Fundamentals of Landscape Architecture
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
720 fi (07) fi 157 Housing'Aa^nistraUon taw-Library J. J. IpSj J ■gllti: J International Correspondence Schools, Scranton, Pa. Fundamentals of Landscape Architecture V By KARL B. LOHMANN, B.S., M.L.A. Fellow, American Society of Landscape Architects 6417-1 Edition 2 International Correspondence Schools, Scranton, Pennsylvania International Correspondence Schools, Canadian Ltd., Montreal, Canada siA /ik 1 eP f> ^ /Q- Fundamentals of YOUR TECHNICAL EDITOR , 1 This text, “Fundamentals of Landscape Landscape Architecture V ; Architecture,” has been technically edited by ; David T. Jones, Director of the School of . J Architecture and the Building Trades, in . ''■■*** ^ Yl which the instructional service for tliis text *S Provided. l*1 editing this text, Mr. Jones’ aim has been to ensure that the material pre sented to the student meets the high standards of technical accuracy, ready application, com By pleteness, and readability to which every ICS text must conform. KARL B. LOHMANN, B.S., M.L.A. mMr. Jones is a graduate in architecture of the University of Fellow, American Society of Landscape Architects Pennsylvania. He is a member of the American Institute of Archi Member, American Institute of Planners tects, the Pennsylvania Society of Architects, and the Construction Member, American Society of Planning Officials Specifications Institute. He has had extensive experience in the field of architecture. Serial 6417-1 © 1963, 1961 by International Textbook Company Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved v, International Correspondence Schools j * A Scranton, Pennsylvania/ ICS International Correspondence Schools Canadian, Ltd. Montreal, Canada i /m7r'OC \, WSfr- ! 9/9 What This Text Covers . r-rrr Here is an outline of the instruction text you are about to study..'mtf T) Refer to this outline while you are studying. It will give you a i helpful general view of the contents of the text. You might also Fundamentals of check off each, item of the outline as you complete the corresponding i section in the text. Later you can use the outline to help find Landscape Architecture i those parts of the text to which you would like to refer again. 1. Underlying Principles Pages 1 to 9 Underlying Principles A brief description of landscapes in ancient times points Importance of Landscape Architecture up the factors that must be considered in landscape design. Various landscape terms are defined here. 1. Landscape architecture is concerned with the arrange ; ment of land, water, plant forms, and structures, for their best 2. Land and Water Pages 10 to 19 and greater enjoyment. It deals with land-planning prob Proper use of land and water in landscaping calls for a use knowledge of topography, soil, drainage, and surfaces. lems such as building sites, gardens, outdoor-living areas, Water can be utilized as streams, ponds, lakes, dams, pools, playgrounds, and parks. It requires a knowledge of design and fountains. and construction that overlaps in the fields of architecture, 3. Vegetation Pages 20 to 43 engineering, horticulture, botany, and other branches of the Plants, shrubs, and trees offer a variety of sizes, textures, arts and sciences. and colors for landscape designs. A lawn forms one of the The field of landscape architecture is known by such other best ground covers, but requires careful preparation and maintenance. names as landscaping, landscape gardening, landscape design, landscape planning, landscape engineering, landscape con 4. Enclosures Pages 44 to 56 tracting, and landscape nursery work. Landscapes are bounded by floors, walls, and. ceilings, You can realize the importance of landscape architecture which may be either natural or man made. Walls may by comparing buildings that have been adequately landscaped be used to ensure privacy, to hold back earth, or to serve seating purposes. with those in which the landscaping has been neglected. Such comparison will show that a poor arrangement of the land 5. Circulation Pages 57 to 59 scape can greatly decrease the value of a well-designed build Flow of movement in landscaping can be directed by ter races, walks, and paths. Automobile traffic must be ing. Proper landscaping, on the other hand, can provide a provided for. beautiful setting for a building. It can add to the comfort of 1 the occupants by providing shade and windbreaks and by 0. Layout of House Grounds ...............................Pages 80 to 72 The grounds of a house are laid out to include the living screening off undesirable views. and service areas. The landscaping should define the i different areas. Purpose of This Text 7. Neighborhood Landscaping Pages 73 to 79 I 2. The purpose of this text is to give you a working knowl Such initial considerations as access, and planting for wind edge of the principles and problems underlying the practice breaks, shade, and privacy, are explained here. The cluster of landscape architecture, and of its applications, primarily as plan for a community is illustrated. they relate to domestic architecture. 