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

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. What makes Marina One so diverse? At Marina One, we can discover several spaces arran...Read More

Vanke Research Center, by Z+T Studio, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. Urbanization has always exerted a considerable impact on the environment and the social activities of people. Shenzhen, China, once a hilly region with fertile agrarian lands, is now one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. The bustling city is experiencing an unprecedented boom in the construction of its modern cityscape and, simultaneously, seeing the demise of its green, hilly regions to explosive urban sprawl. With this changing dynamic between land and people, there is an urgency to develop a vernacular system to express that relationship. In this project, landscape architecture emerges as an art of survival. Vanke, one of China’s largest real estate developers, aimed to develop a research center o...Read More

Book review of Urban Design for an Urban Century: Shaping More Livable, Equitable and Resilient Cities, Lance Jay Brown. “Urban Design for an Urban Century” tells us the story of urban design. This book describes not only how the profession came to be, but offers insights into how it has developed and how it is continuing to change and create the cities of the future. The book is perhaps best described as an in-depth summary of the field of urban design. It’s a resource that sheds light on an often misunderstood field of design. Jam-packed with great information, the book focuses on giving readers an understanding of the impact urban design has on the past, present, and future of cities. Urban Design for an Urban Century The first two chapters explain the history of urban design, from the ...Read More

A book review of Living Streets: Strategies for Crafting Public Space, by Lesley Bain, et al. The book “Living Streets: Strategies for Crafting Public Space” addresses themes in urban streets and the public realm. Specifically described in the book are both past and present trends in streetscape design, as well as evaluations of their effectiveness through case studies and first-hand research. Other issues addressed include the clash between designing for vehicles and designing for the pedestrian experience and the conflict between aesthetic and functional design. Three of the eight chapters of the book address three ways to use a space in the public right-of-way: for mobility, for placemaking, and for natural systems. The rest of the chapters outline specific successful elements in creati...Read More

The Physic Garden by Thorbjörn Andersson with Sweco Architects, Novartis Campus, Basel, Switzerland. Have you ever wondered what secrets have been hiding in monastery gardens or at least wanted to experience the mystique that they bring? If your answer is yes, you will probably want to visit The Physic Garden by Thorbjörn Andersson and see the main features of this historically important garden that — even when they were inaccessible — held significance for the community. Located in Basel, Switzerland, this simple but effective garden has a lot to show. It is designed to be part of the Novartis Campus and to describe the work of the company, which discovers, develops, and markets innovative products to prevent and cure diseases, ease suffering, and enhance the quality of life. ...Read More

Metamorphous by Paul Sangha Landscape Architecture in Vancouver, BC, Canada. When you hear the word metamorphosis, you usually associate it with the caterpillar turning into the butterfly. And, even though, the caterpillar and the butterfly don’t apply here, you are about to witness something quite similar — a major change in the appearance and character of a landscape. Let’s continue with the meaning of the adjective metamorphous, which describes things related to or resulting from metamorphosis. The adjective is specially used for rocks that have been altered considerably from their original structure. Metamorphous Clarifying the nature of these terms is perhaps much more relevant than it seems, mainly because of the strong presence of the inspired-by-nature design concept within t...Read More

Floor Works, Agence TER Landscape Architects, Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva is the second most crowded city in Switzerland and is often described as a modern concrete jungle. This urban center is densely populated, and the need for more green spaces is often felt. A project developed by Agence TER Landscape Architects was a finalist for the European Garden Award in 2013. The name of the project is “Floor Works” and it concerned the development of an urban garden. The project was commissioned by a private company, SPG, and it demonstrated that a green space can be perfectly integrated within concrete and other urban elements. Floor Works – The Future of Urban Gardening Brought into the Present In simple terms, Floor Works is an urban garden. Even though it has been created around the main off...Read More

Torico Square by b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos, Teruel, Spain We have a special chance to delve a little deeper into one of the most sensitive and exciting tasks of any landscape architect: the challenge of redeveloping historical sites. In this case, the 37,674-square-foot area called Torico Square in Teruel, Spain, has been the heart of the city’s urban life and a meeting point for ages. Even being surrounded by great architectural heritage and having a complex underground water system, the focus of the square is a beloved bull sculpture called Torico, which is located 32 feet above the square, at the top of a very particular fountain. Revealing the Architecture Through an Innovative Lighting Scheme Design The local b720 team developed a surprising remodeling proposal based on making t...Read More

Vale do Lobo — Vila 1148, by Iúri Chagas, Algarve, Portugal. Have you ever wondered, what is the key to a successful design? Perhaps no one has discovered the universal formula, but we all have some assumptions on the subject. And so do the designers of the high-quality private garden project you are about to view. Undoubtedly, there were many aspects considered by the designers, all of which contributed to the final result. To gain key insights into what makes this private garden a perfect example of innovative and contemporary landscape design, you should prepare to find yourself mesmerized by the exotic character of sunny Portugal and its fascinating residential landscaping. The Concept of the Private Garden Design It’s easy to be captivated by that specific picturesqueness, typic...Read More

The first 2015 Landscape Architects Registration Exam (LARE) is offered April 6 – 18, 2015. Why is licensure important?  The primary reason States license Landscape Architects is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. I also maintain studying for licensure educates a landscape architect how to be a greater success in career and business providing a better quality of life. From my seven years of offering Landscape Architecture Registration Exam (LARE) Review courses at UCLA Extension and at the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Conferences, I have heard multiple misconceptions about the Landscape Architects License Exam and confusion on the process.  So let me address five of the issues, specifically California!    1.  Two Years Experience are required before...Read More

The Hive by Grant Associates, in Worcester, UK. In the world of landscape architecture, sustainability has become a standard that most designers aspire to. It’s a practice that is even more important in today’s growing world than ever before and can be found in almost every press release for every major new project. And what better symbol to use for a sustainable project than that of a beehive, something that sustainable practices will hopefully help to preserve for future generations. Located in Worcester, UK, The Hive, a “BREEAM Outstanding” project, is home to the first joint university and public library – a venture between the City of Worcester and its University. The project was 10 years in the making and the result is a destination that invites learning both inside and out. The Buil...Read More