Portflolio

This post is about stuff that I have designed throughout the course.

1. The air-plot it was part of coursework and competition to stop the government from building a new runway for Heathrow Airport. I came up with a design called Contained. unfortunately my design did not take any prices because i did not enter the competition...

Contained is a contemporary design at the Airplot, owned by Greenpeace.

The design includes 3 container units placed in a single island and surrounded by a

large pool with a mobile timber bridge that can be removed when needed.

The scheme will be powered using solar panel and bikes hooked to generators.

The rain water will be collected to be reused on growing vegetables on the roof in raised

vegetable beds.

Keeping existing native hedge, apple trees and planting different species of hardy plants

with berries and thorns will create a barrier for the ‘unwanted visitors’ and a great place

for shelter, nesting and food from different type of berries. Also designing a pond will

make the area a special place for the wildlife such as frogs, mutes and different

types of fish.

Project details

Installation time: 14 days

Landscape Architect: Ermal Pobrati

Developers:
Urban Space Management Ltd, The Pond Company

Location: Greenpeace land, Sipson

Containers used: 3

Units created: 2

Use: Living space for activists, enjoyment and relaxation, wildlife atraction.

2. Canal Side Green Wall

Another unbuilt project is Canal Side Green Wall was a temporary project that was designed on the regeneration area of Regents Canal in Kings Cross. The project should have been built by July 2010 and in late 2011 was going to be part of Lea Valley during Olympics. The design was a challenging idea with the wall facing North and longest vertical garden in UK. There were about 350 shade tolerant plant species. This was a sustainable project designed with recyclable and reusable materials. Those include stainless still frame, PVC plant holder slides and treated soft wood.

3. Section

This section was part of Streetlife module, I made the section using different techniques. The landscape area is designed by Gross Max Landscape Architects.

More to come on completion of final projects of level 6....

Designing our future, Biodiversity and Climate change

Biodiversity

“Activities such as burning of forests, draining of wetlands and growth of urban areas and road networks have led to loss or near extinction of many species of plant or animal life, resulting in the loss of sources of food, medicine and industrial materials” (Ratcliffe, 2009).

In the last decade in Britain the main strength is the urban growth. With London Olympics in 2012 and need for more housing and demand for new or expanding infrastructure has grown. For example expanding of A406 (North Circular Road) in London will create less traffic; however that can come with disadvantages. Many green areas and plants can be destroyed. Hopefully local governments will have a plan for bringing back to life the roadsides with planting that eventually will attract the wildlife again. A new bridge expansion on this road in North Ealing section is nearly completed. The road side next to the bridge is planted with silver birch trees (Betula pendula) and the surrounding is planted with meadow type grasses. But problematic Haringey council it seems that is busy with other concerns. The section in Palmers Green it seems that it has lost its identity with lots of planting and a little green areas turned to a yard for the roadside workers. All work will be completed before the 2012 and everyone hopes that this area will be turned back to normality. Let’s hope that Haringey councils will take the biodiversity seriously as it says in their web-site. “Haringey Council is seeking to protect and enhance biodiversity value across the borough for the benefit of all those that live and work within it, and in doing so support regional, national and global efforts to halt the decline in biodiversity”(www.haringey.gov.uk).

Introducing a diverse plant species can be greater than simple systems. With the climate change and other factors such as manmade stress there is easier for diverse planting to be more stable and resistant when comparing to simple planting systems. Also a greater number of species can support a greater amount of wildlife. Both native and non-native species can be a great way on supporting biodiversity. (Dunnett 2008)

Natural habitats such as woodlands, planting around railway lines, marshes and wastelands can act as carbon sink and provide corridors for mobile species to move in response to climate change (www.haringey.gov.uk). Also natural species need less maintenance, fertilisers and herbicide and pest control. All these facts lead in reducing carbon footprint.

Climate change

“Climate change is recognized as one of the greatest environmental threats facing the world today” (Ratcliffe 2009).

It is widely recognised that our climate is changing dramatically and human activity has a major role on that. A number of scenarios for the upcoming century have established that sea levels are rising, summers are getting warmer/drier and winters colder/wetter and an increase in other weather events such as flooding (www.landscapeinstitute.org).

Biodiversity and ecology are both strongly related in regulating climate change. We know that suitable vegetation it has a great role in climate change. Landscape architects know the importance of specification, and site conditions when using plants.

