Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

+ Pool by Play Lab: The floating pool that’s more than just a pool. Living in New York City is probably one of the most amazing urban experiences anyone could imagine. There are hundreds of thousands of artificial places for people and plenty of natural river water surrounding them. Wouldn’t it be great if the Hudson River were swimmable? Why can’t it be possible? The design firms PlayLab and Family think it’s time to see the water around the city with new eyes and add one more exciting experience to its attractions: a very special floating pool. As New Yorkers and designers, Dong-Ping Wong (from Family) and Archie Lee Coates IV and Jeffrey Franklin (from PlayLab) asked themselves some questions during a really hot summer in 2010. Swimming in New York City’s natural waters might not be a safe option because of poor water quality, but the idea of a public space stretching into the Hudson River inspired them to develop a project that provides an innovative solution. And this is what + Pool does: filtrating the water that it floats in and improving the general quality level.  But + Pool is not just a filtration system. It is also an interesting design, put together by a multidisciplinary team, and a creative crowd-funding strategy.

Four in one The first step was the pool design in the plus-sign shape. Each arm is 32 feet (four lanes) wide, and the total pool area is 9,300 square feet. PlayLab and Family wanted to create a pool that everyone could enjoy, from kids to frequent swimmers. The plus shape offers a versatile range of possibilities. Basically, there are four pools in one, which can be used independently, combined, or as a completely open pool. As independent pools, we find Children’s Pool, Sports Pool, Lap Pool, and Lounge Pool. But when combined, one could swim in a fantastic Olympic-length Lap Pool. The filtration system How to make it possible was the heart of the project — and the biggest challenge of all. When PlayLab and Family launched their idea, they found support from different teams, including Arup, an engineering firm. Working hand in hand, engineers and designers developed a particular solution for the pool. Mainly, the system filtrates contaminants using three separated layers that also make up the sides of the pool. How does it work? The primary filtration layer is a geotextile that removes contaminants of 150 microns and larger, such as wildlife, greases, or suspended solids. The secondary and most complex layer avoids contaminants down to 1 micron, which means a lot of algae and organic matter. Finally, the water is disinfected by the third and last layer, becoming clean and safe for people and meeting New York City, state, and federal standards. And it’s all done without chemicals: just natural river water in the + Pool. + Pool status Creating a pool that is the first of its kind is a long process, especially if each material needs to be tested. A full-scale mockup of a piece of the pool was built and has floated in Hudson River Park since April 2014. For the next six months, this Float Lab will capture a wide range of data to be used in bringing the full project to life in 2016. When + Pools are added to New York City waters, they will be much more than a floating public space. They will be a new way to look at natural water resources through design. Article written by Elisa García Nieto

The Jellyfish House by Wiel Arets Architects Boasts Stunning cantilever pool. Pools are pleasant components that enrich buildings by offering leisure, physical activity, and a place to socialize. In this sophisticated beach house, designed by the European architecture firm Wiel Arets Architects and completed in 2013, the pool was created to work beyond conventional use. The proximity of the Mediterranean Sea, the amazing landscape view, and the abundance of sunlight in the Los Monteros region of Marbella, in the south of Spain, provided an inspirational environment to create this outdoor pool that excels in both design and construction techniques. Aiming to overcome the barrier formed by neighboring construction between the beach and the site, the architects came up with a design that provides majestic views of the sea and the Sierra Blanca mountain range.

The Design The project resulted in a rooftop pool with an infinity edge that gives users the sensation that the pool is merging with the sea. Those who enter the house on the ground floor are invited to have a swim by looking at the pool’s interior, exposed through its glazed underside. This integration between the construction and nature, mainly through water transparency and fluidity, motivated its creators to give it the name “Jelly Fish House”. The selected materials used to construct the pool, glass panels, and concrete joists contrast transparency with opacity and produce a blue-white chromatic scheme in the house façade. On the roof, this effect continues with the water surface and sunbathing area, making a reference to the beach theme and identifying the construction with the site’s natural colors. A complete integration between furniture and surrounding white surfaces was obtained by constructing a table, bench, and chair set also in concrete. Both color and material coordination give the rooftop area a clean, spatial organization and minimalistic personality, featuring straight lines that converge to the pool. This blue focal element stands out from the clear composition, with the Sierra Blanca Mountain as background. Pool access also determined the success of its design. For those arriving home from the beach and willing to extend the swim or sunbathe, there is a staircase, separated from the rest of the house, that leads directly to the rooftop, preventing sand and water from being trudged through the house. Another stairway, which the designers call “the slow path”, is used to access any floor of the home and ends at the pool area. A small service elevator is used to take supplies from the kitchen or any other floor to the elevated leisure area. Another characteristic that makes this pool unique is the impression of lightness given by its structural system. The cantilever pool extending 9 meters over the first floor terrace and has its 60-ton load transferred through the concrete joists to the columns, which are incorporated into the house façade and interior. This structural solution permits swimmers to enjoy the surrounding views without the interference of supporting components. The cantilevered glass pool provides an elegant and surprising ceiling to the lower-floor terrace, as well. It creates a more reserved place for guests to relax under the sun, which is filtered by the pool, creating bright blue patterns. The visual connection to other rooms in the house continues through a panoramic window located at the pool’s interior edge, giving people in the kitchen an underwater view. In this ludic atmosphere, which is appropriate for this beach house, it may also be possible to have a glance at what is being prepared for dinner without leaving the pool. The different views of the pool’s glazed surfaces work as a connector element between the outside and the house interior and produce the sensation of simultaneity, so characteristic of the present time. Recommended reading: Infinity Pools by Ana G. Canizares Infinity Pools by Manor House Publishing Co. As our behavior is changing by multitasking habits derived from the use of technological devices, it is natural that our way of living also asks for integrated and fluid spaces, where leisure sometimes mixes with housework. In this sense, the architects mastered combining traditional construction materials and water to produce a pool that has become the essential space of the building and creates, in the design team’s opinion, “ripples of iridescent turquoise reflections throughout the entire house. As such, the pool can be seen and experienced from nearly all areas of the house”. Location: Los Monteros, 29600 Marbella, Spain Program: Housing Size: 650 m2 Date of design: 1998-2001 Date of completion: Winter 2013 Project team: Wiel Arets, Bettina Kraus, Lars Dreessen, Dennis Villanueva, Carlos Ballesteros Collaborators: Paul Draaijer, William Fung, Johannes Kappler Consultants: West 8, ABT BV, Cauberg-Huygen Raadgevende Ingenieurs BV, Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos S.L. Photography: Jan Bitter Also see: Rooftop Infinity Pool with Awesome Views The Garden of Hilton Pattaya by TROP : terrains + open space Article written by Tania Ramos Gianone

