Author: Land8: Landscape Architects Network

In today’s day and age, with our natural environment ever diminishing, every potential green space in the concrete jungle of our cities becomes increasingly important. Green roofs and living walls are one of the most important ways of making our cities greener – and they are also incredibly fashionable! It is vitally important for every landscape architect to realize the value of green roofs and living walls and gather as much information as possible about their uses, benefits, and construction. This book is a great place to start!

Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls

What you get from this book

• An excellent introduction to the idea of green roofs and façade greening
• A perfect guide to the construction practices
• An explanation of the genesis of the green roofs and walls movement
• Ample information on implementation

Why should you get it? Whether you are a landscape architecture student, just developing your skills and knowledge, or a professional who wants to be kept informed of the current trends and fashions in the industry, you should consider buying this book. Its extremely informative chapters will guide you through the details of green roof and living wall construction. You will learn the difference between the available types of roofs and find out about the modern methods of planting. You will develop an awareness of the influence of greenery on the buildings, their roofs, and façades, which will be priceless when discussing the possibilities of a green roof installation with a potential client or an architect. Get it Here! After reading this book, you will be able to persuade a prospective customer about the economical benefits of constructing a green roof. You will also gain a deeper understanding of the importance of living roofs and walls in the biodiversity and sustainability of cities. The book is as comprehensive as possible – the amount of information gathered on just over 300 pages is simply stunning! At the same time, it does not read like a boring textbook; on the contrary, it is well written, vivid, and informative. The content takes advantage of numerous colorful photographs. Many of the problems are illustrated by clear graphs and tables, and the real-life case studies are an additional bonus. It also contains a lot of practical information, such as the names of the most important suppliers in the industry, the lists of tried and tested plants for the roofs and walls, and the extensive bibliography. “Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls”, by Nigel Dunnett and Noël Kingsbury, is a must-have in every landscape architect’s book collection and a starting point for an in-depth studies on the green roofs and façades matter. Get it Here! About the authors: Nigel Dunnett is a reader in Urban Horticulture and the director of the Green Roof Centre in the Department of Landscape at the University of Sheffield, England. Noël Kingsbury is a leading expert in contemporary naturalistic planting design. They are both internationally renowned writers, lecturers, and influential leaders of new developments in landscape and horticulture. Publisher: Timber Press, Inc. Type: Hardcover Page length: 328 pages Other articles you may be interested in:

• A Green Light for Infrastructure
• Why Have Grass On Your Roof?

Book review by Marta Ratajszczak 

Every student thinks: “What will I do after school?” For most students, getting a job in the field of design is the highest priority. The 2013 ASLA Recent Graduate Survey indicated that 89 percent of graduates will seek employment and hope to enter the field immediately after college. We have 10 tips to help you get a head start allowing you to network with professionals while increasing your odds of landing a job right out of school. 10. Stop by their offices and introduce yourself The internet has come to dominate our communications world. Remember that nothing goes further than a handshake and a smile. While many offices have the ability to work from remote locations and can hire from afar, small businesses are still the majority. 9. Join your professional society Professional societies such as ECLAS, ASLA, AILA, and CHSLA are the hub for your student and professional needs. Having a professional membership comes with many benefits. Societies often release publications highlighting professionals, create educational sessions with professionals such as webinars, and have job postings listed. 8. Attend local professional meetings

Meetings are the best place to get to know numerous professionals at once. Professionals typically need to acquire continuing education points throughout the year. Take advantage of these meetings and dive right into the mix. Numerous firms are often represented at each meeting. If you don’t have a local professional group that meets in your area, get together with those in your field and start one. This shows initiative and impresses any employer.

7. Leverage social media platforms One of the easiest ways for professionals to check out a potential hire (you!) is to search for your name. Don’t make the mistake of letting your online presence prevent you from getting a job. In fact, consider social media an asset. While content can never replace quality, more exposure places you in front of a larger number of professionals. It is debatable which media outlet accomplishes more. Here is a quick list: personal website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google +, Tumblr, Pinterest, Houzz, Land8, Twitter. The key here is to know the audience you are marketing to and make those connections. Feel free to visit my site and these others for examples

• Website: Cameron Rodman
• Facebook: Olin Studio 
• LinkedIn: Ken McCown 
• Houzz: Stephen Hackney

