Landscape Archives

Studio Asaï hides lodge among landscape of South African game reserve

Rammed earth walls and an organic colour scheme help this South African family lodge designed by architecture practice Studio Asaï to blend into its natural surroundings.

Tembo Tembo sits close to the Sabie River on the western edge of Kruger National Park – a sprawling game reserve that’s home to a wide array of flora and fauna, including what’s known as the “big five”: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo.

Tembo Tembo lodge by Studio Asai features rammed-earth walls — Tembo Tembo’s rammed earth walls blend into the landscape of the game reserve

This setting was a large point of inspiration for Paris-based Studio Asaï, which decided to construct the home from rammed earth, emulating the materiality of towering termite nests that can be seen across the reserve.

“More locally, [rammed earth] is only used for singular walls in the house, thought of as a decorative object,” explained the studio. “For Tembo Tembo, we decided to use it as the main material for the entire house.”

Entryway interior of Tembo Tembo lodge by Studio Asai — Dark wood lines the home’s moody entranceway

To ensure the stability of the home, Studio Asaï worked alongside local architect Nicholas Plewman to develop a structural skeleton that could support the roof and walls.

Locally sourced rammed earth was then applied to the structure, mixed with a sealant to make the material less porous and crumbly.

The house was also built atop an 80-centimetre-high concrete platform to keep away lizards and other critters while minimising flooding from the heavy downpours that frequently occur in the region from September onwards.

The property’s flat steel roof is meant to give the home a lower, more discrete profile.

Dining area of Tembo Tembo lodge by Studio Asai — The dining area opens onto a shaded terrace

Inhabitants access the home through a moody entryway lined with dark wood panels. A papery, three-tier pendant light hangs from the centre of the space directly above a white marble table.

The home’s rammed earth walls were left exposed in the adjacent living area, which is anchored by a modular green sofa that nods to the foliage of the South African bush.

Library of Tembo Tembo lodge by Studio Asai — Cream plaster walls and a coffered ceiling can be seen in the home’s library

To the side of this space is a contemporary kitchen complete with dark wood cabinetry and a blocky breakfast island crafted from black Zimbabwean granite.

In the corner of the room is a travertine marble dining table surrounded by chairs with woven seats. This is positioned directly next to an expansive glazed panel that, when slid back, lets inhabitants step onto a shaded terrace.

Bedroom interior of Tembo Tembo lodge by Studio Asai — Curtains help give the principal bedroom a tented safari-camp feel

Creamy plaster walls appear in the home’s library, complementing the rustic beige fabric that was set into the room’s coffered ceiling.

Studio Asaï revived the “bush” green of the sofa but this time in the form of a glossy work desk.

Designed to feel akin to a “modern safari camp”, the principal bedroom features a large bed that can be enclosed with gauzy curtains on all sides.

There’s a cosier feel in the guest bedroom where Studio Asaï has once again left the rammed earth walls bare and installed a black metal fireplace for use in the cooler months.

There’s also a striking bathroom that’s almost entirely lined in a flecked Namibian stone.

Bathroom interior of Tembo Tembo lodge by Studio Asai — Namibian stone covers surfaces in the bathroom

Tembo Tembo has made the shortlist of the home interior category at this year’s Dezeen Awards.

It will compete against other projects such as Prior Barraclough’s Union Street House, which is entirely lined in Australian hardwood, and Keiji Ashizawa Design’s Hiroo Residence, which is decked out in muted tones to amplify the space’s sense of light.

The photography is by Adrien Dirand.

Project credits:

Interior design and architecture: Studio Asaï
Architecture: Nick Plewman Architects
Landscape design: Green Inc

Reference

Architecture

Studio RC embeds equestrian complex into Mexican landscape

By Zarkon Group,21/05/2023

Stables linked by steel bridges and a clubhouse with a cantilevered terrace feature at the Hípico Piedra Grande equestrian complex in rural Mexico, designed by Studio RC.

Located in Huixquilucan in the State of Mexico, the complex includes a rectilinear clubhouse and a block of stables surrounded by gravel roads and green areas and meandering riding trails.

