Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

Landschaftsarchitekten design Town Hall Square Solingen The industrial city of Solingen is located in western Germany. In 1993, the city chose to condense a series of municipal services into a new and contemporary addition to the surrounding architecture. This brought about the desire to create a new municipal precinct comprising municipal services, office buildings, multigenerational housing, and commerce. This new quarter was advertised as a design competition, with the German firm scape Landschaftsarchitekten winning the landscape architectural honors. The first phase of the project was completed in 2008. Concept The team at scape Landschaftsarchitekten conceptualized Solingen Town Square as an “urban living room” — a public place for citizens to engage and interact, particularly the municipal workers within the vicinity. The designer’s intentions were to accentuate the relationship between the surrounding architecture and landscape, linking several spaces that form the precinct through a network of circulation and verdurous spaces.

Design Elements The entry to the Town Hall Square precinct itself acts as a doorway of sorts to this “urban living room”. Its form is shaped by surrounding edifices and an adjacent bus stop. This generous amount of open space has at its center a group of Japanese Pagoda Trees (Sophora japonica) creating a space around three enormous, organically sculptured seating elements. A place to convene and communicate, this area was “inspired by the movement of people.” Upon wending through the aforementioned entrance to the center of the Town Hall Square precinct, one is led to what has been coined the “Green Wave” — a narrow piece of undulant turf dotted with Yoshino Cherry Trees (Prunus × yedoensis) that provide a panoply of color and fragrance come early springtime. Serving as both a pocket park and “green boulevard”, its linearity creates a strong visual and physical link between different ends of the precinct and through to its surrounding context. Related articles: Top 10 Public Squares of the World Top 10 Political Squares Although the “Green Wave” and its well-defined connectedness with its environs is a notable feature in the design, it is in fact the geometric black and white paving that exhibits a harmony of parts within Town Hall Square. Much like the decorative and elaborate technique of wood marquetry, this “concrete carpet” gives the area continuity and defines thresholds of space by bleeding out into a change of materials wherever greenery emerges. This is most evident when the black and white pavement meets the courtyards surrounded by the Town Hall extension to the south, transitioning into strips of gravel accompanied by mixed plants — perennials, grasses, and bulbs. These courtyards act as “abstract gardens” and, if nothing else, provide a more contemplative and secluded setting for users and pleasant viewing from the surrounding building fenestration. My Take Excessive and unneeded paving can often void urban environs of any real being, rendering them into bleak, hard landscapes. Through utilizing a bold and innovative paving pattern and its ensuing visual effects, combined with its integration (or disintegration in this context) into the surrounding greenery, scape Landschaftsarchitekten has successfully designed a contemporary take on the urban square. Recommended reading: How to Study Public Life by Jan Gehl Article written by Paul McAtomney HOME PAGE

Top graduate Joe Clancy shares his top book recommendations for your second year of landscape architecture. Continuing on from our first article, here are 10 books that helped me through my second year of Landscape Architecture. Prices quoted are from Amazon. However, shop around, as they aren’t cheap. Of course, check your University’s library first. Keep an eye out for my follow up articles on book lists for 3rd and 4th year. Note: Everyone will have their favorites and this list is only a small portion of the material out there. There are “must reads” and “classics” and so on, but I feel the choices below are, currently, the most relevant and current. 10. Design With Nature (Ian L. McHarg) In the twenty-five years since it first took the academic world by storm, Design With Nature has done much to redefine the fields of landscape architecture, urban and regional planning, and ecological design. It has also left a permanent mark on the ongoing discussion of mankind’s place in nature and nature’s place in mankind within the physical sciences and humanities. Described by one enthusiastic reviewer as a “user’s manual for our world,” Design With Nature offers a practical blueprint for a new, healthier relationship between the built environment and nature.  Get it Here! 9. Death and Life of Great American Cities (Jane Jacobs) A direct and fundamentally optimistic indictment of the short-sightedness and intellectual arrogance that has characterized much of urban planning in this century, “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” has, since its first publication in 1961, become the standard against which all endeavors in that field are measured. In prose of outstanding immediacy, Jane Jacobs writes about what makes streets safe or unsafe; about what constitutes a neighborhood, and what function it serves within the larger organism of the city; about why some neighborhoods remain impoverished while others regenerate themselves. Get it Here! 8. Life Between Buildings (Jan Gehl)

