologies but also make an artistic impact to positively re-characterise the damage to that site.”
• “The issue of demographic, climate, social and political change, and how these forces act upon cities, is going to keep the profession alive and busy.”

Related Article: Top 10 Influential Landscape Architects WATCH: Landscape Architecture – Beyond Green Vertical Forest: An Urban Treehouse That Protect Residents from Air and Noise Pollution: This is Colossal Nestled in northern Italy, Turin is a significant business and cultural destination in the Piedmont region often referred to as the “Capital of the Alps”. While it’s renowned for its neo-classical, renaissance, and art nouveau architecture—something strikingly different has come to the scene. At first glance it looks like a “treehouse on steroids”, but after further analysis this urban treehouse titled 25 Verde is beautifully designed by Luciano Pia. Rising 5-stories, this whimsical residential apartment building houses 150 trees, which absorb about 200,00 liters of carbon dioxide per hour! Rather than trying to artfully describe this project, I recommend clicking the headline above to view the images—simply stunning! WATCH: Work Smarter Not Harder 21 Ways Architects Can Work Smarter, Not Harder: ArchDaily Let’s face it architects [and landscape architects] are counted on by many, including team members, clients, contractors, family, etc. and that’s just the beginning! In order to stay focused, efficient, and productive it’s critical to minimize distractions, however we’re often wondering where to start. Here are a few ways to work smarter, not harder courtesy of ArchSmarter.

• “Remember the 80/20 principle Eighty percent of your results come from just twenty percent of your effort. Focus on results, not work. More hours does not always equal more results.”
• “Tackle the thing you really don’t want to do first thing in the morning, when you’re fresh. Get it done, then you can move on to the tasks you actually enjoy.”
• “Don’t check your email. Process it instead.”

Related Article: 9 Productivity Killers in the Studio and How to Avoid Them  Parkour for Kids: The Dirt In the United States, playgrounds are all-too-often destroyed by fears of litigation, injuries, and ultra-protective and unadventurous play amenities. Yet, the Amsterdam-based landscape architecture practice, Carve Landscape Architecture has been designing arguably some of the most intriguing and exciting playgrounds in the world—serving as inspiration of what playgrounds can become. Through bold, bright colors, strong forms, and challenging obstacles, their projects are now popping up in Turkey and Singapore. Last year, Carve designed Interlace  in Singapore, which emulates nearby apartment blocks. “While most playgrounds are a contrast to their surroundings – in color, shape, and activity – the new Interlace playground is the mini-version of the surrounding residences.” Related Article: What are the Benefits of Natural Play? Italian Architects Look To Replicate Success of N.Y. High Line in Rome: NPR The famous elevated park known as the High Line,  located in the Lower West Side of Manhattan drew nearly 5 million visitors in 2014 making it among one of the most-visited attractions in New York City! Since its inception, several cities have replicated the concept [many are still in the conceptual or construction phase] including Washington, DC (11th Street Bridge Park), Chicago (The 606), Miami (Underline) and now Rome is the latest to jump on the elevated park craze. Under the leadership of Renzo Piano, young architects have formed a team entitled G124  and are transforming an abandoned one-mile elevated concrete stretch into a community space. “When you walk 25-30 feet above ground, it is a miracle,” he says, “because you are still in the city — you feel in the city but you are flying above the city. You are in the middle of trees, and that is a moment of beauty,” exclaims Piano. WATCH: PREVIEW: Great Museums: Elevated Thinking: The High Line in New York City For all of the hottest news continue to follow us on Facebook  and Twitter. Have news to share? Send to office@landarchs.com News report by Brett Lezon Return to Homepage

Aqua Magica Park by Agence Ter Landscape Architects, Between Bad Oeynhausen and Löhn, Germany. There is a distinct style of expression in the art of landscape architecture that refers to our sensory perception. These are the so-called ephemeral means. Despite their transient character, the presence of ephemeral means in parks and gardens is essential for the successful formation of realistic natural surroundings. Light, shadow, sound, scent, and fauna in the park are among the many vehicles used to achieve the most significant purpose of our art – the establishment of a connection between humans and nature.

An excellent example displaying the expedient use of such means of expression is the Aqua Magica project, designed by Agence Ter Landscape Architects. The project won an international competition for the design and staging of the Regional Garden Show 2000, launched by the spa towns of Bad Oeynhausen and Löhne, Germany. The award-winning design is a combination of two dimensions covering the creation of public spaces and the setting of event equipment. The design concept offers both ephemeral gardens and bases for demonstrations, and is based on the underlying theme of water, which is one of the recurrent themes in the agency’s projects.

Water as a focal point at Aqua Magica Park

The idea of water as an underlying theme was born in the ideas competition for the show. The team, led by the French landscape architect Henri Bava, came up with an unusual idea, which didn’t stay just on the surface of the site. They went down into the depths of Löhne and Bad Oeynhause and discovered healing water and geological structures, which before long were brought out to the surface. Thus, the team designed and created a water crater as an “intervention point” at which visitors would have the opportunity to be a part of a magical underworld and experience something different.

