Vienna Unveils Longest Shared Space in Europe

On 1 August 2015 the complete Mariahilfer Strasse project was finished and opened to the public and we’ve got some great new photos to show it off.   The opportunity to redevelop an already popular urban thoroughfare into the longest stretch of shared space in Europe does not come along every day. An international design competition was held for design firms and companies of all areas to propose the future for the unique late 19th-century site, Mariahilfer Strasse in Vienna, Austria. Vienna, the acting capital of Austria, has roughly 2 million inhabitants and serves as the country’s most frequented city for tourism. Downtown Vienna is bursting with activity. Cafes and restaurants line the streets and the selection of department and specialty stores provide visitors and locals with an...Read More

Tianjin Cultural Park by Atelier Dreiseitl, in the city of Tianjin, China. What is culture? What does culture really help to do? Why is culture necessary? Culture is knowledge, personal experiences and notions are converted from simple learning to an element of our moral personality, spirituality, and aesthetic taste and become part of our consciousness and our world. The importance of cultural development, both for the individual and the collective, becomes obvious, so it was clearly the best choice for the Municipality of Tianjin to invest in the development of a cultural center in their downtown. China’s 5th Largest City The city of Tianjin is a megalopolis with a population of 13 million and is in continuous evolution. It is China’s 5th largest city, is deeply industrialized, and serve...Read More

SCG Headquarters by Landscape Architects of Bangkok (LAB), in Bangkok, Thailand. When one of the most powerful Thai companies passed 100 years in the cement industry, it celebrated by constructing a green building at its office campus. In fact, the new Headquarters has been distinguished with LEED Platinum certification for both for core and shell, showing its engagement with the environment and the future. However, in terms of design, the company now had a collection of existing buildings and this new one; none of which matched each other stylistically. How could the new and existing buildings work as a whole, while highlighting the cohabitation and the sustainable values they were involved? Likely, there is no better glue to bind these disparate elements than a well-developed landscape a...Read More

We look at the subject of the struggling landscape architecture student and see what hope there is for them to improve. Becoming a landscape architect is a demanding task that requires students to be involved at every stage of their studies to succeed. Whether you are a student now, or were years ago, it is likely that you are more than familiar with the specific routines and resources that are a great background to face this breathtaking profession. Once you have incorporated these subjects into your learning, it might seem to you that they have always been there. But the reality is that it takes time to perfect your skills and put them to practice in the most effective way. This process can be difficult and some students can appear to be left behind, even though a promising career in lan...Read More

ALL-IN-SQUARE by In-Tenta + daniela seminara All-In-Square urban elements, manufactured by the Spanish Company Urban Square are a design concept put forth by In-Tenta. In-Tenta submitted the concept for an urban elements design contest organized by Urban Square and O-Cults. This concept by In-Tenta integrates the latest technology with ecologically sound design of site furniture package comprised of four elements that can be fabricated and placed on site in a plaza or park. A unique paving pattern is also available and serves to unite the modular elements. The package also includes a microarchitecture structure designed to specifically match the rest of the site furnishings package and provide additional useable space. Furniture Elements: – Backless Bench – The backless bench i...Read More

Wilson Plaza, by  IN SITU, in Nice, French Riviera. In the centre of Nice, in a listed building, Wilson Plaza offers stunning rooftop villas, penthouses and an entire floor of modern commercial space, which are now all available for purchase. The Wilson Plaza combines historical roots, contemporary resorts and visionary urban planning. The exciting project, by Wilson Development, was created with a very clear goal in mind. “The idea is that of living in the sky, with the sunlight and the treetops, in the very heart of Nice, bringing together contemporary requirements with Nice’s historical roots,” said Laurent Salimpour, who runs Wilson Development with his uncle Joseph. Crystalline Glass Canopies The urban loft villas, sitting high above the treetops, feature generous terrace ‘conservator...Read More

We explore the idea that ultimately all public spaces, should be designed with children in mind.  Unless a playground is being designed or codes are being reviewed, most landscape architects don’t usually stop to think about how their spaces will be perceived and used by children. But maybe we should? After all, children are future adults and what they believe and do while they are growing up are inevitably the things that will shape the future for not only them but for landscape architecture and us as well. I became pregnant in my second semester of grad school while studying landscape architecture and after having my child and returning to school I suddenly found myself in opposition with many of my classmates and professors over my design choices. All of a sudden every space I saw sudde...Read More

As technology and infrastructure improved, rivers became less and less important and more  and more forgotten about. We look at 10 cities reconnecting with their rivers.  We are living in an era in which for the first time since the industrial revolution we are witnessing a complete shift in the way the relationship between the city and nature is represented in our cities. Architects, planners, landscape designers, artist, politicians and society are getting together to find ways to reintegrate nature into the cities through their often forgotten rivers. Some are pushing away infrastructure or rediscovering abandoned industrial riverside heritage to reintroduce nature and increase the quality of life of the surrounding areas. Other are taking it to a completely new level – thinking of a re...Read More

We will explore the potential opportunities for rivers to be used as a transportation route, as well as some concerns that may arise. As our population is exploding, urban areas are experiencing a dramatic increase in demand for affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, and job opportunities. As landscape architects, we have the opportunity to partake in the conversations of how to deal with this demand, and how to solve some of these problems. We will focus on the issues of transportation, a topic where we have the opportunity to design and facilitate new ways to get around cities. One exciting mode of transportation that has the potential to be used is rivers. Can they provide useful transportation routes in the 21st century? Importance of Water Around the world, most major citi...Read More

We look at attractive methods to hide your AC unit. If you live in a place where the summers are hot, there’s a good chance you have an air conditioner in your yard. Although an air conditioner can be a godsend when it comes to keeping you cool and comfortable inside, it can be a real eyesore outside. Don’t let your AC unit spoil the look of your otherwise perfectly styled backyard. Using clever landscaping architecture, you can effectively hide that unsightly air conditioning unit without compromising its ability to keep things cool inside. Before you start piling plants on and around your AC unit, remember that it does need space to breathe if it is going to work properly. Your AC not only blows cool air into your house, it also vents warm air out. Before you build any sort of covering f...Read More

The Infinite Bridge, by Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter in Aarhus, Denmark. In 2015 the duo of Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter debuted their sensational Infinite Bridge which lets us experience the impossible. As if walking on water, we are being given the opportunity to encounter our surroundings from a whole new perspective- not to be experienced anywhere else in the world. The Infinite Bridge was built and exhibited as a part of the annual international biennale- “Sculpture by the Sea 2015”, which takes place in the coastal and picturesque Danish city of Aarhus. The Infinite Bridge The architects have chosen the bridge to be circular as to allow its users to encounter the surrounding landscape from limitless angles and orientations. This feature creates a sensation of experiencing t...Read More

If you don’t specialize in something, you play the risk of being highly replaceable and achieving standard results. Carving out a niche for yourself is one way to avoid this happening. Have you ever had any doubts that landscape architecture may not be your calling? Perhaps everyone’s had such uncertainties at some point of their studies. After all, to become a landscape architect, one must sacrifice a great deal of time, resources and efforts. It is perfectly normal to speculate on the question, “Did I choose the right career for myself?” And what if five years at the university have passed unnoticeably, and you find yourself at the crossroads because you don’t have a clue which way to go. If you have come to the conclusion that being a landscape architect isn’t your dream job, what...Read More