Combination of materials in hardscape

I've been walking around this building in Downtown Seattle, WA, and paying attention to the plaza design, which I like so much. It has an eclectic solution, with the contemporary deconstructed steel statues against the classical masonry facade and the ceramic plants pots with a traditional design. 

The seats are Minimalist, in iron and wood, the pure lines following the floor lines, in a game of orthogonality. 

The lines of the building facades are somehow reflected on the floor geometry.

And all this hardscape is perforated with trees, and eventually some planters. The green is the only strong color here. All textures are contrasting in their variety, while the colors are matching.

The day was cold and rainy but in any other occasion I would have taken a rest to enjoy the plaza.

All pictures taken by Myriam Mahiques, October 2021. Personal archives.

 

Water features at the Forest Pavilion- The Forestias

 

The Canopy Walk

The name of this blog is related to the landscape that is part of oneself, nature and mankind becoming one, feeling nature inside us.

This project by Foster and Partners expresses very well the idea of "Inbuilt Landscape". From v2.com:

"The Forestias is one of the largest property development projects in Thailand. The highlight of the project is a 48,000 square meter of urban forest at the center of The Forestias, connecting all developments within the site to create a healthier and happier living for all residents. The Forest Pavilion is located in The Forestias, which currently functions as the sales gallery, and will be converted into The Forestias Ecosystem Learning Center for sharing knowledge of forest ecosystem, and be a hub of residence society for joyful moments. it is also an entrance gateway to the broad forest zone of The Forestias, providing a prototype of living with nature. Our commitment is to support happiness and wellness of the users and create an immersive experience of living with nature, which achieved by utilizing the research as design strategies."

Nature Walk

My emphasis is on the water features, with a contemporary design, but still as a reminiscence of rocks and waterfalls. I like to see how children could play in this immersive proposal.

This one reminds me as a child, playing inside the arroyos of Cordoba, Argentina, and looking for colorful rocks and stones. I would have selected the color of real stones and mica brightness under the sun. 

The 5 meter waterfall

All pictures and citation paragraph from V2.com 

https://www.v2com-newswire.com/en/newsroom/press-kits/4015-02/forest-pavilion-the-forestias

Landscape Design with stage, payground and bar area

 

This is a preliminary project, currently under revision. It consists of widening an existing path, create a playground with a play house, design a stage for a young singer under an existing Pepper tree and in continuation of a landing, informally locate the spectators and finally design a bar with a rest area. 

One of the conditions was that the lot, which is sloping down with a difference of 7' in level, would be divided in flat terraces. No foundation is possible here because most part of this area is Public Works easement. In consequence, we have worked with portable decks that could easily be removed in case underground repairs were needed.

A transition space leading to the bar is achieved with high cylinder cactus planters on stone or ground cover straight areas alternating with portable decks. The end of the perspective is a sitting area on gravel and the bar next to an existing tree plus a decorative flowering tree behind.

Some side bushes are existing, others are proposed.

The hard lines of the added geometry is designed in contrast with the winding path. To make it wider, an edge with decorative stone was added.

The preliminary floor plan and cross section is partially shown here, in order to protect the privacy of the client. The job site is in Southern California.