WLa 19 reSIDEnTIAL

residential
WLa19
WLa19 reSIDEnTIAL
CONTENTS
HOUSE OF FOLDING PLANES |
COLWELL SHELOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
DUNE SEDUM | EXTERRA
THE DOUGLAS RESIDENCES | STUDIO INSITE
LOTUS MANSION | PLACE DESIGN GROUP
DOUBLE BAR X | DESIGN WORKSHOP
THE CLARENDON | COPLEY WOLFF DESIGN GROUP
VILLA 21 | BERT LINSSEN
BROOKLYN BACKYARD | WE DESIGN
DARTMOUTH | HOCKER DESIGN GROUP
NIEUWVEEN DE VERWONDERING | HOSPER
MIRO | ONG&ONG
ONE CENTRAL PARK | ASPECT | OCULUS
BEDFORD HOUSE | BALMORI ASSOCIATES
OFFICER’S FIELD | HTA DESIGN
GOODWOOD RESIDENCES | ICN DESIGN
BUITENPLAATS TROMPENBURG | KARRES EN BRANDS
WEST LAKE RESIDENCE | PRESSLEY ASSOCIATES
COVER | VERTICAL FOREST | BOERI STUDIO
IMAGE CREDIT | ©PAOLO ROSSELLI
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house of folding planes
COLWELL SHELOR
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
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HOUSE OF FOLDING PLANES
COLWELL SHELOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Nestled between Downtown Scottsdale and
Paradise Valley, the recent renovation of this
winter patio home originally built in the early
1970’s, provides an opportunity for authentic
indoor/outdoor winter living. The landscape
architect collaborated closely with the client to
create a space that was not only sustainable,
sculptural, and contextual, but purposeful. Fully
integrated Universal design was paramount to
meet the owner’s needs.
The hardscape and landscape design
complement the strong architectural outline of
the house by using stark minimal forms and bold
sculptural desert vegetation. The client, an avid
cyclist found the sculptural beauty and simplicity
of the desert appealing while on his riding trips
and desired to have a little piece of the desert
floor in his own suburban residence.
Approaching from the street, a meandering white
concrete walkway snakes in between the valiant
prickly Organ Pipe and Saguaro cacti, terminating
at the black aperture entrance to the house.
Cool to the touch, the reflective white salt finish
concrete deck reminiscent of a dry gypsum lake
bed, continues from the front entrance walk to
the rear patio, with the black basalt house plane
bisecting the paving. A basalt and glass tile pool
is carved out of the stark white surface, creating
a natural art piece reflecting the sky above and
the San Pedro cactus wall beyond. The marching
columnar cacti beyond form a sculptural green
focal wall to view from the living/dining room.
Adjacent to the dining room window a small
‘funky’ cactus and succulent gallery of unusual
crested cacti, twisted aloes, glowing Silver
Torch columnar, and Pine Cone cacti, create a
conversation piece for guests.
The folding white concrete planes wrap the east
and west ends of the narrow linear space creating
two separate outdoor entertainment spaces; at
the east end a cast-in-place concrete BBQ area
and the west end a charred firewall. Contrasting
against the stark black and white surfaces two
specimen lime colored skinned Desert Museum
Palo Verde trees punctuate each space shading
the deck, as well as the south facade of the house.
A long floating Glu-lam bench complementing
the sandblasted wood ceiling and beams of the
house adds additional seating opportunities for
guests to watch the sunset over the majestic
Camelback Mountain to the west, as well as acts
as a counter for the owner to place items while
moving in out of the kitchen to the BBQ/dining
area. A runnel located at the drip line of the roof
overhang conveys rainwater runoff and pool
splash to the planters and trees at each end of
the folding planes uniting all the planters adjacent
to the house.
The cast-in-place concrete plane of the deck
folds up into a charred firewall reminiscent
of a weather-stained canyon wall creating a
seamless transition. The long hearth juts into
the shade garden creating a strong edge to the
space as well as providing a place to sit while
harvesting the citrus from the living privacy wall.
Tantalizing shades of lush green San Pedro
Cacti thread through a sea of Pale Leaf Yuccas
encompassing a small accessible turf area for
the owner to throw a ball to the dog.
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HOUSE OF FOLDING PLANES
COLWELL SHELOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
WLA 19
HOUSE OF FOLDING PLANES
COLWELL SHELLOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
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HOUSE OF FOLDING PLANES
COLWELL SHELOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
THE HOUSE OF FOLDING PLANES
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, USA
Design Firm | Colwell Shelor Landscape
Architecture
Architect | Darren Petrucci, A-I-R
Pool Contractor | Modern Pools
Hardscape Contractor | AZ Concrete Works
Landscape Contractor | Keven’s Landscape,
Photography |
Colwell Shelor Landscape Architecture
Matt Linquist
Text Credits |
Colwell Shelor Landscape Architecture
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LOTUS MANSION
PLACE DESIGN GROUP
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LOTUS MANSION | PLACE DESIGN GROUP
Lotus Mansion Capitaland is a boutique residential
and commercial development spanning 3
hectares with 398 residential apartments. Whilst
the construction of the sales display area has only
been completed the project is already unfolding
to be one of Shanghai’s best. Upon completion in
2015, Lotus Mansion will feature a central lotus
flower lake, grand lawn, lotus flower sculptures
and feature waterfall.
Commissioned to provide the full scope of
landscape architectural services, Place Design
Group have created a unique design incorporating
themes of modernity, usability and elegance
while uitilising the theme of the ‘Lotus Flower’
(traditional Chinese Symbol) throughout the
project with Lotus décor in the pool and existing
Architecture. Combining modernity, usability and
elegance, the team have created a design which
incorporates various courtyards and recreation
spaces with a large internal lake over two levels
as the development’s focal point. Adorned with
chrismatite this modern and elegant lake is home
to a selection of thriving aquatic plants with the
unique variety of the Overlord Lotus Plant acting
as the focal point.
Key to the success of the project is the provision
of a ‘park like setting’ in the city centre that gives
residents the opportunity to relax and unwind,
while still boasting a desirable geographical
location. Three predominant leisure and relaxation
spaces are available that are complimented by
water features adding a sense of tranquility;
the mid-lake island planted with large canopy
arbors, the feature pavilion beside the lake, and
the surreal floating timber deck in front of the
feature waterfall which enables residents to feel
as though they are strolling over the water. WLA 19
LOTUS MANSION | PLACE DESIGN GROUP
With a mix of modern and traditional design
aesthetics, the Lotus Mansion lends itself to
the residents as a relaxing and idyllic living
destination that reflects traditional Chinese
symbols of beauty through the design, and
overall ambience.
LOTUS MANSION
SHANGHAI, CHINA
Design Firm | Place Design Group
Image & Text Credit | Place Design Group
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The Clarendon
COPLEY WOLFF DESIGN GROUP
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THE CLAREDON | COPLEY WOLFF DESIGN GROUP
Located at the corner of Clarendon Street
and St. James Avenue in Boston’s Back Bay
neighborhood, The Clarendon is a 32-story luxury
residential tower containing 280 condominium
and rental units, ground-level retail, and belowgrade parking. The building is in a highly visible
site located across from the John Hancock Tower
and near Trinity Church.
