LAS POZAS THE SURREALIST PARADISE BY EDWARD JAMES | landscape architecture

S E P T 2 1

L a s

P o z a s

Surrealist Paradise by Edward James

M E X I C O

Here amid the warmth of the rain, what might have been is resolved into the tenderness of a tall doom who says: ‘You did your best, rest’ – and after you the bloom of what you loved and planted still will whisper what you mean.

—Edward James

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Picture by Botany Photo of the Day - The University of British Columbia

Las Pozas Landscape Architecture Case Study by Architecture Student from Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur 3

We would also like to thank Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur for giving us permission to carry on this assignment. We are also grateful to our group members who have all contributed in completing this project.

Every group member played their part well in completing the given tasks. This has helped us to complete this project efficiently. This study has indeed helped us to understand the elements and the principles of the landscape and how the design a landscape.

Sincerely, GROUP 1

T E A M

We would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Golnoosh Manteghi, subject lecturer for Landscape Architecture, for giving a good guideline throughout numerous lectures.

O U R

ACKNOWLEGEMENT

Farahim Akbar 203022287

Amier Izzat 193021636

Syaza Syazana 203022284

Ahmad Nabiel 193921656

Farah Zakaria 181019703

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TOPIC OUTLINE

6 8 10 7

AN OVERVIEW OF LAS POZAS HISTORICAL TIMELINE

CONSTRCUTION OF LAS POZAS

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

7 9 11 8 9

ARCHITECT BIOGRAPHY MAPS OF LAS POZAS DESIGN ELEMENT Las Pozas softscapes Las Pozas hardscapes

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

ARCH 3461 - Landscape Architecture

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picture by Dronestagram

AN OVERVIEW OF LAS POZAS

Las Pozas ("Ponds") is a group of surrealist structures created by Edward James, over 6,000 feet (610 m) above sea level, in the subtropical rainforest of the Sierra Gorda Mountains, in Mexico. It includes more than 32 of natural waterfalls and ponds interwoven with surrealist sculptures floating in the concrete. One of the important artists who played an important role in the creation of concrete sculptures was Jose Aguilar, a skilled Mexican carpenter. Using Edward James' sketches and drawings, he created a wooden mold that could be cemented and turned into a mold after drying.

Initially, Edward James used San Luis Potosi, Mexico, as an orchid growing ground and established his own private zoo. Therefore, many of the original structures found in Las Pozas were once intended to house animals: deer, flamingos, ducks, pythons and others. good barrier.

In addition to buildings designed for animals, buildings constructed by James were generally not in accordance with their function, The main purpose was purely aesthetic. Edward James often explains how he wishes the structure to be part and or merge with nature. Therefore, many patterns are plants, flowers, mushrooms and other elements of nature. The arches are made to mimic plants such as Indian bidara (papatla) leaves, concrete flowers, and concrete birds.

Edward James also once built a concrete, brick and bamboo house he lived in when he traveled to Mexico. One of the most popular structures is "the staircase to heaven", which refers to a concrete structure made up of columns that mimic the reproductive aspects of an orchid, with two stairs enclosing and connecting at a height of 20 meters.

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ARCHITECT BIOGRAPGHY He spent his childhood and part of his teenage years at West Dean Castle in West Sussex, England. In 1928, he inherited a large legacy from his father and uncle. James studied literature at Oxford and there he became involved in art, in the beginning his relationships with artists such as the English poets John Betjeman and Randolph Churchill. In the early 1930s, he met Tilly Losch, an Austrian dancer, whom he loved

picture by Christie.com

they married in New York in 1931. Edward James participated in the production of the Surrealist magazine Minotaure, where he directed several facials designed by Dalí and Picasso. James moved to Taos, New Mexico, in 1940, where an art community had previously formed. An art school based on West Dean Castle, a dream come true in 1971 thanks to the Edward James Foundation. Today it is one of the most prestigious art schools in the world.

Throughout his life, James maintained intriguing relationships with art- and fashion-world personalities such as René Magritte, who painted several pieces for James in which the patron served as a model. In 1945 he visited friends residing in Cuernavaca, Mexico. It was the start of his masterwork in the jungles of the Huasteca region in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí. In December 1984, Edward James died of thrombosis at the age of 77 in San Remo, Italy. He is buried in the West Dean Botanic Gardens in England. One of the most remarkable architectural works of the 20th century is its heritage in this world.

picture by pinterest

picture by Christie.com

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EARLY 1940 Edward James cousin encourage him to travel and create art of surrealism in Mexico

1949 the construction of Garden of Eden begins, the garden fills with collection of orchids.

