The landscape of visitor centres

Abstract

Guidelines to an understanding of visitor centres and how they impose and are imposed upon by the landscape. This dissertation is principally directed to Landscape Architects and those involved in the design and implementation of visitor centres in relation to the landscape. Its emphasis is on fostering an understanding of visitor centres and their relationship to the landscape rather than providing hard and fast practical solutions, in which, needless to say, landscape professionals should be well versed.

This dissertation is divided into five basic parts, and although distinct, are closely interconnected.

Part one: An introduction outlining aims, defining the problem and the visitor centre.

Part two: A philosophic view of attitudes to visitor centres in the past and present, and how they affect our perception of the landscape.

Part three: A look at the practical application of how an understanding of the visitor centre affects design at ground level.

Part four; Case studies - Two case studies examining how two visitor centres have been related to the landscape.

Part five: A look to the future and the implications involved. Also a conclusion and a summary of resources.