Seeing the big picture : the place of landscape architecture

Abstract

The following dissertation stems from an initial encounter with what was intended to be a short seminar on the topic 'Modernism in Landscape Architecture'. The outcome of the findings were that such a topic couldn't be dealt with neatly nor briefly summarised, a review of theoretical research revealed a curious absence of design theory and even less critical discussion, stranger in the fact that the discipline appears to be growing in its influence and effect on the real world.

The dissertation sets out to investigate the context of present day theory and then to explore possible constructive developments. Rather than engaging in a reductive analysis, the emphasis here is on retaining an overview, believing that even in these times of liberal pluralism it is possible to see the big picture and thereby gain an understanding of where we stand. With the limitations on time and resources the study in many ways sets out to be a synthesis. The principle writers drawn upon in this text are alphabetically Kenneth Frampton, Christian Norhberg-Schulz, Edward Relph and Manfredo Tafuri. None are explicitly writers of landscape architecture. In fact it is only one of them that even makes mention of it and that is Relph.

A bending and cross pollination to landscape architecture is attempted, how fertile this turns out to be will be revealed in the course of the study. It is presumed the reader will have some familiarity with the disciplines ideas and practise, and will find the following stimulating even provocative.