Blog

Article by Tahío Avila – Urban development of Schwäbisch Gmünd, by A24 Landschaft Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH, in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. Located in southwest Germany, Schwäbisch Gmünd is a medium-sized city developed at the shoreline of the confluence of two important rivers: the Josefsbach and the larger Rems River. This is one of the oldest Staufer cities, once part of the old Swabia (a historic region in southwestern Germany), which today houses about 60,000 residents. The wet surroundings had an effect on the development of the city, which expanded from its starting point in the delta out toward the inside of the territory. Things started changing with the distribution of the city after World War II, when many German cities were reconstructed in a “car-friendly” way. Urban de...Read More

Article by Alexis Alvey – Yueyuan Courtyard, designed by Z+T Studio, in Mudu, Suzhou, China Yueyuan Courtyard, designed by Z +T Studio, is a small courtyard within a new development at Mudu Village in Suzhou. Suzhou is a historic city in eastern China that sits between the Yangtze River to the north and Taihu Lake to the south. It is known for its exemplary collection of classical Chinese gardens. These gardens date from the 11th to the 19th centuries; nine of them are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The classical Suzhou Gardens are meticulously designed and reflect the central importance of natural beauty in traditional Chinese culture. These private gardens were originally inspired by royal hunting gardens and are limited to the physical space within a private residence. ...Read More

Article by Joanna Laska – Aurea Cuadrado Garden, by SCOB Architecture & Landscaping, in Barcelona, Spain. SCOB Architecture & Landscape can be incredibly proud of their project – AUREA CUADRADO GARDEN. This striking design is proof that even the most forgotten places can be turned into a must-see for thousands of people. For many years skate parks have been seen as invasive, unpractical elements of landscape design. There has always been a division between the sport activity and a relaxing public space. There seemed to be no compromise, no common ground between these two aspects. And so, up until not so long ago, skate parks were being designed as isolated areas. Aurea Cuadrado Garden Thankfully, though, designers and users of public spaces have started to see skate parks in ...Read More

The idea of “little bets” has manifested in my work in the form of reframing my approach to design with a focus on better horticultural practice. One of my core motivations for pursuing a career in landscape architecture was my deep interest in plant materials. This has been stirred by recent exploration of books such as Jim Urban’s Up by Roots and Gary Smith’s From Art to Landscape. I will admit that my years of practice have gradually led me away from sound horticultural practice, with a more attention paid to general aesthetics. However, it is never too late to get back on the right path. One of the core value promises of landscape architects will always be in our ability to deliver growing and vigorous environments. Much of my work is concentrated in Texas, a state where nearly every m...Read More

In this article, we discuss the concept of green homes and how they are infiltrating the modern era. Various campaigns to use environmentally friendly items have led to creative innovations in landscaping and home design. There is now a sense of distinction to homes that are reducing their carbon footprint without losing their aesthetic appeal. Solar panels, rainwater collecting system, environmentally friendly landscaping are few of the features that are defining the modern era green home design. Not only are they appealing, but pretty cost effective as well. Envelope Modern Era Of Green Homes The building envelope is one of the initial features. The idea is that all regions of the home should be insulated in some manner. This is applicable on porches, roofs, windows among other areas. En...Read More

Landscape Architects Network Features a company profile of James Corner Field Operations. James Corner Field Operations is a leading-edge landscape architecture and urban design firm based in New York City that describes themselves on their website as ‘committed to the innovative design of public spaces’. One of the company’s most famous projects is the High Line in New York, which was designed in cooperation with architects Diller, Scofidio + Renfro and planting designer Piet Oudolf, and which has become a major tourist and residents’ attraction since its opening in June 2009 (Section 1 was opened in 2009; section 2 followed in June 2011, and the 3rd and northernmost section was finalised in September of 2014). The High Line is a 1.5-mile-long public park built on unused elevated rail tra...Read More

