benthem crouwel architects and west 8 formed monumental arches, as part of the frontage, welcoming the travelers, while unobstructed views open up towards the city. furthermore, tree-lined highways join the station with the center and the cathedral with the svratka river park. passengers are guided through the central hall, articulated by the rhythm of voids for access to the platforms, towards a pedestrian promenade which gradually connects the station, waterfront park and new urban development to the city fabric.

the proposal emphasizes the city’s historical character, combining it with a modern hub and a high-quality public space. the project takes shape as a complete solution for a multimodal transport hub including 14 platforms for highspeed and local trains, tram- and city buses, a regional bus station, a metro station, a bicycle and car parking. furthermore, the design consists of passenger services, facilities and owns spacious retail and food and beverage areas. meanwhile, the station includes an urban development with offices, housing, hotel and high-quality public space including a waterfront park and urban promenade.

the design integrates the cultural heritage of brno with the implementation of a public lit-well hall, a space between the city and train platform. the location is characterized by two diagonally positioned towers that situate the new station’s position within the city. the central space — with its access to the train platforms — is connected to the two station halls on either end of the corridor. functioning as two, covered, public squares, they link to metro, bus, parking, retail, and passenger services. these halls serve as natural wayfinding, while passengers are able to easily orientate themselves via sightlines within the station.

an undulated convex glass canopy tops the train platforms and bus station protecting the passengers from rain and harsh sunlight while collecting solar energy to generate an eco-friendly station. benthem crouwel architects and west 8 sought to improve the carbon footprint of the station design; they utilized bio-based materials such as cross-laminated timber to complete the roofing structures, notably reduced the length of the ramps, and decreased the use of reinforced concrete. the project also incorporates nature-based rainwater management, the use of filtered daylight, natural ventilation, and low-temperature floor heating and cooling based on a reversible heat pump connected to a geothermal source.

project info:

architects: benthem crouwel architects  and west 8

building cost and solar energy concept: arcadis

structural engineering: SID studio

traffic consultancy: goudappel

water management: RHDHV

visualisations: play-time

construction budget: 1,8 billion euros

expected completion: between 2032 and 2035

location: brno, czech republic

client: city of brno, czech railway administration

The post monumental arches welcome passengers to brno’s new station by benthem crouwel + west 8 appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

the district is currently home to global firms such as google, HSBC, and generali, while the santiago bernabéu stadium — the famous home of real madrid — is also in close proximity to the site. ‘the AZCA complex has always been an emblematic part of the city,’ reads a statement on the project’s website. ‘it has everything it needs to become madrid’s most prominent economic and cultural hub, but at present its surroundings and facilities are failing to live up to this great potential. the aim of RENAZCA is to make the complex shine, filling all its corners with life and creating a unique space for social, economic and cultural encounters.’

since the announcement of the winning proposal, the four other shortlisted designs have been shared by the competition’s organizers. see the schemes from MVRDV, heatherwick studio, OMA, and west 8 below.

MVRDV (netherlands) / GRAS arquitectos (spain)

heatherwick studio (UK) / CLK arquitectos (spain)

OMA (netherlands) / NEXO arquitectos (spain) / BattleiRoig (spain)

west 8 (netherlands) / porras guadiana arquitectos (spain)

The post see proposals by MVRDV, heatherwick, OMA, & west 8 for madrid’s RENAZCA development appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

images by robin hill photography

sitting as a bookend against the last plot of open space, eighty seven park is located at the edge of the city where park meets the ocean. floating above a tropical nature park – once filled with former villas along atlantic way – the scheme creates a fresh dialogue with the vibrant community of north beach. carefully preserving and enhancing the natural dune system and urban conditions of the coastline, it takes the site’s best attributes and brings them into harmony, creating an urban eden unlike any other in south florida.

as a benefit to the community, the scheme offers unobstructed views towards the ocean from collins avenue, aided by sinking the parking underground. two public connections provide access to the coast and south beach, the southern of which offers extra width and comfort through a series of benches and shady native planting. in the two-acre private oasis on the north side of the property, two elegant water channels and a series of minimalist footpaths guide the viewer from the urban biscayne bay out into the atlantic ocean.