Regional rebirth at Aqua Magica Park To fulfill this purpose, they had to make the healing salt water spring a unique and distinctive treasure, visible and tangible for the whole region. In this way, a forgotten spa region was revitalized, due to the new life breathed by Aqua Magica. And through the understanding that water is an emotional experience, designers decided to make the water crater an accessible, underground fountain sculpture, dwelt by the miracle of magic water. Related Articles:

• Innovation in Water Management for Stunning Landscape Design
• Baltic Sea Art Park Crosses the Boundary Between Land and Water
• 9 Ways Landscape Architects Can Conserve Water

Aqua Magica Park: A journey to the underworld

The journey to the underworld begins with a spiral pathway, which is the backbone of the park. The avenue is designed to highlight the subterranean fault lines of the landscape and to give visitors a free view of the whole scenery. It leads to a staircase winding 18 meters down to the bottom of the fountain. Wire baskets with boulders (gabions) support the cut-rock walls, while water falls right at the source, into the ground. While slowly approaching the crater, the mystic atmosphere draws you through its spell. Simmer. Hiss. Then stillness. This is how you sense the immense might of water. Going deeper and deeper, sounds grow louder, light gets weaker, and water comes closer. And there you are – at the heart of the crater. Suddenly, vapor surrounds you. The hissing gets louder again. Water suddenly springs with all the pressure of the earth’s core! All you can do at that moment is hold your breath and contemplate. For in this particular moment, you actually feel the water.

Sensory perception in the different elements of Aqua Magica Park That’s how the ephemeral means work. Water and sound, water and light — or the absence of them — all contribute to that unique experience. In addition to the water adventure, Aqua Magica Park offers other elements in  that evoke people’s sensory nature. The berry garden, full of berry bushes and edible plants, awakens your senses to the most beautiful everyday pleasures through smelling, tasting, eating, and feeling. Then there is the rose garden, inviting you in for a walk of fragrance among the graceful beauty of the red roses. The journey continues with a sculpture garden, symbolizing the renewal of the region; the Aqua Magica Café, attracting visitors to taste a wide variety of coffee extracts; and finishes with the water gardens, where mirror-like surfaces reflect the tranquility of water. Aqua Magica Park creates a strong imprint Having used all of those sense-triggers within the park, the designers have successfully created a place that has its own distinctive character. And besides being distinctive, Aqua Magica Park is certainly going to be remembered. It will leave a strong memory of the experience in each visitor, because of all the senses unlocked in them through their moments in the park. After all, isn’t that the virtue of landscape architecture — to help people feel nature, and then to celebrate that feeling? Recommended Reading:

• Design with Nature by Ian L. McHarg
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farr

Article written by Velislava Valcheva Return to Homepage

TUMO Park by  Bernard Khoury/DW5, Yerevan, Armenia TUMO Park, designed by  Bernard Khoury/DW5, is an outdoor extension of the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies in Yerevan, Armenia. The park creates a “geometrical three-dimensional abstraction of the existing topography by connecting the abstracted vertices, forming inclined triangular solid planes.” (Bernard Khoury, 2011) It consists of a series of pedestrian paths and variations of oblique surfaces that connect the TUMO building with an existing public municipal park. Because of its scale — a 6,000-square-meter open area — TUMO Park becomes an urban park that is so big and complicated in its form and program that it faces a lot of landscape challenges. One of the most wonderful design solutions this park gives us is its ability to exploit the topography of the project site.

The park is divided into two sections: the open atrium at the top of the park, connected to the TUMO Center building; and the urban park, which provides the option to enjoy panoramic views and a comfortable green space away from the traffic and urban noise.

A 3D mesh, a 3D link at TUMO Park

Together with the use of the actual topography of the site, the geometric design of TUMO Park is based on the use of triangles. This basic form is represented as triangular concrete pavements, triangular wooden pavements, triangular dry fountains, and triangular grassy areas. All these types of triangles are carefully distributed around the park in order to create a sinuous route that connects all of its spaces. The use of triangles not only follows the topography, but also is ruled by pedestrian circulations, triangular ramps with the adequate slope, in order to get access from the building to the bottom part of the park, where a basketball court is located.

