Blog

Remarkable Objects, hosted by Leda Marritz, Creative Director at DeepRoot, is a new podcast about the intersection of nature and urban design. In each episode, we will hear from leaders and innovators whose work aims to influence the way we think about, design, and build the urban environment. (Lead Photo: Jane Warner Plaza by Seth Boor) In Episode 3, Hacking the City, we discover how San Francisco residents have been able to reimagine the potential of their city streets through the use of parklets. Robin Abad Ocubillo, urban designer with the San Francisco Planning Department, explains how parklets have generated meaningful public spaces for people, and lead to a transformation of the city.  The concept of parklets began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco art and design studio, converted...Read More

Article by Cristina Conciatu – Museum Park Louvre Lens by Mosbach Paysagistes, Lens (Pas-de-Calais), France In the following we explore the Museum Park Louvre Lens, a landscape park which resulted from modern design combined with traces of mining history. An immense work of art of 25 ha surrounds Louvre Lens Museum in Pas-de-Calais, France. A landscaped extension with no walls: a place for culture, animation and popular gathering, which combines modern design with traces of mining history. It is, with no doubt, a poetic destination for those who are passionate about landscape architecture, and we would like to tell you why. Museum Park Louvre Lens The museum is an important attraction, as it has many visitors annually. But the Park is also an appealing place, a destination in itself,...Read More

While the vast majority of our content is FREE, this interview composed by Win Phyo is exclusive content for Landscape Architects Network’s VIP Subscribers only – Pok Kobkongsanti, founder and lead designer of T.R.O.P. terrains + open space answers some question for Landscape Architects Network.  Pok Kobkongsanti is the founder and lead designer of T.R.O.P, a company from Thailand that is slowly making its mark. The “Tropster” graduated with a Masters of Landscape Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, before venturing onwards to work with two of the legends of landscape architecture; George Hargreaves and Bill Bensley. He has been in search of “New Ground” in landscape architecture since his departure from these experiences. His search...Read More

In this article, we explore exterior lighting ideas to help you transform your outdoor space and make it a multi-layered experience. If you are someone like me, you really enjoy the outdoors. I mean, by day, you can have the warm sunshine on your back and the soothing wind refreshing your senses. However when the night starts to set in, the garden seem as though it’s turning into a dark, uninviting area like those places your mother used to tell you to stay away from when you were younger. It doesn’t have to be this way. You can easily turn your night garden from a sleepy-hollow to an uplifting, hip and cosy area that your friends and family will want to hang out. By the end of this post, you will start arranging mid-week barbecues and weekend get-togethers to show off your new chillout zo...Read More

We explore securing investments through property upgrade and discover how it can help you to achieve more secure living. A Housing Market In Flux Since 2008, the financial crisis has forever changed the housing market in the United States. Ripple effects have even reverberated worldwide. Property investiture is becoming risky business, and if you’ve got assets tied up in yours, it makes sense to protect them. Upgrade Your Premises There are a number of ways you can increase the value of your property, both inside and outside. Think of it like taking a shower: if you’re going to clean up your insides, it helps to clean up your outside. Consider the lawn, and the state it’s in. If it can be saved, or is in good shape, make sure it looks its best. Keep in mind that whatever ...Read More

Article by Alexis Alvey – We take a look at 10 YouTube tutorials for drawing people so that you can help get your ideas across even better and make them come to life.  Drawing people can be quite intimidating for architects and artists alike. Perhaps this is because we are so intimately familiar with the human form, that when it is drawn incorrectly, we can easily see mistakes. However, as landscape architects, we do not need to be anywhere close to perfect at drawing people to effectively convey a message in our designs. Including figures in our hand renderings and concept drawings is key to communicating appropriate scale and how a space may be utilized. Drawing people can also convey your personal style and can be a form of self-expression. By following these YouTube videos, you w...Read More

Article by Selen ÖZTÜRK – A review of  the World’s First Rose Museum by NEXT Architects in Daxing District, Beijing, China. In this museum, everything is coming up roses – literally. The world’s first rose museum opened on May 23, 2016, in Beijing, China, in conjunction with the 2016 World Federation of Rose Societies Convention. The convention is an international platform at which the host country and host city present their regional brands to visitors and federation members from other countries. The rose museum is a great place for visitors to enjoy art installations about flowers and learn historical theories about ancient roses. The project designers from NEXT Architects have successfully combined the history of China, Chinese culture, and modernity in a bouquet of roses. World&#...Read More

Article by Emily Sinclair – Green Air, by Nomad studio,  located in the Contemporary Art Museum of Saint Louis. Plants are key indicators in an ever-changing world. Plants and the ecosystems they inhabit are accustomed to working out problems within their own means. But as our human population grows, the strain on these environmental resources also grows – to a point in which the ecosystems are struggling to deal with all the pressures and pollution internally. Many landscape architects and landscape architecture firms are concerned with maintaining or returning the balance to these ecosystems. Nomad Studio of New York City is one of them. Its latest project, Green Air, showcases this dialogue well. Green Air was recently on display at the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis (CAM). ...Read More

In this article, we take a look at the urban scene and look at the many benefits of urban agriculture.  While urban agriculture has enjoyed a recent surge, it is nothing new. Ancient societies, such as Egypt and Machu Picchu, had systems in place to recycle water and waste to use on their vegetable plots. Fast forward a few millennium, and you’ll see the allotment gardens of 19th century Germany, which provided space for citizens to produce their own food. In the 20th century, residents of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada established victory gardens to help relieve the stressors on the agriculture industry during World Wars I and II. Considering the long history of urban agriculture, having the freedom to produce fruit, vegetables, eggs, milk, and even meat for one’s famil...Read More

Have you ever wondered what the benefits of ductless HVAC systems are? Wonder no more. In this article, we discuss exactly just that!  The technological advances in HVAC have made the ductless system the most preferred choice for new homes and office buildings. The ductless system comprises of an outside condenser or compressor and an indoor air handler. As they are small in size they are much quieter than the traditional HVAC systems. The ductless systems are truly versatile and this can enable you to easily cool and heat areas that are usually hard to reach. You may be able to choose different temperature zones in each room. It means that each zone is customized to meet the expectations of the occupant. This is one of the reasons why they have become a popular choice not just in new home...Read More

We take a deeper look at the best rooftop kitchens and terraces to help you get the most out of this otherwise wasted space.  If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful rooftop, you may wonder how you can best utilize and design it so it ends up being a fabulous space you can enjoy. Two of the best ways to use this space are rooftop kitchens and terraces because these spaces add additional entertaining space to your home and take advantage of the gorgeous view. Rooftop Kitchens and Terraces Here are some amazing rooftop spaces to get you inspired and help you create your own at home: The Terrace Fit for a New York Penthouse This terrace is meticulously styled and is something dreams are made of. The deck has wood planking that invites you out onto the main terrace from the living room. Pl...Read More