25 inspiring examples of landscape design

A unique melting pot of art, architecture and horticulture, landscape design is a design and art tradition in its own right, and a continuing source of amazing visual concepts and ideas.

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Landscape design focuses on both the integrated master landscape planning of a property and the specific garden design of landscape elements and plants within it.

Here we've selected 25 of the most original and inventive examples of landscape design from across the world for your inspiration, from urban to suburban, public spaces to private residences. Enjoy!

01. Tongva Park + Ken Genser Square

In Santa Monica, California, two major construction projects are underway. The new seven-acre new Tongva Park, Ken Genser Square, and adjacent streetscapes will provide a pivotal link between the Civic Centre and its major cultural, natural, and economic assets.

The site will reconnect the northern and southern portions of the City that have been bisected by the freeway. Frederick Fisher and Partners, Buro Happold, Fluidity Design Consultants, Horton Lees Brogden, Perry & Associates, Greenlee and Associates and Merry Norris Contemporary Art have all collaborated on the project.

02. Athens City Centre

We love these designs from Madrid-based studio abmarquitectos, part of a second stage competition proposal to restyle the Greek capital.

Its landscape designs are based on the classic themes of Greek culture - including the arts around Omonias Square, democracy around the Parliament building, and philosophy around the university - with Green thinking and the principles of sustainable design running through the project.

03. Zen Garden from Asia

While entering the courtyard of Hotelschool in Amsterdam you find yourself wondering around Daan Roosegaarde’s latest project Boo. These 6m high pillars of light and sound are Roosegaarde’s latest illusive landscape of light.

'Boo' is inspired by the connection between Europe and Asia. The 'zen garden from Asia' is dominated by huge pillars of interactive LED light. While walking through the poles, the sound of enhanced crickets surrounds the visitor and one can see the green lights challenging them to interact.

04. Seattle Art Museum: Olympic Sculpture Park

This urban sculpture park in Seattle is located on a industrial site at the water's edge, which opened in 2007. The park was designed by Weiss/Manfredi Architects, along with Charles Anderson Landscape Architecture and other consultants

The design creates a continuous constructed landscape for art, forms an uninterrupted Z-shaped "green" platform, and descends 40 feet from the city to the water, capitalizing on views of the skyline and Elliot Bay and rising over the existing infrastructure to reconnect the urban core to the revitalized waterfront.

05. Columbus Circle

Columbus Circle, named after Christopher Columbus, is a major landmark and point of attraction in Manhattan, and the point from which all official distances from New York City are measured.

The most redesign, by Olin, was the recipient of the 2006 American Society of Landscape Architects' General Design Award Of Honor. It was based on concentric rings of movement and light, to elicit the feeling that the circle is not only the centre of the city, but the center of the universe.

06.  Evergreen

Netherlands based studio Vollaerszwart produced this innovative typographical landscape design. This vegetal space is an original social space that's sure to push boundaries and offer a unique experience to visitors.

07. High Line New York

This beautiful and original park was designed by Diller Scofido + Renfro in New York City. The built-in and elevated park offers an original and futuristic perspective on the city bringing vegetal and organic elements into the core of the city.

08. Hypar Pavilion at Lincoln Centre

Another breathtaking, dynamic and original creation from by Diller Scofido + Renfro Studios. This tilted garden/park space gives visitors a unique experience of the city.

09. The Blossom Gate

Austria-based designer Chris Precht took inspiration from traditional south Asian calligraphy to propose this incredibly inspiring design for the entrance to a myrtle garden in the Chinese city of Xiangyiang. An innovative structure suitable for a multi-purpose space.

10. Public housing Relux

New York based designer John Becker designed this beautifully complex urban space. The futuristic transporting theme is an inspiring example of the extent to which ideas can be pushed, and put into practice in the near future.

11. City in the Desert

Once an architect, now a designer, Egyptian Hazem Treasure of Antbrush Communication came up with this labyrinth like design for an online contest by SIMENS to design a city in the desert. A beautiful and origianal application of Eastern design principles.

12. Rupe House

Italian design house Bamboo Studio came up with this innovative in-earth design space for a work currently in progress. The hidden house makes the most of its surroundings and becomes an integral part of this beautiful landscape.

13. Environmental learning centre

Connor Nicholas created this organically shaped and inspiring design for an environmental learning centre. With its nature-inspired shapes, each classroom is specifically designed for its function.

14. Zero-Energy housing complex

Mette Kirk is a landscape designer and architect based in Denmark. This innovative design focuses on creating sustainable and energy saving space. A unique roof tilting design saves on both energy and space, as well as being aesthetically unique.

15. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Centre

Weiss/Manfredi created a inspirational garden that blends well into the surroundings - making it look like a natural part of Brooklyn.

16. Dalian Library

Hong Kong has always been a source of great innovation in terms of design and advanced technology. This library, a competition proposal by 10 Design, plays with unique shapes, offering a futuristic experience to audiences.

17. Blooming in the wind

The French based designers worked on creating this unique design for a vertical tower in Zaabeel park, Dubai, focused on sustainability and ecological restraints. The design by Mekene Architecture harnesses nature’s visual inspiration to create this oversized plant-like building.

18. Sun City

Stephen Tamiesie proposes this very refined and minimalist design focusing on suburban landscapes in Arizona. The calculated positioning of each element create a subtle and clean space.

19. Wroclaw Contemporary Museum

Olso based design studio Various Architects designed this multi-facility space which is sure to inspire the museum's content with its organic and generous movement within the shape, favouring light and space with a very modern approach.

20. Centrum Muzyki

This originally shaped music centre based in Poland is brought to you by the Offtrip collective. Aimed to celebrate music, this irregular structure offers not only this but facilitates for shopping centres and commerce equally.

21. Lleida Square

Barcelona offers a variety of beautiful landscape designs both modern and more traditional approaches recognised work wide. Another example of the vegetal influence, this was the creation of New York based Italo-Argentinean architect Georgina.

22. Bulebel Monument Design

An innovative approach to enhancing a brand image through the use of amazing landscape design is what Malta based designers JEMS have proposed with the Bulebel Monument design working with metal material and prism forms.

23. Weinstock Residence

This beautiful residence in Los Osos was designed by Stephanie Reed, working with a beautifully composed placement with the plants used. A carefully consideration of colours in perfect harmony with the use of different matters within the landscape such as rock and soil.

24. Kim Residence

Another design by Reed, this more simplistic approach harnesses the beauty of nature and the use of plants to great effect. Surrounding the house in vegetation creates a wild yet creative feel through the texture and colour choices made.

25. Wedding Chapel

Overtreders W is a Netherlands based collective awarded for many urban landscape designs specialising in installation pieces. This specific example is an original and temporary wedding installation, with a very minimal design and use of material as well as form.

Words: Meryem Meg

Meryem Meg is a Leeds-based graphic designer and illustrator whose inspiration lies in melodic word play and typographic experimentation. Follow her on Twitter at @meryemmeg.

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Have you seen an amazing landscape design? Let us know about it in the comments!