LA 203 Lexicon Journal

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Table of Contents Lexicon Entries p. 1 p. 2 p. 3 p. 4 p. 5 p. 6 p. 7 p. 8 p. 9 p. 10

External Discussion Responses p. 11 p. 12 p. 13 p. 14 p. 15 p. 16 p. 17 p. 18

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Theory Responses p. 19 p. 20 p. 21 p. 22 p. 23 p. 24 p. 25 p. 26

Insights p. 27 p. 28

Baseline Stochastic Moire Incongruous Anthropocentric Inflect Emergence Dynamic Intricate Orientation

Liam Young Diagram San Gabriel Watershed Diagram Evan (SWA) Diagram Greg Lynn Diagram

Rambunctious Garden Diagram Instinctual Marks Diagram Projective Ecologies Diagram Composing Landscapes Diagrams

Personal Insight Personal Insight

BASELINE

STOCHASTIC

[beys-lahyn]

[stuh-kas-tik]

A reference state or a zero point before all negative changes to a specific place. A time in the past with set of conditions as a standard for refering to changes that have occurred in a place.

According to some people the baseline is “the one correct state.�

A process involving a randomly determined sequence of observations, with each observation considered as a sample of one element from a source of distribution. involves a random variable of which the successive values are not independent.

pollution cloud bird nesting habitat soil accumulation trash accumulation wind speed and direction Revitalize Resinstate

Revive

Restore

Processes Renew

measured by Rehabilitate

sequences of observations

somewhat random unpredictable

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The diagram shows the idea that some people maintain about restoring places to a previous conditions or a baseline. In this case we are considering the Rio Hondo and the condition of the river prior to channelizing. The idea of returning to a baseline is one that is subjective and open to interpretation based on where the baseline is being set to.

not continuous

variables

controlled by probability

2

The diagram shows the parts that make up a field. The parts are all present from a system of distribution that connects all of the individual parts. The images show a series of observations made that themselves are separate, but are dependent on each other for the existence or qualities they posses.

MOIRE

INCONGRUOUS

[mwahr, mawr, mohr]

[in-kong-groo-uh s]

Figural effect produced by the superposition of two regular fields. Can result in unexpected effects which exhibit complex and seemingly irregular behaviors. Can measure hidden stresses in continuous fields or map complex figural forms.

Out of place or keeping. Can be used to express a condtion of innappropriate or unbecoming use. Can also be used to express a lack of harmony within a set of condtions or parts, or inconsistency. Somthing that is incompatibe or contains parts that are disparate or discordant.

Joint

Concrete created to suppress tension

Soil

Concrete

Soil

Joint

used as Concrete niche for plant growth

Soil

Concrete

Soil This diagram and image are shown to express the idea of the superposition of fields onto one another to reveal new relationships and expose conditions and patterns that would not have been apparent as separate fields.

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Joints in concrete were made to reduce the tension in a slab, and to prevent the development of cracking. The intention of the joint along the Rio Hondo has served another purpose that was not intended, an opportunity for plant growth. This condition being incongruent is subjective to the viewer.

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ANTHROPOCENTRIC

INFLECT

[an-thruh-poh-sen-trik]

[in-flekt]

Regarding the human being as the central fact of the universe. Can also be expressed as a viewpoint and interpretation of everything in terms of human experience and values. This is a viewpoint that most of us carry within us as we go about our day to day activities and focus on whats going on in our own lives rather than the rest of the world or universe. A lack of perspective of the relative nature of life.

To cause or deviate from a straight or normal line or course. Can also be used to describe a change in tone, pitch, or rhythm within a set or predictable circumstances. Bending and curving are charcateristics of inflect, usually in reference to a diversion from a typical course or path.

human lives over lives of ecosystems

flood control save humans

When consideringhow to deal with flooding scenarios along seasonal rivers, the only factor taken into account was humans. The biodiverse habitats along and within the rivers were disregarded as unimportant compared to the saftey of humans, resulting in the loss of habitat and the concrete channeling of the Rio Hondo.

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The image above shows a change in the path elevation and direction from the prior course of consistent conditions. The diagram expresses a similar quality in the change in tone and pitch experienced in the center portion of the line segment.

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EMERGENCE

DYNAMIC [dahy-nam-ik]

[ih-mur-juh ns]

Characterized by constant progress, change, or activity. Landscapes in themselves are dynamic because of the constant flux and change that is occuring through natural or man made forces. It can be used to describe anything that is changing or developing whether it is in a visible sense, or something that is evident with the passing of time. Physical and biological processes of the earth fascilitate the dynamic nature that each landscape exudes.