Streetscape site improvements include the
addition of hardy Princeton American elm trees;
granite paving at the building entries and sidewalk
edge; new concrete sidewalks; and bicycle
racks. Street trees are planted in structural soil
trenches. Large volumes of soil were used,
allowing the tree roots to grow freely beneath the
walks without causing heaving or cracking to the
concrete surface.
The Clarendon is a green building and is LEED
Silver-Certified. As a part of this effort, Copley
Wolff Design Group designed four roof terraces
that include private spaces for individual
residences as well as public gathering areas for
the entire building. These spaces combine a rich
and colorful low-maintenance plant palette with
amenities such as sustainable IPE hardwood
decking and privacy walls, accent lighting, and
stainless steel cooking stations. Outdoor rooms
are filled with comfortable furnishings that
provide spaces to congregate with family and
friends.
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THE CLAREDON | COPLEY WOLFF DESIGN GROUP
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THE CLAREDON | COPLEY WOLFF DESIGN GROUP
The colorful 6th-floor sun terrace planting
contrasts against the silver hue of the ipe decking
and screen walls. Planting consists of a variety
of sedums, perennials, and ornamental grasses.
Every season was carefully planned – evergreen
sedums and low grasses keep winter interest
while providing changing colors and textures
throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
THE CLARENDON
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, USA
Design Firm | Copley Wolff Design Group, Inc.
Architect | Robert A.M. Stern Architects LLP
Architect of Record | CBT/Childs Bertman
Tseckares, Inc.
Civil Engineer (Streetscape) | Parsons
Brinckerhoff
Landscape Installation (Roof Deck) | Sasso
Landscaping
Landscape Installation (Streetscape) |
ValleyCrest
Green Roof System | Marshall Roofing
Photographay | Copley Wolff Design Group,
Inc.
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Serp & Molot
MVRDV & LAB
BROOKLYN BACKYARD
WE DESIGN
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BROOKLYN BACKYARD | WE DESIGN
The Brooklyn, New York-based client, a musician
and producer on a tight budget, wanted an
artistic and creative garden that wouldn’t
break the bank. This urban oasis checks all the
boxes. Reclaimed wood slats in dark and light
colors combine to form a visually interesting
wall behind the gravel-dining platform at the
rear of the garden. Overhead, a simple pergola
structure filters the view of the surrounding highrises, and string lights add a warm glow at night.
Bamboo fencing runs the length of the garden,
providing a textured backdrop to the plantings in
raised beds. The outdoor furniture, made from
recycled plastic milk jugs, continues the clean,
contemporary lines and adds a pop of color.
Prices were kept down by integrating customdesigned reclaimed materials with less expensive,
off-the-shelf materials. Various shades of green
and a juxtaposition of textures were chosen for
the planting palette. The smooth variegated
leaves of the Solomon’s Seal offers an elegant
backdrop for the rougher textures of various
ferns. The hydrangea and dwarf Japanese Maple
provides an atmosphere of serenity.
The existing condition of the backyard was a big
dirt box. The client wanted an area for sitting and
entertaining, a garden of shade loving plants and
an area for some vegetable gardening. Screening
the area under the deck was also important. A
simple rectangular scheme was proposed with
the seating area at the far end of the garden. The
deck is slightly raised and covered with a simple
pergola to draw you out into the garden. The
steel planters run along the sides of the property
allowing the plants to be showcased against the
light colored bamboo fence. The lawn in the
middle offers the opportunity for the kids to play.
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BROOKLYN BACKYARD | WE DESIGN
BROOKLYN BACKYARD
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, USA
Design Firm | WE DESIGN
Image Credits | Ty Cole
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Nieuwveen De Verwondering
HOSPER
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NIEUWVEEN DE VERWONDERING | HOSPER
Arcadian living in the countryside
De Verwondering is the name of a new residential
landscape in the green heart - a green central
area in the centre of the Netherlands - situated
between the village Nieuwveen and the nearby
golf course. The Arcadian residential landscape
accommodates approximately 170 dwellings
and is characterized by a spacious layout and a
low density. Bringing the ideal of living in a rural
area within reach of many people. The attention
to landscape, sustainability, nature and ecology
has contributed to a particular environment with
a strong identity.
Ecology and edible landscape
The experience of living in the landscape is
created by nature, which is widely available. The
landscape is palpable through the trees, hedges
and herbs and the animals that they attract. Fruit
trees mark the seasons and contribute to the
community spirit and residential initiatives. The
central park is the playground and meeting place
for residents of both De Verwondering and the
existing village of Nieuwveen.
Three islands
The plan consists of three islands. The islands are
surrounded by water, which is naturally filtered
through the plantation along the banks. From the
provincial road, a new access route has been
laid out which, with the aid of bridges, strings the
different islands together. The residential islands
each have a different design and signature.
The Park Island, which is the first island to
be developed, consists of a beautiful park
surrounded by mounds, which are inhabited. The
mounds make it possible for the backyards of
the houses to border on the public green, without
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NIEUWVEEN DE VERWONDERING | HOSPER
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NIEUWVEEN DE VERWONDERING | HOSPER
putting the privacy at stake. Because of the open
structure of the Park Island visual quality rules
for the architecture have been set up to ensure
consistency. The Park Island is provided with
a scenic edge, in the form of an edge of broad
reeds.
The Northern Island is a neighbourhood,
surrounded by a garland of fruit trees, where
residents can build their personal dream villa
in a green setting. A looped leafy avenue forms
the access road. The Southern Island is made
up of landscape rooms surrounded by bushes.
It forms the cornerstone in the development and
because of its interior offers flexibility regarding
future use.
At the moment the plan is still under construction.
The groundwork for all three islands has been
carried out and the construction of the first
dwellings on the park island is underway.
NIEUWVEEN DE VERWONDERING
NIEUWVEEN, THE NETHERLANDS
Design Firm | HOSPER
Designers |
Mark van der Heide
Raquel van Donselaar
Irma van Weeren
Jonas Strous
Han Konings
Partners |
GIDZ
Planmaat
Image Credits | HOSPER
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ONE CENTRAL PARK
ASPECT | OCULUS
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ONE CENTRAL PARK | ASPECT | OCULUS
One Central Park is a new landmark mixed use
project which forms a significant architectural
gateway to Sydney’s downtown. This high
profile project on the former Carlton United
Brewery site, is the first stage of the Central
Park development. One Central Park comprises
two residential towers and a lower retail podium
addressing the site’s Broadway frontage. The
built form is veiled by a combination of vertical
gardens (greenwalls), designed by Patrick Blanc,
as well as green facades, the planting for which
has been developed and delivered by ASPECT |
OCULUS.
creating around 7 linear kilometres of greenery
around both towers.
ASPECT | OCULUS were engaged in early 2011
to design and develop the initial concept for the
facades, as well the internal residential lobby,
ground floor planting, podium garden, sunken
courtyard and atrium planting for the retail levels.
ASPECT | OCULUS selected a diverse mixture of
over 100 different native and exotic plant species
for use on the building facades, depending on the
height, aspect and wind exposure. The species
selection included a palette of different colours
and textures. Some plants are designed to spill
over planter boxes, others designed to climb up
cables – together creating a living green screen
for residents looking out from their apartments
and a sense of greenery to all facades of the
buildings.
