Blog

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

Article By Aybige Tek – A review of Parametric Glacier Pavilion, by Didzis Jaunzems Architecture, in the Dome Cathedral garden, Riga, Latvia. The Parametric Glacier Pavilion was a hypnotic architectural centerpiece inside a garden courtyard at Riga’s Dome Cathedral atrium this past fall. The 24-hour installation was part of a contemporary art forum called White Night. The pavilion was nestled within a square-shaped, traditional landscape. Parametric Glacier Pavilion The Cathedral Garden The atrium floor is divided into four sections of grass and pathways in the shape of a plus sign. The traditional design of the garden is surrounded by a grass pathway that follows the circumference of the building’s edges. Orange annual and perennial flowers, purple matsumoto flowers, and green leave...Read More

Article by Kamil Rawski – A Review of the Raised Gardens of Sants by COAC, in Barcelona, Spain. In the era of excessive urbanization it is increasingly difficult to find new spaces to make into green areas. At the same time the urban infrastructure absorbs more and more surfaces of the cities. What do you think, is it possible to find a compromise which is able to bring together these two aspects? This question was asked of the residents of Barcelona, and more specifically to those in the district of Sants. As necessity is the mother of invention, they managed to find a solution for the creation of a new park, and at the same time minimize the negative influence of the railways in the surrounding area. Raised Gardens of Sants The Raised Gardens of Sants fulfils exactly this function, and c...Read More

We take a moment to look at 3 lighting innovations to look out for over the next 5 years and see just how bright our future really looks.  There have been several lighting innovations that is set to disrupt the electrical industry. The widespread commercialisation of commercial LED high-bays energy supplies and reducing carbon emissions to advancements in lumens output that will improve the aesthetics in building and interior. ABA 100 2016 winner for Innovation LEDified share some of their most fascinating LED light innovations that is expected to shape the electrical industry over the next five years. Lighting Innovations EVA LED Light There are many LED lights that customers can choose from and for the residential consumer, the choice of beam angles and lumen output can be overwhelming. ...Read More