Landscape HISTORY & THEORY: History, Theory, Sustainability, Books, Vitruvius, Landscape Architecture, Manifesto, Lanship, Mimesis, Professional Oath, Landscape Architecture History and Theory CD, Definitions,

History and theory of landscape architecture & garden design

The history and theory of landscape architecture are intertwined with each other and with garden design. Because of these inter-relationships we have spread the discussion of design theory between the Gardens Guide and Landscape Architecture Guide sections of the Gardenvisit.com website. The broader issues are discussed in the Landscape Architecture Guide. There is more practical advice, for students, on approaching design projects in the Design Guide section of the Gardens Guide.

It is necessary to a theory of what a subject is before one can write its history. The term 'landscape architecture' was invented in 1828.  When Olmsted and Vaux gave landscape architecture its current meaning they did not  write a history. Olmsted was a skilled author and, had he attempted the task, would probably have followed Loudon and written a history of garden design.

We have proposed a Manifesto to clarify the aims and objectives of landscape architecture.

Definition of landscape architecture

The term 'landscape architecture' is not widely understood. Medical doctors get round the problem of their correct title being misunderstood (physician from the Greek, 'one who has physike episteme, knowledge of nature') by calling themselves 'doctors'. Landscape architects should get round the problem by calling themselves garden designers, landscape designers, landscape planners - or whatever their specialism may be.

Definitions: Landscape architecture can be defined as 'the art of composing landform, water, vegetation, horizontal structures, vertical structures and climate to create good outdoor space'.