North Design Office — the firm of Associate Professor Alissa North — was awarded an honourable mention in the TAB (Tallinn Architecture Biennale) Vision Competition 2015. Entitled Rukkilill, The entry was assisted by MLA graduate Rui Relix, and current MLA 3 students Jordan Duke, Emma Mendel, and Anna Rosen.

About Rukilill:

The technological efficiencies of the digital revolution allow nature to return to the city with unprecedented diversity and connectivity. In the era of self-driving cars, the chaotic mass of hard-paved roadways transforms to become the tranquil country meadows, sought upon escape of the city.

With the extreme efficiencies of the self-driven car, this proposal posits that even trams and buses are no longer needed, while the use of flying drones and robot carriers further reduce the number of transport autos in the city.

For more information on the winning entry, visit: http://vision2015.tab.ee/en/entries/rukkilill/

Assistant Professor Pete North, also of North Design Office, presented a lecture at the Tallinn Architecture Biennale entitled “Concepts of resilience”.

The presentation focused on “the design strategies employed to achieve resilient landscapes from the perspective of a landscape architect.”

By focusing on the creative and innovative use of new technologies, materials and processes the presentation aimed to highlight the new trajectory for large scale landscape projects, in the form of urban parks and waterfronts, speculating that the quality and dynamic inter-dependency of their ecological systems is an essential component of their success. The presentation posited that facilitating stronger ecological flows in our designed landscapes will ultimately enhance opportunities for greater ecological resiliency and long term stability of our cities and urban environments.    

TAB is an international architecture festival that introduces local architecture culture, discusses current issues concerning architecture, and looks at the future of the architectural profession. TAB offers a programme of events for both architecture professionals and everyone interested in architecture and the living environment around us.