Under freeway landscape

     I remember last semester I try to find some good under freeway designs,but I didn't found any good one. This is Mexico City's High Line Park, I think this is a successful project that create an amazing example for public reused space in the city.This design was not only have the functional connection for pedestrains and bicycles, but also considered the aesthetic factors.

     Mostly, the under freeway part is not looks very well, so I think for the under freeway design might have a lot of potential for designers. Details could not only shows the designer's soul, but also effects the whole city's beauty and the overall urban planning. For example, in this design I see the designer have fully thinking about the functional activities and landscaping factors which totally changed the scenery of under-freeway. Also, the paving materials, the shrubs, and the hanging plants that the designer choose was very helpful to change the ugly scenery before. All in all, I think it is necessary to pay more attention to the harmony and unity in urban design and individual design to meet the needs of different person's view of aesthetics and the overall urban development.

sculpture fountain

    This design was one part of  Hargreaves Associates design for "One Island East" in Hongkong.I called this is"sculpture fountain". It's hard to say this is sculpture or fountain, but looks very special and unique.The same as landscape Aritecture, I think for landscape designer we need to think each elements within our design and make these elements to support our design and thinking. Which I mean is how to provide an elegant open space within landscape. Details could be highlight our design. For designer, they need to create beautiful, enlarge these beautiful sense and bring these beautiful to people's life. 

     Each design should have its functionality and reasonability. Designers should overcome barriers to enable this functionality and aesthetica. For example, I think this design not only meets its functional requirements of fountain, sculpture,but also meet the aesthetic requirements.

Give Peace a Chance

Designers: Linda Covit, artiste and Groupe Cardinal Hardy & Marie-Claude Séguin, landscape architect
Location: Mount-Royal Park, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Client: City of Montreal

Project Year: 2010

“The work Give Peace a Chance is an homage to the tolerance, openness and diversity of Montréal, as well as to one of its most important symbols, Mount Royal. The inauguration of this artwork is also a good illustration of the enthusiasm of our creators for using their talent for the benefit of public art. It is an invaluable contribution to Montréal’s reputation as a city of creators and a cultural metropolis,” declared Mayor Gérald Tremblay.

This design is made of approximately 180 limestones on a flat ground, and the phrase " Give Peace a Chance" is engraved in relief in 40 languages.The designer integrate an artwork into the landscape which makes the public space more interesting. I think landscape Architect should have this talent to make our environment more special and beautiful. Even the budget might be huge, but for a good work I think is worth it . Also, I think we should fully consider the aesthetic value and functional value. The aesthetic value is as important as functional in one design.

Landscape should be fun and functional~

   

     Interesting design, I like this unique design thinking.The designer success attracted my attention. Even the pattern is tilted, but it looks balance and well. It combined the planting area with the paving pattern in a good way. Even the pattern make this space looks a little busy, but it still give this space more potential. I hope one day I can go and see this real space. Which I mean is I think Landscape should be fun and functional. 

curving benches

Architects: Cliff Garten Studio

Location: San Francisco, CA, USA

Area: 21,840 sqft

Year: 2013

     I like this curving design in this design, the whole layout is classical symmetry, but the designer balance the symmetry with the curve elements which makes this courtyard looks more interesting. The curve lines give a impression that it create a three dimensional interwoven form to make this space more dynamic. And this is what I need to study. 

     Sometimes I really don't know how to balance each spaces and each elements in a good way. This is an example for me. Also, I think for a landscape student, I will think more about ecological factors. With the development of urbanization, increasing demand and supply, there appeared a series of urban environmental problems. So for my goal is to balance the urban development with ecological context. So for my design, first, I will think more about how to create interesting green spaces in people's life. Second, I will think how to combine my design with the the ecological factors. For example:  some sustainable technologies.

Fort Werk aan ‘t Spoel

Architects: Rietveld Landscape+Atelier de Lyon
Location: Culemborg, The Netherlands
Project Year: 2011
Photographs: Rob't Hart
Client: Municipality of Culembor

 This design attract me a lot. Firstly, it is kind of an enormous grass sculpture that integrating both sunken plaza space and amphitheatre. It forms a type of  public domain that brings a lot of activities for people. Secondly, from the plan view, we can see it shows a good combination of topography and circulations. No matter the stairs connected to the building or the ramp connected with the terrace, they all very well designed. People in here can enjoy the good sunshine, quiet and beautiful environment. Thirdly, this design brings a lot of green area for people's life. For a landscape designer, it is an important consideration. Fourthly, it shows me a good example of how to make changes in elevation. Even there is an elevation changes, but the space still looks harmonious and unique. Finally, some picture is kind of "phtoshop", they add children's activities, people's activities to enrich the whole space. This is an effective way to let client know the function and characteristic of the site. Also, I think this is a natural and intutive way to show the scale of this site. All in all, I like this design very much. The design create a new type of public space design. It is not only increase the  city's green area , but also create prople a good recreational space. I can say it could be a public attraction and a landmark in the city!

Governors Island / West 8

This design include Rogers Marvel Architects, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Mathews Nielsen that led by West8.

I really like these pictures that they created. Firstly, these pictures gives me an intuitive impression of this site. The distant view is grey and blur which is better highlighted the near view. Secondly, peoples' activities are very rich in these perspectives, so I can imaging they have a lot of fun in this site. Thirdly, the scale looks very nice. The different scale person between background and foreground make this site looks more real. Fourthly, I like the way that they expressed the sunlight, the shadows all in a same angele and direction. It was an effective way to make this site looks more reasonable. Next,I can see each layers are very well-organized in these perspectives. The designers have a mature thinking of this site feeling they want to create. Finally, the birds flight direction shows a very good perspective relationship of this site. It can guide people to image the changing of this whole space.

I learned a lot from these perspectives. It gives me a new thinking of how to show my perspectives.I think it's a good way to use some bright colors in the foreground to show the main attractions and attract people's attention. Also, I think the activities person are very useful in the perspecitive, because it makes the space looks active. Next, I think the natural transition of the colors and shadows are also very important. It can make the site looks more realistic.