The intensity in which fine public spaces are used at this point in time, as well as the greatly increased general interest in the quality of cities and their public spaces emphasises this point. The character of life between buildings changes with changes in any given social context, but the essential principles and quality criteria to be employed when working with life between buildings has proven to be remarkably constant. Get it Here! 7. Constructing Landscape (Astrid Zimmermann) The one-stop handbook on landscape architecture in a revised edition “Constructing Landscape” is a systematic introduction to technical and constructional open space planning, with all the relevant topics, from the most common materials and surfaces to the construction of open space elements and the use of plants. For landscape architects and architects it is an indispensable guide to correct and professional execution planning as well as to preparing solid and well-thought-out requests for proposal. “Constructing Landscape” is divided into two sections, Materials and Surfaces, and Building Construction and Building Elements. Get it Here! 6. Basics Landscape Architecture: Urban Design (Tim Waterman, Ed Wall) Basics Landscape Architecture: Urban Design provides an overview of urban design from a landscape architecture perspective. Urban design is an interdisciplinary practice that is concerned with defining the form of human settlements. Landscape architecture plays an important role in this process. This title seeks to define and describe this role, highlighting the unique perspective that landscape architects bring to urban design. It provides a brief history and definition of urban design and the roles of the various professions involved. It looks at the elements of urban form and the importance of contextual details, from the scale of the city and its region to the importance of materials. Get it Here! 5. Basics Landscape Architecture: Ecological Design (Nancy Rottle, Ken Yocom) “Basics Landscape Architecture 02: Ecological Design” provides an overview of ecological design and planning for landscape architects. It explores the concepts and themes important to the contemporary practice of ecological design and planning in a highly accessible and richly illustrated format. Focusing primarily on urban environments, this book examines the relationships between ecological design theory and design methods. It describes and illustrates the basic structures and functions of natural and human systems through landscape ecology principles and the dynamics of landscape processes. Get it Here! 4. Eyes of the Skin (Juhani Pallasmaa) The Eyes of the Skin has become a classic of architectural theory and consists of two extended essays. The first surveys the historical development of the ocular-centric paradigm in western culture since the Greeks, and its impact on the experience of the world and the nature of architecture. The second examines the role of the other senses in authentic architectural experiences, and points the way towards a multi-sensory architecture which facilitates a sense of belonging and integration. Get it Here! 3. Google SketchUp for Site Design (Daniel Tal) Google SketchUp for Site Design illustrates a holistic approach to SketchUp: how it works and more importantly, what to do with it. Filled with tutorials from front to back, the book focuses on the start and completion of projects that include rich detail and expression. Each part and chapter of the book builds on the previous chapters and tutorial. You will learn how to approach modeling site plans, buildings and site elements: from modeling each of these exterior environment elements to piecing them together to generate a singular and expressive model. The book culminates with tutorials demonstrating effective and simple ways to include grades and terrain using the Sandbox tools and how best to integrate the entire approach with AutoCAD and SketchUp. Also included are links to supplemental on-line resources such as YouTube tutorials and free tutorial and example models from 3D Warehouse. Get it Here! 2. Designing Small Parks (Ann Forsyth, Laura Musacchio, Frank T. Fitzgerald) “Designing Small Parks: A Manual for Addressing Social and Ecological Concerns” provides guidelines for building better parks by integrating design criteria with current social and natural science research. Small parks are too often relegated to being the step-child of municipal and metropolitan open space systems because of assumptions that their small size and isolation limits their recreational capacity and makes them ecologically less valuable than large city and county parks. This manual is arranged around twelve topics that represent key questions, contradictions, or tensions in the design of small parks. Topics cover fundamental issues for urban parks, natural systems, and human aspects. Also included are useful case studies with alternative design solutions using three different approaches for integrating research findings into small urban park design. Get it Here! 1. Digital Drawing for Landscape Architecture (Bradley Cantrell, Wes Michaels) Digital Drawing for Landscape Architects bridges the gap between the traditional analog and the new digital tools and shows you how to apply timeless concepts of representation to enhance your design work in digital media. Building on the tried-and-true principles of analog representation, Digital Drawing for Landscape Architecture explores specific techniques for creating landscape design digitally. It explains the similarities and differences between analog and digital rendering, and then walks you through the steps of creating digitally rendered plans, perspectives, and diagrams. You’ll explore: Computing Basics Raster and vector images Setting up the document Base imagery and scaling Hand-drawn linework and diagrams Text, leaders, and page layout Color, shading, and textures Creating a section elevation Perspective drawing Techniques for using the newest versions of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat as well as older versions With more than 500 full-color drawings and photographs alongside proven techniques, Digital Drawing for Landscape Architects will help you enhance your skills though a unique marriage of contemporary methods with traditional rendering techniques. Get it Here! We hope you benefited from this list, there is certainly broad diversity of topics touched on relating directly to and indirectly to the extraordinary field of landscape architecture, helping you to discover just exactly where you want to specialize and develop your skill set in.  Watch out for the next edition of Joe’s recommendations for 3rd year. Article written by Joe Clancy HOME PAGE Featured image nathanmac87 via Flickr CC 2.0

Top graduate Joe Clancy shares his top book recommendations for your first year of landscape architecture. Here is a list of 10 books that helped me through my Landscape Architecture studies. While I did not read all of these choices in my 1st year, as I had not discovered them yet, in retrospect I feel they are appropriate for helping students get through their first year. All books link to Amazon however, shop around, as they aren’t cheap. Of course, check your University’s library first. Keep an eye out for my follow up articles on book lists for 2nd, 3rd and 4th year. Note: Everyone will have their favourites and this list is only a small portion of the material out there. There are “must reads” and “classics” and so on, but I feel the choices below are, currently, the most relevant and current. 10. Fundamentals of Landscape Architecture (Tim Waterman)

