Blog

We look at some of the most exciting and essential plugins for SketchUp. Ever since Sketchup (formerly Google Sketchup) debuted in 2000, it has been holding its position as one of the world’s favorite and most used 3d-modeling software systems available. Sketchup, designed by Last Software, is used by both students and professionals in various design fields, including architecture, landscape architecture, animation, and video game development. It has a wide range of tools and scripts to develop various three-dimensional forms that are helpful for modeling and sculpting 3D models. However, there are several design functions that cannot be performed by Sketchup alone. Such operations involve much more complexity. So here are some software plug-ins that are available to download that ca...Read More

We ask the question “What is Landscape Architecture?” My first experience with landscape architecture came in 2006, when I was admitted into university to study it. This turned out to be a very important time of my life, as it served as a guide to my future. Back then, the future was full of surprises – first I had to redraw ancient park compositions with a technical pen and devise 44 ways to draw a tree silhouette. What I found most amusing was telling my friends what I was studying. The response was almost inevitably the question “And what is that?” Sometimes, instead of the question, I might receive an encouraging “Ooo, architecture is a great and profitable profession, very good choice, bravo”. But it was really me who was about to discover what landscape architecture is an...Read More

MEDIA RELEASE: Two artist-designed artworks installed on Beaufort Street in Perth by DrainPave based on a decorative paving system are among the first on the surface of a major road in Western Australia. The vibrant contemporary designs by artist Roly Skender indicate ‘slow points’ at the entrance and exit points of the busy Beaufort Street pedestrian area in the City of Vincent. Decorative Paving System Each colourful artwork covers 800sqm and was installed by DrainPave using StreetPrint, which is considered the most innovative decorative paving system on the market. DrainPave Manager Peter Borg said the project was something different for WA. “Not only are these among the first road surface artworks to be designed by an artist, but they are also the first ‘permanent’ artwork of their kin...Read More

The metal sculptures of Floyd Elzinga, Ontario, Canada At first glance, you may think these behemothic objects are the remaining vestiges of a bygone era. They are, in fact, a series of contemporary works forged by artist and sculptor Floyd Elzinga. Canadian Elzinga is based in Beamsville, Ontario, with the best part of two decades’ experience creating environmental installations and sculptural landscapes. Upon graduating from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, Elzinga chose to return to his parents’ farm. Freshly armed with artistry and aspiration, his days of manipulating metal began there and then; after coming across some scrap metal lying around, he commenced working with the material and claims he “never looked back.” Drawin...Read More

Facts about the famous High Line project to share and impress your friends with.  The High Line in New York City is one of the most well known and amazing redesign landscape projects in recent years. While inspired by the French Promenade Planteé, the beloved park has kept its own character and written its name in capital letters on New York City. Transforming the High Line from an elevated rail line serving the city’s industrial district to the 1.45-mile-long public space we enjoy today meant bringing together a lot of different fields, ideas, and people. Yes, a lot has been said about the High Line, but here we dig a little deeper to reveal some interesting tidbits that may not be so well known. 7 Facts About The High Line 1. Changing the Rules of the Urban Ecosystem The bright High Line...Read More

André Citroën Park, Paris, France by Gilles Clément and Alain Provost. The modern Parisian park André Citroën, located in the 15th arrondissement on the left bank of the river Seine, has been for the past two decades an attractive space of interaction for the city’s residents, a hot spot for tourists, and an influential object of study for both landscape architecture and architecture students. But let’s not get hasty and call it a success, for it has been also criticized by many and even labeled by some as one of the worst parks in Paris. So does that make it a failure? In the following article, we look at the different aspects of the park with the intention of producing an insight rather than drawing sharp judgments on its extent of failure or success. André Citroën Park and the War The n...Read More

North Bethesda Market, by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, cooperating with sculptor Jim Sanborn. Rockville, Maryland. Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects has struck again, this time with its landscape design for the mixed-use urban development of North Bethesda Market. Together with HKS Architects, the firm transformed a former suburban parking lot into a small but extraordinarily good-looking urban center. This project in the Washington, D.C., metro area is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also convincing on a sustainable level, providing extensive green roofs, a rain garden, and the nearly exclusive use of native plants. Can a project be too perfect? Nothing seems to be left to chance, which in my opinion makes the design a little bit too perfect. However, a plaza surround...Read More

A review of Simon Beck’s unique art of geometry on snow. Land art often is associated with sandy or stony coasts or deep green hills and hollows. Simon Beck, however, is the founder of a very different and special kind of land art: snow art. His drawings in the snow go far beyond our snow-angel childhood memories. He produces geometrical art works that cover areas the size of multiple soccer fields. They are reminiscent of crop circles or huge, beautiful mandalas in the endless, white landscape of winter. Snow Art Designs Mirror Mathematical Equations Beck’s design process starts with a sketch on paper, which he then creates in nature on a much larger scale — one to four hectares per work. His designs are influenced by the world of complex mathematical forms, geometry, and sometimes ...Read More

Amazing landscapes to inspire your mind. In the words of Frank Lloyd Wright – “Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” The natural world is full of fantastic wonders. Since the dawn of time Man has drawn inspiration from the natural environment. Here we share with you some of the world’s most amazing natural landscapes that you won’t believe aren’t photoshopped to inspire you in your work and studies as landscape architects. Take a couple of minutes now to check out these beautiful landscapes. Go on. You deserve it. 10 Amazing Landscapes 1. Lower Antelope Canyon Lower Antelope Canyon or Hazdistazí (meaning Spiritual Rock Arches) as it is known to the local Navajo people who own the land, is part of a spectacular slot canyon system in Ariz...Read More

An Exclusive review of Yanweizhou Park by Turenscape, in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, China. In the Chinese culture, water is one of the five elements – the other four being metal, wood, fire, and earth – but water is one that is held especially close. One theory is that due to China’s mountainous topography, Chinese cities were built in the valleys close to the many rivers that flow through the land. For this reason, the Chinese people came to view the rivers as the heart and lifeblood of their culture. So, it comes as no surprise that the latest Turenscape project, Yanweizhou Park, is built around not one, but three rivers. Location of Yanweizhou Park Yanweizhou Park is located in Jinhua City where the Yiwu River, Wuyi River and Wujiang River converge. At more than 250,000 squar...Read More

Sponsored article from www.iotagarden.com.au Garden Pots and Planters for Design Build and Landscape Professionals. Container gardening is a great tool for landscape designers. It helps to add that natural style to your outdoor or indoor space. Green aesthetics is the keyword here. Imagine a busy city street where concrete and pavement is the all-encompassing material. It may look dull and is probably an eyesore by itself. There is no hint of plant life or foliage. Container gardening brings green aesthetics to these kind of environments. The Benefits of Container Gardening Let’s look at some of the benefits of container gardening: Adding foliage to concrete and hard paving. In places where planting is impossible under normal circumstances, container gardening makes it possible. Indoor pla...Read More