Author: Maggie Zielinski

Ford Motor Assembly Plant, by Copley Wolff Design Group, in Somerville, Massachusetts.  The reuse of existing infrastructure appears very often in contemporary architectural design. Experts are asked to preserve and at the same time modify buildings and landscape sites in order to serve contemporary needs. The balance between evoking the memory and creating a functional and inspiring project is always difficult. Ford Motor Assembly Plant in Somerville, Massachusetts, is an example of how to make a successful transition from a production unit complex to a contemporary, vibrant neighborhood. The plant had been closed since 1958 due to the economic recession. It reopened in 2006 as a 24-hour, mixed-use district, with residential, retail, office, cinema, restaurant, hotel, and recreational open space uses.

The Federal Realty Investment Trust, in collaboration with Copley Wolff Design Group, produced an overall master plan for the old plant and its’ surroundings. It took time and vision to create a vibrant, contemporary, active center.

Project Progress

The redevelopment’s first phase has already been constructed. It includes accesses toward the complex, streetscape design, two pocket parks, and a six-acre waterfront park. Phase 2 includes the design of streetscapes, a linear park, and the surroundings of the new residential blocks. The design of the next phase is currently under development.

Site Uses and Activities

The design team has paid special attention to creating a pedestrian-friendly environment. There is a variety of facilities for the convenience of both residents and visitors. Sitting areas, playgrounds, an amphitheater, a new community dock, and walking and cycling routes have been included in the master plan. See More Related Articles:

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The intervention along the riverfront has been very well received by the citizens. It has become the field for activities such as music concerts, outdoor cinema, craft fairs, and sports such as jogging and yoga. The water’s proximity allows visitors to use boats for recreational purposes. Enjoyment of the water’s edge has been re-established with the construction of this riverfront green area. This seems to be a crucial element to the project’s success.

Memory Preservation

Key elements of the initial plant infrastructure have been maintained and integrated into the new master plan. The pre-existing large, steel trusses remain along the new amphitheater to preserve the memory of the anterior site’s function.

Planting Scheme

A landscape project is largely defined by its planting scheme. Scale, color, and seasonal variation create atmosphere and enhance the spatial experience. There appears to be a large variety of trees and shrubs of various sizes on the planted surfaces of the redeveloped Assembly Plant. There are extended spaces of lawn that allow for numerous social activities. Planting pots have also been used to enhance the vegetation of the open spaces. The Ford Motor Assembly Plant has been meticulously designed in each and every parameter one could think of. The use of portable planting pots of various sizes and styles contradicts the purely functional character of the pre-existing elements. One could argue that this might be the design intention: controversial elements to underline the site’s development and its course in time.

Redeveloping Sites: A Complicated Scheme

A landscape architect’s scope of work has always been about transformation. Usually, one has to cope with transforming natural processes and adapting to the parameters imposed by nature. Projects such as the Ford Motor Assembly Plant take our work a few steps further.

In cases such as this, a designer should come up with an inspiring and attractive plan that corresponds to contemporary demands. At the same time, he should restore and/or transform the site according to the natural processes and preserve/ highlight the important pre-existing elements. This is a demanding, multidimensional scope of work. It involves memory, sustainability, and restoration, as well as design creativity. Each of these aspects has its own parameters and difficulties. What does it take to be successful at all these levels in the same project? Design integrity, excessive research, profound knowledge, and interdisciplinary collaboration. It is vital to be able to combine different disciplines and incorporate the elements and information they provide during the design process. Landscape architecture is more than ever teamwork. How else could one achieve success on such complex issues? Go to comments

Full Project Credits For The Ford Motor Assembly Plant

Project Review: Ford Motor Assembly Plant Project Name: Ford Motor Assembly Plant Designers: Copley Wolff Design Group Location: Somerville, Massachusetts Area: 50 acres Date of Completion (Phase 1): 2006 Construction Duration: 2006-present Budget: $1.36 billion Client: Federal Realty Investment Trust Website: www.copley-wolff.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Copley-Wolff-Design-Group Twitter: www.twitter.com/CopleyWolff LinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/company Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/cwdglandscape Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Eleni Tsirintani Return to Homepage

The Line Condominium Sales Gallery, by Shma Company Limited, by Bangkok, Thailand. The Line Condominium is a 42 storey high residential building. The Complex is situated in the Jatutak Area, in Bangkok. The uniqueness of the “condominium” is that the residential units are individually owned. The landscape of the project unfolds on a narrow piece of land between the pedestrian pathway and the Sales Gallery building façade. The landscape designer Shma, a Thailand based firm, has successfully enhanced that small lane with a variety of special qualities.

The Line Condominium Sales Gallery

The design concept has been inspired by the history of the State Railway of Thailand. The Line Condominium represents the idea of ‘travelling’ to different natural destinations, and this is easily observed in the variation and the sense of motion of the design. The railway system in Thailand is very extensive and it bears a long history since the beginning of its construction during the 1890’s and the early years of the 20th Century. Thailand has one of the best meter-gauge rail systems in the world, along with India and Malaysia.

Layers of Materials that Intersect Creating Space

The project area has been divided into different stripes, parallel to the buildings’ longitudinal axis. The stripes differentiate from each other in terms of material and size. The material palette includes water, gravel, wood, vegetation and metal. The different surfaces intersect with each other creating motion and bringing the space in a state of flux. The wide concrete staircase that leads to the ground floor of the Sales Gallery lures the visitor to enter the building. See More Great Projects in Thailand: 

• Residents Get Luxurious Garden and Pool Project in Thailand
• Thai Landscape Architecture Award (TALA) 2015
• What Lies Behind the High Concrete Wall and Gate of T. Residence in Bangkok?

The Water Feature

The water feature offers a sense of illusion and depth through its reflection. Water sprinklers emerge from the water surface and create a joyful rhythm. The vertical elements of different heights form a wave in a state of suspension that unfolds along the facade. They represent the railway lines that allow motion through their stillness. This is a magnificent metaphor that links the project with the wider context. It makes a reference to the railway line that passes near the complex, in an imaginative way. The buildings’ special character is highlighted by this lath façade in a way that both users and passersby sense they have reached a new urban landmark.

Respect to the Existing Elements

A large Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) has been maintained during the intervention. A circular area of five-meter radius has been formed around the tree in order to protect it. Small, native plants like ferns create a dense base around the trunk and prevent access. A Banyan tree begins its life in a rather unique way. It is an epiphyte. The plant begins life by growing on other trees. The initial tree becomes completely enveloped by the Banyan. Aerial roots hang down from the branches and they eventually become trunks. The Banyan tree can reach an enormous size. The roots can grow up to 200 meters in diameter and the tree height can reach 30 meters. Banyan tree is considered sacred and according to Hindu mythology, it is ‘the wish-fulfilling tree‘. No wonder it has been preserved on this site till now.