Universities, local governments, and other businesses such as newspapers host career fairs. Enhance your portfolio and resume and get cleaned up. Firms expect students to show up with their best, looking their best. 5. Studio interaction at school Many colleges invite professionals to lead or participate in academic studios. Drink in their experience and wisdom. Ask them questions about why they think the way they do and challenge yourself to think the same way, at least for a semester. 4. Volunteer for community service Think about the organizations in your community that might have relationships with landscape architects, and get involved. Many communities have community design centers that gather professional services for those who cannot afford them. 3. Don’t forget those professionals close to your field Landscape architects do not operate in a bubble. Connect with local architects, engineers, planners, horticulturists, government officials, and community activists. These are the people we interact with and learn from on a daily basis. 2. Find media outlets about landscape architects Numerous publications and online resources exist that can help us connect to other landscape architects. Read our recent article Top 10 Online Resources for Landscape Architecture to find out more. 1. Become the professional Some areas across the globe may not have many landscape architects. Take the initiative to learn what you can, and connect with those around you. Set up a strong foundation for those who will follow in your footsteps. Whatever your reason is for networking, the most important thing to do is to have an understanding of where you want to go and who can help you get there. Good luck, and keep checking back with Landscape Architects Network for up-to-date news on everything related to landscape architecture. Article written by Cameron R. Rodman Featured image: Hasloo Group Production Studio/shutterstock

Bamboo, one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, has gained its cultural and economic significance in Southeast Asia not only due to its speedy growth, but also thanks to its marvelous strength, which allows it to be often used as building material instead of steel. This peculiar monocot plant is also a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine and can be used to create fine, long-lasting furniture and other diverse structures. And bamboo was also the centerpiece of an international festival initiated this year in Lombok, Indonesia, in the hope of making it an annual event. Image credit: www.budipradono.com

Lombok Bambu Festival

Through the slogan We Care Bamboo, the Indonesian Institute of Architects-West Nusatenggara Region introduced LIBAF — the Lombok International Bamboo Architecture Festival — with the aim of highlighting the significance of bamboo, which according to the architects is “almost forgotten in its potential as a local Indonesian material in architectural and structural works”. The event was held Dec. 1-8, 2013, in cooperation with organizations such as Budi Pradono Architects and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in Lombok Island, Indonesia. The festival at Senggigi Beach Lombok was attended by more than 300 participants, including architects, architecture students, and artists from all around the world. It included workshops and seminars on the planting of bamboo and on themes such as Re-Designing the World with Bamboo, as well as a Bamboo Architecture Artwork Installation. Image credit: www.budipradono.com Image credit: www.budipradono.com

The latter is an exhibition of about 20 architectural displays with bamboo as the primary material used. The displayed structures were selected prior to the event from hundreds of designs that were submitted. The installations will remain on exhibit until March 2014, then will be donated to a bamboo park that will be intended to become a main attraction in the area.

Image credit: www.budipradono.com The Art Installations Each architectural bamboo work was designed by a different person from a distinct country, each with a unique message. Below are links to some of the most impressive features on display at the bamboo architecture festival: Kendi Maling, designed by Indonesian Wiralee Adiputra, is a sculpture that imitates the shape of a traditional jar from Lombok that holds the same name. Through this design, the artist aimed to introduce the traditional Lombok culture to an international audience. Bamboo Shadow Box, by French architect Marine Lacroix, was designed to let the people of Lombok use it as their own shadow theater and perform arts and express themselves.

Tamed Wave was designed by Russian interior architect and designer Elena Goray. “I want to make some kind of freezing moments of the wave. When people will be inside of the installation they will represent the movement of a surfer, ” Goray said. Twisted Ballet, designed by Indonesian Rahman Wibisono, represents the flexible movements of a ballerina and the twists caused by the beautiful dresses turning in circles. Talking about their project Chair Revolution, a structure made up entirely of bamboo chairs, Spanish design team FPC Arquitectura stated that this installation was meant to recreate in a conceptual way some of the claims or demands of society, encouraging introspection of urban and architectural space. The winning piece — Artwork, by Indonesian artist Soklo — is defined by the artist himself as a statement that bamboo is a philosophy and that in his imagination, “bamboo is beautiful, just like a flower”. Final thoughts Festivals such as LIBAF create a positive impact by providing local communities that are not popular globally with the opportunity to shine through a unique element of their culture. But building on the words of one of the event’s participants that “this is not just about physical installations, it is more than that,” it can be said that there is an even more powerful effect at hand here:  Designers coming from all around the world to exhibit their structures create exchange and interaction not only among each other, but with the public sphere as well.

Image credit: www.budipradono.com

Image credit: www.budipradono.com For further information see also: www.budipradono.com www.lombokbambufestival.com Article written by Dalia Zein

Have you ever taken a photograph and uploaded it only to find out later that someone has photo bombed your family photo or the exposure wasn’t right on that killer landscape shot? You are in good company.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or a selfie guru, it is inevitable that some of your photos will be botched. Don’t worry. Landscape Architects Network has a few Photoshop tips that can help you redeem your lazy photography habits.

Landscape Architects Network reached out to European travel photographer and editor at HDR One Magazine Jimmy McIntyre and American nature and design photographer J. Paul Moore or their tips for the Lazy Photographers Guide to Photoshop. Here’s what we all came up with.

Use Adjustment Layers to Make BIG changes

The first set of tools that you need in your Photoshop arsenal is the adjustment layers. Gradients, brightness/contrast, hue/saturation, and gradient maps are a few of the many adjustments which you can leverage to enhance the mood and feel of a photo. These tools can be accessed by opening your adjustments panel on your right tool bar or by clicking on the circle that is half way filled with black and white at the bottom of your layers panel.

