Landscape architect Niek Roozen
NIEK ROOZEN bv landscape architects, The Netherlands
Keynote Speaker LAUD 2016 edition
Green is not the only solution, but there is no solution without green. The future Green City is being built today. An important aspect of our designs in the past 15 years that has appealed to clients and governments around the world is the application of the Green City theory in the designs.
Prof. emeritus Peter LATZ
LATZ+PARTNER, Germany
Special Guest LAUD Bucharest 2015
The communication at LAUD lectures was very interesting and I have seen many people that had experience. I held a master class about post-industrial landscape architecture, it was very relaxed. I had a good time. The presentations were very good and they had a lot of information.
Prof. Robert TREGAY
LDA DESIGN, UK
Keynote Speaker LAUD Warsaw 2015
LAUD is very well organized and there are interesting speakers. About the audience, the first funny thing is I don’t know anybody, and usually, if I go to a conference in England, I know a lot of the people there. It is a very interesting experience to meet new people and share ideas.
Arch. Martí FRANCH
Founder, ESTUDI MARTÍ FRANCH, SPAIN, Winner of the European Biennial of Landscape Architecture and Special Guest of LAUD 2014
LAUD is a very good idea, it helps to grow culture between local practitioners because you can mirror with other people. I was positively surprised with all the projects presented from Eastern Europe I did not know about, also about the plans of the municipality in Bucharest – it looks positive to me. These examples show that it’s a growing culture. The project I presented drew the attention because of the amazing mission. If you have the chance to go there, I can promise you that you will be very impressed of the place, because of the powerfulness of the landscape.
What was amazing was that politicians decided to spend money to undo things, not build more, but to go backwards. And this is new for the discipline. Normally, most of the projects are about building new things or rebuilding. Here, we could really erase things that had been done. What caused the attention of so many people was the mission and the way we did it – we were very respectful in adding very few things.
Arch. Maria GONZALEZ
Sol89, Spain
Keynote Speaker LAUD Bucharest 2015
We found a very kind athmosphere at LAUD, and for us, these kinds of meetings are very interesting because they help us better the architecture of this part of understand Europe. It was great because it was so intense and we were impressed. So many interesting projects, so many great architects, it was a great conference.
arch. Mariusz ŚCISŁO
President of the Association of Polish Architects SARP
I find important that this conference highlights the exceptions and things that can be inspiring, models to follow. The world does not know them, does not see them and this justifies the public’s appetite for this conference. A great benefit is also its educational role.
Arch. Şerban ŢIGĂNAŞ
President of THE ORDER OF THE ARCHITECTS OF ROMANIA, Co-organizer of the Romanian editions of LAUD
LAUD conference was announced as being highly attractive in the field of landscape architecture and, through the presence of some outstanding speakers, has confirmed this appeal through the interest shown by the public and a full day of lectures and presentations, to which questions and interactions with participants were added. The field of landscape architecture at the top was covered with examples of international practice excellence. If we consider our situation, where the need for a higher quality of the communities in which we live, of green spaces and public spaces in general, well-designed and accessible is growing, we can say that LAUD came at the right time, drawing attention to the performances reached by others in the field, amid an uninterested attitude from the part of the authorities at different levels for this area. The natural and anthropic landscape must be considered as the fundamental infrastructure of the fabric of life, the continuing support of architecture and heritage essential to communities – this is the message that we are sending through LAUD to all those responsible of our state.
Arch. Gheorghe PĂTRAŞCU
Chief Architect of Bucharest Municipality
I am an avid supporter of events of this kind that bring professional debate in the business area. The initiative behind this event is useful and commendable because the professionals often take risks in conceiving their projects in a utopian manner, a bit ‘in the clouds’, not connected enough to reality. I congratulate you for the organization, it does well to both forces, namely that it promotes an area that is less visible to the public. Moreover, through these expo conferences, the specialists are finally valued, even if many people raise their eyebrows when they find out about promotions that have a business-economic hue. I, however, believe that without this economically-nuanced promotion, we cannot develop our field. We should adapt to this Western style as regards the effectiveness of an activity. Landscape architecture is very closely linked to the business area and it should be treated as such, as well as an art. Architecture cannot be treated just as an art; architecture is a blend of science, technology and art. Through this event, ABplus Events has managed to establish a balance between the two opposing tendencies of architecture: art and business. I need your support to bring to life the project that I just presented in LAUD.
Alin SEVASTRU, Hiwaters
Speaker and Exhibitor
Up until now, the event presents good aspects. By perpetuating the event, it will surely be very successful. I absolutely believe in the continuity of the event, with more experts in the audience.
Răzvan TUDOR
Semmelrock Stein + Design, Speaker and Exhibitor
I have been waiting for an event like this for almost six years. I needed, at least from our direction as providers, a partner that I have not found until today and I think the initiative is outstanding. I said that somewhere there is a thread of light in our area, that of landscaping. Now I’m very pleasantly surprised by the participation, as well as the setup, location, topics, not only the participation of the public but also the speakers were very appropriate. The fact that Mr. Ţigănaş and Mr. Pătraşcu were involved, resonant voices in the social environment, means that the landscape area will evolve.
Ruxandra DRACEA
Aqua Design, Speaker and Exhibitor
The idea and the concept are good, in the sense that in Romania people have not really focused on this side of architecture – landscaping. Architecture is done, but very little is spoken about urbanism, about a whole, meaning that each does only one part. We came to present our ideas of design, given that we are addressing architects, we have not come here to talk about execution, because this is the architects’ role, but about the design, specialized software for visualisation, specialized software for architectural lighting and fountains. We are coming to their aid with these simulations, these animations that help both the architect and the recipient actually visualize what will happen and therefore have the possibility to change, modify, bring solutions.
Arpad ABRAM
Bauder, Speaker and Exhibitor
The event is very interesting, we like it. From my point of view, LAUD is most welcome, being, in recent years, the first event of its kind in Romania. We were reluctant to exhibit, however, this event seemed interesting through the program, the specialized audience, the concept, and this is why we have participated.
