LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DESIGNING USABLE OUTDOOR SPACES

What is Landscape Architecture? "Landscape architecture is the profession which applies artistic and scientific principles to the research, planning, design and management of both natural and built environments. Practitioners of this profession apply creative and technical skills and scientific, cultural and political knowledge in the planned arrangement of natural and constructed elements on the land with a concern for the stewardship and conservation of natural, constructed and human resources. The resulting environments shall serve useful, aesthetic, safe and enjoyable purposes.“  The American Society of Landscape Architects

Architects design buildings to serve specific purposes and meet certain needs of the users. Churches Art Museums

Landscape Architects design outdoor spaces to serve specific purposes and meet certain needs of the users.

Centennial Olympic Park – Atlanta, GA

Seaside, FL

Private Residence – Cary, NC

John Bunker Sands Wetland Center – Combine, TX

What makes Landscape Architecture so intriguing? It’s about MANIPULATION!!! Big things we have to manipulate into the landscape are: Farms Roads Shopping Centers Schools Airports Little things we have to manipulate into the landscape are: Neighborhood Parks Sidewalks and Bike Paths Community Gardens Can I be a pretend to be a Landscape Architect?

No one likes to be manipulated, but sometimes we have to do it to get what we want. Sometimes we only have to change the existing landscape a little bit to meet our needs… But sometimes we have to manipulate the existing landscape a lot!

Let’s talk about… RESPONSIBLE DESIGN!

RESPONSIBLE DESIGN IDEA #1: What do I need, and how can I get it with the least amount of disturbance to the natural ecosystem? Boardwalks through this Pacific rainforest allow people to explore the environment without destroying the existing vegetation. Sometimes we try to leave the existing landscape alone as much as possible in order to protect the natural features.

RESPONSIBLE DESIGN IDEA #1: What do I need, and how can I get it with the least amount of disturbance to the natural ecosystem? Beaver dams help control flooding and create ponds where invertebrates can lay their eggs. The destruction of beaver habitats negatively affects many other species. Sometimes we try to leave the existing landscape alone as much as possible in order to protect existing wildlife habitats.

Pedestrian circulation is often an afterthought to vehicular circulation. You want to go down to the local coffee shop and hang out with your friends. Which sidewalk would you rather walk down? This one… or this one? RESPONSIBLE DESIGN IDEA #2: How can I meet the needs of the users in a way that protects their health and safety?

Steep slopes and cars don’t mix. Neither do houses and flood plains, yet many homes are still being built in flood prone areas. Some things just aren’t meant to be. Both these situations are unsafe for the users. RESPONSIBLE DESIGN IDEA #2: How can I meet the needs of the users in a way that protects their health and safety?

RESPONSIBLE DESIGN IDEA #3: How can I design an outdoor space with the least impact on our natural resources? Indigenous cultures have been using local building materials for centuries. People in Bali didn’t have the option to import marble from Italy. Using local materials is the best way to conserve fuel. Why ship bricks from Chicago to Florida when you can just use local limestone?

RESPONSIBLE DESIGN IDEA #3: How can I design an outdoor space with the least impact on our natural resources? The Blackpool Zoo in England is situated on what used to be an airfield. So was this state park in Hawaii. Recycling isn’t just for aluminum cans. Outdoor spaces can be recycled, too!

Some other things to consider… 1. Think about what you need to build (is it a school or an ice skating rink). Determine who the users are going to be - dogs, skateboarders - and what their needs are. 2. Try to locate the outdoor space someplace where it makes sense – locate the park near the neighborhood, not the sewage treatment plant. 3. Think about the existing landform and how a space can be designed to adapt to that landform rather than alter it. Hey, this totally makes sense! I can do this!