Involves the arise of insight or ideas that are revealed through study and observation. Can be manifest through relationships or patterns that are made apparent by analyzing individual agents and the interactions or characteristics between them. Something that was previosuly unknown that comes about through greater understanding.

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5

10

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The emergence of relationships in a system is an exciting concept and one that offers insight into ecosystems that might not have been previously understood. Ina field theyre are relationships between all the parts, usually dependent on one another. These relationships emerge through the understanding and study of a place as is the case in the Rio Hondo.

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The San Gabriel Mountains are the fasting growing mountains in Southern California and are emblematic of dynamic in the sense that they are constantly changing through physical forces. The change in the physical composition of the mountains influences change in biological processes as well, resulting in an ever evolving dynamic landscape. The diagram above shows the site for our project along the Rio Hondo along with the planting and seeding strtegy that will be implemented to develop over time and contribute to the existing dynamic of the site.

INTRICATE

ORIENTATION

[in-tri-kit]

[awr-ee-uh n-tey-shuh n] The relative position of something, determined by the realtionship to other things. In order to find direction, we orient ourselves based on polar and solar pathways, or by determining the relative distance or direction of landmarks among other ways. Orientation gives us direction and context to help us navigate, create, and respond.

Used as a means of describing something that is complex in nature, in something that exists with many interrelated parts or facets. Intricate can be used to express a condition of being entangled or involved. Can also describe something that is hard to understand, work,or make due to the multiplicity of components that are interconnected.

N

W

E

This diagram displays the means by which orientation is made possible. When on our project site along the Rio Hondo, one can orient themselves based upon the direction of the channel, or by using the mountains as a means of determining your position or context.

The complexity of systems as intricate as the ones along the Rio Hondo is something to be marveled at. All of the aspects or parts of the field are connected and involved with one another. These relationships are all interrelated, creating an intricate weave of parts that all tie into each other.

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LIAM YOUNG

LIAM YOUNG

at Machine Inspired Art

at Machine Inspired Art

The lecture by Liam Young at Machine Inspired Art was a perfect example of how to build a narrative, and to communicate those ideas into a design. The digital world is something that continues to grow daily and has everyone's heads stuck in it, being unaware of what is going on outside of the new digital reality. Liam took this sad story of our incessant addiction to the digital world and translated it to a projection of what the future could possibly look like at the rate in which we are headed. He speculates on this current condition and exaggerates it to a whole new level in the narrative he develops, which includes the creation of a city run by a digital reality. This idea of exaggerating the present to project ideas of what the future might look like gives valuable insight into the potential for analyzing existing conditions, like a site analysis, and developing ideas and narratives based on trends to develop design that is ahead of its time. It also presents ideas that maybe the digital world is the new frontier for landscapes to develop as we become ever increasingly addicted to technology. This is very relevant to the Southern California context as Los Angeles is at the heart of this technologically urban world. The practices that allow for this digital world to exist in their current state, are generators of landscapes themselves, as we continue to delve into the earth daily to attain more resources. This idea of mass extraction from earth and the destruction that it causes to habitat is something that I have generally found detestable. The ability to view these extraction processes as potential for generating landscapes is a valuable insight that I learned from this lecture. Although these things are happening, it is something that will continue to happen due to the high demand from industry, and therefore they should be viewed as an opportunity. The ability to take a condition and view it from multiple standpoints and consider the potential of that status, rather than viewing the conditions as bad and despair at the thought.

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SAN GABRIEL WATERSHED COUNCIL At El Monte Community Center

SAN GABRIEL WATERSHED COUNCIL At El Monte Community Center

Water is the single most precious resource on earth as it is required by every living thing. Living in a desert, Southern California, that has been treated otherwise for the past 100 years, water is a resource that is scarce and must be valued and conserved in a way that it has not been before. The direction that we are headed with the current status of the drought is conservation, which has a direct effect on every aspect of people's lives, specifically in Los Angeles. The most obvious effect of the lack of water is the need to cut back water use on irrigation in landscapes. This cutback on water is an opportunity for investigation into new ways of using landscape with processes and materials that rely on little to no water, while still providing needed aesthetic and biological diversity. The lack of water also brings attention to the potential for recycling processes and opening of new processes and treatments to re-use water in any means possible. That is the beauty of this water shortage, that it requires us to design and think in ways that we have not before, and pushes the limits and potential for higher efficiency in design. Another important takeaway was the need for cooperation and collaboration between the various government, industry, and local users of water to work together in a fair and balanced manner to manage the water crisis. This water crisis in the Los Angeles area and Southern California will continue to shape our landscapes and our habits, leading to the creation of new ideas that will foster efficiency and conservation for the future.

