5 Cities a Landscape Architecture Student Should Visit and Why

 A selection of some of the most major cities in the world that will inspire any landscape architecture student.

One needs to be clear about one thing. There is no city a Landscape Architecture Student should not visit. Intriguing Landscapes are everywhere. However, There are some basic destinations for students that could become valuable lessons.

Cities a Landscape Architecture Student Should Visit

• Tivoli, Paris and London, in that order

The great Italian Villas have had the most extraordinary gardens. The Villa d’ Este in Tivoli by the Italian Landscape Architect Pirro Lingorio is the best known example. A clear geometry, sense of perspective and the element of illusion are the important characteristics of this landscape masterpiece.

Paris has to contribute to a landscape architecture student’s quest the Versailles gardens. Designed by André Le Nôtre for Louis XIV. The design approach reveals a vast scale intervention created with order and symmetry. Built volumes have been integrated in the general composition. One can observe the unique way water has been used as a landscape element.

The Gardens of Versailles; credit: shutterstock.com

After getting familiar with the previous projects that are close to the perception of architecture as a building process, the timing is perfect for traveling to London and questioning that notion.

Hyde Park, London. Credit: Leonard Bentley, CC 2.0

English Parks, like St James Park and Hyde Park designs have been perceived to conceal the artificial elements into the natural context. There is more a process of transformation in what you see, rather than construction. The landscape is picturesque, with a strong sense of romanticism and dreamlike views. Geometry has succumbed to organic form. The element of heterogeneity becomes a feature rather than a defect.

English landscape design demonstrates that the creative process is not only about drawings. It requires a wider sense of visualizing space.

One could not omit visiting amazing projects of contemporary landscape architecture that are located in those cities. However, the concept is to come into contact with fundamental principles and then proceed with the latest design.

• Barcelona. Mediterranean Landscape Perception

Barcelona is a relatively new “entry” on the Landscape Architecture Map. It is a city that has reinvented its’ image on an international level. Changing the perception about contemporary landscape architecture in the Mediterranean Basin.

The 1992 Olympic Games organized in Barcelona, have been crucial for the city’s public space and landscape. A number of Parks and facilities have been built to accommodate the Games. This development has continued to evolve with numerous landscape projects over the following years.

Jardin Botanique de Barcelone. Credit: Rosier, GNU Free Documentation License

Parc de Diagonal Mar, Barcelona. Credit: Ardfern, CC 3.0

Projects worth visiting in Barcelona are Park Diagonal Mar by Enric Miralles & Benedetta Tagliabue, Parc Central de Nou Barris by Arriola & Fiol and El Jardín Botánico de Barcelona by Bet Figueras, Carlos Ferrater and Josep Lluís Canosa.

• New York, classical and contemporary design in direct comparison

High Line Park, built on an existing, elevated railway line within a certain context and boundaries. It has a certain geometry and structure that do not resemble a natural landscape. The project has managed to integrate itself in the city life and change the given character of the surrounding area. It has become a landmark and a crucial factor only a few years after the inauguration in 2009.

O maravilhoso e tecnológico GARDENS BY THE BAY em Singapura.

Quem ainda não conhece ficará maravilhado com a infraestrutura e a história do "GARDENS BY THE BAY", que apresento de forma resumida para apreciação de todos os leitores no presente artigo. 

Tecnologia e processos construtivos inéditos foram utilizados na realização do singular projeto do Gardens by the Bay em Singapura, o que faz da contemporânea cidade, visita obrigatória aos amantes da arquitetura, do paisagismo, e de jardins e plantas.





Uma das principais exigências aos arquitetos e engenheiros responsáveis pelo projeto é que todo o parque não utilizasse energia superior ao de um edifício comum de escritórios, um projeto modelo de desenvolvimento sustentável e preservação ambiental.



