‘Greenward’: Architecture Competition seeks ideas and projects Vertical landscape competition held by UNI
Gardens for recreation
Who doesn’t love to spend time in nature? Human beings are biologically inherent to want to be closer to nature, and this need was very well-acknowledged, since the early days. The benefits of vegetation embedded in human settlements are far more than the mere desire or its aesthetic.
As we yearn for the natural environment, the ancients devised gardens as a remedy. It is basically an enclosure that gives us the ability to grow naturally, for our benefit, in a controlled manner. This power over natural elements was exerted on these ‘idealistic’ landscapes that were more about status display and enjoyment, rather than cultivation.
In contemporary times, even though we are survived by several gardens built overages, the nature of our relationship with greenery has changed. We have starved ourselves for a long time, suppressing our instinct for nature with artificial habitats and short-lived solutions. But now, with this want, the concept of the garden, too, has evolved to serve its purpose in many other ways.
How is the practice of gardening, being manifested in the current context?
The green in concrete jungles
The march toward development came with overwhelming infrastructure and technology that has taken up most of the space in our lives. Living areas themselves are becoming so small and scarce that there is hardly any scope left for greenery. Cities, as-built environments, are failing to accommodate the huge population of residents. Facilities are built to serve demands, while nature is being pushed out of every corner of the city.
The burden of urbanization has reduced cities to stretches of stilted skyscrapers, where human connection is often lost. Development started moving upwards, but even so, many people are struggling to pay rent for even a suboptimal living space. The battle with density is never-ending, and it is more important now, to find a way to include green spaces in cities, for balance and well-being.
While we continue to grow vertically, foliage must also find its way up. The monotony of urbanity can be broken with fresh and vibrant green elements, incorporated in the superstructure, to make up for the green space that could have been on the land.
How can we reintroduce green in towering cities?
Brief of the Competition
Cities are bustling neighborhoods and the intervention of greenery has the ability to deliver peace and calm to the working people.
Brief: The challenge is to design a view tower with a vertical garden, providing views of the city.
The tower or structure needs to act as a vertical garden space that people can visit. It will be a great addition to the neighborhood by improving the aesthetic of the area. It shall cater to the gardening needs of the local residents as well.
It can accommodate the ‘green’ in any way the designer feels, creative or efficient. The green elements must not burden the existing facilities in the area. Sustainable strategies are to be employed so that the garden operates with minimal resources, upkeep and gives maximum benefits.
The aim here is to create a new typology of recreation space for the public in dense urban areas. The change of scenery can give a fresh view of the city. The tower must be a pleasant disruption that contributes to the well-being of all residents and pedestrians in the city.
Design Objectives
•Concept — The inspiration of ‘green’ design can be borrowed from nature or any other source, with a conscious selection of material and technology
•Landmark — the tower will create a visual impact and inspire the adoption of green movement strategies into urban settings.
•Sustainability — reduce the negative impact of design on the environment, by improving building performance, reducing waste, and ensuring comfort for occupants
•Context — the design must respond to the (existing) site conditions. The wider socio-cultural, economic, and environmental settings are to be considered in the design approach.
•Balance — the aesthetic and functionality of the tower will be equally important
Site
The site is located in New York, USA. The city is known for its skyscraper game with the viewscape made of a sea of steel and glass. It is extremely busy with its huge population and real estate is so expensive that even the cost of the smallest space is way above the average cost of living that any other city could expect.
The site is beside the West 110th Street side of Central Park, which is the most visited park in the United States. With more than 42 million visitors annually, the site of the challenge has prime location advantages.
The site is located at the roundabout at Frederick Douglas circle. It is surrounded by tall residential apartments that will gain from the view of the green tower.
•Site area: 791 sqm
•Height restrictions: < 100~150m
•Ground coverage: 60%
•Coordinates: 40°48'02.0"N 73°57'29.6"W
Area Program
- Spaces for ‘green’ — garden, green wall, etc
- Spaces for leisure — seating, step seating
- Spaces for the view — viewing deck
Originally published at https://uni.xyz.