Let’s dive into Brightness and Contrast. Once you click on the appropriate icon or layer adjustment you will see two slider bars. Click, hold, and drag these to the left and right to alter the image. A simple way of understanding brightness is thinking of it as a tool to lighten or darken the overall image. Contrast increases the difference between the light and dark pixels. This achieves a look of high intensity and greater color saturation.

The next adjustment layer to arm yourself with is Saturation. Jimmy McIntyre had this to say:

“Firstly, when you want to quickly saturate or desaturate a particular colour, open up a saturation adjustment layer, click on the hand with two arrows either side of it (next to the word ‘Master’), and then move your cursor to your image, select the specific colour and while holding the left mouse button down, move the cursor left or right to desaturate or saturate that colour.”

This is one of many fantastic ways to make black and white images or enrich a photograph’s color.

Making Good Use of the Tool Box Panel

The second set of tools that you need to become familiar with is the Tool Box Panel. This panel includes healing brushes, the clone stamp tool, the history brush, and more. One tool that many landscape architects are familiar with is the Clone Stamp tool. This tool looks like a rubber stamp and is often located on the left side of your screen. Use the clone stamp tool to remove or add desirable and undesirable parts of a photo.  Check out this before and after shot where a person stepped into the view.

Here’s how you do it.

Step 1: Create a new blank layer by clicking “new layer” at the bottom of your layers panel.

Step 2: Click on the clone stamp tool. At the top of your computer window find the word “sample.” Click into this drop down menu and select “all layers.”

Step 3: Next, place your mouse over the portion that you would like to clone. While holding down the Alt (PC) or Option (Mac) key, left click on that area and release the Alt or Option key and the mouse clicker.

Then…

To stamp that area, place your mouse pointer over the area you want to alter and left click, hold, and move your mouse around. This stamps the desired area here.

One Final Tip

Our final tip comes from J. Paul Moore. He shared with Landscape Architects Network the usefulness of the Content-Aware Move tool. He used this tool to “eliminate water spots by the pool, remove bright reflections from the edge of the pool caused by the umbrella pole, and to fill in a few small spots on the left side of the far left arborvitae.” This is a useful tool to help control the viewers’ attention.

To use this tool, click into the spot healing brush drop down on the left tool bar. Once you have selected the Content-Aware Move Tool find a spot on your image which you would like to reference. Trace the spot with your mouse cursor. Then click this selected area and drag it over the area you wish to alter.

We hope that these tips for the Lazy Photographer have been helpful. Photoshop is a powerful tool for photographers and landscape architects. Have fun!

 J. Paul Moore Official Site
Through Strange Lens

Related Articles:

• 6 Tips for Making the Most of Your Camera
• HDR and Digital Blending Courses

Article written by Cameron Rodman

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The significance of trees to Mother Earth and to us humans is immeasurable. Since the dawn of time, these majestic living organisms have been a strong feature in folktales, history, paintings, and other forms of culture and art. Their awe-inspiring shapes and strength — sometimes daunting — can invoke a powerful sense of spirituality. For centuries, civilizations have praised trees as a symbol of worship, celebration, and death; some rituals persist today. Based on aesthetic or religious significance, the following list of 10 sacred trees is meant to acclaim the spiritual relationship between humans and trees.

10. Willow Tree

Image credit: Tshooter/shutterstock

Willow trees from the genus Salix come in all sorts of varieties and shapes. Most species of this tree thrive in riparian landscapes. A willow’s presence near water can be haunting. In Japanese tradition, it is believed that wherever a willow is present, a ghost will appear. Due to the association with the movement of the water to the moon, willows are also considered sacred in witchcraft. Priestesses of the Goddess Hecate of the Moon use willow water in their magic.

9. Ash

Image credit Smileus/shutterstock

There are records of several trees of mythical importance to the Celts, including oak, apple, birch, and ash. The latter has a connection to the order of the bards, ovates, and druids (Celtic priests). The ash tree (scientific name: Fraxinus) is mainly associated with healing and enchantment, and in particular to the Welsh magician/god Gwyddion, who had an ash wand. The tree is also similarly associated in Norse mythology to the god Odin.

8. Sacred Oak

Image credit: Dudarev Mikhail/shutterstock

Believed to be the largest yellow oak (scientific name: Quercus muhlenbergii) in the United States, this iconic tree located in Oley, Pa., dates back almost 500 years. The tree received its “sacred” attribution due to a native Indian legend that claims that the tree possesses the power to heal. This sacred tree was looked upon as the shrine tree of the Delaware Indians, who prayed for it whenever they needed help.

7. Italian Cypress

Image credit: Zoom Team/shutterstock

Known as “The Mournful Tree”, the Italian cypress (scientific name: Cupressus sempervirens) has been associated with death and mourning for the past 2,000 years. Planted in Islamic and European cemeteries, the tree’s legend goes back to ancient Greek and Roman mythology, when a man named Cyparissus accidentally killed his stag and begged the gods to punish him with eternal grief. Granting his wish, the gods turned him into a cypress tree, which would forever stand and mourn the dead.