the miami beach experience was brought into the building’s lobby, which sits floating above a reflective pool of water and offers views towards the ocean across the pool deck. additionally, inspired by the legacy of miami beach and art basel, the design includes careful curation and positioning of world-class artworks within the landscape.

guided by the coastal spectrum of plant species, the team curated stunning, native, and expressive coastal and upland planting. starting from the restored dunes, clusters of wind-bent coconut palms give way to a grove of dancing sea grapes, specially pruned to enhance the distinct silhouettes of each tree. further upland, a collection of specimen gumbo limbos, with their unique red bark color and flaky texture, comprise the heart of the garden and create a transition zone between native coastal species and upland sub-tropical planting. protected from the salt-spray and hurricane winds by the site’s topography and the building form, the planting in the entrance area is comprised of the most tropical species.

project info:

project name: eighty seven park

location: miami beach, florida, the US

client: terra group, bizzi & partners development

team: renzo piano building workshop, RDAI architecture, lux populi

landscape design: west 8

design: 2014 – 2016

realization: 2016 – 2020

photography: robin hill photography

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom

The post west 8 designs a series of lush landscapes for renzo piano’s eighty seven park in miami beach appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

the competition, organized by the DOM.RF foundation and operated by strelka KB, called for a park that seamlessly integrated into the city’s historical center. challenges included finding ways to re-purpose the site’s existing concrete foundations from unrealized projects, while creating a sustainable ecosystem from scratch. other important points for the jury included connecting the park with other green areas in the city center, and finding a compromise between the interests of many different visitors. starting with the winner, see all eight of the shortlisted proposals below.

1st place: studio 44 (russia, saint petersburg) and west 8 (netherlands)

the winning proposal by studio 44 and west 8 is based upon the creation of a new topography that protects the park from its urban surroundings, while prioritizing views of the city. some of the project’s main strategies include paths that allow visitors to explore the park and the introduction of a riparian forest that provides both shelter and shade. conceived as a ‘romantic park’ that is full of unexpected views and sightlines, the winning proposal includes a diverse range of programming with activities that will activate the site throughout the year. 

studio 44 (russia, saint petersburg) and west 8 (netherlands)

studio 44 (russia, saint petersburg) and west 8 (netherlands)

2nd place: JV vogt (switzerland) and herzog & de meuron (switzerland)

vogt and herzog & de meuron’s scheme is a response to the site’s past. inspired by historical maps, the project proposes to create a continuous valley at the center of the park. the design consists of three main layers, which are defined by the topography and expressed in three different types of landscape: the ‘valley’, the ‘upper plateau’, and the ‘woodland’. using indigenous species throughout, the design team wanted the park to look as though it had always been there. a focal point of the design is a 34.9 meter-tall ‘glasshouse’ that appears as an extruded crystal.

JV vogt (switzerland) and herzog & de meuron (switzerland)

JV vogt (switzerland) and herzog & de meuron (switzerland)

3rd place: hvoya (russia, saint petersburg) and KARAVAN landskapsarkitekter (sweden)

described as a ‘fantasy’ that brings together the history and future of the site, hvoya and KARAVAN’s design is a network of pathways, lawns, and bridges that offer new ways to experience the city. ‘the abundant plant life and multi-layered space create a mystical contrast with the city and maintain a balance with its history and culture,’ says the team. ‘the proposed concept springs from invoking the unseen evidence of the past and transforming it into an archipelago of contemporary natural and functional spaces where everyone will find something to do.’

hvoya (russia, saint petersburg), KARAVAN landskapsarkitekter (sweden)

hvoya (russia, saint petersburg), KARAVAN landskapsarkitekter (sweden)

bjarke ingels group (united states)

responding to the site’s location, between the city and nature, the scheme by bjarke ingels group (BIG) is made up of two parts. towards the city, a formal garden on the upper level plays upon the history of the city’s gardens, exaggerating the long framed views in a series of site experiences. meanwhile, towards the river, the sunken park is expansive and has a more wild and untamed character. ‘we re-envision formal as an exaggerated experience of the extreme borrowed from the natural environment,’ says BIG. ‘the natural as a designed experience meant to heighten the qualities of nature and emphasize the ephemeral events. the two parts create something greater than the individual elements alone. above and below come together, amplified nature meets a landscape of culture. a model for resilient city spaces. neither one or the other, an ambiguous fusion.’