• The successful achievement of the intended
design outcome in the face of significant
environmental, technical and logistical
challenges;
• Rigorous research on micro-climate, growing
media, irrigation & fertigation requirements,
species selection and ongoing maintenance
for the facade planting; and
• The development of a successful modular
planter box system for use on tall buildings.
The key landscape elements at Central Park
include:
• A total of 2,700 linear planter boxes on
balconies
• Internal sloping greenwall alongside retail
escalators
• Sunken courtyard with access to retail
• Ground level landscape
• Level 5 podium garden with pool
• Level 29 cantilevered Sky Garden.
The overall design intent for the building was
to clothe much of the facades in planting, both
through a number of large greenwalls designed
by Patrick Blanc and through facade planting
(designed by ASPECT | OCULUS). The linear
balcony planter boxes wrap all façades of the
apartment buildings from level 2 to level 33
One Central Park is the largest green facade
in Australia and whilst it has considerable
microclimatic challenges, the planting is thriving.
To ensure planting success, the planting design
and technical development was tested through
a rigorous process. A wind speed and sun/
shade analysis was modelled to determine plant
suitability for the facades, and light lux levels
were recorded to determine hardiest planting for
low level light in the lobby and atrium.
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ONE CENTRAL PARK | ASPECT | OCULUS
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ONE CENTRAL PARK | ASPECT | OCULUS
ONE CENTRAL PARK
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Team |
Landscape architects for the Design,
Development and Documentation of The Green
Facade and Courtyards | ASPECT|OCULUS
Botanist & Design of The Green Wall component
| Patrick Blanc
Principal Architects for the building | Ateliers
Jean Nouvel
Architects for the Building | PTW Architects
Landscape Architects for the Site Master Plan |
JAAA +Turf Design Studio
Installation of the Vertical Gardens | Junglefy
Builders | Watpac Construction
Client | Frasers Property Australia and Sekisui
House Australia
Photo Credit | Simon Wood
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officer’s field
HTA DESIGN
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OFFICER’S FIELD | HTA DESIGN
Officer’s Field, on the Portland Peninsula
in Dorset, sets a new standard for quality
sustainable housing in the UK. The site posed
a number of significant physical challenges
being both awkward in shape with dramatic
topography, combined with varied demands of
adjoining uses. The design challenge was to
exploit these constraints to create a great new
place that reflects the best characteristics of
England’s much loved historic coastal towns.
At the heart of HTA’s vision was the ambition
to improve the relationship of the site to the
surrounding streets and open spaces, whilst
forming beautiful, protected, new public places
for the future residents of the site. Connections
across the site reflect the tradition of hilly seaside
towns. Dramatic flights of winding steps are
cut into the landscape and incorporated into
the structures of the new buildings. These are
formed in Portland stone with integrated planting
to create a contemporary interpretation of the
local vernacular and reference distinctive local
features.
coastal planting, natural stone walling beach
pebbles and reclaimed timber all contributing to
a strong sense of place. Tree planting is limited
due to the exposed conditions of the site, so that
feature trees are restricted to key focal points in
order frame views, provide interest and summer
shade. Holm oaks (Quercus ilex) have been use
for longevity, stature and because they are typical
of the locality. A site specific planting palette
has been established that provides year round
colour, structure and interest which thrive with
minimal maintenance in the aggressive coastal
microclimate.
Reflecting the success of the scheme in achieving
the ambitions set out above, the development
was selected by London Organising Committee
of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG)
to form the 2012 Olympic Sailing Village, housing
athletes for the Olympics and Paralympics, prior
to being released for refurbishment and release
after the games.
The design includes a new village green at the
heart of the scheme to create a focal space for
the new community. The scheme also provides
strong pedestrian links and good natural
surveillance of the public amenity spaces that
surround the site. Many of the new homes have
extensive roof terraces and balconies as well as
gardens to take advantage of the sites aspect and
dramatic views across the peninsula and beyond
to chesil beach.
Materials and the planting have been carefully
selected to reinforce the local character with
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OFFICER’S FIELD | HTA DESIGN
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OFFICER’S FIELD | HTA DESIGN
OFFICER’S FIELD
DORSET, UK
Lead Architects and Landscape Architects |
HTA Design LLP
Main Contractor | Acheson Construction Ltd
Civil and Structural Engineering | TWP
Consulting
Hard Landscape Sub-contractor | Earlcoate
Construction
Soft Landscape Sub-contractor | Giles
Woodford Ltd
Local Authority | Weymouth and Portland
Borough Council
Image & Text Credits | HTA Design LLP
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Buitenplaats Trompenburg
KARRES EN BRANDS
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BUITENPLAATS TROMPENBURG
KARRES EN BRANDS
Buitenplaats Trompenburg is a seventeenthcentury land reclamation west of Hilversum,
on the border of the higher-lying sandy soils
of the Gooi and the lower peatlands of the
Vecht. Huis Trompenburg is a landmark and
the icon of ‘s-Graveland, and is part of a series
of ‘s-Graveland estates. Although much has
disappeared or been transformed over the course
of time, the late seventeenth-century structure is
still the basis of its current image. The concept
of Karres en Brands involves restoring the parkgarden of Trompenburg, whereby the story of the
manor is portrayed in a respectful manner. To
this end, a future concept was first developed,
which constitutes the basis for the design to be
further developed in the coming years. The first
phase was carried out in 2012.
2
Although Huis Trompenburg has been restored
in a number of phases, the current park layout
is only a shadow of what it must have once
been, according to pictures from 1704. A large
part of the park’s structure has disappeared, and
the remaining part is seriously neglected. The
current layout is disjointed and lacks, besides a
clear spatial structure, refinement in its details.
The most important qualities of the current
park layout are the recognisability of the basic
seventeenth-century form, some characteristic
additions, such as the scenic layout of paths,
and the presence of a copse with very large
trees. This asks for a design that is distinguished
by flexibility on a solid base. The essence of the
seventeenth-century site design, coupled with
the structural and symbolic-conceptual design of
the main building, is foremost in the renovation
plan. In the case of Trompenburg, reconstruction
3
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BUITENPLAATS TROMPENBURG
KARRES EN BRANDS
4
5
6
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BUITENPLAATS TROMPENBURG
KARRES EN BRANDS
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8
9
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BUITENPLAATS TROMPENBURG
KARRES EN BRANDS
of the seventeenth-century design in a ‘museum’
sense is not the sought after intent. On the
contrary, Trompenburg will be restored while
preserving several surviving features and
respecting its contemporary use.
In the first phase, the scenic and antique layout
of paths in the woods is restored, the tree
population is partly thinned and supplemented,
estate planting is implemented, and the centrally
located, round historic pond is restored.
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BUITENPLAATS TROMPENBURG
’S-GRAVELAND, NETHERLANDS
Design Firm | Karres En Brands
In collaboration with Simon Klingen
Client | Dutch Government Buildings Agency
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12
BEFORE
BEFORE
Image Credits |
1,2, 3, 5, 9, 10 Chiel van Diest
4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 Karres En Brands
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DUNE SEDUM
EXTERRA
1
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DUNE SEDUM | EXTERRA
The project inserts itself in a modern landscape,
i.e. in a courtyard between new buildings located
in the surroundings of a small town near Vicenza.
The customer explicitly requested to transform
the asymmetric flowerbed located at the entrance
of the courtyard into a representative garden
requiring modest maintenance.
several trunks completes the scene giving a
lightness touch and ensuring long and white
efflorescences.