One of the key concepts of the park is integration. This concept is not only applied to the relationship between park and building, but also to the different types of users and their activities that take place within the park. This allows a complete visual relationship with Armenia’s landscape. Despite the possible limitation of the topography, DW5 uses this condition in order to magnify the panoramic views of the site. The use of the minimum quantity of trees is established in order to respect the general view of the TUMO Center building and to maintain the constant visual reference of the building and the park. By all these design strategies, each visitor creates a unique relationship with the urban context, the existing forest, and the building. Related Articles: 

• Plaza Design Turns Dead Space Into a Vibrant Livingroom at Stadtlounge, Switzerland
• Gasworks Into Artworks – The Rebirth of Dublin’s Waterfront
• Shanghai Red Carpet Park Lets People Reflect on Their Everyday Lives

The little pieces of TUMO Park that make the whole

The last part of the park is composed of a hard square plaza that allows for public events, such as concerts, exhibitions, or dance competitions. This final plaza also surrounds a fountain built during the Soviet era, which creates a fresh environment of humidity and water sound. The wooden benches reinforce the pedestrian network that makes everything function. It is important to notice that, despite there being fewer benches than expected, the quantity is correct. Not all the people want to sit on a bench; most of the visitors of TUMO Park like to use the triangular grassy areas for relaxation. As a final detail, the presence of stairs going down to the forest, lighting, bus stops, parking lots, and other necessary urban infrastructure gives the park the feel of an urban green space. Is Tumo Park greater than the sum of its parts? A landscape project is not always about the use of different species of vegetation, a very complex green plant palette, or an interesting material palette, but also about the correct use of the genius loci of the site — and that is what the TUMO Park landscape design is about.

So, if you are waiting for a very important appointment or you are about to enter a very crucial meeting, you can relax at TUMO park. And even if you are not waiting for an appointment at the center, you can spend the entire day at the park and enjoy an inspiring landscape, as the person who took the following video did. WATCH: Tumanyan Park – TUMO Spring 4K Ultra HD Timelapse Recommended Reading:

• Land and Environmental Art by  Jeffrey Kastner
• Natural: Simple Land Art Through the Seasons  by Marc Pouyet

Article by Luis Eduardo Guísar Benítez Return to Homepage

On The New Shores – The Lahnaue Framework Plan by A24 Landschaft and Landschaftsarchitektur Gmbh, Gießen, Germany. “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone”.This ballad from the late 1980s came across my mind and is so true when we see the appalling states of waterfronts in countless cities around the globe. More than seams between water and city, waterfronts are metaphorical links to our past, present, and point the way to our future. Over the years, we have neglected these waterfronts without knowing the potentialities they could offer in the urban realm. It has been the recent public demand for waterfront accessibility that has triggered the transformation of once-neglected river edges into the heart of the city.

From an industrial heritage of the Lahnaue Framework Plan

The Lahnaue in Gießen, Germany, is one such example of a waterfront landscape movement along the Lahn River, the eastern tributary of the Rhine. The railroads along the banks bear witness to the former importance of the Lahn River, which has been a means of transport since the late Middle Ages. Now, naturally, the question arises — what turned this multifunctional waterfront into such an underutilized, unsightly river precinct? The answer is the construction of the railroad in 1846 with the high embankment alongside the river, detaching the city and its people from the water. As a result, meadows formed an inner city periphery.

Plagued with neglect, the meadows gradually turned into either inaccessible properties or vast parking areas. That’s when A24 Landschaft recognized and harnessed the social and geographical importance of the Lahn River to revitalize it. Interweaving landscape infrastructure and urbanism into a unified whole through the Lahnaue Framework Plan The Lahnaue Framework Plan encompasses the entire inner city river basin and is divided into six segments. The 2014 State Garden Show in Giessen and its public interest has inspired the designers to accomplish the two stages of the project.

Large scale thinking at the Lahnaue Framework Plan

The overall proposal is characterized by the open and extensive grassland park in the north stretching to the existing river meadows in the south, the redefinition of the main connection route with the city through the integration of adjacent buildings, rejuvenation of old gardens, the connection between those six segments, public squares, and the definition of cycle or pedestrian bridges across the river. Not least, the concept reclaims private property along the river for public use, initiating measures for long-term preservation of the riverscape. Related Articles:

• Top 10 Reused Industrial Landscapes
• Grorudparken Fights to Reveal the Rivers of Oslo
• Industrial Site Transforms into Beautiful Landscape

A vibrant, multi-use Public Square The first significant step in the lahnaue Framework Plan was the creation of a newly built entrance to the city by unsealing the areas. This entrance, “By the Mills”, started reconnecting people with the river and is a great way to make people emotionally attached to that place and to develop a sense of belonging for the plaza. At the entrance is a plaza that has become a magnet for people. The plaza creates a civic gathering place, surrounded by a four-tiered play area, an elaborate mill garden, a new circulation system of boulevards, and the significant icon — the bridge. Recreation for all at the Lahnaue Framework Plan The site of the former parking lot is now a four-tiered playground across the end of the square, which invites children of all ages. The leading reason for this tiered shape is to imitate the features of the riverscape and the elements of the meadows. The platform along the river not only provides visual direction and a path of gradual approach to the water level, but also broad steps that can be sat on while luscious streamside greenery invites you closer, to play in and linger by the water. Benches and trees are arranged so as to allow people to experience the solitude of nature in the city. Materials used and the Grassland Park at the Lahnaue Framework Plan So far, a limited range of materials have been used, including concrete and wood, that define benches, paths, and edges. This highlights the green element, unifying the entire space within a low-maintenance regime. Canopy trees provide shade; shrubs provide seasonal colors and scale. They provide us with a natural way to experience the soothing breezes that blow along the river in the park. Lahnaue Framework Plan’s connecting spine The second part of this project is the new pedestrian and bicycle bridge crossing the river at the northern part of the city, which has greatly improved the city’s infrastructure. It is one of three bridges in the framework plan. The bridge is a platform equipped with ramps and railings, seamlessly recreating a link between the inner city and the Lahn River. The bridge lures people to enjoy either a ride or a walk or to extend a cross-regional relationship. As one travels across the bridge, surrounding trees, their overhanging branches, and their reflection in the water produce a sense of traveling through a green tunnel. Perhaps a paradigm shift for waterfront design? In conclusion, A24 Landschaft has created a truly integrated open space and has made the northern riverside accessible to all. With the gradual implementation of its additional goals from the framework plan and with consideration in terms of sustainability, it will hopefully set a new benchmark for the design of waterfronts! Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Farah Afza Return to Homepage