Photo: Attended with Ray and Rennie, forgot to take photo 13

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EVAN (SWA)

EVAN (SWA)

at CPP Bulding 7 Gallery

at CPP Bulding 7 Gallery

The lecture from Evan was one that brought learning and comfort to me as I listened to him speak. The way Evan presented his ideas and spoke to us made me feel like these ideas and processes that we are learning and using in Landscape Architecture are simple, and that they should be treated as so. So often when people talk about their work, or when I am thinking about ideas that I am presented with, they appear to be complicated and difficult to understand. Evan broke his ideas down to simplistic concepts that made me realize that you can look at these seemingly complex ideas with a different mindset or angle to better understand the simple nature of the information that is being conveyed.

Break the concepts by peeling back layers to the basis from which they stem. I took away approaches towards drawings and the purpose that they serve. Drawings are meant to convey data, have a logic, and are bound by scale or perspective. This statement about drawings really simplifies the purpose of creating drawings, and makes me question the purpose of my drawings that I have created and continue to create. I also took away ideas about the benefit of thinking in layers in every part of the design process from beginning to end. The Los Angeles area can be broken down to layers of systems and parts that in themselves are simple and basic ideas, that only become complex once they are all merged together into the intricate web that forms the landscape. My process has improved in looking at and understanding fields and conditions, to simplify them by peeling back the layers in complex systems like the Rio Hondo and the greater regional context.

Peel back the layers to reveal the simple concepts underlying them

Photo: Attended as a class with Ray and Rennie during lecture time, forgot to take photo 15

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GREG LYNN

GREG LYNN

Archtecture Lecture at Building 7 Atrium

Archtecture Lecture at Building 7 Atrium

Surface functions as roof

Complexity is an adjective that can be used to describe anything that is intricate in nature, and is not quite so easily understood. The lecture by Greg Lynn focused on complexity in a way that I had considered very deeply before. I took away new ideas about complexity in how something can be simple and composed of a few parts, while still exuding a feeling of complexity. Reducing components in a design to just the necessary parts needed for the design to function properly was a very intriguing idea.

Emphasis focused on looking at multiple orientations and use of surface as a means of translating ideas, how does an idea translate to a surface? Looking to explore complexity by offering different uses and positions from one object or a few parts is an interesting mindset when approaching design.

Always ask the question why? when designing and question the purpose of the purpose of what you are doing. If there is no reason to or backing to have something there, then don't use it. Everything needs to have intention. That is one of the things that I enjoyed most about this lecture was that everything in all the work Greg Lynn does focuses on reducing components to the fewest possible, while still maintaining ideas and function through the use of surfaces to function for different purposes to create an efficient design that is sustainable in reducing the amount of materials being used. The emergence of new technology has made this possible and we should utilize it. This is ever important in the greater Los Angeles area as resources become thinner, and efficiency becomes necessary.

Surface creates shade outside

Surface as water collector

Photo: Attended as a class with Ray and Rennie during lecture time, forgot to take photo 17

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Surface perforations as drainage opening

Baseline Impacts

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The idea about baselines was the most interesting point I took out of this first chapter as noted by Emma Marris. The idea of returning to a baseline in terms of nature and how we have changed it, is such a subjective idea that the baseline one is attempting to re-enact must be thoughtfully considered. When people talk about returning sites in the United States to their former conditions or habitat, they usually are referencing times prior to European settlement and the industrial era which saw drastic changes to the environment and habitats which were considered resources for the taking. This is the baseline I usually consider when thinking about returning sites to a baseline. The argument that some make about which baseline to return to because human influence has always caused change to the environment is a valid point, although the destruction of the environment had never been so devastating prior to European settlement. I do understand and consider also that nature and habitats are never stagnant; They are constantly going through change and evolution, which on a daily or yearly basis is seldom visible in retrospect to the change one can see over periods of hundreds of years. I want conditions of native habitats in our area of Southern California, specifically watershed habitats, to be returned to the conditions they were in prior to the settlement by Europeans. I realize that the natives of the area had an impact on habitats and might have drastically changed the landscape in their time, but I believe the difference is in the mindset about nature and the value of the resources that are in it. We value these resources for our luxuries and gadgets, while the natives valued them for their ability to support their lives, and had a deep respect and connection with the landscape.

This is releant to the greater Los Angeles area as we begin to discover more about the ecology of the region, and strive to work with processes, which require decisions in terms of returning some areas to pre-existing states.

INSTINCTUAL MARKS M’CLOSKEY Language is how we communicate with one another. It can be spoken, written, drawn, and communicated with many other techniques. Language is key to the field of landscape architecture in developing anything from mapping to designing. How we communicate and use these languages is what translates our ideas and concepts into something that is tangible. Understanding these techniques and processes and the variety of forms they can take allows one to develop their own language that reflects on the style and ideas of the individual. In developing a language and process, it is important to forget the pre-conceived notions and ideas associated with objects or places to better realize what is there, in order to communicate these observations to drawing. One needs to find what is there, the facts, without passing judgment, which will open up vast amounts of possibilities to what can be done or realized. By following pre-conceptions, one will limit themselves in what they are capable of analyzing and developing, and therefore translate to a drawings and designs that are artificial and lacking in depth. Currently I feel like my language has been developing into something that I could not have foreseen. My language of communication in drawing has developed from exposure to many techniques this quarter, all from which I have been able to draw information and ways of communicating into my own. I have learned better ways of understanding landscape, and to realize the generative nature of landscape and how it can be used to facilitate design and process, which is communicated through language. This language can then be expressed through analyzing the Los Angeles area, which is rich in ecology and contains many components that need to be expressed in their own way.

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PROJECTIVE ECOLOGIES COMBUSTIBLE LANDSCAPE

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Everything is connected. This reading provides and interesting standpoint in terms of how we view fields and systems in nature. When analyzing a field such as the Rio Hondo, one must take into consideration all of the parts that make up the field and the relationships that exist between them. All parts of this field play some role in interaction with one another, whether it is momentary, permanent, or otherwise invisible. These interactions and relationships have vital roles in the development and evolution of the field as a whole, and the individual components. Insects and other living organisms are deeply influenced by the climate, soil, latitude, altitude, and many other factors which in turn are influenced by the objects that they are influencing. The amount of plant material affects the temperature and soil type, specifically in a micro-climate situation or on a small scale. These influences set in motion evolution in each other, which is manifested in the emergence and evolution in ecosystems and fields that we so deeply value. This evolution is something that usually takes place over long periods of time and is hard to see, although the records of these changes are many times embedded into the fabric of the landscape in field. One just has to dig deep to find evidence and insight into how a field has evolved over time to better understand the relationships that have always been present.

This information can then be used to predict or project the future of a field based on patterns that have led to its formation. This is relevant to the Los Angeles area as the ecology of the region continues to evolve under our increasingly invested interests in the matter of evolving ecologies.

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COMPOSING LANDSCAPES LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY

The process of composing landscapes is one that is simple in principle, but is complex in nature. There are many techniques in displaying information and creating fields, each of which has its own strong points based upon the language or ideas one is attempting to convey. Composing landscapes involves taking into consideration spatial patterns and flow which evolve over time and shape landscapes in their own processes. These patterns and other spatial configurations like patches, edges, and corridors all contribute characteristics necessary to establish a field or landscape. They define and create movement and connections that can be observed at different scales, or with different lenses to illustrate ideas. Drawing and research techniques are critical to composing landscapes. I have found that by viewing and analyzing examples of design, I can use them as sources of inspiration as well as confirmations of choices that I have already made in developing ideas. These examples also reveal different themes or aspects that have potential to be used in my own explorations and drawings. Different expressions of form was a take away from this reading that I found helpful in thinking of form in terms of basic, spatial, metaphorical, and program. These different forms serve as different layers of reduced information pertaining to specific contexts of information which can be overlayed on top of each other to provide basis and grounding for the next layer. This method of composition is relevant to our study of the Rio Hondo because these layers are present in the ecology of the river, and can be expressed through this drawing technique.

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INSIGHTS

INSIGHTS

I have learned a lot this quarter in terms of field condtions and how to anazlyze a field, and in turn convert these observations to drawing. The idea of field condtions and putting on a different lens when trying to understand them is something that really had an impact on my thought process. I have learned to not only look at the parts that make up the field, but to also look at and focus on the relationships that these parts have to one another. By focusing on these relationships and interactions, one can really understand the true nature of the field and the patterns that emerge through them to reveal ideas or conditions that otherwise would not have been known. Learning how to express these conditions and observations through mapping was another skill that i developed this quarter. Understanding drawing and composition techniques through exposure to examples has allowed my language of drawing to develop in expressing movement, form, or other characteristics in a manner that is easily communicated.

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Process is critical to the creation of anything. This quarter has revealed a lot to me about process and how fundamental it is in design and the landscape architecture field. I have learned that when approaching a design, you need to have some grounding and information to help facilitate the creation of a design. If you design something without having investigated and discovered a place, there is no validity in it. Process is what is most critical in any design. Process is more important and relevant than the final design in any scenario because process is what enabled the design to emerge in the first place through analyzing and discovering the conditions that make a place unique. Having a rigorous process will provide a better understanding and basis for you to build off to actually create something that provides programs for users and works with the existing systems that are present in any site.

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