The design concept provides for the contemporary
reinterpretation of the Japanese garden, where
“islands” of vegetation and sinuous “mountains”
arise from a “sea” of homogeneous material.
In this way, curvilinear reliefs, covered by variable
color vegetation, emerges from the horizontal
plane made of basalt flakes.
Part of the attached pictures present the state
of the work immediately after the completion.
They do not therefore represent the distinctive
character of colors and textures that would be
visible once completed the settlement of the
Sedum ground cover: this is so visible in the
other images, taken 5 months later in winter
The garden was created in summer 2014 and
we equipped the dunes and borders of dedicated
irrigation.
In order to obtain an immediate eye-catching
effect, we opted for a cover realized with an
already-prepared carpet of Sedum. The latter,
made up of about 10 mixed plants (Sedum acre,
Sedum sexangulare, Sedum spurium “Roseum”
Sedum spurium “Purpurteppich” Sedum spurium
“Album”, Sedum hispanicum “Minus”, Sedum
album “Mural”, Sedum album “Laconicum”
Sedum album “macranthum” Sedum hybridum
“Immergrunchen”, ...) disposed on a fabric
made of coconut-fibers and dedicated substrate,
provides different colors and leaf textures, while
several blooms alternate throughout the year.
In contrast to these winding-shaped dunes, the
entire composition includes static and geometric
belts, whose vegetation seems fluctuating
and evanescent; initially, the belts should be
composed by ornamental grass, but we then
opted for the less ephemeral Liriope graminifolia.
The sole arboreal elements are three evergreen
slow-growth Quercus suber with ad-hoc selected
sculptural shape; a Lagerstroemia indica with
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DUNE SEDUM | EXTERRA
DUNE SEDUM
VICENZA, ITALY
Designer | Luisa Dal Brun
Art Director | Luisa Dal Brun
Construction | Areaverde Snc Di Igor Zazzaron
ImagesCredit | Luisa Dal Brun, Igor Zazzaron
Text Credit| Luisa Dal Brun, Filippo Campagnolo
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the douglas RESIDENCES
STUDIO INSITE
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THE DOUGLAS RESIDENCES | STUDIO INSITE
The Douglas Residences is an urban infill
development occupying a full city block in the
desirable Denver Ballpark Historic District.
This highly amenitized 310-unit multifamily
development is accessible to public transit,
and is within easy walking distance of Coors
Field, Union Station, Larimer Square, and the
historic LoDo and Riverfront entertainment
districts. Located on the northern fringes of
downtown Denver, The Douglas capitalizes upon
excellent views of both downtown and the Rocky
Mountains. The residences are thoroughly
detailed for contemporary urban living standards,
including exterior spaces for socializing, a roof
deck capitalizing on stunning views, a resortstyle salt water pool and spa, a large central
courtyard, calming fountain, fire features, grilling
stations, a pet wash facility, bike storage and
repair shop, and fitness facilities.
The front door to The Douglas, situated along
Walnut Street, is enhanced with granite planter
curbs and concrete accents. The streetscape
materiality features repurposed historic red
sandstone curbs which were discovered during
construction and incorporated into the design.
The red sandstone slabs are utilized along planter
beds and also stacked to create unique seat
walls. The historic material creates an attractive
contrast to the contemporary architecture.
The site design draws residents and visitors into
the primary entrance with a grand port-cochère
arrival. Banding and patterning of the paving
materials provide a seamless transition from
Walnut Street, through the architecture to the
courtyard. The central amenity courtyard serves
residents with both passive and active spaces for
year-round outdoor living. Special consideration
was taken to provide comfortable, flexible
spaces on the ground level, while providing
visual interest and patterning viewed from the
residential units above.
The landscape architect distilled the design
intention from the surrounding urban grid, pulling
this pattern into the central courtyard to create
individually programmed social areas. Axial
organization, derived from the urban form just
beyond the walls of The Douglas, creates outdoor
rooms. The landscape design creates several
distinct areas ranging from active community
space to private seating areas for passive
individual use throughout the courtyard. A
geometric rhythm of paving elements integrated
with the organic forms of grass and landscape
elements reinforces the axial organization.
Design elements are contemporary, yet fresh and
timeless, with custom shade structures utilizing
a combination of wood, steel and tinted glass.
The landscape architect’s planting design utilizes
shrubs, grasses and ornamental trees to create
privacy both for smaller-scaled intimate spaces
within the courtyard and for the first floor
residents. Mature landscape materials were
installed to create an instant sense of place.
The development also features a roof deck
social area constructed of a pedestal paver
system. The roof deck is located on an open
corner of The Douglas, in order to capitalize on
the abundant views of downtown, Coors Field
and the mountains beyond. The amenity deck
provides a space for residents to entertain guests
amongst luxurious amenities including outdoor
grilling facilities, a large flat screen television and
a double-sided fireplace.
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THE DOUGLAS | STUDIO INSITE
The beauty of The Douglas is in the details. Each
fire and water feature is suited to its specifically
scaled use. Materials are chosen for their simplicity
and effortless durability. The landscape design
capitalizes on the development’s distinctly urban
context to enforce a strong sense of place. The
amenities so exquisitely detailed in the courtyard
and roof deck are the formative features that
create a place where people want to live.
THE DOUGLAS RESIDENCES
DENVER, COLORADO, USA
Design Firm | studioINSITE, LLC
Consultants
Architect | JG Johnson Architects
Civil Engineer | Harris Kocher Smith
MEP Engineer | ME Group
Structural Engineer | REI Structural
Construction Company | Colorado Structures
Incorporated
Photography | Robb Williamson
WLA 19
DOUBLE BAR X
DESIGN WORKSHOP
WLA 19
DOUBLE BAR X | DESIGN WORKSHOP
A
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GARAGE
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MASTER
SUITE
P
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CARRIAGE
HOUSE
BUNK
HOUSE
J
PRIMARY
RESIDENCE
E
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K
GUEST
SUITE
GUEST
BARN
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M
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H
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D
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G
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GRAVEL ENTRY DRIVE
PONDEROSA PINE GROVE
GUEST PARKING
ENTRY COURTYARD
TERRACE
LAWN
BOULDER OUTCROPPINGS
RESTORED MEADOW
WINDROWS
J
K
L
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Q
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ASPEN ALLEE
CENTRAL COURTYARD
FIRE FEATURE & SEATING
DIPPING POOL
POND
WORKING HAY FIELD
SPECIMEN TREE
SCULPTURE
TRAILS
0
10
20
40
At Double Bar X, a collective dialogue between
landscape, architecture and interior design
reimagines a ranch boneyard into a family retreat
respectful of the American West. The site plan –
an ensemble of architectural structures designed
in a modern ranch vernacular – is effortlessly
unified and encapsulated through a progression
of deliberate connections and outdoor rooms.
In doing so, the landscape architect extends the
function of interior spaces and elaborates on the
experience of moving between buildings, thus
heightening one’s sense of place. The existing
site is a 12-foot-high, man-made landform
comprised of glacial soils, invasive weeds and
few plantings that abruptly rises in the agricultural
meadow. It is reconnected to its context through
regenerative plant communities, a refined
palette of regional materials and a deliberate
manipulation of landform. The transformation
cultivates an engaging experience of nature while
bringing the utility of the agrarian landscape into
harmony with the home.
levels up to 12” inches. And third, the presence
of barren soils and noxious weeds allowed soil
particles and seeds to flow into and be carried
by the property’s irrigation ditch.
