SYLVA - Atelier

A Grounded Forest Solution for Urban Environments

As 70% of the world population is expected to live in cities by 2050 (United Nations, 2018), a radical approach towards cityscape is needed to allow citizens to access nature in their daily lives.

We propose to include trees and their needs, both above and below ground, as an absolute necessity at the beginning of the development of public spaces.

Tomorrow, we must introduce forests in our cities rather than planting solitary trees. We will receive great benefits in return such as improved public health and climate change adaptation.

Global urbanization challenges ask for a new attitude towards trees and a new craftsmanship that we develop at SYLVA, creating a bridge between landscape architecture and urban forestry.

As a design practice we want to organise a flexible collective of participants in order to make tailor fit solutions for every project.

Jean-François Gauthier

Landscape Architect [M.Sc.]

I am a landscape architect involved in urban renewal projects.

My practice lies at the edge between a fascination for forest ecology systems and artistic experimentation.

Using various mixed-media techniques, I aim to create speculative landscape designs that visualize what a forest can look like in the public domain.

With the project ‘Trees First’, I explore the system and possibilities of the urban forest; focusing on trees in the city as a starting point for better public space design.

I am currently coordinator for the Pre-Master & Minor in Landscape Architecture at the Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam.

Collaborations

Contractors

College van Rijksadviseurs

Provincie Zuid-Holland

Municipality of The Hague

Stimuleringsfonds voor de Creatieve Industrie

Academy of Architecture Amsterdam

Design consultants

Terra Nostra

Nationale Bomenbank

Nature Based Solution Institute