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Basic elements of landscape architectural design
Rook revirw.s the 1983 conference also tended to analyse the dynamics of Europe’s spatial development in purely European terms as if there were no specific (as opposed to general) determinants arising from non-European industrial, demographic and cultural competition. Second, established spatial science in European universities often fails to see more than an aggregation of national parts in ‘Europe’. Apart from the contributions of Walter Stohr and Roberto Camagni. the conference also seemed to give brilliant fragmentary insights but no new compelling con-
cept of European space. In drawing attention to this consequence of the methodological approach chosen by the conference, however, I have no intention of implying that these provocative and encouraging scientists did not point the way to further studies and proposals that would tackle the basic concept of European space.
Nigel Despicht Ullapool Scotland
The rules of design BASIC ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN by Norman K. Booth Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1983, 315 pp This 31%page hardback is already quite widely used by students and practitioners, and is likely to become a standard textbook in landscape schools. It is an ideal introductory manual for students because it concentrates on basic principles of landscape design, presented in an extremely lucid way. The more experienced landscape architect should find the book reassuring, but the absence of real scheme examples may diminish its value somewhat for the designer seeking more specific guidance on difficult problems. The book is aimed essentially at students, It is refreshingly free from the esoteric ramblings which so often confound design literature, and every page contains several points of design principle. There are also copious illustrations with simple line and tone sketch plans and sections, all of which are directly linked to the text. Unfortunately, there is a distinct lack of three dimensional drawings, and only a few black and white photographs which are small and not of the finest quality. Although specific advice and guidance on graphic design and technique is consciously omitted by the author, I am sure that students will find the many drawings of im-
LAND USE POLICY January 1986
mense value as examples of landscape graphics. Essentially the book is about the physical media of landscape, each one of which forms the subject matter of the first six chapters: ‘Landform’, ‘Plant materials’, ‘Buildings’, ‘Paveand ‘Water’. ment’, ‘Site structures’ The final chapter is on ‘The design process’. There is a good balance of emphasis throughout, although the first two chapters are considerably longer than the others. Landform is dealt with in a way useful for landscape architects. It begins with an explanation of the significance of topography as the physical basis of all landscape, and refers to its many interrelationships with other factors such as microclimate and aesthetic character. A detailed treatment of the technical and graphic expression of landform is given, followed by a succinct and helpful explanation of the function of landform and its application in design. The chapter on plant materials concentrates on structural/ the architectural and aesthetic uses of vegetation, and is most emphatic and convincing on the importance of spatial design with plants. Concerning the aesthetic use of plants the author immediately clarifies a topic which is so often prone to nebulous discussion, by identifying half-a-dozen specific functions of plants in design, viz: as ‘complimentors’, ‘unifiers’, ‘emphasiz‘softeners’ and ers’, ‘acknowledgers’, ‘visual enframement’. This is followed
by a concise and sound guide to planting design, based on a logical consideration of purpose and its interpretation in spatial and visual terms. Horticultural detail, it is emphasized, should be ignored until the final stages of the design process. Even for a book on basic principles it is perhaps a little unfortunate to omit consideration of the peculiar design factors to do with plants, such as planting densities, differential growth rates and habits, and seasonality. The deliberate omission of technical detail in the plant materials chapter contrasts with the considerable detail in later chapters on hard construction materials and design. Here, there is a whole series of drawings to illustrate the range and adaptability of ordinary building materials to create imaginative landscape features. This attention to detail is combined with a thorough treatment of spatial and visual design with pavements, walls and fences, and the photographs in this section are much better than elsewhere. The chapter on buildings is particularly useful to landscape architects who are not trained architects. It provides a superb insight into spatial design with groups of buildings on a site. Mysterious design terms like ‘organic linear space’ and ‘spatial linkage’ are explained by means of simple drawings. Many of the concepts which are so often vaguely interpreted by students, are defined firmly and without ambiguity. The experienced designer might find it occasionally dogmatic but I think this approach initially is very encouraging to beginners. The final chapter on ‘The design process’ is an excellent model to follow. First it sets out clearly the rules of the game, explaining what is meant by site survey and analysis. A hypothetical case study is then followed, in which a small private garden is designed through a systematic sequence of stages from initial site appraisal to a final master plan. A series of plans, at (approximately) 1: 100 scale, leaves the reader in no doubt as to the nature of the design process. Peter Con/on of Landscape Architecture University of Sheffield, UK Department
71
cept of European space. In drawing attention to this consequence of the methodological approach chosen by the conference, however, I have no intention of implying that these provocative and encouraging scientists did not point the way to further studies and proposals that would tackle the basic concept of European space.