The Line Condominium’s landscape design is a creative gesture based on detail, precision, high quality materials and impeccable execution. It is remarkable how on such a small surface one encounters diversity, sense of motion, context and history integrated together.

Weathering or Getting Old?

However, one cannot help but wonder, “Do such projects weather beautifully or simply get old?” There is a high maintenance demand to ensure that the extraordinary result one appreciates at the moment will continue to exist as time goes by. This is definitely not an issue of design quality which is indisputably high. This has to do with the parameter of landscape maintenance which is very important, yet often neglected when the project is over. Landscape professionals need to take that into account in order to ensure that the project they have envisioned and created will be preserved. Does this parameter affect the way you design? It definitely should! Do you have something to say about this project? ?Let us know in the comment section below Go to comments

Full Project Credits For The Line Condominium Sales Gallery

Name of Project: The Line Condominium Sales Gallery Location: Bangkok, Thailand Landscape Architect: Shma Company Limited Project Team: Design Director – Yossapon Boonsom Landscape Architect – Nitipon Kaeosuwan, Yossit Poonprasit Horticulturist – Wimonporn Chaiyathet Client & Developer: Sansiri PCL & Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Architect: Plan Associates M&E: W. and Associates Consultants Co.,Ltd C&S Engineering: Infra Structure Co., Ltd Site Area: 1,441 sqm Completion Year: 2015 Photograph Credit: Pirak Anurakyawachon Website: www.shmadesigns.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Shmadesigns Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Eleni Tsirintani Return to Homepage

Georgswall & Mayor Muller Plaza, by POLA in Aurich, Germany. There are projects that one can appreciate and comprehend their merits right away. Georgswall Park & Mayor Muller Plaza is definitely one of them. It presents very special qualities that catch one’s attention straight away. The city of Aurich, Germany, held a design competition for the area in 2008. The area contained the Mayor Muller Plaza, where the old harbor used to be, and Georgswall, the trace of the old city canal and part of the old city wall. The canal ends right on the plaza, creating a complex that demanded an overall design.

Georgswall & Mayor Muller Plaza

POLA won the competition, and its proposal for Georgswall Park & Mayor Muller Plaza has been constructed. The plaza and the adjacent area of the canal have become an important place for city life, which has been daily enjoyed by the citizens since its inauguration in 2014. The intervention is part of a wider plan for reforming the old city of Aurich and providing it with new public spaces for its citizens.

The Inspiration and Integration of Water in the Design 

The presence of water in the past seems to have become a source of inspiration for the design team. Water has been introduced to the new context in various ways. There is a surface with water jets in the center of the old Canal that creates a rectangular mesh when in use. This intervention marks the entrance to the area and unites the city’s new and old urban tissue. It is also a place for fun and leisure for both children and adults.

Contrasting Surfaces Are Key to Excellent Design

The old canal edges have been maintained. However, what used to be a water surface is now a lawn. The use of vegetation in place of water awakens the past memory and allows the area to function according to its present role. The lawn surface is homogenous and alive, and provides an equal sensation in terms of scale and perception with the sensation of a water surface.

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The third and most poetic use of water has been allocated where the old harbor edge used to be, on Mayor Muller Plaza. Four pools evoke the memory of the old harbor. The pools have been placed in front of a group of old buildings. These particular buildings used to be right before the waterfront. The designer’s intention is to return the water’s edge near them and thus create a symbolic presence of their old context.

Georgswall & Mayor Muller Plaza. Photo credit: POLA. Photographer: Martin Mai, Berlin

Inside the four pools on Mayor Muller Plaza have been placed huge fonts. The letters in the bottom of each pool shape the words “OLL HAVEN AUERK”, which means Old Harbor Aurich in Low German. The fonts have been merged in the water to emphasize the fact that the harbor has been, in some way, sunken.

Understanding the Layout

Tree rows spread along the plaza, forming shaded areas and places for resting, meeting, and playing. The trees create a screen along Georgswall Park that underlines its linearity. The surrounding existing vegetation forms a soft transition toward the plaza and the park. Along the Georgswall Canal, there are playgrounds for children of different ages. There are also benches that face toward the canal, resembling the reverie in front of the absent water’s edge.

Learning to Work With the Details You Cannot See

Working in a place with a certain historical context could become tricky. Evading the trap of creating scenery rather than space while working with memory and heritage could prove very challenging. I believe the safe path toward this direction is abstraction. Using less to achieve more, enhancing functionality while not losing the meaning of the site.

An Excellent Example of Instilling a Sense of Meaning in the Design

One could also follow an approach that is too abstract. This could lead to under-designed spaces that do not convey any meaning and do not serve the purpose they have been designed for. Georgswall Park & Mayor Muller Plaza is an excellent example of meaningful abstraction and design integrity. An added value to this project is the use of actual words in order to awake the memory. This is hard to achieve without becoming too literal. The placing of fonts horizontally helps the visitor avoid misinterpreting them for some sort of signage. Also, placing the fonts under water creates a certain distance and reveals that they bring a message from the past. The landscape design quality of Georgswall Park & Mayor Muller Plaza makes one think how profound and poetic landscape architecture can become. Do you perceive it the same way?

Full Project Credits For Georgswall & Mayor Muller Plaza

Project Name: Project Name: Georgswall & Mayor Muller Plaza Designers: POLA Location: Aurich, Germany Area: 1.65 ha Date of Completion: 2014 Construction Duration: 2012-2014 Budget:  4,3 Mio. EUR Client: City of Aurich Designers: POLA Location: Aurich, Germany Area: 1.65 ha Date of Completion: 2014 Construction Duration: 2012-2014 Budget:  4,3 Mio. EUR Client: City of Aurich Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Eleni Tsirintani Return to Homepage

Osum River in Berat Landscape Design- Design Competition – by Felixx. Architecture could be considered an imposing task. Human intervention inevitably changes the dynamics of a landscape. But what if the dynamics could become part of the project? What if design manages to complete the landscape instead of transforming it? The competition entry of the Dutch architectural firm Felixx for Osum River in Berat, Albania, is an exemplary project in that sense. The competition was held by the City of Berat and mandated by the Office of the Prime Minister. It was a ‘research by design’ international competition to propose the landscape development design for Osum Island in Berat and to explore ways of resilience using the island as a test site. The competition was completed in March 2015.

Osum River in Berat

The city of Berat sits along the Osum riverbank. There is a complex of small islands in the river basin. The islands’ size and shape change according to the water flow. This seasonal transformation reveals various landscapes throughout the year and demands a design solution that can adapt to each of them.

