Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

LAN writer Cameron Rodman pays a visit to Citygarden. Coming to St. Louis, I expected to be overwhelmingly impressed by the Gateway Arch and the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial grounds. The American monument and National Expansion Memorial have stood the test of time representing the history of America. I was excited to learn more about my country’s history and gain some knowledge of how westward expansion advanced. Instead, upon my visit, I found that the new jewel in St. Louis is Citygarden, a 2.9 acre urban park. Opened in 2009, Citygarden is the newest addition to the city’s “Gateway Mall” which starts at the Mississippi River and Gateway Arch then travels west 16 blocks up into the city. The park, which was designed by Virginia-based Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, was a joint effort between the City of St. Louis and the Gateway Foundation.

Embracing Free Play As the afternoon heat rises and work ends for the day, people begin filling the park slowly. Families come to the park with their children to play on and in the fountains which were originally designed to be aesthetic features. While other cities have grown accustomed to preventing community members from swimming in urban park fountains, the park authorities have embraced this cultural playfulness as a defining trait and accommodated the people with the appropriate staff. You won’t find the word “no” posted throughout the park’s grounds either. The fountains have become pools to the swarms of children who descend on the park each day. People play in the pools and the whimsical LED- lit splash pad day and night. The programmed lighting display in the splash pad each night is a fantastic sight to those out enjoying the nightlife. A Vibrant Community and Eye Catching Sculptures The community really makes a strong showing, socializing with one another along the granite and local yellow limestone benches, strolling hand-in-hand on the main walk, or by enjoying the numerous sculptures which populate the entire park. The sculptures throughout the park are an avant-garde display which brings humor and levity to the urban environment. Decapitated heads, giant white rabbits, metal sumo wrestlers, giant horses, and real-time video feeds which are displayed on a giant screen all add interest and provide people with opportunities for discussion and photo ops with those they care about. Meaningful Design The design and execution of the design, which is equally as impressive, provide visitors with a variety of textures, colors, scents, and more. Unrestricted by a tight civic budget, the landscape architects produced a design which cuts no corners. The park’s layout and elements serve as a reflection of the region’s geography. A high stone wall, known as ‘The River Bluffs,’ represent the city’s identity as the ‘Mound City’. ‘The Floodplain’, which is located between curving limestone walls on the north side of the park and a long curving granite seat wall on the south side, represents the bluffs of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Related Articles:

• Connecting People & Places: The Power of Tactical Urbanism & Placemaking
• Creating Incredibly Diverse Public Spaces

Curving decomposed granite pathways hugged with lush plantings cut circuitous routes through the site which calls to memory the oxbows in the waterways of the Mississippi River. Approximately 75% of the plantings are native species pointing visitors to the regional ecology which many urban visitors rarely experience in their day to day lives. The Rabbit Situation Over the past years the park staff has tried to solve an ongoing problem of urban rabbit populations which are located throughout the park. Of their 50+ original plant species installed, almost 20 were completely wiped out due to the rabbits’ voracious appetites for leafy greens. Currently, the park is conducting trial plots throughout the site’s rain gardens with hopes of finding species which aren’t as appealing to the local wildlife. The addition of the park has increased the economic vitality of this portion of downtown. Hotel rentals jumped over 15% in the immediate vicinity over the past four years and restaurants have begun to move closer to the park. The more impressive result is not necessarily found in these numbers however. Now, the people of the city have a place where they can take their families and avoid fighting through crowds of tourists at the Gateway Arch. They have a place that they can call their own. It is their front yard. Article written by Cameron Rodman Return to Homepage

Rain Gardens: Embracing the Environment to Create Thoughtful Spaces. You probably know from our previous article “Permeable Paving: The Essential Guide” that it is possible to allow water to infiltrate paths and roads with the use of permeable paving. But have you ever heard of the possibility of imitating natural forest infiltration within your own garden?

What is a Rain Garden?

The rain garden, as its name suggests, is a group of planting arrangements that make use of rainwater. The rain garden is usually small and can be incorporated into pretty much any outdoor design. While rain gardens are most commonly found in residential yards, they can also be planted in parking lots and parks. They can even function by themselves as small independent gardens.

What differentiates this planting design from others is that it includes a shallow constructed depression planted with deep-rooted plants and grasses. Why Would I Need to Have One? Rain gardens are vivid mélanges of plants of different colors and shapes. But their benefits are not merely aesthetical; they also provide ecological and economic advantages.

• Rain gardens serve as an inexpensive method of reducing stormwater runoff volume and improving stormwater quality as they effectively absorb and reduce pollutants.
• They function like the natural absorption of rainwater in a forest or meadow, often absorbing 30 percent to 40 percent more runoff than a typical garden lawn.
• They endure the extreme moisture and concentration of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus present in stormwater runoff.
• These planting arrangements also contribute to facilitating the infiltration of clean water, therefore conserving it and recharging groundwater.
• Birds and butterflies are provided with an ideal habitat, which in its turn reduces mosquitoes and pests.

What Sort of Plants Should Be Used? In order to attain the desired outcome, one must pay attention to selecting the appropriate plants. Rain gardens work as a balance of properly engineered soils, available space, a well-studied budget, and the right type of vegetation.