History | Since the late 19th century and until
recent years, the 2.4 acre site operated as a
maintenance boneyard for a working ranch.
Decades of deposited debris – dead vegetation,
organic material, cobble and trash – created a
12-foot high, man-made landform adjacent to
an active hay meadow. Recently capped, two
building envelopes, separated by a 40’ landscape
zone, were designated on the site. The site’s
prior uses presented three notable challenges.
First, the debris created an abrupt and artificially
appearing landform resting above the productive
landscape. Second, the fill condition, when
combined with the region’s 300 annual freeze/
thaw cycles, presented potential settlement
Entry Garden | The arrival sequence extends
the visual nature of the agrarian setting into
the domesticated landscape. Ascending a resculpted landform, the entry drive meanders
through a restored meadow and Ponderosa Pine
grove, terminating upon a walled entry courtyard.
Upon entering the courtyard, one is immediately
aware of seamless and unfolding relationships
between architecture and landscape through
a sophisticated, yet regional palette of stone,
water and plants. Set upon architectural focal
points, two perpendicular paths descend into
the space and converge upon a hand-carved
granite cube. Contrasted by naturalized groups
of quaking aspens, the feature offers a sculptural
Vision | Original development guidelines outlined
a vision with significant plantings and earthwork
between architectural structures that would have
divided and isolated uses. Our clients sought
an alternative vision – to create a mountain
retreat that would embrace and integrate the
rural surrounding. The design team recognized
the potential to leverage the independent
building envelopes and create a modern
homestead inspired by ranch patterns of the
American West. Together, the dialogue between
landscape and architecture utilizes openings,
axial lines and distant vistas to create a modern
interpretation of a homestead. The site plan is
organized purposefully to encourage individuals
to be outside, walking between structures and
reconnecting with nature.
WLA 19
DOUBLE BAR X | DESIGN WORKSHOP
element, framed from various perspectives in the
home and garden, and conveys a contemplative
ambience as the sound of falling water
reverberates throughout the enclosed space.
Central Courtyard | The second garden,
in comparison, is an entertainment space
representing the marriage of landscape and
architecture. In lieu of following the development
guidelines that proposed berms and dense
coniferous plantings, the design team utilized
the space as a central courtyard. As a result,
the design erases the notion of the underlying
property boundary, elaborates the experiences of
moving back and forth between the buildings and
particularly highlights the potential relationship
between architecture, landscape and interiors
through movable and invisible walls. Set upon the
primary architectural axis and resting beneath a
canopy of eight Quaking Aspens, a dining table
serves as a visual centerpiece. To the south, splitfaced stone stairs descend into a rectilinear plinth
of lawn, punctuated by a monolithic granite fire
pit. Defining the edge of the courtyard, a dipping
pool offers a refreshing recreational element and
cools prevailing winds.
Water | Water was skillfully integrated into the
overall design concept, becoming an aesthetic,
ecological and functional element. Despite the
degraded condition of the site, the property
possessed plentiful water rights, including an
irrigation ditch which delineated the edge of the
agricultural meadow. Set between the meadow
and central courtyard, a new pond establishes
a healthy riparian habitat, provides a resource
for migrating wildlife and supplies 75 percent of
the property’s necessary irrigation. Excavated
material from the pond’s construction softens
the abrupt landform. Leveraging the topographic
anomaly and creating a new horizon, a crisp
infinity-edge dipping pool, held by granite
outcroppings, rests above the pond and achieves
the illusion of a larger water feature. The water
feature abstracts the transparent and cavity-like
azure pools of water often found throughout the
rugged Rocky Mountains.
Overcoming Technical Challenges | The site’s
historic activity required the landscape architect
to address the need for a highly technical and
complex sub-surface structural system while
not detracting from the finished aesthetic. The
initial geotechnical report identified the building
envelopes rested on 12 feet of man-placed fill.
In response, a grid of structural micro-piles
provides the necessary foundation for the
construction of terraces immediately outside of
the architecture under the water features and site
walls. The solution enabled the crisp detailing and
design resolution of the architectural structures
to seamlessly connect with the horizontal
landscape.
Restoring Plant Communities | The garden was
adapted to the conditions of high altitude through
selections of plant materials, existing and
amended soils, and context-sensitive strategies
that re-establish native plant communities and
enhance wildlife habitats. Within the entry garden,
a tallgrass meadow provides an alternative to
a traditional lawn, requiring less maintenance
and water consumption while keeping with the
rural character of the site. Shelterbelts provide
protection from the prevailing western winds
and serve a visual screen to the parking court.
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DOUBLE BAR X | DESIGN WORKSHOP
WLA 19
DOUBLE BAR X | DESIGN WORKSHOP
Surrounding the pond and irrigation ditch,
naturalized groupings of spruce trees, woody
shrubs and an established riparian edge of
sedges help cool the water, promoting a healthy
riparian habitat.
DOUBLE BAR X
ASPEN, COLORADO, USA
Design Firm | Design Workshop, Inc. | Aspen,
Colorado
Design Workshop, Inc. Team | Aspen, Colorado
Richard Shaw, FASLA - Principal-in-Charge
Michael Albert, ASLA - Project Manager
(Schematic Design Phase - Construction
Documentation Phase)
Michael Tunte - Project Manager (Construction
Observation Phase)
Architecture | Backen Gillam Kroeger Architects
Interior Design | Kerry Joyce Associates
Structural Engineering | KL&A Structural
Engineers
Civil Engineering | Sopris Engineering
Mechanical Engineering | Beaudin Ganze
Water Feature Specialist | Water Design, Inc.
Lighting Design | Eric Johnson Lighting
Pond Consultant | Aqua Sierra, Inc.
Irrigation Specialist | Hines Irrigation
Owner’s Representative | Jim Turnipseed
General Contractor | Hansen Construction
Landscape Contractor | Landscape Workshop,
Inc.
Photography Credit | D.A. Horchner / Design
Workshop, Inc.
WLA 19
villa 21
BERT LINSSEN
WLA 19
VILLA 21 | BERT LINSSEN
Villa 21 is a 5000 square meters residential
project located at the outskirts of Helden, a
small town in the Netherlands. This article gives
a short description about how sustainability
was a key factor in the realization of this villa
and garden. The project proves that a villa and
garden can work together to be sustainable and
self-sufficient, but also attractive and pleasant to
live in.
To integrate sustainability into the Villa 21
project, principles based on ‘Cradle to Cradle’
were followed. Cradle to cradle is a philosophy
invented by William Mcdonough and Michael
Braungart. According to their book; “Cradle
to Cradle is a bio mimetic approach to the
design of products and systems. It models
human industry on nature’s processes viewing
materials as nutrients circulating in healthy, safe
metabolisms. It suggests that industry must
protect and enrich ecosystems and nature’s
biological metabolism while also maintaining a
safe, productive technical metabolism for the
high-quality use and circulation of organic and
technical nutrients.”[1]
In accordance with these principles the walls
of the villa are built using an innovative German
construction system made of blocks of recycled,
compressed wooden material with a concrete
core.
Natural gas is not required as a heat pump
provides heating and a green roof provides
additional insulation.
