Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

Article by Radenka Kolarov – Following on in our world series we have selected 10 awesome projects that perfectly represents Spanish landscape architecture today. Spain is one of the world’s oldest cultures with a rich heritage that has influenced entire continents. Spain has tons to offer, from chorizos and matadors to flamenco dancing and Spanish guitars. It is the birthplace of the Spanish language, Pablo Picasso and Miguel Cervantes, and attracts millions of visitors every year because of its fantastic architecture and Spanish landscape architecture too. From the innovative playgrounds and multifunctional parks to the amazing solutions for public squares, either you enjoy the blending with nature, or perhaps the very contrast with the environment, but there is no doubt that you will love these projects. So, let’s take a look at some known (and some not-so-known) things about Spanish landscape architecture.

10 Awesome Examples Spanish Landscape Architecture

10. The Playground at Parque Gulliver, architect Rafael Rivera, artist Manolo Martin and designer Josep Vicent “Sento” Llobell Bisbal, in Valencia

WATCH >>> Tilt-Shift | Parque Gulliver | Valencia

Entertainment, fantasy and charm all come together in this amazing park. This children’s kingdom absorbs inspiration directly from sources in literature and combines it with nets, ropes, stairs, passageways, ramps, and much more, providing a perfect entertainment center for children. This scene has been immortalized by the Parque Gulliver, where children can feel like true Lilliputians, climbing and sliding down the colossal figure which is no less than 70 meters in length. Also, it has many other attractions, such as mini golf, skating parks, bicycle lanes, and a giant chess board. No doubt that the Parque Gulliver is a great tourist attraction.

9. The Jellyfish House, by Wiel Arets Architects, in Marbella

In the year 2013, European architecture firm Wiel Arets Architects completed their work on a pool project that will soon become known for its use that reaches beyond conventionalities. Located in the south of Spain, in the Los Monteros, Marbella region, near the Mediterranean Sea, this project has drawn inspiration directly from its environment. With the pool on a rooftop and selected materials like glass panels and concrete joists, it was named “Jellyfish House” by its creators, for it blurs the line between construction and nature. An impression of lightness is also present, while the glass panels act as a pool bottom, making it even more transparent. To complete its integration into the surrounding white surface, the furniture was made in concrete too.

8. Torico Square, by b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos, in Torico

Great solutions might come from the minds of architects when it comes to redeveloping and reviving beautiful historical sites. Such is the story with refreshing the historical town center of Torico with an innovative lighting scheme design. Being surrounded by great architectural heritage and with a complex underground water system, the town center of Torico needed to be lighted up by more than 1,200 light sections. Informatics software helped the programmers use different ways of controlling the lights, making them even more attractive. The LED luminaires embedded in the basaltic paving were exclusively designed for this project. The vertical lights were also added to illuminate the surrounding buildings.

7. Project Banyoles Old Town Remodeling, by Miàs Architects, in Banyoles

Completed in 2011, this remodeling of the Old Town received numerous awards, including the Premis D’Arquitectura Comarques de Girona. When the project was in progress, it was decided that almost all the available space was going to be pedestrianized and that the old sidewalks were going to be removed. The elements of stone and water took a central role in this project. The Old Town’s water canals become part of the sewer system, but the role of water was regained in the end result – restoring the old water canals as they appear intermittently between the recently pedestrianized spaces. The urban planning for this project was a great success, for it took into consideration the fact of many old buildings that were all from medieval times.

6. Atlantic Park by Battle I Roig Arquitectes, in Santander Located on Spain’s northern coast, Atlantic Park combines elements of ecological restoration and urban community parks. This beautiful example of Spanish landscape architecture bloomed in a riverbed area. As the city of Santander spread, it cut the river off, leaving that area unsuitable for development. This extremely neglected and polluted sight had to be dealt with – and the idea for Atlantic Park was born. Dividing the park into three sections, architects successfully brought about the solution for the park’s topography and the protection of its unique ecology. By transforming an unused dumping ground into a vibrant public space, preserving and emphasizing plant species native to the Atlantic coast, and combining this area with community and public needs, Atlantic Park is a perfect example of a sustainable development solution.

5. Casa Sardinera, by RAMON ESTEVE ESTUDIO, in Jávea, in Alicante

Between EI Portixol and Cala Blanca, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, sits Sardinera House. The garden design for this project combines both ecological and economical solutions, reflecting the cultural landscape of cultivation and the consideration of providing habitats for endangered species and diverse plant communities. Considering this, the project offered truly great design that entwines two human activities; constructing the house and protecting the environment. As for the building itself, the concrete walls are repeatedly placed in “ladder” patterns, which condense and enlarge the views. The concrete walls allow the cantilevers to fit in between each other to form a strong connection. Strongly influenced by Mediterranean landscape, this house connects both multi-interior space and outdoor space creatively through the use of landscape. Glass panels also provide the sense of openness that adds to a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

4. Plaza de la Luna, by Brut Deluxe, Ben Busche Architects, in Madrid

The famous Plaza de la Luna had problems that needed to be solved. Beside the square, which hadno coherent space, the solution needed to focus on the worst part of the site – the area beneath the arcades. That solution came with the re-formation and creation of a perfect public space, framed with trees, ramps, stairs, and ventilation towers. The center does not determine fixed places for activities but provides the opportunity for diverse uses, such as street markets, musical performances, or sports. In order to make sure that the arcades aren’t too dark – and therefore, attractive to vandals — a new false ceiling is covered with white tiles that reflect the light and give a safer feeling at night. When it comes to the paving of the square, it focuses on texture, with granite blocks of different, highly contrasting colors – white, green, black, and grey.

3. Plaza Euskadi, by Balmori Associates and Lantec, in Bilbao Besides the famous “curvy building”, there is also the beautiful Plaza Euskadi, with its oval center and the large green traffic island. Its design is not a typically urban one, because of its unique position and purpose. The large area of planting on the plaza provides an inner-city green habitat, integrating the natural environment into the city. The whole place was divided into three smaller spaces, each with a function of its own, defined off the fluid main pathway; the reflecting puddle space, the ottoman seating space, and the “garden” space. This was a solution that acknowledges the vast scale of the surrounding context, while creating intimate and people-friendly spaces. In the garden space, an organic concrete pathway is raised above flowering shrubs while acknowledging a 100-year-old Laegostremia tree. 2. Indautxu Square, by JAAM sociedad de arquitectura, in Biscay Risen from an under-utilized and closed-off area, Indautxu Square represents a great solution for neglected and ignored spaces. Mostly vehicular in use, it was turned into pedestrian zone. Glass prisms were used to house various facilities of the underground infrastructure that needed to be adopted into the new design. In order to support the needs of the community, two spaces were made – a main space for social events such as markets, fairs, and exhibits, and a quieter space surrounding this for walking, reading, and relaxing. A large, circular central canopy of glass and wood, 40 meters in diameter, defined the main space. The luminaires are unique to the site, with an upper structure shaped like a leaf and illuminated by LED lights.