“The Fundamentals of Landscape Architecture” provides an introduction to the key elements of this broad field. It serves as a guide to the many specialisations complimentary to landscape architecture, such as landscape management and planning, and urban design. This book explains the process of designing for sites, including historical precedent, evolving philosophies, and how a project moves from concept to design to realization. Read our full review of the Fundamentals of Landscape Architecture. Get it Here! 9. Destination Art (Amy Dempsey) “Destination Art” remains the only illustrated guide to modern and contemporary art sites outside the confines of museums and galleries. Revised and updated in paperback, the book profiles more than 200 of the most important contemporary art sites around the world, including four new sites in Tennessee, Norway, China and Scotland. From massive land and environmental works to extensive sculpture parks, some of the most crucial and popular international artists are profiled, from Henri Matisse, Anoni Gaudi and Constantin Brancusi to James Turrell, Antony Gormley and Olafur Eliasson. Get it Here! 8. Architectural Model Making (Nick Dunn) The physical scale model is often cited as an important tool of communication for architecture students and practitioners alike. Through description of the use of different models in different contexts, this book provides a guide to how and why models are used, what they are used for, and, furthermore, how they relate to architecture education. Get it Here! 7.  Landscape Graphics (Grant W. Reid) “Landscape Graphics” is the architect’s ultimate guide to all the basic graphics techniques used in landscape design and landscape architecture. Progressing from the basics into more sophisticated techniques, this guide offers clear instruction on graphic language and the design process, the basics of drafting, lettering, freehand drawing and conceptual diagramming, perspective drawing, section elevations and more. It also features carefully sequenced exercises, a complete file of graphic symbols for sections and perspectives, and a handy appendix of conversions and equivalents. Get it Here! 6. Theory in Landscape Architecture (Simon Swaffield) Here, for students and practitioners of landscape architecture, architecture, and planning, is a single resource for seminal theoretical texts in the field. Essential for understanding the specific connections that have been made between landscape and social, cultural, and political structures, “Theory in Landscape Architecture” reminds readers that the discipline of landscape architecture can be both practical and formally challenging. Covering the past fifty years of theory, this primer makes an important contribution to a student’s emerging professional ethics. Get it Here! 5. Drawing for Urban Design (Lorraine Farrelly) Explores a range of ways to represent the city, from freehand sketching to the sophisticated interactive computer model of the city of the future. This book provides an introduction to the techniques while explaining the processes associated with describing and designing urban environments. Get it Here! 4. Form and Fabric in Landscape Architecture (Catherine Dee) Form and Fabric in Landscape Architecture provides an original, visual approach to the study of landscape architecture by creating a spatial morphology based on use and experience of landscapes. It explores aesthetic, spatial and experiential concepts by providing a structure through which landscapes can be understood and conceived in design. ‘Fabric’ is the integrated structure of whole landscapes, while ‘form’ refers to the components that make up this fabric. Together form and fabric create a morphology of landscape useful for the development of visual-spatial design thinking and awareness. This book is intended as both an introduction to the discipline for students of landscape architecture, architecture and planning, and a source of continuing interest for more experienced environmental designers.  Get it Here! 3. Drawing for Landscape Architecture Sketch to Screen to Site (Edward Hutchison) This essential publication reintroduces the importance of learning to see by hand, to visualize large-scale design schemes and explain them through drawing, before using the digital tools that are so crucial to efficient and cost-effective building solutions. Combining traditional drawing techniques with those from CAD rendering, in nine chapters, “Drawing for Landscape Architecture” guides practitioners from their very first impression of a site, through concept and schematic design and client presentation to construction and site drawings, concluding with two case studies that show the final result. Just as hand-drawing returns to design courses around the world, this welcome publication celebrates the best aspects of traditional techniques while incorporating them into today’s digital design methods. Read our full review of Drawing for Landscape Architecture Get it Here! 2. The Architectural Drawing Course (Mo Zell) This practical foundation course in architectural design offers key advice on the principles, practice and techniques of the subject. Dealing with much more than just the technical aspects of drawing, it introduces the reader to the visual language of architecture, encouraging them to think spatially and question the built environment. All architecture students, and anyone interested in the creative side of architecture, will find this book an invaluable tool and reference. Get it Here! 1. The Planting Design Handbook (Nick Robinson) Nick Robinson’s “The Planting Design Handbook” has been widely used as a definitive text on landscape architecture courses throughout the world. It examines the horticultural, ecological and aesthetic characteristics of plants, discusses the structural and decorative roles of planting, spatial composition, species selection, planting plans and spacing, and the vital role of management. With its fresh look at aesthetic principles and its analysis of the design process, it reveals how a systematic approach can allow the greatest freedom for the creative imagination. While expensive, this book is worth it. I still refer to it in professional practice Get it Here! We hope you benefited from this list, there is some real gems on this here which you are sure to benefit from, so check to see if your library has them, if not, click on the link and pick up your own private copy and grow your library as you grow your career and interest in the world of landscape architecture. Watch out for the next edition of Joe’s recommendations for 2nd year. Article written by Joe Clancy HOME PAGE Featured image Peter Werkman via Flickr CC 2.0

After a two week break we return to the consistently awesome Sketchy Saturday feature on LAN. The break allowed the entries to really pile up making this week’s top 10 even harder than usual to get featured in;  in fact there was so many that we wanted to feature  that we’ve decide to carry over some of this week’s entries into the next edition of Sketchy Saturday. In this week’s Sketchy Saturday we see many styles at a very high professional standard of artistic representation. We hope you enjoy it. 10. Paul Dean Coker, Consulting Landscape Architect/Architect

“This is the beach at San Simeon, CA, home of the renowned “Hearst Castle.” It is a State park, donated to the State by the heirs of William Randolph Hearst (and a great destination for landscape architects and architects-bring a sketch pad). The sketch is pencil on specially selected tracing paper that was then mounted over a textured art paper. Various pencil lead weights and a smudging stick were used”.

“I am sending you a sketch of a shipwreck located on a neglected part of Danube riverfront in New Belgrade. This colossus stands there trapped between shallow water and trees for some time and surely got my attention. Therefore I tried to share this gloomy but interesting atmosphere. I added a fishermen to highlight the scale. Sketch was created with colored pencils and brown paper”. 8. Francesco Speranza, graduate Building Engineer-Architect, Italy

“The sketch was born from the necessity to synthesize in one drawing the project of an agricultural park in the Diano’s Valley in Italy, it is composed by a mosaic of fields crossed by filament of rural productive houses and paths that link the cities at the feet of the mountains. The drawing is a pen sketch colored with photoshop”.  7. Christiane Lisboa, Architect and Professor, São Paulo, Brazil “I made this watercolor and pencil sketch in 1982 when I was about to graduate at the Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Universidade de São Paulo. I was sketching at the top of a building looking to Eusebio Matoso Bridge. It was part of my graduation landscape design project  “The River for the city”  concerning the spaces along the banks of the Pinheiros River in São Paulo, Brazil. Unfortunately up to this day the river is polluted and along the shores there are railways, freeways and residual paces which are almost inaccessible to people, although some improvements occurred along the years: there is a bike lane now and some efforts to plant trees have been made”. 6. Noel Saratan, Architect, Philippines “When the client first showed to me where she wants her resort house to sit, instantly, I visualized a house on stilts, for the reason that I don’t want to block the view of a beautiful sea cove upon approaching the house, and for the owner to enjoy, on an elevated vantage, the views surrounding her.I adapted a floor plan with a rigid symmetry that suits well with the site”.