bjarke ingels group (united states)

bjarke ingels group (united states)

kengo kuma & associates (japan, france) and vladimir djurovic landscape architecture (lebanon)

the proposal from kengo kuma & associates and vladimir djurovic landscape architecture takes the form of a forest that would immerse park visitors in nature. ‘the current situation in the confinement that we are all facing, the limitation of speed and distance has caused us great inconvenience,’ says the team, referring to the ongoing pandemic. ‘however at the same time, it has drawn us a step back, rethink and act in the different pace and in distance. our proposal would rewind our perception of time and scale of distance, revisit the value of living in slower pace and closer distance.’ the design includes a series of roofs, inspired by pine needles or branches, that shelter various greenhouses and pathways.

kengo kuma & associates (japan, france) and vladimir djurovic landscape architecture (lebanon)

kengo kuma & associates (japan, france) and vladimir djurovic landscape architecture (lebanon)

agence TER (france) and philippe rahm architectes (france)

agence TER and philippe rahm architectes propose to re-establish the historical character of the site by creating a sequence of programmed islands. the site’s main public spaces, which act as gathering spots and entrances, are organized along the park edges. the functional scheme is based on the concept of two ‘poles’: the glasshouse (hot pole) and an underground building (cold pole). the glasshouse is a multi-functional space that includes an information point, a flower shop, food market, bakery, café and restaurant, and an accessible roof terrace that offers panoramic views.

agence TER (france) and philippe rahm architectes (france)

agence TER (france) and philippe rahm architectes (france)

praxys paysage & territoire (france) and KATARSIS architects (russia, saint petersburg)

praxys paysage & territoire and KATARSIS architects present a design that offers two distinct experiences. located along dobrolyubova avenue, the more urban ‘active park’ is connected to the city, while the ‘green embankment’ has a closer relationship with the river. between these two zones, a series of islands hope to increase biodiversity in the area. as part of the plans, a series of landmark buildings — made from timber — would be constructed throughout the park.

praxys paysage & territoire (france) and KATARSIS architects (russia, saint petersburg)

praxys paysage & territoire (france) and KATARSIS architects (russia, saint petersburg)

michel desvigne paysagiste (france), meganom (russia, moscow) and orchestra design (russia, saint petersburg)

the proposal from michel desvigne paysagiste, meganom, and orchestra design is distinguished by its naturalistic layout. ‘our aim is to strengthen the relationship between st petersburg and the neva river, in order to reveal the hidden link between history and geography — originally composed of marshlands, making it visible again both to residents and visitors,’ says the team. four main components define the project: the wide clearing, made up of a series of large lawns; the wetlands, which highlight the site’s natural character; the embankment, which allows people to come close to the river; and the green buffer that isolates the park from the noise of the adjacent street.

michel desvigne paysagiste (france), meganom (russia, moscow) and orchestra design (russia, saint petersburg)

michel desvigne paysagiste (france), meganom (russia, moscow) and orchestra design (russia, saint petersburg)

project info: 

name: international competition for the architectural landscape design concept for the tuchkov buyan park in saint petersburg
location: saint petersburg, russia
organizer: DOM.RF foundation
operator: strelka KB
partner of the competition operator: the european university at saint petersburg

The post studio 44 + west 8 win tuchkov buyan park contest ahead of kengo kuma and BIG appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

designboom spoke with west 8’s co-founder adriaan geuze about the design, who explained what he and his firm wanted to achieve with the garden’s layout, the challenges he faced during its development, and the importance of integrating different types of environments within a singular project. read the interview in full below.

the project is located in close proximity to the manhattan bridge
image by wordsearch

designboom: what was the initial brief for the project? what kind of atmosphere are you looking to create in the garden?

