Christopher Wright Landscape Architect
Christopher Wright Landscape Architect
Christopher Wright
chrislukewright@hotmail.co.uk
07887357403
Landscape Architect I’m an analytical and technical minded individual who has developed a balanced approach to landscape design over the past three years at Leeds Metropolitan University. I place an emphasis on producing creative design that responds to its local vernacular, integrating the design into its surrounding context. More recently I have begun to develop an understanding of people-place interrelationships in order to improve the responsiveness of future design proposals. I aim to produce innovative spaces that address the increasingly important emphasis on sustainability.
Site analysis
Place observation
Concept development
Design resolution
Technical resolution
Strengths Cr ea ti ve D es ign Gra p h ic Pre s e nt at io n Tea m L ea d er s h ip Ver b a l C o mm u ni c a tio n Wr it te n C o m m un ic a ti o n
Software Skills Au to CAD Ad o b e I n De nD e s ig n Ad o b e P ho to s ho p Go o g le S ke tc h u p
Presentation
Education 1 x BA(hons) Landscape Architecture 3 x A Level’s = B C C 10 x GCSE’s = A* - B
Interests Architecture Athletics Environmental Psychology Graphic Design
Innovation Physics Photography Sports
Experience Landscape Institute Student Rep. (2012 - 2013) Pizza Hut (2009 - 2013) - Waiter Rivercircle Ltd. (2007) - Two week design oice placement Leeds Met. Uni. Cross Country Captain (2012 - 2013) Team Cambridgeshire Track & Field Captain (2010)
Awards The Evening Telegraph ‘Outstanding Sporting Achievement’ award 2009 5000m inal at national track & Field champs. in the London Olympic Stadium Ranked 1st in the country for 10km in 2009 for my respective age group Maths grade in the top 5% of the country, earning a place on the NAGTY GOAL programme for gited & talented youth.
Urban D E SI GN
PG 7
Rural D E SI GN
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Public C ONS ULTAT I O N
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Written E XT R AC T S
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Urban Design
“People ignore design that ignores people� Frank Chimero
Urban
C ity Pa r k Pr op os a l
D ESIGN
Southbank Park
“
Southbank Park is a contemporary green space in the heart of Leeds. The park is a bold and iconic space inspired by Leeds’ rich industrial past and is a celebration of the cities waterways. Southbank Park is the culmination of strong connectivity and immersive landscape treats, providing a diverse city culture with an equally diverse array of experiences. Southbank Park is a landscape of discovery.
“
Access
Connectivity
Improved accessibility
Strengthen North - South connections
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“s o m e th i ng s m a l l h a s fo und s an c tua ry in s om et h ing b i g � Peter Zumthor
Hortus Conclusus
Blue Infrastructure
Intimate residential gardens
Active waterfront
Urban
C ity Pa r k Pr op os a l
D ESIGN
Masterplan The proposal for Southbank Park provides an integral solution in connecting Northern and Southern Leeds with an aim of bringing the Southern boroughs closer to the City Centre. The park also provides good connectivity to the proposed High Speed Railway West of the park and residential accommodation to the East. A multitude of spaces, varying in scale, provide a rich landscape experience.
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e iver Air 6
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Tree Cover
Blossoming Trees
Sotscape
Building
Secondary Route
Primary Route
Hardscape
Water
in Po
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1 Riverfront Wetland System
2 The Promenade
The waterfront along the Western side of the park has been opened up and features an ecological wetland system that cleanses river and runof water whilst providing lood relief.
Meadow Lane has been pedestrianised and acts as a backbone within the park. The Promenade is both a direct route through the park and a destination, with views across much of the site.
3 Sponsored Projects Green
4 Events Lawn
The heart of the park features a temporal, creative interventions green. Designers and businesses are invited to sponsor the green and create short term interventions in the landscape.
A large, open events lawn provides space for festivals, markets, sports days and communal celebrations. This lexible open space integrates Southbank Park with the community.
5 Proposed Southbank Pavilion
6 Brewery Plaza
A sculpted pavilion is the central focal point within the events lawn and provides a hub from which large scale events can emanate. The pavilion provides a sheltered vantage point within the park.