MID 1962 His initial plan is to built a garden full of flowers due to his love for nature. Unfortunately, the frost destroy his plan and this is why the sculpture is built to protect the plants surrounding it. picture by Mathew Holmes

LATE 1984 The construction of Las Pozas continue till the death of Edward James.

Historical Timeline LAS POZAS 8

Maps of Las Pozas SURREALIST GARDEN BY EDWARD JAMES 9

Starting in 1949, Mr. James designed and commissioned local builders, sculptors, tradesmen and craftspeople to help build his dream over the next 35 years . It took a crew of about 150 people to build them all. It cost more than $5 million to construct, a sum James raised by selling his collection of Surrealist art at auction.

At Las Pozas, Edward James interlocutors and the recipients of his generosity were local masons, carpenters, and blacksmiths. He dialogued with them, he proposed ideas, and he paid them for their work. The masons themselves, upon executing said work, enriched it with their personal interpretations and contributions.

Construction of Las Pozas all picture above is taken by Bob goldstone

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D E S I G N E L E M E N T

picture by an earthly paradise picture by Departures

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S O F T S C A P E

picture by Arxhdaily

01 LAS POZAS SOFTSCAPE

The architect Edward James really loves nature. his love for nature is the reason why Las Pozas exist. between all plants that can be found in the jungle. Orchids is his favorite. Based on research, some of the vegetation there was plant and some are naturally grow. In this topic, we have listed few of interesting plants that can be found there in the Las Pozas garden

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picture by pietmondriaan

picture by spacearchive

picture by gettyimages

picture by pinterest

picture by pinterest

picture by pinterest

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picture by Bij Anton

picture by Plantpropaganda

picture by Bmabooland

picture by Britannica

ENSETE SUPERBUM

CORDYLINE FRUTICOSA

STRELITZIA ALBA

FERN

Ensete superbum may reach 12 ft in height with 12' long massive leaves. The short pseudostem has a swollen base of up to 8 ft in circumference at the base. The leaves are bright green in color on both sides with a deeply grooved and short petiole.

RED SISTER, A highly ornamental cordyline which is a standout in any tropical inspired garden. The new foliage growth is a vivid purple that fades to a deep green with purple edges as it matures. It will tolerate periods of sun but does best in filtered light.

White bird of paradise, The leaves are up to 6.6 feet (2 m) long and up to 2 feet (60 cm) wide. They are often tattered by strong winds or hail.

Nonflowering vascular plants that possess true roots, stems, and complex leaves and that reproduce by spores. The ferns are extremely diverse in habitat, form, and reproductive methods.

picture by wikipedia

picture by nurseries online

picture by animalsandigozoo

BIRD NEST FERN Asplenium nidus is an epiphytic species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae, It is known by the common names bird's-nest fern or simply nest fern. This type of plant grow on other tree.

KING ALEXANDER PALM Archontophoenix alexandrae, commonly known as Alexandra palm, king palm, northern bangalow palm, or feather palm,, but is often erroneously referred to by the misnomer Alexander palm.

DRACAENA MASSANGEANA corn plant or Happy Plant because of it's easy care nature and the zesty freshness of the yellow and green strappy leaves that brighten up and filtering toxins from the atmosphere so you breathe easier.

picture by alamy

DEVILS IVY Epipremnum aureum is a species in the arum family Araceae, native to Mo'orea in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. Naturalised in tropical and sub-tropical forests worldwide,

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picture by erikplaiser instagram

picture by lucy grin instagram

picture by daily mail online

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picture by jardinescultoricoedwardjames instagram

DICHORISANDRA THYRSIFLORA A species of tropical flowering plant which resembles ginger in growth and habit, but is actually related to the spiderworts.

picture by jardinescultoricoedwardjames instagram

EPIDENDRUM CRISTATUM A species of orchid in the genus Epidendrum which is known to grow both terrestrially and epiphytically at altitudes near 1 km in the Neotropics from Mexico and Belize down through Brazil, as well as Trinidad.

picture by jardinescultoricoedwardjames instagram

picture by jardinescultoricoedwardjames instagram

STANHOPEA-TIGRINYA

PSEUDOBOMBAX ELLIPTICUM

Stanhopea tigrina is one of the most spectacular orchids in Mexico. The flowers are really massive and it is not uncommon to find specimens with 18 cm diameter flowers and numerous inflorescences.