What does our future on planet earth hold for us? It’s a question asked all to0 often, and one that isn’t easy to answer. The landscape provides the fundamental support system for life on earth. With the seven billion people and counting that populate planet earth; landscape architecture plays a climacteric role in the shaping of both rural and urban environments. As landscape architects, both present and future, we are primed with the prowess needed to tackle the copious challenges that our planet faces, both present and future. Here are 6 reasons why our future depends on landscape architecture. 1. Food security The health and sustainability of the global food system is under serious threat, being touted as the greatest problem in our existence. This is in large part due to the explosive world population growth in the past century from 1 billion to 7 billion people. Food is common ground within our communities and has the ability to bring people together. Landscape architects are the key to fostering cultural awareness of food practices towards more local, resilient food systems and designing for maximum food self sufficiency in the future. Below: Incredible Edible: Todmorden’s local food revolution 2. Climate change The unequivocal effects of climate change and global warming are beginning to reveal themselves the world over; affecting water systems, weather patterns and temperatures, as well as both animal and plant life. Landscape architects will continue to be pivotal in the mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The work of landscape architects will continue to not only minimise the existing damage our planet has succumb to; but also to fervently protect, enhance and regenerate lost or fragile ecosystems. See also: Goncalo De Carvalho: Beating Global Warming Like a Boss

3. Sustainable transportation and walkable environments Cars; they paralyse city streets, damage the earth, and damage us. With dwindling oil supplies, public transportation and pedestrian prioritisation are the ways of the future. Proximity to quality public transport has been shown to enhance one’s quality of life. The landscape architecture profession possesses the know-how and creative knack to design rich the multitude of pedestrian experiences and pleasurable public transport systems that await us. See also:  Superkilen: A Public Space to Feel at Home Pedestrianized Landscapes Embracing The People Top 10 Walkable Cities 4. Mental health and active living It is not groundbreaking news that access to quality urban parks and green spaces facilitate exercise related benefits. However, more recent studies allude to significant holistic benefits, including mental health. As city’s urban realms continue to grow, so to0 do inhabitants expectations for quality of life. Cities will inevitably face increasing pressure to provide urbanites with respite, with landscape architects being poised to capitalise upon this exciting nature-mental health link. See also: Crown Sky Garden Inspires Healing 5. Historic preservation and restoration Landscapes of major historical and cultural significance are ubiquitous throughout the world. They reveal aspects of a country’s origins and cultural pursuits, reflect patterns of occupation over prolonged periods of time, as well as the unfolding relationship we humans have with the natural world. In time, many culturally shaped landscapes require preservation or the insertion of new infrastructure; landscape architects are tasked to do so, whilst meticulously maintaining the integrity of site. See also: Top 10 Reused Industrial Landscapes Top 10 Political Squares 6. Social integration We live in an epoch that is increasing diverse and multicultural. Today, however, the majority of urban dwellers are fixated more on the cornucopia of technologies and mindless social media platforms that surround them than on spending time cultivating social relationships. Landscape architecture is an efficacious tool that will continue to facilitate meaningful social interaction through the creation of vibrant and welcoming public destinations. The landscape architecture profession will no doubt lead the way in addressing the issues above, but we must also recognise that many necessitate effective multidisciplinary collaboration. I believe these issues to be the most pertinent in today’s age, and I hope I have imparted some otherwise unknown knowledge upon readers. If you have anything to add, please comment! Recommended reading:  Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke Article written by Paul McAtomney

Sketchy Saturday is always one of our weekly highlights as we get to see how you see the world, and how you are using that perception to explore and discover your environment and your drawing talent. This week we featured some incredibly captivating sketches from the classical styles to the more surreal images of the imagination, showing that not all the landscapes we explore are physical,the most interesting of all may not only begin in the mind, but also reside there, until you are brave enough to put pen to paper and make it manifest. 10. Patrick O’Keeffe

