A Design for Life

The collection of Landscape Design Proposals demonstrate the vast wealth of talent in the field of landscape architecture. I feel totally inspired and at the same time humbled by the wealth of fabulous entries to the competition. The diversity and complexity within the composition of each design and the visualisations demonstrating the concept is just phenomenal. I am immediately drawn to the Italian 'Walking on the Ribbon' design and would love to know how the designer came up with this concept. I feel that using the autonomy of the ribbon as the main generator of unity within the space is quite a brilliant outcome. The ribbon like a river has the strength of youth in the main larger square and yet creeps and meanders as an older river would do between the buildings and walkways. I also feel the river of ribbon is the thread and the visual grounding that makes the whole area feel safe and energising.  The designer has cleverly introduced new forms; the furniture, the light nee...

Previously buildings were designed primarily to be functional and to serve the purpose of the business needs within; limited considerations were given to the overall aesthetics and how they may affect the workers and residents. Amenities within public buildings for example would be toilet facilities and possibly limited seating areas for example. However, as design technologies have evolved and awareness of the correlation between human well being and the environment that we frequent, now architectural design is far more sympathetic to our basic human needs.  There is a point where architects can over design and overly control our spaces for example pre-setting ambient temperatures or lighting using a generic algorithm to conclude what is needed. Although on the whole many designs now are incredibly successful it is also worth not loosing sight of the ability of us as individuals to make our own decisions depending upon our circumstances at any one given time. Many hotels are so hi...

The COVID-19 pandemic, resource limitations and the ever increasing demand for sustainability have made the case for investment into smart cities more crucial than ever before. As the paper highlights the areas for growth and investment in the fields of technologies, building and construction, energy management and waste management are all fields that must be explored. The volume of stake holders in cities has clearly served as a barrier to progress however, as the analysis suggests the lack of progression in introducing smarter cities similar to the ones in Denmark, is a false economy in the long run. Reading this paper it is clear that smart cities are not just a concept or dream of the future, but an absolute necessity to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Urbanisation is a non ending phenomenon and therefore environmental, social and economic sustainability is a must to keep pace with this rapid expansion that is taxing our cities resources. Citizens and ...

                                         The whole concept of biophilia is stimulating, exciting and thought provoking in so many ways. My own personal desire to live a safe, calm, content and meaningful life is one small aspect of how I feel using the biophilia strategies could guide and steer me through life. However, when you consider the vast wealth of opportunity afforded within this concept it is a wonder that all organisations, governments and decision makers are not tuned in and governed by these principles. It is now clearly known and correlated that the general well being of the population is beneficial in so many ways, from economic input to the overall improvement in physical and mental health, which in itself has a huge impact on society as a whole. The individual elements within the biophilia strategy can be broken down and utilised in either micro proportions or on a m...

                                                      Victor Papanek's lively and instructive guide shows how design can reduce pollution, overcrowding, starvation, obsolescence and other contemporary dilemmas; Papanek leads us away from 'fetish objects for a wasteful society' towards a new age of morally and environmentally responsible design. A great deal of this books focus, tends to be upon developing, for third world nations; P apanek clearly shows that real design should be about improving the way our world, and our society functions.  Victor Papanek examines the attempts by designers to combat the tawdry, the unsafe, the frivolous, the useless product, once again providing a blueprint for sensible, responsible design in this world which is deficient in resources and energy.  Papanek shares his holistic view of design throughout the book,...

I hope you find someone who loves you. Who makes you feel like the greatest person on the planet. Who loves you because of your quirks, not in spite of them. Who makes your heart light and your brain quiet. If you love someone tell them. If you don't love someone anymore, tell them and let their heart be free. Whatever happens, know that you are not alone. Be kind, be happy, be free Bad news: you're growing and it's hurts Good news: it hurts but you're growing