The kind of plants to be selected naturally depends on the climate of the area. There are, however, criteria that apply to all cases:

• It is best if the plants used are native. A good investigation of the available local vegetation is thus needed. But native plants are not the only option, as other non-invasive species also can be planted.
• Most rain gardens are generally planted with trees, woody shrubs, or herbaceous perennials. Annuals also can be an option.
• When choosing the rain garden plants, the priority is not the seasonal aesthetics, color, or texture, but creating a garden that needs little maintenance.
• The plants should be tolerant to drought and temporary ponding of rainwater. They must also naturally have deep roots and be able to survive the stress of heavy rainfall, pollutants, and nutrient excess.

How Does a Rain Garden Work and How to Install it?

The rain garden serves its purpose by capturing rainwater from the roof or ground surfaces and allowing it to soak gradually into the ground. By doing so, the garden filters contaminants and conserves clean water, which would have been otherwise wasted in the sewer system or flooded in the streets.

In order to successfully build the rain garden, the first step is to find a suitable location. In residential areas, it is recommended that a rain garden be placed a minimum of three meters away from the house so that it doesn’t damage the foundation. It is also best if it is located in full or partial sun and distributed into smaller rain gardens, rather than having a single large one. In order for the rain garden to function well, it is important to ensure that it receives enough water during a rainstorm. For that, it should be located in a low spot; otherwise, measuring the drainage area is needed. Before digging the garden, the design must be well planned on paper first with the proper shape, boundaries, mulching material, and plants selected. WATCH: Rain Garden at Elk Grove The next step would be, after checking the underground utilities, to remove any existing grass and dig about 10 to 20 centimeters deep, prepare a mix of soil and compost, and plant the garden as planned (a reservoir can be added to the ground for faster infiltration). Adding a layer of mulch to the rain garden is crucial for better erosion control and moisture maintenance. WATCH: An overview on building rain gardens Learning about rain gardens has given me with one more reason to think that plants are the finest magicians of the environment we live in. So when designing a garden — or any open space –make sure to keep that in mind and make the best of their powers. Recommended Reading:

• Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape by Andy Clayden
• Rain Gardens: Sustainable Landscaping for a Beautiful Yard and a Healthy World  by Lynn M. Steiner

Article by Dalia Zein Return to Homepage Featured image: Public Domain CC 1.0, source

Mercer Slough Nature Park and Education Centre by Jones & Jones Architects and Landscape Architects Buildings and nature parks: Do the two mix, or should we avoid development in sensitive landscapes altogether? Perhaps there are practical and considered ways in which we can integrate the buildings needed to encourage people to venture into the natural environment on their doorsteps. After all, persuading more people to interact with the natural world — and providing facilities in which environmental education can be spread — has to be a good thing, right? Mercer Slough Nature Park is a 320-acre park in Washington, just east of Seattle. Taking its name from the Mercer Slough River that runs through it, the park contains a diverse range of habitats, perhaps most notably a large wetland and upland forest.

Great Opportunities for Growth and Learning This urban nature park offers local residents an opportunity to experience and learn about the natural world through a unique education center that is the product of a partnership between the City of Bellevue and the Pacific Science Centre. A Sensitive Design In a carefully considered approach to maintain the sensitive landscape, the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Centre — which could have been a single 10,000-square-foot building — rises from the ground on a series of piles, lifting it into a canopy of mature Douglas fir and maple trees and greatly reducing the building’s actual footprint on the ground to a quarter of its floor space. At the same time, its design allows water, air, and vegetation to pass beneath as they would do naturally. The center is also broken down into separate buildings to help facilitate placing it among the mature trees without damaging or removing any, retaining the tree canopy and greatly softening the structure’s impact on its setting, as well as providing a unique viewing and learning experience over the forest and wetland. A Diverse Building and Educational Experience The individual buildings include four classrooms, a multipurpose room, a visitors center, an administration building, and restrooms. These buildings are linked by a series of raised walkways that create breakout spaces and plazas where they intersect, providing accessible outdoor space and increasing users’ interaction with their surroundings. These outdoor walkways and a multitude of floor-to-ceiling windows in the various buildings provide excellent viewing and discovery opportunities out into the surrounding forest. Related Articles on Aerial Walkways:

• Sensational Winding Tree Canopy Walkway
• A Path in the Forest: Tree Top Walk Creates Awesome Forest Experience
• Top 10 Pedestrian Bridges

Designed by Jones & Jones Architects and Landscape Architects, the design also focuses on slowing down storm water runoff without changing the water’s natural course. This is done via a combination of permeable walls and pervious concrete paving at the entrance plaza and rills leading rainwater collected on the building roofs to gabion splash blocks on the forest floor below.

