Blog

By Maria Giovanna Drago – We take a look at 5 projects and show how they represent landscape architecture over the 5 continents.  The stories of people can keep on living within architecture and transform it into the materialization of dreams and wishes or actions and roots. For this reason, we have researched, loved, and finally chosen five landscape architecture projects with a strong connection to people whose stories have not been told enough. We want you to discover and love them too! Keep on reading to excite your imagination. We encourage you to choose one relatively close to you and visit it in person, with the awareness of knowing a little bit about it before you go. Landscape Architecture in Australia 1. Barangaroo Reserve (2015) – Sydney, Australia, by PWP Landscape Archit...Read More

Article by Moreira Filho – We explore green roof systems and look at how they can benefit big cities, choosing key examples of how it has already worked. Green roof systems come to landscape architecture as one of the solutions to make up for concrete spaces of big cities nowadays. But, how useful is it? Some people say these green systems are expensive and difficult to install. Let’s think about it; brick houses used to be expensive in the past. Nowadays they are more accessible for lots of people. TVs, computers, smartphones are normally expensive when they are starting into the market, but they become cheaper as more people acquire them. Why would it not be the same with green roof systems? Here we found 10 reasons and benefits to put some green on our roofs. Green Roof Systems 1....Read More

Article by Farah Afza Jurekh – Thanks to our partners at ZinCo, we have a been able to build on their knowledge of green roofs to build a list that looks at the ecological benefits of green roofs . The term “heat island effect” is widely being used when it comes to urban areas. Among many other leading factors, traditional roofing material is one of the factors contributing to the heat island effect. So what the traditional roofing materials basically do? The traditional roofing materials absorb the sun’s radiation rather than reflecting it. This raises the temperature of the surface faster than the surrounding air temperature and hence, the overall ambient temperature soars. To contribute to the reduction of these problems, the use of eco-friendly, green roofs has emerged worldwide....Read More

Article by Lidija Šuster – A review of OFFF Batalha, by STILL urban design, in Porto, Portugal. Festivals come in all shapes and sizes, and are designed for celebrating all sorts of arts, foods, drinks, religions, and seasons. No matter how many people can be gathered at a festival and what the theme may be, they all have one important thing in common – a social role. The majority of people like to be part of cultural events, and landscape architects are there to help provide attractive, comfortable, and functional places to hold events that will fulfill the need for socialization. STILL urban design had the privilege to design the space for the OFFF Porto festival, which was held on the 23rd and 24th of October, 2015, at Batalha Cinema. This project has a specific nature, mainly bec...Read More

Landscape Architects Network feature a company profile for Gustafson Porter .  Established in 1997 in London by Landscape Architect Kathryn Gustafson and Architect Neil Porter, the office soon became an award-winning company, known all over the world thanks to several of its realized projects located in different places around the globe. Its main strength is a combination of ingenious design, sensual shapes and the use of advanced computation tools with which it is capable of producing its characteristic and original projects. Gustafson Porter Spreading a Culture About Landscape One of the key points of Gustafson Porter’s profile is its interest in creating a culture about landscape involving the role of specialists such as landscape architects. It often gives lectures about these topics a...Read More

Article by Eleni Tsirintani – Chicago Riverwalk Expansion, by Sasaki and Ross Barney Architects, in Chicago, IL, USA Chicago Riverwalk Expansion by Sasaki and Ross Barney Architects is a contemporary Urban Design expanding towards the Chicago River Edge developing different functions and landscape typologies that enhance the identity of the contemporary city of Chicago. The project is the expansion of a similar intervention completed in 2009 by Ross Barney Architects. The earlier work includes important city landmarks like Veteran’s Memorial Plaza and the Bridgehouse Museum Plaza. The idea is very simple and brilliant, like all great ideas. Reclaim the space along the water edge and connect the city to the river. A task that is easy to envision, but hard realizing. However, as Gina F...Read More

