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LA 212: Midterm Study Guide

Terms in this set (135)

what types of projects, experience and specialties are part of landscape architecture?
gardens, campus designs, and subdivisions
landscape architecture looks at the work and history of artists, architects, and urban planners
big picture profession that spans many different fields
what is the definition of a cultural landscape?
sense of place or regionalism
what can we learn from a cultural landscape?
we can learn history of human culture and values of time and space, and the relationship with land over time
what issues and elements affect landscape history?
context (what creates place?)
human culture (artistic, social, religious, economic and political, social role of design)
symbolism (meaning in art)
effects of innovation and technology
aesthetics (principles concerned with beauty in art)
design structure (line, plane, contrast, repetition, balance, asymmetrical balance, rhythm, emphasis, scale, texture, color)
plan
design from birds-eye view
base map
existing site before new design
topo map
topography map; grade and slope of site
circulation
pedestrian, carriage, vehicular circulation
section
cutting through middle to highlight certain parts of design
perennials vs annuals
annuals live for one year/season while perennials live longer
groundcover
flat and lateral plants
deciduous vs. evergreen
deciduous trees lose leaves in the winter, while evergreen trees stay the same year-round
cuttings
little sections of plants that grow again and keep plants alive
native plants
not plants specific to one area, but areas with same climate
allee
length of trees; used for streetscapes
parterres
clipped plants in different shapes
grotto
manmade caves
bosque (bosquet)
uncentered and uneven trees gridded like an orchard
borrowed view
design in a way that makes surrounding look a lot like your own
what were the design elements at vaux-le-vicomte and versailles and their purpose at this time? how was nature controlled?
design elements: axial layout (use of perspective in design) to make distance feel longer; create surprises of water features; focal point was view of grotto and hercules statue
purpose of design elements was to showcase ideas of cultural and intellectual elite and reflect absolute value of king through design; cost of project showed the king's economic power and superior taste
nature was controlled by precisely clipping plants, tree canopies as tight spheres, and filled parterres with exotic plants to symbolize absolute monarchy
what were the political underpinning to the design of stowe?
design was a political statement about government
ancient rome as a golden age
how is stourhead similar to stowe?
also reflects mood of 18th century golden age
what were some design characteristics of brown's work?
"place-making"; viewed landscape as simple rural working landscape that was both productive and beautiful
18th century picturesque english garden
planted trees in clumps or screens in a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees to create perspective; paths were laid out to create surprise
copied nature and made designs look as if they were not designed
house was most important part of landscape
water elements showed drainage and maximum reflection in design
what elements are typically found in an english picturesque design?
visually charming or quaint, resembling or suitable for a painting
"ha-ha" (ditch made into a wall) connects design to rural scenery while adding element of surprise
how did the enclosure acts help forward capability brown's opportunities for work?
created a vast number of new estates by enclosing previously open fields and common land
remade rural landscape
what new ideas did repton add to brown's theories?
wanted more understory plants to soften design
more direct route to the front door
no bogus buildings or sham ruins
better connect architecture and garden
focus on utility, proportion (scale), and unity
nestles building and site
how did repton's work bridge price and knight's theories of picturesque?
landscapes should be work of art, but strictly after nature
garden should not be picturesque but not simply a "picture" because you can move through it and it can change your view
should be "messier"
what modern designs are influenced by brown and repton?
curvilinear lines
buildings and structures in the middle of water
trees planted in "random" places and use of both deciduous and evergreen trees
why was loudon critical of the work of capability brown and repton?
thought designs should be more wild and irregular rather than capability brown's uniform and monotonous design
dismissed repton's focus on individual plants and relied on principles of variety of contrast and naturality
what is gardenesque theory?
to separate garden from nature
base layout on abstract forms
make exclusive use of non-native plants, keeping them separated from native plants so they are recognized (specimen plants)
what were some of loudon's scientific farming techniques?
shelter from prevailing winds
regraded fields and installed drainage
built farmhouse that is practical and comfortable over just ornamental
style and refinement
what new ideas did loudon add to landscape design, especially with regard to plants?