adriaan geuze: the project brief called for the creation of an urban garden oasis amidst one of the most bustling and energetic areas of NYC. it asked for a landscape design that took advantage of the amazing views toward the east river and the manhattan bridge, while offering a variety of experiences and activities to future residents. west 8 expanded on this brief through the unique lenses of the landscape architect and the garden designer. we sought to create several distinct landscape atmospheres — formal courtyards, romantic azalea gardens, and wild sumac slopes. within each of these landscapes the team created rooms and pockets for different rest and recreational opportunities.

the 1-acre garden contains a range of different zones
image by wordsearch

DB: was it unusual to be asked to design a private garden of this scale in the center of new york?

AG: one manhattan square presented a unique opportunity for us. it is one of the largest private outdoor gardens in NYC, and it is a contiguous garden space that ramps from the sidewalk all the way up to the 5th floor. this type of design opportunity is practically unheard of in NYC, let alone in an area as dense as the lower east side. this is not your typical roof garden. the size and complexity of the site allowed us to create a sequence of garden spaces.

hedges have been used to block out noise
image by west 8

DB: what has been the most challenging aspect of the project and the site itself?

AG: we see the site as an opportunity, but it is a complicated site with a lot of complexity and there are many players that have come together to produce the final design. the site’s proximity to the east river and the manhattan bridge is an amazing amenity for views and breezes. however, the bridge and the FDR [east river drive] do create a significant amount of noise, and the breezes coming off of the east river can sometimes be quite strong. these factors needed to be mitigated in the design, which we did by lining the entire roof garden in evergreen hedges, with overlook moments provided in key places throughout the design. these hedges provide a dignified green edge to the interior garden spaces, while partially shielding them from the wind and noises coming off the surrounding cityscape.

a children’s play area replicates the geography of new york
image by wordsearch

AG (continued): the project coordination has also been an interesting challenge. the roofscape is not the simple, flat plane that one would expect. the architects have provided us with a base condition that includes several challenging slopes, each with a different pitch and aspect. each of these has been designed as a different garden experience, taking advantage of their unique qualities.

the scheme seeks to create an urban oasis for its residents
image by wordsearch

DB: how do you intend to keep the garden an active and occupied space throughout new york’s changing seasons?

AG: seasonality is important in garden design, and because this is a dense and active residence year-round, our garden designs had to be beautiful and welcoming in all seasons. our approach relied heavily on plants to provide this seasonal interest. there are evergreen hedges, ground covers, and ornamental pines throughout the project that will be an amazing contrast to the snowy winters of NYC. in the spring, the cherry trees and azaleas will be the showstoppers with their colorful blooms. in the middle of summer the sumac and birch trees will render this rooftop a verdant green oasis. sumac turns the brightest red in the fall, which will compliment the yellows of the birch trees – and the red berries of the sumac persist into winter alongside the beautiful texture of the peeling birch bark.

red sumac plantation will add vibrancy to the design
image by west 8

DB: how does the project compare to your previous commissions, in particular your work on governor’s island?  were you able to apply some of the same successful aspects?

AG: governors island is a large public space, physically separated from the city, while this is a private rooftop that is embedded in the city fabric. they are fundamentally different commissions. however, there are some noteworthy similarities: both of these projects aimed to be oases apart from the concrete jungle of manhattan. we took some of the lessons from governors island to achieve this. specifically, the use of seasonal plants, many of which are native species, was important for both projects. also, the need for quiet nooks and intimate seating areas occurs in both projects, though at different scales. 

a japanese inspired tea garden includes a wooden pavilion
image by wordsearch

DB: from intimate settings, to more grand spaces, how important is it to integrate different types of environments within a project like this?