“If you build it, they will come” – Field of Dreams The center welcomes 40,000 students and 10,000 visitors annually, including adults, families, and scientists alike, through a range of activities and resources. Ventures such as the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Centre are a fantastic and unique way of providing information and memorable experiences to local people who are interested in the environment, and can teach a wide range of community groups about the importance of sensitive landscapes, such as urban wetlands, to ensure their ongoing preservation and enjoyment. Setting The Example Fantastic innovation in architecture at Mercer Slough shows that we can continue to develop, educate society, and preserve valuable habitat at the same time. It would be really great to see more projects like this integrated into some of the beautiful and precious landscapes that will encourage and increase people’s interaction with local wildlife and natural processes, so that more of us can enjoy these places without worrying about the detrimental effects that our being there might otherwise cause. Perhaps future projects might even be able to take this concept further, encouraging wildlife to share the building space via green walls and roofs, animal habitat spaces, or more energy-efficient buildings? In any case, Mercer Slough Environmental Education Centre is a fantastic asset to the people of Washington and a shining example of how to build in nature parks or similar sensitive environments, which is reflected in its LEED Gold certification. Recommended Reading:  Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery by Charles J. Kibert Article written by Simon Vive Return to Homepage

Green Roof Design by Spanish based firm ON-A architects. “Go Green” — the phrase sounds impractical when dealing with trends and technology, but ON-A architects has managed to merge contemporary housing with nature in this single family house — designed by architects Jordi Fernández and Eduardo Gutiérrez in Barcelona, Spain. This recent project consists of a mind-blowing sustainable and eco-friendly environment, both inside and out. It forms an inner envelope of circulating fresh oxygen with well-conditioned comfort, providing its occupants with an extremely natural space — like hibernating under a lawn of wonders.

The Surrounding Area and Natural Perks This simple detached house lies in the characteristic landscapes of the plain of Vic, in the town of Tona. The house, opaque to the street, opens fully to views of the river and Tona Castle, providing privacy from passersby and a largesse of view for the occupants. The plain of Vic (plana de Vic) is a 30km long depression at the eastern end of the Catalan central depression in the Osano comarca. It is named after the town Vic, an important and ancient urban center. Other significant towns in the plain are Manlleu and Tona. The plain is subject to a phenomenon of thermal inversion, especially marked on calm weather days during the fall and winter, in which the surrounding mountain ranges are often warmer than the plain. This inversion in temperature is reflected in the vegetation. The original vegetation of the plain was Oak forest, but little is left owing to continuous human intervention since ancient times. Some very ancient oaks have been preserved as a tourist attraction. The Unique Design of The House The house has a C-shaped geometry that folds in on itself. The main facade is covered with vegetation in continuity with the landscaping of the plot. I hope the architect has decided to reveal the meaning “calligraphy of nature” through the representation of the letter C in this design, since this project holds itself to be an eco-friendly one in all aspects, a home that is camouflaged, with a simple wave of geometry toward its neighbors, with its compact design that seeks maximum energy efficiency. The Site The project occupies a surface of 140 square meters over the plain, with a proper and well-regulated use of space.  The cover, which holds the vegetation, makes the project an inspiring one. The terrace not only acts as a platform, but also as a structure that gives the house a complete geometry, providing space for the occupants to enjoy the view of the river through a glimmer of the lawn in the back yard. The garden is a well-planned grassplot, providing continuity for the occupants with a view over the river like an infinite freehold. The access leads the user to the house through a pattern of small rectangular spots. Planning Aspects The planning of the house is well prepared by the architects, providing well-utilized spaces and better circulation. The living room merges with a dining area at the rear of the house, allowing all of the family members to gather and spend time talking with one another. The rear of the house also holds a master bedroom with a view over the river. The patio on the west side of the house brings in the rays of sunlight during dusk, illuminating the interior. The morning face of the house is blessed with illumination by the wide opening provided on the east side. Related Articles:

• Why Should You Have a Grass Roof?
• What Makes a Biophilic City?
• Going Vertical: The History of Green Walls

As we have said, the plain of Vic has the phenomenon of inverting the temperature, so the place within which the house is located has the same property, adding to the home’s comfortable nature. Thus it could be said that the house is a closed loop that holds and circulates nature within itself, making itself so compact and prevailing to be the best friend of Mother Earth, maintaining a promise not to disturb her. This project is a revealing example of how contemporary designs could coincide with nature. The architect acts as an interlink between nature and technology, providing solutions for the problems to be solved within it. This project is a wonderful tribute to nature. Recommended Reading: Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls by Nigel Dunnett Article written by Sha Sulaiman Return to Homepage Featured image: Credit: on-a arquitectura

Street trees play an important role in our urban environment: filtering air pollution, mitigating wind effects, stormwater attenuation, and decreasing the urban albedo. Not to mention the more subjective benefits of aesthetics, improved quality of life and increased property prices. It is perhaps shocking then that the University of Pennsylvania places street tree mortality 8-10 years after planting at a staggering 57%, and the average life expectancy of a street tree in London is just 10 years. The Greater London Authority estimates that there are just under 500,000 street trees in London. Some of these trees were planted by the Victorians over 100 years ago. So why are so many newly planted trees in our urban environment dying, and what can we do to ensure new street trees thrive?