1. Campa de los Ingleses Park, by Balmori Associates, in Bilbao

In the northern part of Spain, close to the famous Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, sits a park known as the “Lung for the City”. Being an array of park spaces and plantings, the topography of the Park was bridged and mediated by ramps, terraces and walls. The paths widen to shape public spaces designed for relaxation and views of the river, the mountains, and the Guggenheim itself. The paving of the Campa de los Ingleses contains an additive called GeoSilex, which absorbs carbon dioxide. Rock gardens reside in ellipse-shaped areas, and single trees are surrounded by circular sitting elements – most of the trees being fruit, broad-leaved trees, and evergreens. Planting grass on different heights emphasizes the topographic differences and shapes. The floodlighting elements are linear and long seating elements are good points for watching the landscape while resting.

Sunny Spain, Much Inspiration to Gain From Spanish Landscape Architecture

The landscapes – from the lush green north, to the mighty Pyrenees, the deserts of Almeria, the Alpujarras, the Rias in Galicia, the wilds of Extremadura… Does it make you wanna go straight to Spain and see all that? Just imagine that adventure! So is the Spanish landscape architecture inspired by its natural environment? Through this list of 10 projects, you can see the diversity of variations in design, and how all the components makes each project special in its own kind of way. Which of these Spanish landscape architecture projects do you prefer and like the most? Let us know in the comment section below!

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Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Moreira Filho – Eden Soestdijk, by Mecanoo Architecten, in Baarn, Netherlands Working in landscape architecture requires a variety of knowledge within many multidisciplinary areas of construction. A sum of visual arts, design, architecture, engineering, historical and cultural heritage preservation, laws, botanic, illumination, hydraulic, topography, geology, and others will define whether a project will gather enough elements to win any competition. Wow, being a landscape architect it is not an easy task. A multidisciplinary team composed by Mecanoo Architecten, Kossmann.dejong and Royal HaskoningDHV developed a project for the Soestdijk Estate, transforming it into Eden Soestdijk, in Baarn, Netherlands, in a competition organized by the Dutch government. In fact, this project is an experimental garden whose main goal is to educate and raise awareness in society about the earth’s fragility and the importance of green spaces to the environment and to the people of a sustainable society.

Eden Soestdijk

So, let’s discover what made this project a success in the competition.

Step 1 – Casting Problems What are the environmental problems we have worldwide? Population has increased, cities are crowded and disordered. Water, food, climate and energy have become problems instead of solutions. From this point, how can landscape architecture help through its design? The group of designers thought about each of these problems and how to put these complex troubles into a limited area, tackling them with solutions proposals and awareness. The group of designers thought about each of these problems and how to put these complex troubles into a limited area, tackling them with solutions proposals and awareness.

Step 2 – Inspirational Design One of the skills a landscape architect must have is to envision the future of the complex cities and sites they will provide interventions for. This vision will be translated into the design. This design must stimulate and inspire visitors, This vision will be translated into the design. This design must stimulate and inspire visitors, showing the real drama of our world and being positive enough to show the solutions, changing the visitor’s point of view. Totally artistic. Step 3 – Focus on the Main Objective Netherlands is a small country with a small land area. Each centimeter of area must be used consciously. The Eden Soestdijk project has international appeal for its economic, educative and cultural assets and aims to be significant enough to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals. It is estimated that more than a half-million visitors will pass through Eden Soestdijk annually from 2020 onward, greatly improving the regional economy and tourism. Park managers will provide environmental education areas, promoting studies and research about sustainability and preservation, opening opportunities to interns and apprenticeships to start their curricular experience.

Step 4 – Preserve Historical Heritage and Bring About a New Design

“The Palace Soestdijk Estate is one of the most fairytale-like environments of the Netherlands: the ideal canvas for Eden Soestdijk. The royal family has always cherished the relationship with the surrounding landscape. The plan for Eden Soestdijk responds to this in a beautiful manner.” Says Francine Houben, creative director of Mecanoo Architecten. Part of Netherlands history and even European history itself passed through or happened in the surroundings of this site. So, the modern design of the project needed to talk to the past without leaving contemporaneity entirely. The palace architecture and its interior saves a rich history of the estate and Royal Family. Some of its chambers will be used for cultural and business events; an ideal place to exchange knowledge and mature ideas. Some multimedia presentations will stimulate the visitors’ imaginations while they interact with the displays that showcase the importance of Nature from scientific, historical and cultural perspectives, always focusing on awareness about the environment and sustainability.

Step 5 – Create Another Focal Point: Iconic Greenhouse Organic lines surround a curved architectural greenhouse like a bubble, within the forest right behind the palace. In this place, visitors will experience a kind of expedition through amazing landscapes of ecological balance and the social aspects of sustainability. A high-tech agricultural area will be installed to show the importance of sustainable food production like an agroforestry system, for example. The importance of the tropical rainforest will appear with its huge biodiversity. Even a subterranean world will be built to show how fungi and bacteria work and why they are important. An exclusive area will be dedicated to an icy arctic landscape to evidence the trouble of the climate’s rapid change.

Step 6 – Restoring the Gardens

Eden Soestdijk is within a big park surrounded by gardens and they make up part of this landscape. The gardens’ characteristics will be preserved and restored as they were in the glory times of the palace, maintaining the fairytale sensation of the backyards. The intention is to restore and also add some new educative elements through the landscape that allows an experience with Nature. Accessibility will mark this change, especially on sidewalks and paths encouraging public walking and cycling.

Inspire Your Ideas

Eden Soestdijk is inspired by the Eden Project in Cornwall, Great Britain. Inspiration motivates creativity. And the multidisciplinary group of designers worked for a common goal: design a landscape that could deliver a message of global importance. As it happens in Great Britain, they expect a large number of visitors annually, so the infrastructure must be well done. This is a perfect example of how to reach success in projects and proposals. Through all the inspiration, they created a futuristic place, joining historical heritage with the landscape and surroundings, and being original in their purposes. Tell us; what project excites your mind and inspired some project that you have made?

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Full Project Credits For Eden Soestdijk :

Project Name: Eden Soestdijk Status: Ongoing Project Design: 2014 – 2016 Location: Amsterdamsestraatweg 1, Baarn, Netherlands Design Team: Mecanoo Architecten, Stichting Eden Soestdijk, Royal HaskoningDHV, Kossmann.dejong, Eden Project, Bouwhistorisch Onderzoek en RestaurTatie F. Franken. Client: Rijksvastgoedbedrijf Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Emily Sinclair – Dragon Lake Bridge Park, by AECOM, in Bengbu, Anhui Province, China The Dragon Lake Bridge Park, designed by AECOM designers Lee Yi and Lian Tao, in Bengbu, Anhui Province, China, is bringing the city back to its roots as a waterfront city. Bengbu is a mid-sized city in the Anhui Province of China with a population of nearly one million people. The Dragon Lake Bridge park lies in the centre of the city along one of the major lakes. The park, full of walkways and bridges, meanders along the bank of Dragon Lake, leaving many places for vistas and terraces to bring new views of the city and the water to those enjoying the park. Designed with gentle slopes and open pavilions, the waterfront has become a central destination for city-goers to enjoy at any time of day or night.