AG: creating different types of environments is essential to this type of project. this is a garden project, and the tradition of garden design calls for a variety of spaces created with the textures, colors and materials of the natural world. we wanted to bring the splendor of the natural world to the residents of one manhattan square, and to use this palette to create spaces of different sizes and characters for a variety of recreational activities and socializing.

romantic fire pits are also featured as part of the plans
image by wordsearch

AG (continued): at the street level, we designed a grand public staircase and plaza with granite steps and cobbles and a circular planter contained in a sculpted seat edge. on the 5th floor is a japanese inspired tea garden with a wooden pavilion, where residents can quietly socialize in a highly composed and tranquil garden space. between these two extremes one can find every size and quality of garden space between; social courtyards for barbecues and parties, secluded outdoor fireplaces for romantic engagements, exciting play spaces for the children, and large swaths of green surrounding ramps with stone benches for respite.

‘one manhattan square’ is a residential tower currently under construction
image by wordsearch

DB: generally speaking, how much and what kind of analytical research goes into each of west 8’s designs?

AG: west 8 starts every project by analyzing the site for its essential conditions. for this project, for example, analysis of the building massing for sun and wind exposure in all seasons was critical because the landscape wraps all sides of the building and climbs into the sky quite dramatically. understanding these baseline conditions is important in designing the character of each space and selecting the correct materials, plants, and programs for each garden room. west 8 uses this type of analysis as a foundation, but brings a level of playfulness, ornament, and inspiration to each of its garden projects.

site plan indicating the garden’s layout
image by west 8

sectional diagram
image by west 8

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The post west 8 founder adriaan geuze discusses designing a 1-acre garden for one manhattan square appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

ten acres of new public space has opened on new york’s governors island. ‘the hills’, a park designed by urban design and landscape architecture firm west 8, includes a variety of landscapes, public art, play areas, and 360 degree views of the new york harbor — including the statue of liberty. the scheme is the culmination of the governors island park and public space masterplan, and phase 1 of the park and public space project. the opening marks a major milestone in the transformation of the island from an abandoned military base into a vibrant public destination.

the hills on governors island open summer 2016
video by cobalt productions / courtesy of the trust for governors island

rising 25 to 70 feet (8-21 meters) above the island, west 8 has constructed the hills using recycled demolition debris, general fill, and lightweight pumice, stabilized with geotechnical reinforcement and covered with shrubs, trees and grassy lawns. while the project provides important areas of recreation, is also helps protect the island against increasingly dramatic weather patterns and rising sea levels.

view of outlook hill, which rises 70 feet above the island
all images by timothy schenck

opening nearly a year ahead of schedule, the four mounds include: ‘grassy hill’, a 26-foot high gentle slope overlooking the island’s new and historic landscapes as well as the manhattan skyline; ‘slide hill’, which, at a height of 36 feet, is the home of four slides, including the longest in new york city; ‘discovery hill’, which features a site-specific sculpture by british artist rachel whiteread; and ‘outlook hill’, which provides accessible paths and ‘the scramble’, constructed out of reclaimed granite seawall blocks. here, 70 feet above the island, visitors are afforded views of the new york harbor, the statue of liberty, and the skylines of manhattan, brooklyn and jersey city.

looking towards the freedom tower and downtown manhattan

‘the hills’ are home to more than 860 new trees and 41,000 new shrubs planted in high-quality topsoil and protected from brackish groundwater by the new topography. the planting of each of the four hills has been designed according to individual micro-climates with varying degrees of slopes, exposure to sun, salty-spray, and prevailing winds. the lawns, plantings and permeable paving also reduce erosion and storm run-off, while allowing for water collection and irrigation.

visitors attend the opening of the public park

‘sculpted topography works in concert with winding pathways and trees to create ‘conceal and reveal’ vistas, choreographing the park experience,’ explains west 8‘s design director adriaan geuze. ‘it maximizes the sense of anticipation, pulling a visitor through the park or signaling a place to sit and stay just a bit longer. the topography defines the very character of the area.’

