London skyscraper design not too bright
While skyscrapers are often criticised for negatively impacting the environment, this has never been more true than for the “Walkie Talkie” skyscraper, which is copping a significant amount of flak for melting parked cars. The “Walkie Talkie” is a 525 foot tall, 37-storey building currently under construction in London. Due to its distinctive concave design...
Travelling light
While you may not have an estimated time of arrival or even a fixed destination, there is a silver lining for this new mode of transport proposed by New York architect Tiago Barros. The Passing Cloud is a floating device which completely inverts the traditional act of travelling. The route is determined by predominant winds...
A mobile concert ball
Living in Sydney not only do we have great access to art, music and culture, we are also fortunate enough to be bereft of earthquakes, tsunamis and all the other frightening events that occur on the tectonic fault lines. In Japan however, it’s not the case, but in a generous act Artist Anish Kapoor and...
London Design Festival’s art installation is a breath of fresh air
The London Design Festival is currently in motion until Sunday 22nd September, celebrating design in London and with the international creative community. Another thing in motion is the beautiful art installation “The Wind Portal” created by Lebanese designer Najla El Zein for the event. “The Wind Portal” is made up of 5,000 paper windmills installed...
Design Concepts / Landscape / Landscape Design / Landscape Supplies / Landscaping - Soft / Nurseries
Fruit trees for small gardens
Backyard vegetable gardening has been taken on by many residential customers in the last few years. As the people realize the benefits and joy that comes with growing their own food, it has now gone from a fad to a more perennial way of gardening. What is often over-looked by the profession, be it retail...
Horticulture Scholarship opportunity
There is a scholarship opportunity from the BBM Sir John Pagan Horticulture Award. It is open to horticulturists younger than 24 years of age at the date of the closing of applications, who are currently undertaking or who have completed an acknowledged course in Horticulture with any University, TAFE or Training Organisation. The winner will...
Fake mountain atop apartment block deemed unacceptable
A rooftop garden can make for a peaceful and relaxing sanctuary when living in a high-rise apartment in the centre of Beijing. However, this one Chinese businessman went a little over the top with his rooftop landscaping project, and by over the top, I mean covering a 26-storey apartment block in an artificial mountain. Local...
Pondering about a pond?
Water features and ponds in particular have greatly improved in the last 10 years. Improvement in UV stable pond liners, pumping and filtering systems, waterproofing membranes and composite materials have all helped ameliorate and increase the design possibilities. Ponds have an aesthetic value, a cooling effect and the sound of water helps reduce background noise....
Tips for gorgeous, long-lasting pots
Words by - Anne Worsley Con·tain·er·o·lo·gy: It’s the art and science of container gardening – or how to grow a good-looking plot in a pot. But a “containerology” degree doesn’t have to be hard to earn,” joked Anthony Tesselaar of Anthony Tesselaar Plants, “All you have to do is take fellow gardeners’ advice about what works...
Being a member of a professional association has many benefits
At this time of year I renew my membership to my professional association. Professional associations serve their members well and in many ways. Good associations will run professional development workshops. These give the members the opportunity to update their knowledge or acquire new job skills through luncheons, workshops, conferences, publications or web seminars. They also...
Design Concepts / Garden and Public Art / Landscape / Landscape Design / Landscaping - Hard / Landscaping - Soft / Playground Equipment
Child’s Play
Most adults understand the very important educational role that playing has in the physical and mental development of our children. Schools, public playgrounds and private gardens are an integral part of the play setting in the maturing processes of children. The ability to explore, discover and imagine in a natural, or at least outdoor, setting...
Environmental Management / Green Walls & Green Roofs / Landscape Construction / Landscape Design / Playground Equipment / Pool Designers & Builders
Prince Alfred Park Pool splashes onto the city scene
Sydney’s newest 9-lane, 50 metre outdoor pool is the first fully-accessible outdoor heated pool in the city. Not only is it now open – but it’s free! For the first six months Sydney-siders can enjoy unique water-views, park-views and city-views all at the one time. Another great aspect to draw your eye is Prince Alfred...
