Landscape Architecture The Practice of Landscape Architecture

DEFINITION OF TERMS 1. Landscape Evaluation

Land - Systematic study of large areas that has strong
- Basic commodities of the world ecological and natural science
- Considered a resource - Usually involves a team of specialists, (ex. Soil
Landscape scientist, Geologist, Economist)
- Land becomes a landscape when it is describe or seen. - Result is a land use plan
In terms of physiographic and environmental 2. Site Planning
characteristics and according to the historical impact - Traditional and conventional of landscape
of human on it. architecture
Landscape Architect - Requirement of the programs for it’s use are brought
- Concerned with the planning and design of land and together in creative synthesis
water for the use by society 3. Landscape Design
Planning - Diagrammatic spaces and areas of the site plan, it is
- A futuristic approach of land in relation to need of more detailed in the composition
society 4. Urban Design (landscape aspect)
Design - Group of specialists are involved
- Qualitative and functional of parcels of land with - Main focus: natural setting
process and for a sole purpose of social purposes – 5. Based on Set of Values
such as housing, education and recreation - Techniques can be learned through values and can be
felt with good experience in a good sense
THE PROFESSION OF LANDSCAPE
DESIGNING DESIGN PROCESS
Frederick Law Olmsted INITIATION PREPARATION SYNTHESIS
- Main proponent of Landscape Architecture
- No farming training and used it’s experience on
RE-EVALUATE HYPOTHESIS
farming, engineering and management after 40 years.
- 1901 – first school with landscape design was established on
Harvard University IMPLEMENT ALTERNATIVE

- 1899 – American Society for Environmental Planners was

established with five members ACTION EVALUATION DRAFT

Conceptual Definition of Landscape Architecture

According to Hubbard
- Create and preserve beauty of the surroundings of
human habitation but also promoting comfort,
convenience and health
- Stewardship of the land
 Persia – Darius – Xerxes
GARDENS OF HISTORY - They created lavish garden for delight, joy and luxury
Prototype of historical basis of landscaping is based on: - SORENSEN – stylization of agricultural lands.
1. GEOMETRY
2. NATURAL Two prototypes:
Prototypes based on three sources:  Islamic
1. LITERATURE  Apalipin
2. ILLUSTRATION
3. VISIBLE REMAINS China – Oriental design
Origins of garden concept: - Grid system, they have trees beside the roads
1. From Bible - Have hierarchal axial, symmetrical
- Hebrew word for GAN, to protect or defend - Confucius – proponent of nature and man
- EDEN or ODEN, pleasure of light - The palace of the Forbidden City – A line four
- Enclosure of land for pleasure of light and delight cardinal points – for purification
2. From Mythology - Taoism – to balance Confucianism
- Organization derive from ancient cultivation and - Balance: Man + Nature
irrigation practices - Laws of nature
- Described in religion as beginning of time and end of - Meditation
earth - Chinese word for Sanshui
- Meaning elements – mountain and water
Babylon – Landscape Architecture based on agriculture ^will get equilibrium
Irrigation – water supply  IMPERIAL – large spaces an consists of palace
Euphrates – valley mountains
Gardens – for pleasure and representation of paradise  TOWN GARDESN – private gardens attached to
town dwellings, contrast of lands
Egypt – the religious and symbolic significance of tree and Ex. Gardens of Wang Shi Yuan
flowers
Ex. Lotus, Papyrus

Nile Valley
- Fertile Crescent – seasonal flood
- Land fertile
- Garden at Thebes
Irrigation > pool
- Axial arrangement of flower
beds
- PAL - humidification
PRINCIPLES or structures relate to each other
 Unity - Used to evoke emotion
- describe the idea of tying the landscape together into - Large scale causes a humbling of the observer
an orderly design  Form
- some representation is good, but it should not be - Refers to the silhouette or outline of the plant
carried to the point of the monotony - Can be selected for the way its form, can be used in
- unity in the landscape can be achieved through a the landscape to complement the house or achieve te
theme colors, forms or textures without using exactly principles of design
the plants  Texture
 Simplicity - Refers to a plant’s feel, but generally in the landscape
- It is an important principle of design, but it is a hard visual texture is the main consideration
one to achieve - Large leaves cast dust
- Too many design themes can be confusing, and unity  Line
of design lost, so the design should be kept simple - Curvilinear design, lines should be dramatic, done
- Too many different colors, textures, and forms result with a sense of flamboyancy and be very expressive in
in visual confusion and any sense of design can be their shape.
ruined - Curvilinear lines that have weak, scallopy edges will
- One way to achieve simplicity is by using a limited not be visually interesting or pleasing to the eyes.
range of plant species - Focal Point
 Variety - It is the use of emphasis
- Oversimplification is boring; some variety must be - Eye movement is directed towards a center of interest
sprinkled in for interest and to focus attention on the that take a position of prominence in the landscape
desirable aspects of your property - Color
- Don’t use the same kind of plant everywhere - Has as strong effect and should be used with
- A long edge discretion
 Balance - Don’t plan the landscape only with use of flowering
- In landscape design the idea is to balance the visual plants in mind
weight of objects in the landscape - Use 80% to 90% of the plants for the foliage effect
- Balance can be symmetrical – one side of an area - Selection Plants
looks just like another and gives sense - Plants are living things and have basic environmental
 Sequence and maintenance requirements
- Is used to direct the eyes smoothly to a desired focal Factors to consider:
point like the front door or a specimen shrub. Sudden ○ Cold hardiness or heat tolerance
changes in appearance break the visual flow around ○ Light requirement
the landscape. ○ Moisture requirement
 Proportion and Scale ○ Soil drainage needs
- Refills to the way in which objects, like plants, people ○ Soil PH requirement
○ Rate of growth and mature size
- Arranging Plants
- Keep your landscape simple.
- Use small number of plants with different
characteristics; repeat these. Use even fewer unusual
plants
- Plants are arranged in seven basic ways:
- Specimen plant – center of attention
- Accent – featured plant in a grouping
- Corner plantings – tie down corners of the house
- Foundation plants – anchor the house to the ground
- Entrance plants – identify an entry way
- Borders – used to divide and define spaces
- Screens – used to hide or cover unwanted views
 THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT - Sensitive adjustments to environmental conditions
Environmental Framework - Science of ecology

Relationship of Man – Nature

- Our approach to land use today is backlogged by
experience and traditions
- Our perception of landscape and attitude towards
nature is inspired by the cultural context
- Planning and design – human intervention

Two Types of Adaptation of Landscape

a. Related to agriculture , crops and supplying resources
b. Great landscapes of the world
- Forms and adaptations – ex. Villa Lante, Washington
Park

Two Types of Adaptation of Nature of Man

“I – thou” – mutual adaptation with man and nature
“I – it” – Estrangement or man has no care of nature

Gutkid Four Stages of Man’s Changing Attitude to the

Environment
1st – I – Thou
- Tradition characterized by fear
- Fear of unpredictable forces of nature
- For security purposes we would go back to a
primitive setting
2nd – Growing self grows to a confidence
- More rational adaptation of environment
- People work with nature
3rd – Stage of aggression and conquest
- Exploitation of waste of natural resources
- I – it relationship
- Due personalization with nature
4th – Stage of Responsibility and Unification
- I – it attitude transferred/transformed to social
awareness