You might be surprised to learn that there's no one
purpose for landscaping design. In fact, as I discovered, there is as much variety in landscaping design philosophy as there is variety in people. There are landscapers who focus on the natural environment. They might be interested in exhibiting it's beauty or preserving its sustainability.There are landscapers who are interested in healing what they consider to be the man nature split. Some of these landscapers are concerned about getting man in harmony with nature. Others are interested in having nature serve architecture. There are landscapers who are mostly into the creation of a work of art, that just happens to be using nature as the media. There are landscapers who emphasize the importance of serving the client's needs. Finally, there are landscapers who see a landscape environment as serving religious or meditative principles.
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purpose of landscape design here.
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Defining the purpose of landscape design is a challenging undertaking, as it
requires synthesizing the many explanations of the phrase, which seem as vastly
different as the number of landscapes So much so that creating a summary of
outdoor design philosophies can become a bewildering task. I made the task more manageable by dividing the different types of landscape design in to five broad
categories.
At the basic level, landscape design serves nature. These
landscape designers use concepts related to sustainability, ecology, and
preservation of the natural habitat. This level of landscaping mandates being
responsive to natural problems such as water runoff, soil erosion, flooding, but
may also include aesthetics and the desire to preserve the natural habitat in a
way that will transform it into a thing of beauty
At a higher level,
most landscapers strive to bridge the perceived gap between man and nature.
Scapists employ contrasting language to describe this function. One artisan describes it as combining culture and nature. Another talks about the reconciliation
between man and nature. Another specifies the purpose of landscape design as
blending "man-made buildings into the natural setting. Another landscaping
company writes about "blending man's technology into the natural setting." An
Islamic landscape designer teaches that the building versus outdoor opposition
can be resolved by maintaining "fluidity of movement between the two spaces."
While some landscape design companies give equal importance to culture and
nature, some give more weight to one or the other. In referring to nature, one
site designer talks about the need to strengthen the client's "sense of
connection to nature". Another outdoor planner termed it slightly differently
and wrote about the need to enhance man's connection with the land." On the
side of technology, some practitioners see nature as serving man-made
structures. In their opinion, the importance of landscape is to ensure "a
beautiful setting for a building," "protect the home from the elements," or in
the words of another planner "create a beautiful environment around the
building."
A number of landscape engineers focus on the artistry of their
work. One Harvard trained landscape planner called the natural world her "palate"
which she uses to create her artistic work. Reading about what the various practitioners have to say you will find
multiple references to "creating beauty." Again with respect to creating a work
of art, there is a spectrum of emphasis. Some landscapers talk about bringing
out the beauty inherent in the local habitat, whereas others agree about
bringing out the natural beauty of the landscape, but won't hesitate to import vegetation, rocks, and other material from outside the habitat, if it will enhance
the artistic look they are trying to make." The two views, however, are not
mutually exclusive. An Islamic landscape planner describe the principles of art
and beauty as one sub-element of her work, which most importantly was designed
to express principles in the Koran .
Some designers place the greatest
emphasis on the client's perspective. They describe this aspect of their work
with phrases such as "expressing "the client's vision," bringing out the beauty
of the natural world in ways that are "responsive to the... client," or taking
cognizance of the landscaping " needs of the user." At the same time, many
designers emphasize the practical benefits their landscape designs bestow upon
clients. These boons include "provision of the necessities of modern living;"
"comfortable seating, scenic and seasonable variety, practical areas for family
leisure, child play, entertainment, play space;" "well shaped land for people to
use and enjoy;" "a healthy breath for occupants;" and "an inviting and soothing
atmosphere." Landscape artist Michelle Derviss emphasizes the emotional response
her work will bring out in visitors to the site." She wants her outdoor scapes
to move her visitors, fill the senses, inspire the visitor's vision, and enliven
their heart ."
The Islamic designer Emma Clark reaches past the client
versus nature debate and talks about an overriding goal in her work to express a
religious truth re the environment. He purpose is to use the guidance of her
religious teachings in the Koran to bring out the spirit of the locale."
However, she emphasizes that her work is not imposing something alien onto the
outdoor environment, rather bringing out a spirituality that is inherently
present.. Some landscapers might take exception with her philosophy, claiming
that her theological approach is an imposition of something stiffing to the innate
spirituality of the visitors to the spot Some site engineers create gardens that
serve as havens or places of meditation and contemplation. At first glance, it
might seem that these modern planners have walked back in time to the philosophy
found in "Walden," by Henry David Thoreau. However, these modern Thoreaus are
more likely to work around and even incorporate contemporary technology and
incursions of civilization into their managed retreats.
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In the Westchester County and Putnam County areas
in New York, call the Turf Barbers for accomplished landscape design help. 2929
Quinlan Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598; 914 302 2469;
http://www.theturfbarbers.com
