Sunday 1 May 2011

Paving - Andrea Cochran

While there is a lot to be discussed about paving, I've been looking at Andrea Cochran's work lately and love the clean lines and use of mixed paving materials.

http://www.asla.org/2010awards/050.htm
First, from the Neuva School in Hillsborough CA.  Great use of a couple of materials, the scored concrete and wood decking and accents of the river stone.  And everything fits into a modular pattern.  Even the tree pits look to be a half block size.

Keeping things a modular pattern is even more important when using paving slabs that come in standard sizing.    Below is another example from Cochran from the Brookvale Residence The architectural plants work so well with the design which fits into the pattern


The great thing about setting up this patterns and working with them is being able to break the pattern to add interest.

http://www.thehighline.org/
The High Line in New York makes use of the paving pattern, but also plays with it.  It's great how the long paving is cut into to bring in grass and the old rails.  The benches fit in as well, which are in interesting detail in themselves.  Fitting different items into the modules makes things work together. 

There will definitely be a lot more about paving to come.

Some Andrea Cochran links:
Cochran's website: www.acochran.com
Interview with Cochran on ASLA blogs The Dirt here and here