10 Great Apps for Landscape Architects – Part 1

There’s an app for everything these days, but what are the best and must have apps for the landscape architecture professional?

Unless you’re living under a rock or have missed the iphone train you would know that apps are the latest craze in convenience, they are your gadget in your pocket, the Swiss Army penknife of the 21st century; and not to mention a booming business making many many people millionaires many times over.

You can even download a graffiti app that allows you to capture the image of your surroundings just like a video camera and write cyber graffiti all over it. All the fun, without the crime….  Yes apps have taken the world by storm and have weaved their way into the lives of every tech savvy individual, catering for all interests and gaining the world of apps the tag line “There’s an app for that”.

So where does Landscape Architecture fit into this glorious and intriguing world of apps. let’s have a look as we countdown and review some of the best out there:

1. Leafsnap                                              

Ever been out on site and you just can’t put your finger on that certain botanical name of a tree?  There’s an app for that.  Using visual recognition software, the software identifies trees from photographs of their leaves.  Simply place the leaf from the tree in question on a white background and snap away!  Currently only covering tree species of the Northeast United States, it will soon cover the entire USA as it is further developed by Columbia University, University of Maryland and the Smithsonian Institution.

Other similar apps worth checking out include TreeId, Winter TreeId for the British Isles and Tree ID for Northern America.

2. Landscaper’s Companion

A reference guide to over 25,000 annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees!  17 search categories cover the USA, United Kingdom and Australia.  The app also advises on USDA zone, aspect, growth habit, and plant features such as height, width and water needs.  The search feature allows you to put in; a site’s attributes and conditions; desired flower colour scheme; bloom time; height and spread; the app than generates a list of suitable plants for that location!

AutoCAD WS

Don’t you hate it when you get a call; you’re out of the office, being asked to look over a CAD drawing and not a laptop in sight.  There’s an app for that.

You can download DWG files from your email; view, edit, annotate, revise and share on your iPhone.  You don’t even need an internet connection; you can work with files offline you have downloaded previously.  Drawings can be worked in 2D and 3D drawing space.  This app allows you to update drawings on site and on the go!

Planimeter

So you’re out on site and you want to do a rough measurement of the site boundary quickly?  There’s an app for that.

Planimeter takes measurements off satellite maps (imperial & metric) and will calculate a site’s distance, perimeter and area.  The app allows you to not only measure the site but also the surrounding area in context, enriching the experience of your first site visit.  It can give a quick impression to the professional, of the scale of work that needs to be done while also being on site.

Planimeter, image credit: Youtube

Dropbox

Let’s face it, our profession is all about sharing information, it’s how we get the job done.  Dropbox allows us to easily share and collect information across all our devices; iPhone, iPad, iTouch and in fact, any computer that has Dropbox!

It’s all the vital information stored in one location that can be accessed and uploaded to from anywhere with any device!  Aside from adding an extra element of security to your work, you can allow anyone to access a folder in your Dropbox!  Like it says on their website, Dropbox simplifies your life!

Morpholio

Morpholio was founded in 2011 by a group of architects and academics, to capitalize on explosion of device culture, the cloud and the social media and to use these factors to aid the creative process.

The platform of Morpholio allows for collaboration between designers from various professions.  It also includes features that allow for uploaded work to be critiqued by the Morpholio community.  This app is designed for the iPhone and iPad, it is definitely one to watch and a must have for those who wish to be involved in a creative online community.

Flipboard

A handy app that brings your Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google Reader, LinkedIn, Soundcloud, Tumblr and Flickr into one stream.  On top of that it offers the hottest stories from ares of spcial interest, such as design, photography, technology and science.

Having so many streams of information from various sources makes it an effective app for sharing information and for staying on top of emerging news and trends.

It’s hardly worth mentioning; as I’m sure the majority of you already have them (who doesn’t?).  But to be “app savvy”, you need Twitter (I recommendTwitteriffic), Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Pages Manager, Google+, Pinterest, Hootsuite, LinkedIn & Blogger, to name but a few!

Thanks to the explosion in social media and technology, our jobs have been made a hell of a lot easier.  Information sharing, communication, critique of one’s work and professional networking has been made possible to all…………..and is simply a touch of a button away.

Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus, by Studio on Site (Hiroki Hasegawa), Tokyo, Japan

There is a certain type of landscape where people just feel good, without realizing the reason for that. Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus is undoubtedly one of those exceptional places. A place which has something more to offer. A feeling, a sensation, a perfect harmony.