É um "super mega" parque verde construído em uma área de aproximadamente 100 hectares próximo ao Marina Bay e ao centro financeiro de Singapura dividido em três zonas verdes: Baysouth, Baycentral e Eastbbay. Das estufas - com colunas em arcos para proteção e apoio da estrutura em vidros especialmente desenvolvidos para captar totalmente a luz solar sem a transmissão do calor para o interior - às espécies vegetais oriundas de todo o mundo e das enormes estruturas de aço e concreto das árvores estilizadas de 25 e 50 metros de altura, tudo que se relaciona a este magnífico projeto é grandioso, inédito e de valores bilionários.



São sete instalações com jardins temáticos e estufas gigantescas com espécies provenientes de vários continentes, de minúsculas suculentas aos enormes e exóticos Baobás, de plantas aquáticas às desérticas, o visitante viaja ao redor do mundo através das diferentes espécies de plantas nativas dos quatro cantos do planeta. 
As 11 super árvores metálicas despertam a curiosidade dos visitantes e além de abrigarem uma série de plantas e flores exóticas - 170.000 plantas com mais de 200 espécies e variedades de bromélias, orquídeas, samambaias e trepadeiras floridas tropicais - tem um inovador sistema de captação de luz solar e geração de energia, a noite são totalmente iluminadas ofertando ao visitante um espetáculo de luzes e cores.









O parque tem um programa educativo que mistura natureza e inovação tecnológica para mostrar às novas gerações a importância da relação das plantas como patrimônio da humanidade nas mais diversas culturas e tradições.








Se a viagem à Singapura não está assim tão próxima de nossa realidade, vale a pena passear pela Web buscando fotos e informações deste peculiar e especial parque criado para o desfrute dos amantes da natureza e tecnologia. 

Site do parque: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

No canal pago Nat Geo o programa "Obras incríveis" reproduz todo o processo construtivo e tecnologias aplicadas, nos mostra ainda, os procedimentos adotados no transplante de grandes árvores e variedade de plantas que no decorrer da construção foram abrigadas em estruturas provisórias para a adaptação das diversas espécies, vale muito a pena conhecer.

Cool Ponds, Pools and Fountains for the Backyard

Perennial Stream
In a quiet corner of a backyard, a stream flows through a bed of perennials.

More Images Inside Post

Dynamite Fireplace
When the homeowners had to pay for dynamiting a granite rock wall that stood between them and their landscape makeover, the designer had to scale down other parts of the project, including this courtyard patio. Because the fireplace is a stronger architectural feature than the water feature, it was placed at the end of the patio; both are in full view of the dining area inside the home.

View of a Fountain
The fountain can be viewed as you enter the gate to the patio — and from the dining area inside the house.

Wilderness Path
The homeowners wanted their landscape to fit in gracefully with the designated wilderness area next door.

Simply Understated
A simple four-foot pond, with a center fountain forms the beautiful centerpiece of a bluestone-and-brick patio.

Berm Compromise
Unlike the rectangle pool the homeowners had first imagined, the freeform shape of this pool better fits with the terrain as well as leaving more room for entertaining. The six-foot berm, installed with plantings for privacy from the neighbors, was met with objections from the neighborhood’s architectural review board. In a compromise, the back side of the berm was modified to look less abrupt and was landscaped with rocks and plants, so now it looks like it’s always been there.

Heavy Water
The surrounding woods provides a beautiful backdrop, but the landscaping project required heavy equipment. A dozen trees had to be cut down to make room for the pool and gazebo then a large quantity of dirt was brought in to level the back end of the pool.

Plants for Privacy
This pool begins with a beach entrance near the house and includes three waterfalls. Sizable plantings of Leyland cypress, deodar cedar and hollies help provide enclosure and privacy for the outside. The best part of this pool however, is the outdoor kitchen (see the next slide).

Reflected Flames
The pool culminates in a swim-up bar and sunken pavilion and outdoor kitchen, where people both in and out of the water are at eye level. The homeowners asked the builders to raise the roof of the pavilion so the feature wouldn’t look low and squat in the landscape. Flames from the fire pit are reflected on the water.

Marbled Illusion
If your climate or budget rules out a water feature for the time being, consider creating an illusion. This marble-dressed succulent arrangement decorates a desert-style rock garden in this Los Angeles

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