Filed under: Focus IV
California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco, California, USA 2008
Green living roofs being landscaped with drought resistant plant species.
I thought it looks active and used by all ages more than the landscape beneath it. It also looks good on top of a building.
Below you will be seeing different views of it and some sketches and plans.
I found this article in the A+U (Architecture and urbanism) Journal Issue no. 463 in April 2009
Something unbelievable has happened: Farming has becoming fashionable. But only if you’re doing it in the middle of a city.
For instance, If you have a supermarket. You needn’t to worry where the products come from. You could just go up grab your products and not worry where it comes form.
Wow! Green roofs are becoming some kind of a business source as well. I think it is sustainable as you won’t need transportation to get to your products.
I found these 2 articles in the Icon Magazine (The Edible City). Issue no. 072 June 2009
Filed under: Focus IV
Anna Richardson came up with creative designs on the walls that present good design on large-scale canvas.
I think It looks good and it could give an enjoyable feeling while walking along this wall. In London, there doesn’t seem to be an appetite for it! The reason to this loss of appetite has to do with the UK’s restrictive planning regulations, with authorities reluctant to let creative designs through.
I found this article in Design Week Magazine Volume 2 No. 19 Issued on 14 May 2009.
Filed under: Focus III
A leading edge workout outside. It brings the best of the gym equipments into the open air. I find it very useful as it encourages the community to gather in the nature and exercise.
Filed under: Focus III
A project done by Ingenhoven Architects / Christop Ingenhoven. It was completed in year 2006. It also won an international prize in 2003.
What interested me most was the interior landscape/planting and the way they are arranged.
Found that in a+u journal.
Filed under: Focus III
An interesting building in the middle east (UAE).
Found in a+u Journal
Filed under: Focus III
Installation by Hiroyuki Kado, the author of innovative spacial interpretations conceived through flowers. His aim is to captivate the hearts and mind of his audience through his creative presentations.
I found this article in architecture and urbanisation Journal (Sustainable Architecture in Germany). What interested me most is how he arranged the flowers and plants and the attractive and cozy colours he used. He stated: ” In addition to the beauty of the flowers themselves, it is important to present the entirety of the space by capturing the environment they are embedded in.”
I found this article in Architecture Today no. 195. It is the market leader company in architectural terracota. What interested my most is the range of different colours of ceramic rods when they’re combined in one building. Below you’ll see a couple of images of the building.
Check their website www.nbk.de
Filed under: Focus II
During Focus week II, I should reflect on my achievements and clarify my aspirations as I approach the ‘Year Out’. I should identify detailed examples of a contemporary practice that interests me most.
I found a very interesting practice located in Dubai. I am hoping that I will be given a chance to work with them in the future. It is located in the Middle East which is good for me. I.e. there is a bigger chance for me to work in it. It has a very good reputation therefore it should be a great work experience for me and my future career. I looked into its website and found very interesting projects done be them. www.cracknell.com
Below is a summary about the company and some of their work.
Practice Profile
Excellence: Work directly with their customers and design teams to attain high quality results.
Awareness: Value local traditions and environment, making use of their broad international experience and multicultural team.
Originality: Assess design and value engineer to guarantee favourable rates of investment and revenue.
Sustainability: Design to Environmentally Sustainable Design principles.
Consultation: Respect and take note of community needs to accomplish incorporated and recognized projects.
Practicality: Consider how the design will grow, be constructed and be sustained.
Research: Design with awareness for the past, present and future.
Lifestyle: Be up to date with contemporary culture and global issues.
CRACKNELL
landscape | architecture | planning
PO Box 66231, Dubai, UAE
tel: +971 (0) 4 3445417
fax: +971 (0) 4 3493675
email: info@cracknell.com
www.cracknell.com
Directors
Paul Cracknell | Colin Ferns | David Knights |
David Cracknell
Registered as Al Khatib Cracknell Landscape Design LLC and Cracknell & Partners Landscaping Engineering.
Associate offices :
London, UK,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Introduction
Cracknell was established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in January 1993 and in London in 1987. The Practice is registered with the Dubai Municipality and the British Landscape Institute.
They are an award winning Company, boasting a multi-disciplinary team offering the following professional services;
|
|
. |
Master planning and urban design |
|
|
. |
Landscape architecture |
|
|
. |
Concept architecture |
|
|
. |
Irrigation engineering |
|
|
. |
Horticulture |
|
|
. |
Project management |
|
|
. |
Construction supervision |
They manage projects from initial site master planning and concept design, to construction documentation and contract supervision/administration.
They have specialist expertise in the innovative design and implementation of a wide range of projects including hotel and leisure resorts, business and commercial developments, large residential communities, theme parks, environmental regeneration projects, city centre developments and private commissions.
Cracknell are currently working on many prestigious projects worldwide including the Middle East, Asia, Northern Africa and Europe. Cracknell have worked with many of the worlds leading design practices including SOM, IM Pei, WATG, Fosters and Partners, Michael Hopkins and Partners.
Clockwise from top left;
The Burj Dubai – UAE,
Jumeirah Beach Hotel – UAE,
Burj Al Arab Hotel – UAE,
Palm Island – UAE
London Office Projects
The London Office projects include:
MilkWood Open Space, Borough of Lambeth, London
A local park, completed in 2005, awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award for green spaces, and runner-up in the Children’s Play Category for the National Street Design Awards 2006.
Tayzy Resort
The historical 200-hectare grounds of Demidoff Country Estate, Tazy, will include a spa hotel, family cottages, golf course, equestrian club and stables, shooting club and boathouse. The original lakes, streams, bridges and ruins will be restored.
Las Colinas, Spain
Las Colinas is a five star development set within the hills of Alicante, Spain. Cracknell London are landscape architects for the hotel and golf club parcels. The golf course is interwoven into a residential neighbourhood. Construction has begun in early 2007.
Woodmansterne School
The building successfully responds to students, the environment and the surrounding buildings, through the use of sustainable design and careful choice of distinctive and exciting materials.
Marina Esplanade, Ramsgate, England
The project was part of the regeneration of Ramsgate Marina. The architect’s called for signature buildings to help define the character of the new sea front development, while providing facilities for Lifeguard station and viewing deck, First aid station, Food & beverage outlets and Public toilets.
City of Islington College, London
The redesign of this school forecourt included site restoration and visually linking it to the adjacent open space Owens Fields. Another courtyard was developed with After discussions with students and the art department a modern fresh palette of materials was used to create a space for students and their work.
Aprhodite Hills Resort
Design, documentation and overseeing of the now completed 5-star hotel, village centre, golf club house, road infrastructure and residential parcels.
Filed under: Focus II
London is currently in the preparation process for the upcoming famous event. The Olympics! They are working on regeneration projects to improve sites for the Olympics.
An image from the Green Spaces Journal.
