Blog

Article by Andrea Robezzati Steelyard Square in Belval Ouest district, by Alles WirdGut Architektur, in Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg Establishing the right grade of frequency and relation between landscape architecture and neglected spaces of the cities is both the most exciting challenge but also the most difficult one, for an architect. These places always have negative impacts on the environment and their surrounding communities but at the same time they are full of potential and are, anyway, part of our cultural heritage, with a strong significance. Mostly, in these cases, the battle is in the middle, and what Alles WirdGut architects made here in Luxembourg is really extraordinary. If you are planning to visit Luxembourg, make a sign on your map to visit the second-largest city of the...Read More

Article by Cristina Ferrara We take a look at 10 projects for children that are great at meeting their needs and  yet they are not playgrounds. Every time, I wonder what makes a project a “perfect” project, particularly for children. And every time, the answer is the same: It’s all about whether — and how — the kids are interacting with the designed space, and if they are using it in the way the designer intended. If the user is in the architect’s mind since the beginning, the project should be successful and the results brilliant. Do outdoor spaces for children fit this bill? Are they really child-friendly? In other words, is the final user I was thinking about during my design process now using the space the way I planned? 10 Great Projects for Children In this article, we wo...Read More

Article by Andrea Kreuer Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, by LDA Design et al., in London, United Kingdom Since its heyday in 2012, when the Olympic Park first opened to the public to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the park has undergone a further transformation, developing into a forerunner of naturalistic planting and sustainable landscape design. To achieve this, the Park’s management have commissioned best-in-class landscape and planting designers – Professors Nigel Dunnet and James Hitchmough from the University of Sheffield, Sarah Price from Sarah Price Landscapes, and world-renowned Dutch planting designer Piet Oudolf; all working alongside the main landscape architects; LDA Design and Hargreaves Associates. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Here is a list of the top 5 f...Read More

Article by Frank Bourque The holistic sensory experience of the Scent Tunnel, by Olafur Eliasson, in Autostadt Park, Austria There are many new and innovative art works that bring the best of the modern world. One of them is Olafur Eliason’s Scent Tunnel, a majestic experience and an artwork that happens every spring in Austria. As humans, we are born to see, breathe, enjoy and appreciate the beauty of life. When brought together, all of these senses can become a part of an eye-opening experience that feeds the soul and creates a pleasant emotion. Olafur Eliasson is a unique Austrian artist who sees art from another point of view. His unique masterpiece is named ‘The Scent Tunnel’ and refers to an art event happening each spring in the Autostadt Park in Austria. Contempor...Read More

Book review by Joanna Łaska A Book Review of Environmental Horticulture : Science and Management of Green Landscapes, by Ross W.F. Cameron and James D. Hitchmough Being eco-friendly has become a trend in recent years. Everybody from architects to managers to parents are now being widely educated by the media about the importance of being environmentally friendly. In turn, we are all thinking more about the impact our actions can have on the environment, both locally and globally. Still, even as we become more aware of our green footprint, recycling, and rational usage of materials, we are still missing something. Our green spaces are shrinking. Our parks are getting smaller, due to the high demand for building areas. Our gardens have more concrete and plastic than grass. And our streets ar...Read More

Article by Rose Buchanan Huangpu East Bank Urban Forest, design for the Shanghai Waterfront Design Competition, by HASSELL Studio in Shanghai, China Design competitions are often risky things for companies to take on. They involve a large amount of unpaid resources, tight deadlines, and design processes that forgo the useful stages of work input. One might argue then that competitions are simply not worth the time, effort, and money. This may be true, but within that tiresome work often emerges some of the most brilliant and groundbreaking ideas. Without the usual restraint of client demands and budget, designers have the freedom to think laterally, solving numerous small- and large-scale design problems. The world of landscape architect has particularly benefited from design competitions,...Read More

Article by Maria Giovanna Drago We search and explore the best Urban Design degree programs from around the world. Urban design is always a hot-button topic. We often hear discussions about overpopulation, sustainability, urban connection, and social spaces. People want to know more about cities and designed urban spaces, and the number of students who aim to become urban designers continues to increase. To make it easier for young people embarking on their careers, we have looked into 10 of the most prestigious universities in the world to see what they have to offer in Urban Design Degree Programs. (A selection of pictures were chosen to highlight projects in the countries represented by these degree programs. For further information on any of them, just click the image). The Best Urban ...Read More

Since 2002, the Emerald Ash Borer has spread across the United States, wreaking havoc on Ash trees. It has destroyed a significant amount of urban canopy, and the need for removal and replacement has placed economic pressures on many municipalities. Efforts to contain the pest have slowed but not stopped its spread. The saving grace has been that the Emerald Ash Borer has seemed content to affect only Fraxinus species.1 Unfortunately, this has been proven no longer to be true. The Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed in another host, the native White Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus). Ecologist Dr. Don Cipollini, Jr. of Wright State University first discovered the infestation in 2015 in Dayton, Ohio. Of twenty White Fringetrees he surveyed in the Dayton area, four displayed signs of Emer...Read More

Article by Selen Öztürk Elytra Filament Pavilion, a collaborative project in Victoria and Albert Museum, John Madejski Garden, London, England,  United Kingdom Elytra Filament Pavilion, a biomimetic installation by Achim Menges, Moritz Dörstelmann, Jan Knippers and Thomas Auer, in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s John Madejski Garden, London. Can nature contribute to architectural designs? As we look through Elytra Filament Pavilion’s design techniques, the answer is definitely: YES! The pavilion was designed by imitating the structure of the wings of flying beetles. But WHY? The practice of learning from nature is called biomimicry. In the Elytra Filament Pavilion, the construction of this biomimetic design is inspired by the fibrous structures of the fore-wing shells of flying beetles kn...Read More

Article by Win Phyo A review of the elegant landscape design at Grõnnegaarden Herning High School by Schønherr, in Herning, Denmark There are some landscapes that can be considered purely as land art, such as the glorious mounds in Northala Fields Park or the magical green carpet of Green Varnish , which provide beautiful and engaging spaces for recreation and contemplation. However, there are other landscape designs around the world that are not necessarily created as land art, but have artistic resonance that really adds to the value of the overall space. The recreational area of Herning High School in Denmark is one such example. It was created as a multifunctional space, but the elegance and artistry in the design surpass the spatial standards that we have experienced or seen in other...Read More

Article by Terka Acton We explore 10 brilliant projects and how they produced green roofs for healthy cities Picture a healthy city. What does it look and feel like? Odds are that you’re thinking of somewhere bustling with commerce, education, and events – but also somewhere that’s cool and clean, with fresh air, attractive architecture, and public spaces that are green, open, and inviting to all. If this is your vision, your instincts are accurate – and green roofs have become an important part of the strategy for achieving cities that include all of these elements. As well as protecting buildings and adding character to the urban environment, green roofs can help to manage rainfall and create diverse new habitats for plants, wildlife, and people. And as we face a future with fewer wild, ...Read More

Article by Pooja Wahane A review of the shared open space under the project name of  Ocas at Hua Hin, by Landscape Architects 49 Limited, in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand.  Located in the beach resort town of Hua Hin, the Ocas condominium complex is spread over a sprawling 6.8 acres, revealing something previously unseen every time you look. Ocas has been worked into a unique space that maintains its own value. It has the highest percentage of common-use grounds per unit in all of Hua-Hin. Taking a stroll through this luxurious complex is like walking into a dream, with its infinity-edged swimming pool, lush green landscapes leading to the stunning beachfront, and absolute privacy. The Unique Concept of Private Vacation Villas Ocas is a three-story condominium complex comprised of...Read More