Hípico Piedra Grande equestrian complex is located in rural Mexico

Mexican architecture office Studio RC arranged the building around a central patio and positioned it on the hillside to complement the natural surroundings.

The low-slung clubhouse was constructed from a skeleton of columns and steel beams, which are also exposed on the interior.

Rectilinear clubhouse with a cantilevered terrace by Studio RC — The clubhouse’s terrace cantilevers off the hillside

The building’s facade is defined by rugged stone walls and a timber roof – materials sourced from the area.

“The project seeks to alter the site as little as possible, looking for a contemporary language that in turn was appropriate for the context,” said the studio.

Steel bridge with a horse standing on it — Steel bridges connect the stables

A gap was created between the clubhouse’s stone retaining walls and its interior spaces in order to create cross ventilation, while the building’s terrace gently cantilevers off the hillside.

Spread across three modules on two levels, the stables are positioned below the clubhouse and are connected by steel bridges, which create another open central patio used for walking horses.

Sawtooth roof on a grey stable — One module is topped by a sawtooth roof

Dark grey concrete was used for the angular facade, while each module is characterised by sets of wooden shutters.

The stables’ uniform geometry is interrupted only by a sawtooth roof that tops one of the modules and takes advantage of natural light during the day and also captures rainwater for reuse.

Inside, Studio RC chose a recycled material for the stables’ flooring, which was designed to control the acoustics as well as provide suitable traction for walking horses.

The clubhouse interiors feature a similar simplicity. Board-formed concrete walls match pared-back neutral furniture while floor-to-ceiling glazing provides expansive views of the surrounding greenery.

Minimalist interior design within clubhouse at equestrian complex — The clubhouse features minimalist interiors

Elsewhere in Mexico, 1540 Arquitectura created stables from a series of triangular structures while Matias Zegers Architects inserted a skylight along the ridge of a stable near Santiago in Chile.

The photography is by Cesar Belio.

Reference

Sustainable News

Rambla Climate-House uses a ravine landscape to support biodiversity

By Zarkon Group,29/01/2023

Spanish architects Andrés Jaque and Miguel Mesa del Castillo have built a climate-conscious house that restores the drought-tolerant ecology of a site on the outskirts of Murcia.

Rambla Climate-House is raised up on stilts above a wild landscape, designed to preserve the site’s soil humidity and rejuvenate its biodiversity.

The fissured topography is modelled on the ravines – or “ramblas” as they are called in Spanish – that existed before the Molina de Segura area was flattened and urbanised.

Plants and trees in Rambla Climate-House by Andrés Jaque, Office for Political Innovation and Miguel Mesa del Castillo — Rambla Climate-House is a three-bedroom family home

The project came about when Mesa del Castillo was asked to build a family home here for his brother and sister-in-law.

Rather than follow the typical suburban template, the architect invited Jacque and his New York-based studio, Office for Political Innovation, to help him explore a new approach.

Exterior of Rambla Climate-House by Andrés Jaque, Office for Political Innovation and Miguel Mesa del Castillo — The house is raised up from the landscape on stilts

Working with soil expert María Martínez Mena and ecologists Paz Parrondo Celdrán and Rubén Vives, the architects developed a design that uses both high-tech and low-tech approaches to reverse the damage of urbanisation.

As well as raising Rambla Climate-House up from the ground, which allows the land below to be rewilded, the design team added an intelligent, eco-friendly irrigation system.

This smart system uses wastewater to achieve an appropriate soil moisture level, based on both sensor data and weather reports.

“The Rambla Climate-House works as a climatic and ecological device,” said Office for Political Innovation.

“[It] collects pooled rainfall from its roofs and grey water from its showers and sinks, to spray onto the rambla’s remains and regenerate their former ecologic and climatic constitution,” the studio added.

As the architects explain, ravines are more effective at preserving soil moisture than flat ground, which is why plants are able to survive during long periods of drought.