Two Main Factors The pressures on street trees fall into two main categories: physical and political. According to Barrel Tree Consultancy physical conflicts arise as towns and cities become more dense through brownfield redevelopment, and people and trees are brought into increasingly closer contact. Physical problems can arise from poor root zone (including low fertility, poor drainage, and poor structure), conflicts with underground and overground services and physical damage (both malicious and accidental). This BBC article states that the main political problems stem from risk management. Street trees are assessed only for the risks they present – the perceived likelihood that they will drop branches, blocking light and subsidence risk. In political cases trees are felled because of the damage they MIGHT cause. Establishing Newly Planted Trees The problem of declining numbers of urban trees is two-fold. As well as losing maturing trees to increased pressures, it is often difficult to establish newly planted trees. In the UK more than two thirds of the population live in cities  and according to The World Atlas the population density of the UK is 247 people per Km² (639 people per square mile). This compares with a population density of 30 people per Km² (79.5 people per square mile) for the USA, and just 3 people per Km² (9 people per square mile) for Canada! With such high population densities space is at a real premium. Therefore many newly planted street trees are shoe-horned into the narrowest of strips between private building frontages and roadsides. This is often the only space left to accommodate the water, gas and telecommunications infrastructure required by modern living. Professor Carol Goodwin on the solution So what is the solution? We asked Associate Professor Carol Goodwin of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia why she thought street tree mortality was so high in the UK. She said that ‘In North America, we are redesigning the city around the needs of the trees. In the UK they don’t seem to have reached that commitment to long term growth of large tree species.’ She went on to iterate that in North American countries it is not common place to ‘blame’ trees for subsidence, but rather to focus on the more holistic underlying causes of ‘reduced recharge of ground water and severe drought periods‘. This is a refreshing approach to dealing with the perceived political problems outlined above. What’s a Rhizosphere and Why do Trees Need Them? In an article for The Dirt (the online blog for the American Association of Landscape Architects – ASLA),  Jared Green cites the work of Peter MacDonagh of the Kestrel Design Group in the design of tree rhizospheres (or root zones). MacDonagh calls for rhizospheres that contain a minimum of two cubic feet of loam based soil for every expected one cubic foot of canopy. That could equate to a rhizosphere of 1,400 cubic feet (39.6 m³) of quality soil for a tree of 700 cubic foot (19.8 m³) canopy. Where tree pits cannot be that large, or there is a need for paving, the paving units would be supported with a bearing product such as ‘silva cells’. Toronto Has a Solution! In Toronto they have prescriptive techniques for best practice. One of the key principles for specifying new tree planting is continuous root zone trenches between new trees. In this technique paving is suspended over a linear trench in which trees are planted. Roots are free to grow laterally along the trench, providing the volume of root zone needed. By contrast the guidelines on Trees and the Public Realm from Westminster, London make no recommendations for minimum specification of root zone. Whilst the guide makes some very good points about streetscape design, they fall short of indicating how these can be achieved. Street Tree Mortality at a Shocking Level From the statistics examined it is clear to see that in Europe (and particularly the UK), street tree mortality is at a shocking level. Whilst there are seemingly insurmountable obstacles to overcome; with increasing population densities in our urban centres and a spatially restrictive historic environment, perhaps in Europe we should look to adopt the guidelines of the USA and Canada, and aim to design the city around the tree. We would love to hear about street trees in your area. Why not use the comments box to tell us about examples, both good and bad, from where you are? Recommended reading: The Urban Tree Book: An Uncommon Field Guide for City and Town by Arthur Plotnik Article written by Ashley Penn Return to Homepage

Baan San Kraam by Sanitas Studio The Baan San Kraam residential development completed in December 2013, in Cha-Am, Petchaburi, Thailand encompasses 266 units. Out of the 13 buildings in the master plan, only two have direct views to the Cha-Am beach. The designers were faced with a specific and unique challenge: bring the beach to the remaining 90% of the development that does not border the ocean. The overarching concept was to create a holistic setting that mimics the seascape. Designers allowed the nautical theme to influence every aspect of the site design including circulation, vegetation, topography, and building orientation. The Vision: The design team was charged with integrating the beach theme into the entire residential development. The vision was to create unique zones so each area expressed a different theme mimicking natural ecosystems and regions of the ocean. The buildings are divided into seven clusters, each modeling a unique oceanic element. Visitors are introduced to the nautical notions upon arrival and it flows continuously through the village tree house, the floating house, modern jungle, and fisherman village themed areas.

Design is in Details Successful deployment of this concept is due to the careful attention to detail design. In the initial site plan, designers made a point to preserve existing trees as specimens and focal points in the landscape. New vegetation selected for the planting plan includes all local coastal plants. The plant material divides the zones and helps to differentiate each themed area. Carefully selected plants provide shade and decrease the ambient temperature while providing unique experiences for the seafaring residents. Landscape lighting highlights the use of coastal plants and accents the landscape design. At nighttime, the residential development looks much like a high-end beachfront resort featuring sparkling pools and lush vegetated swatches. Use of Water in the Design The waterbody is the central organizing system, or the spine, of the community. Water is the dominant element of the development and it connects all zones together. With water as the focus, all other systems and buildings are oriented along this datum. Pedestrian circulation transitions from paved pathways to boardwalks as it spans sections of the waterbody. Rock stepping-stones delineate secondary paths through the residential development. These pathways are more informal and lead to building entrances or private terraces. Flow From Water to Land Islands act as punctuation marks in the waterbody subdividing spaces, providing areas for lush vegetation, and adding authenticity to the ocean-like forms. Private access to the islands is granted along a stepping-stone pathway. Grading changes around the buildings were based on the topography of the pool. Much like lines in the sand, or ledges in the ocean floor, distinct lines on the floor of the waterbody indicate changes in water depth. The lines representing a change in topography in the pool extend into the landscape providing a natural exemplification of a seaside setting. Integration of all community systems such as building orientation, topography, and circulation, allows for a more holistic and authentic experience. Rest and Relaxation Another element of the residential development influenced by the nautical theme is seating. Lounge chairs are clustered along the edge of the waterbody in the way that chairs are found on the shore of a sandy beach. Some are gathered in a group-like settings as seen near a beach cabaña whereas others are in more private and secluded areas meant for families, individuals, or residents that live adjacent to the space. Other seating areas are carefully designed into the walls that define and divide zones and spaces. The seamless integration of seating in the beach-like setting allows residents and visitors to embrace and enjoy the serene and continuous oasis. Each rounded balcony provides premier views to the ocean-like landscape encircling the residential development. The ocean journey begins upon arrival and the theme is carefully woven into each zone and every aspect of the site and detail design. The successful execution of the ocean concept is due to the research and careful observation by designers of the adjoining beach. The result is a residential development that realistically emulates elements of the natural seascape. Recommended Reading: Pools and Spas: Everything You Need to Know to Design and Landscape a Pool by Editors of Sunset Books Article written by Rachel Kruse Return to Homepage View LAN’s most popular articles HERE!