Common names including shaving brush tree, Dr Seuss tree, and amapolla tree, is a species of plant in the subfamily Bombacoideae of the family Malvaceae.

picture by jardinescultoricoedwardjames instagram

picture by jardinescultoricoedwardjames instagram

EUCHARIS

STANHOPEA RUCKERI

This flower has large glossy leaves, deep green foliage, with ribbings similar to those of the familiar plantain-lily found in gardens The lily’s flowering season is in winter. it can bloom several times spring or during summer.

Native to Puebla, Oaxaca, Veracruz and Caiaphas states of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Has a strong fragrance that is sweet with hints of cinnamon.

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picture by flickr

picture by an earthly paradise

picture by jeffreygardens

picture by wikipedia

picture by Steve's Leaves

picture by LAZADA

HELICONIA

TIMBER BAMBOO

CALADIUM LINDENII

Heliconia, derived from the Greek word Ἑλικώνιος, is a genus of flowering plants in the monotypic family Heliconiaceae. Most of the ca 194 known species are native to the tropical Americas, but a few are indigenous to certain islands of the western Pacific and Maluku.

PILEA CADIEREI

Bamboos are a diverse group of evergreen perennial flowering plants in the subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family.

The aluminium plant or watermelon pilea, is a species of flowering plant in the nettle family Urticaceae, native to China and Vietnam. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Caladium lindenii is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae, named after Belgian botanist Jean Jules Linden. Most commonly known as the ‘Angel Wing’ plant amongst house plant fanatics for its unique, stand-out patterning

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A R D S C A P picture by Arxhdaily

02 LAS POZAS HARDSCAPE “Las Pozas” (The Wells) is a collection of concrete architectural structures and fantastic routes that make up a sculpture garden. Mix of architecture style also can be seen through the Hardscape design.

The main attraction, a river with waterfalls runs through the garden, Palaces, Altars, Buildings and it is surrounded by jungle in a vast terrain. Its design was conceived by Edward James and Plutarco Gastélum in Xilitla, Mexico.

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LA CASA DE TRES PISOS QUE PODRÍAN SER CINCO (THE THREE-STORY HOUSE THAT MIGHT BE FIVE)

STAIRWAY TO SKY The staircase actually a connection to the non-existed upper floor. However, due to the unfinish construction, only the staircase remains. the thick columns with flower sculptures on top, hold the steps together.

by Reskala Climbing

FLORAL COLUMN

by Rui Hermosilp

There are a lot of flower motifs sculpture in this building as in to blend in with the surrounding greenery. the orchid sculpture are seen on the columns bellow to the top , showing that the house will stay grow and bloom throughout the years.

GOTHIC ARCHES

by Lucy Neito

The stone arches were design in gothic style with layers of linings to create more depth to the stones. they were built to create an inviting yet mystical feeling as in going through a portal when stepping inside the house.

Garden castle by Joepertons03

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LA CASA DE LOS PERICOS (HOUSE OF THE PARAKEETS)

BUTTRESSES The buttresses is one of the prominent decoration to show of gothic architecture reference in the design. the buttresses also function as covers for the side walkway.

by AmandaHolmes

SCULPTED POLES the poles were design in the shape of stacking bamboos. The poles located on the roof where where it became one of the beautiful features overlooking the forest.

by Paula Solar

THE CORNUCOPIA

by AtlasisObsura The cornucopia a surreal adaptation of vegetal forms found in the forest. The nature of the greenery that hanging and wrap around nearby existing form while growing inspired the creation of the sculpture that also act as guidance along the walkway.

by Lucy Neito Parakeet's by AmandaHolmes

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PALACIO DE BAMBÚ (THE BAMBOO PALACE)

ARCHES ALONG THE PATH The arches is found in few places along the walkway of the garden. these stacking arches were designed as a windows that showing the other side of the forest. by robertharding

BAMBOO SCREENS The bamboo screens are made of natural bamboo that arrange in a closed manner to represent a wall covering the palace. it grew up to 3 meter tall becoming a part of the castle poles. by robertharding

