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. 

Design Museum - The Brit Insurance Designs Awards 2011

Great Designs, Inspiring, Creative, Simple but Genius, Wooow, Hmmmm - Great few hours spent in the Design Museum today viewing all the designs for the Brit Insurance Designs Awards, wondering which one will be the Design of the Year. From designs that made me say, that's such a ''clever idea'', to designs that made me say ''hmmm nice''

There was variety of designs from graphics, to transport, furniture to fashion on display from small scales to bigger displays. The designs were creative, some were simple, all designed for the future with beneficial aspects, and imaginative. 

Ladakh Commonealth Peace Pavilion and Classroom Initiative 

 UK Pavilion Shanghan Expo 2010

One piece that caught my eye and I did question if it was possible, but did see it was possible and has been built in a 1:1 scale in real life, I was pretty amazed of the material choose and the strength of the material. Would have loved to experience this in person especially the inside of the structure

Tape Installations - Architecture: Austria - Crostia

The continuous wrapping of the tape links to result in complex amorphous shapes reminiscent of growing organic forms developed. Up to 45km of tape went in to creating some parts of this structure, which can be experienced from inside a well as from out side. 

Fiat 500 MultiAir Engine

Sayl Task Chair

There was many designs to be viewed and to be inspired by. And also educational wise great way to learn new techniques, model structures - material uses, scale and colour use. Wish only there was more to view.. :)

AND THE WINNER OF... 

Brit Insurance Design of the Year 2011

is...

PLUMEN LIGHTBLUB by Samuel Wilkinson 

It's amazing after viewing so many of the designs, and having few on mind that I believed will be the winner, I was pretty amazed the Plumen Light Bulb was the winner. To be really honest I didn't even think it would. This design was the last one I viewed within the exhibition on the day of my visit,. The light bulb does the same job of an normal light saving bulb, with using 80% lesser of it's energy and also durable for eight times more than an luminous light bulb.

'' Stephen Bayley, 2011 Jury Chair said of the winning entry ‘The Plumen light bulb is a good example of the ordinary thing done extraordinarily well, bringing a small measure of delight to an everyday product.’'

http://www.designsoftheyear.com/2011/03/15/plumen-lightbulb-wins-brit-insurance-design-of-the-year-2011/

I guess this shows that a design does not have to be over the top, or exaggerated an simple idea that has a twist and style with benefits can be a masterpiece. Relating this back to my own studies design simple, bold but clever designs that relates to the concept can be a success. But I guess that's always the case you will always start of with the simplest drawings and then later develop those simple design ideas adding more to it, but will always go back to the first drawing you have done and will go forward with that design idea with slight developments added to it. So always trust your first instinct, the first design idea that comes to your mind the minute you finish reading the brief/or design concept and be confident.

Sweden - Stockholm

The second we all got off the plane, it was freezing, and still snowing. Days before there was a snow storm in Stockholm, and when we arrived the whole country was covered in snow. I was prepared with an nice warm coat, an long thick scarf but one pair of gloves was not enough to keep my fingers warm. And this was only ten minutes of the plane.

As we took got on the coach and started making our way to the hostel, the view wasn't very appealing with every space of Stockholm was just white. To the Swedish it's all normal living, I did think if it was snow like that in London, no one would leave their homes, let alone drive.  As we got close to the city, where the snow was cleared at most places, and the land was now visible, the city was full of culture richness, historical buildings and new architectural buildings, with where ever you turn your head you see rivers and lakes. The city was full of culture, and art. The architecture within Stockholm are highly respected as well as the landscape. You wouldn't not see much modern architectural buildings as the history of the city is highly cherished and adored by it's people. Newly developments of buildings have strict regulations to be in certain height and form in order for it to fit in with the surrounding hostorical buildings and landscape. I only wished if it was summer to explore the city and enjoy it even more then I would. Stockholm is a city to visit and explore, it's a city with a old and new twist.

During our duration at Stockholm, I did experience the living there was short but nice, transport, food, culture, friendly people, historical areas and buildings.

Landscape areas we visited during our visit:

Stockholm City Hall - The city council decided and agreed to build a new city hall in 1907. For the new building an architectural design contest was held and within the first stage at the contest a range of design selections were chosen by Carl Westman, Ivar Tengbom, Carl Bergsten and Ragnar Ostberg.

 City Hall

SkogskyrkoGarden - The Woodland Cemetery - This place is breath taking an amazing with  an huge open space of landscape at the entrance with an free-standing scared stone cross. The Woodland Cemetery was built between 1919 and 1940 by the young architects Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz. The architects intentions within their design was to use the natural surrounding landscape and create an peaceful and restful experience for it's visitors. There is several chapels within the woodland cemetery engaging with the natural surrounding, all the architectural buildings are symbolic and aspirational of the Swedish Architecture. The collaboration between the landscape and architecture compliment each other.

Entrance to the Cemetery

SkogskyrkoGarden has been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Inscription on the List confirms the expectational universal value of cultural or natural site which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity.

Part 2 - Sam Johnston - Gustafson Porter

''What is Landscape''

''Everything under the Sun'' Neil Porter

Gustafson Porter's approaches to landscape architecture:

- Sculptural approaches

- Contemporary landscape design 

- Creative and original landscape design approaches 

Their design approaches consists of three stages Researching, Engaging,  and Aspire in order to design and create and landscape that can be appreciate and ennjoyed by all people at all age.

I want to be a Landscape Architecture

Landscape Institute 

''What is Landscape Architecture?''