Dragon Lake Bridge Park

Water from the Beginning

From the beginning of the design conception for this park, the history and culture of the surrounding Chinese landscape has been an important inspiration. The city’s connection to the water has been part of its identity since its inception. Even in name – ‘Bengbu’ in Chinese translates to ‘Clam Wharf’. With the Huai River and Dragon Lake nearby, the city grew as a center of the freshwater pearl industry.

Since then, as the city expanded further away from the lake, Bengbu also thrived in the food processing industry. Unfortunately, this economic boom has had a downside for the rivers and lakes which the city started alongside, as the lakes which were once popular for fishing and other recreational activities had become polluted to the point where city officials warned the public to avoid the waters or risk their health. This is where AECOM began forming the idea of the new waterfront for the city, asking the question: How to return the water back to something the locals could use on a daily basis?

Improving Water Quality

The city’s historic connection to water was important from the beginning, especially because of the polluted nature of the waters. The waters which once provided recreation and economic support to the locals had become dangerous with high levels of algae bloom. In order to return the waters of what is now known as Dragon Lake Bridge Park to healthy, normal levels, a variety of measures were implemented.

Through artificial methods of circulating and aerating the water, they turned the waters back from the eutrophic state that the lake had been in. In addition to these measures, the design team made sure to design the landscape with new wetlands and restored the vegetation buffers of the pre-existing ecosystem.

Establishing a New Signature District

What would a new lakefront park be without city dwellers inhabiting it? Many areas for different programing are included in the design of this park. The simple materials with lighting subtly inset between rails and under steps make this a destination during the day and at night.

The reflection of the lights of the walkways off the water help create a feeling of floating as you stroll along the elevated walkway from one end of the park to the other. The city almost melts into the river; the terraced landscape (carefully reshaped by the design team) brings visitors gently down to the level of the river. Long, wide steps allow plenty of opportunities to sit and watch as people walk by, or enjoy a lunch with friends. Further along the lakefront, a rock beach allows the opportunity for families to enjoy the lake in a playful and relaxing naturalized landscape.

Plants and Local Identity

The planting scheme around the park is carefully chosen to reflect the surrounding natural landscape and situate the park within its regional context. The park spans 25 hectares in total, and throughout the park one can find numerous indigenous trees and native plants. Especially worth visiting is the Bamboo Garden and Celebration Plaza. This area, located at the center of the park, provides space for galleries, outdoor exhibitions, and sculptures while still maintaining a distinctly Chinese character.

Enriching the Cultural and Recreational Offerings William H. Whyte (planner and author of The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces) once said, “If there’s a lesson in street watching it is that people do like basics – and as environments go, a street that is open to the sky and filled with people and life is a splendid place to be.” This lakefront design does just that, bringing people and excitement to one area, drawn by the simple pleasures; a place to sit, to play with their kids, or to stroll along with the sun shining on their face. The addition of the lakefront park has not gone unnoticed and sets the stage as Bengbu continues to grow. Juror S. C. Liu (chairman of MyTopHome) described the park as being “exemplary in terms of environmental and investment considerations… (and is) evidence of how a well-planned project can bring multifaceted advantages to a city and its people.” Thoughtful waterfront designs can drastically change the character of a city district. What fond memories of your own include some time spent along a beach, a harbour, or a boardwalk?

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Full Project Credits For Dragon Lake Bridge Park :

Project Name: Dragon Lake Bridge Park Firm: AECOM, Los Angeles Location: Bengbu, Anhui Province, China Budget: 40 million Date of Construction: Completed May 2009 Size: 25 Hectare Awards: 2010 ULI Global Award for Excellence Client: Xincheng Comprehensive Development Zone Bengbu Recommended Reading:

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

In this article, we look at how architecture can possibly combat air pollution and look at what the results of such solutions look like.  For decades scientists, urban planners and multiple other disciplines have been looking for ways to reduce air pollution in cities. Lately we’ve seen smarter cars, more bicycle paths, innovative transportation methods, and a surplus of propaganda promoting the benefits of walking whenever possible. While all of these incentives have become part of the strategy to reduce smog in larger cities, architects may have found a better solution.

Can Architecture Combat Air Pollution?

The Manuel Gea Gonzalwz Hospital in Mexico City fights pollution by having a veil like structure coated with titanium dioxide which helps break down pollutants like nitrogen oxide. Essentially when the titanium dioxide is exposed to light, its electrons interact with water to release pollutant-busting free radicals. These radicals break down any pollutant particulate on the coated panels and attack airborne particles, too. What makes this pollution busting strategy unique is that the coating can be applied to a variety of surfaces. The Musee du Quai Branly in Paris tackles pollution with a living wall. The wall follows the properties of photosynthese meaning that is absorbs carbon dioxide while emitting oxygen. WATCH >>> 11 Insane Futuristic Architectural Designs

The greatest benefit to this approach is that it can be implemented in any part of the city to provide residents with better air-quality. Perhaps taking the green wall to a whole new level, Milan’s Bosco Verticale will be covered in approximately 730 trees, 11,000 ground-cover plants, and 5,000 shrubs. If you’re interested in reading more about this environmental initiative, read our article Forests in the Sky? While it’s currently only a concept, The Hyper Filter Skyscraper is tackling the threat of environmental pollution by not only inhaling carbon dioxide, pollutants and greenhouse gases but also exhaling concentrated oxygen. This process is achieved by the long pipe filters which ensure that the air is cleaned while the harmful substances are stored for use in the chemical industry. The Congress Gateway Towers in Chicago propose a complex air filtration system. The C02 is first adsorbed at the crown of the tower by carbon scrubbers and then by algae growing inside the building. The algae is then processed into biofuels to provide energy for the building residents’ clean vehicles. ________________________________________ Emily Matlovich is the writer for CADdetails’ blog Design Ideas for the Built World. The blog aims to inspire ideas for design professionals and is your source of information about the latest cutting edge projects, innovative product designs, and updates on industry trends. It is an extension of CADdetails which is the leading provider of manufacturer-specific building product information, delivering high quality planning documents to architects, engineers, contractors, and other design industry professionals throughout North America. Their mission is to help bring design projects to life by connecting the AEC industry with high-quality CAD drawings, 3D models, BIM files, specifications, images, projects and related documents from reputable manufacturers across the continent. All of their digital content is available for download free of charge. Recommended Reading:

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

Featured image: shutterstock.com

Article by Eleni Tsirintani – Zuidwestoever, by Guido Hermans: Stadsruimte, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands There are many ways to intervene into the landscape. It can be modified, reconstructed, handled, or simply maintained. The latter is also an intervention. Zuidwestoever design introduces all of the above in a single design gesture to create a new place for the citizens of Amsterdam where they can walk, sit, organize events or simply be next to the water. A new arrangement along the lakeside redefines the interaction with water, facilitates a number of new activities, and allows the citizens to enjoy a contemporary and high-quality public space.

A set of linear wooden benches, specially designed and constructed for the site, articulate the new plan. Lines that bend, fold or unravel along the lake materialize the project. The new geometry unfolds around and in interaction with large trees already found on-site. The design works with both new and existing elements to reach a coherent result.

Zuidwestoever

The intervention unravels along the edge of Sloterplas Lake. It is a linear boulevard; part of the Slotersplas Park facilities. Sloterplas is an artificial pond in the western suburbs of Amsterdam. Sloterplas Lake was shaped in 1935 and it was part of the General Expansion Plan for the area. The lake presents a variety of activities in water sports. There are a great number of facilities for sailing, canoeing, angling, and diving sports.