Exploring the landscape in the 21st Century There are many ways to get out into the landscape and explore new places. Geocaching is an exciting and innovative way of exploring the landscape in search of hidden objects called caches. How does geocaching work? Geocaching relies on either a GPS unit or a GPS enabled device such as a smart phone. An object is hidden in the landscape or urban streetscape with a GPS sending device or tag. The person or people participating then have to find this cache using their device. The first to find the object wins. Geocaching can also be done non-competitively by simply looking for the objects at your own pace. WATCH: What is Geocaching? There are many apps you can download on Apple, Android and Windows platforms for using on your smart phone, so it’s a very accessible way of having fun in the landscape. Often, these apps are provided by geocaching organisers who have either hidden their own caches, or their members have submitted a geocache to their website. Currently there are over 2,000,000 such caches around the world. Related articles:

• 10 Great Apps for Landscape Architects – Part 1
• 10 Great Apps for Landscape Architects – Part 2

Often geocaches are hidden in weather  proof containers that also contain a log book for the geocacher to write their name or tag (a geocaching nickname) along with the date they found the geocache. Occasionally geocaches contain a small trinket or memoire to trade. In these cases it is expected that the object is replaced by another similar object of low value for trading with the next geocacher.

Who can geocache? Anyone who is reasonably fit and has a good mobility can geocache. Objects are hidden in a range of places with varying degrees of accessibility; from a street in your local neighbourhood to rugged mountain trails. You can simply pick the sites you want to visit. Why geocache? Geocaching takes you off the beaten track, and makes you explore places and environments that you might not otherwise see. Even geocaching within your own street or block can make you see your familiar environment in a different way, or discover new things about your hometown. Geocaching Facts The term geocache is believed to be coined on the 30^th of May 2000 by Matt Strum. The title of world’s most found geocache is shared between two geocaches. They are both located in Prague, Czech Republic. Both geocaches have been found over 12,400 times. The world’s oldest existing geocache is reported to be in Washington, USA, located in the lava bed at Mount Adams and was hidden on 7^th of May 2000. Try Geocahing yourself You don’t have to rely on pre-organised geocaches or purchase expensive geocaching apps to try geocaching with friends. Why not purchase this geocahe kit and hide it for your friends to find? Your local park is a great place to start, taking it in turns to hide the cache. This kit by Dr. B contains a micro cache-engraved ‘Geocache’ for easy identification in the wilderness, a trackable tag, ‘Rite in the Rain’ log papers, logbook, stash notes, official geocaching sticker, decryption key, geo creed, permanent marker, pencils and some assorted plastic bags. Once placed, you will be able to find the geocache using GPS on your smartphone. This kit really does contain everything you need, just add GPS for a great out-of-the-box geocaching experience. Geocaching is the way to go Whether you’re looking to spend a little free time one afternoon searching for a geocache in your own neighbourhood, want to explore a new city on an urban weekend away or fancy exploring the wider landscape; geocaching is a great way to get out and explore the landscape. It can be competitive or just for fun. Try it for yourself! Geocache in style with the Magellan eXplorist GC Waterproof Geocaching GPS by Magellan Article written by Ashley Penn. Return to Homepage Featured image: Geocache Geocaching Cache Small Logbook. Credit: Public Domain CC0

What should public space be? How should it function, and what should it look like? These are some of the major challenges facing a landscape architect approaching a new public space project. Everyone has their own opinion, and they’re entitled to it but I don’t believe there is currently a right answer. Instead, it would increasingly seem that public spaces can no longer simply be ‘attractive’ or serve a single function such as providing office workers with somewhere to eat lunch. Instead they must also be: sustainable; low-cost; environmentally friendly; safe; accessible to all; inclusive of all user groups; increase biodiversity; aid rainwater drainage; provide social, economic and environmental benefits, et cetera, et cetera… But how, if at all possible, can we tick all of the boxes? No One Solution Fits All Of course, each site is unique and should be designed based on individual case needs and circumstances, but many will have one thing in common: the requirement to maximise the use and potential of precious public space. Maybe that’s easier said than done but innovative ways of delivering multi-functional public spaces are springing up all the time. We can also learn a lot from some of the successful examples of public places that have been around for a while, places that are able to adapt to changing needs and still provide multiple functions to multiple users. Here’s one prime example: The city of Portland, Oregon seems to have it figured out with Pioneer Courthouse Square. Located in the heart of downtown Portland, the city’s main urban park is known as ‘The city’s living room’ and attracts around 10 million visitors per year.