Grorudparken by LINK Landskap, Link Arkitektur, Oslo, Norway Grorud Park is a newly constructed neighborhood park in the periphery of Oslo, Norway. It’s aim is to tie together this part of the city separated from a main road. The atmosphere is wild even though it is situated in the heart of urban center. What makes this place unique and valuable is the thoughtful design and creative solutions used by LINK Landskap, from which everyone could learn. Grorudparken in the city context There are 10 rivers running through the urban body of Oslo. In the past they were considered problematic because of sewage systems as well as were seen as obstacle for efficient use of the land. However, in the recent years, The City of Oslo had shifted attention to preserving its blue-green structures. The main objective is to reopen rivers and streams wherever possible.

Grorud Park is an element of a continuous landscape and recreation corridor running from the city center to the periphery and the green surroundings, passing through Leirfossen (waterfalls). Previously, it was impossible to take a stroll along Alna River, the longest in Oslo, due to numerous barriers such as roads, railways tracks, industrial sites and dense scrubs. This project demolishes all of the boundaries. It improves accessibility to the river as well as its quality.

Environmental value of Grorudparken

Undoubtedly, the most precious element of this project is the River Alna which takes the central place in the landscape masterplan. The working team had the challenging task to cope with issues related to flood mitigation, stormwater management and cleansing of runoff from the surrounding neighborhood. Moreover, the adjacent Grorud Dam’s polluted sub-surface was a critical issues throughout the whole design process.

Several important steps were undertaken. Improvement of water quality of the dam was managed through various soil cleansing techniques. The project also involves phytoremediation where in 2 or 3 years soil pollutants are bound to vegetation, and plants themselves serve as a cleaning water filter. Bioremediation ponds clean the storm water from the surrounding areas and then releases it into the River Alna and Grorud Dam. Thus, water quality is improved significantly and the dam was rehabilitated as swimming area.

Cultural value of Grorudparken

The project deals with a historical element of the city. One of the oldest stone arch bridges in Oslo plays a central role in order to create a historic garden within the park. There, the water surface mirrors the surroundings to create a beautiful picture-an instant of old times, where unique lightning collaborate for the maximum aesthetic effect, accessibility, and safety excellence.

Related Articles:

• Top 10 Reused Industrial Landscapes
• From Rubble to the Ritz – Revitalizing Abandoned Sites
• Industrial Site Transforms into Beautiful Landscape

One would easily think that the park can become a scene of vandalism and crime. It is situated in a natural environment disconnected from the urban grain, it goes under a main road and it can be a little desolated during night time. Accessibility and safety of people were specifically taken into consideration by the working team and were solved through creative outdoor lightning. Several site specific lightning concept were applied, which not only improved safety but created exciting spatial dimensions and contributed to identity of the park. Recreational quality of Grorudparken In fact, Grorudparken is a part of a continuous green space along Alna River, running from the city center to the natural surroundings of the city with numerous waterfalls. Its main purpose is for sports and outdoor recreational activities. For example there are several kilometers of bicycle paths. Grorudparken is designed to be a perfect place for athletics, play and recreation.

Cooperation adds value to the project One explicitly valuable trait of the project comes from the fact that it is a product of strong cooperation. LINK Landskap worked together with several municipal departments – The Department of Recreation, The Planning Office, The Office of Cultural Heritage Management and the District of Grorud. It was also consulted in regard to stormwater management, hydrology, electrics and lightning.Its identity is bound to this cooperative relations. Grorudparken proved to have more qualities than one could see from first sight. Its multifaceted approach opens up a new and high quality environment, accessible, safe, full of live to discover, thus improving quality of life of the inhabitants of the Grorud Valley. Recommended Reading:

• Principles of Ecological Landscape Design by Travis Beck
• Design with Nature by Ian L. McHarg

Article by Slavyana Popcheva Return to Homepage

Zoetermeer Vivaldi Care Home, Zoetermeer, Netherlands, by HOSPER. Nowhere could be more pleasant and re-energizing than a residential complex that reminds us of an island. That is the type of landscape in the place where the Zoetermeer Vivaldi Care Home is located in the Netherlands. The home provides a safe environment for its residents away from the stressful routines of the city. While this stress-free environment is healthy, the isolation may prevent residents from enjoying the benefits of keeping connected with the neighborhood. When asked to create the outdoor spaces for this care home, HOSPER designers envisioned an environment that balances isolation and connectedness, aiming to merge them with the surroundings while preserving the residents’ privacy. To achieve this result, they took full advantage of the waterscape to amplify the space and create an outdoor area that melts into the natural elements.

