"Onix was requested by the Woonconcept Foundation to design approximately 14 patio bungalows for a small section of the Krakeel neighborhood in Hoogeveen. The houses are situated in a green zone that meanders through the suburb, consisting of an attractive green avenue, school facilities, ponds, a children’s farm, playing fields etc. An autonomous construction, the building forms a spatial jetty consists of private terraces, verandas, privacy screens, stages, a car port, end facades, roofs, a communal terrace, and an entrance gate to the inner area."

Imagine buildings that generate more energy than they consume and factories whose waste water is clean enough to drink.

Our job is to dream—and to make those dreams happen.

Reference: Cradle to Cradle (Land+Living)
Reference: "Cradle To Cradle To Washington" (Land+Living)
Related: What Can I Do? (Land+Living)

Built on a modest budget, the addition was designed to sit over the existing house with a small footprint and minimal structural alteration. Access to the new room is provided via an exterior stair and bridge over the existing roof.

Link: Bruce Tomb

We first became familiar Studio Four last year at CA Boom, and since then we haven't seen anything else like these refreshingly straightforward modern garden pieces. Sometimes the simple ideas are the best!

Link: Studio Four Los Angeles

You may, like us, care about the environment and the well being of the planet, but often find it to be difficult to "live green," the response is always, that's great but what can I do? Don't despair... you can change the world by your actions, no matter how small.

Whoa, now that seems awfully optimistic. Well, if you like, please continue reading my explanation of my green optimism... but, you can skip my explanation and get right to the assignment by following the link below for a very helpful, non-preachy article with suggestions and tips for what you can actually do.

Read it. No really. Bookmark it or print it for later, or screw the work you should be doing and read it now, but please read it... and pass it on.

Article: Natural Capitalism, Inc. - But, What Can I Do? (pdf file)

Link: Natural Capitalism Solutions - Recommended Resources
Link: Rocky Mountain Institute
Book: Natural Capitalism - Creating the Next Industrial Revolution

I will provided an overview of the student projects next week... the studio was very interesting and the work of a high caliber... but today I want to talk a bit about the design education hazing ritual known as the "crit."

Ms. Huxtable praises the innovative work of today's landscape architects and their focus on social issues and human needs... and she chastises architects for the current egomaniacal fixation on celebrity and object making.

Landscape architecture has come a long way from its theme-park and garden-club associations, and the design of public space is defining a new architectural frontier. The competitive infatuation with "signature" skyscrapers may continue to get the publicity, but some of the best young talents are staking their claims and reputations on the ground.

"From the start my main objective was to maintain a simple form that would not compete with the house / structure it sat infront of, plus be able to compliment any adjacent greenery. For something that will sit among shrubs and trees, it should look like it has the same right to be there. It almost feels like it grew out of the ground itself to a point that you almost anticipate it to get bigger each year or even sprout leaves. But the question usually asked is why pink ? Reason being this prototype was finished in that particular color was to bring it some attention right from the get go. With such an ultra simple form it needed a punch that would make someone stop and take notice."

Developed by the City Design Center, College of Architecture and the Arts, UIC in collaboration with The Field Museum, the exhibition features original models and drawings by noted architects and industrial designers.

Contrary to popular belief, manufactured homes have long been an affordable and high quality housing option. The history of these pre-fabricated dwellings transcends time and cultural boundaries, reflecting a long and colorful history. Native American teepees, yurts in Central Asia, Sears and Roebuck “kit houses,” and the mobile home are but a few examples.

House Industries, in collaboration with Dion Neutra and Otto Design Group is offering a limited number of Neutra designed Boomerang Chairs, as well as Neutra patterned pillows.

Link: House Industries

The key to future directions in landscape architecture is to broaden our ideas of landscape practice. Future practice must encompass all types of landscapes and all landscape problems. Landscape issues must become an intrinsic part of all developments; therefore, landscape practice must become "affordable."

There is a certain "look" to their work which comes from a rigorous design philosophy. Each project is a unique representation and expression of their quiet yet meticulously conceived design language.

We highly recomend that you browse through the project images on their website... truly outstanding work. Go... now!

Firm: BattersbyHowat

This question comes up all the time for me: when I design houses for clients, and lately my wife and I have been thinking about just exactly how we want to live as we consider purchasing the property where we live that is zoned multi-family. How much of the lot should we use for ourselves versus for rental units? How much space should we allocate to specific uses, and how can we use spaces for multiple uses? How efficient can our home be while still providing needed personal space? Less is more, but it is more work to figure out how to do less! But I digress...

We've touched on the issue of home size here at Land+Living many times before, and an article in today's Los Angeles Times takes a look at the question of home size. The article includes an interview with Sasha Tarnopolsky & John Jennings of Los Angeles based architecture and landscape design firm DRY Design.