6. The Bodhi Tree

Image credit: nuttakit/shutterstock

The sacred fig (scientific name: Ficus religiosa) is native to Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It is known as the Bodhi Tree (Sanskrit for “wisdom” or “enlightened”). It is believed that it is under this tree that Buddha gained his enlightenment. After Buddha’s death, the tree became a symbol of his presence and an object of worship. At Bodh Gaya, a new Bodhi was planted in 1881 after the original one died. Many other Buddhist temples plant this tree, as well.

5. Witch Tree

Image credit: nikitsin.smugmug.com/shutterstock

The Little Cedar Spirit Tree, or the Witch Tree, is an ancient iconic specimen from the specie Thuja Occidentalis. This tree grows on the shore of a lake in Minnesota and is sacred among the Chippewa Indian tribe. Earliest records of this lone tree date back to 1731. From the fear of it being vandalized, the tribe has purchased the land and people are now prohibited to come near the tree. 4. Banyan Tree

Another tree that is sacred in Buddhism as well as in Hinduism is the banyan tree (scientific name: Ficus benghalensis). Native to Southeast Asia, the tree’s uniqueness lies in its aerial roots, which spread upward. eventually becoming accessory trunks. Due to this shape, the tree represents eternal life. In a song called the “Bhagavad Gita” or “Song of the Lord”, Krishna uses the banyan tree as a symbol to describe the true meaning of life to the warrior hero Arjuna. Banyan is also mentioned in the Buddhist Jataka tales.

Image credit: Javarman/shutterstock

3. Lebanese Cedar Image credit: Diak/shutterstock

Ever since the Phoenician times, this tree has attained an economic significance due to the preciousness and power of its wood, as well as a symbolic one due to its ability to age for thousands of years and withstand a snowy, mountainous climate. The Lebanese cedar (scientific name: Cedrus libani) does not only hold a religious Christian significance — it is mentioned in the bible 75 times — but is also a symbol of national pride, as it is the national emblem of Lebanon.

2. Baobab Tree

Image credit: Nazzu/shutterstock Native to India and the African Savannas, the baobab (scientific name: Adansonia digitata) is a national emblem of Madagascar. Due to its massive size, fascinating shape, and long aging (around 3,000 years), people believe the baobab holds the spirits of the dead, and that is why it is sacred in African culture. Throughout history, kings have organized their meetings under this tree, believing that it holds magical properties that could aid them in making wise decisions.

1. Christmas Tree

Image credit: Volodymyr Goinyk/shutterstock The most renowned sacred tree of our time is the Christmas tree. Around December, almost every Christian home and many non-Christian houses have one adorned with all sorts of lights, ornaments, and gifts. Various species of conifers can be used as a Christmas tree, such as Abis alba pyramidalis. Prior to attaining its Christian religious significance, it was known as the Yule tree (Yule is the day celebrating the coming of the winter solstice) in pagan tradition and was decorated as an outdoor live tree with hanging candles. The latter tradition still persists today in neo-pagan religions such as Wicca. Trees have always provided food, shelter, wood, shade, and many other basic life needs for human beings. It is no wonder, then, that they are worshiped or praised in every civilization. In many cultures, it is believed that hugging a tree releases negative energy from the human body. So do not forget to hug trees from time to time, and happy holidays! Article written by Dalia Zein Featured image: Image credit: Javarman/shutterstock

As a landscape architect, possessing at least a modest repertoire of plant knowledge is a fundamental skill. More often than not the horticultural aspect of your time at university is rather brief – so if you’re not already versed in verdure, you need to take matters into your own hands! An absolute mastery of horticulture isn’t compulsory, but it’s important to remember that plants are one of our principle forms of expression within the landscape, and our countries native species link us to our land and give us a sense of place. Making this book on Australian plants all the more important.

What is this book about?

From arid deserts to coastal dunes, many of Australia’s tens of thousands of different indigenous plants have for the past two centuries been cultivated and experimented with for both functional and aesthetic purposes. This book delves into the vast assemblage of Australian flora and provides practical ideas and advice on how to grow hundreds of the nations native species in a contemporary landscape setting.

What’s inside?

John Mason is a seasoned horticulturist, author, and general garden guru. He first familiarises the reader with the history of Australian gardens during the early years of settlement, and how influences from prominent designers throughout the 19th and 20th century procured the nations own unique style of gardening. Following this archival narrative, Mason introduces the different characteristics of gardens in Australia and the ways in which many natives, although traditionally found in natural bush settings, are now being incorporated into various garden styles – all that’s needed is some careful pruning, positioning, and training.

