Are you ready to shape our future world? Find inspiration in some ground-breaking landscape designs from around the world.
In a world increasingly conscious of the need to protect our planet, Landscape Architecture offers a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of creativity to improve our relationship with our surroundings, whatever they may be. Combining art and science, you’ll be addressing a range of spatial, social and environmental issues, potentially shaping the world for generations to come.
Focused on the relationship between people and the environment, your job as a landscape professional is to develop innovative solutions to increasingly complex issues through the planning, design, and use of the physical and natural environments.
The outside world is literally your canvas – you could you go on to work in parks and gardens, residential or educational design, resorts, health settings, nature reserves, historic landscapes, transportation facilities, waterfront developments, wetlands, stream corridors and forests. So, prepare to be inspired as we showcase some of the most ground-breaking pieces of landscape design from around the world.
USA: Manhattan’s Highline Park
Winner, Public Landscape Project (Built)
Rethinking the Future Awards 2020
Built on a 1.45-mile-long elevated rail structure running from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street on Manhattan’s West Side, the High Line park is an exercise in eco-friendly urban reclamation. James Corner Field Operations (project lead), Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Dutch landscape architect Piet Oudolf collaborated to transform an abandoned freight line into a green place of peace. Since opening in 2009, the park has been lauded as an icon for innovative design and sustainability, a defining feature in its neighbourhood, and catalyst for investment.
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Asia: Crosswaters Ecolodge, Guangdong Province, China
Honor Award
Designed by EDSA and the late Australian architect Paul Pholeros, the goal for Crosswaters Ecolodge was to develop the first ecotourism destination in China, an educational retreat to experience the green power of nature. The Ecolodge is the largest project in the world regarding the use of bamboo in a commercial development and reflects its context with the surrounding bamboo forests of Nankun Shan Mountain Reserve. It was also the first instance this method of construction (bamboo as a structural member in a place of habitation) was introduced in Asia in a large project.
Australia: The Australian Garden, Cranbourne, Victoria
The multi award-winning Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is the largest botanic garden devoted to the display of Australian flora. A former sand quarry, the garden was designed and delivered by Taylor Cullity Lethlean with Paul Thompson in two stages, in 2005 and 2012. The garden seeks to create an environment in which specific qualities of flora are highlighted in a manner that will inspire visitors to further explore Australian plants. A common design theme is the exploration and expression of the evolving relationship between the Australian people, their landscape and flora.
South Africa: Botha’s Halte Primary School, Worcester, Western Cape
Award of Excellence, Social and Community Health Category
International Federation of Landscape Architects AAPME Awards 2020
In 2019, Square One Landscape Architects developed the Botha’s Halte Primary School in the Breede River Valley of the Western Cape, replacing a dilapidated farm school. Buildings were designed around sustainability principles, respecting the cultural heritage of the area. Nature-based solutions included accessible green roofs, vegetable gardens, and planting locally endangered vegetation. It provides a state-of-the-art facility for 250 rural primary school learners.
China: Starfish Land, Yantai
Award of Excellence, Built-Small Category
To inspire imaginative play in a children’s play area along Yantai golden beach in China, AECOM designers drew inspiration from the sea. The colourful, abstract forms in ‘Starfish Land’ have created a unique and award-winning landscape landmark. Finely polished for a smooth finish to ensure children’s safety, tiny glass mosaic pieces are used to portray shells, the ocean and skin of marine organisms. The specialist translucent mortar can withstand extreme heat, cold and wind.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re passionate about shaping our future environment and motivated to take the next steps in your career, our 100% online MA in Landscape Architecture Studies offers course start dates in January, May and September. Complete the form below to get in touch with our friendly course adviser team for more information.
Sources:
https://www.thecoolist.com/landscape-architecture-designs-10-modern-masterpieces
https://landizer.net/the-10-most-influential-landscape-architecture-projects-of-the-decade