“I made this drawing to illustrate how the facade will look like after the garden has been established. I always try to make the garden design to strongly communicate with the architectural proposal, for a bigger harmony at the end and a higher satisfaction for the clients. This sketch is a 2 point perspective drawing with pens and rendered with markers”. – That’s this week’s Sketchy Saturday  top 10, congratulations to all of you who featured, it really is a challenging task, with so much awesome talent out there. Check out the Sketchy Saturday official Facebook album and see literally 1,000′s of incredible sketches! Follow all the winning entries on our dedicated Sketchy Saturday Pinterest page. If you want to take part send your entries into us at office@landarchs.com Recommended reading: Sketching from the Imagination: An Insight into Creative Drawing by 3DTotal Article written by Scott D. Renwick HOME PAGE

Bicton Project designed by Ritz Exterior Design Australian-based landscape architects Ritz Exterior Design (RED) were contacted to create an environmentally friendly garden project in Perth, with an elevated sense of good taste, yet simple and in harmony with the stunning surroundings and the modern architecture of the house. The Site Assented over a limestone cliff, this modern, riverside residence has a privileged view of the Swan River. The front yard was originally a large lawn surrounded by boundary retainer walls, which the architects left in place. The pool area was already built, but left completely apart from the rest of the garden by some steps that cut the yard; the location of the house made filling the terraces with soil extremely expensive, because digging the limestone required heavy machinery. The design had to be humble in order to respect the house design and the magnificent scenario.

The Design The exterior is divided into three different zones: the front yard, the pool area, and the terrace with a fireplace. The first thing you notice when entering the house is the organic, laser-cut fence, a very clever choice for a contemporary house and a minimized barrier between the street and the yard. The front gate is made from recycled timber wood, found in the area but in perfect condition, to give life to the access. Once you make it through the gate, you’ll find a floating bed whose structure is also made of recycled timber. The intention was to “create a place to be, rather than just be a spot you would walk past,” says the designer. Right next to it, a wooden bench seat is beneath two beautiful planters, protected from the sun by a geometric laser-cut screen. A water feature is located right next to the main entrance of the house; it can barely be seen from the street door, so it’s a small element that talks about the strong connection the water has with the house. Making the Most of the Swan River The view is a key element for the backyard design. None of the levels interrupts the river sight. Instead of using the existing steps in the pool area, the designers took the decision of splitting the steps over three large terraces, making a more direct connection between the spaces possible. The first terrace is blessed with a fireplace for coffee time, a really clean design that invites you to spend a smooth afternoon with your guests after dining or swimming in the pool. Recycled timber is also used on this side of the garden. Related Articles:

• Rooftop Infinity Pool with Awesome Views
• The Garden of Hilton Pattaya by TROP : terrains + open space
• Cantilever Pool with the WOW Factor!

The pool is separated from the fireplace by a small lawn that guides the eyes straight to the river every time you walk by. Even though the pool is not big, It looks perfect-sized and very well complemented by the adjacent cantilevered structure that is lowered to minimize the impact of the view from the pool itself and the upper terrace.

Planting Lomandra Tanika and Seascape work together as a low-maintenance, water-conscious mass planting grass, while Ornamental Snow Pears gives an elegant appearance to the garden. The Banksia tree is a wind-resistant plant, perfect for a location that could be difficult for other species. Leucospermum cordifolium is used all along the front of the property. Indirect lighting highlights the beauty of each plant, and the considerable separation between some of them permits better development and faster growth. Below: A run through of the award winning Bicton project by Ritz Exterior Design It is no surprise that this landscape design has been honored by the landscape industry and featured on TV and in magazines. When a great design comes out, it’s very hard to hide. This carefully thought project accomplished its goal of making the customers happy — and grabbing everyone else’s attention. A great surrounding is always a lot of help, but you have to know to maximize its potential. This is how it’s done. Recommended reading: 

• The Garden Source: Inspirational Design Ideas for Gardens and Landscapes by Andrea Jones
• Private Paradise: Contemporary American Gardens by Charlotte M. Frieze

Article written by Eduardo Reguer Return to Homepage

EDSA completes landscape design for the highly anticipated Four Season resort Orlando at Walt Disney World resort. ORLANDO, FL (July 14, 2014) – The global landscape architecture firm, EDSA, was commissioned to develop the master plan and provide full service landscape architecture design for Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, opening on August 3. EDSA’s expertise in planning and landscape architecture, hardscape design, water feature design and attention to detail unifies the ambiance of this highly anticipated resort. According to Rob Hutcheson, EDSA Vice President and Project Manager, “Our goal is always to ensure that the guest experience touches every aspect of our project design. Beyond creating outdoor spaces that have a positive influence on people, we want visitors, residents, and patrons to enjoy the exploratory journey of getting there. We care deeply about the human experience and how the users of the Four Seasons Resort Orlando will feel, act, respond, and enjoy the spaces we created.”