Zoetermeer Vivaldi Care Home

The Design Concept Besides meeting the residents’ special needs, the design also addressed its ecological role and harmonized with the building’s architecture. As a result, the outdoor area features different gardens that connect the spaces around the building through diverse paths, adjusted to meet the needs of residents who have disabilities. Next to the residential sector, green shelters and open areas offer both shaded and sunny spaces.

The entrance and the backyard gardens are the key components that consolidate the design: The first eases social meetings and the second uses a planting scheme that accomplishes its ecological function in addition to providing inspiring views of the landscape. See more articles featuring HOSPER:

• World Class Entry for Park Competition!
• Private Estate Reveals State of The Art Underground Car Park (Don’t miss this one)
• Transforming a Coal Mining Site into a Cultural Hub

An Entrance Space That Welcomes Visitors A ribbon of grass and trees forms a green space in the front of the building, welcoming visitors to the facility. They are greeted by a square equipped with seating furniture and a bike parking structure. This outdoor room connects with an open space featuring a restaurant and patio that motivate social gatherings.

The Purpose of the Pond A red rectilinear pond establishes an axis in the outdoor space and works as a summary of the elements that form the rest of the outdoor area. The red color adds vibrancy to the peaceful environment, showing the balance between calmness and aliveness. The pond symbolically links this garden to the water stream around the building and reminds us, through the fish and water plants, of the purpose of connecting people with nature. The building facades and the sky are also brought to this converging pond, establishing the focal point of the outdoor space. A Surprising Backyard Garden The building, designed by Seed Architects, is shaped by two sets of parallel blocks connected by a central axis. The landscape designers incorporated this corridor’s integrating function to the outdoor project to conduct people to the water garden. Enabling all Levels of Ability As its name shows, this area was inspired by the surrounding waterscape and was designed in a way that makes it possible for people with disabilities to enjoy the experience with the water. To make the water’s boundaries accessible to the people with reduced mobility, they designed ramps and a boardwalk, composing very pleasant pathways within the verdant area. The planting, developed by the garden designer Jacqueline van der Kloet, resulted in a near natural environment, with trees and flower beds on the higher level of the garden and swamp vegetation around the water. The balance between tranquility and vitality once again inspires the environment where a fountain contributes to a relaxing and energizing atmosphere. How Do the Gardens Adjust to Residents’ Activities? The necessity of providing healthy activities for the residents defined the theme of the garden that is connected to the central corridor and daycare area. It was planned to be a green area where the residents can have direct contact with nature by picking flowers and harvesting vegetables. These activities are possible also for those in wheelchairs because part of the plant beds was constructed on a higher level. And to complement the rehabilitation therapy or to inspire people to exercise outdoors, a garden with fitness equipment was created in the patio close to the physical therapy room. The area also features different types of paving that enable people with walking aids to exercise safely. The Design Redefined the “Isle Concept.” HOSPER showed with Vivaldi Care Home’s outdoor design that healthcare residences can have safe, private gardens that are in harmony with their surroundings. The use of the building’s axes to connect the different gardens, the gentle adjustment of the spaces to the residents’ special needs, and the adequate choice of plants enhances the natural landscape. The result is a set of gardens whose elements give them unity and form a peaceful but vivid outdoor area that blends with the surroundings. Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Tania Gianone Return to Homepage

The concept of natural play has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years and is now one of the main “buzz words” bandied around by architects, planners, and developers. But what are the main principles of natural play, why is it considered better than conventional play equipment, and what role does landscape architecture have to play in the creation of natural play areas?

What is natural play?

Natural play refers to interacting with natural elements of the environment in an imaginative way. Broadly, natural play includes activities such as climbing trees, building dens, and cooking outdoors. Today, children are becoming ever more environmentally insular, often spending many hours a day in front of televisions and computer monitors. The natural play movement aims to encourage children to get out into the natural or semi-natural environment. WATCH: What are Natural Play Spaces?

Where does natural play take place?
Natural play can take place anywhere where children have access to natural elements. Sadly, in many towns and cities, access to the natural environment is either limited or absent. Therefore, landscape architects are increasingly asked to develop local play areas with natural play elements. These natural playgrounds mimic the natural environment, offering a non-prescriptive and imaginative play resource.