the scheme is home to more than 860 new trees and 41,000 new shrubs

‘over the past 13 years, governors island has been transformed from a relic few new yorkers knew about and even fewer visited into one of the most popular parks in our city – or any city,’ added former new york mayor michael bloomberg. ‘the hills are an extraordinary addition to the island that will inspire new yorkers and visitors for many generations to come – and they are a powerful testament to what can happen when public servants, architects and artists, and generous supporters all work together to bring a common vision to life.’ see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

the hills have been built using recycled demolition debris

view of the scramble on outlook hill from the play lawn

at 57 feet long, slide hill includes the longest slide in new york city

liberty moment, viewed from the top of slide hill

view of the statue of liberty between grassy and outlook hills

rachel whiteread’s ‘cabin’ on discovery hill

‘cabin’ continues the artist’s work in producing sculptures of negative spaces

looking towards the statue of liberty at sunset

the project is the culmination of the governors island park and public space masterplan

phase one of the development

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The post the hills by west 8 open to the public on new york’s governors island appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

image © WAX architectural visualizations

the new building will feature multidisciplinary functions such as eight auditoriums seating up to 300 people, two laboratories, research and copy room, foyer and parking for 230 bicycles. a green plinth will create a connection to the surrounding landscape, enhancing the existing structures to strengthen the quality of its original legacy. rather than mimicking the terrain the edifice asserts itself as a positive presence among the campus grounds.

image © WAX architectural visualizations

image © WAX architectural visualizations

image © WAX architectural visualizations

image © WAX architectural visualizations

image © west 8 urban design & landscape architecture

image © west 8 urban design & landscape architecture

image © west 8 urban design & landscape architecture

image © west 8 urban design & landscape architecture

image © west 8 urban design & landscape architecture

floor plan / level 0
image © META architectuurbureau

floor plan / level 2
image © META architectuurbureau

circulation diagram
image © META architectuurbureau

circulation path
image © META architectuurbureau

sight lines
image © META architectuurbureau

project info:

client: university of antwerp
architect: META architectuurbureau
landscape architect: west 8
collaborators: SW architecten, technum
program: 8 auditoriums, 2 specialty laboratories, research room, copy room, foyer, parking for 230 bikes

The post antwerp university campus O bulding by west 8, META architecture, SW + technum appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

in working with the municipality of cali, colombia, west 8 has conceived a revitalization plan for the city’s central and riverfront park. the design is aimed at enhancing the urban realm by allowing a safe place for the public to gather and connect with the natural environment. in addition, the project will provide plazas for cultural events as well as improved pedestrian and bike accessibility through the city center. construction on ‘rio cali park’ is set to begin in january 2015 and with completion by the end of the year.

the park will provide rejuvenated green spaces and improved enjoyment of the river

the park’s revitalization, under the title ‘cali, ¿un sueño atravesado por un río? (a dream crossed by a river)‘, is part of an effort to subvert poor civic conditions in cali, following four decades of stagnation, violence, and social conflict. the urban redevelopment is aimed at re prioritizing public space and sustainable design, with the park allowing the community new green areas and plazas, as well as a closer connection to the cali river.

two bridges span the river and its natural cascades

new pedestrian and bike promenades provide improved accessibility through the city and within the park

public plazas in the park interface with surrounding buildings

new plaza spaces will serve as venues for public music performances

project info:

client: grupo cali ciudad verde
west 8 partners: rutropolis, revolucion urbana
west 8 team: edzo bindels, juan figueroa calero, alejandra martinez, alvaro novas filgueira, attilio ranieri, eva recio, fernando diez, jie xu, joost koningen, lydia franken, moses rowen

The post west 8 designs park to bring cali, colombia closer to its river appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

a team comprised of urban planning and landscape architecture office west 8 and local practices colwell shelor and weddle gilmore has won an international competition with their concept designs for mesa, arizona’s redeveloped city center. the entry has contended with two other teams – woods bagot with surface design and otak with mayer reed – seeking to complete the new downtown square. 

video courtesy of west 8

conceived as a ‘town square with a twist’, the project intends to create identifiable and flexible public spaces programmed for organized and passive uses that catalyze future development within the region. this will be done through inviting landscapes that honor the sonoran desert and ground floor amenities that draw people towards the civic hub to main street, the arts center, convention center, and residential neighborhoods.