By July 2015 solar panels will be installed on the
roof of the villa, enabling the house to be self-
sufficient with regards to electricity, heating and
sewerage.
Following on from ‘Cradle to Cradle’ principles,
the cultural heritage of the area has also been
taken in consideration.
The street where the villa is located has various
forms of “Langgevelboerderijen,” an archetype
of a traditional Dutch farmhouse where the
living space, stable and barn are all connected
in a rectangular shaped building. The villa design
respects the local vernacular architecture by
evoking this archetype with its long 38m facade.
Attached to the villa is a winter garden of approx.
1000m3; the main purpose of this winter garden
is to extend the summer season for the villa’s
occupants. During a sunny day in spring/fall
season the sun can raise the temperature in
the winter garden up to 8 degrees compared to
the outdoor temperature. In this case the doors
between the winter garden and villa will be
opened, thus reducing the time that the house
needs to be heated using the heat pump.
The winter garden is connected to the garden by
a sliding door that provides access to a wooden
deck overseeing the pond. The design of the
garden is very minimalistic and flows seamlessly
into the outlying landscape proving a spectacular
backdrop to the building and interior design.
The 800m2 pond functions as a natural swimming
pool and water reservoir. Brown water coming
from the house will flow into a sewerage tank
and the waste in this water will sink to the bottom
of the tank and here it will decay. The water from
WLA 19
VILLA 21 | BERT LINSSEN
the tank will be pumped in the first filter bed.
Here, it will be cleaned by the use of aerobic and
anaerobic bacteria’s, which are situated next to
the roots of the plants in the filter. Once the water
has passed this filter, the water will be pumped
into the second filter bed and here the process
will repeat itself. By this stage, the water will be
clean and therefore can be safely pumped into
the pond. It will be from here where it will be
reused for flushing toilets in the house. The pond
also includes its own helophyte filter where water
from the pond will be pumped through to ensure
that the water is of swimming quality. The plant
materials used for this filter are Juncus effuses.
This species is used because it is a species that
does not grow through the pond liner however
yet still has very efficient cleaning abilities.
Beside the pond is a walnut tree orchard. This
type of orchard is very common in this part of
the Netherlands. The idea behind the installation
of this orchard is to relay and reconnect a small
part of cultural heritage to the site. Apart from
the Walnut Tree Orchard, various sections of fruit
trees, bramble bushes, berry bushes as well as
a small vegetable garden complete the aim of
making the project self-sufficient.
The implementation of “Cradle to Cradle” design
principles in combination with respect for
cultural heritage can help reach a high level of
sustainability, in this way the project is not losing
the ability to fit into the surrounding environment.
It’s very important that during the beginning of
a project the architect and landscape architect
work closely together. In this way they have
the maximum potential to create a sustainable
and self-sufficient system using opportunities
provided by the site.
VILLA 21
HELDEN, NETHERLANDS
Landscape Architect | Bert Linssen
Architect | Taci Yurtay
Images | Stefan Koopmans, Bert Linssen
Text | Bert Linssen
WLA 19
vertical forest
BOERI STUDIO
WLA 19
VERTICAL FOREST | BOERI STUDIO
The first example of a ‘Vertical Forest’ (il Bosco
Verticale) was was innaugurated in October 2014
in Milan in the Porta Nuova Isola area, as part of
a wider renovation project led by Hines Italia.
Milan’s Vertical Forest consists of two towers
of 80 and 112 metres, hosting 480 large and
medium trees, 300 small trees, 11,000 perennial
and covering plants and 5,000 shrubs. The
equivalent - over an urban surface of 1,500 m2
– of 20,000 m2 of forest and undergrowth.
The Vertical Forest is an architectural concept
which replaces traditional materials on urban
surfaces using the changing polychromy of leaves
for its walls. The biological architect relies on a
screen of vegetation, needing to create a suitable
microclimate and filter sunlight, and rejecting the
narrow technological and mechanical approach
to environmental sustainability.
Biological Habitats
The Vertical Forest increases biodiversity. It
promotes the formation of an urban ecosystem
where various plant types create a separate
vertical environment, but which works within the
existing network, able to be inhabited by birds
and insects (with an initial estimate of 1,600
specimens of birds and butterflies). In this way, it
constitutes a spontaneous factor for repopulating
the city’s flora and fauna.
Mitigation
The Vertical Forest helps to build a microclimate
and to filter fine particles contained in the urban
environment. The diversity of plants helps to
develop the microclimate which produces
humidity, absorbs CO2 and particles, produces
oxygen, and protects against radiation and noise
pollution.
Anti-sprawl
The Vertical Forest is an anti-sprawl method
which helps to control and reduce urban
expansion. In terms of urban density, each tower
constitutes the equivalent of a peripheral area
of single family houses and buildings of around
50,000 m2.
Trees
The choice of species and their distribution
according to the orientation and height of façades
is the result of three years of studies carried out
alongside a group of botanists and ethologists.
The plants which are used on the building were
pre-cultivated in a nursery in order for them to
become accustomed to similar conditions to
those which they will find on the balconies.
Changing façades
The Vertical Forest is an ever-evolving landmark
of the city, whose colours change depending on
the season and the different natures of the plants
used. This offers Milan’s population an everchanging view of the city.
Management
The management of the basins where the plants
grow is the responsibility of the condominium,
as is the maintenance and replacement of all
vegetation and the number of plants established
for each basin.
Hydration and irrigation system
Following micro-meteorological studies, the
calculation of irrigation requirements was carried
out by examining climatic characteristics and
was diversified depending on the exposure of
each façade and the distribution of vegetation on
each floor.
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VERTICAL FOREST | BOERI STUDIO
WLA 19
VERTICAL FOREST
MILAN, ITALY
Boeri Studio (Stefano Boeri, Gianandrea
Barreca, Giovanni La Varra)
Vertical Forest Landscape Design | Emanuela
Borio and Laura Gatti
Developer | Hines Italia
Supervision of works | Francesco de Felice,
Davor Popovic
Design development | Gianni Bertoldi
(coordinator), Alessandro Agosti, Andrea
Casetto, Matteo Colognese, Angela Parrozzani,
Stefano Onnis
Schematic design and PII | Frederic de Smet
(coordinator), Daniele Barillari, Marco Brega,
Julien Boitard, Matilde Cassani, Andrea Casetto,
Francesca Cesa Bianchi, Inge Lengwenus,
Corrado Longa, Eleanna Kotsikou, Matteo Marzi,
Emanuela Messina, Andrea Sellanes
Structures | Arup Italia s.r.l.
Facilities Design | Deerns Italia s.p.a.
Detailed Design | Tekne s.p.a.
Landscape Design | Land s.r.l.
Infrastructure Design | Alpina s.p.a.
Project & Construction Management | Hines
Italia s.r.l.
Building Management & Supervision of Works
(DL) 2008-2012 | MI.PR.AV. s.r.l.
Photography | Paolo Rosselli
WLA 19
DARTMOUTH
HOCKER DESIGN GROUP
WLA 19
DARTMOUTH | HOCKER DESIGN GROUP
The unique opportunity to expand a squeezed
neighborhood lot into a spacious garden oasis
was created when the client acquired the adjacent
property, allowing expansion of the outdoor
space in an otherwise dense neighborhood
pocket of Highland Park. The primary focus of
the design is an architectural extension of the
house into the garden.