Brewery Plaza is the active heart of Southbank Park. A ground loor cafe in the Tetley Brewery building opens up onto a social square. The Plaza connects the park with its context and the public.
7 Carlsberg Reflection Pool
8 The Sky Gardens
The existing Carlsberg HQ has been de-constructed and heavily planted, creating an ‘immersive outdoor room’. It sits within a relection pool, creating a serene entrance feature from the South.
The Sky Gardens feel isolated from the main park, providing a peaceful environment for personal relection. The raised gardens each possess a theme inspired by Leeds’ industry and culture.
9 Biotope Causeway The Causeway acts as a magniicent entrance feature at the Eastern gateway. Pathways weave in between biodiverse columns of untouched habitats let to grow with the Park through time.
Urban
C ity Pa r k Pr op os a l
D ESIGN
Waterfront Development Southbank Waterfront is a seamless integration of hard and sot to create a coherent landscape that blends public amenity into rich biodiversity. Contemporary landform ilters water from the River Aire whilst stepped level changes, from the promenade down to the pool, ilter movement along the waterfront. Blurred movement networks encourage freedom to explore and discover new spaces.
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River Aire
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A65 3
Large BroadLeaf
Pinus sylvestris
Paved Platforms
Mixed Deciduous
Betula pubescens
Well Maintained Lawn
Grassland
Water
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1 Western Gateway
2 Earth Mounds
The western entrance to the site connects Southbank Park with Bridgewater Place and the canal route beyond. Upon entering the park, a serpentine pathway opens up onto the waterfront.
Using the earth removed to create the retention ponds, earth mounds have been created to screen the views of the busy roads and contain the park.
3 Bridge
4 Riverbank
Three small bridges cross the retention pool, allowing the public to access the far banks and interact with the vegetated swale system, allowing a truly immersive experience.
The riverbanks are heavily planted, iltering the river water as it passes into the main retention pool. They also provide smaller, intimate spaces for relaxing in the landscape.
5 Vegetated Swale
6 Stepped Sun-Lawns
Two smaller pools, planted with water plants, cleanse water from the River Aire and act as lood alleviation. The swales are also a great habitat for increased biodiversity.
A series of stepped sun-lawns overlook the waterfront and provide a perfect vantage point from which to relax and observe.
7 Retention Pool
8 Cleansing Biotopes
The retention pool temporarily holds cleansed water from the River Aire and surface run-of before it is recycled throughout the park and in the surrounding apartments.
The biotopes take advantage of the stepped change in level and ilter surface run-of from the park. As the surface water ilters through each level it is gradually cleansed before reaching the main retention pool.
9 The Promenade The Promenade bounds the waterfront and allows direct access around the space. Tree avenues allow people to ilter across the boundary between the waterfront and promenade enhancing the concept of connectivity that runs throughout the park.
Urban
D ESIGN
C ity Pa r k Pr op os a l
Waterfront Development Designed as a lood alleviation scheme, the waterfront development will act as both a retention pool and iltering system in order to improve the quality of the River Aire. Three embankments and vegetated swales(1) ilter the river water as it lows into a retention pool(2), which will then be suitable for recycling for use in the surrounding apartment buildings.
(1) Cross section through waterfront from North to South
River Aire
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“f reedo m of movem ent”
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A series of platforms step down from the main promenade to the water’s edge
(3) Level Change
(2)
(3)
Urban
D ESIGN
C ity Pa r k Pr op os a l
Waterfront Planting The waterfront planting scheme has been designed in order to enhance the concept of ‘Connectivity’ through iltration of movement and views. Species such as Cornus and Betula will provide winter interest, whilst their skeletal structures will create a semi-permeable barrier. Aquatic plants have been chosen on their ability to ilter intoxicated water, while species such as Butomus and Typha provide
Native Perennials
Filtration Biotopes
Pond Margins
Winter Borders
Tree Avenue
structural beauty.