used exotic plants in design and used variety of plants; displayed as gardenesque feature
what was the innovation and value of derby park?
showcased specimen plants with labels to educate and relieve misery of working poor
public park while at the time most parks were private
efficient circulation system, screens with mounds, and vegetation
toilet facilities
strolling paths and benches
pavilions for shade and rain protection
geometric bedding displays
what are some of the elements of a victorian garden?
demise of "natural" landscape
displays of botanical science
topiary gardens
specimen plants never before seen
why was there a need for head gardeners during this period?
high maintenance landscapes
jobs consisted of creating flower beds designed for similarity of flower height, but also bloom and color blends; also had to carpet bed, which kept plants at same height and lengthened growing season
which two technological advances by joseph paxton changed landscape design?
how to grow exotic plants in cold regions using greenhouses
focus on engineering and creating large structures
what was unique about prince's park subdivision and park design at the time?
design of pleasure grounds needs to be tied economically to surrounding real estate
what was unique about birkenhead both economically and aesthetically?
used public funds for parkland acquisition through sale of adjacent housing lot
built park before surrounding buildings
large meadow with edges defined by trees
one long sinuous road looped through park
separated circulation paths for pedestrians and carriages
what elements at birkenhead are now common in american parks?
drinking fountains installed
public bathrooms with cast iron urinals
museums added to park for educational value
describe downing's design ideas. how did he translate picturesque design into a new american style?
borrowed english design ideas but adapted them to social and climate conditions of the united states
adapted picturesque design into "beautiful" design - like a woman, soft curves in paths, rounded tree forms, neoclassical architectural details (Italian, Tuscan, venetian design)
describe some of the design characteristics of central park and prospect park
rustic style architecture
art in the landscape was rare (olmsted felt art took away from natural look of park)
all-natural materials and artificial "nature"
long meadows; framed by trees in series of views
landscape architecture as a painting
what did olmsted borrow from joseph paxton's design of birkenhead park?
framed by trees in series of views
secluded walks
bridges used with water features
what other designs/designers in england did olmsted borrow for his american designs?
visited birkenhead, stourhead
adopted repton's picturesque design theory
how were central and prospect parks supportive of health and the poor?
solved problems of transportation and ecology; separated carriages and pedestrians with bridges, which helped with water features
brought country to urban poor with "dairy"; located at southern section of park, closest to families who lived in heart of city
had museums surrounding park to bring educational value
democratic design with emphasis on needs of the poor
describe some of the design characteristics of this landscape suburb?
topographic layout; not just curvilinear lines
parks scattered throughout subdivision plan
maintained enough open space for recreation and scenic views
area between street and house served public function
buildings set back from road so they are less dominant
how did riverside work with the ecology of the river?
followed natural flowing topography of river
what value did olmsted place on preserving wilderness?
importance of contact with wilderness for humans
effect of beautiful scenery on human perception
moral responsibility of government to preserve natural beauty of all people
how was this a different approach/theory than the english landscape gardeners' ideas in the 17th-early19th century?
english landscape gardeners tried to manipulate the natural land to fit their designs and control nature by putting exotic plants in the landscape and manipulating different features of the land, but olmsted insisted on working around the natural features
what was different about this park system than central park in new york?
linked green spaces with each park having its own genius loci
how did it provide for parks for bostonians throughout the city?
allowed bostonians to travel for miles surrounded by greenery
connected new parks to existing ones
what was the purpose of a "parkway"?
to have a park even when space was limited
what two ecological problems did it solve?
fixed sanitation problem by diverting muddy river into charles river
restored original salt marsh
how was this campus different from what the client, leland stanford, had asked?
unlike harvard, which was what leland stanford wanted, because it had to fit the natural mediterranean climate of the area
what regional design components did olmsted use in the design?
romanesque architecture with arcades and red tile roofs
mediterranean plants
hardscape over turf
landscape and building materials blend
small courtyard between buildings
what were some of the lasting influences of this exposition?