The secret to achieving such an effect is partly revealed in the philosophy ofStudio On Site. “Although our work covers a wide range, we always emphasize the “experience of a place” and consider how a given activity will come to be positioned in society and on the specific site. We believe that landscape design is not due to the structure of the new form but a given activity always has something to do with the change in shape or appearance of what is already on the site”, says the team that designed Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus. They certainly didn’t forget to follow this ultimate belief within this project!

Photo Credit: Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus, by Studio on Site. Photographer: Katsuhisa-Kida/FOTOTECA

Representing Nature in Design

The major concept of the landscape design is inspired by something simple, and yet genius. You can see it. You can touch it. It is all around you –Nature.

The reinterpretation of nature in Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus is achieved through a repeated square-shaped pattern. The scattering of black pavement covers both interior and exterior floors. The concept of this dispersion is to represent the sunshine filtering through foliage. Thus instilling visitors with a pleasurable sensation or one of a kind experience of the site.

Photo Credit: Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus, by Studio on Site.

Design and Function Symbiosis When Representing Nature in Design

Besides the creative and aesthetic functions of the flooring, the paving also performs a directing role. This pavement pattern is a “marker” which shows where to stay in the campus. Conversely, the road zones without that motif are intended mainly for pedestrian circulation.

The flooring pattern also varies vertically and horizontally by each sample unit. This difference in levels suggests diversity of uses and activities. A must-have in such a great example of public space.

Photo Credit: Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus, by Studio on Site. Photographer: Katsuhisa-Kida/FOTOTECA

The pavement motif is spread all around the campus, but accented mainly in the front plaza. Black and white granite paving stones are contrasted with wood deck. Once more, those three materials differentiate the various levels and uses. In this way the site is ready to welcome you or your group of friends. Whether spending time there alone or chatting and resting with friends, users of the campus will sense this peculiar atmosphere. The fine leaves of the Zelkova trees casting shadows and playing games with the sunshine.

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• 10 Great Places to Study Landscape Architecture in the USA
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• Elegant Square sets stage for University Students

Photo Credit: Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus, by Studio on Site.

Taking Full Advantage of the Space

Parallel to the idea of creating an open public space arises the thought of making the most of the site. Instead of being divided into several structures, the campus is set into one huge building. The aim of the landscape project is to entirely improve  the area surrounding the building through reinterpreting nature in design. Besides that amazing transformation, improvements are done via two other methods — through the formation of an inner yard and roof garden. An excellent illustration of taking full advantage of the space.

A Pivot Point for University Students

As Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus is beyond question a delightful site, it also appears to be a focal point for students from different universities.

It provides them with a relaxing atmosphere especially when having breaks between classes. Instead of travelling to go back home, students have the opportunity to study, have a meal or just take a rest on this beautiful campus. All without wasting any of their precious time.

Photo Credit: Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus, by Studio on Site. Photographer: Katsuhisa-Kida/FOTOTECA

Social Engagement and Interaction

The design fosters social engagement, encouraging students to meet new people. Not only university students but people coming from the neighboring park. They can share new ideas or make new friends. Meeting future colleagues is possible, too.

So, instead of just killing time by going somewhere else, students have a wonderful opportunity to socialise within a beautiful campus that reinterprets nature in design. The opportunity for networking which later becomes essential for career success. All this you can find in one single spot. Isn’t that the desired experience of the place?

“We follow this line of thought on every single project, too, encouraging all of our team to always consider in their daily works what they hope a given action will make happen and what experience can be achieved only in that particular place”, says the team of Studio On Site.

Photo Credit: Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus, by Studio on Site. Photographer: Katsuhisa-Kida/FOTOTECA

Teikyo Heisei University Nakano Campus successfully displays how a brilliant project works. Resulting in pleasant surroundings where people sense ease and delight through all the interactions with their environment. A good project succeeds when it makes ordinary people feel extraordinarily good. In this particular case, this is achieved due to the intelligent way of taking people back to nature by reinterpreting nature in design. And since imitation doesn’t work, reinterpretation here has done wonders.

It is important to have a right irrigation system in the garden. Do not forget that you need a wisely designed irrigation system both for the health of the plants and for saving the water.

You should start work with the basic elements in irrigation system. While you are planning the irrigation system, there are some important points you should know. The demands of the plants, the structure of the soil, and the wind and sun state of the area are among the important points. This information will help you design the irrigation system, the amount of the water to be spent and the frequency of the irrigation.

USE OF SOIL AND THE WIND

The soil to be used in your garden will have to be in the quality that will enable the nutrition of the plants and that will keep the water that is needed by them. Sandy soils are ideal for the development of the roots of the plants; however, they are also weak in retaining the nutrients and the water. If you add organic materials and clay to this soil, then you can obtain the ideal mixture. The winds that visit your garden are also important in designing the irrigation system. If you are going to establish a sprinkler irrigation system in a windy part of your garden, the distance of water stretch should be multiplied by 0.60 if they are going to be placed in square design; and if they are to be placed in triangle position the distance should be multiplied by 0.70. This is very important in placing the irrigation system.

