Veg.itecture in Visual Assessment VIVA... Rooftop Style. Enjoy.
British Library Boston Spa Storage Site
by HOK
:: image via SpaceInvading
Hijauan Saujana Resort
:: image via Urban Greenery
As promised, the counterpoint to the recent posts related to Veg.itecture in Action (VIA) are the more conceptual illustrative examples in the Veg.itecture in Visual Assessment (VIVA) posts - which offer a more sparsely informative overview of the visions of vegetated architecture and the many graphic forms that it takes. The dichotomy between vision and action will provide some interesting fodder for discussion - giving a more well-rounded overview of the phenomenon.
A project that has made all the rounds of the architecture blogs is the photoshop-genic projects that gets people talking - this project from Kjellgren Kaminsky for a large apartment project in New Heden. The projects iconic flowing hills are "...Envisioned as a “green lung” for Gothenburg, Sweden, the development will introduce a beautiful expanse of fresh green space to an area currently consumed by parking lots and football fields."
:: images via Inhabitat
Just as dynamic (or at least derived from dynamic processed), the envisioned Volcano Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico by Jean-Marie Massaud seems to rise from the earth. Superbowl anyone?
:: image via SpaceInvading
A sinuous green parking lot, via Urban Greenery, of the such as the Green Corridor Indian Road Green Space in Windsor, Canada.
:: image via Urban Greenery
And the Community Enhancements and Green Facades... making roads and parking just a bit more pleasurable.
:: image via Urban Greenery
Staying on the topic of roadways for a bit - this intriguing project from Israel called Highway Habitat - which features multi-layered habitat for people and perhaps other things...?
.jpg)
:: images via World Architecture Community
A bit smaller scale, one of the Ordos 100 houses by RSVP has sinuous forms that wrap from ground to rooftop... as well as pockets of interior vegetation.
:: images via WAN
Another by SPRB arquitectos for the Bicentennial of the Independence Plaza, Mexico City, Mexico - comes via WAN. The inclusion of a rectangular green wall that will surround the and create: "...a great ritual space around the Concepción Chapel, symbolically dedicated to the Mexican Independence and Revolution, rectangular and long, isolated from the chaotic movement of the city by a “green wall”.
:: images via WAN
And finally, the silliness, via Jetson Green for an innovative new house that reminds me somewhat of a coconut with a parasol: "This conceptual proposal for a residence with combination solar panel and wind turbine offers the best of both worlds, with a dose of stage-like performance. Shaped to look like a rock, the dwelling stores water in its outer shell as an insulator to conserve energy. Furthermore, the transforming device embodies a playful spirit with its daisy-like shape that seems more like a toy rather than a high tech piece of equipment." Renderings and such from: Andreas Angelidakis.
:: images via Jetson Green
As promised, a slight modification of the Veg.itecture posts - due both to the enormous amounts of projects out there, but also based on a need for some different needs for both built and design projects. So, as promised - in the upcoming 50th post on the series on Vegetated Architecture, an evolution of sorts that provides some of the flexibility to address a broader spectrum of these literally 'green' projects.
VIVA = Veg.itecture In Visual Assessment
This is designation is provided to capture the widespread conceptual adoption of the use of greening facades, rooftops, and interiors - but do not provide a whole lot of information - sort of the who, what, and where - but not necessarily the why nor the how. Part representational critique, part speculative narrative, these posts will explore the potential of the movement.
:: ORDOS 100 residence, by Architects: R&Sie(n) - images via Arch Daily
VIA = Veg.itecture in Action
This designation is aimed at a more rigorous analysis of both vegetated architecture projects and principles - using built projects (or those unbuilt projects with significant information and details available). More detailed and critical, the aim of these posts will be to learn and expand the potential of what is possible in the craft. The reality of these projects can be deconstructed - although there still is some potential information gaps - like determining whether the below project is real turf or synthetic... i honestly can't tell, but I'm guessing the latter. 
:: Royal T Project by wHY Architecture - images via Arch Daily
As always, there will be additional posts looking at more specific ideas, technologies, and projects in greater detail - but look forward to the continuing series of posts periodically in both VIVA and VIA categories - marking a continual refinement of Landscape+Urbanism and the coverage of this sub-genre of architecture, landscape and urbanis, a phenomenon that is sure to continue in 2009.
Posts
All Comments