Unveiling the River Flow

Osum is not a big river; therefore, it does not present a homogeneous water flow all year round. During summer, it becomes a narrow stream. In winter, the water quantity can exceed the capacity of its banks and can reach extremes similar to flash floods.

This seasonal variation needs to be integrated to the urban context of Osum. The design team acknowledged these conditions and decided to work with them. They even went a step beyond: They decided that Osum needs water presence and a river all year round, and worked toward this concept.

Recommended Reading

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

Design Parameters

The proposal works on the development of landscape characteristics and offers an added value to the area, instead of focusing on objects and functions. It has the following aims:

• Ensure that Berat will have a river all year round.
• Develop Berat’s river islands as resilient systems.
• Develop an active use of the river in the city life.

The above mentioned intentions have been tackled with a “building with nature” approach that offers certain important merits.

Transforming the Topography

The topography has been reshaped to allow for landscape variations to emerge. Flower gardens in the summer give their place to water lands. The islands connect to the city when the water levels allow it, or they become independent landscape entities offering beautiful views. In order to ensure that Berat will have a river all year round, the topography curbs have been transformed. This provides the maximum concentration of water in a specific channel that the curbs create. The channel is adjacent to the northern quay. Along the northern riverbank, a new waterfront develops, while on the opposite bank, the islands and the riverbank merge into a totally variant landscape.

Retaining walls form the island shape. At the same time, the walls manage the water flow and direct the water stream, protecting the islands. When the water level decreases, a terraced landscape is revealed. The emerging surfaces become gardens that appear for only a few months each year. They mark the seasonal change and add color and interesting views along the riverbank.

The Bridge — A Beacon and a Landmark

Taking into account the flooding in terms of landscape protection is very important. When it comes to an urban context, protecting people from the flood waters becomes the most important parameter. In order to ensure that the city is protected, early warning of the upcoming phenomenon is crucial.

The bridge located between the riverbank and the islands functions as a connection between the two areas. When a flash flood is coming, the bridge folds in order to prevent accessibility and becomes a striking warning of the water level’s increase.

Is “Building With Nature” a Tenet We Should Embrace?

This project presents a certain sense of modesty and economy — not in financial terms, but rather in terms of means and resources. Yet it maintains its integrity and completeness.

We know that humans can construct anything they please. Imposing our power on nature has become dangerously easy. The new challenge is to make the environment our partner and consultant, rather than a field for demonstrating our achievements. So when asked this question: Is “building with nature” a tenet we should embrace? I would answer without reluctance “yes”. How would you answer it?

Full Project Credits for The Osum River in Berat Landscape Design Proposal

Project: Seasonal Isles, a Drought and Flood Resilient Future for Berat Designers: Felixx Location: Osum, Albania Competition year: 2015 Recommended Reading

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

Article by Eleni Tsirintani

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We take a look at 10 of the world’s best examples of  seaside regeneration projects. Edge, limit, border, extremity. All of these words signify the transition from one state to another — a differentiation of conditions, a change of form, a possible ending or beginning. The line between sea and land could not bear more meaning and significance. But what happens when one is asked to treat that line? To change it, re-shape it, or transform it according to human needs and desires? Here are 10 exceptional projects that unravel along the sea; penetrate it, break it, or bend it; and reveal what working on the edge means in landscape architecture.

Seaside Regeneration Projects

1. Copacabana Beach Promenade, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by Burle Marx — A Top Classic

Omitting the work of a great master such as Burle Marx from an article like this would be unforgivable. The Copacabana beach is a true icon when it comes to seaside projects. The wave-forming paving, the succession from promenade to beach, and the rows of palm trees along the intervention have inspired many similar projects all over the world. What makes this project truly breathtaking is its ability to confront the ocean in terms of scale. The architect has succeeded in apposing next to the sea line another line that is equally important and powerful, uniting the beach and the city.

2. Grand Canal Square, Dublin, Ireland, designed by Martha Schwartz Partners — Penetrating the Line

Grand Canal Square penetrates the border in order to articulate its design intentions. The landscape geometry perceives the water surface as a void and expands toward it. The significant urban context of the square — such as Daniel Libeskind’s prominent new theater and entertainment building, as well as a new hotel to the north and an office development to the south — seem to impose the need for people to move toward the water and over it. * * https://www.marthaschwartz.com/projects/civic_institutional_dublin.php

See the full article on Grand Canal Square

3. Sea Park, Saul Krasti, Latvia, by Substance — Objectifying the Line

Sea Park in Saul Krasti, Latvia, intervenes along the coast in a totally different way. The project tackles the concept of addition rather than transformation. It adds a continuous wooden element in the landscape that unravels parallel to the water’s edge. This landscape element has been constructed of wooden beams that form paving, benches, bicycle stands, and other necessary pieces of landscape equipment.

See the full article on Sea Park

Recommended Reading

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

4. Tel Aviv Port Public Space Regeneration, Tel Aviv, Israel, by Mayslits Kassif Architects — Resembling the Natural Landscape

The Tel Aviv Port intervention accommodates the contemporary need for an open, public, recreational space by the sea that at the same invokes memories of the past. The wide, undulating surface brings to mind the sand dunes once found in that location, even before the pre-existing port. The wooden surface welcomes all kinds of public activities and expressions, creating a vibrant and living public area along the shoreline. The project enjoys indisputable success and has won numerous landscape awards, such as the Rosa Barba European Landscape Prize for 2010.

See the full article on Tel Aviv Port

5. Riva Split Waterfront, Split, Croatia, by 3LHD Architects, Croatia — Integrating History

Riva stands between the elaborated wall of Diocletian’s Palace and the sea. The 3LHD architects opted to integrate historical context into their design, helping them to win the competition held for the waterfront’s regeneration. The designers used concrete to create paving slabs measuring 1.5 by 1.5 meters — the measure of a full stride of two steps in Ancient Rome, the so-called “paces”.

The paving is a mosaic of white and gray variations. This shade alternation resembles the ripples of the Dalmatian sea. The simplicity of the design balances the complexity of its function. The Riva waterfront is the beating heart of community activity. Its dimensions — 250 meters long and 55 meters wide — accommodate all kinds of social events. It is a promenade by day, parade by night, and the site of sporting events, religious processions, festivals, celebrations, and political rallies.

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On top of that, activity continues over the ,water, with sailboats docked along the promenade creating the sense that the city extends toward the sea. The paved surface accommodates all the possible versions of community life. Urban elements and infrastructure — such as benches, planting beds, dust bins, luminaria, and shading shelters — become part of this horizontal, modular system.

