Where Wildflowers Bloom

Poundbury is an urban extension to the Dorset county town of Dorchester, built on Duchy of Cornwall land i n accordance with the principles of architecture and urban planning, as advocated by HRH The Prince of Wales in his book ‘A Vision of Britain’. Poundbury is a development that intended to build something other than "another soulless housing estate". Creating beauty through architecture, reflecting local character and identity. While encouraging and adopting methods to reduce carbon emissions. So I anticipated a friendly, innovative, eco-living, town of the future.  As we arrived I was foolishly dazzled by the twinkle toy town, showcasing the architectural talents of our predecessors. A few moments of confusion, wait. Where am I? What is this place? These buildings were built recently... Oh, right. okay.  A Royal Exchange, capital architecture, wide open streets and a Waitrose. So many cars, yet very few people. Prefabricated, pretend... deserted?! My wonder for Poundbury...

My research into precedent studies continues...  Mary Bartelme Park - Site Design Group Mary Bartelme Park is a 2.3-acre city park located on a brownfield site in the heart of a revitalized warehouse district.  There are strong diagonal paths that connect the distinct zones throughout the park, identifying transition throughout the space – for someone who is frightened by dogs, I personally appreciate the separation of the Dog Park and the attention paid to the differing desires of the park users. In the same way, the Contemplative Garden has been positioned at a distance from the Sculpted Playground, revealing a variety of spirits within the site – almost different parks as part of a whole. Although I appreciate the notion that the site will be used by different people for different things , it leads to me wonder whether there is a lack of unity. For me the design boasts practicality and makes positive use out of a once forsaken place – there are bright, colourful visual...

Adriaan Geuze is a cofounder and design director of Dutch firm West 8, a leading practise for landscape architecture and urban design. A project that piques my interest within the West 8 portfolio is the design of the San Pellegrino Flagship Factory, a joint project with BIG.   The natural landscape bodes abundant views in all directions such as flowing rivers, forested slopes and vast open skies. The designed landscape fuses classical features with a modern refinement, a combination of rustic, Italian heritage with a clean, simple elegance.  What I like: ·        The material choices mimic that of the surrounding geology, flecked with natural tones of grey and white.  ·        There is a powerful geometric juxtaposition between the squared outer form of the factory to the internal archways.   ·        The variation and repetition of timeless arches creates an enticing and ...

My initial overlay sketches to experiment with the site layout. I am still undecided whether or not to close North Place, the road running through the centre of the site. Although it poses constraints, it provides access for vehicles away from the main pedestrian entrance on the A4019, en route from the Old Town and Brewery Quarter. Currently, I am edging towards maintaining the ends of North Place road, providing vehicle access to the carparks, whilst opening up the centre to allow for pedestrianisation through the site. My initial concept is inspired by the ecology of the surrounding area - a bioregion that integrates with the local environment. Geographical features of the Severn and Avon Vales provide a foundation - rolling hills, low lying meadows and agricultural fields.  The multi-storey carpark will feature a rooftop park imitating the undulating hills of the Cotswold scarp, blending with the north-eastern background view of Cleeve Hill. Whilst the ground plane (beneath the...

I have been neglecting sketch practise due to a lack of confidence and ability. But this week I went back to the basics, familiarising myself with hatching, line weights and the concept of light and shadow on 3D forms.  I am starting to realise that sketching is easy (she says), if broken down and strategic. Loose, playful scribbles can amount to an affective representation - and most importantly,  it doesn't have to be perfect!! In fact, the imperfection and variety of strokes is what can successfully communicate the appearance of organic forms.  So much can be expressed with hatch strokes and it is interesting to identify and understand the differences between combinations. 

Exploring precedents ahead of North Place design development. Ocean County Library Plaza   mikyoung kim’s design of Ocean County Library Plaza uses lighting concepts in the landscape. The sculptural installation guides visitors to the entrance of the library and symbolises knowledge and community heart.    The size of the lighting sculptures boasts a proud and enchanting statement supported by the liner paving design - both of which are representative of the concept. The multi route footpaths indicate considerations to the flow of visitors and approach routes to the site, they open up the front entrance to the street entirely, welcoming all visitors. The sculptures add ambience to the night street scape and a sense of safety.    I admire the concept and approach but personally feel uneasy with the aesthetics. The form of the sculptures and paving choices against the existing surroundings provoke unsettlement and tension to me.  Though they may represen...

  Field Operations are Landscape Architects and Urban Designers, committed to designing places for people with local culture and authenticity.  Due to complete this year, NBCUniversal Campus Project provides new green space intending to bring people closer to the outdoors and to one another. Comprising of shaded lawns, plaza, outdoor activity space and flexible gathering areas for markets and events. This project reveals that outdoor space is becoming essential to everyday productivity and responds to the provision for multiuse landscapes.  The colour palette is what I particularly like about the project. Neutral shades for both the paving and the building bring brightness and warmth to what could have been a dreary grey landscape. Sandy tones initiate a relaxing aura and integrate with the surrounding vegetation creating an earthy characteristic, while contrasting the green features, making them the focal point.  Again, I find myself in favour of the minimalist desi...

Christopher Bradley-Hole is considered to have a modernist design approach, reducing furniture and structures to essentials only - following the principles of ‘form follows function’. Though often minimalist in form, his well-considered planting schemes create a sense of 'wild' and liveliness to his landscape designs. The use of upright, expressive planting palettes and dramatic trees bring drama and fascination to the modest surroundings, amongst the intrinsic pleasantries and calming ambiances of nature. Bradley-Hole’s palette at Bury Court uses abundant grasses in grid like beds to integrate the gardens with the landscape beyond. In addition to the formal planting beds, from within the gardens, the landscape is framed in every direction by the timber structures, confirming the modernist garden approach. But the meadow like perennials and mixed grasses defy the formality of the garden, inviting vibrancy into the framework.  With vivacious, eye catching planting schemes, the f...

A quick sketch task, two minutes for each frame. Despite the messy scribbles, I was excited to do this!  I certainly need the practise and the only way to get better is to do.. watch this space for weekly, quick sketches and hopeful improvement! 👍

The vision of Studio Dreiseitl is to solve urban challenges via blue-green infrastructure that increases resilience, protects natural resources, and provides desirable green spaces for pleasure, learning, health and wellness.     Kampung Admiralty, Singapore, designed in 2013 is a community-residential development bringing together a multitude of programmes under one roof. The project not only provides an integration of greenery within the built environment but encompasses edible and medicinal plants that supply the onsite food and medical centres. The ‘one-stop’ development explores the possibilities of localised living and creative land use that supports people, wildlife, and the environment.    The design features rainwater harvesting for irrigation, sustainable drainage systems and a wealth of trees - just look at the green oasis amidst the developed city!! It is a vibrant and attractive ideal of future city landscapes and has provided inspiration for my des...

Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe considered landscape design as "the mother of all arts". He was one of the leading Landscape Architects of 20 th  Century and a founding member of the Landscape Institute with a successful career spanning almost 70 years. Jellicoe regenerated towns wounded by the war and explored the relationship between design and the subconscious.  Jellicoe recognized the experience of a landscape and the effects of time on a place. He also understood the powers of nature on the human mind and designed gardens free from the constraints of formal architecture to engage the subconscious. The subconscious of course, being different and unique to every individual.  The gardens at Shute House were originally designed between 1969 and 1988 and revitalised again by Jellicoe in 1993. There is a wonderful enigma to the garden, a mysterious adventure with flourishing findings around each corner. There is a restricted colour pallet and emphasis on evergreen planting to provid...