Landarch
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@Bago wrote:
With all due respect, architects seem obsessed with birch,…. i often think it’s some scandinavian obsession! i fear a future dublin monoculture of birch. There are so many spectacular trees out there yet every development seems to have the ubiquitous birch grove 🙁
The white stem and the transparent whispy branches create a clean, simple backdrop for their buildings but you’re right, there are so many alternatives that are more suitable and striking that could be used.
GrahamH, reading your comments above regarding the birch I completely agree. Birch are an elegant, wispy tree but are more suited to gardens and business park planting. Trees in an urban, public realm need to be chunky and robust. I remember driving up O’Connell St. when the birch were originally planted and thinking and hoping that the birch looked like temporary substitutes for something more monumental. They don’t address the scale of O’Connell Street and look lost to me. I don’t understand your comment about the mountain ash? I don’t think they are suitable trees either.
Birch and mountain ash are pioneer species that are the first to inhabit new areas. Short lived and lighter framed to endure exposed situations. Oaks; Limes and Planes are dominant trees that gradually take over and push out the pioneer plants.
If it is about preserving views of the Spire something neat and compact in form would be ideal. Some well chosen Fastigiate Oaks would compliment the scale and size of the Planes and Limes. The fastigiate oaks on Camden Street havent all developed particularily well they probably should have gone in at a larger size.
SAP and most big Irish Nurseries have Italian and/ or Dutch mega nurseries they by off. SAP have some impressive tree nurseries of their own and something like a pleached.clipped lime would be constantly in stock. Either home grown or imported, Peter Fitz, are the Planes orientalis or x hispanica? I thought the latter.
This absurdly extravagant proposal must be a front for some more coherent and slightly less ambitious proposal the developer has in waiting when this gets rejected. This is an excercise in pushing the boundaries of what the a 21st century development should be.
Propose something completely bonkers so that the actual subsequent proposal will be looked on as almost understated
When viewed in the broader suburban context the development does stand out quite starkly. There is an impressive view of the scale and height of the devlopment looking down from the entrance to Seafield Road from the N11 opposite Belfield. I should try and get a photo.
From a landscape design point of view, the quality of planting seems to be very high and the amount of green space and parkland in the scheme will make a huge difference to how the development will mature over the coming years. If they use the Scots pines illustrated in the elevations and other large parkland trees such as evergreen oak and cedar I think the project will become more anchored into the suburban landscape and establish very well.
Alonso. Even though it is a Starbucks I think it was a very sensitive, restrained conversion. As you said it is quite subtle from the outside. Inside, is tastefully done with plenty of original features preserved. I also like that they have made a strong effort to open the rear of the buliding up to the sea. There is a plenty of glass and a large outdoor terrace/balcony with tables and chairs.
I think it is disappointing that this terrace of buildings doesn’t make any reference to the coastline and the views. It’s a very bleak imposing bulk of services and concrete when viewed from the DORT station.StephenC, I amn’t really drawing any conclusions from the remarks your making. Are you proposing mini Stephen’s Greens and Merrion Squares in every new public space around the city?
Wolfe Tone Square doesn’t really fail. I often go through there and experience a buzzing plaza like you find on the Continent. A few tweaks and it would be a very accomplished space.
Smithfield is a very unique space. It is so expansive and can feel very empty but it is so flexible at the same time. Concerts, markets, ice skating, amusements etc. Endless amounts of people interaction
City Hall Plaza is just a really poorly designed hardscape. Hopefully it will be re-modelled in the next few years.
Of course people want to use Stephens Green. It is a unique public park in the middle of urbanity. They can have grass and daffodils and other delicate features like that there because it is such a controlled environment. Lawns and flowers in an open public space is a romantic idea.
The quote from Adriaan Geuze has been misinterpreted. The priority is to create urban spaces that people will use. Trees and robust planting play an important role in that.
StephenC, I amn’t really drawing any conclusions from the remarks your making. Are you proposing mini Stephen’s Greens and Merrion Squares in every new public space around the city?
Wolfe Tone Square doesn’t really fail. I often go through there and experience a buzzing plaza like you find on the Continent. A few tweaks and it would be a very accomplished space.
Smithfield is a very unique space. It is so expansive and can feel very empty but the space is so flexible at the same time. Concerts, markets, ice skating, amusements etc. Endless amounts of people interaction
City Hall Plaza is just a really poorly designed hardscape. Hopefully this will be addressed and renovated in the next few years.
Of course people want to use Stephens Green. It is a unique public park in the middle of urbaity. They can have grass and daffodils and other delicate features like that because it is such a controlled environment. Lawns and flowers in an open public space is a romantic idea.
The quote from Adriaan Geuze has been misinterpreted. The priority is to create urban spaces that people will use. Trees and robust planting play an important role in that.