"Landscape architecture is an extraordinary blend of science and art, proposition and thought." Jason Prior

“There’s a great opportunity as a landscape architect to address what’s on the political agenda – childhood obesity, healthy living. Designing playful landscapes means we’re providing somewhere that it’s fun for children to play,” Adam White

Landscape architecture is designing and planning the environment, both physically and psychologically, for the betterment of humanity" Varsha Halabe

“I love drawing and I love sketching and I think it’s really important to put your ideas down on paper. The most fantastic thing about landscape architecture is that it’s so varied and there’s so many different avenues you can go down. It’s a job you can do anywhere in the world.” Laurel Truscott

''Landscape architecture combines environment and design, art and science.  It is about everything outside the front door, both urban and rural, at the interface between people and natural systems. The range of ways in which landscape architects work is staggering. From masterplanning Olympic sites to planning and managing landscapes like national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty to designing the public squares and parks that we all use, landscape architecture nurtures communities and makes their environment human and liveable. 

Landscape architects are broad thinkers who thrive on the big picture.  They are playing an increasingly important role in addressing the great issues of our day: climate change, sustainable communities, water, housing and the prevention of hunger. Landscape architects are often natural leaders, able to communicate with many professions and leading multidisciplinary projects. Landscape architecture is not just the profession of the future – but the profession for a better future.'' Landscape Institute

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.

Part 2 - Heather Ring - Wayward Plants

''What is Landscape''

''A Project of Social Exchange and Botanical Desire''

Heather Ring is a Landscape Architect who has worked in practices of Gustafson Porter and Martha Schwartz in landscape designs of large scale public open spaces. She is also the finder of Wayward Plant Registry. 

Here is the work of Wayward people do –

• Plant Adoption – The public can adopt unwanted plants
• Community Exchange – Unwanted plants can be exchanged with others
• The Union Street: Urban Orchard – A site that is completed made from recycled materials, with adopted and exchanged plants and tress, it is a mix use site open to the public, it is an friendly site that encourages people to engage with. And take a plant when ever you go to add your own contribution to the place

Heather talk was quite interesting, it shows how people are passionate about what they do, and how they are inspired by different things you might not even think about. To be honest I did not even know about Plant Adoption or Exchange was quite amazed of the job Heather was doing. Heather has shown enthusiasm and dedication within her work, which can inspire people.

The Garden of Cosmic Speculation

The Garden of Cosmic Speculation is designed by landscape architect Charles Jencks located in South West Scotland, an private garden which was designed for his wife, with viewings to the public once a year through Scotland's Gardens Scheme.

The design is primarily based on mathematics and elements of science, mainly based on natural nature methods and scientific courses. The garden is an landscape to be explored and understood by its visitors. As visitors explore and experience the garden they are expected to take in the creation of an limitless mini universe. Every space of the garden will be a different experience for the visitor experiencing the different themes and sculptures around.

 Images are taken from google image search

I must say when I researched about The Garden of Cosmic Speculation I wasn't expecting anything like this. This is definitely a garden I must visit and experience myself in person. It looks like an garden from Alice in Wonderland :) with the structural sculpture, hills and the organic and natural shapes within the garden all looks really well designed. An garden full of inspiration with no boundaries to address.

Peter Walker

Peter Walker (Image taken from google images)

An landscape architect with an international reputation for his work from small scale work gardens to large scale urban city plazas. His approaches to landscape designs are minimal been inspired by minimal  art believing it has an unique expression as well as inherent inspiration from the past from Zen Gardens, Geek Temples and also Renaissance. As well as approaching designs in an artist mind, Peter Walkers  analysis the relationships and approaches designs with diversity of geographic contexts and cultural contexts.

''Peter Walker: ''Landscape as Art'' : by Process Architecture - An great book to read if your interested or inspired by Peter Walker and his landscape architecture.

Here I will like to share an interview/conversation between Peter Walker and Yoji Sasaki, which did get me thinking and to understand Peter Walkers approaches to designs in his own style and how he separates - Art from Design - Design from Art or -  or How both relates to each other.

A conversation with Peter Walker Yoji Sasaki (page 25) 

Yoji Sasaki: Then What is the difference between art and design?

 

Peter Walker: The main difference between art and design is function. Design MUST function. Art MAY function. When design ceases to function, it can only be considered as art. When design DOES function, it can be considered as art AND design. Now, a building or a garden must in some manner be enter able. Therefore, even if you're going in only mentally, it has to be spatial. At the simplest level, the viewing gardens are functional. They function as elements of religious ceremony - of contemplation, if you will.

''a sculptor or a painter have a signature, or some obvious way of making his work recognisable. It's very difficult, but not impossible, for landscape architect to have a signature. The more site-specific your art is, the harder it is to impose a signature, because the art is interacting with the forces of the site - the smaller the project - a series of small gardens, for example - easier it is to develop a signature, because the situations are similar and constant, and the form can dominate the site. Architecture tends to dominate the site. Urban architecture tends to dominate the site even more than suburban or rural architecture. In Landscape architecture, you rarely have the power to totally changed the site. You're always playing what you are doing  in the landscape against that which you aren't doing: that which somebody else has done, or which is there before'' (page 26 - Peter Walker)

I could say I agree with the statement Peter Walker has said within his conversation with Yoji Sasaki. Landscape Architects tend to have a more difficult job to identify themselves within their landscape designs, if an landscape architect is designing an landscape surrounding an building, the landscape architect tends to approach the design in a more suitable way for the landscape to fit in with the surrounding architecture. So the landscape architect designs an landscape that suits the architecture and compliments the architecture, fits in with the architecture, so wheres the signature of the landscape architect if it's all about the architecture :)

Do you agree with Peter Walker ? What do you think ? :)