A new condition by the water was required to complete the experience and register the place as a new, interesting public area. Gazing towards the water and being able to reach it are two principal qualities in most waterfront design projects. In the case of Zuidwestoever these qualities became the central point of the new plan. A new wide surface, paved with rectangular, grey stone slabs, forms a uniform base for the intervention. The paving ends along wide steps towards the water that allow both sitting and approaching the water’s edge. The steps connect the different topography levels and make the bank totally accessible in both longitudinal and transversal directions. The existing trees near the lake that seem randomly planted are framed with wooden benches especially designed for the project. The seating units form a sort of puzzle around each tree trunk and create a sense of rhythm and interesting variations according to the water proximity. The bench design bears the signature of Grijsen Park & Straatdesign, a well-established company in the field of urban furniture and infrastructure. A row of existing trees creates a clear boundary between the intervention and the adjacent vehicular access. The rest of the surface is open to possibilities. Walking, an open air market, musicians playing by the lake; anything finds its place there. In most projects, urban equipment comes from a wide range of ready-made design products that sometimes fit more and sometimes fit less into the general concept. The Zuidwestoever project makes an exception; it places the main focus on urban equipment instead of anything else. The benches are custom-made and they are what actually materializes the project geometry. Seen from a certain angle, they seem like they are floating over the water, blurring the boundaries between land and lake. The benches were constructed in parts, brought onto the site, and then installed. That allowed for both transport and any necessary adjustments to take place easily. The wooden parts are specially treated in order to resist high humidity and being exposed to difficult weather conditions. They maintain their quality and texture with little maintenance. Special LED lighting fixtures create a unique atmosphere and make the area accessible and interesting during the night. Landscape interventions are about the large scale. There is no doubt about that. Anyone working with the landscape does not do it because they get excited with 1-to-5 scale details. However, addressing the actual issues that a project presents might also involve handling smaller scale, especially when it comes to urban design projects. Sometimes it is important to take the design process to an extravagant level of detail in order to reach a successful result. This is what this project has to contribute; a way of thinking towards detail and urban equipment that is different and subversive. Urban equipment becomes a concept itself, a design tool that actually articulates the intervention.

Full Project Credits For Zuidwestoever :

Project Name: Zuidwestoever Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Date of Completion: October 2016 Design: Guido Hermans: Stadsruimte Caroline Elbers: Municipality of Amsterdam Patrick Grijsen, Grijsen Park & Straatdesign in collaboration with Eric Kruisselbrink, Idenova. Production of the Benches: 
Grijsen Park & Straatdesign Construction: JSB Infra. Recommended Reading:

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

Landscape Architects Network Features a Company Profile of Brummell Landscape Architects. Brummell is among the leading landscape architecture firms in Germany. It is known for its national and international projects, not to mention its style and innovation. Some of the services offered in Brummell’s diverse portfolio include — but are not limited to — water gardens, waterscapes, water management, gardening, bio-engineering, urban concepts, hotel resorts, and roof gardens. What started as a simple vision to make places greener and more user-friendly has led to an entire network of landscape architects known collectively as Brummell, working on numerous projects both inside and outside of Germany. Brummell is the design team behind many successful urban parks and squares in Germany, as well as hotel resorts and green planning projects in Spain and Russia.

Brummell Landscape Architects

Currently, the company is known for its influence on many projects within Germany, including streets, residences, parks, and hotel refurbishments in Berlin and many similar projects in Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich that have been in place since 2014. Although the main offices are based in Berlin, Brummell has four other offices around the world: Bangkok, Frankfurt, Hangzhou, and Karlsruhe. Brummell is on the frontier of a new revolution in landscape architecture. The cornerstones were set 25 years ago, in 1992, by Andreas Brummell, the firm’s owner and CEO. The very first projects were mainly focused on industrial development and preservation projects in Germany.

Brummell designed its first successfully constructed square, in the township of Mutshelbach, in 1992. Two years later, Brummell made a leap forward, setting the cornerstones for another similar project and creating its first roof garden in the city of Karlsruhe. From that point, there were numerous projects within Germany. But as the new millennium approached, Brummell found itself gaining respect outside of Germany and began its “landscape invasion,” with many international projects in China and Europe.

A Philosophy That Tailors to the Modern Principles of Landscape Architecture

From Bangkok to Berlin and Hangzhou, Brummell’s design philosophy has spread to many corners of the world. The diversity of their landscape architects’ expertise can best be seen through their list of projects, including clinics, hotels, industrial development buildings, nursery schools, parks, private gardens, shopping centers, and squares.

What sets Brummell apart from the competition is its spacious view on projects and its unique style, which is incorporated into every single project. Known for its mixture of more regional and national influences and skills, Brummell’s touch uses natural resources to shape structures and therefore promote the value of landscape architecture in today’s hectic world. The fact that Brummell uses sustainable landscape materials is vital to the durability and unity of the arts and landscapes its landscape architects help create. They always strive to reduce the essentials, so that they make the most of the materials and forms and do not overuse anything. Another key value is the company’s approach to integrating nature in order to save resources and, at the same time, make modern spaces more adaptive to the natural environment, which in turn helps them last for long periods of time.

Specializing in Public, Private, and Commercial Projects in Many Parts of the World

Brummell’s reputation goes beyond the national borders of Germany. Its past and future projects in China, Thailand, and Europe are solid proof of this. Brummell specializes in three main fields of operation: private, public, and commercial projects.   This way, the company promotes a universal approach toward integrating landscape architecture into today’s world and is able to help the environment as much as it helps people to enjoy parks, residences, streets, and urban areas in many corners of the world. Brummell is also known for many other types of projects, including golf courses (Russia), retirement homes (Germany), hotels (Klinikhotel in Berlin), and even sauna/bath projects. Brummell is a leader in various types of projects that aid the environment and make people feel more connected to nature while still breathing the urban air.

Influencing a Change in Urban Planning Around the World, One Project at a Time

With more than a dozen employees in its four main locations, Brummell continues to grow, project after project. Brummell’s clear vision and unique approach to landscape architecture is definitely changing the aspect of urban planning and our view on it, as well. Since 1992, Brummell has been changing the world. What was once a new frontier in landscape architecture is now a company that has a profound role in the reconstitution of meaning and value in the community today — and one that influences all aspects of environmental development.