Drought-tolerant ravine garden — The ravines preserve soil moisture, making is easier for plants to grow

The ravines at Rambla Climate-House were artificially created using soil excavated to create the only flat area on the whole property – a carport at the entrance.

In the space of a year, the ramblas have become home to palm, fig and mastic trees, plants and grasses, and various animal, bird and insect species.

Marble balcony of Rambla Climate-House by Andrés Jaque, Office for Political Innovation and Miguel Mesa del Castillo — A passive irrigation system uses wastewater

The house’s architecture was designed to take advantage of the unusual landscape setting as well as keep costs down.

Exterior walls are all clad in galvanised steel apart from those that face the biodiverse garden, which are formed of floor-to-ceiling glazing.

Green interior of Rambla Climate-House by Andrés Jaque, Office for Political Innovation and Miguel Mesa del Castillo — Floor-to-ceiling glazing connects living spaces with the landscape

Beyond the glazed facade, a marble balcony provides a passively cooled seating area, while a solar coil gives the house an energy-efficient source of hot water.

Inside, rooms are laid out in sequence so that the garden is visible from everywhere. Living spaces are located at one end of the building, while three bedrooms can be found at the other end.

A striking apple-green shade colours both the interior walls and the underside of the roof, matching the plants visible outside.

Green bedroom — The interior is coloured in apple green

Jaque – who is also dean of Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture, GSAPP – is known for his experimental and eco-conscious approach to architecture.

Previous projects by Office for Political Innovation include the cascading Never Never Land House in Ibiza, the water-purifying Comso installation in New York, and the recently completed Reggio School near Madrid.

Facade and car port of Rambla Climate-House by Andrés Jaque, Office for Political Innovation and Miguel Mesa del Castillo — An excavated car port provided soil for the landscaping

Rambla Climate-House continues the trend. “Since its completion, the house has became a demonstrative device,” said the studio.

“Gatherings with neighbours and members of the extended Molina de Segura community are organised to share insights and experiences on a collective effort to reground Molina de Segura’s urbanisms.”

The photography is by José Hevia, with drone operation by Juan José Rojo Albadalejo.

Project credits:

Clients: Victoria Sánchez Muñoz, Antonio Mesa del Castillo Clavel
Architect: Andrés Jaque/Office for Political Innovation, Miguel Mesa del Castillo
Design team: Roberto González García, Nieves Calvo López, Joan Fernández Linares, Ana Fernández Martínez, Marina Fernández Ramos, David Gil Delgado, Marta Jarabo Devesa, Jesús Meseguer Cortés, Laura Mora Vitoria, Paola Pabón, Belverence Tameau
Quantity survey: Francisco de Asís Pérez Martínez
Estructural engineering: Qube Ingeniería (Iago González Quelle)
Edaphology consultant: María Martínez Mena
Ecology consultant: Paz Parrondo Celdrán
Planting consultancy: Viveros Muzalé (Rubén Vives)
Topographical survey: Fulgencio Ma Coll Coll
Geotechnical report: Forte Ingeniería
Quality survey: Ingeolab
Construction: Excavaciones Eltoni, Hacienda Corvera, Cerrajería Alberto Sobrino, Construcciones Vifransa, Aispomur, Escayolas Dani, Hijos de Pascual Baño, Carpintería Tornel, Cristalería Marín, ACOM Agrocomponentes, Fontanería Diego, Anzora Instalaciones, Iceberg Climatización, Netro, Prymur, SYC Piedra Natural, Areniscas Crema, Mirete Mallas Metálicas, Gestchaft

Reference

Architecture

stilt studios’ prefab treehouse complex treads lightly on the lush landscape of bali

By Zarkon Group,21/11/2022

treehouse studio by stilts studio

Treehouse Studio is Stilt Studio’s latest hospitality addition in Bali, Indonesia. Tucked away in the coastal village of Canggu, the elevated treehouse complex overlooks a vast landscape of rice fields, connecting travelers with the natural surroundings while also providing a memorable design experience with a unique indoor-outdoor living concept. The project is built as part of an ensemble of four prefabricated buildings on a site of 745 sqm, and is designed with the intent to create an elevated hospitality and retreat space, that becomes a sanctuary outside of the constraints of daily life.

