News report by Brett Lezon 16-December-2015 The Latest News in Landscape Architecture 2015 is sponsored by ZinCo – Life on Green Roofs – Ecological and Economical Green Roofs, worldwide. In this week’s Latest News in Landscape Architecture, we highlight the preorder for Ecocapsule, an off-the-grid portable house, discuss the next design capital of Asia, and reflect on a strong 2015 for landscape architecture across North America. 10 of the Best Stories in this week’s latest news in landscape architecture:
- Singapore to Transform Disused Railways Into A 15-Mile Park Spanning the Entire Nation
- Best of 2015>Landscape & Urban Design
- Pioneering Klarastaden Urban Design for Stockholm Includes A Soaring Green Sky Walk Park
- Urko Sanchez Designs A Car-Free Village for Children in DjiBouti
- How to Build A Sustainable City
- Cities of Light Versus Dark Skies: Light Festivals and More
- Milan’s Quick Fix for Bad Smog: Cheap Public Transportation
- Confronting Climate Change, Rethinking the City
- Scarchitecture: Aerial Photos Reveal Vanished ‘Ghost Streets’
- West 8 And CGA Awarded Design Services For The Future North Shore Open Space Park Project, Miami Beach
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Latest News in Landscape Architecture
The world’s longest rails-to-trails project is coming soon to Singapore. Nikken Sekkei in collaboration with Tierra Design and Arup Singapore were recently selected by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to re-envision a 24-kilometer (15 miles) underutilized rail corridor into a linear park. Spanning the entire nation of Singapore, the former train line begins at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and runs north to the Malaysian border. While this concept has been applied many times across the globe—the sheer size of this design makes it unique. Titled “Lines of Life”, the master plan features 122 access points, 21 modular platforms, and a paved cycle path that flows the entire length. “Lines of Life sets out a vision for a seamless public space, the preservation and reintegration of existing green areas and a relaxed extension of modern life,” says Nikken Sekkei. Related Article: The Goods Line Carries the Precious Cargo of a Thriving Neighborhood
Just when you thought the urban density couldn’t possibly increase, the Stockholm-based firm known as Anders Berensson Architects rolls out a new plan to maximize density in Stockholm all while adding rooftop terraces and a sky walk park. Commissioned by Stockholm Centre Party, the design team envisions a new neighborhood atop the train tracks next to Stockholm Central Station. Through 5,800 apartments, 8,000 offices, and about 300 retail facilities—the design ensures at least 90% of occupants will enjoy views of Lake Mälaren by way of a staggered-building design approach. Perhaps the most exciting aspect is the sky walk, which consists of a bridge connecting rooftop terraces. Whether or not it’s actually built, the design is pretty unique! For more information about the project click here
- Best of 2015>Landscape & Urban Design: The Architect’s Newspaper
In its third year, The Architect’s Newspaper Annual Design Awards reviewed nearly 500 projects entered by designers. The seven jurors had the difficult task of pairing down the entries and ultimately selecting the award winners. The Landscape and Urban Design categories included the North Austin Community Garden, which took home “Best Landscape Winner” and Buffalo Bayou Park the “Best Urban Design Winner”. Designed by Thoughtbarn, the North Austin Community Garden is a 25,000 square-foot garden situated at a YMCA in underserved neighborhood. Containing raised beds, teaching plots, a fruit orchard, and a wheelchair accessible area—the radical layout has intrigued the design community and more importantly its users. Additionally, the urban design top prize was also located in Texas. The 160-acre refuge known as Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston stimulates vitality and enjoyment—creating a downtown park for the city of four million residents. The SWA Group design features lush green space, habitat areas, trails, and links to many surrounding neighborhoods. WATCH: Buffalo Bayou Grand Opening “Houston, City Of No Limits”
Related Article: New Neighborhood in Stockholm To Foster Sustainable Development
Comprised of 15 individual houses, Urko Sanchez Architects designed the SOS Kinderdorf for children. Located in DjiBouti, the designers responded to the region’s extreme weather conditions and community traditions by creating a safe environment (no cars are permitted inside), allocating for ample open space with clearly delineated public and private areas, and integrating natural vegetation. WATCH: SOS Children Village in Tadjourah, Djibouti
- How to Build A Sustainable City: The New York Times
Days after the Climate Deal in Paris expectations are elevated, however how is a sustainable city actually built? According to Jamie Lerner, a Brazilian architect, urban planner, and former politician, there are some simple ways to get started from relying less on automobile travel to recycling and composting. While energy-saving construction practices and materials are helpful, the most important aspect to establishing a sustainable city is its layout, organization, and growth. Lerner defines a healthy city as, “an integrated structure of life, work, and movement.” Related Article: 10 Ways to Design Climate Sensitive Cities WATCH: Jaime Lerner: Sing a song of sustainable cities
More Top Stories in the News This Week:
- Cities of Light Versus Dark Skies: Light Festivals and More: Sustainable Cities Collective
- Milan’s Quick Fix for Bad Smog: Cheap Public Transportation: The Atlantic CityLab
- Confronting Climate Change, Rethinking the City: Planetizen
- Scarchitecture: Aerial Photos Reveal Vanished ‘Ghost Streets’: Web Urbanist
- West 8 And CGA Awarded Design Services For The Future North Shore Open Space Park Project, Miami Beach: West8
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