Is the space through which a landscape architect moves different from the space through which the rest of us move? If a landscaper is walking along the road, he is paying attention to other things, perhaps more spatially. We are probably distracted by more things in the room than anyone else, for example
Is the space through which a landscape architect moves different from the space through which the rest of us move?
If a landscaper is walking along the road, he is paying attention to other things, perhaps more spatially. We are probably bothered by more things in the space than anyone else, for example, that there are not enough green areas and that everything is parked. Most people notice the new buildings and the new apartments in them, but we also pay attention to where those who will live there, play or sit and read a book and whether this space is enough. We also like to look at the details; how the edge of the sidewalk meets the road or how the fountain is completed by a terrace. How are things implemented and maintained? When we landscapers travel, our photos are different from most tourists. We don't only paint parks, but we are interested in how much people use outdoor space, how cities function. Mostly tourists visit museums and monuments in cities, but we also look at where people can sit down and rest, where they gather and socialize.
How big does a green area have to be to be green?
In any case, even the smallest green detail counts. A rock climber climbing a wall counts. It does not necessarily have to be a huge park, but it is of course welcome. If we have in mind the cooling of the atmosphere in cities, troughs with greenery should be enough, but there must be so much more in the total, especially with the growth of the built fabric. This means that in cities that get too hot due to built-up areas, such micro green areas have a relieving effect. There is also the visual effect of greenery, as it contributes a lot to a friendlier image of the city. In London, they are doing a lot of green on the roofs at the moment. It turned out that they have too few green areas and they will weigh more than anyone might think. Roofs are used for many things: for children's playgrounds, terraces, cafes, or just for planting greenery. Cities that are already densely built or they no longer have open spaces, they can also help themselves in this way. Ljubljana currently has a lot of open space and does not need it if these areas are preserved.
Does the work of a landscape architect end at the front door?
The landscaper is interested in the entire space under the mild sky, regardless of where or on which floor this landscape is located. If the house has a green roof, it can be the work of a landscape architect, since it is outside the house. He can also use his skills in interior design or graphic design, but this is no longer landscape architecture.
What are parks for?
It is usually the opinion of the majority that there is always something to do in the park: play volleyball, play on the children's playground and the like. Green areas can also be used passively. Such passive use is to some extent equally important. If someone lives in an apartment with a view of a garden or an atrium, but does not use it, just looking at it can increase their quality of life and mood. It is not necessary that we have to do something in the green areas. We can only "be" in the park or walk past it and its task of loosening the urban structure has already been fulfilled. Of course, going to the park and doing something there is so much better. The English know, for example, parc life. In the afternoon, they go to the park, there they meet with company and instead of sitting in bars, they sit on the green.
The user defines the landscape or the landscape of the user?
We consider the user when designing the landscape, later he co-creates it by using it. The lifestyle of cities increasingly dictates that people need green areas and open spaces within the city. These spaces condition what we will do there. Landscape is not a state, it is a process. When a certain open space is formed, the process just begins, because this space or the landscape lives on.
Does the landscape itself warn of what it is intended for?
In a way, the landscape itself communicates what it wants to make of itself, but it is nowhere alone in terms of nature. He always has company or a person next to him. What we do in or around the particular space being edited is just as important. When designing a landscape, it is necessary to take nature and cultural and social elements into account, as all three are intertwined. The design of parks always reflects what is happening in society, so it can be argued that landscape architecture is one of the arts.
Do you count landscapers among kindergarteners?
We also arrange private gardens, but it is not necessary to plant lettuce in the garden. We count ourselves among kindergarteners in the sense that we would be happy to deal with the planning of a kindergarten settlement, but we don't have them yet. In some places abroad, there are planned kindergarten settlements and they do not have the same status as here. They have the function of a park where people spend their free time in open areas.
Which city is worth traveling to just for its green spaces?
In New York or in Manhattan, Central Park is the first example that the planners of a city that was expected to be densely populated allocated such a large area for a park from the very beginning, so that the residents could spend quality leisure time. Now this huge green area is the biggest asset, because the quality of life would be disastrous without it. Proximity to the park is also a huge factor in the value of real estate, which may sound illogical when investing in a certain area. Investors mostly want to build a certain area as densely as possible, because that way they will earn more from the sale of real estate, but this is not always the case.
When choosing a restaurant, is the arrangement of the garden or the offer decisive?
When a restaurant or bar has a garden, this is definitely a factor in the choice. If the surroundings are well arranged and the food is good, this is the best combination, but if the food is really excellent... In Ljubljana, it is worthwhile to try quesadillas in Romeo by the Ljubljanica, as well as Thai food in Da Bu Da and Tuscan food in Allegria restaurant. Coffee and outdoor space are delicious at Slamič.