See the full article on Riva Split Waterfront

6. Vinaros Microcoasts, Vinaròs Castellón, Spain, by Guallart Architects — Landscape Acupuncture

A general characteristic of seashore intervention is addressing the great scale of the water element. The sea usually becomes the measure and gives the sense of proportion in such projects.

The Vinaros Microcoasts approach the idea of scale on a different level: the human scale. The human body, the gaze, the concept of being by the sea – these are the principal idea of the microcoasts. They have established a mechanism to measure the coast, based on the creation of hexagonal timber platforms with a constant length of side based on the scale of the human body. The platforms create small places that allow visitors to approach the coast. It appears as a gesture of landscape acupuncture. The territorial scale of the project is concealed in those fragments/units that unravel along the water.

See the full article on Vinaros Microcoasts

7. Vinter Bad Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark, by BIG — Water in Terms of Function

The Harbour Baths on the island Brygge in Copenhagen are a landmark for both citizens of Copenhagen and the city’s visitors. The indisputable success of the Baths, after their inauguration in 2002, has led to the extension of the facilities in order to accommodate thermal bath infrastructures, too. The Thermal Baths design has been assigned to the architectural office BIG. The very notion of Thermal Baths perceives water as part of the facility’s function. It sort of becomes the fuel that gives the building life. It is evident that Thermal Baths could not function without water. But placing the water as a functional element on the water surface creates an interesting view on working with the shore in a vertical rather than horizontal sense.

See the full article on Vinter Bad Brygge

8. Thessaloniki New Waterfront, Thessaloniki, Greece, by Nikiforidis-Cuomo Architects — Public in Terms of Private

The Thessaloniki New Waterfront intervention unfolds in two parallel zones along the water. Each line differentiates in terms of function, scale, and character. The two project zones are The Breakwater and the Inner Gardens. The Inner Gardens are based on the idea of open-air rooms as a clear reference to the pre-existing landscape of the area. There used to be small, domestic gardens that reached the natural seashore, before the landfill of the coast. Interpreting public space in terms of private function is an interesting perception. It allows for small scale, intimacy, and a sense of community to develop in a rather large-scale intervention. It also allows the design to adjust to the variations and pre-existing elements found along the intervention site. The landscape has been interpreted rather than redesigned, which seems to be the project’s great success.

See the full article on Thessaloniki New Waterfront

9. LaLaport Toyosu, Tokyo, Japan, by EARTHSCAPE — Imitating the Waves

Most projects that have been presented so far use the land geometry to work along or beyond the water’s edge. The urban dock LaLaport Toyosu’s topography has been inspired by the ocean waves, found in a static state. The dock surface resembles water volumes emerging from the sea just before they break toward the coast. The landscape is the ocean, and the visitors are the voyagers that wonder over it. It is an original, inspiring metaphor to create a space of reverie and escapism.

See the full article on LaLaport Toyosu

10. Dania Park, Malmö, Sweden, by Thorbjörn Andersson and Sweco Architects — States of Being by the Sea

Last but not least, Dania Park in Malmö showcases the various ways one can approach and experience the coast. This shoreline park offers different ways to be close to the sea. These range from simple access to purposeful challenge. The park offers a broad experience of climate changes and variations. It allows visitors to enjoy Malmö’s sunny summer days, watch the violent autumn storms, and endure the calm, frosty winters along the waterfront.

See the full article on Dania Park

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Most of us if not all of us have had some experience with seasides. For one simple reason, they are a people magnet, an escape and synonomous with fun, leisure and sunshine. So taking this into account, isn’t it vital that we harnmonise ourselfs with them, so that we cannot just appreciate their natural beauty but also create sustainable places. The 10 examples above are some of the best out there, but there are likely many more. Which Seaside regeneration projects do you think are worth noting?  

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Article by Eleni Tsirintani

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10 Mediterranean plants you should never use in your design, and some that you should. Landscape design is about satisfying human needs. It is an intervention that refers and adapts to human presence. Planting always plays an important role in the whole scheme. However, there are plants that exist harmoniously in nature, but struggle to become functional in a man-made landscape. This article focuses on those less useful plants in landscape design. It also intends to provide a set of parameters we should consider before choosing plants for a design scheme. The trees and plants mentioned below are mostly found in the Mediterranean Landscape. However, there are also many other plants from other climates which share similar characteristics, making them difficult to use in landscape design. The species we suggest that should not to be used share characteristics that are obviously not suited to landscape design. These are not the only plants one should avoid, but they are among the most common species.

Mediterranean Plants You Should Avoid

The Invaders

1. Ailanthus altissima Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) has a very aggressive root system. It is highly invasive, because it can grow practically anywhere, even with a minimum depth of soil. The roots of this tree have been known to damage pipes, curbs and paving very easily. I cannot help but mention that I do not find it a particularly beautiful or interesting tree either. (1)

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• Planting: A New Perspective by Noel Kingsbury
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2. Yucca aloifolia Spanish Bayonet has a robust appearance and an almost sculptural quality; however it also has a very invasive root system that could destroy any type of hardscape. The tips of the leaves are pointed and sharp, which make it unsuitable for small or confined spaces, or for using adjacent to walkways. (3) Personally, I do not use it, as aesthetically it is so difficult to combine with other species. It has a special geometry of its own. It is neither a tree nor a shrub, and this makes it hard to integrate to a design scheme.

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The Demanding Species

3. Populus nigra ‘Italica’ The Lombardy Poplar tree presents certain advantages. The problems it could cause however, are very difficult to cope with. It is very sensitive to pests and diseases. It demands high maintenance because of its propensity to drop leaves. Lombardy Poplar branches break and fall easily, which in the wrong situation can make it dangerous for the public. The roots are highly invasive and cause severe damage to paving and other hard landscape materials. (3)

The Monarchs

4. Eucalyptus globulus Eucalyptus is a special tree. It is fast growing, extremely tolerant, and it has interesting textured bark. As with most fast growing tree species, it consumes a lot of water while growing, but it can adapt to drought if necessary. Eucalyptus is also very susceptible to fire, which suggests it should be kept away from any inhabited area. There is another disadvantage. Due to their high water demand and dense shade, very few plants thrive under a Eucalyptus tree. Those that do survive are in a very poor condition. Eucalyptus is a landscape dominant tree, therefore it is hard to combine and maintain along with other plants. (4)

5. Lampranthus sp. Vygies (Lampranthus sp) is a very common groundcover plant, found mostly near the coast. It is easy to grow, salt tolerant, and spreads fast. Unfortunately, nothing else thrives where Lampranthus grows. Its dense foliage creates a thick carpet that covers everything blocking out light and thus not allowing other plants to establish. 6. Linaria dalmatica Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), is usually cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is also used for medical purposes as well as in the textile industry. However, it is highly invasive and it can eliminate native species where it spreads. (5) Planting Related Articles:

• 10 of the Most Common Mistakes People Make in Planting Design and How to Avoid Them
• Key Insights on Planting Design in our Interview with Top Plantsman Adam Woodruff
• Top 10 Names in Planting Design

Recommended Reading

• Planting: A New Perspective by Noel Kingsbury
• Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls by Nigel Dunnett

The Poisonous Ones

7. Thevetia peruviana Thevetia looks like the exotic version of Nerium oleander. It is a beautiful and easy to grow shrub. But its fruits are not edible and in large quantities could are poisonous. Therefore, it should not be used in schemes that will be used by children.