Changing of climate makes this job difficult when designing. Plants should be adapted to the site conditions and be resistant to severe unexpected changes. Also management acts as a “saver” when it comes to the conditions. Keeping an urban area to a high standard or make sure that planting is doing its job towards climate change certain maintenance it might be required. For example removing invasive species such as Japanese knotweed is becoming a common problem in UK. The role of planting towards climate is related also with roof gardens and sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs). This works by reducing the risk of floods and run of and creating habitats for biodiversity and general improvements to local communities. (www.landscapeinstitute.org)

Ecological planting approach can promote biodiversity and provide partial solutions to the effects of climate change. According to Dunnett 2008, a diverse ecological planting species can resist the climate change and be more stable and resistant to change than simple systems. And native species can be better for the ecological approach to planting.

“Sustainable planning policies can contain urban growth (e.g. by green belt policies) and ensure that derelict urban land is developed while existing land is recycled through redevelopment” (Ratcliffe 2009).

Bellow photos are taken from Lea Valley. Those open green space are a great example of promoting biodiversity through ecological planting...

Greening the city

At Ecobuild on 1st of March 2011 there were seminars on live demonstrations, talks and ‘ask the expert’ sessions, taking an holistic view of greening the urban environment, from mobilising the local community to the ins and outs of creating vertical gardens, growing urban food and urban trees for SUDs and biofiltration.

There were lots of different talks from many private companies and Landscape Institute. Some included John Little, director of The Grass Roof Company; Nigel Dunnett, director of The Green roof Company, author of many landscape books and staff from department of Landscape on university of Sheffield.

I showed a special interest in SUDS, rain and roof gardens which were also part of my final essay at Kingston university.

Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS)

SUDS are sustainable development of draining surface water and include porous surfaces, soak ways, filter drains and strips, infiltration trenches and purpose built ponds and waste lands. SUDS reduce flood risk, improving water quality, create wildlife habitats and offer better places to live. There are so many aspects when designing SUDS. When purpose build ponds and wastelands are designed important role for SUDS is vegetation. Specification of planting is used to resist the wet conditions and help in water filtration. Also SUDS are very important for environment by restoring the natural diversity and maintaining natural sources. (www.ciria.com/suds)

Rain gardens

Without water there is not life. Like humans plants need water to thrive. So many people spend times watering plants in their gardens during dry periods. However the weather can change dramatically. A lot of rain and storm water can create flooding. Managing the water is very important in landscape design. Rain gardens can prevent moderate flooding and manage the water sustainability. Rain gardens are designed with flood resistant shrubs, flowers and grasses. The main function is to collect and filter the storm water runoff. Also these gardens can create a beautiful landscape and attract wildlife such as butterflies and birds. A rain garden relies on planting, the more diverse the better is the benefit. Usually designers choose mainly native plants, but there is not functional reason that native plants can be better from non-native (Dunnett 2007). Generally speaking plants from around the world can be used with native plants together in designing rain gardens. However the most important fact is that we should choose plants that suit the growing conditions in this country and are flood resistant. As we know usually the native plants can be better adapted to these conditions. However a good mixture of plants can create a functional and amazing rain garden. For example flowering perennials, grasses and small shrubs can be an ideal mix for attracting wildlife and create a rich water based habitat into rain gardens.

Rain gardens provide a visual and sensory pleasure and are good for play, especially for children. In New England, USA a study about the children’s attitudes to their natural environment discovered that: “the most important qualities to the children were sand/dirt, small shallow ponds or brooks of water...” (Hart 1979). This study can have an influence for us as landscape architects in designing rain gardens that are child friendly and engage play environment. However when planning we should consider the main functions of rain gardens on transporting the water into it, storage it and realising it slowly to the soil and environment.

Roof gardens

Roof gardens (or green roof) are layers of plants installed on the top of buildings, garden sheds, or any other structure that has a roof. With the aesthetic and beauty and wildlife attraction the other function of green roofs it to reduce the amount of run-off water from rain and moderate storms. The green roofs are nothing new, the grasses and some other type of plants were used by Scandinavians in their log cabins.