Patrick created an incredibly isolated experience, that is full of planting, people and energy, the artist really captured the movement of the space by accentuating the slope however with the lush semi mature trees, one may be drawn to find seclusion there and rest, creating an outside space that merges the worlds of movement and stillness. 9.Laura Ruccolo, landscape architect,France “Rio de Janeiro is an impressive city, everything can be wild, nature as urbanism…I’m fascinated by this expressivity, this energy and that’s what I tried to put into the drawing.This view is from Santa Teresa, looking at the Sugar Loaf. I used watercolor, ink and pen”. 8.  Claudia Caruso An interesting architectural sketch by Claudia, showing a sunken dwelling, merging with the supposedly natural landscape, using large windows in an attempt to bring the outside in. The pastel shades and soft lines come together to create an atmosphere of hidden space. 7. Maria Rochowiak studying landscape architecture in Agricultural University of Kraków, Poland “This sketch was made in 2012 before my drawing exam ( in Poland there are exams of drawing to get into architecture or landscape architecture). The topic was Alice in the land of chess. I wanted to not only show chess pawns on a board but also with the cards . I wanted to get the effect of surprise. When you think about Alice you imagine the cards with the red mark like you can see in the Disney movie . These cards with the chess pawns and the board allow you to connect with Alice and chess game”.  6. Juan Hernandez Multiple tiered boxes make for a robust and harsh architecture that is screaming out to be softened by lush planting, however one cannot help but appreciate the technical skill the architect had to apply to achieve such a structure, which leaves the viewer confused, should we appreciate the building or scorn at its invasive demeanor.  5. Anna Skorupska, landscape architect from W Moim Ogrodzie, Poland “This sketch was drawn when I was doing my engineer’s degree in 2007. I’ve made this drawing as a proposal of a design solution for a schoolyard. It presents a small relaxation space for the students during breaks between lessons. This sketch is a free hand drawing made with soft pencils on normal drawing paper and colored in photoshop”. 4. Juhi Prasad, India “I made this sketch when I was studying in my second year of a Masters in Landscape architecture. This is one of the riverfront or Ghat in the city of Maheshwari in India. The term Ghat refers to a series of steps leading down to a body of water, particularly a holy river in this case the river Narmada. There’s something very beautiful about this place where landscape and architecture meet that I just loved. Medium : Pen/ Ink” 3.  Jaime Barba, BR Arquitectos, México If there is one thing we love it’s when an artist brings to the table their own unique signature style, and that’s certainly what Jaime did here. Quick lines, dashes of colour and unclear boundaries all blend together to create so much more than an image, but a powerful sense of place. 2. Djordje Pralica, architect, Serbia “This sketch of Mayor Plaza in Madrid was made with pencil on paper. My attention was caught by the depth and perspective of space that was perfectly complemented with the sunset shadows, as well as the vivid atmosphere teeming with local people and tourists”. 1. Moira Bering , LA student at Texas tech , USA “This is one of my most favorite sketches that I have done. It was completed for an assignment where I was supposed to sketch a detailed two point perspective of anything through the use of pointillism, cross hatching, and vertical/horizontal lines. It was completed using a variety of micron pens on vellum”.  – That’s it for this week’s Sketchy Saturday, thank you all for a terrific edition, please keep your sketches coming in week in and week out, we love publishing them. 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

In a profession dominated by men,we take a moment to reflect on some of the world’s leading female landscape architects.  As an outcome of men’s dominance in practically all professional fields throughout history, we often tend to mention only male figures when naming the most influential experts in a certain profession. Landscape architecture is no different. For that reason, we have put together the following list — far from being holistic — with the aim of celebrating seven of the most prominent contemporary female landscape architects. 1. Rosa Grena Kliass Born of a multicultural, Jewish, half-Brazilian, half-Polish family, Kliass not only made a large contribution to Brazil’s urban landscapes in the 20th century, she also participated in countless initiatives that can in no way be entirely mentioned here. Graduating with a first degree in architecture from the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of São Paulo and a Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the same faculty, she became a landscape architect by practice. She established Rosa Grena Kliass Landscape Planning and Projects Ltd. and was the founder of the Brazilian Association of Landscape Architects  in 1976. Her works mostly comprise the designing of large-scale public urban squares and avenues. She is well-known for her award-winning redesign of the Anhangabaú Valley.