The Allergy Causing Species 

8. Albizia julibrissin Albizia julibrissin is a beautiful medium sized tree. Unfortunately, it can be a potential source of allergens when in bloom during spring.

Plants With a Bad Odour 

9. Tulbaghia violacea & 10. Ruta graveolens Tulbaghia violacea and Ruta graveolens shrubs bloom beautifully during spring and summer and both create interesting forms in boarders and clusters. The characteristic odor they emit however makes them unsuitable for sitting areas, or small gardens.

What is there to use?

It may seem frustrating after excluding so many plants from our range of selection. However, there are species that would rarely fail you and they could adapt and become integrated in the landscape. Olea europaea for example, works great both in the ground or in pots. It can be either clipped or left to grow in a more natural form, and it is easily transplanted. The Olive tree is therefore easy to include in your design, if you have the right climate. My personal favorite is Pistacia terebinthus. It has special, dense foliage and a nice color. It favors cooler coastal climates.

Another useful component of a professional’s palette is Cercis siliquastrum. It requires very little maintenance, as it can grow practically anywhere. However, it could provide a garden so much; color variation, sculptural form, shade, and beautiful flowers. As a general conclusion, one could say that plants are essential elements of the landscape, and as such we cannot help but work with them. We cannot change their unique qualities and particularities (though we may desire to do so). It is crucial to realize this in order to succeed as a landscape designer. Though there are many dissuasive factors, all the above mentioned trees and plants could in theory, be successfully used in the right context. One should be aware that there is always a right plant for the right place. What do you think?

Recommended Reading

• Planting: A New Perspective by Noel Kingsbury
• Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls by Nigel Dunnett

Article References:

1. https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/indiana/journeywithnature/tree-of-heaven-1.xml 2. https://mobile.floridata.com/Plants/Agavaceae/Yucca%20aloifolia/265 3. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/disadvantages-lombardy-poplar-tree-65089.html 4. https://www.pulpapernews.com/2009/04/the-pros-and-cons-of-eucalyptus 5. https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/toadflax.shtml Article by Eleni Tsirintani Return to Homepage

Re-think Athens Design Competition: Vision in a Time of Recession, by OKRA, in Athens, Greece. Greece is a country undergoing a social and financial ordeal. One might think that this would not allow for anything important to emerge in any field, let alone urban design and landscape architecture. Well, it appears that creativity and vision seem to be affordable even in a country in crisis. The signs of recession have become quite obvious in Athens, the capital of Greece. The city center has changed dramatically over the past few years due to a lack of commercial activity, strikes, and security and maintenance issues. There was — and still is — an imperative need for things to change.

Re-think Athens Design Competition

The “Re-think Athens” Design Competition, held in 2012 by the Onassis Foundation (www.onassis.gr) in collaboration with the Greek State, has attempted to tackle the present situation and change it. First prize has been awarded to OKRA, in collaboration with Mixst Urbanisme, Wageningen University, Landscape Architecture Group, Studio 75 And Wsgreentechnologies Gmbh.

560,000 Square Meters of Intervention Panepistimiou Street is the main design field of the competition. The intervention area is 560,000 square meters and the total length of the intervention zone is 2.5 kilometers. Panepistimiou Street is one of the most well known commercial and central streets of Athens. It unites two important city squares — Syntagma and Omonoia. The design focuses on changing the street’s character and function in order to change the dynamics of the city center. Related Articles Featuring OKRA:

• Car Park Turns into Public Park!
• How “Place de la Fontaine Chaude” is Transforming a Public Space?
• 10 Ways to Design Climate Sensitive Cities

Making the Area More Accessible and Walking Friendly Nowadays, Panepistimiou is a one-way, six-lane road. There is commercial and cultural activity toward Syntagma Square, which gradually fades when heading to Omonoia. The design intention is to transform the city center from a bypass into a destination. The axis will be converted into an interesting route on its total length. The concept is to combine pedestrian movement along with car and public transport. There has been given great emphasis to the tram network expansion. The intention is provide the area with a contemporary, urban character, making it more accessible and walking friendly. The focal points of the intervention are: • Panepistimiou Axis • Korai Square • Dikaiosinis Square • Omonoia Square Design Principles The axis will be transformed into a boulevard. There will be a combination of public transport, pedestrian movement, and car circulation in order to reactivate the city center and create conditions for a more sustainable city. There will be planting beds with indigenous species and rows of trees that will improve the atmosphere and the microclimate along the street. Circulation One of the project’s more controversial issues is how it will deal with vehicle circulation. The intention is to transform the circulation regime in the city center. This would cause extra vehicular load for the roads and avenues around it. The vehicular traffic study, conducted with the most advanced calculation techniques, has indicated that the proposal could actually work. Sustainability One of the project’s innovations is in rainwater treatment. Large water tanks will be constructed to store rainwater, which will be used for street cleaning and irrigation purposes. Thus, the project will become sustainable to a large degree and will teach us a more ecological and environmental friendly approach toward urban design. Vegetation Eight hundred new trees will be planted, and existing plant beds will get enhanced vegetation. The selected species consist of trees and shrubs already found in the roads and parks of Athens. There are Jacarandas, Plane trees, Mulberries, and Acacia trees, among other species. This is an excellent approach, since it makes sure that all plants are tolerant to Athens’ climate. However, one could question the coherency between species, since not all of them could be found in one ecosystem. On the other hand, one could argue against that, noting that urban ecosystems have little to do with natural ones and that heterogeneity is an advantage rather than a discrepancy in this particular project. From Vision to Realization The Re-think Athens Competition has given birth to ideas, arguments, and controversy in Greece and internationally. But what happens with its realization? The project’s realization seems to be an issue of national priorities and processes. Let’s hope that the right impetus will be given to help this vision become reality. Can design alone transform a city’s character and its citizens’ everyday life, despite the social circumstances? The answer is obviously “no”. However, design can create a certain framework for things to start changing. Instead of pursuing high-quality, designed urban spaces to prove the financial growth of a country, the intention is to achieve growth and sustainability through a spatial context. It may sound like a paradox, but it could work, and thus offer a new perspective regarding urban design potential.