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• Alnus Glutinosa • Cornus sanguinea, Betula pubescens • Nymphaea alba, Pontederia cordata, Butomus umbellatus, Carex acutiformis, Carex pseudocyperus, Juncus efusus • Iris pseudacorus, Typha latifolia, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Acorus calamus • Digitalis purpurea, Lythrum salicaria, Foeniculum vulgare, Centranthus ruber, Achillea millefolium, Campanula persicifolia •
Images from Crocus & Gardenersworld
Southbank Park
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Southbank Park
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Urban
R e s id e nti a l L a nd s c a p e
D E SIGN
Carnegie Village Carnegie Village is an existing student populated residence at Leeds Metropolitan University lacking in social outdoor spaces. The brief for the project stated: a vibrant and social atmosphere should be created through the use of sot landscaping. This has been achieved through the creation of a dense ‘Urban Rainforest’ that weaves between the student residences. The proposal features a winter tropics garden, planted walkways and vertical gardens providing students with numerous social spaces. Use of dense planting of ferns and ivy help to deine boundaries and create an immersive atmosphere.
G e n iu s L o ci
C on nec t iv it y
I mme rs i ve
In s pira tio n a l
S oc i a l
Ex p er ie nti a l
“
AN
”
URBAN RAINFOREST
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Urban
Tec h ni c a l R e s o lut io n
D E SIGN
Industrial Museum Armley Industrial Museum, Leeds, required development of its car park and entrance in order to atract greater numbers of visitors. Prospective development had to consider traic low and service access, whilst providing an engaging element to atract people to the museum. The inal proposal took inspiration from the museum’s industrial nature, with the overriding concept of ‘the industrial revolution’ leading ideas. Proposed development includes sculptural art exhibits, a feature display of museum contents and a fractured loorscape that signiies the environmental damage caused by the industrial revolution.
H a rds ca p e
R e s ol uti on
T he m at ic
H e ri ta g e
I nd us tr y
C ul tur e
1:60 cross fall
0.00
1:60 cross fall
Existing steps
(1)
Existing natural stone wall
(2)
Fig.1 Inset seating
Key Existing natural stone wall
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New reclaimed natural stone wall
(3) Existing trees
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Raised Hexagonal exhibition and viewing platforms
Fig Bik "C
0.17
Existing mature trees 0.00
27
Fig.4 "The not so giants" Causeway
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0.00
Existing grass and planted areas
(4)
Existing shrubs
AD
Existing street lights
kH ill
Sculptural iron cast tree trun
Fig.5 Industrial Art Ehibit
RO
Sculptures
(5)
Du nk ir
Marshall's Celestia paving units
CA NA L
Existing services 0.42
Spot heights
Existing Natural stone wall
56
0.40
Entrance
The Tandy Trading Estate
600
7
600 (3) Leisure Platforms
T
(2) Fractured Floorscape
PaPRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT th
Existing natural stone wall
Existing trees to be felled
1
(1) Viewing Vistas
Fig.2 Fracture
New reclaimed natural stone wall
(4) Feature Display
Garage (5) Art Exhibits
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Urban
D E SIGN
Tec h ni c a l R e s o lut io n
Feature Entrance Display The entrance display consists of a central platform surrounded by concrete hexagonal columns that extrude from the ground. The central platform displays one of the industrial engines owned by the museum, forming a feature advertisement for the atraction. The concept behind the centerpiece is representative of the damage caused to the environment as a result of the industrial revolution. The columns are supported by a concrete framework, each individual column slots over steel rods that are set into the foundations.
Entrance display framework
Cross section through entrance display
23 25 27 Exploded view of entrance display
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Rural Design “The environment is everything that isn’t me” Albert Einstein
Rural
D E SIGN
Wo o d la nd D es i g n & Ma na g e me nt
Torver Common The Lake District National Park is known for its beautiful landscapes of dense mixed woodland. Torver Common overlooks Coniston Water and is ecologically diverse. The proposed woodland below is part of a design strategy for a public park that combines leisure with environmental education in order to enhance and educate the public on the diverse environments seen in The Lake District. The proposed woodland improves biodiversity through the use of complimentary plant and tree species, creating an exciting and naturally dynamic landscape.
Silviculture
Cross section of woodland ater 25 years
27 29 31 33 35 Cross section of woodland ater 50 years
A Betula & Pinus Mixed Woodland
B Acidic Meadow
Selective thinning of the Betula every 10 years. Annual inspection of the Pinus and removal of tree guards once they are outgrown.
Pre-treat the ground with mulch and herbicide to suppress weeds. Distribute seed in late September. An annual cut may be taken mid- September.