the elevated treehouse complex overlooks a vast landscape of rice fields | all images courtesy of Indra Wiras

a refuge amidst Bali’s lush surroundings

The Treehouse Studio is designed as a refuge amidst Bali’s lush surroundings, an ideal place to pause, retreat and relax. In keeping with Stilt Studios’ ethos ‘treading lightly on earth’, the architects used prefabricated building elements, relying on a conscious choice of materials from responsible sources, and using as much wood as possible to minimize the carbon footprint of the project.

The outdoor patio of the complex opens to a vast view of rice fields, providing striking visuals while creating intimacy in the natural landscape. ‘Thoughtfully positioned for unobstructed views of the glorious western sunsets, the iconic Treehouse Studio reimagines the idea of a two-story indoor-outdoor living concept, allowing for two contrasting experiences for the guests,’ mentions Therresa Shannen Budihardjo, Architectural Design Lead at Stilt Studios (find more here). When guests arrive at the treehouse, they are invited to descend and relax in a private plunge pool, stretch out on a terrace furnished with comfortable sun loungers, or gather around the dining table. They slowly ascend a spiral staircase into the treehouse and enter the warm, wooden interior, complemented by bright colors and houseplants.

the Treehouse Studio is tucked away in the lush landscape of the Canggu village

non-specific, versatile living environment

In the living room above, large sliding glass doors open the interior to a large wooden balcony that extends the horizon into the natural surroundings. The 6×6 interior space extends to a 9 sqm balcony and offers a total of 45 sqm of living space. The open layout of the studio divides the main programs into two floors: sleeping, living, and bathing upstairs, dining, lounging, and swimming downstairs. The plans and drawing set can also be purchased from the designers to be built anywhere in the world.

With a nod to Japanese sensibilities and Balinese culture, the interior is designed to inspire guests and provide a space for contemplation and leisure. The furniture was carefully designed to make efficient use of the limited space. The L-Sofa, the centerpiece of the space, is designed for multiple functions, including lounging, storage, recharging and working.

‘For the interior of the upper level, we designed a non-specific, versatile environment that encourages a variety of small-space interactions,’ explains Cokorda G. B. Suryanata, Product Design Lead at Stilt Studios.

the prefabricated structures are elevated above the 745 sqm site

the architects used prefab building elements, relying on a conscious choice of materials from responsible sources

the structure treads lightly on the earth, following Stilts Studios’ ethos

Reference

Interior Design

At The Rose House presents design at home of famed landscape architect

By Zarkon Group,28/09/2022

An exhibition of hand-crafted art and design pieces, including a seminal sculpture by Charles and Ray Eames, is on display at the former New Jersey home of 20th-century landscape architect James Rose.

At the Rose House is on show at the Ridgewood home that the late American modernist landscape architect designed and hand-built for himself and his family in 1953 and lived in for almost 40 years.

At The Rose House exhibition — Pieces in the exhibition are displayed throughout the home as if they belong there

Organised by curatorial platform Object & Thing and furniture and interior design studio Green River Project LLC, the exhibition stemmed from Rose’s appreciation for craft and materials.

The show “emphasises the hand-made, beauty in nature and a sense of timelessness” according to the curators.

Living room of James Rose's Ridgewood home — Rose self-designed and hand-built the house, which features several Japanese design elements

Green River Project LLC founders Aaron Aujla and Benjamin Bloomstein, who have admired the landscape architect for some time, have produced a series of new designs based on his work.

Created in collaboration with a group of designers, these pieces include a side chair by both Bloomstein Industrial and Luck Carpentry, rice paper lamps from Preziosi Lighting and carved grooming items on shelves in the bathroom by Teague’s Path.

Ceramic pots displayed on wooden shelves — Artworks and designs were selected to reflect Rose’s appreciation for craft and materials

“The ease in which Rose expanded the home using ready-made materials was an early point of reference for our practice,” said Aujla.