Nestled within Disney’s new Golden Oak residential community, this 443-room luxury resort is positioned to become the first five-diamond resort on Walt Disney World® Resort property. Playing off the 26 acres of naturally lush Floridian environment, EDSA’s design vernacular has been created to fit within the natural environment with a soothing color palette. Set around a feature lake and adjacent wetlands, the resort includes meeting space, restaurants, a spa, fitness center, pools, a business center, multiple outdoor function areas and a large recreational island. With its references to European design, the property’s design reflects a timeless, classic architectural style, while being attuned to contemporary resort living. The main resort tower and function spaces have been positioned to take advantage of views over the lake, lushly landscaped grounds, golf course, wetlands, and nighttime views from select guestrooms and the rooftop restaurant of the Magic Kingdom Park® fireworks. Characteristic design features include loggias, colonnades, columns and arches, grand sweeping stairways and decorative metal work. Formal Mediterranean Gardens: Working with the Mediterranean-style architecture, EDSA approached the landscape, hardscape and waterscape design with careful thought to create spaces that maximize the indoor/outdoor relationships. Medjool Date Palms were used to create a canopy on the main promenade that leads guests to the various outdoor amenities. As partitions along the promenade, pillars of Italian Cypress help create a series of rooms including outdoor meeting rooms, an al fresco restaurant, function lawn and fitness center. They are partnered with Sylvester Palms to reinforce the decorum of the infinity-edge adult pool and lake. Finally, large sculptural Crape Myrtle Trees create a tunnel gateway to Explorers’ Island. Explorer Island: EDSA created a water canal to transition from the formality of the Mediterranean gardens to the natural organic feel of the recreational island. Explorer’ Island was conceived as a Citrus Plantation Estate built in the 1800s that sits on a bluff overlooking the lake. Nearly 50 mature Live Oaks, spanning over 30 feet wide, were transplanted from the neighboring Four Seasons Golf Course. The estate is home to a family pool with tiered stadium seating, showcasing “dive-in” movies played on a built-in screen; lazy river; two waterslides; a climbing wall; a lakeside bar and grill; Kids For All Seasons kids club with a playground, as well as outdoor recreation spaces. Naturally curved Sabal Palms line the lazy river creating a native Sabal hammock commonly found near Florida wetlands The Lake: Along the west side of the lake, native ornamental grasses, oaks, Sabal palms, and pine trees were used to help transition the formal gardens back to the surrounding native wetlands and canal that flows from Bay Lake. Overall, there are 114 different plant species on the property with a total of 2500 trees and approximately 80,000 shrubs and groundcovers. Since opening the doors of its Orlando office, EDSA has continued to maintain a strong presence in the Central Florida community by working on many notable local projects including: Grand Cypress, Orlando World Center Marriott, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Hyatt at Grand Cypress, Peabody Orlando, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Wyndham Orlando Resort and the Orlando International Airport. “We’ve been thrilled by the reception from the Central Florida community over the past few years and truly appreciate the opportunity to work on projects that are so important to the economy, environment and culture here,” says Hutcheson. About EDSA Practicing since 1960, EDSA is an internationally renowned, full-service planning, landscape architecture and urban design firm with the fundamental goal of creating engaging, aesthetically-pleasing and environmentally responsible outdoor spaces that at positively affect the visitors, residents, students, tourist and patrons that interact with their projects. As one of the largest US based firms of its kind, their diverse portfolio of more than 500 completed projects in 100 countries includes plans, designs and built works in the areas of hospitality, entertainment, campus, residential, ecotourism, urban revitalization and mixed-use districts. With 125 employees, EDSA has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Baltimore, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. For more information, please visit the EDSA virtual home at www.edsaplan.com. Press release courtesy of EDSA HOME PAGE

The Porsche Garden by John Warland and Sim Flemons. Off-street parking consumes large portions of front gardens in cities, through paving or the building of a garage. Why don’t we use that surface to connect with nature instead of losing it to cars? A family from west London faced the dilemma in an amazing and not very common way. Their front garden had plenty of possibilities to be a really nice place, but they wanted to keep their car secure there as well. It was the perfect moment to contact Flemons Warland Design for professional advice. Parking vs. Garden Jonh Warland and Sim Flemons thought outside the box, and their concept sketches were focused on an innovative idea: How about designing a garden with a secret underground garage accessible only when needed? The whole outdoor surface would be available for people´s enjoyment, while the car´s security and storage requirements would be attended to. This sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Fortunately, the designers found a technology that could accomplish that in a tested and environmentally friendly way. Then they supported their project with a Cardock system, a special kind of lift developed to revolutionize city parking areas. Revealing the Trick Basically, the main idea consists of a buried container that works as a garage accessible by a down-up movement platform — there are two mobile platforms, one for the roof of the garage, which is at the same time part of the garden’s ground, and a lower one, where the car is parked. Deep trays of till — 50mm — are fitted on the platforms to cover a range of finishes. So through a careful design, any garage could be as unnoticeable as this when it is closed. You probably think about possible problems, such as rain, power interruptions, or maintenance, but this garage has been projected to the highest standards. Maybe the main risk could be that you forget it is there. Garden Design Keys The designers had the freedom to create a beautiful garden without making their decisions influenced by the garage; the only condition was how to integrate the rectangular piece of ground that contains the lift. Warland and Flemons used geometry as key factor. They proposed a series of gravel-paved walkways in a symmetric grid, and added squares massively planted with hedges among them. In one of those paths, we find a stylish water fountain and two small squares breaking the uniformity of the base order. You would never guess that a lift is hidden here. The surrounding walls include another surprising feature: stacked log walls. These reduce dust and noise levels and provide urban wildlife with a new habitat. Running the Unusual Garage The Cardock system provided the magic touch that the Porsche Garden needed. Daily use of the garage does not seem to be more inconvenient than using a conventional one. You only need to depress a button on the remote control and, 30 seconds later, the platform will be completely raised by a silent hydraulic system and your car will be in view and ready to be driven. The dimensions of the garage are very tight, to standard car´s sizes: 2.4 meters by 5.4 meters wide and 2 meters high, so the land´s use is really sustainable. The Porsche Garden won the gold medal in the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show in 2008, putting to work an alternative solution from the industrial field with private garden design. Could you imagine how that would transform the image of the streets in cities? Recommended reading:  The Garden Source: Inspirational Design Ideas for Gardens and Landscapes by Andrea Jones Private Paradise: Contemporary American Gardens by Charlotte M. Frieze Article written by Elisa Garcia