An Electric Hub of Activity Surrounded by 4 blocks of shopping, dining, entertainment and business, the square is an ideal gathering, meeting or resting spot. The key to its success is seemingly its pro-active management, prime location and simple design. Instead of filling the square with clutter and trying to define its function, the design is fairly minimal, retaining a large flexible space at its centre which is used to put on a busy events schedule (322 last year) and thus providing entertainment, interest and above all a reason to keep going back, for a range of tourists and locals alike. The layout cleverly uses the slope of the land to facilitate the use of steps which provide amphitheatre style seating around one corner and two sides of the square, allowing for a large number of spectators at any one time. The square is home to a transport office within the tourist information and travel office and is well served by transport options. The flagship Starbucks store sits on one corner in its home city, but all other vendors are mobile, allowing further flexibility in the squares service offerings. Maximising Green Space Whilst there is not an abundance of ‘green space’ in this urban park, trees line the edges of the square to provide shade and shelter and plant pots are regularly brought in to add colour and life to contrast the red bricks that dominate the design. The calendar of events includes: cinema, international festivals, concerts, markets and many more which mark the square out as a prime attraction, year round. The events also generate income for the continuing operation of the square. It is well looked after, with a team of janitors and security guards maintaining cleanliness and security. Thinking About The Future In the case of Pioneer Courthouse Square, it would appear that staying flexible, or not trying to prescribe function, allows it to actually serve multiple functions. The design element did not finish when the square opened in 1984, instead a management trust was set up to manage it on an ongoing basis, ensuring it continually delivers on its aims to activate and enrich the environment of the park to serve the people of Portland and its visitors. Watch: Pioneer Courthouse Square & Pioneer Place So if you’re struggling to fit a vegetable garden, wildflower meadow, play equipment, rain garden, urban forest and ample seating into your next design project, just remember that sometimes, less is more. Recommended reading: Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space by Jan Gehl Insurgent Public Space: Guerrilla Urbanism and the Remaking of Contemporary Cities by Jeffrey Hou Article written by Simon Vive Return to Homepage

Richard James MacCowan is a co-founder of Biomimicry UK. He recently completed his master’s degree in urban design at Leeds Metropolitan University, where he is now a Ph.D. researcher and part-time lecturer. His research focuses on using biomimicry as a  tool in ecological design. Hi, Richard. Thanks very much for talking to us here at LAN. Let’s dive right in. Perhaps you could begin by telling us what biomimicry is? To borrow from notable academics, I would say biomimicry is the conscious emulation of nature’s genius. It’s looking at how we can mimic the form, processes of systems of nature to provide us with more resilient solutions. I say solutions instead of design, as using nature as inspiration is being used across many fields, ranging from landscape architecture through to economics.

And what is the purpose of Biomimicry UK? The purpose of our network is to provide a way to bring together students, researchers, academics, and professionals who are either interested in this evolving field or are currently practising biomimicry. We are not exclusive, so we are covering not only the well-known fields linked to biomimicry, but also business and economics. Our longer-term goal is to link more research institutions together to develop stronger links with industries looking for more innovative strategies that they cannot develop due to time and cost constraints. Who else is working on Biomimcry UK with you? The other co-founders are David Sanchez, a Ph.D. researcher at the University of Dundee, and Annette Schumer of Biomimicry NL. We have three “champions” of biomimicry: Julian Vincent, honorary professor of biomimetic engineering at University of Bath; Giles Hutchins (co-founder, Business Inspired By Nature) ; and Michael Pawlyn, founder of Exploration Architecture. What are the benefits of biomimetic design? People see a lot of things as cost value. But social well being has cost value, too. If we are innovative and follow what nature does successfully, this will have knock-on effects by reducing costs and environmental impact and benefiting our own social well being. If, for example, we develop more SUDS in cities, we have the social benefit of being closer to nature and the sound of running water. And is this something you’ve incorporated into your own work? My project (The Gas Works, Canvey: Using the principles of Biomimicry to develop an Urban Design Framework on Canvey Island) looked at a site on Canvey Island, which is currently used for all the major gas that is brought into the country. I looked at the island’s ecosystems and organisms, particularly Canvey Wick – one of the country’s most biodiverse habitats for insects. By looking at Canvey Wick, I was able to see how resilient ecosystems work, from the smallest ant to the largest tree. This enabled me to develop a continuous-loop system to minimize the impact a large-scale development would have on the island’s infrastructure. I was lucky enough to win the Student Prize at the 2013 National Urban Design Awards and the Fraser Teal Award from Gillespies. This systems approach is something I am developing for my Ph.D. So what other projects are on the horizon for Biomimicry UK? At present, we are developing our on-line presence and applying to be linked to Biomimicry 3.8 in the USA. David Sanchez and I are part of a steering group to develop a “Biomimicry Self-Build Project” with Resonate Arts House in Alloa, Scotland. In addition, I recently ran a workshop at the Global Biomimicry Conference on systems thinking. We used real challenges given to us by companies from both in the UK and USA. This will allow us to develop links to industry to promote biomimetic thinking. Currently, I am arranging workshops with both the York and Leeds Green Drinks events to be held on the 18^th and 23^rd July, respectively. Thanks, Richard. Lastly, do you have any favorite fascinating projects that use biomimicry to tantalize our readers? The one that I keep going back to is the Silk Pavilion by the MIT Media Lab.  (This project explores the relationship between digital design and biological fabrication in terms of product and architectural scales). Just watch the video! It’s incredible. Also, Airbus are developing some interesting projects, from materials to minimize cleaning in bathrooms based on the lotus leaf, to sharks’ skin to achieve drag reduction in airplanes. Finally, for the landscape architects, Living Machines, based in the USA, have developed systems to clean water based on the tidal flow of a wetland. Once again, thanks so much for talking to us, Richard. If any of our readers are interested in what you’ve read today, more information on Biomimicry UK can be found on their Facebook Page and on Twiter (@Biomimicry_UK). Recommended reading: Biomimicry: Inventions Inspired by Nature by Dora Lee The Shark’s Paintbrush: Biomimicry and How Nature is Inspiring Innovation by Jay Harman Interview conducted by Sonia Jackett Return to Homepage Featured image: Credit: Kevin Krejci, source ; Water Droplets on Leaf

