Opening spaces : design as landscape architecture

The art of designing both unites and divides landscape architecture and architecture. Despite having a long tradition, landscape architecture has lacked a concise presentation of the fundamental principles underlying its design and planning concepts. This much sought-after book has evolved out of more than twenty years of teaching experience. The authors distinguish between the variable factors such as climate, growth of vegetation etc., and the more abstract element of design. They describe the ideal design components and demonstrate the extent to which natural features such as surfaces, spaces, paths, borders, hard and soft materials shape the designs. This book reveals how concepts such as order and chaos, way and goal, intention and reaction form the basis for landscape design, just as they do in architecture. Hans Loidl has been Professor for Landscape Architecture in Berlin since 1982 and has headed his own atelier since 1984. Stefan Bernard works as a landscape architect and graphic designer.

Talking about designs--a few introductory remarks	p. 6
In the form of open space	p. 8
[1] Form and forming	p. 12
Point - line - area - solid	p. 14
Order	p. 14
Shape and form	p. 16
Coherence and prior experience	p. 17
Form	p. 18
Superization	p. 18
Form components	p. 20
Induction	p. 21
Forming, design	p. 22
Connection and landscape architecture projects	p. 23
[2] Designing and design	p. 26
Between head and hand	p. 29
Designing	p. 29
The design	p. 31
Intersubjectivity	p. 31
Intention	p. 33
Creativity	p. 33
Bifurcation	p. 34
The usual design path	p. 35
Working model for the design process (Darke, Lawson)	p. 36
Means and end	p. 37
Prevailing conditions	p. 39
Sign and Content	p. 40
[3] Space - place - path	p. 44
3.1 Creating space ("space")	p. 46
Space	p. 48
Spaces in landscape architecture	p. 48
4 propositions for creating landscape architecture space	p. 49
"Pure" space	p. 55
Breaking down "pure" space	p. 56
Suggesting space	p. 58
Spatial sequences--spatial gradations	p. 62
From closed to open spaces	p. 62
Spatial boundaries	p. 64
Uniformity of area	p. 65
Spatial size dependent on human proximity	p. 66
Space and the effect of space	p. 68
The human field of vision	p. 70
Spatial effect and plants	p. 76
Creating space with height differences	p. 77
Height differences and spatial effect	p. 80
Planting to achieve visual changes of relief	p. 82
The grove	p. 85
3.2 Creating focal points ("place")	p. 90
Focal point	p. 91
Special position	p. 94
The straight line and the right angle	p. 96
Emphasized (designed) focal points	p. 97
3.3 Movement and access ("path")	p. 102
Movement--motive and reaction	p. 103
Anticipatory orientation	p. 103
Proceeding "inattentively"	p. 104
"Beaten" track--the archetypal path	p. 109
Positive control	p. 110
External and internal access	p. 111
Problems/aims of internal access	p. 111
Path and goal	p. 114
Path routing and visual links	p. 118
Path signs and markers	p. 120
Trees as path markers	p. 122
Colonnades and arcades	p. 124
Path joints	p. 126
The seat (or bench)--a (stopping) behaviour archetype	p. 132
Network of paths	p. 134
Path routing and use of the area	p. 134
Path routing and spatial shapes	p. 136
Paths and spatial sequences	p. 140
[4] Design qualities	p. 144
4.1 Fundamentals of good design	p. 146
Form and coherence	p. 147
Uniformity through common features	p. 147
Shared position	p. 148
Common features in terms of appearance	p. 150
Theoretical/thematic common features	p. 150
Diversity	p. 152
Satisfying variety--the disturbance of uniformity	p. 154
4.2 Characteristics of good design	p. 158
Stimulation/uncertainty	p. 159
Tension	p. 161
Weight/balance	p. 164
Harmony	p. 165
Linking idea/theme/concept	p. 166
Clarity	p. 168
Simplicity	p. 168
4.3 Repetition as a tool	p. 172
Repetition	p. 173
Structure	p. 176
Patterns	p. 176
Grids	p. 177
Variation	p. 178
Transformation	p. 179
Rhythm	p. 181
Proportion	p. 181
Scale	p. 182
Symbols	p. 183
Literature	p. 188
Authors	p. 190

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