shma design “Summer” Garden and Pool project in Thailand. The outdoor garden and pool designed by the Thai landscape architectural firm Shma for the Summer Residential Condominium transformed the space configured by the seven-story building and neighboring wall into a restful refuge inspired by the sea. Located in Hua Hin, a seaside town in Thailand, the leisure space, completed in 2013, provides users with the feeling of being in a wide open space at the seafront. To produce a landscape resembling a shore enveloped in sea foam, the designers combined organic shapes and still colors. “Our concept derived from the ‘sea bubble’, which occurs once the wave rolls over the shores; then the bubble appears in unique forms. They come in various sizes, and none of them are looking the same. We conceptually use the bubble form to generate overall design,” the design team explained.

Design challenges  Being located near the beach and having sea views are important characteristics for properties built in a seaside town like Hua Hin. Thus, the main challenge for the landscape designers was to create a relaxing outdoor area that would provide aquatic activities for all the residents, in addition to nice views for the apartments not facing the sea. [contextly_sidebar id=”xMmnNf6OVXky7WGiMIuNqi4OuAdlmlDU”] “Since the site situates further away from the beach and half of the residential units do not receive a sea view, our design strategy is intended to create a landscape that not only functions as an outdoor hideaway space, but also to create the design that reflects ‘Sea-Scape’ atmosphere as residents would feel closer to the sea.” The Design In an area of approximately 9,982 square meters, 50 percent is covered by a pool, while the other half features a garden. There are no clear limits dividing both spaces, since the design fuses planters and paths to wet areas. The pool’s curved edges, and floors at different depths, mimic waves approaching and dying out along the beach. Another design feature that brings the sensation of proximity to the sea is that there are no additional components between the pool edges and the building, so that the pool can be directly accessed from the apartments located on the ground floor. Walking through the curvilinear paths that cross over the pool is another way to enjoy the stylish aquatic facility that enables residents to cool off at its shallow ends, swim in the 25-meter pool, and relax on the white sunbeds. The pool floor, made of small blue tiles with different luminance levels, creates a kinetic effect that connects people to the relaxing sea water’s movement. The concept of the sea foam was used to design the garden, as well. The wave-shaped pool’s edge separates the two areas while keeping them coherently linked to the maritime theme. Rounded shapes, surrounded by gravel beds, were built in several sizes to refer to sea bubbles making their way through the land. Alternating the materials in green and neutral colors, they work as stepping stones, planters, and lawn, delineating agreeable paths for walking. The garden’s outdoor furniture also follows the rounded forms. Placed on the lawn and on the paved floor, they invite people to take a pause and enjoy this gracious landscape. In this landscape featured by layers of materials in neutral and calming colors, three cylindrical volumes subtly emerge to become visual spots, while still keeping the space open. These curvilinear shells are made of bended steel tubes, with heights that vary from 4 to 5 meters, to surround the Jacuzzi at the pool area and the seats and daybed that are accessed from the garden. Their forms are highlighted during the day by contrasting their white, curved lines with the dark green background formed by the lawn and plants. At night, their sculptural forms are accentuated by lights installed at the steel tubes. Choosing neutral colors and hues of green to compose the garden pavement, the landscapers were able to give the environment a tranquil aspect. And to integrate the garden to the nearby green area, plants were arranged to cover the boundary wall so that both areas merged, giving the impression that the private space continues beyond its limits. By coming up with this creative project that significantly valorized the condominium’s outdoor area, Shma’s landscape designers achieved their goals of producing a distinct solution with the beach environment as its inspiration. Their design resulted in a unique space where the comforts of urban elements were combined harmoniously with nature, improving residents’ quality of life. Recommended Reading:

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

Name of Project: Summer Location: Hua Hin, Thailand. Landscape Architect: Shma Company Limited Project Team: Design Director – Yossapon Boonsom Landscape Architect – Anongnard Jungmongkolsawat, Yossit Poonprasit Horticulturist – Tanee Sawasdee Site Area: 9,982 sq.m. Completion Year: 2013 Article by Tania Ramos Gianone Return to Homepage

Green over Grey design “The Currents”, the World’s tallest interior living wall! At 65 meters (213 feet), “The Currents,” the world’s tallest living green wall can be found in the Desjardins building in Quebec, Canada. This entirely hydroponic system on the north wall of the atrium improves the air and aesthetic qualities of the 15-story space. Designed by Green Over Grey, this is an example of their mission to create living works of art. The Currents: Inspiration