Gridshell, a timber structure, built for Naples School of Architecture courtyard, University of Naples”Federico II” by Gridshell.it What happens when the spaces we visit the most, or the spaces where we spend the most time always look the same? We get bored because nothing changes-neither the architecture, nor the furniture. When there’s nothing new to appreciate or discover we tend to see the area as an empty and boring place; and turn it into the last place we would like to linger. But when we find a way to innovate (even with a small change such as adding new furniture, color, textures or new lighting), that empty space could turn into an iconic place. Something fresh and new can make all the difference in bringing life and comfort to any space. The possibilities are endless, given the resources at our disposal, and how we could use them. What happens when we students decide to bring our knowledge out of the classroom and into the campus? What happens when we decide to commit to a sustainable practice, and invite people to get involved? That’s exactly what a group of master’s degree students has done in Naples, Italy at the Naples School of Architecture. They decided to combine teaching and research in a construction experiment, focusing on developing a structure that could be used as a piece of urban furniture, with the goal of sustainability and innovative construction. The result was a gridshells made of wood.

Eco-compatibility, Affordability, and Construction What’s the project about? The students decided to build a gridshell on their campus to investigate the Eco-compatibility, affordability and the ease of construction of such an urban intervention. The 96 square meter gridshell was built of coppice wood materials from the Italian forest (all certified). The use of this material guaranteed that no glue or chemicals were needed in the construction. Construction How was it built and by whom? The gridshell was constructed in situ in the courtyard of the Naples School of Architecture, with students taking straight pieces of wood and bending them along geodesic lines. The wood had been cut and prepared in a workshop previously. The hand tools the students used were the same as any carpenter would use in their work. The project was both designed and built by students. This entailed assuming the role of carpenter giving them the chance to accumulate practical experience that was extremely valuable for their understanding of the physical properties of the material as well as the mechanics of the structure. The construction was an open project that attracted attention from people around the campus. Other students, teachers and local residents were also invited to join in. The research team and the new recruits grew day by day turning a scholarly project into a community experiment. The Play of Light and Shadow After the gridshell’s construction, the Faculty Council decided to add a shaded area for students in one of the faculty courtyards under the gridshell. They added a wooden skin to the structure, resulting in playful geometric shadows, turning the courtyard into a new and comfortable space where students, teachers, and others could sit and have a coffee while reading, enjoying conversation, or taking a rest. A skin made of wood was added to the main structure to cover the space. This skin was applied systematically across the length of the structure. The cladding method has resulted in playful geometric shadows, turning the courtyards into a new and comfortable space. See also: Sun Salutation and The Sea Organ Stunning Plant Pavilion Created in China A New Green Era in Construction Once again, this project shows the importance of developing an eco-friendly construction system utilizing easy to handle materials that don’t involve artificial chemistry or substances dangerous to the environment. It’s easier for anyone to participate in this kind of construction when we don’t depend on technology. This is an innovative way to build urban spaces, as well make sustainability the focus of the project. Watch: Digital Form-Finding of Timber Post-formed Gridshell – The video below gives you an understanding of the design and build process. Projects that are easy to construct and inspire community involvement, that’s what we need, as we move forward to a new “green” age, where the most important thing is to stay healthy while promoting a healthy environment. Project credits: Name: Toledo Gridshell A timber Gridshell, built for Naples School of Architecture courtyard, University of Naples”Federico II” (2012) Project team: Arch. Andrea Fiore, Arch. Daniele Lancia, Prof. Arch. Sergio Pone, Prof. Arch. Sofia Colabella, Arch. Bianca Parenti Structural Consultants: Arch. Bernardino D’Amico, Prof. Ing. Francesco Portioli. Recommended reading: Ecological Design, Tenth Anniversary Edition  by Sim Van der Ryn Principles of Ecological Landscape Design by Travis Beck Article written by Maria Conchita Sandigo Return to Homepage Featured image: Credit: Daniele Lancia

This week’s Sketchy Saturday top 10. Welcome to what is becoming one of the world’s biggest databases of sketches online. Featuring hand drawn talent from the all over the globe. Every day you guys send us in your sketches, showing your latest creations and in some cases forgotten work which you have blown the dust of to submit to us, something we are really grateful for. This week we seen an array of fabulous work that is sure to inspire as it reminds us all why hand skills are still an integral part of being a designer, especially when it comes to designing outdoor spaces. 10. by Shamsul Johari B. Shaari, UPM-MLA