The subsequent three chapters take the reader through the functional uses of natives, such as acting as windbreaks, firebreaks, or supporting wildlife; how to grow natives effectively, and the plethora of factors determining the plants success; and the components of a landscape and all the elements which may be manipulated when designing. Ensuing this, chapters six through to eleven are designated to the exploration and explanation of the most popular indigenous trees, shrubs, flowers, ground covers and climbers, conifers and palms, and ferns. The book contains ample photographs, many of which are Masons’ own. These act an effective visual narrative for horticultural newcomers, with the reader being able correlate text and image with ease. Text is clear and uncomplicated, with a simple hierarchy of colour and size depicting relative importance.

Why should I get Landscaping With Australian Plants ?

As an Australian and a landscape architecture student, for me this book is obviously a win. But why should you get it? What if you don’t live in Australia? Well you might be surprised, but many Australian indigenous species are actually becoming favored around the globe; from the UK to North Africa and Japan to Singapore. The large spectrum of climates and bioregions within the continent has given rise to a range of diversified planting options that may well prosper in your own country! Plants really are a landscape architects stock in trade, so start expanding your inventory. However, don’t feel disparaged if you’re not studying or practicing landscape architecture – as this book befits even the most elementary gardening enthusiast. Click here to pick up your copy of Landscaping With Australian Plants About the author (taken from ACS Distance Education) Mr Mason has over 40 years experience in the fields of Horticulture, Recreation, Education & Journalism. He has held positions ranging from Director of Parks & Recreation (City of Essendon) to magazine editor. John has lectured in Technical & Further Education Colleges (TAFE), and is a well respected member of many professional bodies. He is the author of more than forty books, and of hundreds of magazines and newspaper articles. He is a keen photographer, with many of his photographs having been published in books and magazines. Publisher: ACS Distance Education Type: eBook Page Length: 192 pages Book review written by Paul McAtomney.

Are you ready to take your post-processing skills to incredible new heights and create images that make your audience say ‘wow’? Photography is a big deal in the profession of landscape architecture, not only is it vital for site analysis but it helps sell projects to prospective new clients, showing them just how professional you can be with your photography and showing your work in the most impressive way imaginable. Maximizing your photography skills will always be of benefit to both the emerging and professional landscape architect. Top photographer Jimmy Mcintyre from Through Strange Lenses has teamed up with Landscape Architects Network to offer online courses at a discounted rate for all LAN readers of 15% with the code: landarchs Offer expires in 72 Hours

What people are saying about the course:

Quote from Blake Rudis: “Jimmy’s Advanced course will take your cookie dough post processing and carve it into wood with utmost craftsmanship” Quote from Chris Newham: “I am taking this course the videos are clear and demonstrate everything, all the files are provided for you to follow along and you can compare your result with Jimmy’s. I’m very pleased, I think you will be too.”

What the HDR and Digital Blending courses include:

The Art of HDR beginners course: This is possibly the most comprehensive set of beginner to advanced post-processing tutorials in the world. Thousands of photographers and visual artists have transformed their imagery using these techiques! Comprised of 3 separate courses, the beginners course -The Art of HDR – will show you how to make compelling and realistic HDR images through studying 10 full workflows! The Art of Digital Blending: This course takes you beyond HDR into digital blending in Photoshop, the most powerful method for creating images that contain the fullest dynamic range of light possible. Teaching a 100% non-destructive workflow, this course will sharpen your skills in Photoshop and bring your imagery to a professional standard. The Art of Cityscape Photography: This course takes your Photoshop skills to newer levels, and teaches two new digital blending techniques that will transform your urban and cityscape photography forever! Click here to get your chosen HDR and Digital Blending courses. For your 15% discount use the code: landarchs Offer expires in 72 Hours

We’ve all experienced it at some point — that sinking feeling when you know a landscape project isn’t going to pass. Toe-curling anger, frustration, regret, shame, embarrassment … and that’s just the tutors. There are many reasons why landscape architecture student projects fail to achieve a passing grade, and over the last decade, I’ve seen and heard just about all of them. Often, students focus on the poor grade as the primary negative. It’s not. The true downsides of project failure include the impact on self-esteem, confidence, and motivation and the impact on proceeding projects. To help you make sure projects get through the grading process unscathed, I’ve put together a list of key things to keep in mind. The list is not exhaustive, but it should help. 10. I love your Caesar salad, but I actually ordered steak

Although the design brief represents the hub of any landscape project, it is often overlooked, ignored, or avoided out of fear or forgotten in the excitement of design ideation. “Eh … we’re supposed to have sections and a model; I didn’t see that in the brief?” To avoid serving Caesar salads when steaks were ordered, do the following: Read the brief a number of times, highlight keys points, have a discussion with colleagues, form a consensus, ask questions, pin it to your board and make a point of revisiting it numerous times over the project duration. No matter how wonderful your ideas, always deliver what was asked in the brief. 9. Did you read the small print? Learning outcomes are statements used by tutors to inform the grading process.  They are often ignored by students, as they may appear complex. Many students simply skip over them in the rush to see what they have to “produce”. Outcomes should clearly indicate what is expected; they sit beside the wider design brief in terms of importance. Read them carefully. Ignore them at your peril. 8. ‘Cause I just like circles, that’s why The most important word in a landscape architecture student’s vocabulary should be WHY? The search for WHY is a foundation stone of design education; it underpins all conscious design decision-making and, for those with passion, it fosters a lifelong inquisitiveness. Design is a purposeful and intentional process, and good projects are always well justified and rationalized. WHY should be a known. If you want to fail a project, start your presentation with eh, well eh, I just, kinda sorta like swirly lines and stuff.  

