Gustafson Porter Shake Things up With Visually Breathtaking Development of Marina One

By Land8: Landscape Architects Network on February 10, 2015 No Comments / 4004 views

Visualisation of Marina one. Image courtesy of Gustafon Porter

Marina One, by Gustafson Porter, in Singapore. Marina One is a major project that is the result of collaboration between landscape architects Kathryn Gustasfon and Neil Porter and architectural agency Ingenhoven Architects. The partnership showcases the work of a talented team full of ingenuity in regard to landscape architecture projects. This project will also become one of the key pieces in relation to the landscape technological advances in the city. Indeed, in this project of mixed-use urban development in the heart of a business district in Singapore, the team has been innovative and made a considerable advance in the field by integrating the landscape sensitively to the architecture of four towers.

Visualisation of Marina one. Image courtesy of Gustafson Porter

What makes Marina One so diverse?

At Marina One, we can discover several spaces arranged at different heights. First, an area of green space in the heart of the towers continues on the first floors of the mall. This central area, called Green Valley, is the largest area, where many facilities are installed. Particularly, we discover a pool into which vertical water columns flow from the top of the towers. The columns disappear underground into this large pool. We can also walk on a ramp that connects several floors of the mall across the vegetation surrounding the pool, then over the pool and between the columns of the waterfall to get to the first terrace.

Visualisation of Marina one. Image courtesy of Gustafson Porter

What are these Strata Terraces? Several terraces, called Strata Terraces, are located here and there on different floors of the buildings. It is from these terraces that people will enjoy performances and shows to be held in the heart of the central space of the Green Valley. When we go upstairs, we can encounter lush forest areas; these are called The Cloud Garden. Finally, at the top of the towers, there are The Green Screen and The Rooftop Garden, a green roof evoking a mountain. Related Articles:

Visualisation of Marina one. Image courtesy of Gustafson Porter

These ecosystems are arranged such that they refer to environmental changes we can encounter during an ascent to heaven. Is this a new approach to landscape architecture? Gustafson Porter created in this area of Singapore one of the first projects that integrates the landscape to the frame of the structure. This new approach to landscape comes from the interest that the team focused on the use of public space by people in this region, as well as the hot and humid climate in relation to the air conditioning of the buildings. Thus, they created new cool and shady spaces that people can enjoy, regardless of location. Main elements The use of water is an important element in this project and can be seen with the creation of the huge waterfall mentioned above. But the input of natural light is also a common key element to every project designed by the Gustafson Porter team — it’s like a signature of the group. So we have very open spaces in buildings allowing the contribution of vegetation to this architecture.

Visualisation of Marina one. Image courtesy of Gustafson Porter

Marina One is a bold project that rivals all the expectations we have regarding the future of our cities. And we can say that the project concocted by Gustafson and Porter with their team is worthy of green cities. This project will define a new luxury standard for the people who live there and be an international reference for design and sustainability in landscape architecture. Also, it may become a strong element that shows the evolution of the cities. We look forward to seeing the finished project! Recommended Reading: