Landscape Architecture Criticism

Landscape Architecture Criticism offers techniques, perspectives and theories which relate to landscape architecture, a field very different from the more well-known domains of art and architectural criticism. Throughout the book, Bowring delves into questions such as, how do we know if built or unbuilt works of landscape architecture are successful? What strategies are used to measure the success or failure, and by whom? Does design criticism only come in written form? It brings together diverse perspectives on criticism in landscape architecture, establishing a substantial point of reference for approaching design critique, exploring how criticism developed within the discipline. Beginning with an introductory overview to set the framework, the book then moves on to historical perspectives, the purpose of critique, theoretical positions ranging from aesthetics, to politics and experience, unbuilt projects, techniques, and communication. Written for professionals and academics, as well as for students and instructors in landscape architecture, it includes strategies, diagrams, matrices, and full colour illustrations to prompt discussion and provide a basis for exploring design critique.

Jacky Bowring is Professor of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University, New Zealand. She is the author of A Field Guide to Melancholy (2008), Melancholy and the Landscape: Locating Sadness, Memory and Reflection in the Landscape (2016), and editor of Landscape Review, and explores ideas about landscape architecture through research, critique, and design, including a winning design in journal LA+'s international competition to design an island.

1 Introduction 2 History of landscape architectural criticism 3 Motives and methods for critique 4 Theoretical overview 5 Theoretical positions: Art and Aesthetics 6 Theoretical positions: Meaning and politics 7 Theoretical positions: Experience and emotion 8 Theoretical positions: Context 9 Theoretical positions: Function and performance 10 Critique of the unbuilt 11 Combining and contrasting critiques 12 Communicating criticism 13 Conclusion