Living Systems

Revolutionizing landscape architecture through the use of intelligent materials and technologies

Living Systems surveys a wide array of innovative approaches to material technologies within the field of landscape architecture. The selected projects and materials exhibit a contemporary demand for technological landscapes and the collaboration between designers, engineers, scientists and ecologists. The book proposes a synthesis between technology and theory, focusing on growth, flow, metabolism, climate, and atmospheric phenomena.

Projects and materials are cross-referenced according to performance criteria, processes, and properties. Each of the 36 international projects and 23 material technologies is presented with drawing details and construction photographs. Descriptions of key processes and adaptive qualities provide an analysis of the various complex systems featured, such as vertical growth structures, flood prevention, stormwater infiltration and erosion control.

Projects featured include works by West8, GROSS.MAX, Weiss-Manfredi Architects, Field Operations, Kathryn Gustafson, and Vogt Landschaftarchitekten.

Die Revolutionierung der Landschaftsarchitektur durch intelligente Materialien und Technologien

Living Systems stellt eine Vielzahl von neuartigen Materialtechnologien für die Landschaftsarchitektur dar. Die Projekte und Materialien sind in enger Zusammenarbeit von Entwerfern, Ingenieuren, Wissenschaftlern und Ökologen entstanden. In einer Verbindung aus praxisorientierter Darstellung und theoretischem Hintergrund rücken Technologien zu Themen wie Wachstum, Fließen, Metabolismus, Klima und Wetterphänomenen in den Mittelpunkt.

Die Darstellung vernetzt die Materialien und Technologien entsprechend ihrer Funktionsweisen, Prozesse und Eigenschaften miteinander. Detaillierte Zeichnungen und konstruktionsrelevante Fotos illustrieren die 36 internationalen Projekte und 23 Materialbeispiele. Zu den komplexen Systemen gehören vertikale Wachstumsstrukturen, Prävention vor Überflutungen, Anlagen zur Regenwasserversickerung sowie zur Minimierung von Bodenerosion.

Beispielprojekte stammen unter anderem von West8 (Niederlande), GROSS.MAX (Großbritannien), Weiss-Manfredi Architects (USA), Kathryn Gustafson (USA) und Vogt Landschaftsarchitekten (Schweiz).

Liat Margolis is a landscape architect and industrial designer. She trained at the Rhode Island School of Design and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, two of the most prestigious institutions in her field. She acquired practical experience at the firm Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates in Cambridge, MA and as Director of Material Research at the world-famous firm Material ConneXion in New York, whose representatives advise architects, designers, engineers, fashion professionals, and other interested parties on the properties and applications of new materials.

Liat Margolis, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University.

Liat Margolis is a landscape architect and industrial designer. She trained at the Rhode Island School of Design and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, two of the most prestigious institutions in her field. She acquired practical experience at the firm Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates in Cambridge, MA and as Director of Material Research at the world-famous firm Material ConneXion in New York, whose representatives advise architects, designers, engineers, fashion professionals, and other interested parties on the properties and applications of new materials.