The last century green roofs are becoming increasingly important. Usually in urban areas the outdoor space is small or restricted, so green roofs are the best possibility of creating the garden space with plants and wildlife. A very large variety of plant selection can be used in the roof gardens. (Dunnett, 2007)

According to Dr Nigel Dunnett (Dunnett, 2007), (a teacher, horticulturist and expert in rain and roof gardens) plants used in roof gardens can vary from the depth of the soil. Extensive green roofs are the most common types with a depth between 2cm -10cm. This roof type includes sedum spp (species), mosses, short wildflower meadows, grasses, alpines and small bulbs. Plants that are commonly used are hardy and drought tolerant. This means that they can resist the climate change from hot and dry summer to cold and wet winter. What makes this type of the roof commonly used is the less time and effort on building them and the maintenance being very simple. Another similar type of roof garden is semi-extensive green roofs, which have a greater depth, usually between 10cm -20cm. In this group can be used the same type of vegetation as in extensive green roofs, but other plants such as hardy sub-shrubs, medium perennials and annuals can be a possibility. Intensive green roof is another type that requires a high maintenance and a very strong structure to hold the amount of soil that can vary from 20cm to 1m. The depth of the soil allows designers to use a large variety of plants including edible plants, shrubs, small deciduous trees and conifers. (Dunnett 2003). Both rain and roof gardens play a great role towards biodiversity and wildlife.

The photos bellow are taken for Ecobuild on 1st march 2011

Ecobuild seminars, sustainable by design

This seminar was about the effects of design in buildings and design issues to do with sustainability. This seminar took place first day at ecobuild between 10:40am to 12:30pm.

1. Sustainable design needs sustainable clients

Howard Fuller, Chair of Sustainability Panel, British Society of Interior Design and National Contracts Manager, Carron Phoenix Ltd

Sustainable clients are needed to build for tomorrow, source their building products in responsible way and utilise the most efficient building products. Role of water to the increasing world and saving all resources available and how can usage of water in UK new build can be halved from existing 160 litres per day [per person to 80 litres per day/per person. Some sustainable clients mentioned by Mr Fuller include Carron phoenix Ltd, Berkeley homes, Velux.

2. Sustainable design needs sustainable behaviour

Mat Hunter, Chief Design Officer, Design Council

Sustainable design needs sustainable behaviour and human issues are appears to be more resonant than environmental, all this is closely related to the 3P bottom line, planet, people and profit. Societal issues include the growing population that is becoming less healthy needs a greater support. People can change their behaviour to the way haw the design is challenged. Make designs and DIY simple and easier for people helps on changing their behaviour.

3. Eco design, behaviour and ‘eco-mentalism’

Aidan Walker, design commentator

This was one of the best presentation that needed a great consecration to understand and learn from it. Eco-mentalism is about behaviour, habit and power. The seven powers of Eco-mentalism include creativity, communication, passion, endurance, community, focus and nature.

‘Eco-Mentalism is not a state of mind where you knit your own muesli...Nor is it intended for Eco-Mentalists’

‘Don’t gain power. You already have it. Just open it up. Open up on it’.

‘Eco-Mentalism is a system of simple principles and practices to regain our natural powers; to

change our behaviour by changing ourselves. To balance our inner ecology, to live and thrive with grace, harmony and beauty.’

Aidan Walker

Landscaping from Acacia Gardens Ltd

Studying at Kingston University has been an amazing experience and very helpful on running my own landscape and garden services business. Acacia Gardens Ltd is a small company based in North London and has three full time staff.

(To find out more about us go to www.acacia-gardens.co.uk).

I decided to include this in my blog as a help for anyone that want to learn more about domestic landscaping and gardening. This can be a especially helpful for anyone that wants to extend its knowledge in landscape management and garden design. Also there are useful information about landscape construction in a small scale.

Usual garden maintenance for domestic garden programme

-Neat and tidy approach.

-Mow grass each visit and neatly clip edges throughout growing season. (Clear away grass clippings).

-Supply and apply lawn weed and feed treatment when conditions allow in spring or early summer.

-Supply and apply general fertiliser to beds in Spring.

-Control weeds and moss on hardstandings, chemically if necessary.

-Carry out regular weed control to planted areas.

-Carry out pruning of shrubs at correct times of year and as necessary to prevent overgrowth.

-Remove any dead wood regularly.

-Tie in climbing/wall plants from time to time, also prune or cut them back if necessary.

-Regularly clear leaves, litter and debris from paths and hardstandings.

-Cut down old herbaceous stems in late autumn.

-Control invasive plants if necessary.

-Carry out dead heading to encourage re-flowering where reasonable.

- Clip hedges 3 or 4 times in growing season.

-Clear away rubbish arising from the above work.

New Lawn Specification

-Remove unwanted vegetation

-Level/Fill the area with top soil

-Prepare ground for turf. This to include a high quality soil, cultivation, consolidation and leveling.

-Incorporate a ‘rootzone’ mix of topsoil, loam and sharp sand into the upper layer of the soil

-Lay turf to the whole area working in the turf joints and all edges to be neatly finished.

-Design of flower new flowerbeds (if applicable).