LIGHT OR SHADE?

Another important point is the light and shady areas in the garden. Since the two areas will consume water in different amounts, you should pay attention to this issue during the planning stage of the irrigation system. If you do not pay attention to this point, and if the same amount of water is sent to the shady and sunny areas, then there will be moss in the areas that are in the shade and receive more water.

DO NOT MAKE A MISTAKE!

There are two systems for irrigation. One of these is the dropping system and the other one is the sprinkler system. There are mathematical calculations to be made during the installation of both systems. The area may not be watered as a whole in one stage depending on the size and the power of the pump used. In such a situation, you should divide the area into smaller sections. The number of the sections depends on the area and the power of the pump. Another calculation to be made during the planning of the irrigation system is the debit and pressure. The pump and the pipes you will use will give you an idea on the debit. Depending on this information, you can calculate how many sprinkles you will use in one section. The pump has a pressure value. This value is the value at the output point of the pump. This value will change upon the diameter of the pipe and to the length of it. 2-atmosphere pressure is necessary for the pump to work in a healthy condition. And to get this pressure, you will need to do the calculations in a rightful manner. If you make mistakes during this stage, and if the pressure is more than needed, then the water will be cast in the wind and you will waste water. If the pressure is below the necessary value, then the sprinklers will only water themselves and the irrigation will be unbalanced.

WHAT TO USE, WHERE TO USE?

Usually the dropping system is used in watering the plants, and the sprinkler system is used in grass areas. The holes in a dropping system will release 2-15 liters of water per hour depending on the pressure of the water. The pipe should not be more than 80-100 meters in length. By doing so, you will have a balanced irrigation system. The pipes should be near the plant roots, and the holes on the pipes should be in proper distance to each other. You can lay the drop pipes in 50 cm distance to each other. In sprinkler system, the sprinklers are placed in square or triangle forms in the area. The purpose is to send the water in a uniformed and balanced situation. This is a very hard job. The mistakes will show themselves during the summer. The dry areas in the grass will show themselves. Take precautions for this before it is too late.

Separate irrigation lines will have to be placed for sunny and shady areas in the garden.

Os modelos dos primeiros jardins japoneses vieram da… China e representaram o prazer e divertimento dos aristocratas. Os do Período Heian (794-1185) tinham normalmente um lago com uma ilha e eram construídos para contemplar a Natureza através das mutações das estações do ano. A partir disso, os jardins começam a desenvolver características próprias, dando destaque para os arranjos de pedras.

Os jardins do século VII e do século VIII tinham elementos como lagos artificiais, pontes e lanternas à semelhança dos chineses e coreanos, ou a noção budista da montanha Sumeru como o centro do cosmos. O palácio imperial e as residências da nobreza do período Heian eram construídos sobre lagos artificiais com pavilhões de pesca num cenário de montanha. No período Kamakura, um grupo de guerreiros das províncias, bem como de nobres e de monges, começou a mostrar interesse na construção de jardins. O primeiro depoimento crítico do arranjo do jardim japonês, o Sakuteiki (Ensaio sobre a Concepção de Jardins), foi escrito por Tachibana Toshitsuna, no início do período Kamakura (1185-1333).

A água surge com um elemento característico dos jardins e é apresentada sob as mais diversas formas. Em muitos casos, um simples regato pode sugerir a ravina de uma montanha, ao passo que uma ilha de pinheiros num lago artificial pode sugerir Matsushima ou outro local belo. Nos jardins Zen, a gravilha branca as rochas sugerem um rio a correr, um oceano ou, a água pode provocar um som fresco e calmo ao cair dentro ou sobre uma bacia de pedra.

Entre os designers de jardins mais famosos da história do Japão conta-se o monge Zen Muso Soseki, do século XIV (1275-1351). Até os 50 anos, Muso viveu como um monge mendicante à procura da "luz". Ao longo de suas viagens fundou vários pequenos mosteiros nas montanhas, com jardins integrados no cenário natural. Mais tarde foi protegido pelos shoguns Ashikaga e pelo imperador Godaigo e nomeado abade dos mosteiros de Tenryuji e de Rinsenji, em Kyoto, onde concebeu maravilhosos jardins. Já no fim da vida retirou-se para o pequeno templo de Saihoji, onde criou um jardim utilizando o musgo como elemento principal e incorporando o ideal chinês de "dez visões maravilhosas".