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Cities of the Future Need a New, More Collaborative Approach to Placemaking

Designers Must Develop These Five Areas of Expertise to Stay Relevant and Make Lasting Change By Carmine Russo Jr  |  Associate/Urban Designer/Landscape Architect, NBBJ In my career, I have watched many design professionals play a passive role in city making, providing incremental change without influencing the greater context. This needs to change. Particularly in the so-called “Rust Belt” areas that are just beginning to recover from years of stagnation, cities need designers — and other professionals — who are willing to play a more active role, who engage with civic leaders and consistently instigate improvements to the public realm. Here are five skills that designers today must develop in order to make a positive, lasting impact on cities:   Generating Public Awareness The Purpose Ci...Read More

Landscape Design Software – Which is Best?

We investigate which landscape design software should be on your radar if you want to use the best program out there.  Are you a techy person, interested in using design software? Want to stay on top of the landscape architecture game? Here at LAN (Landscape Architects Network), we have offered several articles that dive deeply into this subject: Ashley Penn has given us the essential guide to a range of landscape design software options to suit any budget and writer Paul McAtomney has also given the low-down on some of the top 3D modeling software. The following list is of the top landscape design software programs that you should definitely be using or at least trying out throughout your student life and professional career. We will take you through the best options, used by some of the ...Read More

Australians Do It Better: Instructions for the Perfect Waterfront

Article by Maria Giovanna Drago The Jack Evans Boat Harbour, by ASPECT Studios, Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia Tweed Heads is an amazing, large city at the Tweed River delta, right on the border of New South Wales and Queensland, where the economy is mainly based on tourism. It is known as a paradise for surfers, for its “Fingal Head” (unique hexagonal columns of volcanic rock), and for the its houseboats along the river. It also hosts one of the best landscape renovation projects in recent years. Forget flashy technologies or pretentious designs; here you will discover what it takes to bring a project into harmony with the natural environment. What’s the secret? Making the project feel as if it has been designed just for you. The Jack Evans Boat Harbour A Newborn Bay The Ja...Read More

Vineyard Creates the Perfect Balance Between Private and Public Space

Article by Rosa di Gregorio Le Monde Garden vineyard design, by Alessandro Isola, Prata di Pordenone, Italy Italy is famous around the world for its history, cultural heritage, design, and food – and also for its beautiful and unique landscape. That landscape has been transformed over time by the skillful agricultural art that has given us the incredible scenery that can be admired today. One of the quintessential Italian agricultural landscapes is that of grapevine plantings and wine production. The culture and connection with the territories where wine is produced has always been essential to building the identity of each region. It’s in one of these great poetic contexts that we find the award-winning project “Le Monde Garden”, by Alessandro Isola. The garden bears the name of the wine ...Read More

10 Projects That Make Excellent Use of Planting Design

Article by Elisa A.M.Varetti Discover our selection of 10 landscape projects that make excellent use of planting design. Anyone who wants to create a powerful design knows that an outstanding planting scheme capable of highlighitng every possible element of the project is more than just required. In this article, you will find a selection of 10 landscape architecture projects that have made excellent use of planting design. Being an expert in this sector is not an easy task, but if you think you have the makings of a plantsman, keep reading. Excellent Use of Planting Design 1. Zhongshan Shipyard, by Turenscape, Zhongshan, China Designed on the site of a former shipyard, this 27-acre park features an extraordinary variety of vegetation species following Kongjian Yu’s philosophy about landsc...Read More

Landscape Architecture Portfolio – 10 Things You Should Include

Article by Tahio Avila We explore 10 things you should include in your landscape architecture portfolio . The nicest thing about beginning a design career is that you have fresh ideas and you are ready to participate in a project or in getting a job done. But is your portfolio as ready as you are? Preparing a great landscape architecture portfolio can be a piece of cake for some and a pain in the backside for others. As designers, we should be ready to “build” a portfolio right after we finish school or, even better, start working on it at the beginning of our school life. But sometimes we leave this step to the last minute — and that’s when trouble begins. A landscape architecture portfolio is not only a list of works we have done, it’s also the reference for who we are as designers...Read More