Article by M Daniela Hernandez Gibert – We explore 8 urban design projects around the world that have had a dramatic impact on public space. Click on any of the headlines or images for each project to learn more. 8. Dong Da Lake, Vietnam 7. KALA Playground, Germany 6. Estrella Hall, USA 5. Village Centre, Innichen Italy 4. Urbanization Church’s Square, Barcelona 3. The Riverside Terrace, Russia 2. The Soundwave, China 1. Hart’s Mill Surrounds, Australia Harts Mill Surrounds. Photo credit: Don Brice Recommended Reading: Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs Article by M Daniela Hernandez Gibert

After nearly six years as an HR professional, and three years spent exclusively in recruiting, I have a golden line that I’d like to share with you about interviewing.  Interviewing is much more of an art than a science. What, you say? How on earth could it be an art? Aren’t companies looking for the perfectly rehearsed answers? No, they aren’t. That doesn’t help anybody. Trust me, the interviewing process is an act of both planning and spontaneity. Having a rigid script won’t work, no matter what side of the table you’re on. There’s no need to be sterile in an interview. You can show who you are, highlight your strengths and skillsets, while letting your unique personality shine through. So, let’s back up. You wrote, rewrote and perfected your cover letter. Your resume is sparkling. Your ...Read More

Michelle Biggs interviews architectural photographer Patrick Bingham-Hall , gaining insight into the creative process behind his photography. Landscape and architectural photographers play a key role in the field of landscape architecture. In the digital age, perhaps this is true now more than ever. Photographs are valuable tools for designers to effectively communicate and share past projects, and good photos of a completed design can be a powerful way to promote our work. Additionally, thanks to digitization, photography has also become increasingly accessible as a creative medium in the past 25 years. Today, more and more students and professionals in landscape architecture and design are turning to photography as a way to diversify their portfolios and better communicate their work. Pa...Read More

Article by Ho Chun Kit Dennis – Orto fra i cortili (Garden Among the Courtyards) based on wooden pallets, by Piuarch, Milan, in Brera, Milan, Italy. How would you use a rooftop garden? Some people want to create a pleasant or interesting outdoor space for visual enjoyment. Others want a space in which to gather with family and friends. What makes a rooftop garden special is the way its design fits its purpose. Even better if it doesn’t break the bank and is environmentally friendly. Such challenging goals can sometimes be achieved by taking some rather drastic measures, as this garden in the Brero section of Milan, Italy, shows. In this project, two industries that seemingly share no similarities collide – landscape architecture and, yes, logistics. How did it work? Attraction of Pal...Read More

Article by Frank Bourque  – Dock Street Roof Terrace, by James Corner Field Operations, in DUMBO neighborhood, Brooklyn, New York Have you ever wondered what living with panoramic views of Manhattan looks like? Well, you don’t have to wonder anymore. The Dock Street Roof Terrace transforms the dream of many to reality, and offers a pleasant experience that will give you another view of Manhattan and its urban architecture from up above. So, What is the Dock Street Roof Terrace? Dock Street Roof Terrace The name refers to a landscape architecture project that recreates a rooftop and gives it a unique perspective. The location for this Dock Street Roof Terrace is hand-picked and perfectly nested in the urban fabric, offering spectacular panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manha...Read More

Article by Tahío Avila – We explore the growing trend of green roofs, focusing on the extensive green roof and looking at 10 plants that work well in this situation.  Green roofs are a big and relatively new interest for modern architecture and landscape. But they are really not that new — they have enhanced homes and buildings since prehistory. In the beginning, green roofs were known as sod roofs and were found most often in the Scandinavian Peninsula. Their purpose was practically the same as today: Besides holding the birch bark (which was the main material in green roofs at that time) in place and helping to compress the logs with the roof weight, they also offered waterproofing and insulation for the cold weather. Today, we have all kinds of systems to build green roofs, ...Read More