Direct Information for Brummell Landscape Architects:

Office Name: Brummell Landschaftsarchitekten International Founder: Andreas Brummell Year of Foundation and Location: Founded in Germany in 1990 Office Locations: Bangkok/ Berlin / Frankfurt / Karlsruhe Niebuhrstrasse 4 – 10629 Berlin Website: http://www.brummell.de E-mail contacts: info@brummell.de Social Networks: Facebook, LinkedIn Some of the most important public realm projects designed by Brummell Landscape Architects include:

• Mommsenstrasse, Berlin
• School Blücherschule, Wiesbaden
• Residence Gartenstrasse, Oranienburg
• DRK clinic Berlin
• Tarabya outside facilities, Turkey
• Fire Station, Potsdam
• German Consulate outside facilities, Jeddah
• Farmyard “Paulinenhof” Stuttgart
• Engine shed complex, Dillingen

The private projects that the landscape architects at Brummell Landscape Architects pride themselves on include:

• Premises “Höwing”, Berlin
• Villa Werderstrasse, Baden Baden
• Roof terrace Panton, Mallorca
• Premises “Bliss”, Karlsruhe
• Premises “Taylor, East Grinstead”, England
• Premises “O’Connell, Burges Hill”, England
• Premises “Mauffrey, Saverne”, France
• Premises “Hugger, Hagenau”, Frankreich
• Premises “Duus”, Karlsruhe

Lastly, the commercial projects are the ones that include malls and hotel terraces, such as:

• Viva City Adlershof
• Student Residence in Gotthardstraße, Berlin
• Daimler Benz Projekt Potsdamer Platz, Berlin
• Hotel terrace in Stresemannstrasse, Berlin
• Wildau
• PX Shopping Center Hainerberg
• Lehmbruck Street Berlin
• Renneroder Street Frankfurt
• City field Wernigerode

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Article by Gwgw Kalligiannaki – Little Bay Cove, by McGregor Coxall, in Little Bay, Sydney, Australia. Designed with the principles of “urban ecology”, the Little Bay Cove is an excellent example in which “the experience of the landscape has been carefully considered to support a diversity of spaces that provide a range of amenity”, as McGregor Coxall says of his project. His proposal is based on a grid, where housing typologies are placed. A water-sensitive design basis is incorporated into the central ecological corridor and public park, but also the streets themselves.

Little Bay Cove

Coxall’s design is based on reuse of the site’s materials and local plants, to ensure absolute sensitivity towards the local topography. As landscape architects analyze, plan, design, manage, and nurture the built and natural environments, they work to create outdoor places, in order to maintaining the balance between the built and natural environment in our cities. They design innovative spaces and improve environmental quality in order to produce “human spaces”. Many landscape projects are influenced by the key points of “urban ecology”; providing spaces designed to respect and highlight the locality of the landscape, inculding “social, environmental, and ecological systems”.

Creating a New Masterplan

As the former buildings and services, as the UNSW sports fields or the UNSW Biological Resources Center, were scattered across the site, the design team decided to demolish all existing buildings, and redesign the landscape. The new master plan includes two public parks, the Urban Lounge and the Brand Park. The streets are organized according to the Water Sensitive Urban Design principles. Also, all the pedestrian connections around the site were enhanced to connect the new master plan to the existing city grid.

Design Strategy

Coxall’s design is based on three main principles; water sensitive design, endemic plant material use, and ecologically responsible design. Paying attention to those principles, the design strategy is based on rigorous site analysis with Australian standards and codes. Also, the brief indicates a stormwater system to detain and clean stormwater.

The idea is to lower the landscape strip down to the level of the road, in order to use stormwater for irrigation. Porous materials, like EcoPave, or the establishment of roadside swales used to gather rain for the gardens. The bio-retention swale in Urban Lounge is also used as part of Water Sensitive Urban Design.

Organizing the Site

The public open space provides a new street grid, which connects the site with its public environment and is based on water sensitive urban design initiatives. The street typology consists of avenues, green streets, raingarden streets, urban lounge access ways, lanes, and pedestrian links.

Public parklands were designed for recreation and stormwater initiatives, such as Urban Lounge and Palaeo Valley with Brand Park. Public domain will be the key to produce a healthy, extroverted community, and so the architect provides a range of spaces such as a BBQ corner and a toddler playground.

Wandering in the Landscape

The pedestrian network was formed to connect the site with the city, but also to give space for walking, jogging and play areas. The snake-form steel bridge, the steel stairways and weir-top bridge provide pedestrian access across the site bringing guests close to all of the site’s spaces, even over the water.

In order to have a connection to the sea, the design also engages views over the ocean and across the site, through viewing platforms and locations. Another important issue in designing public space is safety. On this point, Little Bay Cove’s masterplan deals with safety through vibrant areas using environmental design initiatives.

Respecting the Remnants

Unlike the former buildings, Coxall proposed to retain and protect the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub and the Miocene and Ochre deposits. Interpretive signage was provided to inform the guests about the history of the site, the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub and the Miocene. It is really important when we redesign spaces that have some history, to keep former elements that show the previous character of the site and its connection to the present. Coxall promoted the using of salvaged and recycled materials in the site’s areas, reinforcing that remnants are not treated only as historical evidence, but can also used in the context of eco-design.

Planting

A strong gesture from the architect is the use of native plants on the site. The indigenous planting limits help the new design to relink to the existing topography, and link the site to the remnant patch of the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub. In Coxall’s design, planting is used to promote privacy between the site and the “neighbors”, but also to create shade areas. The Casuarina planting on the northern boundary was also retained and reinforced with native plants. The re-generation of the Central Corridor is used to foster the creation of native ecosystems and promote urban biodiversity. A lot of the existing native trees were retained within the “urban ecology”. This new design gives Little Bay Cove a new, vital character as a public space, which provides communication between the users.

Designing with ecology strategies, Coxall created an eco-friendly public space, using existing and local flora with stormwater irrigation systems. Also, as the new masterplan reformed the landscape, all the important remnants were retained, protected, and respected as a history of the site. What principles do you define as ecologically responsible design?

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Full Project Credits For Little Bay Cove:

Project: Little Bay Cove Location: Little Bay, Sydney, Australia Total Site Area: 13.6 ha Client: Charter Hall Group, TA Global Year: 2014 Budget: $7,000,000 Collaborators: Charter Hall Group Hill Thalis Architects + Urban Projects Candalepas Associates Steensen Varming Paragon Project Management CIP Commercial & Industrial Property Pty Ltd Worley Parsons Aecom Robert Bird Group Steve Paul and Partners Norman Disney & Young AHMS Denny Linker & Co Travers Bushfire & Ecology Charter Hall Group Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Amrita Slatch – Land Art Park Buitenschot, by H+N+S Landscape Architects, in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands When you land at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, you might not notice the 80-acre, diamond-shaped green space right next to one of the runways. But that’s OK. That is not the purpose of this green space. Instead, it is meant to solve one of the most basic issues faced by residential areas near airports: ground noise. The idea to deflect low-frequency noise caused by aircraft taking off from one of the busiest airports in the world is an amazing attempt at using the nature of plants to absorb sound. It’s a project that doesn’t just aim to beautify the open space with landscaping, but to technically mold the space to solve a much bigger problem. Let’s learn how H+N+S Landscape Architects managed to pull of this multidisciplinary project.

Land Art Park Buitenschot

Researching Noise-reducing Landscape

After the airport’s fifth runway (Polderbaan) was built, the ground noise near the adjacent residential area of Hoofddorp increased to such an extent that mitigating measures were required. Over the span of some time, residents noticed that the ground noise was largely reduced when farmlands were plowed. This became a gateway into understanding and researching noise-reducing landscape.