C Betula & Sorbus Mixed Woodland
D Hazel Coppice
Selective thinning of the Betula every 10 years. Annual inspection of Sorbus for pests or disease from March to September.
Coppice rotation, once every 7 year cycle.
E Single Quercus
F Woodland Ride
Inspect annually from March-September. Protect with fencing for the irst 10 years.
Manage canopy spread across the ride to allow easy access to inner woodland.
Rural
D E SIGN
L a n ds ca pe C h a ra c t er & Va l ue A s s es s me nt
Thorner Village Thorner is a small rural village near Leeds. The characterful village is situated in a 3x1km transect that contains varied land types including agriculture, pastures, mixed/ancient woodlands and sites of historical signiicance. The plans below form part of a land-
Landscape Character Assessment
Time Depth Map
Phase One Plan
scape assessment, culminating in a Landscape Character Assessment and Landscape Value report.
Landscape Value Assessment The 3x1km transect contains three regions determined as ‘valuable’ assets, as such any development would require extreme sensitivity. The Northern region encompasses Hetchell Crags, an East Carlton Grit rock formation of the Carboniferous period. The small region beneath Hetchell Crags, Pompocali, is also considered of high value due to its historical signiicance as a Roman setlement. The accompanying report concluded that although there are vast areas of ‘low value’ agriculture land, any development would have to be considered in depth due to the long distance views that can be observed throughout the site.
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SSSI Hetchell Craggs
Pompocali
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Public Consultation “Give among each other”
Public
D e s ig n & C om muni ty
C ON S ULTAT ION
Fryston CommunityCentre Fryston Community Centre is a live project in an ex-mining village on the edge of Castleford. The village residents expressed the need for a new community centre and garden, the project involved consulting with both the community and client in order to put forward design proposals for the community garden, to be used by local people and visitors to the area. Proposals had to consider local vernacular whilst providing space for ‘Forest Schools’ activities and community gatherings.
C o o pe rat io n
Co ns ul ta tio n
C om muni ty
C lie n t
C om muni c a ti o n
C o n s i d e ra ti o n
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Community Consultation • Social Space • Parties • Natural Play • Engagement • Wildlife • Contemporary • Mining Heritage • • Arts & Crafts • Open Roundhouse • Wild Garden • Relax • Communal Seating • Interaction • Graffiti • • Flexible Space • Bonfire • Forest Schools • Multi-Functional • Sports Day • Family & Friends • Pride •
Public
C ON S ULTAT ION
D e s ig n & C om muni ty
Context & Analysis Fryston is a small village in Castleford, West Yorkshire. It is situated close to the A1 and the Leeds - York railway line. In close proximity are a variety of biodiverse park lands, including Fryston Basin, Well Woods, The River Aire and Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve. With such valuable assets nearby there is potential for Fryston Community Garden to be an extension and integral link between the public and surrounding park lands.
Location Map
Target Notes 1. Bus Stop - Main public transport
3. Dense Planting - Species rich
2. Bull Ring - Holds historical value
4. Limestone Grassland - Valueable
5. Martha Schwartz Park
Key Destinations
Good Views
Poor Views
Target Notes
Main Pedestrian Routes
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Main Vehicular Routes
39 Site Boundary
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Buildings
Green Space
Existing Shrubs &Trees
Site Analysis Plan Potential for the Community Centre to extend links to surrounding areas of natural interest.
Public
D e s ig n & C om muni ty
C ON S ULTAT ION
AXIS - Community Garden A ‘ xis’ responds to the site and its context, creating a space that links well with the village. The garden relects the local heritage through materials that hold industrial characteristics. A communal shelter at the heart of the space embraces the community spirit that runs through Fryston and provides a focal point for the garden. Running parallel to the Southern boundary is a section of reclaimed railway that links an open-air workshop and industrial roundhouse, providing an interactive element for the Forest Schools group to experience the site. Two main axes both connect and deine the garden, creating spaces for communication, interaction and relection.
