Which architect worth her salt has not heard of Sullivan's cardinal rule 'form Sollows function'? And yet, every city has its share of structures that are good to behold, but miserably fail in functionality. Unfortunately, knowing what matters is not the same as doing what matters. This anomaly is evident even in landscape projects. While manicured landscapes can be spectacular, they stand alienated from the surrounding natural landscape. Designing for beauty often disregards vital biophysical characteristics of the land. Such designs are ecologically cut off from the larger natural ecosystems.
Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, the French restoration architect conceptualized excellence in architecture on how its structure is designed. He believed that each element should be joined to the next and the whole in a manner analogous to the composition of an organic body. Ecologists couldn't agree more. This is how ecosystems are built, and that is why they support us with indispensable life-sustaining services. Carbon sequestration and atmospheric gas balance, hydrological cycle, decomposition and nutrient cycling, groundwater recharge, seed dispersal, and germination are just some of the services that ecosystems generate. The health of natural ecosystems is influenced by species composition, structure, and complexity within the food chain. Natural forests are not designed for beauty, but you don't hear anyone call them ugly! Their appeal comes from the complexity of their composition and structure. The central argument of this article is that by mimicking nature, landscape architects can recreate the charm of natural ecosystems while supporting the ecological productivity of the larger landscape.
Demystifying Natural Ecosystems
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة LA 78 من Journal of Landscape Architecture.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة LA 78 من Journal of Landscape Architecture.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
PLANTING IN URBAN AREAS NOTES
In urban landscapes, while balancing aesthetic design with their ecological functions, the understanding of plants in respect of their ecozones*, microhabitats, and species plays a crucial role. Native plants offer ecological benefits but face challenges in urban environments. There are some pragmatic considerations in this regard.
PLANTS IN ECOLOGY AND DESIGN
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SURAT DIAMOND BOURSE
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BEAUTY FOLLOWS COMPLEXITY
Designers must heed Sullivan's \"form follows function\" to avoid beauty over function. Following nature in landscape design enhances ecological productivity while promoting sustainability with principles of use of native species, biodiversity, and conservation of natural resources.
