Blog

Baan Krung Thep Kritha, by Landscape Architects 49 Limited, in Bangkok, Thailand. It takes an amazing talent and a generous amount of tenacity to take a flooded area and transform it into a beautiful landscape. The project in this case is Baan Krung Thep Kritha, and it is a clear demonstration of how talented the team from Landscape Architects 49 Limited actually is. Completed in 2006 and covering an area of 15 rai (24,000 square meters), this project transformed from a flooded area in Bang Kapi (Bangok, Thailand) to a space that is defined by elegance and perspective. Baan Krung Thep Kritha From Concept to Reality One of the most exciting parts of a landscape architecture project such as this one is taking the ideas one has on paper and transporting them into reality. The team at Landscap...Read More

Effective ways to deal with a potential slope disaster.  Do you ever think about how difficult it is for a landscape architect to plan and design a really contoured site or landscape? Imagine the worst thing that can happen when a high number of steep slopes remain bare and unprotected: High-intensity erosion caused by rain or wind and the unbearable load of the structure above can cause a landslide at any time, destroying everything in its path. Preventing a landslide can be a bit of a challenge. Protecting the slopes would be the first idea for dealing with a situation like this. So, what can we do to protect a slope? Here are some slope protection hacks for you to use if you are facing a possible erosion problem. 1. Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) Chrysopogon zizanioides, well k...Read More

Uptown Normal, by Hoerr Schaudt in Normal, United States. Located halfway between the two major US cities of Chicago and St. Louis, Normal, IL is a mid-size city of around 52,000 people with a relatively small Central Business District and a modest governmental budget. At least it was in 2002. However, since the redevelopment project of Uptown Normal, the Central Business District, the town has seen a resurgence of new life and energy that has literally transformed a once “normal” city into a vibrantly sustainable destination. The master plan for the revitalized district required future buildings be built in masses and would be required to adopt high-performance green practices, a revolutionary idea in 2002. But it was the concept for the street that made the design stand out as unique. Up...Read More

Pedreira do Campo by M-Arquitectos, in Vila do Porto, Ilha de Santa Maria. Do you know that one can find thirteen protected areas in Santa Maria, Portugal? Azores, or Açores in Portuguese, is a transcontinental archipelago composed by nine islands that constitute the basic management unit of the Regional Network of Protected Areas of the Azores, as reported by the Government of Azores. Azores is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, and it was divided in three geographical groups: the West Group composed by Corvo and Flores (Flowers) Islands, the Central Group that integrates Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge and Pico and Faial Islands, and the Eastern Group, composed by São Miguel and Santa Maria. An Island With Only 550 People According to Azores Commune, Santa Maria is located in t...Read More

A book review on Designing the Sustainable Site: integrated design strategies for small-scale sites and residential landscapes, by Heather Venhaus; Matt McCaw.  At this time, we want to introduce you to a complete, practical guide to facing the challenge of sustainable design beyond simply “doing no harm”. Through a holistic perspective, author Heather Venhaus draws attention to the landscape we are most exposed to: the outdoor small-scale sites we pass by every day. Her wide background working on multidisciplinary teams, always in search of better standards and strategies, was key in her writing of Designing the Sustainable Site. The book takes a look at sustainable design through the lens of experience, offering practical tips and methodology. Designing the Sustainable Site Clues After t...Read More

Foundation Jeantet by Agence Ter and Domino Architectes, in Genève, Switzerland. What can we consider as mastery in Landscape architecture? Would it be creating places that bring people together by introducing nature in the built environment, is it the most creative way to do that? Or is it the complexity of thought and creativity required by landscape architects to bridge the gap between the diversity and complexity of the built environment? Or to provide a variety of uses depending on the context? I would say an overlay of all the above is required to create a masterpiece of landscape design no matter the scale of intervention. The Jeantet foundation project is a great example of timeless design and mastery of the tools available to landscape architects. How did they achieve it and what ...Read More

 A beginners guide to ArcGIS and some important things a landscape architect should know about it. Geographical Information System (GIS) is a great aid to landscape architectural works, especially for meso- and macro-scale projects such as town and regional planning. GIS helps you capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of spatial and geographical data in the landscape architectural work flow process. ArcGIS, developed by ERSI, is one of the popular GIS tools used worldwide. ArcGIS helps you when working with maps and geographical information. It is used for creating and using maps, compiling geographic data, analyzing mapped information, sharing and discovering geographic information, using maps and geographic information in a range of applications, and managing...Read More

König-Heinrich Platz Averdung, by Agence Ter, in Duisburg, Germany. In the heart of the city of Duisburg, Germany, lies a large, grassy, park space in front of the theater. The König-Heinrich square is a busy gathering place for the city’s residents, made even more popular by the addition of a shopping center, casino, and pedestrian street right next to Konigstraat. It became necessary to rethink this public space in light of the new uses, while maintaining its urban park appearance. Thus, the French landscape architecture firm Agence Ter proposed a project inspired by the existing green space, claiming that the development of a wide lawn would not be a hindrance in making the square a central site for the city. Instead, a simple lawn can provide a meeting place where everyone can settle a...Read More

Botanica Khao Yai, by T.R.O.P: terrains+open space, in Khao Yai, Thailand. Nature has always served as inspiration for architectural projects and Botanica Khao Yai is the best example that can be offered. In creating this unique landscape, the architects working on the project have borrowed elements from nature, using Khao Yai, one of the largest rain forests in the entire Thailand, as inspiration. Architecture has the power of creating amazing things, with nature serving as a supreme source of inspiration. This project was based on the natural landscape surrounding the area, on the quality of sunlight and also on the elements of forest. In the end, the final result can be presented as a blend between nature and architecture, with residents enjoying its unique features. Botanica Khao Yai F...Read More

Public Space in Góra Puławska, by 3XA, Góra Puławska, Poland. Undeveloped lands in villages and cities are like air bubbles or holes in a dense net. These “free space bubbles” harbor great potential for transformation into well-designed urban spaces that meet the needs of residents and visitors. A great design invites people to relate to and use the environment as a stage for human interrelation and communication. In the Public Space in Góra Puławska, Poland, 3XA designers Ewa Czerny, Maciej Kowaluk, and Łukasz Reszka have created a recreational space where village residents can meet and pursue a variety of leisure activities. Góra Puławska The location for the project was thoughtfully chosen. It provides isolation from the busy and noisy arterial route of Radomska Street, creating a pleas...Read More

Bassil Mountain Escape, by Vladimir Djurovic Landscape Architecture in Faraq, Lebanon. Designers face different challenges with every project they make, but these do not stop them from being innovative and putting a soul into every work they do. Designers never stop thinking out of the box, in order to create something new and refreshing. There are different factors and aspects in every design, but they all lead to the same goal: Providing spaces that are livable and functional. For landscape architects, the goal is to create spaces that will help people relax, contemplate, and reconnect with nature. In a fast-paced era like today, people often experience stressful days that make them want to escape from their busy city lives. Some people want to run away from the noisy streets, from the b...Read More

Pier 55 Floating Park, Heatherwick Studios, New York City, United States. Some cities don’t have room anymore to create completely new public spaces, even when they need them. That’s when it’s time to come up with something completely new, something gutsy, something people might call crazy: You have to build new land. In New York City, Heatherwick Studios has designed the new Pier 55 floating park on the Hudson River. The 2.7-acre park over the water – described as a “treasure island” — will serve as a space for cultural events and leisure activities. The design has the backing of power couple Barry Diller, chairman of IAC/InterActiveCorp and former head of Paramount Pictures and Fox, and his wife, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. They have earmarked $113 million through a fam...Read More