Q. WHAT IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE?
Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor spaces
that create and improve the environment. It includes the
planning, design process, management, and stewardship
of land and vegetation.
Landscape architects often work with other professionals,
such as architects, planners, engineers, developers,
builders, and environmentalists to create beautiful and
functional outdoor spaces.
Landscape architects are responsible for creating spaces
that are both beautiful and functional. They must consider
a variety of factors, such as climate, topography, and the
needs of the people who will be using the space.
They also need to be aware of environmental issues such
as erosion and aim for sustainable design.
Q. LANDSCAPE DESIGN VERSUS
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Landscape design and landscape architecture are two
separate but related fields. To be a landscape architect,
you need a specific qualification whereas you can be a
landscape designer without formal qualifications.
Landscape design is the process of creating a visually
appealing and functional outdoor space. This can include
everything from choosing plants and flowers to designing
walkways and seating areas. Landscape designers often
work with clients to create spaces that meet their specific
needs and desires.
Landscape architecture is similar, but often deals with
larger scale projects such as parks and public squares.
Consideration must bFamous Landscape Architects
Q. FAMOUS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
Frederick Law Olmsted
● Considered by many to be the father of American
landscape architecture,
● Olmsted’s most famous urban design is Central Park
in New York City. Completed in 1858,
● The park spans more than 800 acres and is one of the
most popular tourist destinations in the city.
● Olmsted also designed parks and landscapes in other
major cities like Boston and Buffalo.
● His designs were based on the idea of creating
natural environments within the city, and he believed
that parks and gardens could be used to improve the
quality of life for city residents.
● Best Frederick Law Olmsted landscape designs:
1. Central Park, NYC
2. Buffalo Park System, New York
3. Elm Park, Worcester, Massachusetts
4. U.S. Capitol Grounds, Washington D.C.
5. The Biltmore Estate, North Carolina
6. Parc du Mont-Royal, Montreal
Q. ITALIAN RENAISSANCE GARDENS
● The renaissance garden style started in Italy with a renewed
interest by renaissance scholars of classical Roman models. They
were inspired by the descriptions of ancient Roman gardens.
● Due to Italy's hilly topography, this led to a number of villas sitting
in or above terraced gardens, overlooking the surrounding
landscape.
● IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF ITALIAN RENAISSANCE
GARDENS
1. Seamless Design - similar to the designs of late Roman villas,
Italian renaissance villas were designed with their gardens as an
extension of the building. Garden frescoes were painted inside the
villa, bringing the garden inside; courtyards and terraces were
modeled as outdoor rooms, extending the villa to the outside.
2. Axial Symmetry - defined by the entry to the villa building, Italian
renaissance gardens were designed along an axis that ran from
the villa entry to the end of the garden, and each side of the axis
mirrored each other in layout. The gardens were further subdivided
by pathways perpendicular to the main axis, resulting in a grid
pattern of similar spaces, often squares. These spaces were called
'compartmentii' and were usually bordered with a low fence or
hedge.
3. Surprise - as the renaissance gardens were built primarily for
pleasure, they were designed with rooms hidden from view that
were discovered while walking around the garden, features such as
unexpected views, grottoes and secret gardens .
4. Evergreen - green was the dominant color and to provide
year-round interest, Italian renaissance gardens made extensive
use of Boxwood, Italian cypress , laurel, yew, rosemary, and
junipers. All of which were able to shaped into topiary to create
sculptural shapes and define areas of the garden. Creating Order
and balance was the goal of renaissance topiary, representing
man’s power over nature.
5. Statuary - during this period, statues were used extensively in the
garden as part of the extension of the home. Statues of Roman
gods, goddesses and heroes of antiquity were commonly used.
6. Water Features - water was an important element due to the hot
climate of Italy. Irrigation techniques advanced during this period
and the water became important focal points in the forms of
fountains, streams and ponds to enhance the beauty of the garden.
● NOTABLE GARDENS OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE
1. Villa Medici Fiesole
2. Sacro Bosco
3. Villa Borghese
The Italian renaissance style garden was a great influence on the rest of
Europe and influenced the French and English Garden styles that came
after this period.
Q. EARTHFORMS
Q. GARDENS OF THE TAJ MAHAL
The Garden of Heaven concept was imported from Persia by the Mughals in the form of
Timurid Garden. They were the first architectural expression of the new empire created on
the Indian subcontinent, and they fulfilled various functions with strong symbolic meanings.
According to Babar, paradise has four rivers and a garden. Shah Jahan took River Yamuna as one of
the river and built the garden. Everything in the garden is in multiples of four. Initially, the garden
contained fruit trees, roses and daffodils. The garden came into the control of British during 19th
century. They transformed the garden into London style lawns. The garden was built at the same
time as that of the monument. The fountain in the garden was built during British rule.
Taj Mahal is beautiful not just because of its pure white marble structure but also for the splendid
green lawns within which it is located. The gardens of Taj Mahal are not just any other garden but a
meadow well planned and well maintained.
The Taj Mahal garden is a green carpet to the mausoleum as it begins at the main gateway and
ends at the base of the monument. It is a four by four garden and is popularly known as Charbagh.
The Taj Mahal garden is a Persian form. It is believed that the Charbagh is the garden of paradise as
mentioned in holy Quran. This type of paradisiacal garden was first constructed by the first Mughal
emperor, Babur and gradually passed on to the generations. The lush green garden of Taj Mahal is a
nest to hundreds of birds, while the blossoms are bright and colorful, spreading a sweet fragrance in
the air; a true painting of paradise.
Taj Mahal is 580 meters by 380 meters and the garden covers 300 meters of the same, hence
showcasing the importance of the garden that it has in the complete landscape of Taj Mahal. The Taj
Mahal garden gets ample supply of water from the River Yamuna, on the banks of which Taj Mahal is
located. There are a couple of major marble canals located at the garden along with fountains which
flow constantly with joy. In each quarter of the four by four garden of Taj Mahal there are 16 flower
beds. These flower beds are built over a raised platform and are believed to have been planted with
400 plants. It is worth noticing that every aspect of the garden is a multiple of four. It is believed in
Islam that four is a lucky number and hence Shah Jahan has kept the complete garden in sync with
the number.
Why is the Taj Mahal Garden so famous ?
The Taj complex covers 580x300m area and the garden covers 300x300m. The garden is divided
into four parts and each part has four flowerbeds. Each flower bed has 400 plants. The most
significant tree that can be found in the garden is Cyprus, which is the symbol of death. You can also
find a few fruit bearing trees inside the garden. There are two canals made with marbles and a
fountain in the center.There are four pathways and a raised lotus tank made with marble. Spotting
the reflection of the monument in the tank is an important activity here. The trees here are labeled
with their common name and scientific name. Most of the Mughal gardens have a tomb in the center
but Taj Mahal is located in a corner of the garden.
There are raised marble platforms in the garden that are used as benches. These benches are
called Diana benches. Garden is the best place to capture the beauty of the Taj Mahal, as a whole.
