Meaning in Garden Design
How do we create meaning in design?
To create meaning in a site we need to connect the physical space to concepts, images, thoughts, and feelings.
To do this we could use materials and shapes to connect to the history of the site. We could use smells and scents to replay a space in time.
Creating meaning in materials
Margie Ruddick in Wild By Design: Strategies for Creating Life-enhancing Landscapes (2016) asks “are we engaging in art of ecology?” “In many cases aesthetic operations such as a choice of material have served a larger goal, such as making connections between things that have been cut off or distanced from each other.”[1]
Messaging
How do you create a consistent thread throughout the design? How can you make a space that has tells the same story throughout?
Developing and seeing meaning in natural landscapes
How do we connect
Sculpture
Memorial
Smells and scents
Materials that evoke a memory
Use similar construction techniques
References
[1] Ruddick, Wild By Design: Strategies for Creating Life-Enhancing Landscapes.
Session Outline
Resources
Meaning in Landscape Architecture and Gardens - Marc Treib
Introduction to Landscape Design- By John L. Motloch Page 7-10
Activity
Brainstorm ideas that could connect a landscape to the feeling ……..
For the site provided. Link
Create a concept plan for the front yard of the property that embeds meaning into the landscape.
The house is a Californian Bungalow in becoming gentrified suburb of Melbourne formally an industrial area. The house was owned by Fred who has now moved into a retirement village. Fred was a train driver fascinated with mechanical things, particularly interested in planes. His deceased wife Beatrice loved the colour red and connecting with the family and community.
The house has been passed on to the only grandchild who is married in her mid 30’s. Rachael and her partner are both working professionals. They work 4 days a week and like to spend time in the garden and connecting with the community.
No children yet but expecting them in the future. The front yard should be a social area that connects them to the community. They like to BBQ in the front yard and catch up with the people in the street. The do not intend on having pets in the future. They would like fruit trees and a vegetable garden to be incorporated into the design.
The front yard was mainly covered in grass with a concrete driveway with grass strip up the centre.
Outputs
Inspirations images
Schematic drafts minimum of 3
Development of ideas across a couple of drawings.
Concept plan
Elevation drawing