Commercial Architecture June 2019 - 9

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FEATURE

| landscaping

andscaping, along with green space

green space. It's a part of the re-gentrification of

and public amenities, has been given

cities in general, an effort to create more bike

greater emphasis in urban areas across

paths, parks, and other outdoor amenities. I

the United States in recent years and the trend

believe this stems from the personal needs peo-

is growing. Europe long had its formal gardens

ple have and their desires to connect with

and plazas, and the U.S. has a history of sig-

nature," said David Fowler, AIA, NCARB,

nificant parks, but they tended to be separate,

LEED AP, principal and senior designer

sharply delineated spaces. Today, there is an

with three, an architecture firm based in Dallas.

increased effort to integrate green, open spaces

Fowler sees three major factors that directly

into the built environment, noted Alice Shay,

feed into the desire for better landscapes and

urban designer, Cities Practice, BuroHappold

public spaces:

Engineering, New York.

* The basic human need to connect with

"Historically we know there is a long lineage

nature.

of important landscaping in parks. Central Park,

* The trend toward greening buildings, includ-

Prospect Park, and Forest Park in New York are

ing the recent interest in green walls and green

gems of Frederick Law Olmstead design, but

roofs. These elements introduce nature into the

landscape is essential to this day and it's played

building and facilitate the landscape intercon-

important roles in different ways throughout

necting with buildings. Whether it's on rooftops

time. Landscape brings light and air to our cit-

or on the ground, trees and plantings help reduce

ies; it brings people together. Landscape and

the heat gain of cities. Trees are a major factor in

parks are the places where people come and

reducing the urban heat-island effect.

rejoice," Shay said.

* Scale: Trees and landscape elements help

"I think in recent years it has only become

break down the scale of large buildings and

ever more potent and well understood that all

high-rises in the urban environment, creating a

forms of public realm amenities contribute to

more human scale as city dwellers transition

the livability of cities. It's not just parks but it's

from the outdoors into their buildings. The same

also the streetscape, plazas, and the way side-

is true in suburban settings and even resorts.

walks work with the streets. It's little pockets of

As an example, the Cap Rock Members

oasis across the city. It's the way our waterfronts

Club Complex for the Horseshoe Bay Resort,

engage both with the water and with develop-

45 min. west of Austin, TX, designed by three,

ments on the other side. Today there is a full

offers an example of how reorganizing a site by

palette of opportunities that planners, designers,

working with the existing environment can cre-

and municipal leadership can use to make cities

ate a sense of discovery and union with nature,

more attractive through the tools of landscape

Fowler

design," she said.

20,000-sq.-ft. new complex on an existing site,

related.

"For

this

four-building,

"Especially in cities and urban environments

we worked with our landscape architect partner,

where density is constantly increasing, landscape

Coy Talley with Talley Associates, Dallas, to

or hardscape design is often a vital aspect of a

deal with the fact that there was no memorable

project's overall success. For developers, com-

or impressive progression into the site from the

mercial tenants, or residents of a multifamily

main road. In fact, the entrance of the clubhouse

property, accessible outdoor space is more valued

and pool was approached through a parking lot,

than

which was far less than ideal," Fowler said.

ever.

Whether

these

areas

are

at grade, designed as part of wharf structures,

"In hospitality architecture, we're always try-

built on rooftops, or even planned as central

ing to create a sense of discovery while arriving,

courtyards or atria, they're now seen as a vital

whether it's a resort, golf-club complex, or even

aspect of site plans, design visions, and amenity

an urban environment. That's how we begin to

packages that can make a commercial property

connect emotionally with people and create a

viable in increasingly competitive markets,"

memorable experience and destination. The

agreed James Szymanski, AIA, NCARB, LEED

connection starts at the property line, and some-

AP, associate, The Architectural Team Inc.

times before," he explained.

(TAT), Chelsea, MA.

"So at Cap Rock, we rerouted the entrance

"The biggest change we've seen in our cities

and arrival sequence of the site, which was the

is recognizing that we need parks and more

biggest move in renovating the site. Sequence of

Romare Bearden Park, Charlotte, NC, inspired by Charlotte-born artist, Romare Bearden, provides space for urban recreation and
gathering in the heart of Center City and is a catalyst for economic development in Uptown Charlotte. Photo: courtesy LandDesign

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JUNE 2019

Commercial Architecture June 2019

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