2. Andrea Cochran Featured on the documentary Women in the Dirt, which highlights the influence of seven female landscape architects from California, Andrea is an award-winning and internationally recognized contemporary landscape architect. After attending Harvard’s Graduate School of Design and working for more than a decade on the U.S. East Coast and in Europe, she finally established her firm, Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture. She has worked on all sorts of projects, from small to large, including wineries, schools, public parks, and residential houses. Each of her designs is fully integrated within its surrounding urban fabric, with sustainability and the use of sense-heightening materials and textures as a central theme. Her award-winning Buhl Community Park is a testimony to the latter. Below: Women in the Dirt Trailer 3. Mary Reynolds Reynolds is a contemporary favorite among Irish landscape designers and was the first Irish winner of a Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal for garden design. She started her career during the late 1990s designing gardens in Dublin. Later in her career, she discovered that the wilderness is her true inspiration, and endeavored to bring back through her designs the connection between people and nature. Her garden Tearmann sí – A Celtic Sanctuary, inspired by her love of Irish mythology, granted her the first prize at the Chelsea Flower Show and a commission to design the Botanical gardens at Kew in London inspired by a poem by W.B. Yeats. She currently specializes in healing gardens, incorporating native Irish plants as well as stones and sculptures. Below: A stunning overview of Brigit’s Garden 4. Pamela Burton Another American figure, Pamela Burton is an environmental designer and architect by education and a landscape architect by professional formation. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and established her landscape architecture firm, Pamela Burton and Company, in Santa Monica. Her interdisciplinary background shines through her projects. Works dealing with the public realm, such as a park catering to the employees of the Bechkman Coulter Research Campus in Brea or courtyards for the Santa Monica Public Library, are designed with the aim of connecting the interior function of the buildings with their surrounding landscapes. The private gardens, created to compliment or frame the architecture of the houses, comprise a variety of native plants and environmentally sensitive designs. 5. Kathryn Gustafson Originally educated as a fashion designer, Gustafson changed her career path while trying to become a fashion designer in Paris and ended up majoring in landscape architecture at the Ecole National Supérieure de Paysage in Versailles. Gustafson, a contemporary American landscape architect currently based in London, formed her firm in 1997 with architect Neil Porter. She is renowned for her unique sculptural shapes created using landform, water, planting, and lighting. Her designs are also sensitive to community needs, as she values the principles of inclusive design, accessibility, and safety. Her most famous project is the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial, in which she demonstrated that memorials can be functional and inviting to people and not only just statues or sculptures. 6. Martha Schwartz Featured in our article Top 10 Influential Landscape Architects, Martha Schwartz is an American landscape architect and artist whose projects contribute to altering the perception of design expression in landscapes. She earned her degree from the University of Michigan. She is celebrated worldwide for her project, Dublin’s docklands, in which the Grand Canal Square –designed with bright red resin glass paving and glowing angled light sticks — stands as one of the most unconventional public spaces in Ireland. Other well-known projects include the Wellington Place, Leeds UK, and the Jumeirah Garden City, UAE. She has also written many academic papers and received design awards such as the Cooper-Hewitt Museum National Design Award and prizes from ASLA. 7. Mikyoung Kim She is an Asian American landscape architect who was born and raised in the United States to Korean parents. Mikyoung Kim has had a flair for arts from an early age, learning how to work with clay and play the piano. She majored in sculpture design and received a minor in piano but afterwards discovered her interest in landscape architecture. She received an MLA from Harvard School of Design and opened her own firm Mikyoung Kim Design a few years later. She has received many international awards and the projects of her firm –dealing with planning, landscape architecture and land art—showcase her multidisciplinary sensitivity. The spaces she designs are thus treated as a sculpture that can be molded with light, color and technologies in response to functional and sustainable needs. LAN featured Mikyoung Kim’s Crown Sky Garden. Throughout history, gardens and nature have always been associated with the notions of “Mother” Earth, fertility, and femininity. Gardening skills were perceived to be, like domestic work, qualities that any ideal woman and respectable wife should acquire. But these seven women not only changed the face of the profession itself by introducing their own valuable contributions, but also the dominant preconception that landscape architecture is a masculine field. We hope you enjoyed reading this article, and we encourage you to comment with the names of your favorite female landscape architects that were not included on this list. Also see: Top 10 Names In Landscape Architecture Today Top 10 Influential Landscape Architects Article written by Dalia Zein

Can you imagine a public space that gathers landmarks from more than 60 different countries? Superkilen is an urban park designed with an artistic approach that embraces the cultural diversity of the city of Copenhagen. In collaboration with the local residents, the designers responsible for the project represented several national identities in this park, which became the heart of the neighborhood. The idea was to revitalize the area by creating a public space where everyone could feel at home – no matter from where you are or how far you are from it. This 750-meters-long urban park is located in the district of Nørrebro, north of Copenhagen’s centre, which is one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the city. To create a public space to please everyone in such a mixed context is a great challenge, however, the collaborative work of talented professionals made it possible.

The Dream Team The creative minds of the artists from Superflex, architects from Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and landscape architects from Topotek1, came up with this beautiful proposal. Superkilen was an initiative of the City of Copenhagen in a partnership with Realdania, which is a Danish private association that supports philanthropic architecture and urban planning projects. The Design Officially open in June 2012, the park covers a total area of 30.000m2 and offers bike lanes, playgrounds, various sports facilities, spaces for cultural activities, areas for picnics and even barbecue grills. It is divided in three main sections: 1) The Red Square: The Red Square focuses on recreation and modern living. It’s stimulative colours – bright red, orange, pink – encouraging activity and energy. The edges and lines create a beautiful pattern on the floor. 2) The Black Market: The Black Market is more of a calming area, a place where people can meet up and interact. There are barbecue grills, tables for playing chess and an intriguing Japanese playground. The white lines on the floor create a cool optical illusion of movement. 3) The Green Park: The Green Park is the place to go for a picnic or take the dog for a walk after work. It has green hills, a big lawn area and sports facilities where children can have fun – a perfect family area. The Global Landmarks As the park is intended to celebrate cultural diversity, it is filled with objects from around the world to represent each nation. Each one was either imported from the home countries or replicas were made based on the originals. When walking down the park, it feels like travelling around the globe as you are confronted by neon signs from the U.S. and Russia, swings from Iraq, Brazilian benches, a Spanish bull sculpture, a fountain from Morocco, a boxing ring from Thailand, English litter bins and even Palestinian soil. All objects have a stainless plate with its identification and description. Outstanding Awards The local residents were also involved in the project, so they could contribute with ideas and memories. In addition, the designers travelled around the world to really get the feeling of each country to be represented in the park. No wonder Superkilen was awarded with 2013 AIA Honor Award in the Regional & Urban Design category by the American Institute of Architects, is shortlisted for Design of the Year by the Design Museum in London and for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture. Below: Superkilen celebrates diversity in Copenhagen The design itself is beautiful but the concept was the key-element in this project. As landscape architects, we have to bear in mind we design for people (and why not with people?). It is necessary to bring the reality of the users into the design process, taking into consideration their aspiration and needs. The sensitivity of the designers is very inspiring here as they could capture that emptiness you feel when you are miles away from home, a very relevant issue in a multicultural neighborhood. Those who have experienced being homesick know how revigorating it is to have a haven where you can just relax and feel back home (even if for just a while). Recommended Reading: Big – Bjarke Ingels Group  by Bjarke Ingels Yes Is More: An Archicomic on Architectural Evolution by Bjarke Ingels BIG: Bjarke Ingels Group Projects 2001-2010 by BIG Architecture Article written by Julia Lucchese Featured image: Superkilen hill-top view CC BY 2.0