Natural play benefits

Prescribed play (i.e. manufactured play equipment) often has a limited number of ways it can be used. It is believed that encouraging children to simply climb the steps and slide down the slide limits their creative ability. Natural play, in contrast, encourages children to think about how to climb a tree or traverse obstacles such as boulders or fallen trees. Related Articles:

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• Ecological Landscape Design, Embraces Massive Body of Water
• Giant Sized Pergola Creates Ecological Haven

As natural play has no prescribed minimum and maximum dimensions for elements, children engage a greater range of muscles when playing, stretching both their bodies and imaginations. It has even been demonstrated that children with ADHD show better concentration after interacting with the natural environment. “Research indicates that unstructured play in nature increases self-esteem, creativity, motor skills, fitness, and even academic performance. It also seems to relieve symptoms of ADHD.” – Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods

A natural playground can also offer better value for the money. In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that 20 to 50 percent of playground budgets is spent on safety surfacing. As natural playgrounds often have no safety surfacing, more money is available to put into the design and construction of the playground. Natural play elements are also often cheaper than specialist-manufactured play equipment. Designed natural play Designed spaces should include natural elements designed to encourage children to explore the space in a variety of ways. This could be achieved simply by changing the topography of the site in an interesting way. The Wave Field, by Maya Lin, offers children the opportunity to run up and down slopes and mounds, testing their balance and agility. Water is a great element for engaging children in natural play. Powhatan Springs Park in Virginia, USA, features a rain garden with interactive water play. The space both provides direct access to water and water elements, while educating children about the water cycle and elements of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). More complex natural playgrounds, mix manmade elements with natural play elements. Wherever possible, they use natural materials. Features include piles of gravel and sand to dig in, a large water feature with direct access, and utilization of the site’s topography. How to get the best from natural play Research indicates that children benefit both physically and mentally from playing in the natural environment. Probably the best way to take advantage of these benefits is to allow children free access to the natural environment. Where this is not available, there are many designed natural playgrounds, which incorporate elements such as sculpted earthworks, grass, bark chippings, logs and fallen trees, large live trees, boulders and stones, sand, and planting These designed spaces invite children to create their own games and imaginative play. If access to the natural environment in your neighborhood is limited, why not investigate taking your children to a natural playground, where they can experience natural imaginative play within the safe confines of a designed play space. Your local city or regional council should be able to assist you in finding your local natural playground. Recommended Reading:

• Design with Nature by Ian L. McHarg
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farr

Feature image: Children CC0.  Article by Ashley Penn Return to Homepage

Thinking of using solar power for landscape lighting – Read this article first. The only thing better than having a beautiful garden is enjoying your home’s landscaping even after the sun goes down. With solar powered outdoor lighting, you can showcase your gorgeous gardens and landscaping at night without running up your power bill. With sun-powered greenery in mind, here are just a few benefits of using solar power to light your landscaping.

Landscape Lighting Using Solar Power

How Solar Landscape Lighting Works Although it may sound strange that something powered by the sun would have a use at night, solar powered landscape lighting is actually quite effective. Just like rooftop solar panels collect the sun’s energy during the day, so do landscape solar panels. The main difference is that landscape solar panels use batteries and come in many different sizes and styles.

Functionally, landscape solar power uses the photovoltaic effect to collect the sun’s energy throughout the day and then stores it in batteries that are used to power lighting at night. These solar panel/battery combinations are capable of powering LEDs for up to eight hours on a full day’s charge. Types of Lighting The most common type of solar landscape lighting is path lighting, which comes in a variety of sizes and colors. Most path lights use LED bulbs because they put out more light while using less energy. A major benefit of solar path lights is the fact that the solar panel and light are one unit, so there are no wires to run. Path lights use rechargeable batteries that usually need replacement every 18 to 24 months. Related Articles:

• Three Things to Consider When Purchasing a Garden Shed
• Lighting Solutions – World’s tiniest recessed LED luminaire – 1PUCK LP by MINIMIS
• Artistic Fire Pits For Long Summer Nights

Low-voltage landscape lighting systems are another popular type of landscape lighting. These systems are usually powered through a larger solar panel and are capable of lighting tall trees and shrubbery. Because low-voltage systems use a central transformer, they require wires, which makes the installment process a little inconvenient. However, low-voltage systems shine brighter and longer than solar powered path lights. Path Light and Panel Placement When choosing locations for your path lights, you won’t have many options because you’ll want to stay close to the walkway or path you’re lighting. With that said, you’ll want to pay attention to the sun’s location during the day. Tilting and angling the path light toward the midday sun will improve the charging process. Low-voltage solar systems use more power than that of wireless path lights. Because of this, you may consider a new solar power system that can light up your home and garden as well as the rest of your landscaping. These solar systems use full-sized rooftop panels, which require professional installation and wiring to your home’s main breaker box. Care and Maintenance Another benefit of solar landscape lighting is that the equipment is generally maintenance-free. For path lights and rooftop panels, keeping the solar panel surface clean will improve the system’s charging capabilities. This means wiping the surface with a wet rag or spraying down the panels with a hose at least once a month. As mentioned before, solar path lights use rechargeable batteries that need replacement within two years. If your LED bulbs aren’t shining as bright, this is usually a sign you need to clean the solar panel or replace the battery. Solar Landscape Lighting Tips If you choose solar path lighting to illuminate your garden and landscaping at night, you’ll want to trim shrubs or foliage around your path lights so the solar panels get optimum sun exposure. This may require changing the location of the path lights once or twice a year. Likewise, make sure your path lights aren’t exposed to any street lamps or other light sources at night. Most solar path lights use light sensors that conserve energy by keeping the LED bulbs off until it’s completely dark. If there is light from a nearby streetlamp, the bulbs may not shine as bright, or worse, they may not come on at all. When you’re ready to light your home’s landscaping and gardens at night, keep in mind the features and benefits of solar powered landscape lighting. Return to Homepage Featured image: View of the solar panels. Credit: Oregon Department of Transportation, source, licensed under CC  2.0

