Ecology, Community and Delight: Sources of Values in Landscape Architecture
From CollabLandWiki
Brett E & Edgar K
Ian H. Thompson Ecology, Community & Delight Sources of Value in Landscape Architecture
History & L.A.
In times past, landscape architecture was commonly seen as “a total concentration on the monumental and on the superficial, on architecture as a symbol of power; and correspondingly, an almost complete lack of interest in the wider social purposes of planning”.(hall -1988)
Functionalism & Rise of Modernism
Modernism, with its emphasis on function, denies ornament and rejects ordering devises like symmetry & axis might have been produced as a more socially concerned and democratic form of architecture because more theory driven like earlier styles.
Functionalism- Form follows Function
International style – as an organizing principle is a thesis of design which responds to “ Spirit of place” Impact of Modernism on L.A. - Rise of modern Architecture
Brought new materials to Industrial production - About L.A No new materials(still earth, plants &water) - Most positive contribution for modernism on L.A. o Notion that function should be the starting point for design, rather than any preconceived idea of what is beautiful or picturesque shift from asthetics towards notion of usefulness.
Pre- Modernism Postmodernism Had honesty in materials A lot new artificial materials Seriousness of purpose Playfulness Simplicity Complexity
CHAPTER SEVEN
Practice Designers w/ well developed social conscience
They place the welfare of people at the summit of their personal value system as well as their aesthetic or ecological endeavors by saying in one way or another that they are being undertaken by people. Important Designers w/ such mind sets.. Dougal Thorton - involved in trying to redress the imbalances in society someday. Tom Robinson – active in making landscaping so much of a social science. Improving the Quality of Life - By improving peoples surroundings one can make their lives better. Social values in the city Can impact some ones physical &mental well being.
Relief
L.A provides relief for people in the city by creating green spaces, and provides city duelers some form of psych respite, from harshness of built forms & hardscape. Identity Community identity is a specific social benefit delivered by L.A. including culture, history. Etc.. Barcelona has had a policy for about 15 years now of major investment in the future, in relation to the spaces between buildings in order to win back the idea of fine living in the city. The Relation Between Social, Ecological and Aesthetic Values. It seems that people wish for social objectives to have a greater role than that of ecological ideals, or aesthetic objectives.
Public Consultation
L.A’s on Public Participation - Some say essential, others seem to agree that it has no relevance but more a chore to make a client happy. - majority believes it is fundamental for smaller personal residential space, but not so much for commercial work on business parks. - Ultimately.. go w/ wishes of the community, whether you would like it or not. The most you could do is make it more functional and more ecologically sound.
Responsibility
L.A. is a discipline with a four dimensional design, its glory is its design, and if cared for, will grow, develop, mature. Rather than remain static like a building. We as L.A.s hold a wide range of social attitudes and political beliefs, yet they appear to share a vacation, at center of which is a belief that they can improve people’s lives. Many L.A.’s suggest that social objects will often though not invariably override other values in such cases. Ecological and aesthetic goals are often justified in terms of their beneficial effects upon people.