“This drawing is part of my proposal for my urban design subject in MLA in University Putra, Malaysia. I tried to imagine the space, elements and functions of the area in a way that would give the people more use of the public  space.  This area needed linkage from the Clock Tower to the Mosque (Jamek) in the centre of Kuala Lumpur. I used a drawing pad, tracing paper, photostat and mix of colours  (ecoline + pencil colour)”. 9. by Münire SAĞAT “I made this sketch for the Losev Natural Living Center competition. The area is a natural life village in Cankiri Cerkes. I drew it by promarker on white sheet. Therefore, I had an aksonopmetrik perspective. I am  a landscape architect at my own firm; Studio BEMS Landscape Architecture and Urban Design in the capital  city of Turkey, Ankara”. 8. by Roman Oravec Landscape architecture MA student – Slovak University of Agriculture – Slovakia

4. by Brett Freeman, graduate student of Architecture at the Univ. of South Florida, School of Architecture and Community Design, USA “The watercolor rendering is the result of an Urban Design assignment to conceive a high density block in St. Petersburg, FL, whereby public space is shared with both residents of the block and those shopping or passing through by foot or bicycle: a destination as well as a vibrant, urban street. Materials are watercolors on watercolor paper and black prismacolor pencil for some edges, to make them pop”.

Growing urban populations are placing pressure on local governments to provide solutions to the challenges that this migration creates. One of these main challenges is: ‘where do these additional people live, work and recreate?’ Many modern cities grew on the back of industry but in modern times these industries have become obsolete or unable to compete with global competition. As such, many industrial areas within our towns and cities are not the central, thriving areas they once were. To make better use of the prime, inner-city real estate that these areas occupy, brownfield sites are being identified for redevelopment into new inner city mixed use suburbs as one way to accommodate growing population demands. Examples of this approach can be seen in Neu Oerlikon, Zurich, Canary Wharf and Melbourne Docklands. Watch: M Docklands – Melbourne’s Waterfront Living Melbourne is 300ha of former docks in Port of Melbourne which became obsolete after containerisation. It was the subject of development proposals for years but lacked funding. Construction of a new sports stadium was the catalyst for investment into the area. Government and developers combined to improve infrastructure. Now it offers a range of retail, leisure and residential facilities, 3.7ha of public space including 3 parks as well as being the location for many businesses and major head offices. Development is continuing to increase the capacity of workers and residents and to provide schools and sports facilities. Challenging Times There can however be a number of challenges with undertaking this transformation. For one, brownfield is often contaminated land, in some cases limiting development options. This does provide opportunities for strategies including bioremediation – using plants to clean soils of pollutants. This can be timely and limited in its effectiveness, but it allows for a temporary or transitional use of the land which has environmental benefits, cleaning the land for future development. Alternatively, it may be decided that greening the brownfield is the end goal. Watch: It’s My Park: Freshkills – Staten Island Freshkills Park in New York for example is a large new park project being built on top of what was formerly the world’s largest landfill site. Some other well-known examples of parks constructed on brownfield include Duisburg Nord Park in Germany, Gas Works Park in Seattle, Tianjin’s Qiaoyuan Wetland Park and The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London which is being further developed into a complete new community. These places have strong identities and are open to all user groups. They offer something unique and have transformed underused land into quality public spaces.

Related articles: Top 10 Reused Industrial Landscapes Community Turn Abandoned Industrial Site into Public Park Industrial Site Transforms into Beautiful Landscape Qiaoyuan Wetland Park in Tianjin transformed a shooting range and slum which was also a dumping ground into a fantastic community and environmental asset. Sculpting the previously flat land allowed water bodies to form and large groundcover and wetland plantings are helping to clean the water, improve the low quality soil and provide quality community space for the surrounding residents as part of a landscape regeneration strategy. The park also provides opportunities for environmental education and provides natural services to benefit the area. Watch: Introduction to Hong Kong Wetland Park (English) A Powerful Transformation This brownfield development is turning unloved, unattractive and unwelcoming parts of our cities into new, exciting and inviting community, residential, employment and recreation destinations that are reconnecting local populations with the environment. It relieves pressure on greenfield where an increasing number of landscape architects are helping large companies get planning permission to develop, presumably because developing on greenfield is generally cheaper than redeveloping brownfield. The question remains however, where does our light industry go? These businesses need good infrastructure and a pool of employees on hand to remain competitive. Do they move further out of the city centre to the suburbs? If so, will we be moving them on again in 20 years’ time when our cities grow further still? Perhaps, as economies develop, industry moves offshore and service industries integrate less obtrusively into the fabric of our built environment. Ultimately though, the development of brownfield sites at present is very necessary and provides an exciting and challenging opportunity for landscape architects to create new and high quality public spaces within existing, developed suburbs. Recommended Reading: Phytoremediation: Transformation and Control of Contaminants by Steven C. McCutcheon Phytoremediation: Role of Aquatic Plants in Environmental Clean-Up by Bhupinder Dhir Article written by Simon Vive Return to Homepage Featured image: Qiaoyuan Wetland Park by Turenscape