Scribble Announces Kickstarter Campaign Being Launched to Crowdfund World’s First Color Picker Pen. California, USA, May 26, 2014- A compact accurate color picker pen that picks any color around you and draws in that same color, the Scribble, is the subject of a new Kickstarter campaign with the goal of bringing the exciting new technology to the market quickly and open up an entire world of color opportunities for its future owners.

The idea that you can quickly pick any color around you and instantly draw using that same color on paper or on your favorite mobile device is an appealing one. This is a cutting edge technology that’s on the verge of becoming a household gadget, thanks to the recently announced Kickstarter campaign for the Scribble Pen, the world’s first color picking pen. Developed by Scribble, this innovative pen can hold over 100,000 unique colors in its internal memory and can reproduce over 16 million unique colors. “For the color blind, kids, interior decorators, homeowners, teachers, artists, photographers, designers and students, the Scribble color picker pen will make copying an exact color, any color from any object, an absolute breeze.,” commented a spokesperson from the company. “With Scribble you can scan, match or compare colors, draw on paper or your mobile device. We know people are going to love it.” How does it work? The device works by using a color sensor and microprocessor to detect colors and mix the required ink for drawing. It’s small enough to fit in a pocket or purse and is absolutely simple to use. A Scribble Stylus will also be released which connects with Scribble+ mobile app bringing all the captured colors via blue tooth to the users cell phone or tablet. Colors become more useful when they are organized, tagged, searchable and converted to various color models. It will also allow for instant doodling on the user’s mobile device’s screen using any captured color. Anticipation leading up to the product being released is high. Emily G. an interior decorator from Boston said recently, “I’m very interested in this Kickstarter. This would be the perfect device to help me easily scan and save color samples for client presentations. Being able to quickly match existing colors off walls and swatches with the Scribble Pen is going to be brilliant.” Mark Barker and Robert Hoffman are the creators of ScribblePen who have both spent their careers thinking outside the box to develop highly innovative hardware technologies that make other people’s lives easier and much more enjoyable. For more information on the Scribble and to take part in the Kickstarter visit https://getscribblepen.com PRESS CONTACT Robert HOFFMAN info@getscribblepen.com

OKRA take over car park to create Catharina-Amalia-Park As world population increases and urban open space becomes threatened, cities are forced to look for new ways to create multifunctional spaces that bring value to communities and solve numerous problems simultaneously. The city of Apeldoorn in the Netherlands found itself in this predicament over the past 25 years. Brinkpark, an urban park in the heart of Apeldoorn, was turning into a parking lot, with little room for people and an abundance of pedestrian and automobile congestion. The city brought in the landscape architecture firm OKRA to help realize its vision for a greener park that could accommodate numerous user groups, hide the parking and the presence of automobiles, and reveal The Grift. OKRA returned with a plan that would accomplish all of these goals and more. After numerous community meetings, a design was decided upon that would satisfy each of the stakeholders’ desires.

Renaming the Park Brinkpark was renamed Catharina-Amalia Park in 2013 in honor of Princess Catharina-Amalia, eldest child of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. Central to the park’s design is the presence of The Grift. A once hidden stream, replaced by a canal in the mid-1800s, The Grift has been revealed to the surface from pipes and highlighted as the unifying design piece throughout the park. The landscape around The Grift has been sculpted to serve as a representation of the Veluew District, a forest and ridge area in the Netherlands. Nature and Happiness Communities everywhere are now realizing the importance of having their natural systems revealed and accessible as an amenity to the community. The presence of these natural elements increases residents’ overall happiness and pride in a community. These public spaces also increase the economic value and generate revitalization within communities. The Design Alongside The Grift, you will often find residents lounging on a wooden bench wall or with their feet in the cool stream. The stream opens into a larger basin with a series of small fish ladders descending through the park, where children play with toy boats and excess stormwater can be held. Undulating paths cross the site and cut through raised grassy berms. OKRA created these cuts in the landscape to elevate the importance of one continuous green experience throughout the site. Following this design idea, the skate park and playground have been cut into the landscape so that they, too, can be subordinate to this unifying green experience. Above any other goal, though, people were to be the primary focus of the park. The bulk of the parking has been moved below ground in a 240-car, two-story parking garage colorfully painted red, white, and gray and is lit by day by a single transparent stairwell that exits into a building in the middle of the park. Traffic lanes and surface parking have been pushed to the perimeter of the park, while dog walks, lounge areas, and walking paths have been created within the interior. Apeldoorn’s Catharina-Amalia Park is certainly a success story for the community and one that continues to illustrate the design community’s ability to solve cultural, ecological, and planning design problems. Even more impressive — the park’s features have been created on the roof of a two-story garage. The new trees, undulating green spaces, the creek, and all of the play areas sit as one large green roof in the middle of downtown Apeldoorn. Apeldoorn has made a great decision to convert its city center entrance into a public green space. Nothing is more welcoming in a city than open space for people. Article written by Cameron Rodman