WAVING COLUMN Decorative column with a wave-like sculpture on top located on the side of the bamboo palace to add feature on the flat land. by robertharding Parakeet's by AmandaHolmes

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PALACIO (THE WATERFALL)

BELL POOL the bell pool is built to control the flow of the natural stagnant waterfall to the fill in the manmade pool on the other side of the waterfall. these little holes allow the water to flow out naturally into the lower part of the pools creating more water covering the area.

by Erica Victorson

CURVE BUTTRESSES these buttresses functions as the wall retainers for the concrete wall that holding the slanted land. throughout the years it became one with nature and now looking as the 'tree roots' crawling out the concrete wall.

by jeffereygardens

CONCRETE HUT the tall hut is built as a dominant feature in the waterfall area to remind the 'human touch in nature'. by tripadvisor AgrieMF

picture by Erica Victorson

Parakeet's by AmandaHolmes

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LA CASA DE LOS FLAMINGOS (THE HOSE OF FLAMINGOES)

by Fernendo

by Fernendo

THE STREET OF SEVEN DEADLY SINS The La casa de los flamingos is a mysterious sculptures that built as an altar. there is a large arches at the entryway guiding inside the semi closed area. with an alter in the center. the symmetrical design of walls and columns guiding you towards the stairs upward overviewing the vast forest.

Passing the Cinemagrafo, a verdant cobbled path leads to a circular gate called Reja Circular Anillo de la Riena, or the Queen's Ring Gate. The bold color and form of the tropical foliage plants along the paths are wonderful. It is one of the main gate before entering the twisted pathway with no real sequential progression to moving through the garden

23 Garden castle by Joepertons03

SMALL SCULPTURES

by Heather Bircher

BUTTRESS

by Paula Solar

FLUER DE LIS

by Heather Bircher

by Royal123RF

STONE ARCHES

THE ESPINADA

ORCHID SCULPTURE

by Paula Solar

by Atlas Obsura

by Royal123RF

STONE FOUNTAIN

EYE ALTAR

by Atlas Obsura

PLUTACOR'S HAND

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ORNAMENTS

SCULPTED ORNAMENTS

CANDELABRUM ORNAMENTS A decorative motif derived from the pedestal or shaft used to support a lamp or candle.

A decorative piece that been Materials may be carved, modeled, cast, wrought, welded, assembled, or otherwise shaped and combined.

by Lucy Neito

by Fernendo

by Reskala Climbing

by Paula Solar

ACANTHUS ORNAMENTS A decorative arts, a stylized ornamental motif based on a characteristic Mediterranean floral with jagged leaves usually found in Greek Architecture

by Rui Hermosilp

by Atlas Obsura

by Atlas Obsura

MOLDED ORNAMENTS It is a decorative arts, a defining, transitional, or terminal element that contours or outlines the edges and surfaces on a projection or cavity

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WATER FEATURES

picture by Erica Victorson

POOLS The streams and pools of water on which the place is titled 'Las Pozas', (the Pools), exist harmoniously with the natural and manmade elements all round.

There are a series of several pools. The highest pool leads to a waterfall, and then three subsequent pools. The bottom pools are linked by smooth surfaces so that people may slide down.

Some pools appear to be designed with a more intricate design of water features.

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POOL ELEMENTS

picture by jeffereygardens

picture by William Niendorff flickr

picture by dinitalks.blogspot

NATURAL WATERFALL

CASCADE CANALS

CONCRETE POOLS

Mountain waterfall called Cascada del General sourced Las Pozas infamous pools.

Some of Edward James' sculptures (in this case, vase-shaped stone objects) are interspersed within and around the river.

The Huasteca Potosina river flows through the cascade canals and epitomises the green-blue shades of a Pantone colour swatch. Interestingly, the visitors interact the cascades between the pools as water slides.

