Photographic Evidence

Edwin Zwakman puts a new spin on the long standing tradition of recording the Dutch landscape. The images below are from his 2004 series titled "Backyards".

Fly-Over III, C-print plexi, reynobond, 220 x 161 cm 2003

Straat II, C-print, plexi, reynobond, 220 x 157 cm 2004

Tuin IX, C-print, plexi, reynobond, 220 x 146 cm 2004

Tuin I, C-print, plexi, reynobond, 220 x 146 cm 2004

Tuin III, C-print, plexi, reynobond, 220 x 146 cm 2004

Tuin V, C-print, plexi, reynobond, 220 x 146 cm 2004

Tuin V, C-print, plexi, reynobond, 220 x 146 cm 2004

Tuin V, C-print, plexi, reynobond, 220 x 146 cm 2004

Tuin VI, C-print, plexi, reynobond, 220 x 146 cm 2004

Tuin VIII, C-print, plexi, reynobond, 220 x 146 cm 2004

Tuin VIII, C-print, plexi, reynobond, 220 x 146 cm 2004

Green Streets Victoria BC

I am currently working on a project with a scope of work that extends beyond the boundaries of the site. The idea is to work with the city of Victoria to include a Green Streets concept to the development's adjoining streets.

What is a Green Street? Well it includes but is not limited to a sustainable stormwater strategy that meets regulatory compliance and resource protection goals by using a natural systems approach to manage stormwater, reduce flows, improve water quality and enhance watershed health.

The project brief looks something like this:

- Traffic calming

- Improving pedestrian and bicycle safety

- Reducing the demand on the city’s sewer collection system and the cost of constructing expensive infrastructure / pipe systems

- Diverting stormwater from the sewer system

- Reduction of impervious surfaces so stormwater can infiltrate to recharge groundwater and surface water

- Increasing urban greenspace

- Enhancing community and neighborhood livability.

Can't tell you much more about the project at this point but I have included similar projects in the Portland and greater Victoria area to get you thinking.

A new way of managing stormwater run off.

NE Siskiyou Green Street, Portland, Oregon. Photo by Kevin Robert Perry.

Checkdams made from packed earth and river rock are used in each curb extension to slow and retain stormwater runoff.

NE Siskiyou Green Street, Portland, Oregon. Photo by Kevin Robert Perry. NE Siskiyou Green Street, Portland, Oregon. Photo by Kevin Robert Perry.

NE Siskiyou Green Street, Portland, Oregon. Photo by Kevin Robert Perry.

NE Siskiyou Green Street, Portland, Oregon. Photo by Kevin Robert Perry.

Trent Street Rain Garden Victoria BC.

A great local project by the forward thinking minds over at Murdoch de Greefe Inc.

(SW 12th Avenue Green Street Project, Portland, Oregon. Photos by Kevin Robert Perry.)

(SW 12th Avenue Green Street Project, Portland, Oregon. Photos by Kevin Robert Perry.)

(SW 12th Avenue Green Street Project, Portland, Oregon. Photos by Kevin Robert Perry.)

(SW 12th Avenue Green Street Project, Portland, Oregon. Photos by Kevin Robert Perry.)

For all things Portland, Landscape and Urbanism based, check out Jason Kings Blog here.

sketch

Lately my studio work has been filled with detailed renderings and construction drawings.

I find a great way to loosen up from hours in front of the computer is to produce a series of quick sketches. Unhindered by the rigidity of CAD, the idea is to let the eye and hand work together seamlessly. The image below was produced in 10 minutes.

Olive tree and Spaniel

Old friend and London based garden designer Jonathan Snow sent me this image he captured while on a plant buying trip for a client.

When you visit a nursery it usually never hurts to take an image of specimen trees they have in stock that you may want to use on future projects.

When appropriate, these select images are great for giving your clients a visual idea of what you are intending to plant.

"Notice the architectural branching structure of this mature Olea europaea".