Pioneers of American Landscape Design - Hardcover

Birnbaum, Charles A.; Karson, Robin; Historic Landscape Initiative, National Park Service; History, Inc.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0071344209 ISBN 13: 9780071344203

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2000

Synopsis

An important look at 140 prominent landscape architects and their work, full of new and archival photographs--the first reference book of its kind. An absolute must for landscape architects, students, and anyone interested in the design and evolution of the American landscape. Each entry includes biographical information, a discussion of the architects' approach and methodology, and representative plans and photographs of major projects. Emphasizes vital issues in landscape preservation and ecologically sound design.

Excerpts from a review from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Patricia Lowry on 9/30/00:

"Pioneers" will quickly become an indispensable resource for anyone working in the field. Attractively designed and packed with more than 450 plans and photographs (including 100 in color), it's also just fun to look at and read ...

For each entry, "Pioneers" also includes a brief bibliography. The book also can serve as a travel guide; at the end is a list of sites open to the public. ...

At least 14 of the pioneers have surviving gardens, landscapes or parks here -- a reminder that this region has nationally significant landscapes that should be cherished and protected. ...

The book strives to capture not only achievements but also personality ...Birnbaum's hope is that the book will inspire academics, students and other researchers ...

About this title

From the Back Cover:

The first A-to-Z look at the trailblazers of American landscape architecture. "...more than a Who's Who of the landscape architecture profession, the book also introduces the fascinating history of the designers of the American landscape, from George Washington and Thomas jefferson to James Rose and Thomas Church. Its 450 illustrations are a rich source of inspiration to contemporary designers, and its list of accessible sites facilitates visits for truer understanding of design principles." - Peter Walker, FASLA. "Pioneers is a treasure trove of information about the origins of the profession of landscape design in this country. The book reveals the richness of the early design legacy created by this country's early landscape design movement. It provides a fascinating acount of the many designers involved, the variety of their talents, and the range of their accomplishments." - Charles E. Beveridge. INSIDE FLAP COPY Horticulture and history, commerce and culture, aesthetics and engineering-all these and more intersect at the decision points of landscape architecture. Pioneers of American Landscape Design introduces you to the geniuses and more ordinary folk who brought about the key decisions that shaped American landscapes and public spaces-and established the United States as a leader in land design, planning, and conservation. Told in 160 revealing biographical essays illustrated with more than 450 plans and photographs (100 in full color), this book is the first to embrace the entire scope of this important, historic subject. Pioneers of American Landscape Design takes you from border to border and across time from pre-American Revolution to modern designs from the recent past. This broad-spectrum portrait expands conventional definitions of landscape architecture to include key figures not previously associated with the profession. At the same time, it focuses in to bring you previously unrecognized details of design and development. In this book you'll meet American presidents who were just as interested in sitelines on their estates as they were in governmental administration. You'll work alongside the immortal Frederick Law Olmsted as he developed plans for an 843-acre park at the heart of the most bustling city in the world. And you'll come to understand the creative lobbying initiatives of Genevieve Gillette which were instrumental in the establishment and protection of two national lakeshores and over 30 state parks in her beloved Michigan. You'll watch the soft-spoken Charles Eliot, in only 38 years of life, quietly apply the force of his pen and his personal knack for persuasion to shape a system of parks that serves Boston to this day, and inspired the historic land trust movement in Great Britain. Encompassing venues that include parks and gardens, city and campus plans, cemeteries and burial grounds, arboreta and botanic gardens, seashores and preserves, even playgrounds and amusement parks, as well as other unusual locales, this milestone reference is both resource and talisman for the growing movement to preserve historic landscapes. As moving as it is fascinating, Pioneers of American Landscape Design explores both the art and practicalities of landscape design. It sees designers as both artists and deal-makers. It considers such design concepts as understanding the "spirit of the place," as well as such pragmatic realities as the politics of park design. Touching people at their core in a way that few other arts can, American landscape architecture at last finds its full telling in this book. A lively reading experience and an ongoing tale, Pioneers of American Landscape Design is both a paean to what is, and an eye-opening window on the future. In this one-of-a-kind landmark resource, more than 160 bilgraphical portraits reveal the fascinating story of American landscape architeture, from George WAshington's designs for Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson's careful planning of Monticello through James Rose's contemporary tree-through-the-roof creations, toward the still-evolving future. Featuring seminal figures in planning, engineering, and horticulture not traditionally recognized as landscape architects, as well as leading figures from the field itself, this world illuminates the myriad facets that spark intrigue with both the mystical and the matter-of-fact aspects of the art, from the inspiration of place, through the coordination of practical and economic needs with deeper yearnings. Key developments in landscape architectural history vividly come alive through the stories of the champions who literally changed the face of America... Within Each Entry, You'll find: *Fascinating biographical information *A discussion of the pioneer's approach and methodology *Plans and photographs of major projects *Listings of sites where designers' work may still be seen Page after page, Pioners of American Landscape Design also brings home the values - and vital issues - surrounding landscape preservation and ecologically sound design. An absolute must for landscape architects, students, and anyone interested in the design and evolution of the American landscape, this book is a true find - as rich and varied as its subject.

From the Inside Flap:

Horticulture and history, commerce and culture, aesthetics and engineering--all these and more intersect at the decision points of landscape architecture.

Pioneers of American Landscape Design introduces you to the geniuses and more ordinary folk who brought about the key decisions that shaped American landscapes and public spacesand established the United States as a leader in land design, planning, and conservation.

Told in 160 revealing biographical essays illustrated with more than 450 plans and photographs (100 in full color), this book is the first to embrace the entire scope of this important, historic subject. Pioneers of American Landscape Design takes you from border to border and across time from pre-American Revolution to modern designs from the recent past. This broad-spectrum portrait expands conventional definitions of landscape architecture to include key figures not previously associated with the profession. At the same time, it focuses in to bring you previously unrecognized details of design and development.

In this book you'll meet American presidents who were just as interested in sitelines on their estates as they were in governmental administration. Youll work alongside the immortal Frederick Law Olmsted as he developed plans for an 843-acre park at the heart of the most bustling city in the world. And youll come to understand the creative lobbying initiatives of Genevieve Gillette which were instrumental in the establishment and protection of two national lakeshores and over 30 state parks in her beloved Michigan.

You'll watch the soft-spoken Charles Eliot, in only 38 years of life, quietly apply the force of his pen and his personal knack for persuasion to shape a system of parks that serves Boston to this day, and inspired the historic land trust movement in Great Britain.

Encompassing venues that include parks and gardens, city and campus plans, cemeteries and burial grounds, arboreta and botanic gardens, seashores and preserves, even playgrounds and amusement parks, as well as other unusual locales, this milestone reference is both resource and talisman for the growing movement to preserve historic landscapes.

As moving as it is fascinating, Pioneers of American Landscape Design explores both the art and practicalities of landscape design. It sees designers as both artists and deal-makers. It considers such design concepts as understanding the spirit of the place, as well as such pragmatic realities as the politics of park design.

Touching people at their core in a way that few other arts can, American landscape architecture at last finds its full telling in this book. A lively reading experience and an ongoing tale, Pioneers of American Landscape Design is both a paean to what is, and an eye-opening window on the future.

About this edition

• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0071344209
• ISBN 13: 9780071344203
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 486