Green Shrouds...

It's been a bit of time since I've referenced some of both the definitions of Veg.itecture and some of the issues of implementation... perhaps a review is in order - or at least a refresher tied to some of the discussions regarding the projects that appear here on L+U. There's the definition and the specific typologies - as well as some of the variants that have evolved from rooftop to the encompassing envelopes and fantastic facades.


:: image via Dwell

Some cool examples of this... starting with some more structural examples. The first, via Inhabitat, is the IJburg House by Marc Koehler - with some facade based pockets, or barges for vegetation: "Rather than be limited by the small lot size, Koehler was inspired to create a vertical garden, merging nature and culture in on simple structure. The brick detailing draws inspiration from the famous Amsterdamse school style of the 1920s and serves both as gorgeous ornament and as an integral underlay for the different sorts of climbing plants that will eventually grow up the facade. Plant barges are built in on several levels."




:: images via Inhabitat

The limited of the size of planters will inevitably limit the growth of whatever vegetation is grown in these barges - which will provide a very 'natural' looking facade as the plants grow. Also, depending on climate and microclimate, there is a drying that will occur, making it somewhat of a challenge to keep the plants viable and pleasing. This will be interesting to see how it develops into the future.


:: images via Inhabitat

Another interesting example of an articulated facade is the shopping mall in Slovenia by Ofis Arhitekti have (via Dezeen). Building off the simple figure-ground relationship of circles and voids, this 'Dot Envelope' offers an underlying grid, via chains, to allow for the growth of vegetation along partial portions of the facade.




:: images via Dezeen

This may be another one of those cases where time will tell whether the project will work. As it's hard to discern the specific detailing, plant species, and configuration - it's hard to estimate the potential success. This design relies on the more traditional idea of vining plants grown from terrestrial plant beds. The future juxtaposition of these vining 'lines' will create some contrast to the very geometric panel system - although I'm dubious of the rigidity of the chains as they are weighted with future plant mass.




:: images via Dezeen

A more abstract example (via Treehugger) that has been shown before on L+U is the 110 Embarcadero, in San Francisco, from Pelli Clarke Pelli. This perhaps is one of those projects that best sums up the graphic v. reality argument, as it gives little clue to how one would build and maintain the plants. The impact graphically is stunning... in reality, we shall see? Anyone know of some more detail on this project they can share?


:: image via Treehugger

And a very recent similar (yet expansive) 'vision' from MVRDV for the Gwanggyo City Centre near Seoul, South Korea has shown up everywhere in the past two days. This one is from Contemporist, and it's a bit surreal for sure... the stratified bands of vegetation (box hedges? really?) around these, indicative of the surrounding landscape: "The site is surrounded by a beautiful lake and forested hills, the design aims to create a landscape on top of the new program that enlarges the green qualities and that links the surrounding parks by turning the site into a park. The shifting of the floors causes as a counter effect hollow cores that form large atriums..."






:: images via Contemporist

Via Contemporist: "To facilitate this all elements are designed as rings. By pushing these rings outwards, every part of the program receives a terrace for outdoor life. Plantations around the terraces with a floor to floor circulation system store water and irrigate the plants. The roofs of these hills and the terraces are planted with box hedges creating a strong, recognizable, cohesive park. This vertical park will improve the climate and ventilation, reduce energy and water usage. As a result a series of overgrown green ‘hills’ appear in the landscape."




:: images via Contemporist

So as we regroup and look for how to make these visions a reality, we start to see more and more successes throughout the design world that give examples to start to resolve the visionary into the real. While not as dramatic as their renderings (few designs are) - they are real, tangible and planted... one interior Blanc-esque example from Contemporist, shows interior plants from landscape architect Michael Hellgren for pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca in Södertälje, Sweden.






:: images via Contemporist

And coming full circle from box to green box... a fantastically simple version via Arch Daily. The CR Land Guanganmen Green Technology Showroom by Vector Architects is located in Beijing, China - and is a simple plan for this temporary structure: "The idea is to develop the concept of “Temporary” from a meaningful perspective, to design a piece of floating “installation” in the garden, which could be built, demolished, and recycled through an easy and straightforward way with the least impact to the planned site."