Pavegen is a product that immediately catches the eye as an inventive and creative way to harvest the kinetic energy in footsteps on the pavement. As I write, I’m listening to the familiar sound of the pitter-patter beneath my desk, as my restless feet rattle on the floorboards to the far-off harmony of my town’s weekend orchestra of heavy-footed businessmen and shoppers’ chatter conducted by urban life. I think of how much energy I have wasted over time; in my mind’s eye, I see the countless steps taken in my bedroom alone, franticly pacing up and down on the eve of a deadline. Pavegen inventor Laurence Kemball-Cook’s product harnesses energy in a way that is unobtrusive and subtle. It’s a small product that shifts perceptions, ingraining a grassroots-level method of creating energy. The U.K.-based company Pavegen Systems really walks the walk when it comes to creating a path for green technologies — the 100 percent recycled rubber membrane works every time the pavement is stepped on, as the paver flexes 5 mm and “smart” technology stores the kinetic energy. Below: Innovation at everyone’s feet: Laurence Kemball at TEDxRio+20 The Selling Point Innovative, exceptional energy efficiency, superior sustainability. These are just some of the goals that Pavegen Systems might have had in mind when creating the prototypes for Pavegen. Its inner glow (about 5 percent of the overall energy produced) draws the attention of any passerby. Glowing pavement forms a new relationship people and paving, evoking imaginative thoughts; that your average Joe can generate energy empowers him with an increased awareness of energy consumption. The small and easy-to-retrofit slabs power streetlights with your usual surrounding electronics, while the smart pavers can connect with synced “smart” phones and devices.

If all that sounds intriguing, the slabs hit all environmentally friendly “brownie points”. The slabs come in various colors and are made of marine-grade stainless steel, with each slab constructed from old car tires and inner mechanisms made of recycled aluminium. But don’t think that Pavegen is just an expensive paving eco-irrelevance. When located in a busy street, each slab generates 2.1 watts per hour. Studies have shown that during peak time of five hours, Pavegen generates enough energy to power a bus stop for 12 hours. Energy can then be stored within the pavers’ lithium polymer batteries or sent back into the energy grid. Pavegen API The Pavegen API is a wireless interface that enables the Pavegen units to communicate with any software or hardware application, be it to record footfall data, record energy generation or to communicate to users via social media. The energy from the footstep will transmit data up to 200 meters depending on location, the energy can also be used to power lighting or be stored.  Discover more about the Pavegen API here! Smart Cities Use a Smart Pavement  We as landscape architects of the world recognize that the increase in energy costs is leading to a slowdown in the global economy and to the exploitation of natural resources and the most vulnerable of people. Pavegen isn’t the answer to the global energy crises, but it addresses the problem of energy consumption and brings a solution to the forefront. Cities are evolving to meet the demands of a changing population; Pavegen is a forward-thinking electricity self-provider that (and more lateral thinking like it) has the potential to eschew unsustainable methods of energy consumption. See also: Will These Solar Roadways Change The World? Incredible Glow in the Dark Pathways Article written by guest writer Fergus McCarthy

Mill River Park designed by The Olin Studio in collaboration with the Mill River Collaborative. Many people dream of cultivating their own garden after retirement, but the chairman of the not for profit organization Mill River Collaborative (MRC) is turning that into reality but in a much larger scale after he accepted the challenge to implement a world class park in his hometown of Stamford, in New England, US. Arthur Selkowitz had just retired from a successful career in the advertising industry when he was asked to manage the revitalization of the downtown area, crossed by Mill River. According to him, this non paid job has become his full time occupation. Although public investments are funding this improvement for Stamford, the government cannot afford the total cost of such a complex urban operation. The MRC, used marketing tools to find donors and continued the plan, started in the 1990‘s, to recover the natural state of the river and its edges, reshaping the floodplain and creating gathering spaces in downtown.