Industrial Heritage
3
1 2
Communication
Interaction
1 A Social Forum
37 39 2 Total Immersion
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3 Industrial Character
Reflection
Public
C ON S ULTAT ION
D e s ig n & C om muni ty
Group Proposal Client feedback for the design proposal, A ‘ xis, stated the central communal space and industrial characteristics were well received. However, there was a preferential towards iltered movement paterns rather than the deined routes used in A ‘ xis’. The clients also emphasised that much of the community garden would need to be constructed by non-specialists. This feedback was responded to in a group proposal that retained the industrial nature of previous concepts, but prioritised ease of construction and informal, lexible spaces.
C o ns ul ta tio n
C o mm unit y
Movement Patterns Rationale for site layout. Filtered and informal site exploration.
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Public
D e s ig n & C om muni ty
C ON S ULTAT ION
Public Exhibition The client proposals culminated in an exhibition evening, on which a design package including process & rationale, masterplanning, detailed visualisation, planting and construction drawings were presented to the client. These took the form of a curated exhibition, model and portfolio.
Sh owc a s e
Co h e re nt
Pro fe s s io na l
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Public
C om muni ty In iti a ti ve
C ON S ULTAT ION
Back 2 Front Back to Front is a community initiative encouraging the public to grow fruit and vegetables in their front gardens. As part of the initiative a catalogue was assembled to provide residents with design ideas. The catalogue displays potential designs for diferent housing types and recommendations for the types of fruit and vegetables residents could grow. Parallel and Tetris are designs for 1970’s semidetached housing, ofering a contemporary solution or high yield alternative.
PARAllEL Parallel is a contemporary garden that balances clean aesthetics with yield productivity. The concept behind this garden is to work with the rigidity of the existing layout to create a garden that functions as both an allotment and leisure space. A central ground level bed is bridged by two raised planters that also act as seating and storage. Quality, robust materials make this garden fashionable and user friendly.
High yield, contemporary garden
Pr o d uc tive Ga rd e n D es i g n
TETRIS Tetris is a compact, functional garden that is designed to produce maximum yield out the available space. Both narrow and wide beds provide room for climbing plants such as tomatoes and root veg. The space is contained by concrete block walls that are ideal for planting herbs in. The simple layout makes this garden both great value and easy to construct.
Maximum yield, minimum construction
DRIVEWAY
FRONT DOOR
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FRONT DOOR
Written Extracts
“A picture speaks a thousand words, but a thousand good words paint infinite pictures�
GILLES CLEMENT LE JARDINIER FRANCAIS
An article on Postmodernism and why world renowned 'gardener', Gilles Clement, is considered a postmodernist designer.
tentional or not. His desire to observe beauty lies not with a need to ind an objective deinition, but to gently crat a landscape that has a relationship with both the site and observers. Clements overriding concept is how humans are a major inluence on the environment, “in any environment… there are interrelations among living things – plants, animals and humans” (G. Clément 2006 pg.90), and how it is important “to foster and achieve an equilibrium in which
P
no one species has the upper hand” (G. Clément 2006 pg.90).
ostmodernism is a term used to describe a range of conceptual
These notions perceive how reality is subject to human interven-
ideologies, risen in opposition of the modernist movement that
tion, thus begin to categorise Clement as a postmodernist. In an
shaped, not only the 19th and 20th century, but the society we see
era described as “incredulity to all metanarratives” (Jean-François
today. To understand the context of postmodernism, it is impor-
Lyotard) Gilles Clement chose neither to accept nor reject past
tant to understand the frameworks that deined the ‘Modern Era’.
truths, but to direct them in such a way as to work in harmony along-
Throughout this period, we as humans were driven by knowledge
side nature’s prowess.
and the need to objectively deine the world that we live in. Ideologies oten associated with modernism are those such as realism,
Clement is described as “a hard man to pin down” 1, maybe due to his
structuralism and materialism. Ultimately, these are notions inde-
modest and “unassuming” 1 nature. This can be seen in his simple
pendent of human observation. Postmodernism then, is the ap-
description of his profession; “a gardener” 1. Not just a designer,
proach in which we consider reality as a phenomenon subjective to
Gilles writes popular fables, novels and philosophical relections.