Article by Maria Giovanna Drago – The Winton Beauty of Mathematics Garden, by Nick Bailey, Chelsea, London, UK. The Winton Beauty of Mathematics Garden was a project by horticulturist Nick Bailey that was exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2016. It had a great success among the audience and judges for developing a side of nature that not everyone knows and that is certainly unexpected. There’s still so much talk about its main purpose: to show that nature is based on numbers. Not everyone knows that there are mathematical rules behind the number of petals on a flower or the arrangement of leaves on a plant. Bailey showed this dualism in a refined way, including signs and numbers easily recognizable, even by children. The Chelsea Flower Show The Chelsea Flower Show has been held ...Read More

Article by Niriti Porwal – A Review of Grove Grand Bay, by Raymond Jungles Inc., Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida. The Grove at Grand Bay is a distinctive and luxurious residential project, featuring two twisting towers with a 360-degree view of Biscayne Bay. It is also the first LEED Gold-certified building in Dade County. This blending of sustainability and luxury brings a unique balance and paves the way for an ecologically sensitive approach to design. The low-density project of 98 units in two 20-story glass towers combines the remarkable architecture of the twisting towers with a contextually rich landscape. Raymond Jungles’ landscape design wraps around the towers in an unusual way. The design inspiration was drawn from the surroundings of Coconut Grove, which has a rich cultural...Read More

Article Mai Nguyen –  OASIS Coyoacán by DLC Architects, in Coyoacán neighborhood, Mexico City.  With the effort to increase urban green and to confront urban sprawl, the office of DIC Architects has completed the project OASIS Coyoacán in the Coyoacán neighborhood of Mexico City. Indeed, they managed to make good use of the project’s location to turn it into an exciting “park mall”. Moreover, DLC creatively applied a module design to enrich the experience of the space for the users. Last, but not least, by bringing water into their design, not only is the microclimate of the mall improved, but also people’s appreciation for nature is awakened. OASIS Coyoacán The Neighbourhood’s Mediator First of all, the site is close to the city’s green lung, named Viveros de Coyacan, in the north, ...Read More

Article by Lidija Šuster – Zighizaghi Garden, by OFL Architecture, in Favara (AG), Italy. Every landscape in the world has its own unique spirit and identity, not to mention shape, size, and purpose. This time, we are taking you to magnificent Italy. To satisfy your hunger for creativity, we are zooming in on the map to south-central Sicily, to the town of Favara in the province of Agrigento. The designers of the Zighizaghi Garden, OFL Architecture, describe it as a multi-sensorial garden. Like magic, our attention is drawn to that statement; we are eager to know more about it. What does multi-sensorial actually mean? Let’s find out by exploring this project with the quite interesting and extraordinary name of the Zighizaghi Garden. The Zighizaghi Garden As landscape architects and d...Read More

Article by Meenal Suresh – The Base Garden Sale Gallery, by VVdesine Landscape Architect, in  Bangkok, Thailand. Every locality has features that make it stand out; features that are derived from where it is located, the way of life followed by its residents, the occupations that pay their bills, the climatic conditions, and the people residing in it. Unfortunately, here in the Bang Kapi District of Bangkok, the traces of a community once breathing has disappeared. A formerly existent canal has ebbed away. The agricultural well and transportation route have vanished. Does anyone care? What remains here? Simply put, a huge site ready to take on a modern high-rise building that will show off the skills of the architect. Once the edifice is erect, even the little remaining traces of a settlem...Read More

Article by Eleni Tsirintani – Fuji Kindergarten, by Tezuka Architects, located in Tachikawa near Tokyo. Design is about hosting human life and activity. There are, however, projects that go beyond that, to actually shape human life and activity. Fuji Kindergarten is one of those projects. Given its educational purpose, it would be right to say that it shapes character and personality, as well. Tezuka architects have created a shell that embodies an innovative learning philosophy, culture, playing, joy, and contact with nature, all in one. The Shell The kindergarten is located in the city of Tachikawa near Tokyo. The design is simple, almost archetypical. Two concentric oval shapes form a shelter and a round atrium that host the kindergarten facilities. The exterior oval shape diamete...Read More