Connections and Boundaries

www.e-architect.co.uk/shanghai

The goal of this presentation is to find some insight into the connections and boundaries between the disciplines of architecture and landscape architecture. The investigation will be a challenge of hierarchy where human interaction defines the need for design and the value of a place. Specifically looking into space creation and how the now obvious distinctions between practices can be blurred.

The separation between natural and build form is a tool often used, and more often disused, in developmental design processes. This can be as simple as an architect who designs a building ‘in space’ with no regard to its context, or and architect who draw inspiration for things such as form and materials from the most faint connection to the site. These mistakes usually arise due to the unconnected nature between the disciplines of architecture and landscape architecture, which can be seen as a problem caused by the hierarchy of built environments over natural environments. The overarching intention of design is one of improving places or objects for people. Therefore built form and landscapes should be integrated with the design intention of improved activity from the user’s perspective. When successfully designing for people what were boundaries become connections both in terms of use and design.

The well respected and defined architecture practice of EMBT displays some very characteristic and often overlooked flaws of the whole architecture discipline. This includes the disjointed nature of their designs in terms of the existing landscapes, activities and culture. A classic example of this is the Spanish Pavilion Shanghai Expo 2010 which was clearly designed without regards to the existing conditions as the hero image seems to be floating in white space. This design also claims to be a tribute to local culture through its use of materials. Consideration should be placed in the areas of interaction and the ways people can use the site to enhance there cultural values.

Therefore it is clear that strategic design methods which employ a connected nature between practices is needed to create successful places for people.

Key words: People, Connections, Boundaries, Place

Brett van Embden s3203491