Article: LA Times - What makes a home the right size for you?
Reference: Size Matters (Land+Living)
Reference: The Very Small Home (Land+Living)

John Doolin’s approach to furniture owes as much to a great respect for the traditional skills of cabinet making as to modern design principles and methodology.

The guiding principle throughout his work is the belief that the real value of any product is not only in the sum of its size and materials, but in the way in which it serves its user - the function it performs.

"The garden extension to this grade II listed building in Waterloo is a simple pattern of solid and glazed panels repeating the original openings of the rear façade which are then repeated in reverse on the roof. The additional floor space extends the family living area and acts as an open connection between kitchen and dining area. The works also included lowering the existing semi-basement to create a utility room, storage and study and refurbishment of the house throughout."

Firm: Dive Architects

"Our folding screen combines ash wood with modern manmade materials to create layers of transparency and color. Corrugated plastic is bent into a graceful form and drilled with a grid of holes which allow light to pass through and project a pattern on textured colored resing panels. The projected light fades and changes as one moves about the screen."

This is the mission of Urbanroofgardens: To raise awareness of the benefits of urban roof gardens, terraces and green roofs. To collate and publish world-class research and best-practice relating to urban roof gardens. And to offer concept to completion advice and services to both the lay and the professional citizen wishing to build urban roof gardens.

Link: Urban Roof Gardens [Thanks, John!]

The existing kitchen was remodeled and expanded outward to include new dining and living areas within the bronze and glass Miesean pavilion. The concept is of a repeatedly folded plane of bronze which defines the space and frames views of the garden. Two of the glazed walls can be opened completely to create a seamless indoor/outdoor space.

Firm: Alison Brooks Architects

While we've had more down time than we'd like in the past, it has never been this bad. So, please accept our apologies if you have had trouble reaching us. We're going to try to remember why we extended our hosting agreement...

A goodly number of contemporary landscapes will be displayed including designs by Diarmuid Gavin, Jack Merlo, Andy Sturgeon, Marcus Barnett, David Macqueen, Lizzie Taylor and Dawn Isaac just to name a few.

Link: Chelsea Flower Show 2005
Reference: Garden design winners at Chelsea 2004 (Land+Living)

The same gray sandstone used inside the home was used as the primary paving surface in the garden to help visually merge the spaces. The irregular shaped patio and concrete planter walls with iroko benches articulate the space and create an illusion of space. Bright orange electrifies the basin of the minimal cube water feature and echoes a color used inside the house as well. The simple yet layered planting palette compliments the design perfectly.

Firm: MyLandscapes

Designers: Piero Lissoni & Lorenzo Porro
Link: Porro

Some of the opinions and facts presented by Mr. Norquist seem to reveal that Mr. Greenhut may actually be a closet New Urbanist... or, more seriously, help to dispel many of the misconceptions about New Urbanism held by many.

We are heartened to see that Mr. Greenhut has chosen to engage in debate and will speak at the annual meeting of the Congress for the New Urbanism in Pasadena this June. If he doesn't drink the kool-aid, we will at least be interested to read a more educated editorial from Mr. Greenhut in the future.

Article: OC Register - Free developers to build 'new urban' towns (reg required)
Link: BugMeNot.com (get a username/pwd here)
Reference: Fear and Loathing in Orange County (Land+Living)

The house is beautifully linked to its site and landscape. In fact, architects Jeff Fearon and Tim Hay conceived of the house and landscape design together as an integrated whole. The plan assimilates indoor and outdoor living spaces with window walls which slide away to open the house to the extensive decks and patio spaces.

Firm: Fearon Hay Architects

Update 4/21/2005: Well, that didn't take too long. Looks like Janel has decided that our "Visit Land+Living" images weren't appropriate for her site so now she's simply linking directly to the manufacturer's site. Hey Janel, what about that Via link I mentioned above? Since you're still using our text, it's only appropriate. And do the same for all the Moco Loco images and text you grabbed as well.

Via (oh, the irony!): China IDC

Adam Regn Arvidson, ASLA wrote us up in the premier issue of _SCAPE the journal of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. It's a nice little article in the "In Other Words" section that captures the spirit of Land+Living quite well. Thanks Adam!

Link: _SCAPE (pdf file)
Link: Minnesota Chapter of the ASLA

Reference: NowHaus 01 (Land+Living)
Reference: Midwestern Modernism (Land+Living)
Reference: Penthouse Garden (Land+Living)

The two story structure is topped by a third level lantern, with a 360° ribbon window providing views of the city and allowing light to penetrate the center of the house through the translucent stairway.

Firm: Takao Shiotsuka Atelier
Link: Blue House

Link: Lift

Their work has a certain simplicity, more a distillation really, derived from rigorous study and attention to detail. It is clear that they have a strong design ethic that is both academic and practical.

Link: OBRA Architects