unprecedented collaboration of artists, architects, sculptors, painters, landscape architects who joined forces to create single work and ideal model city
how did it change the way landscape architects were viewed in the arts?
architectural control joined landscape architecture to one of the high arts
what innovative idea did olmsted bring to george vanderbilt regarding the landscape design?
olmsted reconsidered outer landscape in new way using scientific forestry
first managed forest; olmsted wanted to protect environment and reclaim over farmed land
how did sound land management practices change forest management?
fixed soil with paintings
marriage of science and art; picturesque theory with most advanced ecological understanding of its time
what had the greatest influence on olmsted's work? culture, art, theory, or others' work?
all of them
what were the differences between robinson's and blomfield's approach to landscape design?
robinson drew inspiration from native landscape of fields, hedgerows, and woodlands and preferred plants for their artistic value vs. scientific value
blomfield wanted to unite house and garden in a single plan; felt robinson's gardens were too unstructured and and unnatural
why did each of them think their theories were closer to arts and crafts ideals?
robinson thought his theory was closer to arts and crafts ideal because of the naturalized elements used for artistic value
blomfield thought his theory was closer to arts and crafts ideal because he used an enclosed symmetrical layout
how did jekyll and lutyens bridge robinson and blomfield's ideas?
main border planting and use of natural elements came from robinson
formal principles of gardening came from blomfield
how were jekyll and lutyens' designs examples of arts & crafts ideas?
preserve traditions of brick, stone, and ironwork of arts and crafts movement and rustic charm of cottage garden
transition from lawn into woodland
enclosed "rooms" in landscape using hedges
how did jekyll use color theory in her planting designs?
used color mixing and effect of color for her flower borders
what designs ideas were borrowed from jekyll and lutyens at sissinghurst?
color theory in the white garden
use of hedges to create rooms and planting lush perennials next to it
how was american arts and crafts philosophy different from europe?
socialism undercurrent did not spread much beyond few utopian communities
what european ideas did charles adams platt add to american landscape design?
blended arts and crafts landscape design with more formal neo-georgian and colonial revival architecture
why was platt's work so formal?
restored landscape to the 19th century and integrated indoor and outdoor spaces
how does the design at dumbarton oaks mix Italianate and french design with english arts and crafts?
woodland garden design with wild and rustic areas as complement to formal terraced gardens
how did beatrix farrand make this design uniquely american?
wild and rustic areas with use of existing topography and American native landscape to orient design
why was an "all-women landscape architecture firm" important at this time?
women were not well-ranked in the field up until that point and an all-women firm gave them opportunities
what design features does she believe are essential to a garden?
greenery and privacy
describe the elements Haussmann used in paris' new urban design.
uniform roof lines and architecture
facing buildings toward street
tree-lined streets for beauty and shade
cafes as outdoor rooms
night life with gas and electric lights
realigned smaller streets and added street amenities like lights, benches, and sidewalks; enlisted help of businesses to keep everything clean
what was the role of a park in paris (vs. the role of a park in nyc at this same time)?
additional amusement in a city with already a lot to do
nyc's parks were a reaction to industrial city
explain the design of a garden city.
city with lots of natural space and social reform
shared park space with commons for recreational needs
inner ring of houses, gardens, and central park
factories were located next to railroad tracks
what were the social values of this type of design?
fostered shared community ownership and lots of natural space
place of social reform with women being primary employees to socially benefit
how did the design bridge country and city living?
surrounded residential neighborhood with garden elements and put industrial structures on outer part of city
how was wagner's city plan an example of functionality and modernity?
buildings accommodated street vs. street accommodating to buildings; bridges gap between historicist and modernity
what was the role of the bauhaus? characterize its design style and influence.
school for architecture, artists, and artisans with linked single philosophy
no ornamentation but instead has abstract architectural aesthetic
influenced fine arts, product design, architecture
how did le corbusier solve the problem of urban overcrowding and pollution?
superblocks of apartments designed for abundant light, air, and greenery
buildings lifted off ground and allowed pedestrians to pass underneath them to stay out of traffic flow
transportation systems worked horizontally and vertically
how did his utopian ideas influence urban design?
