Summary of articles About the Theory in Landscape Architecture
This was an article that was written by James Corner, who was a famous writer of concepts regarding landscape architecture. In this article, he argued that the term landscape can be described as something that represents the true value of the real world situation. Many people from various parts of the world view land in different perspectives. The views about landscape are relevant to geographers, developers and painters. If these people are given the chance to make their own drawing, they will have different representations based on the way they recognize the landscape in question. According to Corner, landscape changes from time to time due to the drawings and constructions made on them.
The author of this article also explained how representation in landscape architecture differs from other representations of landscape. He argued that the operations of representation in landscape architecture take place through a channel of landscape, unlike in other representations of architecture. The representation in landscape architecture is embodied in literature, painting and constructed landscape. The author also pointed out that the major difficulty in landscape architecture is that the actual construction is done by the workers rather than the landscape architect.
Maps, Knowledge and Power
This article was authored by John Brian Harley. The author of this article was born in 1932. He made great contributions in geography and cartography. In addition to this, he was a map historian who made explanations on the historical landscape boundaries. These discipline proficiencies enabled him to have connections in several universities. These include Liverpool and Birmingham Universities. His major interests in landscape architecture were related to critical cartography. He also had a keen interest on history.
Apart from this article, Harley also wrote other works in order to bring out his ideas. In some cases, he collaborated with other prominent authors in order to come up with exemplary ideas regarding landscape architecture. His other works include:
The historians’ Guide to Ordnance Survey Maps, which was published in 1964.
Ordnance Survey Maps: A Descriptive Manual. This was published in 1975.
Maps for the Local Historian: A Guide to the British Sources, which was published in 1972.
The aim of this article was to increase knowledge about theories of image and visual studies. The author argued that there was a connection between maps, knowledge and power. In this article, arguments involve a combination of geography and arts. The author argued that there is a wide knowledge that exists in maps. However, some people face the problem of interpreting this knowledge and this poses a problem in landscape architecture. The article also connects the knowledge in maps with power. Maps are therefore important in showing the boundaries that were occupied by the historic political powers. This knowledge can help the designers to use history to make drawings with regard to past events and taking into consideration where the landscape is situated in the map. Maps are therefore important to architects since they help them in decision making.
Dialectics of Landscape and Representation
This article was authored by Joern Langhorst. Joern currently works at the University of Colorado as an assistant professor. He also has a wide knowledge and proficiency in landscape architecture. This is evidenced by the fact that he has a PhD in landscape architecture. He has also learnt much about space planning. His major interests are disciplines related to landscape. He specified that he is interested in ecological, social, economic and cultural factors that affect landscape architecture. He has also made great contributions in urban design, construction in the landscape and land art.
Apart from the above article, Joern has come up with other works that have made him famous. He has several articles regarding landscape architecture in order to create awareness among people on issues relating to various aspects of land. His other works include:
Conflicts between Public Art, Nature Conservation and Conservation of Historic Park Elements in the State Park Karlsaue Kassel (2004).
Kunst und Natur” (Art and Nature).This was published in 1996.
“Landscape Architecture: A Terminal Case (2005).
In this article, Joern explains some of the problems that were faced by land designers. He argued that the designers had the problem of locating the most appropriate tools of representation for their job. This is mainly due to the fact that some parts of landscape involve complex systems that are difficult to deal with. He also pointed out on the issue of derelict land by arguing that this form of land increased the cost of designing. He came up with four dialectics that were faced by landscape designers. These were; representation and the real thing, static and dynamic dilemmas, complexity and simplification and simultaneous versus consecutive construction. He argued that landscape designers should find the best ways to tackle these dilemmas. According to him, proper planning is the key to effective design.
Four Trace Concepts
This article was authored by Christophe Girot. Girot has made wide contributions in landscape design and architecture. He holds top positions in several institutions regarding landscape architecture. His proficiency in landscape architecture has enabled him to be awarded top positions in learning institutions that teach landscape architecture. His major interests are landscape design and the arguments of media’s perception towards landscape architecture. He has several built projects that are situated in France. He has made great contributions in landscape architecture in Zurich.
Apart from the article “Four Trace Concepts,” Girot has written other works that have enabled him improve his proficiency in landscape architecture. One of his other works includes:
Eulogy of the Void: The Lost Power of Berlin Landscapes (1989).
In the article “Four Trace Concepts”, the author argued that there are four trace concepts that may be used as tools for conducting landscape design. According to him, the four concepts are landing, grounding, finding and founding. He argued that during the process of landing, the designer is in the process of making discoveries to evaluate the situation of the available land to be designed. Grounding involves collecting adequate information regarding the land under discovery. This will also involve making regular visits that involve conducting studies in the area discovered. He described the concept of finding as the process of looking for the best possible alternative based on the discoveries made.
This article explains that founding is the process of executing the actual construction and design in the already found architecture. The author also argued that a combination of the four concepts may be very important in recovering derelict architecture.