The Iterative Process

The undulations formed on farmlands after plowing helped in sound dispersion, which further helped reduce noise. After understanding this, a team of people — including H+N+S, visual artist Paul de Kort, TNO (a noise-reduction technology company) and Witteveen + Bos (cost calculation and feasibility) — conceptualized the idea of a ridged landscape near the runway. Under the supervision of the Government Service for Sustainable Rural Development, Mainport and Groen Foundation, and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, a maze-like park was designed, drawing from the 17th-century experiments in acoustics by German scientist Ernst Chladni, known as the “father of acoustics.”

The Landscape that Diminishes Noise

Having realized the importance of ridges and how they help in deflecting noise, the team designed three-meter-high embankments that were carved onto the land surface. It is important to recognize that the three-meter value was generated after a lot of measurement and calculations on how oblique planes help to distort and disperse ground noise.

These embankments move along the length and breadth of the site (500 meters by 100 meters), placed very close to each other and perpendicular to the direction of the sound waves (for optimal sound reduction), forming a diamond pattern. This specific pattern forms a very interesting relationship with the orderly grid of Hoofddorp’s urban fabric. The embankments, which rise into the shape of a pyramid, have a rather interesting noise-amplifying element placed atop them. These noise-amplifying elements are parabolic sound mirrors — also called “listening ears” — that help to amplify the ground noise for whoever stands on them.

The Landscape that Stimulates Wandering, Fun, and Recreation

The beauty of this project lies in the fact that the embankments are designed so that they very seamlessly blend into the existing landscape. The reason for this is that the in-between spaces between two raised embankments have been converted into one-meter-wide walkways.

These intermingling pathways and bikeways invite nearby residents to enjoy a nice walk or ride amidst the wilderness that is a creation of the great planting strategy. The spatial vistas of the site, which are framed within the three-meter-high embankments adorned with grasslands and sedges, help form big and small spaces. These spaces then manifest into sports fields, long fields for walks and rides, and small intimate spaces. It would be appropriate to say that the landscape has very effortlessly catered to the needs of the nearby residents by not making noise reduction their only objective.

Something Much More than Just Land Art

A land art project — and at the same time Europe’s largest maze — has singlehandedly integrated the disciplines of landscape architecture and acoustic technology. According to the Works that Work, the park reduces the ground noise by two to three decibels. Although that is less than what was expected, which was eight to 10 decibels, the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport hopes to work on that in the future. Looking at Land Art Park Buitenschot as an example, the Melbourne Airport and London’s Gatwick Airport are adopting similar measures as natural ways to curb ground noise. A form that was agriculturally inspired seems to have been able to answer the questions regarding noise reduction and recreation. The result of Land Art Park Buitenschot is a multidisciplinary project that has made the residents of Hoofddorp less burdened by ground noise and able to live a more comfortable life. Have the designers been successful in their efforts to solve the noise pollution problem? Do you think this type of work can achieve more positive results? Should such noise-reducing landscapes be made compulsory near airports? Answer with your comments below.

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Full Project Credits For Land Art Park Buitenschot:

Project Name: Land Art Park Buitenschot Location: Hoofddorp, the Netherlands Budget: € 830,000/ha Date of Construction: 2014 Size: 36,000 square meters Awards: Finalist for the Rosa Barba Prize Client: Schiphol, in collaboration with Stichting Mainport en Groen Designed By: H+N+S Landscape Architects Collaborators: Paul de Kort, artist landart; Witteveen + Bos, engineering company; Nijmeijer en Mokking environmental consultancy, environmental experts; TNO, independent research organization Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Irmak Bilir – Expo Antalya 2016 by Artı Architecture Engineering Consulting, in Antalya, Turkey. It’s sure thing that a botanic expo must give a significant point to flowers, and at the same time, if an exposition’s philosophy is “A Green Life for Future Generations”, it is a must to include “Children” in its theme. Botanic EXPO Antalya 2016, which is designed by Artı Architecture Engineering Consulting, bears the theme “Flowers and Children” with its slogan, Cultivating the Future.

The sub-themes of the exposition are history, biodiversity, sustainability and green cities. Antalya is located on the south side of Turkey and it is a coastal city on the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and a beautiful city with its Mediterranean climate, agricultural significance, flora, endemic species, history, and culture. Let’s have a look at how EXPO Antalya expresses its theme.

Expo Antalya 2016

EXPO Antalya’s opening ceremony was held on the 23rd of April 2016, on the National Sovereignty and Children’s Holiday which was dedicated to all the world’s children by Atatürk, the founder and greatest leader of the Turkish Republic, in 1923. It was a nice beginning for a “Flowers and Children”-themed exposition. A big manmade lake lies down in the exposition area and there is an island and a semicirclular structure which is called “Children Island”.

Entrance to the area is provided with 4 different bridges. From morning to late hours, there were various entertaining and creative activities, ateliers, workshops, a Plant Labyrinth, music, and food for children. Most of the official and non-official countries’ and participants’ gardens had some special activities or playgrounds for children. For example, Germany’s garden was a very educational place about the potential for innovation in renewable resources, herbs and extracts, horticulture, and building with renewable raw materials for not only adults but also they had lots of materials, books, etc, for telling this concept to children. In the various amphitheaters and squares, there were activities, concerts, and theater shows. In addition, there is an area designed specifically for kids. The Kids’ Science & Technology Center was built to showcase the entertaining aspects of science and can be enjoyed by children of all ages. There is also an enormous playground surrounded by palm trees and other lush vegetation for kids looking for more traditional play activities.

Flora

The area around Antalya is extremely fertile and has an enormous variety of plant species. There are 750 endemic species in the area. What a good place to arrange a botanic EXPO! There are indoor gardens, a cactus garden, an agriculture and biodiversity museum, Turkey Biodiversity Trail, EXPO Greenhouse, EXPO Forest, an aquatic plants garden, medicinal and aromatic herbs garden, institutional and university gardens. And moreover, a peony terrace, which is next to the lake and allows watching of the musical water fountain dance shows.

Live Plant Sculpture Exhibition Area

One of the most fantastic parts of the EXPO is the giant live plant sculptures which spread around a large area and tell their stories with their magnificence. The plant sculpture project belongs to a Canadian firm Mosaicultures Internationales De Montreal and it is the largest plant sculpture site worldwide. For the 108-plant sculpture, it was planned that they would use 700,000 plants.

This area explores the link between humans, animals, insects, plants and human use of these three life forms by visualizing mankind’s journey for survival which has begun thousands of years ago. Gorgeous planting designs spread all around the exposition area. The large lake requires bridges for crossing around and these bridges are not just ordinary boring ones but wonderful botanic gardens. All the WC areas are constructed under small manmade hills. With this creative solution, there don’t seem to be lots of structural areas and it allows to green to extend to the top of the hills, so it enlarges the green area. The Green Oasis Garden which is based on a ‘Green City’ concept is one of the most fantastic gardens in the exposition area. The aim of the design is to demonstrate the value of ‘living green’ in cities and to encourage investment in sustainable green spaces. A water mill confirms one of the sub-themes of the exposition; sustainability. It does this by meeting a portion of the area’s energy needs. It’s made from wood and gives a wonderful view at sunset with the wonderful sky and palm trees which are next to the mill. Antalya’s temperature is generally too hot for walking under the sun, so lots of different coverings take place at the top of the benches, seating areas, and passages. Last but not least, one of the biggest landmarks of the EXPO is the EXPO Tower. The structure is 100.7 m tall and it is possible to see it from almost all parts of the exposition area. EXPO Tower, inspired by Hadrian’s Gate and palm trees, presents a great opportunity to view the unique scenery of EXPO area and Antalya. EXPO Antalya, with its features, ensured that visitors experienced lots of different regions’ flora all in one day. In 2016, not only children but also adults of many different ages and nationalities had lots of fun and at the same time learned about their environment. And the good news: it is now a permanent area and is still open to visitors. Do you think EXPO Antalya 2016 has expressed its theme “Flowers and Children” well?

