The Architecture of Parks

[Aleks]

ok, so this thread is about... the architecture of parks. Any type is welcome, from national parks to community gardens. community centers, landscape architecture, and so on.

I guess sculptures are fine also, but only if there's a connection with the architecture (i mean single sculptures, not extensions of buildings which are fine).

The Elevated Acre
55 Water St.
Rogers Marvel Architects
Landscape: Ken Smith
Link + Images

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

my favorite parks in America

Millennium Park


http://www.photorexit.com/blog/wp-co...46-2-copy1.jpg


http://www.superherodesigns.com/jour...enium_park.jpg


http://img.fotocommunity.com/Archite...-a18283025.jpg

http://sdngnet.com/Gallery2/d/6751-2/Chicago_Millenium_Park_Crown_Fountain_by_Jaume_Plensa_3_Mini.jpg


Highline


http://www.colectiva.tv/wordpress/wp...09-06-5054.jpg


http://www.theworldedition.com/news/...igh-line-2.jpg


http://popupcity.net/wp-content/uplo...ighline_09.jpg

central park


http://themarkhotel.com/blog/wp-cont...-wallpaper.jpg





The National Mall


http://travel.nationalgeographic.com...l-landmark.jpg


http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-...1286626113.jpg


http://photo.minghui.org/images/sele...723_Mall07.jpg

[photoLith]

Picture I took about 5 weeks ago in Lafayette Park in St. Louis.




The only building left from the riverfront in STL and of course the arch.

[HooverDam]

Here is Civc Space Park in Downtown Phoenix:



On the right is the 1926 AE Motors Building. In the distance is the Historic Post Office (the low slung off white structure) and the 16 story Westward Ho, once the finest hotel in the Southwest. The two tone orange and red metal building in the distance to the right is the top of the excellent ASU Downtown Journalism building.


The historic Downtown YMCA is across the street. The park has these built in humps that work as planters as well as seating for concerts and events.


These large shade structures are throughout the park and provide a place for solar panels on top which power the park.


Historic buildings surround and sit within the park.


The AE England building with its sunken eating area and below grade coffee shop. The blue building in the distance is One Central Park East, which will be hotel and office space.




The highlight of the park is the net art sculpture "Her Secret is Patience" by Janet Echelman.


The park sits just North of the Downtown Skyline and next to Light Rail tracks.

[Nowhereman1280]

The title of this thread should be changed to Parchitecture....

[hauntedheadnc]

Here's a thread all about my city's central park.

[Bedhead]

Great idea for a thread.

Originally Posted by SkyscrapersOfNewYork

These benches look interesting - what's the thinking behind the slopey bits?

Stourbridge in Wiltshire - a selection of follies were built for this archetypal English park:


huntthewumpus, flickr/scummbar http://scummbar.meleeisland.net/tag/stourhead/


Chris Spracklen, pbase
http://www.pbase.com/moorlands/image/105445054/original


http://marks-wasted-time.blogspot.com/ Mark Coombes

[HooverDam]

Originally Posted by Bedhead

These benches look interesting - what's the thinking behind the slopey bits?

It seems to me like those benches would have a lot of problems with skateboarders being tempted to grind across then down them, not sure how great of a design it is :/

[photoLith]

The highline is the coolest modern park in any city, it will be so amazing when its completed. That Stourbridge Park is amazing, simply beautiful.

[Bedhead]

^^^ Ha, that was my first thought - have they been designed for skateboards?

[Aleks]

i doubt it. not sure how hold that picture is, but i saw an image where stone edges had metal 'clips' on the corners to prevent skateboarding. or maybe they have security roaming like the SAM Sculpture Park here in seattle.

as for the extensions, i think they were added for additional seating (after all, this is new york) and is missing a back rest for 2 reasons

a) cutting costs on benches by removing back rests.

b) gives visitors a better opportunity to take a closer look at the plants/mini habitats being incorporated into the park.

[HomrQT]

I love my city, but I'm not a fan of Millennium Park. It doesn't feel very accommodating to me. I'm envious of New York's Central Park and of course what Europe is bringing to the table.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by HomrQT

I love my city, but I'm not a fan of Millennium Park. It doesn't feel very accommodating to me. I'm envious of New York's Central Park and of course what Europe is bringing to the table.

The park is not really meant for lingering. However, the Lurie Garden is easily the most wonderful landscape space I've ever been in. Several times each summer, I grab a sandwich or some pad thai and munch on it in the garden.

Not only is it beautiful, but it's also intellectually stimulating in the way that it perfectly crystallizes the character of Chicago and its environs in the Midwest, from the harsh steel frames that subjugate nature to the prairie stream where people naturally "settle" as they move through the park, reflecting the early settlement of the Midwest along waterways.

[Cirrus]

I'm not exactly clear on what you want when you say "park architecture". Do you mean landscaping? Sculpture? Buildings in parks?

Here are some pictures from Washington, DC parks that maybe you'll find interesting. I'm not sure if they're what you're looking for or not:

Meridian Hill Park:








Dupont Circle:








Pershing Park:






Hains Point:
(Although this sculpture has been moved out of the park.)




Farragut Square:




Logan Circle:




Dumbarton Oaks:















These are squirrels, in case you can't tell.



The Tidal Basin:








Spanish Steps
(photo by flickr user southbound_07)