:: images via Arch Daily

Project goals for the Vertical Grass Wall Paneling system and Green Roof via Arch Daily, could be another definition of Veg.itecture:

"1. Reduce the heat gain and loss and enhance the thermal efficiency.
2. The grass panels will reduce storm water runoff.
3. Although the central lawn is taken away to make room for this building, but we effectively tripled the original planting area by using the grass panels on the roof and two facades.
4. Grass wall panel is planned to be relocated onto the partial fence of the residential compound after demolition. 5. Visually harmonize the temporary structure with the existing garden and the so called “Classic Spanish” Style "




:: images via Arch Daily

And a different sort of shroud is our clutching to the amorphous directives of 'sustainability' - perhaps our most mysterious 'green shroud. Definitely check out this quick article by David Cook, a partner in Behnisch Architekten, as he explains the 'real' meaning of green architecture via Flavorwire. A hint... it's actually green:

"Increasingly misused in architecture, the term sustainability is in danger of becoming a mere label. In man’s relatively short occupation of the Earth, we have succeeded in acutely threatening its future and our habitat. However, we now appear to be gaining a common understanding of the urgency of these matters. Perhaps, for whatever reason, we have finally reached a “tipping point,” where we cannot remain in denial. For us sustainability is less a political issue than a humanistic issue; for qualities are just as important as quantities and a “sustainable,” or indeed “green,” architecture must not solely focus on environmental constraints or pre-defined performance criteria, but also celebrate the wealth and diversity of nature."

Tel Aviv Port

Dezeen featured this project recently, and I thought it worth an opportunity to investigate a little further. The Tel Aviv Port by Mayslits Kassif Architects. I was struck by the utter simplicity of form, as well as some of the interesting detailing of this highly trafficked open space, and some of the subtle ways of defining form. What first caught my eye is the was the undulating boardwalk - which aside from being visually interesting, makes for an interesting exercise to see how it was detailed.




:: images via Dezeen

The site plan shows a variety of these spaces... particularly reinforcing the design intent... Via Dezeen: "The design introduces an extensive undulating, non-hierarchical surface, that acts both as a reflection of the mythological dunes on which the port was built; and as an open invitation to free interpretations and unstructured activities. Various public, political and social initiatives – from spontaneous rallies to artistic endeavors and public acts of solidarity – are now drawn to this unique urban platform, indicating the project’s success in reinventing the port as a vibrant public sphere."


:: image via Dezeen

The overall form definitely gives thought to the concept of an urban beach - offering a more structured interface with the shoreline.

:: image via Dezeen

This takes a variety of forms that are analagous from wharf steps, shorelines, dunes, replete with umbrellas for viewing the sea. There are also 'rocks' giving a reinforcement to the beach concept and creating nodes for seating and relaxing... but doing so in an organic way similar to natural settings.

:: image via Dezeen

The overall form and detailing is interesting, and the breadth of space given to the public is laudable. There is, however, a certain barreness to the space that I can't help thinking would benefit from at least some minimal planted areas. Perhaps this is the tradeoff due to heavy use and climate, or maybe a design gesture. While the wood would stay cool, and the umbrellas provide some shading, there seems little respite from elements - giving one a simple option of sun, or head elsewhere to the surrounding buildings.

:: image via Dezeen

Materiality and Light

There are a few different ways of approaching the use of materials in landscape installations. While there exists a finite amount of materials (albeit growing due to our ability to co-opt and produce more products), there is no limitations to the diversity of applications and combinations. While landscape architecture is getting more experimental, I tend to look to architecture for some of the more original uses to adapt to the site.

Some architectural examples that recently caught my eye really start to provide some interesting ways to perforate the skin and play with light - both as it floods interior spaces as well as the interesting formal properties for the exterior facades. The renderings (via Tropolism) of the Thermal Baths of San Pelligrino by Dominique Perrault Architecture are a fitting example of this idea. Simply... stunning.


:: image via Tropolism

Combining this concept with my love of rusted metal is the Performer's House by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects in Silkeborg, Denmark. From Arch Daily: "Externally, the new building is clad with boldly perforated rust-red steel panels. After dark the internal lights shine through the circular apertures incised into the façade, turning the building into an animated beacon shining its light over the surrounding area. In this way the building appears to be perpetually in motion, becoming itself a ‘performer’."






