Spatial Phenomenon of Reflection Effect in Landscape Design THESIS Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Landscape Architecture in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Fangyuan Xie Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture The Ohio State University 2013 Thesis Committee: Jason Kentner, Advisor Jacob Boswell Curtis Roth Copyright by Fangyuan Xie 2013 Abstract The spatial phenomenon of reflection is ubiquitous in everyday life. Mirror is widely implemented in architectural use to broaden a space, multiply views or introduce views from beyond. Its ambiguous nature of virtual reality challenges our perceptions and understandings of the place and our position in it. Since early time, mirror reflection has been a popular pictorial motif in the history of Western art and widely implemented in modern art. It interests artists for its illusionary representational nature, the same as arts as a mimetic practice of life. Some artists use mirror as a responsive material to bridge the gap between people and art. Some question the spatial/ temporal quality of a space. Since design is not only about functionality or aesthetics, but also about experience, incorporating reflection effect in design is a way to think design experientially. The spatial phenomenon of reflection allows people to observe their embodiness in the environment, and the notion of the body implies and produces the notion of the space. While the effects have been thoroughly investigated for the conceptual meaning in art and strategic use in architecture, it is less categorized in an open landscape setting. In landscape settings, the only natural reflection occurs in reflecting pools. They usually exist adjacent to featured buildings or structures to reinforce their existence through the reflections in the water. Besides that, landscape architects, architects and artists are exploring the effects of reflection through installations or landscape artwork. The ii ephemeral responsive nature of reflection effect challenges people’s visual perception, generates curiosity, invites touch and promotes people-place relationship. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate reflection effects in landscape setting, dealing with the natural force like sunlight, the ever-changing nature, and spatial condition as well as the experiential quality. A range of selected works of reflection effect is studied and categorized, according to the effect and strategy. A category is generated for later site-related investigation. Study models are designed and used to experience the effects in an immersive way. The roof garden adjacent to the architecture school’s library is selected as the real site of proposal for its accessibility and the distinctive site features. Proposals are generated based on the site fact and are illustrated through rendering as well as those models. To conclude, the ultimate goal of the research is to design for spatial perception or experience through the spatial phenomena of reflection effects. Since we are living a life at the pace that the environment is often overlooked, the experience of confronting with reflection effect will make us pause and think and really understand the place we are in. In here, reflection effect acts as a shortcut to arouse people’s awareness of the environment and their relationship to it. iii Acknowledgments I wish to thank my thesis advisor Jason Kentner, and committee member Jacob Boswell and Curtis Roth, for their intellectual support. I convey utmost thanks and love to my mom and dad for their endless love and support I can ever have. iv Vita 2001................................................................The First High School in Changsha 2007................................................................B.S. Landscape Architecture, Central South University of Forestry and Technology 2011 to present ...............................................Master of Landscape Architecture Candidate, Ohio State University Fields of Study Major Field: Landscape Architecture v Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. iv Vita ...................................................................................................................................... v List of Tables ................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1: Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 Research Overview ......................................................................................................... 1 Background ..................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2: History of Reflection Effects ............................................................................ 6 Mirror Reflection in Arts, Architecture and Landscape .................................................. 6 A Selection of Projects of Reflection Effects .................................................................. 9 Chapter 3: Reflection Effect in Landscape Setting ........................................................... 15 Chapter 4: Theoretical Framework ................................................................................... 19 Phenomenological Theory ............................................................................................. 19 Framing/ Borrowing Landscape Strategy ..................................................................... 22 Chapter 5: Proposal for Real Site...................................................................................... 24 vi Reflection in the Roof Garden ...................................................................................... 24 Proposal of Reflection Effects in Roof Garden ............................................................. 26 Reference .......................................................................................................................... 31 vii List of Tables Table 1 A Selection of Reflection Project in Landscape .................................................... 9 viii List of Figures Figure 1 Kogod Courtyard, Kathryn Gustafson ................................................................. 5 Figure 2 Vietnam Veteran Memorial, Maya Lin ................................................................. 5 Figure 3 Mirror in Arts ..................................................................................................... 11 Figure 4 Interior Use of Mirror Reflection ....................................................................... 11 Figure 5 Exterior Use of Mirror Reflection ...................................................................... 11 Figure 6 Ring; Field .......................................................................................................... 12 Figure 7 Camouflage View, Metis Garden, Canada .......................................................... 12 Figure 8 Finite| Infinite, Beijing Garden Expo ................................................................. 13 Figure 9 Cloud Gate, Millennium Park, Chicago ............................................................. 13 Figure 10 Glass Pavilion, Dan Graham ............................................................................ 14 Figure 11 Borrowed Scenery, Traditional Chinese Garden .............................................. 23 Figure 12 Roof Garden Site Plan ...................................................................................... 26 Figure 13 Illustration of Looking Beyond ........................................................................ 27 Figure 14 Study Model for Multiple Views Effect ........................................................... 28 Figure 15 Illustration of Infinite Reflection ...................................................................... 28 Figure 16 Study Model for Immersive Effect ................................................................... 29 Figure 17 Illustration of Immersive Effect ....................................................................... 29 Figure 18 Distinct Views in Vertical ................................................................................ 30 Figure 19 Illustration of the Gallery of Views .................................................................. 30 ix Chapter 1: Introduction Research Overview With an acceleration of urbanization process, a lot more environment problems are springing up. At the meantime, as we occupy a progressively more urban environment, we can become disconnected from the natural force. We are living in a place that we will not give a second thought. Besides those large scale or long-term planning and design strategies, it is also worth noting that design should arouse environmental awareness at day-to-day experience. Experiential landscape is evaluated at three themes, how people attach significance or value to certain locations, how they orientate themselves, and how they develop an awareness of their home ground (Kevin Thwaites, 2010). Being stimulated of visual, aural and