an individual. It considers ways in which social dynamics afect hu-
His interests span further into ecology, botany and also entomol-
man conceptualization of knowledge. This movement encompass-
ogy. Clement studied agronomy along with landscape design at
es theories such as idealism, relativism and scepticism. In a world
university and at such an early stage of his career he was already
where knowledge was beginning to diminish human signiicance,
defending “biological gardening” 1. From Clements diverse studies
postmodernism rose to once again give meaning to our existence.
of nature it is easy to understand how his past education is inluencing his design approach today, “not nature unspoiled by man,
Gilles Clement is a French landscape architect, considered to be
but partnership” 1. Deined as a life changing moment, Gilles spent
part of the postmodernist era. Through his approach to design,
two days in a coma ater gardening with his father and geting a
Clement encompasses postmodernist philosophies, whether in-
highly toxic rose spray into an open wound. This drove Gilles to
escape the highly regimented gardening his father used and begin
the elements usually found in a garden. “The gardener’s role then
a less invasive approach. This event is almost a metaphor of why
is to guide and enrich in sympathy with natural processes” 1. One of
postmodernism arose, people were reacting to the controlled and
Clements most famous examples of a moving garden is at the Parc
regimented ideologies of modernism and wanted to experience
Andre-Citroen. It is the park staf who decides where paths are to
life on a more personal and interactive scale. In 1997 Clement was
be mown each year, evolving to respect self-sown plants.
able to purchase land he sought refuge as a child and transformed
Moving Garden”.
"The gardener's role then is to guide and enrich in sympathy with natural processes"
“With time, the design of the garden will evolve, it depends on the
Gilles Clements next theory emerged ater he had seen photo-
person who maintains it and is not the result of a plan drawn at the
graphs of Earth from space. The Planetary Garden is an imagina-
oice” 2. This very much deines the concept of a moving garden.
tion of extending the care and devotion lavished on home gardens
The gardens design is in response to not just the site, but the pro-
to the planet as a whole. It highlights the importance of ecologi-
cesses that happen within the space. Already there is a strong cor-
cal diversity and how existence so far has had a damaging afect.
relation between Clements theory and postmodernism. There is a
It is a much more directed theory than the moving Garden but en-
strong sense of individual subjectivity to the outcome of the gar-
compasses the key principle of working alongside nature without
den, as it will almost surely be diferent for each person who main-
destroying diversity, “making possible the existence of the garden”
tains the garden. Clement observes “watching wasteland, I am not
(The Earth) “and hence the gardener.” 3 (Humans). This closely re-
only fascinated by the energy of nature’s reclamation, I also want
sembles a postmodernist ideology as it places the role of the gar-
to know how to insert myself in the midst of this powerful low” 1.
dener into a wider context. This theory implies we play an impor-
It clearly shows the respect he has for nature but also the desire
tant role in the Earths ecosystem rather than the objective notions,
Clement feels to be part of this process, almost a yearning to feel
independent of humans, expressed throughout the modern era.
the clearing into La Valle, “one of France’s most admired gardens” 1. This was the beginning of Clements irst inluential theory “The
47 49 51
signiicant in this complex ecosystem. It was very much a widely felt emotion at the end of the modern era, people wanted to feel
Most recently Clement has been developing another concept
53
important on this vast planet and not a burden on its resources.
called “The Third Landscape”. He was inluenced by highly managed
55
The moment Gilles has chosen to incorporate himself within the
farm land, south of Paris, to seek abandoned spaces “still capable
process of succession is when spontaneous growth includes all
of spontaneous revival...as La Vallee once was” 1. These neglected
L e J a r d i nie r F ra nc a is spaces can be important areas for accumulating biodiversity; they
Ater understanding Clements approaches, ideologies and ratio-
are “Earths genetic reservoir” 4. As highlighted in Clements ‘The
nale to landscape design it is easy to see how many would consider
Chandelier’, lowering weeds, grasses, insects and man-made ob-
him a postmodernist. His theories question the science of the
jects such as various liter can be found in the Third Landscape.
modern era directly; all three of Clements concepts express the im-
They all belong to a single ecosystem, both man and nature.
portance of the human race on not just a small scale, but the world’s ecosystem. Some state that postmodernism isn’t a period in its own right, but a transition from one to another. We can only hope this transition leads to an acknowledgement of our own ignorance towards the devastating efects our existence is currently having on the planet we inhabit. Ater all, what use is a gardener if there is no garden?