As the name suggest, “The Currents” installation was inspired by water, specifically the historical St. Lawrence River, which is very important to Quebec and can be seen from the Desjardins building. After observing the river, the flow of water, and the motion of the tributaries, chief designer for Green Over Grey, Mike Weinmaster, spent 5 months designing the artwork and selecting plants for the project. The Plants The plants are installed in a completely soil-less hydroponics system made from 1.5 metric tons of recycled water bottles and plastic bags. In keeping with the theme of “The Currents,” the plants are arranged in swatches of greens, yellow, and purple with highlights of white, red, and orange flowering plants. Plant colors, textures, and sizes extenuate the intricate details of the artwork and create an overall aesthetic of ebb and flow. The overall goal of the installation is to improve the indoor air and aesthetic quality of the atrium for the 1,450 employees, and plants such as philodendrons, monsteras, sanseviera, and scheffleras do exactly that. Elkhorn ferns, clusias, ginger, banana plants, and fig trees are just some of the 42 species of plants utilized in the project. Many microrganisms living around the plant roots thrive in such an environment and help break down toxins in the air. One noteworthy specimen is Spathiphyllum ‘Mauno Loa,’ the peace lily, which according to the NASA Clean Air Study helps remove indoor air pollutants emitted by construction materials and photocopiers such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Peace lilies can survive in very low light conditions and have many applications at a variety of scales including purifying the air in an individual home. See also:  5 Amazing Facts About Green Walls That You Didn’t Know About the Designers: Green Over Grey Living Walls and Design, based in Vancouver, B.C., was founded 10 years ago as a research project and specialized in the design of green walls in North America. They are noted for their installations in the Edmonton Airport, Vancouver’s Olympic Village, Microsoft headquarters in Washington, and now the world’s tallest living green wall in Quebec, Canada. They have revolutionized the green wall system with their soil-less design. Instead of using small pockets of growing medium, which limits the design, and ultimately causes additional maintenance and upkeep problems, Green Over Grey utilizes a hydroponics system to keep the roots moist enough to grow without soil. A layer of moss along the entire wall is a natural solution to provide moisture and nutrients for the plants. Patrick Poiraud, co-founder of Green over Grey states “The wall is fully hydroponic (i.e. soil-free) and incorporates plants that thrive in similar vertical environments found in nature, such as on tree branches and next to waterfalls. The end result is a visually pleasing piece that provides cleaner indoor air and improves both the acoustic and the value of the property.” As Architects and Landscape Architects continue to collaborate in order to design beautiful, healthy, and safe environments for people both indoors and outdoors, this is certainly a leading example of how plants can improve our lives. The world’s tallest living green wall teaches designers to continue to look to nature for inspiration not only during the design phase but for the fabrication and installation processes as well. Recommended reading: Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls by Nigel Dunnett Gardening Vertically: 24 Ideas for Creating Your Own Green Walls by Noémie Vialard Article written by Rachel Kruse

HOSPER’s ecological landscape design “Park van Luna” Park of the Moon (Park van Luna) is a beautiful open area in Heerhugowaard, the Netherlands, where the residential development City of the Sun (Stad van de Zon) is located. Carefully designed over the years – from 1997 to 2003 – the landscape features a well-balanced integration between the dwellings, the recreational area, and the water elements. The sun and the water were key elements in the project – the water for its recreational facilities and careful management, and the sun that provides free and clean electric energy to the neighborhood. Financed collaboratively by the Heerhugowaard, Alkmaar, and Langedijk municipalities, the City of the Sun is an island surrounded by a 60-ha lake that separates the residential area from its surroundings. Its master plan was developed in 1992 by architect Ashok Bhalotra, although the last houses were completed fairly recently, in 2012. The neighborhood consists of 2,600 homes designed by the architecture firm KuiperCompagnons with a sustainable and energy-efficiency approach the company is renowned for. City of the Sun and Renewable Energy

The houses are fitted with a total of 25,000 photovoltaic panels (solar energy); hence, the reason why the development is referred to as City of the Sun. It is actually the largest PV housing project in Europe, and it was the first carbon-neutral residential area on the continent. The project’s total investment was approximately €140 million; from this total, €25 million were invested just on the PV system alone. In addition, the electricity is also generated by three 2.3 megawatt wind turbines. Strategies to reduce energy consumption and use of renewable energy sources through low-carbon technologies is a relevant concern in sustainable development. The uncertainties regarding changes in climate that we are experiencing challenge the way contemporary cities and neighborhoods are planned nowadays – this is the so-called “climate planning” that combines a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emission with a design that is climate-sensitive. Park of the Moon and Water Management

Amenities on site

Park of Luna is the recreational area of the City of the Sun, designed by HOSPER and DRFTWD Office associates. It comprises 177 ha of area, including 75 ha of open water dedicated to sports and activities.

The park offers several recreational facilities, such as a 1 km beach, a multifunctional sports center, an area for walking and cycling, and a labyrinth excavated in 2003 (the excess soil was used to construct hills in the park). As there is so much emphasis on water in this project, the treatment of this resource deserved a great deal of attention. The residents are invited to experience the process of water purification and preservation through structures that enable direct contact and interaction. These include a natural purification plant, a dephosphatizing pond, and a pumping station; besides, the system was also designed to store a great amount of water meant to be used during the summer months. See also: Copenhagen’s First Climate Resilient Neighborhood The improvement of water management is an essential adaptation measure to reduce floods, droughts, landslides, and extreme temperatures, which can be achieved by rainwater harvesting and storage, preservation of wetlands, and creation of natural buffers. The use of green and blue open spaces not only reduces the risk of natural disasters, it also promotes environmental awareness and provides recreational areas that encourage social interaction.

Designing Today, Thinking of Tomorrow A set of different strategies is required in design to achieve sustainable development. Strategies such as mixed land uses, water management, passive solar energy, and clean energy generation should become part of the urban planning practice to include the physical features as well as the environmental and socio-cultural aspects.

Contemporary landscape architecture and urban planning drive us to design climate-sensitive cities and neighborhoods as we are facing changes in the climate that imply the risk of extreme weather events. Park of the Moon and City of the Sun are a great example of how different infrastructures (green area + water area + constructed area) must go together to create a well-balanced complex, such as a naturally resilient ecosystem. Other articles HOSPER have featured in: Private Estate Reveals State of The Art Underground Car Park Top 10 Imaginative Squares World Class Entry for Park Competition! Recommended reading: Design with Nature by Ian L. McHarg Article written by Julia Lucchese Featured image: Pieter Kers

Modular create stylish terraced garden in London. Modular’s team was asked to redesign an outdoor living space in the charming neighborhood of Highgate in the north of London. The small 6-by-9-meter plot in the back garden was in need of a makeover. The main feature of the redesigned Highgate Garden consists of two flat terraces connected by a seven-step concrete staircase. The space had two separate but equal areas in the rectangular plot, but there wasn´t a really nice place where all the family could stay together. One positive point: The living room opens onto the garden through a folding glass door. On the negative side, the plot is surrounded on the three remaining sides by tall stone walls, so if somebody looked at the garden from the living room, the first and main things they saw were walls.