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Full Project Credits For Expo Antalya 2016:

Project Name: Expo Antalya 2016 Location: Antalya, Turkey Area: 1121 decar Cost: 1.6 billion Turkish Liras Landscape Architecture: Artı Architecture Engineering Consulting Employer: Expo Antalya Agency Project Year: 2016 Recommended Reading:

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

 

Article by Anja Graner – LeMessi Labirinto di Jesolo, by Flavia Pastò, landscape architect, in Jesolo, Venice, Italy. In 2015, a unique and innovative attraction was initiated in Jesolo, a metropolitan town in Venice, Italy. It was LeMESSI, the corn maze, which attracted visitors of all ages and nationalities to test themselves on 6 kilometers of trails. The designers upped the ante in 2016, creating five different mazes with increasing levels of difficulty over an area of 50,000 square meters. The maze played an unusual role of connecting open air entertainment with the dynamic of local agriculture. Natural rhythms met the seasonality of the corn plant, whose cultivation is widespread in this region. Visitors and locals were able to experience a sustainable and affordable playground. This one location provided many adventures. Visitors could immerse themselves in the magical atmosphere and join in on theme nights with special entertainment.

LeMessi Labirinto di Jesolo

The corn maze emerged in collaboration with local designer Martino Messi and the American company “The MaiZe”. During a trip to the United States, Messi discovered “The MAiZE”, the largest maze consulting company in the world, specializing in designing and creating corn mazes. Fascinated by the idea and the designs, Messi decided to bring the attraction to the seaside town of Jesolo, which is characterized by seasonal tourism and agriculture. In 2016, the Italian landscape architect Flavia Pastò joined and designed the floor plan of the corn maze. Following the agricultural calendar, every year in April nearly 500,000 corn kernels are sown, and the maze plants grow during the months leading up to summer. In May, when the plants reach a height of about 50 centimeters, the trimming of the pathways processes according to a previously drawn map on the computer. The footpaths that spread over the area make up the whole maze, and the complete design is only visible from above.

The maze is open from June after the paths are created to September, when harvest time begins. The corn crops are used for the production of flour and other food products. At the end of the season, the maze disappears, leaving room for a bare field that will sit idle all winter waiting for another summer maze. The LeMESSI maze combines the charm of an ages-old game with the seasonality of the corn plant, offering a proposal for a new entertainment that is eco-friendly and accessible to all. The green space offers a simple but not trivial game that involves a wide range of people, since no special skills are required to enjoy the maze. It is a fun attraction, but also educational. Young people can get an introduction to and a better empathy for agriculture. People try to find the way out by orienting and using their intuition, technical skills, and creativity. LeMESSI is a natural amusement park where visitors can have fun in an innovative and philosophical way. Its significance refers to the combination of a fun, relaxing environment with fresh air that provides recovery, leisure, and creativity. Getting lost in the maze doesn’t have to be scary; it can be entertaining. The aim is to find the way out as quickly as possible, but the intention is to get lost in the maze. Visitors enjoy an unforgettable experience by choosing shadowy paths that include various colors, forms, inspirations, and amusement. The maze transforms the natural corn field into whimsical, challenging pathways that temporarily change our perspective and relationship with the everyday built environment. It is a playground filled with dead ends where the journey itself is what’s important. Often, there are marks that help you find your way and alleviate frustration, but the idea is to get lost a few times before figuring out the terrain and finding the way through. It requires patience and time to solve the puzzle. Therefore, mazes tend to attract those who are interested in solving mysteries and facing challenges. Nowadays, modern maze makers are creating puzzle paths out of mirrors and other hard materials, as well as trimming them into cornfields and hedges. The maze as public art and entertainment brings particular creative attractions as well as strengths to the society. Successive lines of paths and barriers create a powerful design. A maze can provide different kinds of geometries, materials, colors, and shapes that each have their own individual impact and effect. What did you experience while walking through a maze?

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Full Project Credits For LeMessi Labirinto di Jesolo:

Project: LeMessi Labirinto di Jesolo Location: Jesolo (VE) Designer: arch. Flavia Pastò, Landscape architect Costumer: CA’ Verde srl, with the sponsorship of Jesolo City Tourism department Timeline: April 2016_ Corn planting May 2016_ Cut of Path June 2016_ Opening September 2016_ Closing and threshing Area: 52.300mq the total area (with service, bar, parking) 50.000mq the Labyrinth area 462.500 grain of wheat 6 km of path 5 Labyrinths with different difficulty Cost: € 25000 Image credit: Flavia Pastò Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Domenico Pistone – “El Coso” garden and business incubator, by Cómo Crear Historias, in Cehegín, Murcia, Spain. It all started in the ’50s, when a heavy snowfall in Cehegín, a Spanish municipality in the autonomous community of Murcia, brought down part of “El Coso”, a part of the high district of the city. Serious harm was done to the community; the event created a barren space within the city and the various height differences did not favor the repopulation of the area. A great void that became a landfill, crossed only with difficulty by the citizens who created trails in their wake. A void which left a city with no water and no paths or walkways for citizens. It is from here that the mysterious history of the garden that produces water begins.

“El Coso” Garden and Business Incubator

For this project, the group of architects thoroughly analyzed the discontent of the citizens, marked paths that were born spontaneously, and started a process of participatory planning and work camps involving the entire city. The garden is a landscape of integration, returning to community members their right to walk through the neighbourhood and acting to connect different sites of the city that were remote. It is also an important example of how a city can create a garden with limited resources.

A Project with Many Voices; Participatory Planning

During the design phase, the architectsset themselves a number of questions and objectives, but the primary goal was the linkage and the path within the project. They found 9 possible results under different route conditions; at the same level, through stairs, inclined or with varying dimensions, or organically with the fall.

Working to identify the spontaneous paths that people had created to reach the other side of the site, and to adapt them to the appropriate municipal regulations, the architects spoke at length with community members in order to understand the city and to identify the best fields on which to act – an example of participatory and inclusive design. The route becomes the protagonist of the project, helping the visitor experience “full immersion” and letting him enjoy the view of the site and the surrounding country. Paths that are not born on paper or on the screen of a computer, but by realizing the needs of citizens well, is a project that is born and developed with the needs and habits of citizens in mind and a project that will become, even before it is concluded, one with the citizens and the countryside; “the desire paths”.