focus on architecture rather than environment
roof gardens and many parks
how did his garden city differ from ebenezer howard's?
horizontal vs. vertical building
describe the way this design mirrors those such as the cadbury brothers' bournville and other model industrial towns?
industrial city that provided healthy living conditions for workers
finding best location for factories vs. worker housing and parks
if balboa Park had been built per the olmsted plan, how would it have offered a new park typology that was not of english pastoral influence?
showcase unique california landscape and more focus on regionalism, emphasizing mediterranean design based on the climate of the area
what types of ecological studies provided a framework for the design of the new community?
regional climate and microclimate studies (site prior to construction and barometer)
topography studies for the terrain
what was unique in the firm's approach to design in california and how did it make a difference that olmsted jr. was required to be in residence during its construction?
use of open space for recreational value, but understood car culture of los angeles and constructing wider streets
walkable villages and residential design
olmsted jr. being required to be in residence during its construction helped the project because he was able to see what it would be like to live in the area and therefore give suggestions on what he liked and didn't like
how were these park system designs like the boston park system (emerald necklace) and their other east coast parks and parkways?
ring city with green space of parks and parkways
established an arboretum
design with regard to important views
how were they different?
had passive recreation with undeveloped areas to preserve wildlife and environment
used some of the best land instead of worst because they were able to set aside land before development
what new technology did the olmsted brothers have to consider in their 20th century designs?
stormwater and flood management roads
parkways and pleasureway parks
how did the los angeles park system proposal fit into the cultural and ecological context of the era?
knew people liked to live outside and loved the beach because of the weather
cultural and ecological systems were mapped
what prescient ideas did these reports offer to boulder and the east bay cities?
buy structures using public monies to prevent development, keep open space, and provide recreational parks
how has that advice affected those communities in terms of parks and open space?
advice would cause communities to keep open space, flood control and keep areas clean, and provide recreational parks
how has olmsted, jr. influenced state and national parks?
worked to obtain national park status for numerous locations throughout us
had commitment to set aside land for public use
saw entire state of california as "landscape"
what types of office practice did the olmsted firm develop that are still in use today?
topographic drawings always done before any design is finalized
each project organized by job number
detailed planting plants were developed and firm arranged with reputable nurseries on clients' bhelaf
architectural lettering
"before and after" photos
copies of plants done through sunprints
how did this plan provide an equal distribution of land?
land was gridded and divided into parallels, dots, and meridians
how was gridding the land successful and why might this type of land organization be unsuccessful as it relates to natural systems?
gridding land was successful because it could easily differentiate who owned what part of land
not successful as it relates to natural systems because it shows lack of understanding of nature
what design qualities does washington, dc share with versailles? how do they differ in meaning?
similar design qualities include: layout of city based on topography and geometry and circular and rectangular plazas to honor notable people; mall was grand avenue lined with structures that satisfied needs of democratic society
differ in meaning: washington dc symbolized new nation's legislature and new democratic government while Versailles represented traditional monarchial government with a king
how did pierre l'enfant build symbolism into the capital for a new type of government?
white house and congress put at high points in landscape to face each other; diagonal streets named after then-existing states; pennsylvania avenue was most important because it was where first capital was located, so the street links white house and congress
what was the purpose of this urban plan?
attempt to bring back l'enfant's plan and add a park system to washington dc
what elements did it keep from l'enfant's original plan and what modern elements were added?
kept following elements: neoclassical and monumental office buildings; axial design linking existing green spaces
modern elements added: allee and simple grass panel on mall with museums along edges; mall gardens; connecting parks and linking city to nearby attractions
what elements are included in a city beautiful plan?
cohesive design
small and large scale improvements related to a theme in the city
addition of green spaces
how did the mcmillan plan and the chicago columbian world exposition influence this movement?
influence to rethink urban design and triggers national city planning movement in 20th century
why did it largely fail in the United States?
too expensive and too much demolition involved
how did he re-think understanding places at a regional scale?
saw city using aerial perspective to see city as a whole
surveyed city and region to understand planning process
how did he bring the country into the city?