:: images via Arch Daily

And Inhabitat's coverage of a temporary eco-pavilion designed by Assadi + Pulido, for the XVI Chilean Architecture Biennial... with a juxtaposition of perforated base and a reusable woven aluminum facade treatment... check it out - it's pretty amazing.








:: images via Inhabitat

A Daily Dose of Architecture recently had an great post of the idea of 'Porous Masonry Walls' - giving a range of example projects from Frank Lloyd Wright to Peter Zumthor. A few other notable projects include Kengo Kuma's Stone Museum - with brickwork that provide articulation from the exterior and thin patterned slits of light on the interior.


:: image via Archidose

And the Nazarí Wall Intervention in Granada, Spain by Antonio Jiménez Torrecillas perforated double wall.


:: image via Archidose

My favorite is Anagram Architects' glowing facade at the South Asian Human Rights Documentation Centre.


:: image via Archidose

Archidose also featured the "Richard Desmond Children's Eye Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital in Islington, London, England by Penoyre & Prasad LLP, 2007." which has perforations - as well as tapping into the use of movement and wind on the facade.


:: image via Archidose

The above project takes a cues from Ned Kahn perhaps, whose kinetic sculptures definitely require a full post soon...


:: image via Ned Kahn

In the interim, here's a sneak preview of a couple of my favorites...


:: Articulated Cloud - image via Ned Kahn


:: Wind Veil - image via Ned Kahn

Flossin' - Site Style

The Urban Dictionary is a fabulous resource for staying current on the constantly evolving lingo (alongside a weekly dose of William Safire). One new addition to my lexicon, via a tricked out SUV rolling by a few weeks back is the term Flossin' (that's sans g, in the Palin tradition). The short of it, it's showing off your goods, or via the UD: "Rolling in a fine ride with the general intent to enjoy ostenstation, prestige."

In a major cultural mashup, I'm co-opting the term to include the use of beautiful site furnishings or other landscape architectural bling - a similar usage to the urban term. Time for Flossin'... starting with a man who knows ostenstation... Frank Gehry. Via Tropolism > Core 77, the: "the visitors bench for the World Company building in Tokyo" definitely fits the bill with it's swoopy shapes.






:: images via Core 77

Contemporist shows up The Diagram Bench from Swedish furniture manufacturer Nola: "Architects Clara Lindencrona and Karin Andersson usually design in response to an existing landscape, but their plastic-fibre ‘Diagram’ bench seems to be a landscape in itself. ‘Diagram’s precipitous backrest brings the outline of mountain range to mind, while its rippling surface suggests a topography of mountain plateaux sloping towards the sea. The bench is a beautiful compliment to a contemporary gallery or a modern museum – where it could be mistaken for an artwork – yet tough enough to be the school playground’s coolest attraction." Here in well posed shiny black:


:: image via Contemporist

And in situ in yellow...




:: images via Contemporist

Designboom has a bench that is perhaps not ostentatious - but a stand out nonetheless. The lin pod bench by leif-designpark: "...stands out because of its elongated seat which is designed to hold a potted plant. reclining on the bench immerses the sitter in the greenery, as if they were sitting in nature. the bench is built using a wood base and upholstered seat that is embroidered with an abstract line pattern."




:: images via Designboom

Also, the scale can increase to site structures, such as this shelter, via IM - from the london design festival 08 preview: tom dixon at 100% detail:


:: image via IM

And this elegant playground via eye candy - from nocturnal design lab:




:: images via eye candy

And coming full circle via Inhabitat - perhaps the best true example of flossin' a tree with a somewhat intrusive (to the tree at least) Yellow Treehouse Restaurant in New Zealand by Pacific Environments Architects Ltd. Taking tree-sitting to a new aesthetic level - this building is perched within a redwood tree. Ironically enough, this wood structure occupying a tree is perhaps a fitting testimony to it's patron, the Yellow Pages - which is responsible for massive paper waste on a yearly basis... Inhabitat mentions 5% of landfill waste annually - perhaps houses made from old phone books would be preferable?






:: image via Inhabitat