Modern landscape design...

or designing the modern

autor: Yordan Karakolev, Landscaping Architect

Boom in the construction of trade centres? Definitely. It is expected to continue at full speed in the next several years, especially in the Central and Eastern European countries. According to Property-Magazine.eu the total built-up area of trade centres which are to be open in Eastern Europe in 2008 and the next 2009 is expected to be increased by around 22 mln. sq m! And what will happen to the green areas?

The landscaping of such sites is considered to be a science by itself not only from the point of view of the interior design by also because of the physiological needs of the plants. The best solutions are obtained, of course, when the opinion of a landscape architect is searched for during the architectural and interior design stage. In such cases the necessary soil depths, lighting and irrigation water could be calculated during the initial project stage.

The solution often used in bigger and larger areas is to imitate a covered shopping street. The skilful separation turns this area into an inner square or a passage functioning as a real shopping street. The greenery is rich, with many and varied plants, sitting places, small water effects, etc.

Even large plants could be used in landscaping; they could be planted in rows in containers made in advance like street plants. Separate corners with flowers or bushes could be formed through the use of pots with the necessary height and form. The soil profile should be with the necessary hydro-insulation, drainage and watering system.
The plants which could be used are many and various.

In order to shape the huge plant bulks, we could use different types of Ficus, Araucaria, Chamaedorea,
Cycas, Dracena, Dizygotheca, Howea, Monstera, etc.

In order to shape the bigger plant bulks or separate groups of lower plants, the suitable ones are
Aglonema, Alpinia, Asplenium, Calathea, Codiaeum, Coleus, Cordyline, Ctenanthe, etc.

Low and soil covering species which could supplement the main groups are Athhyrium, Fittonia, Kalanchoe, Microlepia, Nefpholepsis, Nertera, Oxalis, Pellaea, etc.

In case of need of creeping and falling plants, we could use Ampelopsis, Callisia, Cissus, Codonanthe, Columnea, Hedera, Hoya, Mikania, Sedum, etc.

The plants are like an accent and that is why they need care and attention, so that we could enjoy their presence. Courage and innovation have led to such achievements in the transformation of exterior into interior solutions like the water effects of Ngee Ann City (Singapore) and Wafi Mall (Dubai); the extraordinary space, light and lush plants of Tokyo Midtown (Tokyo, Japan), Cottonwood Mall (Salt Lake City), Allee arcaden (Germany) and Millena Mall (Orlando, Florida), the glazed roofs that look like a real sky of the Galleria (Huston, Texas, USA) and Via Bellagio (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA); the cosiness and the greenery of Bugis Junction (Singapore), De jardins (Montreal, Quebeq), Richmond center (British Columbia), Bayshor center (Ottawa, Canada) and many others.

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