Harbour Bath

The Harbour Bath is part of the cities 'Blue Plan' for the entire harbour space and use of the water. There are 42 kilometres of wharf in the Copenhagen harbour and the Blue Plan aims to make room for houseboats, promenades, watersports, recreation areas and playgrounds. Plot designed this bathing area in 2002 when it became possible to swim in copenhagen harbour again, after years polluted water due to industry. The bath is located in the island brygge area by Langebro Bridge and since opening a second bathing has been opened in the Amager Strand. When we visited it was closed bu tit looks like a really fun place to be during the Summer.

Anchor Park

Anchor Park is situated further into the Bo01 housing development, built alongside a canal and edged by a rather ugly curving concrete deck. Anchor Park has been designed as a hydroglyphic park which means it has lots of different interacting biotopes. Each biotope constitutes a miniature eco-system of its own, including an alder marsh, oak grove and beech grove. The canal too has different biotopes adapted to suit different species, including crabs, mussels, seaweed, ferns and fish. The saltwater in the canal comes from the Sound and is constantly circulated to keep it fresh. The park not only provides a green space for the surrounding residential area but can also be used as an environmental education park.

I had been really looking forward to visiting this park after reading about it in Topos but, like everyone else, I was very disappointed. The park is neglected and underused. I like the ideas behind the park but the choice of materials don't work well together and the rubber and concrete in particular look hideous. A real let down for such a successful development.

Dania Park

The popular bathing area and viewing platform

Dania Park is located on the dramatic and exposed waterfront of the Bo01 development. The designers Thorbiorn Andersson and PeGe Hillinge aimed to emphasise its unique location, dramatising the border to the sea and view onto the horizon.

The park covers a massive 20,000sqm and has a simple layout, with two parallel footpaths surrounding a large open field of grass, used for large scale events. Smaller spaces have been created throughout its expanse. Cosy balcony boxes inspired by the design of a fortress shelter visitors from the harsh elements. A bastion-like lookout stands to the north of the site with a viewing platform leaning over the water, which in the summer becomes a popular diving spot. With its scouts leading down into the water, the area becomes a favourite bathing spot in the Summer. At a contrast when I visited this Winter the park was totally deserted, probably due to how cold and exposed it was at this time of year. On these dark afternoons subtle lighting throughout the site leads visitors across pathways and illuminating interesting features and textures.

Sheltered seating areas

This was a very beautiful park of the highest quality. No expense had been spared. Beautiful natural materials such as granite and wood had been used throughout on a large scale reminding me of its industrial past.

The only flaw was the mass produced litter bins, seating, bollards and planters which I'm guessing were later added. These spoil the quality and attention to detail seen everywhere else throughout the park.

".......here the urban planners hit a home run," Sweden's larget daily newspaper.

Bo01 City of Tomorrow

Bo01 Masterplan

Malmo is Sweden's third largest city, situated in the Oresund Region on the North Sea. It is undergoing a huge transformation from an industrial city to a city of knowledge.

Over the last 200 years the shoreline in the north of the city has gradually moved outwards to create space for growing harbour and industrial activities. As industry declined the land fell derelict creating the perfect opportunity for Bo01 City of Tomorrow, a new urban district for living, education and work. The project aimed to make Vastra Hamnen an international leading example of a densley populated, environmentally sound neighbourhood. It hoped to be a driving force in Malmo's development towards environmental sustainability. The area will use 100% locally renewable energy and is a car-free area.

Japanese Evening

This evening Rhys and I spoke to an audience in the studio about our trip to Japan, both about the Sozosha design course and the numerous places we visited and people we met. I was quite nervous but really enjoyed sharing our experiences with everyone.

SLIC Meeting - Kingston University

This was my first meeting as a member of SLIC - Student Landscape Insitute Council. SLIC is the student voice for the landscape profession, promoting student interests and articulating student views within the Landscape Institute. I was really keen to get involved and act as the voice for Kingston University students and become involved in the forthcoming events planned by SLIC.

* We discussed ways of making SLIC better known among both students and professionals, and ensuring there is a representative from each university.

* We decided upon a new SLIC logo which will be printed onto promotional postcards and be shown on the SLIC stand at events.

* The cityscape exhibiton have offered SLIC a central floor space of 333sqm to design a streetscene using materials, street furniture etc provided by the other exibitors, and create a place for people to relax during the event. Laura Bradley and Kate Newton designed the layout and asked the SLIC representatives for their thoughts and ideas.

The SLIC website is www.slic.info

Open House London

Open House is a charity committed to raising the standard of good design, particularly in the capital. Their annual festival of architecture involves opening up six hundred buildings across London, new and old, for the public to view completely for free!

I started the day at The Monument, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built to commemorate the Great Fire of London 1666. After climbing the 311 steps I was rewarded with panoramic views of the city.

The Lloyds Building, is somewhere I've always been fascinated in. The building was designed by Richard Rogers and is described as 'a mechanical cathedral'. The essential services are sited on the exterior of the building in six vertical towers leaving large uniterrupted spaces within. Inside the glass and steel hide real surprises. The Adam Room, out of character from the ultra high-tech interior, is a classical Italianate wood-pannelled room. It was originally the dining room of Bowood House and was bought to Lloyd's piece by piece.

London City Hall, along South Bank, was designed by Norman Foster in 2002. It's one of the capitals most symbolically important new projects and is a sustainable, virtually non polluting building. This beautiful modern spiralling staircase runs through the centre overlooking views of the Thames.