7. A matter of principle and element 

Following closely behind WHY are those three magic words — line, shape, and form; they are proceeded by color, texture, harmony, and all the design principles. Projects that succeed will be built on these, and students should be able to articulate how they have utilized them to deliver their design intention. If your proposals are not built on these, what are they built on?  6. The Offset generation CAD has done much to lessen the impact of the more onerous aspects of design. But for the young design student, it can restrict ideation, create the illusion of completeness, and result in proposals devoid of human experience. Worse still, designs trapped on screen limit the important social iteration process so important in design development. Want to do well in a project? Leave CAD until you have a well-rounded idea.  5. Devil in the details The first inkling a tutor will have that a student doesn’t understand what they’re doing is drawing scale: Small drawings usually indicate poor understanding of detail. Want to demonstrate understanding? Go large. Talk millimeters rather than meters. 4. Talk is cheap … so stuff your face Design is an iterative process that succeeds best in a social setting. The strongest projects are those that emerge through dialogue and open questioning. If you’re hoping to do poorly, stay at home, don’t talk about your ideas to anyone, and never invite any questions. Want to do well? Attend every class, develop a thick skin, open your ideas up to everyone, and ask, ask, ask. 3. Bad timing

Managing time is a real challenge for new design students. But as experience builds, they should be able to identify and structure how time is best allocated. In the real world, clients could care less about excuses for non-completion. If you want to do well, learn to manage your time effectively. Move deadlines forward. 2. Indecent proposal There’s nothing worse than a brilliant idea poorly presented. Well, actually, the converse is probably worse. Paying attention to presentation is vital in landscape architecture. Many projects fail to cross the line because insufficient energy is devoted to how ideas are communicated. Want to avoid the presentation pitfalls? Re-read the brief, allocate time, plan the structure and content of both graphic and verbal elements, practice, and treat every presentation as a professional interview.

1. Objects and features

A classic but understandable mistake that can seriously undermine the quality of a landscape project is over-emphasis on objects and features. Young students often attach to the tangible qualities that objects offer. In the best cases, they are able to spin a spatial composition around them; but more often than not, objects are simply “plonked” into an area with little consideration given to what’s “left over”. If you want to avoid failure and strengthen your process, focus on the creation of space: The objects will look after themselves. This list could go on, and I’m sure you could add to it. Passing student projects is not about being a graphic designer, an artist, a horticulturalist, an engineer, or a computer whiz (although these things can come in handy); it is about engagement, awareness, passion, thirst for knowledge, the ability to recognize failure as a learning opportunity, and, most importantly, the willingness to learn from mistakes. Related Articles:

• 7 Things You Should Never do as a Landscape Architecture Student!
• 100 Lessons Learned From Studying Landscape Architecture
• 10 Tips Every New Landscape Architecture Professional Needs To Know

Article written by guest writer Barry Lupton MGLDA Barry Lupton has spent the last 15 years dividing his time between creating gardens and landscapes, lecturing in design and environmental studies at Senior College Dun Laoghaire, and writing on industry matters. He can be contacted through his website: www.barrylupton.com Return to Homepage  Feature image: Image credit: Joy Brown / Shutterstock.com

A Path in the Forest is an incredibly beautiful and elegant installation making its way through the trees up to the sun in a park in the heart of the city of Tallinn, Estonia. It was created by Tetsuo Kondo Architects, a Japanese firm, as part of the urban installation festival LIFT11. The festival was one of the activities offered by the City for European Capital of Culture in 2011. A set of artistic, architectural, and landscape design projects was put together to enrich the surrounding environment and create new experiences for citizens. The company presented a similar spiral path at Architecture Biennale in Venice, but this iteration is slightly different. The Estonian walk takes the visitor through an indoor cloud artificially created from three layers of air pumped into the space. The architectural studio puts the human common perception of the surroundings under question.