6417 1 Fundamentals of Landscape Architecture : 2 Fundamentals of Landscape Architecture 3 A knowledge of landscape architecture, which helps people : to achieve a better way of life through the fullest use of the villas followed the slopes, with three or four terraces faced 1 out-of-doors, is especially important to the architect, land- with stone and equipped with balustrades and steps. The scape architect, draftsman, homeowner, landscape contractor, lower level contained the flower garden proper and the prin gardener, nurseryman, and realtor. cipal approach, the second levels contained the house, and the upper levels included the woodland. Water was used to Landscaping in Ancient Times i achieve spectacular effects. 3. To understand the principles and problems underlying The Spanish gardens of the Renaissance were also notable. i the present-day practice of landscape architecture, you should They occupied lofty sites and had arcaded courts. They made i be aware of some of the achievements of the past in this field. use of channels, fountains, and jets of water, rows of potted I These achievements have accompanied the development of plants and tile decorations. Palms and orange trees framed ! : architecture through the ages. more distant vistas. The gardens of ancient Egypt reflected climatic, physical, Some of the Renaissance gardens of France achieved great and religious influences. The gardens of a high official, for distinction. The grounds at the Palace of Versailles were instance, usually occupied a square of land and were sur among the most distinguished and spectacular. They were rounded by lofty walls. The dwelling houses within the walls developed in the so-called grand manner, with no stinting of were carefuly hidden away and shaded by trees, and the money, labor, or talent. Among their most outstanding fea grounds were enlivened by ponds, waterfalls, and green bor tures were an intricate pattern of cross-connecting avenues, ders. In the middle of the gardens were vineyards and rows an amazing display of statues, cascades, and fountains, and a of trees. canal a mile or more in length. The gardens of the Persians were rectangular and enclosed The basic characteristic of the Renaissance garden' was its by high mud walls. They were divided by intersecting raised formality; it was balanced and orderly. Its planes, patterns, paths and low fences, and embellished with little tunnels and and shapes were those of geometry, not of nature. blue-tiled pools, pavilions, kiosks, and canopied summer houses. Outdoor features in the early Greek cities included baths, Chinese and Japanese Influences stadiums, open-air theaters, porticoes, and colonnades. 5. From the Orient, the landscape artist accepted two The monasteries of the Middle Ages in Europe were important concepts. The first is that nature itself is beautiful grouped around central courtyards that were framed by col- and good. Chinese painting reflects this attitude toward onnades and enriched with central fountains, beds of flowers, nature. To the Chinese painter the untouched landscape is the and statues of the Christian saints. noblest subject matter. Renaissance Gard The second concept is that if native forms are the most ens beautiful, they are to be copied literally. Thus man-made .i ^vi^as of Renaissance Italy were distinguished, for forms are abandoned in favor of naturalistic ones. tn fV, Were uPon and were closely adapted Chinese gardens represented or suggested actual scenes, ta ian Asides. The major lines of the plans of those hills, and streams. Paths ran through the gardens in pebbled Fundamentals of Landscape Architecture 4 Fundamentals of Landscape Architecture 5 patterns; doors were often circular, or octagonal. Weird, con j torted, water-worn rocks and petrified plant forms were used ) as sculpture, along with guardian dogs and other features of stone. Water flowed quietly, or lay calmly in lakes or ponds. i The Japanese derived their landscape inspiration from the I Chinese and included in their layouts meaningful stones and ! 1 stone lanterns, trees, pagodas, arched bridges, and character i I istic fences and gates. i While much of the spirit of the informal and naturalistic garden came from the Far East, it was developed markedly in eighteenth-century England. In the United States the informal garden did not become popular until after 1800. : * g ^5 s t Landscape Design in the United States jHfflBSPw * a 2 ^ tjofio onnn ^41 < i 6. Landscape design in the United States has certain qual 3 E j IP CQ J ities in common with all the great landscape traditions of the < 7TS l ! world: Chinese, Japanese, Persian, English, Spanish, French, 5 ! r- i and Italian. Originally, these traditions were localized in cer Imcbia <j tain sections of the country: the French influence was evident 8 in New Orleans; the English, in New England; the Spanish, 3 ■ 3~~]f H P in ><S. h in California.