10 Projects That Show the Power of Detail in Design

Article by Win Phyo Good design is in the details – We take a look at 10 landscape architecture projects that show the power of detail in design. It is often the little things that count and a combination of little things usually end up amounting to something worthy, touching and extraordinary. This applies to nearly everything in life but guess what? It also applies to landscape designs too! As designers working for many kinds of clients, our job is to paint an exciting big picture. However, what happens when your design gets implemented? In the end, it is the visitors and users of your site that count. It is they who will gush over a tiny detail in design, remember how they felt, what they heard and the small personal interactions they had with your design. This is exactly why, in ...Read More

New Green Route Transforms Neglected Embankment

Article by Tahío Avila Les Quais – Ville De Bruxelles, by Espaces Mobilites, in Bruxelles Centre-ville, Brussels, Belgium. On the edge of the Senna River and right of the city center lies the new “green route” of Bruxelles: a safe pedestrian and cyclist green route developed to encourage recreational leisure and increase gatherings and activities in the zone. This long-neglected embankment has become a place that enhances the quality of life of Bruxelles’ inhabitants and promotes user-friendly public spaces between the historical center and the commerce area of the district. It is a project with the perfect combination of past and present that we (as landscape architects) are happy to develop and bring to life. Les Quais – Ville De Bruxelles The Starting Point For several years...Read More

The Landscape Architecture Foundation Summit

The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) Summit on Landscape Architecture and the Future is over. Landscape architects have returned home all over the country and all over the world. Over 715 landscape architects convened on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania on June 10th and 11th. Attendees came from as far as China, Argentina, and Australia. Many of the world’s preeminent designers, scholars, teachers, advocates, technologists, humanists, feminists, naturalists, and urbanists whom align with the field of landscape architecture were present. They gathered to build upon and redefine the 1966 Declaration of Concern. But, will their efforts make a difference? Will this summit cause any significant change in our profession or our world? While following the #LAFSummit hashtag on s...Read More

How a Run Down Park Became a Local Community Favourite

Article by Giacomo Guzzon St James Park, by  ASPECT Studios, in Woolley Street, Glebe, NSW, Australia As a landscape architect, I am always intrigued to see new projects. More importantly, I want to find out how a place has been transformed to embody the design. James Park and John Reserve in Sydney, Australia, are the perfect examples of how design can transform a place. They occupy a formerly degraded plot of land in the middle of a suburb that needed to be to be updated in order to address the current needs of the local community. Now the question is: What were the key design aspects that were fundamental in transforming this place? Engaging with Key Park Users It is very important to understand who is going to use the space and how the design can accommodate the users’ needs and desire...Read More

Germany’s Got Talent – 10 Awesome Examples of Landscape Architecture in Germany

Article by Radenka Kolarov Following on in our world series we have selected 10 awesome projects that perfectly represent landscape architecture in Germany today. Let me ask you, have you seen those astonishing German landscapes? In case you haven’t, don’t waste any second more, and give you self the trip of a lifetime. You won’t regret seeing the projects in landscape architecture too, they are equally marvelous. From beautiful pavilions through a garden of remembrance to great public-square solutions, you will find out just how awesome Germany actually is. Landscape Architecture in Germany 10. KALA Square, by Rehwaldt LA, in Berlin The site used to be the residence of industrial employees before the Second World War. Now this public-square solution is multifunctional as...Read More

The TOP 10 Qualities of Great Landscape Architects

Article by Frank Bourque We take a look at 10 Qualities of Great Landscape Architects. “Heroes of the design community.” This is a common definition of landscape architects. They are responsible for bringing us the future of design. But even more than that, they are creating art with every structure they design and bring to life. Some landscape architects work alone, and some are part of a team. Working collaboratively with other professionals is important, however, it is not the most vital thing when it comes to the role itself. But what defines a successful landscape architect? In other words, what qualities do great landscape architects have? Great Landscape Architects 10. Their Knowledge Base Extends Beyond Their own Profession A professional landscape architecture degree i...Read More

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