What is LIFT11 LIFT11 is a festival featuring 11 urban installations. They are selected through a design competition, which Kondo won.  The studio was invited to create the path. The 95-meter-long walkway is situated in a beautiful forest known as Kadriorg. Trees have grown there for more than three centuries, making it a majestic landscape. The elevated path was crafted from 139-millimeter steel pipe and a thin steel sheet that weaved among the trees, ultimately not using a single column. This design of the tree top walk detail gives visitors the opportunity to see the forest from another perspective. Instead of looking from the ground up, the path takes the viewer amidst the overstory of the tree canopy. Undoubtedly, a pleasurable experience! It is an invitation for humans to investigate further, to feel something new, to examine nature in a different way. It is truly a harmonious project between nature and structure, in the sense of its creation and shape. The installation doesn’t stand for itself, as a piece of art, but instead elegantly underlines the natural beauty. Despite its charm and success, the installation was temporary for the festival. But it is an inspiring example that can be repeated or reinvented, a fine solution that provides a way to give identity to an urban park, to make it more attractive for curious citizens. Boomkroonpad: Tree Top Walk 

A Path in the Forest; credit: Tetsuo Kondo Architects

The idea of a tree top walk above the forest is actually not new. “The treetop” Boomkroonpad is a tourist attraction and part of an educational theme park in the Dutch province of Drenthe. Visitors can walk a 125-meter-long trail above the treetops and climb spiral staircases in order to experience incredible panoramic views. Nevertheless, these projects have a common ground: gaining knowledge. The call is for new experiences, for breaking the patterns, for reinventing the surroundings to make them better, and for adding new value. The designer said it best: “It is a piece of architecture which exists for the woods as the forest exists for the architecture. We cannot change the form of the forest, but we think the various elements in a forest can become one entity in this condition. “I hope that we can experience a forest, architecture, and an environment which we do not know yet.” Have you encountered similar walks high in the trees? Article written by Slavyana Popcheva  Featured image : A Path in the Forest; credit: Reio Avaste all other images courtesy of  Tetsuo Kondo Architects

The city of Detroit could soon look much less like a city, and much more like a wilderness bringing to life an urban forest.  Due a high concentration of vacant properties, it has long served as a palette for designers to test large scale interventions in an aging urban core. Only recently has one of the many proposals start to come to life.  Locally based Hantz-Woodlands has reached a deal with the State of Michigan to purchase 1,500 parcels of land for $500,000, with the intent of planting an urban forest on what is now mostly a vast landscape of abandoned homes and overgrown weeds.

The revolutionary urban forest

The project will take place in the Indian Village Neighborhood on Detroit’s southeast side.  Within the perimeters of the project (Van Dyke to the west, St. Jean to the east, Mack to the north and Jefferson to the south) there are 180 city-owned vacant homes. What differentiates the Hantz-Woodlands project from some of the other outside groups is their commitment to invest and improve the neighborhoods, not only from a personal standpoint, but part of their new contract. Hantz employees have already begun regularly mowing overgrown lots, inspiring nearby homeowners to get involved as well as take better care of their own property. The plan is to be carried out in the next 2 years, with intent to demolish at least 50 vacant homes, and plant entire blocks with hardwood trees.  The trees selected are mostly Oak, Maple and Poplar, so they will reach full maturity in roughly 50 years, proof that this project is truly an investment rather than temporary relief.

You may also like our Top 10 Sacred Trees, which includes oak and many more great specimens. Transforming the city into an unique landscape None of these planted zones will be private or fenced off, but rather open to the public. The hope is that the people in the community will transform and adapt the spaces to fit their needs- the trees are simply a framework.  Although residents are encouraged to help maintain the new green space, Hantz will cut the grass regularly and ensure proper growth of the trees for the duration of the project. Some critics of the project have questioned why more isn’t being done in terms of creating a productive landscape for urban agriculture. Proponents say that the concept of urban food forests, as found most notably in Seattle, is not feasible in Detroit for several reasons. The pros and cons of an urban forest A large amount of the soil is contaminated from industrial waste, and the climate is much more frigid than that of the northwest, eliminating many of the options found in Seattle.  In fact, Hantz-Woodlands is itself a faction of the larger organization Hantz-Farms, whose main focus is…you guessed it… urban agriculture.  In Detroit, however, they have opted for a different approach that would focus more on solving social and environmental issues, although it is a goal to implement food systems if possible. The plan would create grassy lawns shaded by clean rows of trees, with the intent to provide safe, visually appealing parcels of land that had previously been dangerous eyesores. Below: Hantz Farms: Detroit’s Saving Grace Detroit has seen countless proposals due to its status as the poster child of dying industrial cities of the Midwest. Architects from all walks of the profession have had a hand in putting forth new ideas to reinvigorate a city that has become a shell of itself. All this interest has seemed to finally result in tangible results, and perhaps the tables have turned, with the city now serving as a positive example for others.  Officials from Cleveland and Indianapolis have taken an interest in the project, proving that once someone takes that bold step of turning a plan into reality, others take note. Article written by Peter Salamon. Featured image:  Atomazul / Shutterstock.com

