The Wroclaw Politechnopolis 2020

Idea zielonego kampusu, która coraz silniej jednoczy światową społeczność akademicką, stała się przedmiotem zintegrowanych prac studialnych i projektowych studentów Wydziału Architektury Politechniki Wrocławskiej. Na tym tle przedstawiono propozycje rozwoju uczelni jako miasteczka wiedzy o cechach modelowych dla zrównoważonej struktury urbanistycznej. Celem strategii jest optymalne wykorzystanie posiadanych terenów, budynków oraz kapitału ludzkiego − zarówno w świetle potrzeb własnych Uczelni, jak i w kontekście potrzeb miasta i regionu. Propozycje rozwiązań nawiązują do paradygmatu zrównoważonego rozwoju, uwzględniając aspekty przyrodnicze, techniczne, społeczne oraz przestrzenne. Punktem wyjścia jest założenie, że miasto jutra buduje się dzisiaj, bazując na dziedzictwie przeszłości, realnych środkach i mając na uwadze wyzwania globalne.The idea of a green campus, which gradually unites the global academic community, has been the subject of the student integrated study and design works at the Faculty of Architecture of the Wroclaw University of Technology. Against this background, the author sets out proposals for the development of the university as a city of knowledge and the model of a sustainable urban unit. The aim of the strategy is the optimal use of the available land, buildings and human capital that will serve both the University purposes and the needs of the city and the region. Presented solutions refer to the paradigm of sustainable development, taking into account the natural, technical, social and spatial aspects. The starting point is the assumption that the city of tomorrow is built today, based on the legacy of the past, the real measures and the global challenges

Water and the art of gardens

The art of garden design has always combined practical and symbolic aspects. The present article focuses on the relation between beauty and function with regard to water management. Four aspects are discussed, exemplified by historic gardens: - Rainwater - connection between Heaven and Earth - Ground water - mystery of depth - Flowing water - expression of movement - Stagnant water-magic of the mirror. The author focuses on how water, in its various aspects, permeates and connects all landscape elements. The relationship between architecture of buildings and topographic features on the one hand and water drainage or collection on the other is discussed in various climatic zones. The influence of ground water on plants and landscape architecture is analysed. Referring to the gardens at Versailles, Kassel and Peterhof, the author shows the complexity and ingenuity of some systems built to supply water. Finally, the aesthetic and symbolic role of the pond, as associated with the mirror, is discussed in European parks (Versailles) and Chinese gardens

City as garden

In the article's third part, the author addresses issues related to urban renewal and challenges faced by landscape architects involved in the process. A number of examples and approaches are reviewed, closing with the presentation of the Hannover. City as Garden project. Realised under EXPO 2000, it has implemented in an exemplary manner the principal postulates set forth in the Green Charter of European Cities. Parks created in the exhibition area follow similar principles: the northern part (Kienast, Vogt & Partners, Zurich), arranged with an emphasis on artificiality, stresses human involvement in the shaping of landscape while the southern part (designed by Kamel Louafi, Berlin) is more natural and constitutes an important element in the green ring surrounding the city

Sculpture parks: unity of idea, place and form

The article presents the Vige-land Park in Oslo and the Tarot Garden of Niki de Saint Phalle (in Capalbio, Italy). The first one has been created for almost fifty years (1900-_1947) from the initial sketches to the final result, which contains 192 sculptures with more than 600 figures, all modeled in full size by Gustav Vigeland. In 1924, the City of Oslo decided that the sculptures should be placed on the Frogner Park hill slope, where the artist added the architectural setting. The main axis of composition links up: the main entrance with wrought iron gates, the renovated and adapted bridge with 58 bronze sculptures on the parapets, the fountain with six giants holding the vessel of falling water, the Monolith plateau and ,,Wheel of Life", composed of human figures swirling in a circle. The Monolith, 14.12 meters high - carved out of a single block of stone is situated in the central point of the park. 36 groups of granite statues which are surrounding the column portray people in situations depicting the cycle of life. The Tarot Garden explores the human condition in quite different way. The monumental sculptures combined with fancy forms of buildings, all covered by brightly colored mosaic, reflect the metaphysical aspects represented by 22 tarot cards. Niki de Saint Phalle began her work on the garden in 1979 (with her husband Jean Tinguely and the team of friends) and officially opened it to the public in May 1998. The smaller figures are hidden in the wood, while the Main Arcanas (The High Priestress, The Magician, The Empress, The Sun and The Tower) surround the artificial lake in the middle of composition. Although the presented sculpture parks have been created in different periods and styles, they both illustrate the role of material in landscape architecture