The first achievement of MRC was the successful campaign to raise funds to hire, in 2005, the recognized firm Olin to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers in the design of the park. The aim was to create public leisure spaces and a trail system along Mill River, linking the central park to other green areas in the city by accessible walkways and cycling pathways. To enable the expansion of the open area in downtown, the public agencies in charge of municipal regulations took measures such as purchasing properties and designating the Mill River Corridor as a new zoning district. When completed, the park will occupy around 28 acres. The first 12-acre section of the Mill River Park and Greenway was opened in the spring of 2013, featuring paths around the river, which had its natural shape restored after the removal of the dam and retaining walls. For years, those constructions had hindered its access in addition to having changed the natural space for the flood flow. The downtown session of the river has become a site with difficult maintenance, characterized by accumulation of wastes. But, since its restoration, the river is flowing freely and native plants are returning on its edges. According to MRC, over 400 trees, thousands of shrubs in addition to a variety of grasses and bulbs are being planted along the river edges and surrounding areas. The aquatic habitat is also being recovered with the use of bio-engineering techniques, which are making possible the removal of contaminated sediments from the river. After the conclusion of this process, fishing and kayaking will be possible leisure options. The community has strongly supported all the implementation stages of the park. From defining the park’s program with the designers to contributing with donations and work, the residents are participating directly in the production of spaces. The playground, the first new improvement in the park, was built in 2006 by volunteers. Now, an area that was used for illicit activities is a verdant place for kids to play. See also: Turenscape Design Outstanding River Park Besides recreational activities, children are having educational benefits: the park is being used by local schools as a laboratory of Ecology. It is also a way for students be introduced to environmental careers through volunteer and paid jobs. These initiatives aim that the young generations become aware of sustainability issues. To keep year-round activities, other facilities are being built with the support of donors: a fountain, a park building and an ice skating rink, planned to be ready for 2015 winter season. Although Stamford central park has the river as main theme, the new grove composed of about 100 cherry trees is its most anticipated attraction. The trees had been long ago planted, aligned to the river, since they were donated to the city after World War II. Some of them were removed and, then, replanted in the new site designed to host a traditional Japanese festival to celebrate the spring. By promoting events and activities according to different seasons, Stamford Mill River Park has given residents the opportunity to reintegrate with Nature. This vibrant green area, joining competent landscape design with advanced bio-engineering techniques, created a balance with the large number of buildings in the center, which resulted in a healthier environment. Not only is this central park improving quality of life but it is also demonstrating an effective combination of public investment, private financial support and community engagement to revitalize the city. Recommended reading: Design with Nature by Ian L. McHarg Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farr Article written by Tania Ramos Gianone

This week’s Sketchy Saturday sees some of the regular artists feature along with several new entrants staking their claim to be featured to our rapidly growing Sketchy Saturday weekly feature. We always try to keep the judging process as fair as possible but have to admit with so many styles it is almost impossible to judge everyone with the same criteria, however that’s what I believe makes Sketchy Saturday so interesting, no two sketches are the same and the diversity on display always keeps things spicy. Congratulations to all of you who featured in this weeks Sketchy Saturday top 10, and you are all encouraged to submit more of your work, week in week out, giving your talent the world wide acknowledgment it so truly deserves. 10. Sushmitha.N,  a student of 2nd year architecture ,Bangalore,India ww

“A photograph which caught my eyes. The view is a feast to the eyes of the viewer. The stone building blending with the beauty of nature. Its a heritage site in Karnataka,India. As architects, it is our duty to respect and protect nature. Medium and material: This is dry pastel work on cartridge sheet”. 9. Dorjana Kasemi “The sketch was made during the preparation period for a university competition. So we had to move around the city, to go in front of certain buildings in order to learn to draw as needed for a certain time. So therefore we have memorized almost every detail of our city’s facilities. The sketch’s style is a simple technic made with pencil ( different thickness of pencil’s tip ) on normal drawing paper. The building,it is located in the center of the city in Tirana, in front of a park”. 8. by Joshua Rodriguez, United States, New Jersey, Student of the Landscape Architecture Program at Rutgers University “After studying Japanese Gardens this past semester at Rutgers University of New Brunswick, they have become something really meaningful to me and they have become a major part of my design style. I also rendered it in a Japanese style being sure to use ink. The pagoda overlooks a pond that is surrounded by Japanese elements one would see in that style of garden”. 7.  Attila Toth, landscape architect, PhD student, SUA Nitra, Slovakia “This sketch depicts the main building of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra built in the 60’s in the Functional style. It is one of the main landmarks of my city and was awarded the “Building of the Century” and listed as a National Cultural Monument, thus it is an inspiring object for sketching. It is a simply sketch made with pencil and coloured with artist pens”. 6. Arch. Roland B. Cepeda Manila,Philippines Vibrant colours really make this sketch bounce right off the page, the rich tones  and the old rustic red brick walls create an evening summer time feel; complimented beautifully by the iconic mediterranean styled planting, this picture screams summertime vacation, a good book and a glass of red. 5. Vilma Picari,  student in Epoka Univerfrsity, Department of Architecture. “I drew this sketch during the first days of starting studying in this building (which would become my second home). In this way I came to know it better. This is a free hand drawing perspective  in pencil of  epoka Social Center and Department of Architecture located in Tirana,Albania. I’m a student in Epoka University, Department of Architecture”. 4.  Stephanie Kennedy, landscape architect at Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, CA “This is a pen and ink drawing of Crown Candy Kitchen in North St Louis, Missouri. My mother grew up in this neighborhood in the 50’s. Although the area has deteriorated considerably since then due to tornado damage, the economy, etc., this is one business that has managed to survive and even thrive. In fact, on weekends, the line to get in usually stretches around the block”. 3. by Mark Sulit Almazan, Architect / Project Engineer (Singapore), Philippines In a tropical country like Philippines, it is very ideal to promote modern open-planning, for its complementary use of architecture and simple decor like glass to create a warm and welcoming place for relaxation and comfort. The interior features simple concrete and from the floor to the ceiling there is folding glass doors, in which natural light flows in. 2. Hayley seolhee Lee, University of New south wales, Sydney, Australia A beautiful overall view of the landscape, taking both manmade and natural features into the scene, blurring the boundaries, not just between materials but between times of construction, style and the every changing economy.  1. Alan Ramiro Manning, Senior Architecture Student at Woodbury University, Burbank, Ca, USA “I sat on a patch of grass at the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona to sketch for the afternoon while enjoying the clamor and bustle of the urban activity. My girlfriend and her friend were taking in some sun beside me, as I passionately observed and delineated the lines that make up this active space.” – That’s it for this week’s Sketchy Saturday, thank you all so much for your weekly artistic contributions that all come together to make Sketchy Saturday what it is – a celebration of talent, creativity and a desire to understand one’s surroundings. Check out the Sketchy Saturday official Facebook album and see literally 1,000′s of incredible sketches! 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