As 2013 grinds to a halt, it only seems fitting that here at LAN we sit down and take stock of the year gone by. With such a slew of world-class landscape architecture projects — either freshly consummated or procuring maturity through phases of design implementation over time — choosing only 10 was no easy feat. With an emphasis on waterfront revitalization and urban greening, here are the top 10 projects of 2013. 10. Victorian Desalination Plant Green Roof,Bass Coast, Australia This 26,000-square-meter piece of land art minimizes the dominant visual impact of the seawater processing plant along Australia’s Bass Coast. With no established green roof industry in Australia, no strict standards needed to be adhered to when designing the roof. The roof showcases key principles of water-sensitive urban design and represents the potential that green infrastructure has in realizing energy reduction through increased thermal performance, carbon sequestration, and reduction in carbon concentrations. 9. Ceramic Museum and Mosaic Park- Jinzhou, Dalian, Liaoning, China by  Casanova + Hernandez Architecten

Landscape and architecture, mosaic and museum: These unite as one element through the design’s clever visual consolidation of built form and nature. The vivid hues of this polychromatic composition are the result of four colorful flower species and the fractural remains of Chinese porcelain and ceramics. These materials reference the region’s once prosperous pottery trade and the many centuries of commercial and cultural exchange.  8. Wenying Lake, Datong, China Known as the “Mother Lake”, this invaluable reservoir acts as the essential water supply for the city of Datong, considered the most polluted city in the world. Simple yet effective environmental planning strategies have been put in place to combat the ramifications of continual urban development and degradation, restoring the water quality and ecological value to the region. See this project here  7. St. Jacques Ecological Park, Saint Jacques de la Lande, France by Bruel&Delmar. St. Jacques is located in the northwest of France, the park being a dividing line between two neighborhoods at the bottom of a valley. The notion that water takes the form of its vessel holds true in St. Jacques, with the precious resource being ubiquitous on all scales throughout the park. Ecosystems are protected and further developed through skillful water-sensitive urban design, and as a result the design was awarded a national prize for “Wetland area in Urban Context” in 2012, with phase 3 complete this year. 6. Crown Sky Garden–Chicago, Illinois, United States, by Mikyoung Kim Design Located within the Children’s Hospital of Chicago, the Crown Sky Garden provides an intimate refuge for inpatient children. The 5.000-square-foot area of the 11th floor has been transformed into a restorative healing garden, providing a rich experience through the use of light, water, and vibrant colors. Atop this, the 12th floor acts as a protected treehouse space, designed for children with health conditions preventing them from engaging the main garden. Opened in November 2012, the design has deservedly won a 2013 ASLA honor award. 5. Mill River Park and Greenway–Stamford, Connecticut by OLIN The restoration of Stamford’s integral waterway allows the return of its natural flow and reverses the effects of its damaged ecological systems. This new urban oasis is a place for visitors and inhabitants to gather, play, reflect, and engage with the reclaimed river’s edge. Several new phases of the park are under way, aiming to further activate the banks of Mill River and extend the greenway south. 4. Lotus Lake Park–Kunshan, Suzhou, China by Integrated Planning and Design Lotus Lake Park is a revitalized urban waterfront situated in the canal village of Kunshan, China. Water and music are of significant value to the local community, and have destined the park’s two key landscape elements. The resulting landscape provides restoration for despoiled habitats, wetlands, and waterways, while simultaneously creating public open space for recreation and education.  3. Leicester Square–London, United Kingdom by Burns + Nice Also featured as our number 7 in our  Top 10 Squares for Detailing ,this historic West End square is one of London’s most frequented areas, attracting around 2 million visitors each and every week. The design draws influence from the late 19th century form of its central gardens. Spatial separation of the square is established through a “white ribbon”, acting as informal seating, along which sits a “green ribbon” of sweeping textural planting. Once an unkempt public space, the square’s thoughtful and contemporary design has provided London with a new type of urban space. The firm responsible, Burns + Nice, have earned numerous accolades this year for the design. 2. The Australian Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne–Cranbourne, Australia by TCL Landscape Architecture Urban Design Australia’s largest botanic garden devoted to the display of native flora stakes claim to the best landscape project of the year award at the 2013 World Architecture Festival and also featured in 10 Great Projects Showing why Australia are Leaders in Landscape Architecture. Users are taken on a metaphorical and experiential journey through the ever-changing Australian landscape. Situated on the site of a former sand quarry, the garden illustrates the artistry of landscape architecture through an assimilation of horticulture, architecture, ecology, and art. 1. Gardens by the Bay — Bay South–Marina Bay, Singapore by Grant Associates Opened mid last year, this 54-hectare, verdant wonderland is the first of three distinct gardens that aim to form Singapore’s new urban oasis by the year 2015. Bay South is comprised of a collection of special horticultural gardens, each containing mass flowering and colored foliage. The visual highlight is the 18 iconic“Supertrees” — uniquely designed vertical gardens suffused with tropical climbers, epiphytes, and ferns. Through its intelligent environmental infrastructure, Bay South is a fine example of multi-disciplinary collaboration, and has recently been awarded the 2013 Landscape Institute Fellows’ Award for Climate Change Adaption. There you have it — 2013 summed up in 10 amazing  landscape architecture projects that will continue to prosper for years to come. Now, keep your eyes peeled for our “Top 10 projects to look out for in 2014”! Article written by Paul McAtomney Featured image; credit: John Gollings