“The Chandelier” by Gilles Clement
The theory expresses how we as humans have forced ourselves into the Earths ecosystem and how nature now relies on us as much as the alternative. The objects found in these landscapes “relect societal behaviours as much as the urban environment, and invite relection on the notion of the ‘citizen gardener’ who assumes a cooperative and participatory role in the maintenance of the urban ecosystem.” (G. Clément 2006 pg.105). This informs how postmodernist ideas have inluenced Clements approach as he no longer sees humans as an entity independent of the Earths workings, but a key component in how we visualise and experience nature.
“(Gilles Clement) no longer sees humans as an entity independent of the Earths workings, but a key component in how we visualise and experience nature�
49 51 53 55
How Can Environmental Psychology Influence Urban Regeneration?
logical efects caused by nature and if this was relected more in urban regeneration proposals there could be potential for added value within those schemes. This could be achieved through something as simple as developers recognising that greenspaces are as
An extract from the concluding paragraph of my critical study discussing the effects of environment - behaviour interrelationships.
important, or if not more so, than the architectural elements of the built environment. An additional concept that could potentially improve urban regeneration is that of designing spaces to facilitate not only the desired function, but the resultant behaviour of
From the outset, the objective of this report sought to outline a set
that function. This philosophy could be installed from the ofset
of key design strategies that could be considered when regenerat-
of a project and just by fully understanding human behaviours in
ing urban environments. And although this objective has in a way
certain environments there is potential to create psychologically
been met, the ield of environmental psychology is still emerging
ergonomic spaces.
and the very nature of studying the human subconscious brings about a certain level of subjectivity. As a result it has been diicult to provide conclusive solutions to issues faced by urban regeneration. Much of what has been discussed in the inal chapter of this report provides an initial suggestion on how environmental psychology can inluence urban regeneration, however it has become
“The human subconscious is very complex and the task of trying to integrate psychological preferences into equally complex and dynamic systems is one that requires a great deal of respect and consideration”
increasingly apparent throughout that to achieve a set of conclusive design strategies, more time would need to be spent consid-
One integral connection that has become increasingly apparent
ering the subject in greater depth. The human subconscious is very
throughout the report is that of a major link between the environ-
complex and the task of trying to integrate psychological prefer-
ment, humans, society and the economy (Fig. 8A). Emphasised
ences into equally complex and dynamic systems, as that is what ur-
strongly throughout the report are the efects an environment can
ban environments have become, is one that requires a great deal of
have over an individual’s behaviours. These behaviours can then re-
respect and consideration. This being said, the study has managed
sult in more widespread afects that impact upon the society that
to indicate some key overriding notions that could be adopted with
individual is integrated within. The resultant efects on the health
resultant positive impacts upon urban regeneration. Throughout,
of the social structure can then play an important role in that com-
there has been a great deal of emphasis on the positive psycho-
munity’s economic wellbeing which will consequently inluence the
tive impacts seen on the state of the economy. This is by no means a conclusive model; however is merely an observation recorded as a result from the research undertaken to complete this report. Conversely it is an observation that has been inluenced by real
time studies and may be worthwhile pursuing further.
This report then has not been a fully exhaustive proile on the potential inluences environmental psychology can have on regenerating our urban environments. However, it has provided an indica
tive insight into how understanding the human subconscious can enrich urban development. To conclude, there is almost deinitely potential to add social and economic value to proposals through understanding environment-behaviour relationships. Ater researching environmental psychology and beginning to recognise
its widespread potential over multiple disciplines, I feel there is somewhat a parallel relevance to conclude this report with the words of Monika Wulf Mathies: “our cities are a sea of potential
Figure 8A The diagram depicts the connection between the environment, individual behaviour, social structure and the economy.
which has not yet been tapped” (Commission of the European Communities, 1997). I just hope this study has taken us one step closer to realising that potential.
health of the surrounding environment. This concept suggests that if one of the elements is considered ‘unhealthy’, it could result in negative consequences upon the other elements such as social issues or economic deprival. Currently, politicians place weighted importance on the health of our economy at the risk of neglecting the health of individuals, communities and the environment. However, this conceptual model suggests that through placing equal importance on social and environmental health there may be posi-
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