A designer’s work influences other designers — and this is as true in the landscape architecture community as it is anywhere else. Because noticing creative projects is a key part of finding fresh inspiration, it’s helpful to observe some of the most influential landscape designs in the recent market and see what other designers are seeing. Checking out innovative designs provides new ideas and inspires new ways of creating outdoor spaces. With that in mind, here are a few of the most interesting and inspiring landscape designs currently out there, along with thoughts on why they’re important to landscaping architecture and design. 1. Lincoln Park SoundScape in New World Symphony Campus, Miami Beach, Fla. by West 8

With its trapezoidal pergolas and lacey palms, Lincoln Park Soundscape sets a new precedent for parks in the South Florida area. Despite being small in size (slightly larger than 1 hectare), this site still manages to have a green, park-like feel, while also boasting some one-of-a-kind features like pergolas with shapes inspired by the cumulous clouds common in the region, hand-fabricated and painted aluminum structures to provide shade as well as flower support, and a projection wall at the adjacent Symphony Hall building for featuring the work of video projection artists from New World Symphony. “Open to the public in January 2011, Miami Beach SoundScape Park is a unified expression of recreation, pleasure and culture,” says West 8, the urban design and landscape architecture firm behind the project. “Combined with the momentum of the symphony hall’s uses and outstanding architecture, the New World Symphony campus has become a world-class destination that marries music, design and experience.” 2. Crown Sky Garden, Chicago, Ill. by Mikyoung Kim Design Set within the Children’s Hospital of Chicago, the Crown Sky Garden is a 5,000-square-foot area on the building’s 11th floor, called “a sanctuary for patients, families, doctors and administrators” by World Landscape Architect. It features a restorative healing garden with light, water and vibrant colors. What’s more, the 12th floor has protected treehouse space in order to give kids with health conditions that prevent them from being in the main garden a space to enjoy. The garden won an American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) honor award in 2013. 3. Shangri La Botanical Gardens, Orange, Texas by Jeffrey Carbo Landscape Architects Called “a hub of environmental awareness and education about regional landscapes and animal habitats” by ASLA, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is the first LEED Platinum-NC project in Texas, and when it first opened in 2008 it was one of only 50 Platinum projects in the world. Set on 252 acres in southeast Texas, Shangri La Botanical Garden has a design that makes wildlife processes visible in the natural context of landscape, botanical gardens with more than 300 plant species, a hands-on Nature Discovery Center and a reputation for being one of the most Earth-friendly projects in the world. 4. Lakewood Garden Mausoleum at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minn. by Joan Soranno, FAIA and John Cook, FAIA of HGA Architects and Engineers “Lakewood Cemetery’s historical importance and impeccably manicured grounds make it a treasured landmark and community asset in the City’s Uptown neighborhood,” says Arch Daily. A private, non-sectarian cemetery set on 250 rolling acres, Lakewood Cemetery is a revered place of rest for many of Minnesota’s most esteemed former citizens, with names like Humphrey, Wellstone and Pillsbury. So when the architects at HGA were tasked with creating a large, 24,500-square-foot building that would add to the setting without ruining its beauty, they knew to choose a location that would consolidate traffic and infrastructure, preserving as much of the surrounding landscape as possible. Their resulting creation was also winner of the ASLA Award of Excellence in 2013. 5. Sherbourne Common, Toronto, Ontario by Phillips Farevaag Smalleberg Canada’s first park to integrate a UV purification facility that treats neighborhood stormwater into its design, Sherbourne Common features a number of sustainable practices: a high percentage of locally available materials, native or regionally adapted trees and water-efficient plant materials to reduce the need for irrigation. It is also one of the first parks in the country to pursue LEED Gold certification. The park received an honor award from ASLA and was also named one of the best new parks in the world by The Atlantic website The Atlantic Cities. “Sherbourne Common is both major civic amenity and poetic stormwater treatment infrastructure, and a key component of the renaissance of Toronto’s waterfront,” says ASLA. The five projects listed above illustrate some of the coolest, most creative projects in the industry now — but this list is by no means exhaustive. As a field that’s both practical and artistic, landscape architecture is always birthing new concepts and ways of implementing green space. What will the future hold for the industry? What new styles and concepts will emerge? Only time will tell. But by keeping up with new projects and structures, landscape architects can continue to inspire one another onto greater and greater levels of brilliance. Related Articles:

• 10 Incredible Projects For Students To Know About And Why!
• Top 10 World Class Landscape Architecture Projects of 2013

About the author: Jeff Caldwell is the Brand Manager of Superior Shelter in Carrollton, GA. Accepting custom shelter projects from landscape architects and designers globally, Litchfield Landscape Elements designs outdoor shelters, such as pergolas, steel shelters and gazebos, specific to your outdoor architectural project. Return to Homepage