Table Of Content

Landscape Theory in Design Phenomenology, Materiality, Cybernetics, Palimpsest, Cyborgs, Landscape Urbanism, Typology, Semiotics, Deconstruction – the minefield of theoretical ideas that students must navigate today can be utterly confusing, and how do these theories translate to the design studio? Landscape Theory in Design introduces theoretical ideas to students without the use of jargon or an assumption of extensive knowledge in other fields, and in doing so, links these ideas to the processes of design. In five thematic chapters Susan Herrington explains: the theoretic groundings of the theory or philosophy, why it matters to design, an example of the theory in a work of landscape architecture from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, debates surrounding the theory (particularly as they elaborate modern and postmodern thought) and primary readings that can be read as companions to her text. An extensive glossary of theoretical terms also adds a vital contribution to students’ comprehension of theories relevant to the design of landscapes and gardens. Covering the designs of over 40 landscape architects, architects, and designers in 111 distinct projects from 20 different countries, Landscape Theory in Design is essential reading for any student of the landscape. Susan Herrington is Professor in the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, where she teaches in the landscape architecture and architecture programmes. She is author of On Landscapes (Routledge) and Cornelia Hahn Oberlander: Making the Modern Landscape. She is also a licensed landscape architect in the State of Connecticut. This book is a remarkable contribution to landscape architecture as a practice and as a discipline. Herrington brings clarity to what is often obtuse in design theory, while revealing the significance of tackling theory whether as a student, a teacher, or a practicing professional. Provocative images and questions framed by equally thoughtful prose comprise a rich body of landscape and design thinking and experience. This book will be a core resource in teaching and will more broadly increase the intellectual rigor of the discipline. Thaisa Way, Professor, Landscape Architecture, University of Washington What is landscape theory in design? In her new book addressed to students, Susan Herrington shares her insights and experience as a professor of architecture and landscape architecture, giving valuable answers. Timely, clear, and easily accessible with a wealth of case studies from around the world and numerous color illustrations, Herrington illuminates the theories that can help us analyze, understand, and interpret designed landscapes. From phenomenology to cybernetics, semiotics to deconstruction, readers will learn how these ideas and concepts relate to designed landscapes. A first of its kind, Landscape Theory in Design is also a manifesto for meaningful and critical landscape design and activism. Sonja Dümpelmann, Harvard University Graduate School of Design Susan Herrington takes us on a courageous, critical excursion in this clearly writ- ten and richly illustrated book, providing an overview of ideas that guide thinking through the design process. In an explicit attempt to help students examine their design thinking and motivations, Herrington unravels the roots of landscape architectural theory from philosophy to sociology in order to identify sources of normative theory in landscape architecture. This is further demonstrated through a valuable analysis of projects completed by designers and artists. Herrington also includes suggested questions and readings, a glossary, and a comprehen- sive bibliography. This will become a ‘must have’ text in schools of landscape architecture. Marcella Eaton, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of Manitoba Landscape Theory in Design Susan Herrington First published 2017 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2017 Susan Herrington The right of Susan Herrington to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Names: Herrington, Susan, author. Title: Landscape theory in design / Susan Herrington. Description: New York, NY : Routledge, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2016020490| ISBN 9780415705943 (hardback : alk. paper) | ISBN 9780415705950 (pbk. : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781315470771 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Landscape design. | Landscape architecture—Philosophy. Classification: LCC SB472.45 .H47 2017 | DDC 712.01—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016020490 ISBN: 978-0-415-70594-3 (hbk) ISBN: 978-0-415-70595-0 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-315-47077-1 (ebk) Typeset in Univers by Keystorke, Neville Lodge, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton Contents Introduction 1 1 Forming 12 Theoretical groundings of formalism 12 Why formalism matters 16 Formalism in action 16 Formalism debated 25 Primary reading for formalism 25 Theoretical groundings of expression theory 25 Why expression theory matters 29 Expression theory in action 29 Expression theory debated 33 Primary reading for expression theory 33 Theoretical groundings of function 34 Why function matters 35 Function in action 36 Function debated 40 Primary reading for function 41 Theoretical groundings of form generation 41 Why form generation matters 42 Form generation in action 43 Form generation debated 48 Primary reading for form generation 49 Theoretical groundings of interventions 49 Why interventions matter 52 Interventions in action 52 Interventions debated 56 Primary reading for interventions 56 Notes 56 v (cid:2) (cid:3) Contents 2 Spatial practices 61 Theoretical groundings of spatial constructs 61 Why spatial constructs matter 66 Spatial constructs