Radical Landscapes: Reinventing Outdoor Space - Hardcover

Amidon, Jane

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 050051044X ISBN 13: 9780500510445

Publisher: Thames & Hudson, 2001

Synopsis

For many years landscape design was an often disregarded component of the building it surrounded. Today, however, the highly professional practice of landscape architecture is one of the most active and revolutionary areas of design. Drawing on a broad palette of ideas and concepts, landscape designers are reshaping man-made surroundings, from small-scale private gardens to large public spaces. Radical Landscapes presents entirely new ways of seeing and designing outdoor space. Innovative, sometimes synthetic materials, unusual plants, and unexpected forms offer alternative solutions to standard approaches to gardens and yards. To help the reader unlock the potential hidden in any landscape, the book is organized according to the most important issues and techniques of the moment: light and color, movement, order and objects, interaction, new contexts, urban interventions, and narrative. Each chapter is illustrated with works by internationally known designers and architects such as Fernando Caruncho, Adriaan Geuze, Kathryn Gustafson, Walter Hood, Maya Lin, Reiser & Umemoto, and Peter Walker. Meticulously researched and written in an engaging and accessible style by practicing landscape architect Jane Amidon, the texts are packed with information and ideas, a boundless source for professional and enthusiast alike. 433 illustrations, 313 in color.

About this title

About the Author

Jane Amidon holds a master's degree in landscape architecture from Harvard's Graduate School of Design. She worked closely with Dan Kiley, America's master landscape architect, for over five years and co-authored Dan Kiley: The Complete Works of America's Master Landscape Architect. She established her own practice in Colorado in 1998.

Reviews

A practicing landscape architect, Amidon (coauthor, Dan Kiley: The Complete Works of America's Master Landscape Architect, Bulfinch, 1999) surveys a variety of contemporary built landscapes in 15 countries, grouped under seven themes that are each explained in a scholarly essay. What makes these diverse projects so "radical"? They all confound conventional expectations of places like atria, parks, gardens, campuses, airports, private yards, flower shows, or expositions. As consistent alternate visions, each is thought-provoking, even inspirational, and some designs like the pools and fountains managing stormwater at the Sydney Olympic Games site may influence other ecological rescue projects. Hundreds of excellent captioned illustrations help the reader comprehend these designs; detailed project credits are included. Recommended for academic libraries supporting landscape architecture programs. David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., BC
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 050051044X
• ISBN 13: 9780500510445
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192