The natural mountain waterfall tumbles down through surrealist ruins and at the end into oddly shaped tiered concrete pools in which visitors are welcome to swim.

picture by tripadvisor AgrieMF

picture by jeffereygardens

picture by jeffereygardens

FULL SHEET STREAM EFFECT

INTERRUPTED SHEET STREAM EFFECT

CASCADING EFFECT

WATERFALL EFFECTS

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PAVEMENT AND PATHWAY

by Luca Mariana Guriri

COBBLESTONE

by Paula Solar

STONE PAVEMENT

by Lucas Antonio

BRICKS PAVEMENT

Staircase to palace by Royal123RF

by Victor Delaqua

TRAVERTINE STONE

by Herbert Loreilo

MIX GRAVEL

by Julia Faveri

by Luca Mariana Guriri

BLUE WELSH SLATE

KIMBA SLATE

by Sally Wilson

WHITE CEMENT

by Sally Wilson

SOFT ASPHALT Seven deadly sins pathway by Heather Bircher

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COARSE TEXTURES

picture by jefferygardens

Fractured white paving stones lit up the walkway across the garden vignettes interlaced with towering sculptures. The contrast targets walkway visibility while passing the especially mysteriouslooking surrounding.

picture by jefferygardens

The perimeter brick wall known to have an authentic nature effect of the tropical Mexican jungle localised dampness. It gave the wall an added texture that is colorful,

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FINE TEXTURES

picture by Jessie Stringfield

A moon gate made out of smooth concrete finish was placed at the grand entrance of Las Pozas. The smoothness creates a modern feel before entering into a surreal ancient garden.

picture by Jessie Stringfield

Painted wooden door has a contrasting red color that will interest any visitor to come here.

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WASH LIGHTING

picture by wikipedia

The wash lighting is especially important to give life and identity at night. The façade treatment emphasizes the unique architectural features of the structures. In return this creates an inviting appearance during the night which can be seen from a distance.

UNDERWATER LIGHTING (UD) LED Lights placed under the Huasteca Potosina waterfalls add a dramatic effect of the location where the sheet of stream fall onto. The UD emphasizes it and made it come to live. picture by www.laspozasxilitla.org.mx

EFFECT LIGHTING

picture by justcheckin

With the aid of an effect lighting, the bright pink emerging foliage of the 'Red Sister' plant found especially in a tropical climated garden, is illuminated.

The burgandy brought out a sense of warm flame that synchronizes with the nearby orchid fountain sculpture.

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picture by realidadsanluis

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FLOOD LIGHTING The light is directed upwards from the ground onto a specific area of interest by a pink colored LED flood lights. Since the site contains colorful works of pigmented concrete sculptures, thus the night lighting aim was to also achieve that.

SPOTLIGHTING A dramatic number of spotlights are well lit towards the sky. It is especially normal during Edward's James era of World War 1 spotlight during lights out to identify enemy planes during the war. In the case of Peristyle House at Las Pozas, they are meant to be the extension of heaven from the concrete bamboo pillars

LIGHTSCAPE

From a distant, the pillar spotlighting dramatizes a blue tonal wash onto the edges of the nearby bamboo foliage. Half of the tree is washed by the warm ground ambience while a part of it with a cold tone temperature.

The temperature mimics the warm, comforting wash of a jungle campfire onto the Heliconia plant and surrounding softscape. The lightscape creates a relaxing environments in the background as you are looking at the concrete bamboo pillars.

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D E S I G N P R I N C I P L E

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RYTHM AND SEQUENCE

The sculptures gradually merged into a kind of random city, with harmony created by its structures and dialogue with its natural surroundings. Along its paths are hands and heads made of concrete, stone snakes, a bathtub in the shape of an eye

picture by www.archdaily.com

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BALANCE

FORMAL BALANCE The gate guards the valley leading to the above waterfall, in regard to a centerline or axis, the elements in the design are identical. Equally weighted pieces located on either side of a center line generate balance in symmetrical design.

picture by architectnews.tumblr.com

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ASYMMETRICAL

INFORMAL BALANCE The element are not identical but it is in the visual weight, The parrot house sculpted poles were design in the shape of stacking bamboos.

picture by mspacifica.com

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RADIAL

RADIAL BALANCE The steps as sculpture in the Plaza San Isidro have a radial balance where From the center, design components radiate outward.

picture by jeffreygardens.blogspot

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PROPORTION AND SCALE

Designed a sculpture garden that defies any architectural label and allows a glimpse of something new, moving between fantasy and reality. Columns with capitals that look like giant flowers, gothic arches, dramatic gates, pavilions with undetermined levels and spiral staircases that end abruptly in mid-air, as if they were an invitation to the horizon.

picture by archdaily

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picture by Dronestagram

CONCLUSION Las Pozas, known to many as “magical” has appear to represent a living relationship between a man and nature. The people of Huasteca mentioned Las Pozas sits on a sacred landscape where man and nature coexist where neither are superior to each other.