A stone plinth emerges from the house to
create an elevated terrace from which to view
the garden. This connection to the garden is a
continuation of the limestone floor of the interior,
thus creating a seamless transition between
interior and exterior. The limestone simply folds
down to create a depressed basin from which
a series of fountain jets activate the water and
punctuate the terrace, creating a subtle noise.
The plinth is set eighteen inches above grade so
that it doubles as a continuous bench, allowing
people to sit along the edge and enjoy the many
views prevalent in this garden.
optimum performance. A continuous evergreen
hedge along the city sidewalk creates the privacy
needed form the public realm and defines the
front entry sequence. An offset entry procession
leads the guest from sidewalk to a bright yellow
pivot gate. A minimal, matching weathered steel
fence provides a beautifully detailed secure edge
that does not obscure views into the garden
beyond.
The entire garden is planted with adaptive or native
plantings, and there is no lawn. Maintenance is
minimized to seasonal pruning and clean up, and
water usage is minimized through plant selection
and shade conditions on the site.
A grove of gingko trees define a space along
the terrace, and are set in a minimal crushed
aggregate floor. Transition to and from the
terrace is provided by massive bluestone
slabs that create organic paths through out the
garden. These are inter-planted with textural and
fragrant elfin thyme, and they weave though a
patchwork of mass plantings that create texture
and seasonal interest.
The perception of privacy was extremely
important, however this was to be accomplished
entirely with plant material. Views out from the
interior were studied so that the planting design
maximized privacy, and trees were sited for
WLA 19
DARTMOUTH | HOCKER DESIGN GROUP
WLA 19
BASARRATE
MIKEL ALBERDI
DARTMOUTH
DALLAS, TEXAS, USA
Design Firm | Hocker Design Group
Consultants | Max Levy Architect, Lobsinger &
Potts Structural Engineering, Malzahn Landscape
Company, Select Pool Services, Elite Homes
Photography | Gisela Borghi
WLA 19
MIRO
ONG & ONG
WLA 19
MIRO | ONG&ONG
Miro is a high-rise residential development
located within close proximity to Singapore’s
bustling areas of Orchard Road and Little India. It
maximises the site’s limited land area through an
effective use of space and uses lush landscaping
to give its urban buildings a touch of nature.
By placing the approach to the site via the
relatively quiet Keng Lee Road, the drive up to
Miro feels akin to being on a private driveway
with a tree-lined boulevard. The road is further
accentuated by linear latticed trellises teeming
with luxuriant green creepers and giving the
boundary wall a more porous and natural feel.
These trellises run all the way up to the entrance
podium and culminate in a grand reception
structure, while an inclined water feature on the
ground level welcomes visitors.
Plants on the trellis’ green wall are supported by
an in-built irrigation system, which also helps
to clear dissolved pollutants in the water. In
addition, the trellis’ green wall not only enhances
the façade’s aesthetic appeal but also brings
down the building’s temperature and keeps its
surroundings cool.
The first and second storeys are set aside for
group interaction and activities, with the latter
serving as a spa haven and an extension of
one’s living space. This idea of an extended
living space can also be seen in the landscaped
terraces on the 3rd, 9th, 13th, 17th, 21st, 25th
and 29th storeys. Each sky terrace has an
integrated pantry for residents to dine in the
garden pavilions, which are filled with a variety
of plants that support a community of butterflies
and birds.
WLA 19
MIRO | ONG&ONG
WLA 19
MIRO | ONG&ONG
The melding of city life with natural, green
elements makes Miro a resort-like haven in the
heart of Singapore.
MIRO
SINGAPORE
Landscape architect | ONG&ONG Pte Ltd
Image Credits | See Chee Keong; Jaume Albert
Marti
WLA 19
bedford house
BALMORI ASSOCIATES
AND JOEL SANDERS ARCHITECT
WLA1 19
BEDFORD HOUSE
BALMORI ASSOCIATES AND JOEL SANDERS ARCHITECT
Bedford House is the renovation of a 1950s
weekend property that rests on a 4-acre site
abutting a 225-acre nature conservancy in
Upstate New York. The layout of the main house
did not take advantage of the surrounding
woodland views; the swimming pool and
pavilion, located at the bottom of the hillside
property, were spatially isolated from the main
house. Balmori Associates collaborated with Joel
Sanders Architect to create a design scheme that
remains true to the original house’s mid-century
character, yet opens up the interior space to
engage with the landscape.
Over the years our collaborations with architect
Joel Sanders have led us to various formal and
programmatic strategies for the interaction
between building and landscape. Diana Balmori
and Joel Sanders have taught together for five
years an advanced studio called Interface
for its concentration in crossing the dividing
line between Architecture and Landscape at
Yale School of Architecture. They have also
published Groundwork, Between Landscape and
Architecture in 2011.
The design creates spatial, visual and material
continuity between old and new, indoors and
outdoors, house and garden. Blue stone runs
from the front of the house at the entrance steps,
to the fireplace inside and then carried through
in the path to the pool house where it becomes
an enclosing wall transformed into a sculptured
pool. The white concrete pavers serve the same
purpose of marching through the house and
down the stairs to the pool terrace. The white
concrete surface folds up and cantilevers over
the pool terrace to form the pool house. The pool
remains a blue stone figure and one of the pool
sides becomes tilted creating a reclining surface
on which to sunbathe.
2
Curvilinear bands of vegetation undulate across
the front and rear of the property, unifying the
site before dispersing into the forest. The planting
composition changes color with the seasons,
from vibrant red and white in summer to sedate
green and yellow in the fall.
WLA 19
BEDFORD HOUSE
BALMORI ASSOCIATES AND JOEL SANDERS ARCHITECT
3
WLA 19
4
6
BEDFORD HOUSE
BEDFORD, NEW YORK, USA
Design Firm | Balmori Associates and Joel
Sanders Architect
Image Credits |
1, 2, 4 Balmori Associates
3, 5, 6 Iwan Baan
Text | Balmori Associates
5
WLA 19
GOODWOOD RESIDENCES
ICN DESIGN
WLA 19
GOODWOOD RESIDENCES | ICN DESIGN
Goodwood Residences utilizes a premier Bukit
Timah location, on a site area that is considered
by Singapore standards as large. The potential
for significant external open spaces for
landscape amenities was considerable. Another
key aspect was the proximity to Goodwood
Hill and the mature woodland character of the
old colonial neighborhood. Surrounding trees
provided a distinctive visual character and
opportunity to enhance any new development.
The site also presented some constraints, being
flat in aspect, low lying and oriented along the
very busy Bukit Timah Road. The site planning
and landscape design needed to address these
issues to provide the right environment, amenity
and aesthetic setting for the proposed luxury
residential development.
Concept
Using Goodwood Hill as inspiration the idea of
a ‘classical’ landscape was developed. Through
the site planning process the architectural
building forms became a ‘U’ shape with the
open end facing south west toward Goodwood
Hill. This allowed the opportunity to ‘borrow’
the adjacent woodland, the new planting was
designed to flow down from the wooded hill
into the central garden area. Drawing from the
potential of the site and its character the concept
of classical elements; earth, water wind and fire
was re-imagined as stone, water, space and
play. This set the foundation for a landscape of
richness, environmental quality and generous
amenity values.