the project intends to create identifiable public spaces programmed for both organized and passive uses

the promenade integrates seats into the landscape below the treetops

the scheme is organized around the events plaza, a central gathering point that boasts a sinuous copper shade structure titled ‘the wind dancer’. the state-of-the-art water feature below celebrates both the precious quality and playfulness of the liquid, transforming into an ice skating rink during the winter. the upper terrace has a more relaxed atmosphere, with pockets of desert-themed gardens and small-scale zones for food markets, concerts, and art shows. the leisure promenade is a linear path that ties the patio above with integrated seating underneath the treetops so that visitors can observe the environment around them.

the central gathering space boasts a sinuous copper structure titled ‘the wind dancer’ 

during the summer, the residents and visitors can play in the water

the water feature as an ice skating rink during the winter

the design repurposes and renews existing structures on site to retain a critical mass of users and to create a focal point from which new development will grow outside of the project boundaries. these buildings will house food and drink venues with balconies that engage the public realm. meanwhile, the city hall will be re-skinned with vertical fins to change the architecture and improve its overall energy performance. the lively hub can be built quickly and efficiently in a single phase, consequently saving money.

the lively hub can be built quickly and efficiently in a single phase

the work combines the city’s desires for a venue for its major events and festivals; a shady, green welcoming setting and an iconic, world-class space announcing mesa as a leading city for innovation, arts, business and community. the winning team’s design is a destination that will be a lively downtown location and an inviting place during all seasons and times of day.

more secluded areas are found among the project’s generous plantation

the scheme is intended to catalyze future development within the region

a projection displayed underneath the copper installation sets a romantic mood

the space can hold a variety of public events

at night the plaza becomes a lively destination for social interaction

site plan indicating the scale of the project

project info:

client: the city of mesa, arizona
partners: weddle gilmore, colwell shelor
consultants: dibble engineering, pfocus, HR&A, ETM associates, rider levett bucknall, pentagram, fluidity, schlaich bergermann and partner lp

The post west 8 + colwell shelor + weddle gilmore win mesa city center competition appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

as part of the west kowloon cultural district development in hong kong, urban planning and landscape architecture firm west 8 is designing a 23 hectare park, scheduled for phased openings beginning in late 2015. the large public outdoor area will include a green avenue and waterfront promenade, with fluid connections to adjacent neighborhoods. to accomplish the task, the netherlands-based office has been working closely with local partners dennis lau & ng chun man architects & engineers (DLN) since their appointment in february 2014.

the complex will provide a vibrant venue for open air music, dance, and theater performances, as well as art exhibitions and other community events. the scheme pays particular attention to shaded areas, and topographic variation throughout the landscape, in order to provide pleasant environments and spacious lawns for leisure and relaxation. the project’s overall intention is to inspire, promote, and encourage cultural pursuits for all.

site plan for the 23 hectare park, located in hong kong

reaching the end of conceptual design, the team has confirmed the locations of the arts and cultural venues within the park. the disparate venues will be linked by a central boulevard, which extends from the district’s main avenue.

the venues include:

the arts pavilion: designed by VPANG architects ltd + JET architecture inc + lisa cheung, which will be situated on an elevated mound in the north-east segment of the park, close to m+ and artist square, with views out to the victoria harbor.

freespace: a black box and an outdoor stage. the black box will be a flexible space located in the center of the park for standing and seated events across all genres, and will accommodate up to 900 people.

the lawn: a flexible space in the western area of the park, capable of accommodating over 10,000 standing visitors for outdoor festivals, classical or pop music concerts, and other performances. a further flexible event space is planned for the southern segment of the park near the waterfront, capable of hosting up to 5,000 people standing.

a wide promenade wraps the waterfront

the park will provide a vibrant venue for open air music, dance, and theater performances

project info:

client: west kowloon cultural district authority
partners: dennis lau & ng chun man architects & engineers (hong kong) ltd (DLN), ACLA (hong kong)
consultants: hyder ltd., JLL
west 8 team: adriaan geuze, martin biewenga, christian dobrick, ela chojecka, jie xu, joost koningen, joris weijts, juan tur, marco garcia, maria castrillo, perry maas, pieter hoen, pieter bertheloot, rikus beekman, ronald van nugteren, winnie poon, yichun he

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