Eco-Build 2011 - ExCel London

''The Future of design, construction and the built Environment''

Ecobuild is the future of design, construction and the environment, with the latest developments for architectural and landscape, with newest products from around the world, comes all under one roof once a year. With thousands of people visiting Ecobuild from around the world the atmosphere was great. 

Topics and Subjects within Ecobuil:

• Sustainability
• Construction
• Materials - Exterior, Interior, Renewable
• Water Wise
• Cityscape's
• Architecture
• Landscape Architecture

I was quite disappointed from my visit to Ecobuild, at first I was really looking forward to the visit and exploring and learning new things about subjects and widen my skills in construction methods and what's out there on offer for. There was more showcases and stand based on Architectural Designs then Landscape. Landscape lectures/seminars and stands were pretty limited, but there was a great range of topics and seminars taking place. 

Within my visit one of the topics I was interested in Living Walls, and Roofs and really wanted to understand the method, construction, maintenance and management goes in to designing and constructing an Living Walls or Roofs. 

One of the lectures I attended during my visit at ExCell - Ecobuild was Frosts Vertiscapes:

Drainage: Green Roofs are a component of sustainable drainage systems, typically intercepting 50% of the rainfall that falls on them. This helps to reduce urban surface water flooding and pressure on overworked drains and sewers.

Urban Heat Island: Cities are hotter than surrounding areas. Green Roofs reflect sunlight and provide and produce evapo-transpirative cooling, providing relief from the heat in dense inner busy city areas.

Energy Conservation: Green Roofs keep interior of a building cooler in summer periods and the opposite during the winter, keeping the interior warmer, making significant savings in bills and carbon.

Biodiversity: Bu using native species and plants with proven value to attract wildlife, green roofs attract a wide range of wildlife , and this increases biodiversity in even the most urban areas.

Extending the Life of the Roof: A green roof can protect waterproofing from IV lights, and  very hot summer and cold winter temperatures, potentially extending its life bu decades. 

Part 3 - Maria Smith - Studio Weave

''What is Landscape''

''We are fascinated by the powerful role that stories play in creating a sense of place, both as a design tool and a way to engage with everyone surrounding a project including clients, consultants, and users, both grown-ups and children.'' StudioWeave

A practice that approaches briefs in a different way to engage not only with the audience of the brief, but with everyone who is involved within a project. They look in to aspects within a place that has unusual, and bizarre characteristics to change that place into something more unique and extraordinary experience.

One of their works that got a lot of compliments is the Longest Bench design- in Littlehampton, the designs inspiration is from an Charm Bracelet. The curvy flowing bench structure continuously  travels along the promenade, with loops, running behind bins, with open space for movement. The bench blends in with the surrounding landscape, the bright colours stand out but is not  overly exaggerated. It has a fun, exciting appeal complimenting the green spaces, sea, sand. 

A other landscape project Studio Weave has completed is the ''Freya and Robin'' project - in Kielder Water, Northumberland. There is a story behind this beautiful structural design, the story approach has inspired them to an design concept.

The two piece structural design is an focal point for visitors to stop and experience the view at the lakeside within the hut. 

The structure is made out of wood, which blends in with the surrounding nature, the detailing within the structure allows it to have an more organic twisting branches appearance which blends in and also fits in with the surrounding. 

The structural support for both huts are long steel polls.

''Landscape is anything outside''

                                                                                                                   Maria Smith

Images are taken from the Studio Weave website.