Full Project Credits for Re-think Athens Design Competition

Project: Re-think Athens Design Competition: Vision in a Time of Recession Designers: OKRA Location: Athens, Greece Area: 560,000 m² Budget: 100,000,000 € Client: Onassis Foundation Show on Google Maps

Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Eleni Tsirintani

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Avoid making these common mistakes when starting a project and get yourself off to the best start possible.

The time has finally come — the moment when everything is possible. The new Versailles or the new High Line is about to be born. You get to start your new project. Photos, plans, and all the relative data are here; you have already been on site — or maybe not. Nevertheless, you are about to think, conceive, make decisions, design. What could possibly go wrong? Well, almost everything if you do not pay attention to the following traps! There are certain mistakes you should definitely avoid at the beginning of a project, in order for things to run smoothly. So, try to avoid the following:

1. The Void — The “Blank Paper” Fear I cannot think of anything worse than to stare at a blank sheet of paper. In order to act, you need to understand the context, absorb the necessary information, and then start working. Sometimes we get too eager to start, and neglect what we do or don’t know about the specific project. Get everything you need. Know what there is to know about the site, the problems, topography, accessibility, climate, tradition, and existing vegetation. Everything is useful, and anything can pull the trigger for a great new concept. Understand what the client is asking for, the competition terms, or your teacher’s expectations. Investigate the various aspects of the problem. Find references to similar projects, so that you do not imitate — you had better try to innovate. You cannot create something new unless you know what already exists out there. We at www.landarchs.com could help you with that. Related Articles: 

• 5 Mistakes You Should Avoid When Designing Your Portfolio
• 10 Great Interview Tips For Graduate Landscape Architects – The Essential Guide
• 10 Great Apps for Landscape Architects – Part 2

2. Thinking About Construction Details Before the Time Comes You cannot expect to have all the answers on the first sketch. And no one expects you to. Design is a process; it takes time and effort , until everything is solved. We should not neglect the different phases of the process, even if we feel we need to. We should take each step when the time is right and not flood our head with questions and worries about what could happen next. This does not mean we should spend all the time available on one thing and fail to complete all the stages in time to present the project. Following the timeframe is necessary for both professionals and students in order to achieve their goals.

3. Procrastinating Irresponsibly I have often heard that procrastination is useful and that it can lead to higher productivity. I cannot help but admit that looking outside the window or browsing the internet before starting something new is familiar to me. However, time flies. Landscape design is demanding and time is usually a luxury. I do not see the point in turning time into a source of stress, just because you cannot manage it correctly. WATCH: Why we procrastinate by Vik Nithy – TEDx (Viewed over 1,000,000 times)

Besides, all the anxiety and uneasiness you are confronted with before starting something new usually vanishes once the actual design process begins. It only takes the first step — or the first sketch. 4. Insisting on a Concept that Simply Does not Work I have heard that the best concept you come up with is usually the first. I would say most of the time that is true. However, there are times you should let go of the work you have already done and start afresh. There are ideas that seem promising and exciting, but simply don’t work out. You need to learn to realize early when enough is enough and be flexible in changing direction and focusing on another concept. I keep thinking that it is a virtue to know when to give up; however, that is hard, and it takes a special kind of awareness to achieve it. 5. Estimating budget I have been asked many times — and I am sure I will have to do it many times more — to make approximate cost estimations at a very early design stage. In my opinion, it is totally wrong and it ruins the design process. Trying to

estimate the budget at the beginning of the designs progress could not lead you further from the actual cost amount. It obliges you to think and eventually take into account things you normally would not. Inspiration usually does not survive the conflict with reality, and in such an early stage, this means creativity is doomed. There are plenty of aspects in our work that are distracting and unpleasant. Keeping them away from the design process for as long as possible will benefit our work. What is There to Do, Then? More or less, everyone knows what to avoid in certain stages of our work. But what is the one thing you should definitely do? I guess the answer is simple: Start. As Charles Baudelaire said, “Inspiration comes from work”. Given his reputation, I really think he knew exactly what it is all about. Recommended Reading: 

• Portfolio Design (Fourth Edition) by Harold Linton
• Burn Your Portfolio: Stuff they don’t teach you in design school, but should by Michael Janda

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Race Street Pier, by James Corner Field Operations, in Philadelphia, Pa., USA. “Pier” (as per Merriam-Webster Dictionary) means “A structure (as a breakwater) extending into navigable water for use as a landing place or promenade or to protect or form a harbor”. Well, it appears that thanks to Field Operations’ design, “pier” also means an exciting and vivid public space! Race Street Pier is part of an ambitious plan regarding the Central Delaware River in Philadelphia, Pa. The organization responsible for the development of the area is Delaware River Waterfront (DRWC).

Race Street Pier

The original Race Street Pier began construction in 1896, with a large two-level building. The building’s lower level was used for shipping and the upper level for recreation. This double function continues in the physical design of the new pier, which is also split into two levels. There is the sky promenade on the higher level, and a lower level for passive recreation and social gathering. The seating terrace that wraps around the end of the pier links the two areas.

The Topography The pier’s shape is rectangular — the platform is 80 feet wide and 540 feet long. A new topography has been developed on the surface in order to create individual places/spots. These include the Sky Promenade, the Bay Walk, the Sun Lawn, the Bridge Allee, and the River Lookout, among others spaces that create diversity and offer a variety of experiences for visitors. Creating Rare Views Back to the City The Sky Promenade has a mild inclination and reaches 12 feet above the original entry level to the pier. The elevated surface reveals a new perspective on the surroundings. The new topography creates a smooth transition in relevance to the adjacent Benjamin Franklin Bridge. The Sky Promenade is a pleasant walk toward the River Lookout. The route to the edge gives the sense of arriving in the space of the river through a forced, one-point perspective and allowing for rare views back to the city. Vegetation A large area planted with multi-stemmed red maple (Acer rubrum), river birch (Betula nigra), serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), and perennials welcomes the visitor to the pier’s lower level. A variety of grasses and perennials have been planted in weathered steel planters along the linear landscape. The plants offer diversity, adding texture and seasonal interest. There is a large lawn surface almost at the edge of the pier for visitors to enjoy. This large green space accommodates numerous leisure activities. Clusters of Sweet gum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua) create shaded areas on the lawn. Long rows of Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) add intensity to the linearity of the landscape. Paving with TREX The Sky Promenade has been paved with the innovative material TREX. It is a sustainable, synthetic decking material, made of reclaimed plastic and wood. Creating Land Where There Was None There are two things that I find particularly fascinating about this project. First, Field Operations had the chance to create land in order to produce landscape. This approach is revolutionary and sheds a new light on how landscape design could be perceived from now on. This is part of a wider tendency, including projects such as the London Garden Bridge and Pier 1 in New York. Related Articles:

• Top 10 Names In Landscape Architecture Today
• How Landscape Architects Are Leading the way in Sustainable Cities
• 7 Facts About The High Line That Will Impress Your Friends

The creating of a surface, where there isn’t any, seems like a possible answer to the general demand for more open, green spaces in the city. However, one cannot help but consider the cost, both for construction and maintenance, as well as the environmental impact of such projects.