“In particular, there is a kitchen with mahogany shelves and pegboard that we must have spent over 100 hours dissecting and referring back to over the last five years.”

Green River Project’s products are presented alongside the work of mid-century and contemporary designers, including Alvaro Barrington, Bode, Charles and Ray Eames, Louis Eisner, Hugh Hayden, Nancy Holt, Kiva Motnyk, Michele Oka Doner, Johnny Ortiz-Concha and Anne Truitt among others.

Clothing by Bose hung around the house — Clothing based on Rose’s personal style is hung in closets

The works are installed as if they belong in the rooms and garden, which – like many of Rose’s later projects – feature elements of Japanese design, including the exposed timber structure and shoji screens.

“[Rose] spent considerable amounts of time in Japan and became a Zen Buddhist,” said the curators. “This influence is evident in the Ridgewood house, especially on the upper floor, which contains a room for his daily mediation practice that The James Rose Center is currently restoring.”

Eames Plywood Sculpture — An edition of the 1943 Plywood Sculpture by Charles and Ray Eames is being presented in the US for the first time. Photo by Michael Biondo

Pieces on display include the Eames’ seminal 1943 Plywood Sculpture – the first time that this edition, which was made and released by Eames Office, is being presented in the US.

Among the designs created for the showcase are leather Adirondack chairs by Hugh Hayden, wood-fired micaceous pots by Johnny Ortiz-Concha and naturally-dyed framed textile works by Kiva Motnyk.

A selection of clothing by New York brand Bode, based on Rose’s “eccentric” personal style, is hung in the closets throughout the house.

Landscape paintings, rice paper drawings, flower vases, terracotta sculptures, and a screening of Nancy Holt’s 1975 film Pine Barrens that “portrays the New Jersey wilderness” also feature.

Exterior of James Rose house — The house in Ridgewood, New Jersey, is preserved by The James Rose Center. Photo by Michael Biondo

Green River Project LLC is also producing new editions of one of Rose’s lanterns to coincide with this exhibition.

These will be sold to benefit The James Rose Center – a non-profit landscape research and study foundation, which is based at the house and has preserved Rose’s legacy since his death in 1991.

“Rose was an impossible maverick, called by one author, ‘The James Dean of Landscape Architecture,’ but I think he would be very happy with the vision Green River Project LLC and Object & Thing have brought to his house,” said foundation director Dean Cardasis.

At the Rose House runs until 2 October 2022. This is the latest in a series of exhibitions organised by Object & Thing within the homes of notable 20th-century artists and architects, following presentations at the houses of Gerald Luss, Robert Dash and Eliot Noyes.

Other exhibitions that showcase the work of modernist designers include an exhibition of Le Corbusier’s tapestries in Manhattan.

See our Dezeen Events Guide for information about other exhibitions, installations and talks.

Reference

Architecture

Architectural Pilgrimage: Trace Millennia of Architettura Innovativa Across the Italian Landscape

By Zarkon Group,18/08/2022

Browse the Architizer Jobs Board and apply for architecture and design positions at some of the world’s best firms. Click here to sign up for our Jobs Newsletter.

With over sixty million visitors annually, Italy is the third most visited country in the European Union, and there is no surprise why. With pronounced coastlines, culture, food and architecture, Italy is the perfect destination for those hoping to unwind near the Mediterranean sea, hike the Italian Alps or explore a bustling city. It proudly holds the world’s most UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any country, with a total of fifty-eight wonders to visit.

The romanticized Italian culture also makes this country a highly desired tourist destination. The mannerisms, the music, the family focus, the constant aperitivos and, of course, the food make Italian culture highly idealized worldwide. Tourists are desperate to get a taste for themselves and embody this passionate culture for a brief moment; they come from far and wide not only for the cuisine but for the architecture. The country is home to an abundance of architectural styles that date over three thousand centuries. From remnants of the Etruscan and Ancient Roman civilizations, Gothic and Renaissance masterpieces to today’s contemporary marvels, there are a plethora of sites worth visiting trip after trip.