Vinterbad Brygge, by BIG in Copenhagen, Denmark. People in Scandinavian countries have a very special perception regarding physical contact with water. The most common ritual is known as the “Nordic Bath” and it originates from Finland. The ritual of a “Nordic Bath” involves alternately taking a dip in cold then hot water. It is an activity that has social, health, and cultural aspects well founded in Scandinavians’ perception of life. The use of thermal baths goes a long way back in the history of these countries, as well as in other countries worldwide. Winter swimming seems to also be a very popular activity in Northern Europe, although the climate would suggest otherwise.

Vinterbad Brygge

The Harbour Baths in the island Brygge in Copenhagen, Denmark, are a landmark for both the citizens of Copenhagen and the city’s visitors. The indisputable success of the baths, after their inauguration in 2002, has led to the extension of the facilities in order to accommodate thermal bathing. The Thermal Baths design has been assigned to the architectural office BIG. BIG, in collaboration with the architectural firm JDS, also designed the existing swimming facilities.

The Exciting Design  The new facilities have been conceived as an extension of the wooden platforms that accommodate the swimming pools. They have been allocated on the southwest part of the complex. An inclined surface made of Scandinavian wood becomes the Thermal Baths roof. At the same time, the roof functions as an open-air platform for sunbathing and relaxing. The surface folds into a sequence of wide steps that welcome visitors to enjoy the view and the sun. The platform offers views toward the pools and the diving pier. The pier and platform heights create an interesting tension, by contradicting the horizontality of the surrounding landscape. The association with the existing adjacent park establishes a sense of continuity between the wooden platform and its surroundings. Related Articles: 

• Unbelievable Conceptual Pool Design That Plays With Your Mind
• The Floating Pool – A Revolution in Public Space
• Rooftop Infinity Pool with Awesome Views

The entrance toward the Thermal Baths has been perceived as a linear crack on the wooden surface. The design intention is to intensify the transcendence from the exterior to the interior and becomes a prelude of the bath ritual. The spatial atmosphere resembles the spirituality of a temple entrance. The interior of the baths is divided by mirrored walls, giving a sense of a spatial infinity by blurring the boundaries between the different rooms.

Use of Glass on the Site The exterior façade made of full-height glass panels connects the inside and the outside and opens the view toward the water surface. The glass façade is an innovative adaptation on the privacy that characterizes spaces related to bathing. Instead of designing an introverted space with filtered natural light and limited views to the outside, like most similar facilities, the architects have followed a different approach. Making the Most of World Class Views They have allowed light and views of the city on a part of the building that one can observe from, and yet not become an object of observation themselves. The glass facades are adjacent to the water surface and combine privacy with a chance for reverie while enjoying one’s bath. Remembering the Importance of Tradition  BIG has managed to design contemporary bath facilities with a clear reference to tradition. The designers have evaded the trap of reproducing forms and have opted to adopt basic principles such as the atmosphere of mysticism, the sense of isolation, and reflection as a state of mind as well as a material quality. Collaboration with Famous Artist  HuskMitNavn Another creative inspiration from the past can be observed in the floor design. The entire floor is covered with black and white ceramic mosaics with motifs by HuskMitNavn. He is a famous artist who lives in Copenhagen. The artist’s name means “Remember my Name”. HuskMitNavn is known for his controversial, humorous, and political street art. The images on the floor of the baths depict contemporary Copenhagen scenes and activities. The use of ceramic mosaics originates from the Roman thermal baths. During winter, the Thermal Baths’ glass façade functions as a lantern that can be observed from the islands of Brygge and Kalvebod Brygge. It appears as if the seawater and the baths’ warmth have merged into one, shedding new light on Copenhagen Harbour. The activity of bathing is based on contrasts: hot and cold, submerge and emerge, shade and light. The Thermal Baths in Copenhagen Harbour have transformed the qualities of the bathing ritual into vibrant, innovative architecture. Recommended reading: 

• Urban Design by Alex Krieger
• Digital Drawing for Landscape Architecture by Bradley Cantrell

