Ebook A Study of Landscape Architecture Design Methods
How do different methods employed by landscape architects impact the design outcome? This paper identifies and defines design methods in landscape architecture that may be classified as part of four internal and external connections and structures categories. Methods are further examined through two design exercises. In the first design exercise, the identified methods are individually applied to the same simple design which is used as a control. The only variable changed is the method used to design. The resulting designs are shown and analyzed. In the second design exercise, three different methods are applied to a complex design. Similar to the first design exercise, all variables are held constant except for the design methods. The resulting design outcomes are shown and analyzed. One conclusion from this work recommends landscape architecture designers use at least one method in each of four categories: 1) Modeling Systems, 2) Interrelationship and Dependencies, 3) Incorporation and Adadaption, and 4) Structure Problems in order to explore complex design issues more thoroughly.
This thesis centers on the key question: What effect do different design methods employed by landscape architects have on the design outcome?
One component of the design process in landscape architecture is methodology, which should be a conscious choice of methods to achieve a desired result. However, many times the choice of methodology is not given much thought. The designer chooses a methodology that she or he is comfortable with or has used in the past with no little or no thought on how this choice meshes with the objective of the design. (Lynch, 270)
Methods influence three elements in design. First, they establish the structure of and connections in a design. Second, they have a direct determination on the design result. Finally, they serve as reference points and road maps from the abstract world of design to the concrete world in which the design is placed.
In order to examine the role methods play in landscape architecture design eighteen methods are identified, discussed, and categorized. Each method is applied to a simple design problem and the results are shown and discussed. From the information generated by application of each method to a simple design, three diverse methods are applied to a complex landscape design problem. The body of this paper consists of the analysis and implications of this analysis.
Four points summarize the key reasons for studying methods of landscape architecture design. First, the mental processes of landscape architecture design merit continual study given the expanding field. As a result, the process of design and how methods fit into this process is not understood, causing confusion and frustration for students not able to understand where in the design process they might have gone off course. (Jones, xxvi) Second, the increase in computerization and information technologies can lead to a flawed confidence that any problem can be solved if one has enough information or data points. Under this assumption, if one can gather all available information, the answer will be readily apparent and will be the only way to solve the problem. (Polk, 46) This is not true. The nonlinear and inherently human nature of landscape architecture demands an incorporation of a heuristic approach to landscape architecture. (Rowe, 18) Third, knowing the eighteen methods and their effects on the design outcome allows a landscape architect to choose a method that is most compatible with the designer’s end vision or design strategy. So the methods influence on the design should match the design intent. (Jones, 75) Fourth, understanding the methods in the design process allows a landscape architect to evaluate the end result of his or her design and to quickly construct changes in the design by applying different methods.
This thesis centers on the key question: What effect do different design methods employed by landscape architects have on the design outcome?
One component of the design process in landscape architecture is methodology, which should be a conscious choice of methods to achieve a desired result. However, many times the choice of methodology is not given much thought. The designer chooses a methodology that she or he is comfortable with or has used in the past with no little or no thought on how this choice meshes with the objective of the design. (Lynch, 270)
Methods influence three elements in design. First, they establish the structure of and connections in a design. Second, they have a direct determination on the design result. Finally, they serve as reference points and road maps from the abstract world of design to the concrete world in which the design is placed.
In order to examine the role methods play in landscape architecture design eighteen methods are identified, discussed, and categorized. Each method is applied to a simple design problem and the results are shown and discussed. From the information generated by application of each method to a simple design, three diverse methods are applied to a complex landscape design problem. The body of this paper consists of the analysis and implications of this analysis.
Four points summarize the key reasons for studying methods of landscape architecture design. First, the mental processes of landscape architecture design merit continual study given the expanding field. As a result, the process of design and how methods fit into this process is not understood, causing confusion and frustration for students not able to understand where in the design process they might have gone off course. (Jones, xxvi) Second, the increase in computerization and information technologies can lead to a flawed confidence that any problem can be solved if one has enough information or data points. Under this assumption, if one can gather all available information, the answer will be readily apparent and will be the only way to solve the problem. (Polk, 46) This is not true. The nonlinear and inherently human nature of landscape architecture demands an incorporation of a heuristic approach to landscape architecture. (Rowe, 18) Third, knowing the eighteen methods and their effects on the design outcome allows a landscape architect to choose a method that is most compatible with the designer’s end vision or design strategy. So the methods influence on the design should match the design intent. (Jones, 75) Fourth, understanding the methods in the design process allows a landscape architect to evaluate the end result of his or her design and to quickly construct changes in the design by applying different methods.
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