Creating different atmospheres Using the two terraces to create two separate areas in a small garden was the key. The lower terrace was designed to look similar to the living room, while the upper platform was a more independent space. In the first terrace, we find a hard floor and no vegetation, allowing the family to put furniture there or take a table and chairs out from the living room and have a really nice dining area in summer. Seven steps up, and the family can enjoy a relaxing, hard wooden surface with green plants around. As you probably have noticed, there is also a kind of gradient in terms of getting an outside natural space coming from a domestic space. Outdoor-indoor connections The designers tried to take advantage of the living room’s position, opening onto the garden, to create the sensation of bigger spaces in this narrow plot. The strategy is about getting a similar visual style in both outdoor and indoor space. The team worked in three ways to unify them: materials, colors, and furniture. In this case, we find gray ceramic tiles in the garden and concrete flooring inside, so we see them as only one surface in terms of color and general appearance. The containing wall and the staircase were painted in the same shade of gray, which gives us the impression that the lower level of the garden is an extended area of the living room. All the furniture is joyful and simple, whether you are in any of the garden´s platforms or if you are inside the home. You can see how the color of the outside furniture has been carefully chosen in a warm yellow to connect with the red interior armchair. Planting style The vegetation surrounds the wooden platform instead of being in a central position, so the space is optimized as much as possible and, at the same time, it creates a subtle separation between the two terraces. Here there are low, green plants such as bamboos and grasses in an informal style. They also soften the image of the concrete walls, which become well-integrated elements in the garden. Highgate Garden creates a great connection between outside and indoor space, and it has been carefully designed as a timeless place. But the best point is how a small, low-maintenance garden can exceed all of our expectations. Recommended reading: Royal Horticultural Society Small Garden Handbook: Making the Most of Your Outdoor Space by Andrew Wilson Big Ideas for Small Gardens: Featuring Dave Egbert’s Garden Notebook by Dave Egbert Article written by Elisa García

Studio Weave create high visual impact and  welcoming outer space on this rooftop design. The architects from London based Studio Weave did not just add colors, but they used them to weave a new surface on the rooftop of the London College of Fashion building. With a bold color scheme, the roof garden has set a new pace in a landscape marked by the stability of gray and has become an attractive place where students can eat, chat or just relax. The design consists of applying timber decking painted in different colors to compose the floor, furniture and wall panels. This was a solution with low cost and rapid implementation that transformed the underutilized space atop the six-story building in a lively environment. Interviewed by Dezeen magazine, Studio Weave’s designer Eddie Bake explained his choice for the material: “The timber is just low-cost off-the-shelf larch decking. The idea was to find a super quick way of making something beautiful and colourful.”

Showing daring use of color, the architects have combined saturated light pink and blue and balanced these hues with elements of wood color and others painted in white and black. Laid on a herringbone scheme, timber decking units compose alternating sequence of colors. The patterns visually extended the rectangular space’s width, which is significantly smaller than the length. The design formed oblique axes on the floor that define the means through which people can move around the space. The contrast between the two bright colors and the neutral ones creates visual sensations of depth and height that simulate interweaved yarn which constitutes fabrics. The design team had been making experiences with weaving when they were asked to create the College building’s roof garden. They decided, then, to apply the idea in this project to relate it to the LCF’s textile heritage. This project was a unique opportunity to explore the ability of the construction material of giving a metaphoric meaning to the space. “The whole thing was done with reference to basket weave – trying to make timber look as if it’s woven” clarified Eddie Blake. In this environment personalized by a colorful floor, the absence of elements with stronger visual impact can be interpreted as a way of avoiding redundancy. So, to complete the space’s program, the designers came up with seats, tables and planters that are inserted in the oblique floor pattern, building them with the same material and painting them according to the already established color scheme. The plants were also chosen to gently complement the set without forming visual barriers or hindering the passage of people. Other components that reconfigured the rooftop of the concrete and glass building are the sequential “V” shaped panels and the stripped cylinder covering a mechanical system, both of them accentuating the multi-colored surfaces and keeping the concrete elements as their frame. Although the College building’s outdoor space was originally designed to work as a place for students to stay and relax, it has been used also for social, educational and professional purposes. The way the furniture was distributed has strongly contributed to enlarge the space’s program. The set of timber volumes, constructed with increasing heights to work as steps, seats and tables, divides the area in two environments with slightly different characteristics. Their informal layout does not limit their uses; however, one part of the divided area forms with the “V” shaped panels a room suitable for lectures and exhibitions while the other part, where tables and planters work as spots, is appropriate for social gatherings. The renewed open space has been hosting events related to fashion and design. Part of the Fashion Space Gallery’s 2014 summer program is being held there and it is also inaugurating the London Festival of Architecture. The empathy of young professionals of fashion and design fields with the new rooftop garden confirms that Studio Weave’s architects were in line with customer’s desires. The repetition of timber elements with vibrant colors imposed an energetic pace and gave a youthful appearance to the top of the building which works now according to the dynamism and informality of the emerging professionals. Also see: Interview: Studio Weave Recommended reading: 5,000 Years of Textiles by Jennifer Harris Article written by Tania Ramos Gianone