Article by Eleni Tsirintani Return to Homepage

We take a moment to explore the delights of the exotic Xilitla garden. Inspired by great architects and artists such as Antoni Gaudí, Giovanni Baptista Piranesi, and Maurits Cornelis Escher and his surrealist friends Salvador Dalí, Leonora Carrington, and René Magritte, Sir Edward James found in Mexico, in the middle of the jungle, an opportunity to build a living dream — nearly 80 acres of paradise waiting to become a surreal garden. The construction took almost 40 years (until James passed away), and yet remains unfinished. A new visitor can’t tell what the purpose of the edification was: stairs leading to nowhere, infinite paths, arches, and sculptures all around. WATCH: An Incredible Overview of the Xilitla Garden

Xilitla Garden

The Castle of Edward James has become a landmark and one of the top travel destinations in the region. It is a place hard to imagine and impossible to understand. Sir Edward James, the man, the legend More than 100 years ago, a man was born in Scotland with the name of Edward Frank Willis James. He was raised in a privileged family and was very well educated in the arts since his childhood. As a young man, James inherited a fortune from his father and uncle. Looking forward to being part of the surrealist movement, he left college and moved to mainland Europe, becoming a close friend of some interesting personalities, including Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso, among many others.

A Change of Plan Tired of the world war avatars, James moved to the United States and, four years later, an invitation to Mexico changed his plans. After a few months traveling the country, he finally made it to San Luis Potosi and, while taking a bath, a butterfly cloud blocked the sunlight. James interpreted this as a signal that he should build a life in that very spot. The Discovery of a Virgin Site The site is located on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Gorda mountain range in northeastern Mexico. It is a subtropical rainforest next to a small village called Xilitla. James referred to the site like this when he was asked about his first impression: “The scenery is magnificent, romantic as could be. … It has many waterfalls that fall between the giant trees of primary jungle and pristine, inhabited by wild parrots that come in flocks to bathe with foam splashing waterfalls.” Acres of Possibilities, Waiting to be Filled with Imagination With 80 acres of possibilities, one of the first plans was to build a retirement house, an exotic plant greenhouse, and an adjacent orchid field. That same winter, the frost killed all that had been planted. Since then, all plants have been carefully selected, and only local species are used. Eventually, the surreal garden and zoo were added; nowadays, only a few cages with names remain, but no animals live there. Building the Castle Even though it is not properly a castle, like the ones you can find in Scotland, local inhabitants considered it one. James had genuine concern for nature and wildlife preservation. When Plutarco (an intimate friend of James, who was in charge of the administration of the Castle) and James were traveling in Mexico, they heard about a hidden valley where orchids grew freely: Xilitla. Naturally, when he bought the place, the first intention was to keep the wild orchids and add other exotic species. As we already know, this plan was frustrated by nature itself. A Garden of Eden Propelled by a whim, James decided he wanted to build a Garden of Eden, where everything could grow. Besides all that was planted, they began to build things that looked like trees, plants or flowers — things that could not be killed by frost. A Building Without a Function When you visit the Castle grounds, you realize most of the spaces don’t have any function at all. Unlike other constructions, this building is useless — and that’s its beauty. That’s why this Castle is something unique: an architecture with no practical utility, responding only to the fantasies of its owner, who spent most of his fortune and half of his life making it happen. Related Articles:

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A river runs through the property and along a beautiful waterfall, harnessed to create multiple “pools” near corresponding sculptures.

When his fortune was finally coming to an end, James had to sell most of the paintings he had bought since the 1920s. There is a discrepancy about the total construction cost. It is said that it goes from $5 million to $15 million.

Surrealism at Xilitla Garden

Walking along, the garden sculptures pop up randomly. They all represent something (most of the time something religious), but there is no hidden message or interconnection between these symbols. Probably, the only reason for this symbolism is to justify its presence in some way: stairs going nowhere, giant concrete columns and flowers.

The pathway to the main entrance is flanked by seven snakes, representing the seven capital sins. From this point, there is no obvious trail; you can suddenly be facing some other organic sculpture, animal cages, or bamboo-like structures. Along the route, James placed concrete eyes to remind us that we are being watched by the Creator all the time — a Masonic eye and compass are placed over a bridge, and so on. It is a real challenge for a man to make the illogical logical. All of these random elements somehow seem to merge with the surroundings, enhancing nature even more. The Castle of Edward James is a one-of-a-kind gem, built outside the market logic. It would be almost impossible nowadays for someone to spend all that he has in building something like this. No one did it before, and probably no one ever will again. A nonprofit organization and the local government bought the property and are in constant work (together with local inhabitants and independent artists) for keeping it in the best conditions for the international visitors and the memory of a great man. Recommended Reading:

• Private Gardens: Personal Gardens of Ancient China by Cheng Liyao
• Earthly Paradises: Ancient Gardens in History and Archaeology by Maureen Carroll

Article by Eduardo Reguer Return to Homepage