Nigel Despicht Ullapool Scotland
The rules of design BASIC ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN by Norman K. Booth Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1983, 315 pp This 31%page hardback is already quite widely used by students and practitioners, and is likely to become a standard textbook in landscape schools. It is an ideal introductory manual for students because it concentrates on basic principles of landscape design, presented in an extremely lucid way. The more experienced landscape architect should find the book reassuring, but the absence of real scheme examples may diminish its value somewhat for the designer seeking more specific guidance on difficult problems. The book is aimed essentially at students, It is refreshingly free from the esoteric ramblings which so often confound design literature, and every page contains several points of design principle. There are also copious illustrations with simple line and tone sketch plans and sections, all of which are directly linked to the text. Unfortunately, there is a distinct lack of three dimensional drawings, and only a few black and white photographs which are small and not of the finest quality. Although specific advice and guidance on graphic design and technique is consciously omitted by the author, I am sure that students will find the many drawings of im-
LAND USE POLICY January 1986
mense value as examples of landscape graphics. Essentially the book is about the physical media of landscape, each one of which forms the subject matter of the first six chapters: ‘Landform’, ‘Plant materials’, ‘Buildings’, ‘Paveand ‘Water’. ment’, ‘Site structures’ The final chapter is on ‘The design process’. There is a good balance of emphasis throughout, although the first two chapters are considerably longer than the others. Landform is dealt with in a way useful for landscape architects. It begins with an explanation of the significance of topography as the physical basis of all landscape, and refers to its many interrelationships with other factors such as microclimate and aesthetic character. A detailed treatment of the technical and graphic expression of landform is given, followed by a succinct and helpful explanation of the function of landform and its application in design. The chapter on plant materials concentrates on structural/ the architectural and aesthetic uses of vegetation, and is most emphatic and convincing on the importance of spatial design with plants. Concerning the aesthetic use of plants the author immediately clarifies a topic which is so often prone to nebulous discussion, by identifying half-a-dozen specific functions of plants in design, viz: as ‘complimentors’, ‘unifiers’, ‘emphasiz‘softeners’ and ers’, ‘acknowledgers’, ‘visual enframement’. This is followed
by a concise and sound guide to planting design, based on a logical consideration of purpose and its interpretation in spatial and visual terms. Horticultural detail, it is emphasized, should be ignored until the final stages of the design process. Even for a book on basic principles it is perhaps a little unfortunate to omit consideration of the peculiar design factors to do with plants, such as planting densities, differential growth rates and habits, and seasonality. The deliberate omission of technical detail in the plant materials chapter contrasts with the considerable detail in later chapters on hard construction materials and design. Here, there is a whole series of drawings to illustrate the range and adaptability of ordinary building materials to create imaginative landscape features. This attention to detail is combined with a thorough treatment of spatial and visual design with pavements, walls and fences, and the photographs in this section are much better than elsewhere. The chapter on buildings is particularly useful to landscape architects who are not trained architects. It provides a superb insight into spatial design with groups of buildings on a site. Mysterious design terms like ‘organic linear space’ and ‘spatial linkage’ are explained by means of simple drawings. Many of the concepts which are so often vaguely interpreted by students, are defined firmly and without ambiguity. The experienced designer might find it occasionally dogmatic but I think this approach initially is very encouraging to beginners. The final chapter on ‘The design process’ is an excellent model to follow. First it sets out clearly the rules of the game, explaining what is meant by site survey and analysis. A hypothetical case study is then followed, in which a small private garden is designed through a systematic sequence of stages from initial site appraisal to a final master plan. A series of plans, at (approximately) 1: 100 scale, leaves the reader in no doubt as to the nature of the design process. Peter Con/on of Landscape Architecture University of Sheffield, UK Department
71