Environmental Sustainability – purposeful
preservation
The landscape design moved well beyond
simple retention of existing trees and superficial
sustainability tokens. Well established trees
within the site were protected and retained as
groups rather than just individual specimens
and formed porous zones. Soak-aways and
infiltration zones are strategically located around
the site to allow collected water to percolate into
the ground, helping to sustain existing trees,
recharge the natural water table and reducing
drainage discharge from the site. As water is a
finite resource and can no longer be taken for
granted Sustainable Urban Drainage principles
were further integrated into the design with
surface water from the roof and pavements
feeding into rainwater harvesting tanks to be reused for irrigation.
Social purpose – flexible and spacious
Few new residential developments in Singapore
have such generous external space. In order
to fully take advantage of this a central ‘forest
clearing’ was created. An extensive lap pool
fronts directly onto this large open lawn on one
side, a multi-purpose club house emerges from
the forest backdrop on the other. The water
also provides passive cooling along with the
large indigenous shady trees. These are kept
to the edge of the lawn, emphasizing its scale,
maximizing visual impact and the luxury of
space. Trees positioned around the perimeter
and adjacent to the lawn set the building within a
woodland environment. The buildings and stone
colonnades surround and enclose, articulated
to create a variety of spaces with different scale
and landscape characters. Within these airy
spaces, openness and play opportunities present
themselves to residents. Rich planting and water
features skirt the buildings where the spaces are
more intimate.
WLA 19
GOODWOOD RESIDENCES | ICN DESIGN
WLA
WLA1919
GOODWOOD RESIDENCES | ICN DESIGN
Economic and practical values – applying green
technology
Green walls run vertically up the service core
walls to reduce solar gain, soften the buildings
elevation and blend the building back into the
mature green setting of Goodwood Hill. Other
innovations expand the benefits of green walls,
using irrigation from the Rain Water Harvesting
Tanks. As rainwater drips down the walls, it
naturally collects small particles and pollutants
from the urban environment together with
residual nutrients from the green wall planting
medium. Reed bed filters at the base of the
green walls naturally filter the water before it is
reintroduced back into the rain water harvesting
tanks. The reed beds clean the water by removing
pollutants, the plant roots and foliage act as a
mini carbon sink. The reed beds use a ‘subsurface flow’ system so there is no standing
water and therefore represent a lower chance of
mosquito breeding.
Renewable energy technologies were adopted by
installing solar tubes to illuminate the basement
area. Recycled alternatives to timber and the use
of non-quarried materials for the hard landscape
were selected. Indigenous and naturalized plant
species were chosen, while composting and
organic waste recycling are part of the designed
maintenance regime.
As a result of an integrated design approach
both architecture and landscape are bound into
a holistic living system and delightful visual
experience. Goodwood Residence stands out
from the slew of other residential projects by the
simple elegance of the design and the tranquil
ambience created by the landscape. From the
graceful approach drive, spacious central lawn,
intimate forest courts and the preserved visual
connection opening up to Goodwood Hill each
landscape space adds to the unique character
of this residential development. Underpinning
those qualities, the design elements that can’t
be seen allow the landscape to sustain itself and
its residents in a healthy, sustainable and natural
way.
GOODWOOD RESIDENCE
BUKIT TIMAH, SINGAPORE
Design Firm | ICN Design
Architects | WOHA Architects Pte Ltd
Structural Engineers | DE Consultants Pte Ltd
M&E Engineers | Rankine & Hill Singapore Pte
Ltd
Main Contractor | Lian Beng Construction
(1988) Pte Ltd
Landscape Contractor | ISS Hydroculture Pte
Ltd
Developer | Goodwood Residence Development
Pte Ltd
Image Credits | ICN Design / Craig Sheppard
WLA 19
WEST LAKE RESIDENCE
PRESSLEY ASSOCIATES
WLA 19
WEST LAKE RESIDENCE | PRESSLEY ASSOCIATES
This estate was designed to evoke the grand
summer residences of the Gilded Age in
Newport. Garden “rooms” were designed for
both entertaining and everyday living. They also
define calculated vistas both to and from the
house, making the grounds appear much larger
than they actually are. Painstakingly preserved
trees, reclaimed heirloom bluestone, and
massive nursery-grown plant material helped the
landscape capture a mature look from the day it
was completed.
The entire property of the West Lake residence
is sloping toward the lake, dropping at an
average 14% grade. As such, it was imperative
to incorporate terraces and walls to allow
for the creation of usable, level spaces in the
landscape. The resulting level areas became
garden “rooms,” each with their own theme
and purpose. The Lawn Terrace is a green patio
located directly off of the ground floor of the
house. A limestone balustrade that overlooks the
lake and Water Garden defines its tightly clipped
lawn. This terrace is used for hosting events that
spill out from the house and for everyday play
space for the owners’ children. It also serves as
a landing in the grand staircase that connects the
Great Lawn with the entry level of the house.
bulbs that transform as the growing season
progresses. Antique cast iron urns establish a
formal axis from the pergola to the promontory
at the lake end of the water garden.
Adjacent to the Water Garden and accessible
by an arbored passage through the evergreen
hedge is the Ellipse Garden. The Ellipse Garden
is meant for the owners’ everyday use (lawn
games, sunning, and barbeques) and also as
space for special events, including those that
may require a tent. This space is comprised of
an elliptically shaped lawn, perennial borders,
evergreen hedges, and a bluestone patio that
leads to the imposing edifice dubbed “The
Grotto.” The Grotto was designed in collaboration
with the house architects to maximize the size
of the level lawn by retaining much of the grade
change. Twin sweeping staircases that link the
street level with the Ellipse Garden flank it. The
structure is topped with a limestone balustrade
that creates a balcony from which to view the
lake and the garden below. The Front Perennial
Garden was designed to maximize the relatively
tight space between the house and the road and
to provide a gracious entrance to the house. The
route of the driveway was designed to frame a
sequence of views, and to introduce the property
in a prescribed, dramatic way.
The Water Garden is directly adjacent to the
Lawn Terrace. The lake, a limestone balustrade,
a 20 feet tall evergreen hedge, and a massive
limestone and wood pergola frame this sunken
garden. The pergola covers a vintage bluestone
patio that is used as an outdoor living room, dining
space, and on special occasions, a performance
stage. The elliptical pool is planted with water lily
and lotus. This symmetrical garden is planted
heavily with blocks of perennials, shrubs and
WLA 19
WLA 19
WEST LAKE RESIDENCE
SKANEATELES, USA
Landscape Architect | Pressley Associates
Architect | Meyer and Meyer Architects
Photography | Damianos Photography &
Christian Phillips Photography (Aerial Photo)
WLA 19
WLa19
PARTNERS
WLA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MAGAZINE
EDITOR | DAMIAN HOLMES
[email protected]
PROJECT SUBMISSIONS
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DISTRIBUTION |
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SUPPORTERS
SINATRA MURPHY
WORLD LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
ADDRESS |
ROOM 801 BUILDING 13 2518 LONGHUA ROAD
SHANGHAI P.R.C. 200232
MATHEWS NIELSEN
ATLASLAB
THOMAS R RYAN RYAN ASSOCIATES
PUBLISHED APRIL 2015
©2015 WORLD LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
H S CROTHERS
DISCLOSURE |
DAMIAN HOLMES - EDITOR IS AN EMPLOYEE OF ASPECT STUDIOS,
WLA 19