-All waste to be taken away for disposal.

Driveway

- We will fully excavate and remove all waste materials from site.

- Install a geo-textile membrane which will prevent fine particle migration and subsidence.

- Install up to 150mm of compacted M.O.T Type 1 sub-base

- Set all non retained outer edges on concrete to prevent lateral movement.

- 60mm Block Paving will then be bedded down on a screened sand bed.

- Cut the Block Paving to show 3 manufactured faces which will eliminate irregular cuts.

- Cover the finished surface with kiln dried sand and compact.

Before and after photos:

Kingston University, 24th to 29th Jan 2011

I decided to call this post Kingston University because was our tutors merit to arrange some very interesting events and presentations.

24th January 2011

The week started with Graphic communication and techniques in Landscape Architecture by Colum O'Keeffe. Colum is a Landscape Architect working for Bernard Seymour Landscape Architects, a practice owned by Level 6 tutor in Landscape Architecture at Kingston University. It was very nice to see some good work examples from Colum, (www.bslarch.com) and learning some good techniques in autocad and photoshop. We worked from a base plan at scale 1:100 in autocad, the file was saved and other details such as trees were added in at right scale in autocad and textures of paving and vegetation was added in photoshop.

25th January 2011

The Tuesday afternoon was arranged with some interesting Landscape Lectures. All gests were young and enthusiastic with their work.

1. Heather Ring, Wayward Plants (www.waywardplants.org)

Heather was working for a practice for approx 4 years when she decided to run her own practice. She has worked hard and achieved a lot. Her approach was connected a lot with local communities in London and dealing with local government. Some of her interesting projects include a new orchard in community. Supported by local council she managed to hire a shop for free for one week to collect plants and Christmas trees with roots from local community. Another project designed from Heather is Algae garden designed for its ornamental look and as a potential for bio-fuel.

Algae garden

2. Christian Spencer Davies, AModels (www.amodels.co.uk)

Chris was the founder and director of AModels, a well known company on model making for Landscape Architects, Architects and Town Planners. He is a well trained and experienced model maker. Amodels have over 20 full time staff and during the years made models for so many different practices, including Diana Memorial designed by Gustafson Porter and some buildings designed by Zaha Hadid and many more. AModels has made so many extreme and challenging models such as masterplan for Croydon. At the end of his presentation his advice for us was to work for a practice to get as much experience as possible before thinking on running our own practice.

Ordrupgaard extension, Zaha Hadid Architects

3. Maria Smith, Studio Weave (www.studioweave.com)

Maria and Studio were previous students studying Landscape Architecture at Kingston. With so little experience they made a very challenging decision on running their own practice. Their portfolio was small but very interesting. The projects presented included a temporary structure (2 weeks) that was part of their degree project which was was built and the materials, (mainly timber) was redesigned and used to make street furniture. Other challenging project included a landscape area in Blackburn and a structure called Freya and Robin in Kielder Water.

Freya and Robin

Blackburn's secret landscape garden

27th January 2011

On Thursday were some interesting lectures from Sam, Will and Trenton.

Sam from Gustafson Porter has been so many times in Kingston and we were so familiar with his presentation and approach to new Landscape projects.

1. Sam Johnston, Gustafson Porter (www.gustafson-porter.com)

2. Will Sandy, Three Green Dots

3. Trenton Oldfield, This is Not A Gateway (www.thisisnotagateway.net)

Thames Barrier Park

On Monday I and some other Landscape Architecture student went to explore the award-wining Thames Barrier Park, which was opened in 2000. The park is set within 22 acres of lawns, trees and hedges, the waterside park features fountains, gardens, wildflower meadows, a children's play area and a 5-a-side football/basketball court, with magnificent views of the barrier.

As we expected, there were not a lots of visitors in January, especially with the windy

say. The park looked attractive in the winter as well, its a good time to see how plants lo

ok in the winter, especially herbaceous (which were all cut back), grasses with their lovely autumn color and trees, deciduous and evergreen.

As seen on photos designer used a lot of straight lines (gravel paths) and to make the design unique the straight lines turn to open spaces, by using the same material but to keep up with the detail trees and other features are used to give a artistic continuous of lines. The design has got that 'romantic French feeling' withe the way of use of planting. Good example is the shape of Taxus Baccata (yew conifer hedges) that matches with the concrete shapes used to break up the deck platform...

There are some maintenance issues around the park. By looking a the photos i realized and i believe that the bark at the bottom of the tree is not being eaten by squires but by maintenance streamers, when the lawn gets cut.