in action 67 Spatial constructs debated 75 Primary reading for spatial constructs 76 Theoretical groundings of illusionary space 77 Why illusionary space matters 78 Illusionary space in action 78 Illusionary space debated 85 Primary reading for illusionary space 86 Theoretical groundings of phenomenology 86 Why phenomenology matters 87 Phenomenology in action 88 Phenomenology debated 92 Primary reading for phenomenology 93 Theoretical groundings of memory and space 93 Why memory and space matter 94 Memory and space in action 95 Memory and space debated 100 Primary reading for space and memory 100 Theoretical groundings of contested space 100 Why contested space matters 102 Contested space in action 102 Contested spaces debated 106 Primary reading for contested space 107 Notes 107 3 Material matters 112 Theoretical groundings of materiality 112 Why materiality matters 114 Materiality in action 115 Materiality debated 120 Primary reading for materiality 121 Theoretical groundings for the truth of materials 121 Why truth of materials matters 124 Truth of materials in action 125 Truth of material debated 129 Primary reading for truth of materials 131 Theoretical groundings of palimpsest 131 Why palimpsest matters 133 Palimpsest in action 133 Palimpsest debated 137 vi (cid:2) Contents (cid:3) Primary reading for palimpsest 138 Theoretical groundings of consequentialism 138 Why consequentialism matters 140 Consequentialism in action 141 Consequentialism debated 147 Primary reading for consequentialism 148 Notes 148 4 Language 153 Theoretical groundings of typology 153 Why typology matters 156 Typology in action 157 Typology debated 164 Primary reading for typology 165 Theoretical groundings of semantics 165 Why semantics matters 168 Semantics in action 170 Semantics debated 176 Primary reading for semantics 177 Theoretical groundings of semiotics 178 Why semiotics matters 180 Semiotics in action 182 Semiotics debated 188 Primary reading for semiotics 190 Theoretical groundings of structuralism 190 Why structuralism matters 192 Structuralism in action 195 Structuralism debated 200 Primary reading for structuralism 201 Theoretical groundings of post-structuralism 201 Why post-structuralism matters 204 Post-structuralism in action 205 Post-structuralism debated 211 Primary reading for post-structuralism 212 Notes 212 5 Systems logic 221 Theoretical groundings of systems theory and cybernetics 221 Why systems theory and cybernetics matter 224 Systems theory and cybernetics in action 225 Systems theory and cybernetics debated 230 Primary reading systems theory and cybernetics 231 Theoretical groundings of infrastructure 232 vii (cid:2) (cid:3) Contents Why infrastructure matters 233 Infrastructure in action 234 Infrastructure debated 240 Primary reading for infrastructure 241 Theoretical groundings of aleatory systems 241 Why aleatory systems matter 243 Aleatory systems in action 244 Aleatory systems debated 250 Primary reading for aleatory systems 251 Theoretical groundings for digital systems 251 Why digital systems matter 254 Digital systems in action 256 Digital systems debated 263 Primary reading for digital systems 264 Theoretical groundings for diagramming 265 Why diagramming matters 267 Diagramming in action 268 Diagramming debated 271 Primary reading for diagramming 272 Notes 272 Glossary 280 Bibliography 297 Index 319 viii (cid:2) Introduction WHAT IS A THEORY, AND WHO CARES? What is a theory? Theories are debatable explanations concerning how you interpret phenomena in the world, make sense of experiences, discover patterns, and produce meaning. Notice I wrote “debatable.” Unlike the sciences, where “theory” is a phase in the scientific method, in the humanities most theories remain in the contested territory of debate. This means that the majority of theories introduced to you in this book are best estimates and debatable accounts. The goal of Landscape Theory in Design is to introduce you to theoretical ideas that will be useful in the design process. Certainly, not all theories are useful in design. In general there are three types of theories – resistant, normative, and explanatory – that are particularly germane to design and can serve as powerful motivators for those designing landscapes.1 Resistance theory challenges the status quo. The philosopher John Dewey thought that resistance was crucial to our experiences with art because it chal- lenged what we believe. Dewey thought if your beliefs were never tested your appreciation of art would be “transient and overweighted with sentiment” and “lack significant meaning.”2 Intervention theories in the Forming chapter (1) and contested spatial theories in the Spatial Practices chapter (2) are both resistance theories. Intervention theories seek to change the way people think and act by intervening in a specific context. Thus, they enable the designer to operate critically through the act of design by challenging people’s perception of a landscape. Contested spatial theories hold that designed spaces are key locations where culture, ideology, and capital are continually negotiated. Understanding the contestability of space facilitates an understanding of design as part of this negotiation. In short, contested spatial theories challenge the notion of space as simply a neutral area to be shaped by the landscape architect. Since resistance theories challenge the status quo they tend to be passionately debated among professionals. In the Language chapter (4) you will read about the landscape architect Martha Schwartz, whose Bagel Garden questioned the role of plant material as the primary content of designed landscapes. This challenge struck a deep chord among readers of Landscape Architecture magazine, which fea- tured the Bagel Garden on the cover, and the garden’s merits were debated for 1 (cid:2)