The Vegetation; Cure and Ornament

In order to achieve a result of such a high level, as has been done by the designers, one must undertake an almost obsessive study of the vegetation that would make healing and changing the landscape of El Coso possible. Many plant species are found here that perform the most varied functions such as Typha latifolia, (broadleaf cattail), a macrophita that purifies the water, and which assumes a brown colour in summer and green in the other seasons, or Hedera Hibernica, (Irish ivy), covering retaining walls and colouring them red in autumn and winter (this measure helps the walls accumulate less heat and cools the atmosphere in summer) or the violets’ scent or Freesia x hybrida that flourishes its perfume into the air and cheers the walks of citizens.

After defining the network of pedestrian connections, it was important to solve the purification of water from the sewers of the city; here too, the collective of architects analyzed the land and exploited the difference in levels due to the collapse. They thought it best to create a river that runs through “El Coso” and slow its progress among meanders, ponds, and artificial lakes as its waters are purified by vegetation and then used for irrigation.

Innovation and Technology Help History

The main structure within the garden houses a business incubator that aims to enhance local excellence by supporting youth policies. Part of the interior of the building overlooks magnificent tanks for wine, partly discovered after the collapse, from the seventeenth century, weaving together culture, architecture, and business. The ceiling of the structure that contains the business incubator is designed to become a viewpoint over the river, the garden, the ponds, and the whole landscape.

El Coso is a very innovative project that has managed to blend into a territory injured by a landslide and which was able to fully involve the population in both the planning and in the practical work of building. The materials used to achieve these goals were concrete, used to hold the slope, to create the reservoirs of purification and water, and to create the structure that contains the business incubator. Prefabricated concrete slabs were used for the building’s roof, which becomes the vision-point to admire the scenery. Everything is supported by a strong steel structure. And coating the whole are local plants, flowers, climbing plants, and floating macrophytes that cast shadows, offering cooler and more relaxing environments.

Water as a Metaphor for Life

Never has the name of a project been so spot-on because the “mysterious history of the garden that creates water A.K.A. El Coso” is a project that has something special; it is not limited to the construction sphere, but also involves anyone who walks into its spaces. It is a magical project because it is able, thanks to the water, to give life to a dull, dark place, and it has managed to make a site of bad memories a place of regeneration and happiness. This is the mysterious history of the garden that produces water; a better place, a fantastic project, don’t you think?

Full Project Credits For “El Coso” garden and business incubator:

Project Name: “El Coso” garden and business incubator. Project Title: “The mysterious story of the garden that makes water” Project Location: Cehegín, Murcia, Spain (2003-2015) Architects and technical construction management: Mónica García Fernández and Javier Rubio Montero (cómo crear historias) Quantity surveyor: Patricia León de la Cruz Contractor: Jose Diaz Garcia S.A. Structural engineering: Dolores Romám Mechanical engineering: AGM ingenieros, José Alberto García Fernández Safety and health coordinator: Antonio Martínez Sánchez Owner/ developer: Municipality of the city of Cehegín Photographs: David Frutos Total area: 4.436 m2 Budget (Materials and execution works): 3.111.262 € Project start date: 2003 Construction period: 2011-2015 Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Sara Fausti – Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge by Nicholas Plewman Architects in Association with Michaelis Boyd Associates (MBA), in Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa. A look at the formidable project of Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge by Nicholas Plewman Architects in association with Michaelis Boyd Associates (MBA). Can you imagine a luxury resort in an African landscape, surrounded by elephants, lions and giraffes, but with a minimal energy impact?  

The idea of a refined hotel in a wild landscape doesn’t seem to fit with the concept of sustainability but Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is the example which shows this is possible. Nicholas Plewman Architects, in association with Michaelis Boyd Associates (MBA), took on the challenge of designing a prestigious hotel in the Okavango Delta in northwest Botswana through an interesting design and eco-friendly strategies.

Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

The project is a perfect integration between aesthetics and function in a harmonious fusion between architecture and nature; a building which respects the environment through technological solutions without compromising high-quality comforts and deep perception of the space. Okavango River Valley is one of the most fertile areas of Africa and was conscripted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

Due to the value of the land, severe construction restrictions have been imposed by the government. Among the new regulations; building materials had to be biodegradable, and 70% of electricity had to come from renewable sources. The plan of the lodge is reminiscent of the shape of a pangolin, Africa’s armadillo. The result is an organic wood-shingled structure that nearly disappears into the wild landscape and operates off the grid. The building gives a sense of hospitality and protection due to its resemblance to a shelter of an animal or a warm nest. Twelve private bungalows of 116 m2 each are placed all around the lodge and elevated from the ground due to the area’s seasonal flooding. Each shelter contains high comforts and an elegant and suggestive design. Cosy fireplaces and secluded nooks offer an intimate space with a pleasant view through the wild forest of palms and fig trees. The exterior is comprised of a private plunge pool and a comfortable deck, while the interior design celebrates Botswana crafts. The entire complex includes offices, a kitchen, and a restaurant which offers succulent local dishes. The main building, the lodge, rises from the ground in an undulating metamorphic shape made from glulam pine while the exterior cladding uses Canadian cedar shingles for a pleasant visual quality. The arched, curved structure of the canopy resembles the ribcage of an animal. It opens on both sides to allow for both the flow of air and an open view to the exterior. This openness suggests a direct contact to nature, providing for a personal and unique experience. Designers faced several issues during the design of this complex structure: the frame had to be cut into three sections to be transported through the hard African landscape. But when the timber arrived on the site the pieces had warped and they couldn’t be joined together. A reject of the material would have increased the costs and it wouldn’t have been good practice as waiting for new arches would have caused significant delay in the works. The architects decided to fix the supplied sections in CAD and the frames were re-cut using a large circular saw on the site. Despite the unexpected issue, the imperfections are largely imperceptible and the team ultimately solved the problem. In order to insure a sustainable development, an accurate use of the material was done in terms of availability, production, assembly and disposals. The complex is composed of 90% wood, most of it local. Several types of wood were integrated in the structure and the interior design; pine, cedar, eucalyptus, and massaranduba. A fusion of colours, texture and tactility create a unique atmosphere rich in positive vibes. Despite being removed from civilization, the building offers an energy system which is completely self-sufficient and environmentally green. Despite energy restrictions, the project couldn’t compromise in terms of consumption in order to offer as high a standard of comfort, as found at the best hotels in the world. A system of solar panels needs to run only three to four hours a day to cover the energy demand while hot water is delivered instantly through a system of tubes backed up by heat pumps, continuously circulated through a 2.5-kilometre ring main. Water and soil waste is collected and pumped through an accredited biological treatment plant in order to reduce the impact on the site. Through its design the complex has a minimal impact on nature and in the local animals’ lives: elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes and hippos feel free to surround the building and be observed by the visitors. Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge represents a brilliant example of integrated design where aesthetics and feeling of the space find the right balance with high comfort and respect for the environmental. It also offers a unique experience in the African landscape through its intimate and warm spaces that celebrate the wildness of the surroundings and wrap the visitors in direct contact with nature and complete comfort.

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Full Project Credits For Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge:

Project: Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge Architects: Nicholas Plewman Architects in Association with Michaelis Boyd Associates (MBA) Location: Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa Date of construction: 2014 Size: 11,500-square-foot Awards: winners in the Hotels & Resorts category at the A+Awards 2016 Clients: &Beyond Recommended Reading:

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