How Managment Adds to the Overall Design What is also very intriguing about Race Street Pier is that, like many contemporary public spaces, this place is being managed. Management does not refer to the pier maintenance, but to the space’s identity. There are being held a number of events such as yoga classes, festivals, and so on. This diversity of cultural activity keeps the place alive and full of people. This is also an important feature that should be considered as a parameter in design and landscape construction. Public space management when performed right and up to a point provides high-quality public spaces, important financial benefits, and a new perspective for the city and the citizens. On the other hand, when reaching an extreme degree, it would not allow for any spontaneous activities and events to happen, and thus it could deprive the city of what makes it an exciting place to be. Creating a landscape by taking into consideration all of the existing elements and limitations is a demanding task. All professionals are aware of that. Creating a landscape from point zero where there is practically nothing to work with seems to be equally difficult and very fascinating. Full Project Credit: Project: Race Street Pier Landscape Architecture: James Corner Field OperationsDesign Team: James Corner, Lisa Switkin, Jayyun Jung, Yoshi Harada, Kimberly Cooper Client: Delaware River Waterfront Corp. Consultants: Langan Engineering, CHPlanning, VJ Associates Location: Philadelphia, Pa., USA Size: 1 Acre Budget: $5 million Planning: 2009-2010 Construction: 2011 Show on Google Maps

Recommended Reading:

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

Article by Eleni Tsirintani

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Riva Split Waterfront by 3LHD Architects, in Split, Croatia. Split lies on the Dalmatia coast and its former name used to be Aspalathos after the plant Calicotome villosa. It is the second largest city in Croatia; an important characteristic of Split is that a central part of the city used to be Diocletian’s Palace, which was gradually integrated into the urban tissue. The city water front is called Riva. The zone along the sea and especially the part before the Palace façade towards the sea has always played an important role in the city life. Riva is the place for meeting, walking, hosting public events and enjoy the city and the sea.

Riva Split Waterfront

Winning the Competition Given this entire heavy historical and social context, the competition held in 2005 for redesigning the Riva had a rather difficult purpose. The first prize was awarded to 3LHD architects who managed to transform the Riva into a contemporary, vivid public place for the citizens and the city visitors to enjoy . The competition program required a Master Plan for the entire area of Riva which covers 24,707 m². In the process, however, it was decided that the first phase would be renovating only the central, purely pedestrian part of Riva which is approximately 14,000 m².

The Use of Historical Measurments Riva stands between the elaborate wall of Diocletian’s Palace and the sea. The architects have opted to integrate the historical context to their design. They have used concrete, paving slabs measuring 1,50 x 1,50m which is the measure of a full stride of two steps in Ancient Rome, the so-called “paces”. A Mixed Use Area for all to Enjoy The paving resembles a mosaic made of white and grey variations. This shade alternation resembles the ripples of the Dalmatian sea. The simplicity of the design balances the complexity of function. The Riva waterfront is the beating heart of community activity. Its’ spans 250 meters long and 55 meters wide, suffice to accommodate all kinds of social events, promenade by day, parade by night, the site of sport events, religious processions, festivals, celebrations and political rallies. A City Extending into the Sea On top of that, activity continues over water with sailboats docked along the promenade, creating the sense that the city extends towards the sea. The paved surface accommodates all the possible versions of community life. Urban elements and infrastructures, such as benches, planting beds, dust bins, luminaires and shading shelters become part of this horizontal, modular system. From Shade Cover to Projection Screen The open-air cafes and shops on the Northern part, along the Waterfront, had never been the object of architectural design as a whole. The design team managed to establish a common vocabulary along all the shop facades and open-air areas. They have designed a unique architectural element that resembles a ship mast. This vertical, modular system accommodates the shelters for all the shops along the project. It can be easily removed when not necessary. Also, it can be rotated to generate a projection screen in the evening.

Planting at Riva Split Waterfront

There used to be three rows of Palm trees along the Riva before the intervention. The design scheme has integrated the existing planting elements to the new design by restoring the shape of the planting beds around the trees, according to the concept. There have created numerous planted areas along the project, filled with shrubs and flowers of the Mediterranean flora. There is Lavender, Rosemary, Salvia, Oregano and Thyme among the selected species. There are even some Aspalathos plants, in order to symbolize Split’s former name. The variation in texture and flowering, as well as the beautiful scents, enhance the spatial experience.

“Designing the void” If there is a definition of landscape architecture it would be “Designing the void”, which, I believe, is what fascinates all the professionals in this field. 3lhd architects did exactly that, they have given shape, rather than created, to something that was already there, yet it was neither clear nor coherent. This makes the project remarkable and gives it a certain, added value. One Minor but Important Criticism  However, if there is something to be sceptic about, that would be the planting scheme. I could not help but think that the newly introduced species though very consistent with each other, they have little to do with the already existing Palm trees. One could argue that this is not the first time we have seen such a heterogeneous combination of plants. On the other hand, ecosystems own their strength both in variety and compatibility. The Riva Waterfront is a vibrant, interesting public space that seems to be very well received by the Split residents. It has maintained and enhanced the area’s dynamics by providing a new context for city life to emerge and develop. Full Project Credits: Project Name: Riva Split Waterfront Designers: 3LHD (Saša Begović, Marko Dabrović, Tanja Grozdanić Begović, Silvije Novak, Irena Mažer) + Ines Hrdalo Construction: 2006 – 2007 Location: Obala Hrv. Narodnog preporoda, Split, Croatia Area: 14053 m2 Cost: 9.000.000 EUR Design of urban equipment: Numen/For Use – Sven Jonke , Nikola Radeljković, Jelenko Hercog Client: The City of Split Show on Google Maps

Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Eleni Tsirintani Return to Homepage

Stadtlounge, St Gallen, Switzerland, by Carlos Martinez Architekten and Pipilotti Rist If you think the color of landscape architecture is green, you had better think again. Stadtlounge plaza design by Carlos Martinez Architekten, in collaboration with the artist Pipilotti Rist, is an astonishing project designed to contrast with many of our preconceptions.