Storia e Architettura

A1 House by VPS Architetti, Tuscany, Italy

One of the most common associations with Italian design is the Mediterranean villa. Historically these spaces were intended as country homes for upper-class families and date back to the Ancient Roman period. Today we see a plethora of lavish villas all throughout Europe. Some are modern and filled with 21st-century luxuries, while others are more carefully connected to tradition and Italian history.

Take A1 house by VPS architetti for example. Located in a medieval hamlet and renovated in 2006, the original edifice dates back to the 1500s and has undergone many transformations over the centuries. An important feature of the quintessential villa is a pronounced and expansive outdoor space. In keeping with the tradition of green spaces, the garden was designed around the site’s centuries-old pear tree. The lush grass and simple shrubbery contrast the villa’s brick façade which is flanked by newer and older shuttered windows.

A1 House by VPS Architetti, Tuscany, Italy

Inside the home, the design team worked to create spatial continuity by eliminating the many incoherent elements from past renovations. A pronounced, double-height entry greets visitors into the home and works to bring in natural light. Simple white walls and earth-toned materials decorate the interior space and compliment the home’s historic elements. The kitchen area balances old and new with quality appliances worked into original stonework. The home is unadorned and lets the historic bones speak for themselves. A1 House is a true emblem of the perfectly restored villa.

Cibo

Connecting through food is intrinsic to Italian culture. Touring around the country provides an incredible opportunity to experience and taste regional delicacies and cuisine. Whether in the north or south, the traditional dishes vary and will certainly not disappoint.

Taglio by rgastudio, Milan, Italy

In Milan for example, tourists will experience the region’s meat-heavy cuisine, with dishes like ossobuco and cotoletta. Located in Milan’s bustling Navigli canal district is Taglio, a multifunctional hospitality space housing a restaurant, bar, cafe and small food shop. Designed by rgastudio, Taglio sits on the ground floor of a block of traditional Milanese flats and serves the local neighborhood as well as visiting tourists. The space is bustling from day to night as it serves an array of customers and dining patrons. Whether it be enjoying a quick espresso or dining with gourmet food and wine, Taglio provides numerous culinary services.

Taglio by rgastudio, Milan, Italy

The interior plasterwork was removed to reveal the old brick and structural components, giving it an industrial and honest aesthetic. Divided into two sections, the first room houses the shop, cafe and part of the restaurant. While the second room boasts an open-plan kitchen visible to guests via a grand archway, thus providing a space where tourists can dine and watch the Italian chefs hard at work.

Geografia e Vino

Italy’s rich geography is a marvel to explore in and of itself. Whether it be the Alps in the north, the hilly central region, or the scattered volcanic islands in the south, the rich topography has given rise to wonderous architectural gems.

Winery on the Slope of Mount Etna by Vid’a Group, Castiglione di Sicilia, Italy

The island of Sicily is home to six volcanoes. Architects have learned to build and design around challenging topographical and environmental conditions, and in Sicily, respecting the local vernacular ensures a pronounced and secure structure. The Winery on the Slope of Mount Etna is an exceptional space to drink incredible Italian wine and marvel over this architectural achievement. Located in Castiglione di Sicilia, Italy, this architectural feat is thanks to design firm Vid’a Group. The challenge of building this winery was the land, which posed difficulties surrounding the active volcano, lava flow, and pietraie – dry stones which divide the territory.

Winery on the Slope of Mount Etna by Vid’a Group, Castiglione di Sicilia, Italy

The winery is located on a flat clearing surrounded by fertile soil and lava flow. The main building is made of quarry lava rock which ensures a secure structure and adheres to local building traditions. The primary structure takes the form of a monolith and directs visitors toward the cone of the volcano.

Architettura Innovativa

Italy’s mountainous region offers an abundance of resorts and outdoor attractions where visitors can ski and profit from the mountain air. Now, imagine sipping a glass of chianti amongst the clouds.