forest reserves; country creeping back into city
what was his critique of the modern american city?
most cities were "megalopolis" and spread into gargantuan size
why did he believe the garden city was an appropriate planning model?
picturesque design embedded in nature
removed costliness of neoclassical design and provides affordable housing and functional communities
why was city and community planning considered a social movement?
goal was to get personal connection with nature and provide affordable housing and functional communities
what were the new ideas proposed by the regional planning association of america (rpaa), 1923?
village greens and "towlness highways"
affordable housing, wilderness protection, management of urban sprawl
describe the design ideas in sunnyside and radburn.
sunnyside: garden suburb with community gardens and shared backyards in communal park-like space for children to play
radburn: cul-de-sac to calm vehicular traffic; homes faced each other and parkland rather than street; apartments located around landscaped courtyard
how did their designs mirror english garden cities and how did they add new american social and cultural values?
mirrored garden cities by having shared community gardens and emphasized nature
added new american social and cultural values by being accommodating to people who aren't extremely wealthy
what was the impact of the car on their designs?
separated vehicular and pedestrian traffic and made communities walkable to reduce car use
how did these designs impact greenbelt towns like greenbelt, maryland?
influenced greenbelt towns to leave areas of open, undeveloped space near urban area
design features included interior walkways, underpasses, and inner courtyards and followed forested area
when travel by car became a form of recreation, how did that change and influence the design of parks?
turned parks into places to drive through
what is a recreational parkway?
uninterrupted parks with limited access points
how was this parkway a multifunctional design?
clean waters and beautify banks of bronx river
what was the value of this roadway?
connected main streets of rural and urban communities along route when most towns had no prior access to major national thoroughfare
what type of architecture did it spawn?
hand-crafted architecture and depression era parkways building
why did some nyc residents fight back against moses' parkway construction in their neighborhoods?
he wanted to discourage buses and trucks from using roads so he deliberately arched bridges and added low street crossing
what role did the car play in american urban design?
urban design had to modernize and adapt to the rising prominence of the car
how is the design a combination of art nouveau and a garden city?
what ideas did gaudi borrow from english designers william robinson and gertrude jekyll?
what are some of gaudi's design innovations in this park?
robinson: curvilinear lines and english landscape, local stone and materials
jekyll: flower walls, english landscape, lush design
what was the impact on landscape design from the 1925 paris exposition?
beginning of landscape design's move into modernism
what were the characteristics of the art moderne style in landscape design?
rectilinear, more streamlined
how did guevrekian use cubism in his landscape designs?
his designs were abstract, volumetric, light reflecting on mirrors, plants used as shaped massings of color
how did cubist ideas physically resolve in the noailles' cubist garden?
geometric play of planes, materials, colors
divorced from natural systems
why was american modernism behind european modernism?
american architects argued that hard-edged machine-like design was inconsistent with plants and dynamic natural ecosystems
why did beaux-arts training delay american modernism in landscape architecture?
american designers followed beaux-arts style to unite house and garden on same axes
how did fletcher steele make the link between french modernism in american design?
moved design from beaux-arts to abstract modernism after attending exposition international des arts decoratifs
describe naumkeag and the way steele used modernist ideas in its development.
estate named after native american name for indigenous people of massechusetts
"afternoon garden" - experiential outdoor room
"transparent enclosure" using venetian posts, ropes, and vines
what were the european influences on naumkeag? What were the american influences?
fountains and paintings influenced by generalife, alhambra, granada, spain
blue steps influenced by italian renaissance and Italian water gardens
american influences were borrowed view, farm on land providing foreground scenery
how do the blue steps represent american modernism in landscape architecture?
modernist design with the tubular steel handrail and the low arched grottoes; influenced by italian and european designs but distinctly modern
how did le corbusier design with the landscape at villa savoye?
saw lawn as plane and opened up building to showcase landscape
how did the bauhaus influence the building design?
influenced architecture and german pavilion
what is the role of sculpture in this design?
designed for barcelona's world fair and power of single art object
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