Form, Scale and Material in this Stunning Plaza Design

The plaza design tackles with form, scale, and material in an extraordinary way and appears to be very well received by the citizens of St. Gallen, Switzerland. St. Gallen is the capital of St. Gallen Canton in northeastern Switzerland, and has approximately 73,000 inhabitants. The Raiffeisen bank and the municipality of St. Gallen held an architectural competition to reorganize the town’s central business district. There had appeared to be a lack of coherence in the urban tissue, which had formed a number of voids between buildings. These voids, with irregular shapes and a lack of connection to each other, had to be articulated somehow, and acquire an homogenous identity. That was the primary target of the architectural competition won by Carlos Martinez and Pipilotti Rist.

An Urban Lounge Plaza Design

“Stadt” is the word for “public” in German. So, Stadtlounge is actually what its name suggests: an urban lounge. A group of public “rooms” articulates the free space between the buildings. The different areas/rooms vary in terms of function, structure, and shape. What actually creates a sense of connection between them is the material application. The pedestrian and recreation areas are coated with red, solid-colored rubber granules, whereas the lanes and movement areas are covered with red asphalt. A material that has been closely associated with athletic facilities has been relieved of any sports connotation and has been used for the purpose of a new concept, allowing new forms and possibilities to rise.

Related articles:

• Top 10 Public Squares of the World
• Sculptor Creates Major Public Square!
• Revitalizing London’s Finsbury Avenue Square

The different areas/rooms that Stadtlounge is divided into are the following:

• The Reception Area: This is the “entrance” to the Stadlounge. This is where visitors enter the building complex and the “Lounge”. The sitting areas encourage meetings in small groups, while the access toward the main part is open and welcoming.
• Coffee Shop: There is no lounge, open-air or not, that does not offer such facilities. This is a pleasant area where the inner part of the complex as well as the city’s vibrations can be observed in a relaxing state.
• Relaxation Lounge: This is the lounge’s main area. There has always been a “plaza” here. All the pre-existing elements, such as trees and water fountains, have been preserved or transformed according to the new design guidelines.
• Business Lounge: The space created by the recess of the bank building forms another area with a special identity. The urban furniture located here has been designed in order to accommodate meetings and bring the bank’s activity closer to city life.
• Sculpture Park, Reading Corner: This is the most intriguing part of the intervention. Interior qualities have been brought into the urban context, accompanied by a very subtle sense of humor and creativity. A large vase made of tartan reminds us that this is a lounge, as cozy as our sitting room and as accessible as the city square.

Reinterpreting Interior Design in an Urban Scale The lighting used to illuminate the space tackles the idea of reinterpreting interior design in an urban scale, as well. The large, round luminaria that float above Stadtlounge resemble enormous chandeliers or, perhaps, big, bright suns. The perceptions depends on the visitor. One could argue that such interventions could not be considered site-specific and thus apply almost everywhere. However, Stadtlounge has been designed taking into consideration certain space particularities such as the synagogue entrance on the northern part of the intervention area. The surface before the building entrance has been left free in order to accommodate the synagogue’s function. A Plaza Design that Provides COmmon Ground for all Expressions of Everyday Life The concept of Stadtlounge is an excellent idea that has been materialized in the most complete way. The red urban carpet that encloses and involves everything provides the common ground for all functions, versions, and expressions of everyday life in an urban context. However, I cannot help thinking that no matter how amazing red is, green is an indispensable part of landscape perception. I would have wished for more green elements, such as trees, to emerge from the red canvas. Nevertheless, one should welcome and be inspired by interventions such as Stadtlounge. Unless otherwise stated photos by Marc Wetli/Hannes Thalmann Recommended Reading:

• Urban Design  by Alex Krieger
• The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates

Article by Eleni Tsirintani Return to Homepage

A selection of some of the most major cities in the world that will inspire any landscape architecture student. One needs to be clear about one thing. There is no city a Landscape Architecture Student should not visit. Intriguing Landscapes are everywhere. However, There are some basic destinations for students that could become valuable lessons.

Cities a Landscape Architecture Student Should Visit

• Tivoli, Paris and London, in that order The great Italian Villas have had the most extraordinary gardens. The Villa d’ Este in Tivoli by the Italian Landscape Architect Pirro Lingorio is the best known example. A clear geometry, sense of perspective and the element of illusion are the important characteristics of this landscape masterpiece. WATCH: Villa D’Este a Tivoli ripresa con un drone

– Paris has to contribute to a landscape architecture student’s quest the Versailles gardens. Designed by André Le Nôtre for Louis XIV. The design approach reveals a vast scale intervention created with order and symmetry. Built volumes have been integrated in the general composition. One can observe the unique way water has been used as a landscape element.

After getting familiar with the previous projects that are close to the perception of architecture as a building process, the timing is perfect for traveling to London and questioning that notion. English Parks, like St James Park and Hyde Park designs have been perceived to conceal the artificial elements into the natural context. There is more a process of transformation in what you see, rather than construction. The landscape is picturesque, with a strong sense of romanticism and dreamlike views. Geometry has succumbed to organic form. The element of heterogeneity becomes a feature rather than a defect. WATCH: St James Park Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia English landscape design demonstrates that the creative process is not only about drawings. It requires a wider sense of visualizing space. One could not omit visiting amazing projects of contemporary landscape architecture that are located in those cities. However, the concept is to come into contact with fundamental principles and then proceed with the latest design. • Barcelona. Mediterranean Landscape Perception Barcelona is a relatively new “entry” on the Landscape Architecture Map. It is a city that has reinvented its’ image on an international level. Changing the perception about contemporary landscape architecture in the Mediterranean Basin. The 1992 Olympic Games organized in Barcelona, have been crucial for the city’s public space and landscape. A number of Parks and facilities have been built to accommodate the Games. This development has continued to evolve with numerous landscape projects over the following years. Related Articles:

• Top 10 Walkable Cities
• e-architect Guided Architecture Walking Tours – All Around The World
• 15 Great Examples of Historical Landscape Architecture

Projects worth visiting in Barcelona are Park Diagonal Mar by Enric Miralles & Benedetta Tagliabue, Parc Central de Nou Barris by Arriola & Fiol and El Jardín Botánico de Barcelona by Bet Figueras, Carlos Ferrater and Josep Lluís Canosa. WATCH: Parc Central de Nou Barris • New York, classical and contemporary design in direct comparison High Line Park, built on an existing, elevated railway line within a certain context and boundaries. It has a certain geometry and structure that do not resemble a natural landscape. The project has managed to integrate itself in the city life and change the given character of the surrounding area. It has become a landmark and a crucial factor only a few years after the inauguration in 2009. One can find interesting landscape architecture almost everywhere on earth. To appreciate them one should have knowledge of landscape history and at the same time keep in touch with the latest developments. Recommended Reading:

• Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns by John Massengale
• Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture by Charles Harris

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