Hubertus Skypool by noa* network of architecture, Mitterolang, Italy, Photos by Alex Filz

The Hotel Hubertus located in Valdaora underwent an incredible renovation to include new suites, enhanced guest spaces and most notably a 25-meter sky pool. The Hubertus Skypool was developed by noa* network of architecture with the intention of connecting old and new.

Hubertus Skypool by noa* network of architecture, Mitterolang, Italy, Photos by Alex Filz

The pool is cantilevered overlooking the mountain range and sits between the old and new hotel wings. The pool appears like a floating rock with a glass front and glazed window floor. The sensation feels like somewhere between heaven and earth and truly is a breathtaking architectural accomplishment.

Reference

Architecture

Why Landscape Architects Are the Unsung Heroes of the Design World

By Zarkon Group,30/06/2022

Browse the Architizer Jobs Board and apply for architecture and design positions at some of the world’s best firms. Click here to sign up for our Jobs Newsletter.

Now more than ever our cities need landscape architects. Whether to help revitalize downtown communities with pedestrian-first green spaces or to restore biodiversity to local parks, the countless benefits that landscape architects bring us can no longer be overlooked. Earlier this month, Architizer unveiled the winners of the 2022 A+Awards. Among the dozens of awards celebrating contemporary architecture, it was easy to miss the handful of prizes highlighting landscaping. Yet, the A+Award-winning designs demonstrate the crucial role that landscape architects play in adapting our cities for the future.

Photos by Sam Oberter (left) and by David Woo (right)

Take for instance the West End Square in Dallas, a 2022 A+Award popular winner for Landscape & Planning. The design by James Corner Field Operations replaces a former parking lot with a dynamic combination of green spaces and public utilities. Growing greenery in a concrete jungle is no simple feat. The ambitious intervention has transformed a dead-end city block into an anchor for the community, where the neighborhood’s growing population can enjoy salsa dancing classes, a vendor’s market and various interactive art installations. The green oasis makes a bold statement about a future where cities can be oriented less towards cars and more towards pedestrians and community.

Meanwhile, the Xiaoyunlu 8, MAHA Residential Park project by Ballistic Architecture Machine in Beijing, another A+Award popular winner this year, weaves together disparate sections of the site of various eras and styles into one seamless and soothing green space. Residents can now fully access and enjoy the park’s gardens, historical sites and communal areas.

The project brings together culturally significant heritage with an expansive and beautifully maturing man-made forest, physically manifesting the fact that landscapes, even more so than buildings, cannot be realized overnight. Greenery takes time to grow, and though we like to imagine our urban parks as natural spaces, they must be cultivated and maintained by man. The design expresses this passage of time, drawing attention to it.

These projects are a mere snapshot of why at Architizer, we believe that landscapers are the unsung heroes of the design world. It’s why this week we are highlighting jobs in the sector.

The award-winning architecture and design firm based in Seattle GGLO is currently hiring for a landscape designer to join their team of architects and designers that work on community-oriented projects. A GGLO project like the Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center in Pullman, Washington is a good example how of an acute knowledge of native fauna, local history and people-oriented landscaping can create lively cultural spaces.

Additionally, Stoss, an urban design firm based in Boston with an office in Los Angeles, is also looking to hire landscape architects in both studios. The firm works on large, neighborhood-scale projects that sensibly mix natural and urban elements to revitalize local communities.

Browse the Architizer Jobs Board and apply for architecture and design positions at some of the world’s best firms. Click here to sign up for our Jobs Newsletter.

Reference

Landscape

Studio Asaï hides lodge among landscape of South African game reserve

Studio RC embeds equestrian complex into Mexican landscape

Rambla Climate-House uses a ravine landscape to support biodiversity

stilt studios’ prefab treehouse complex treads lightly on the lush landscape of bali

treehouse studio by stilts studio

a refuge amidst Bali’s lush surroundings

non-specific, versatile living environment

At The Rose House presents design at home of famed landscape architect

Architectural Pilgrimage: Trace Millennia of Architettura Innovativa Across the Italian Landscape

Storia e Architettura

Cibo

Geografia e Vino

Architettura Innovativa

Why Landscape Architects Are the Unsung Heroes of the Design World

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