The visible state of the concrete of a 20th century structure should appear flawless, but instead, live in symbiosis with its surrounding environment with its surrounding environment, the brain behind Edward James, a British poet known for his patronage of the surrealist art movement.

The centricity of nature has long since been a part of Xilitla, and James was undeniably aware of this when arrived in 1948. It is in this particular environment that he grew as an artist in solitude.

Stairway to the Sky is one of the many remarkable structures that its aesthetic value become enhances by plant growth, in a unifies and harmonic appearance with its surrounding. The union of art, architecture, craft and nature defines Las Pozas and Stairway to the Sky, resulting in a unique work that stands out without precedent.

With the elements that can be found, we are able to have a rough idea of the design narrative behind the infamous ‘Las Pozas’, including its design elements. We found out the importance of landscape architecture has in playing a vital role in the context of nature and built environment. Life within aesthetically pleasing and meaningful landscapes enhances the quality of one’s life.

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REFERENCES 1. A. (2020a, April 25). Great Gardens: Las Pozas, Mexico. The English Channel. https://theenglishchannel.britishcouncil.org/great-gardens-las-pozas-mexico 2. aaschool. (n.d.). Las Pozas – Xilitla | AA VISITING SCHOOL LAS POZAS. https://laspozas.aaschool.ac.uk/xilitla-las-pozas/ 3. architectnews.

(2016, June 29).

Inside Las Pozas, Edward James’ Surrealist Garden in the Mexican Jungle. https://architectnews.tumblr.com/post/146651880939/inside-las-pozas-edward-james-surrealist-garden 4. Artsy Editorial. (2017, December 15). Deep in the Mexican Jungle, One Man Created a Surrealist Paradise. Artsy. https://www.artsy.net/article/artsyeditorial-deep-mexican-jungle-one-man-created-surrealist-paradise/amp 5. B. (2020b, January 1).

Las Pozas: a surreal garden in the jungle.

Into The Arms Of America. https://intothearmsofamerica.com/destinations/mexico/xilitla/las-pozas-surrealist-garden/amp/ 6. B. (2020c, April 1). Travel & Surrealism: “Jungle Xanadu – The Story Of Las Pozas” (2020). Boomers Daily. https://boomers-daily.com/2020/04/01/travelsurrealism-jungle-xanadu-the-story-of-las-pozas-2020/ 7. Brown, P. L., & Taylor, C. (2015, September 3). At Home in the Surreal World. Architectural Digest. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/owenslideshow-082005/amp 8. Chahine, A. (2017, March 27). Las Pozas: Surreal sculptures hidden in the Mexican jungle. Architecture Lab. https://www.architecturelab.net/las-pozassurreal-sculptures-hidden-mexican-jungle/ 9. D. (2018, October 25). Las Pozas – The Surrealist Garden in Mexico. The Frog “n” Toad. http://www.thefrogntoad.com/2018/10/15/las-pozas-xilitla/ 10. Delaqua, V. (2017, September 14). Inside Las Pozas, Edward James’ Surrealist Garden in the Mexican Jungle. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/790389/inside-las-pozas-edward-james-surrealist-garden-in-the-mexicanjungle#:%7E:text=%22Las%20Pozas%22%20(The%20Wells)%20is%20a%20collection%20of,Plutarco%20Gast%C3%A9lum%20in%20Xilitla%2C%20Mexic o.

11. Gordon, S. (2014, April 1). Mexico’s Las Pozas park, surreal jungle gardens created by an eccentric Englishman. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2594083/Mexicos-lost-city-Pictures-inside-surreal-jungle-gardens-created-eccentric-Englishman.html 12. Guernieri, M. (2019, May 29). Las Pozas. A Surrealist sanctuary deep in the forest. domusweb. https://www.domusweb.it/en/architecture/2018/11/17/laspozas-a-surrealist-sanctuary-deep-in-the-forest.amp.html 13. J. (2021a, December 12). Las Pozas (The Pools). Blogspot. http://jeffreygardens.blogspot.com/2016/01/las-pozas-pools.html?m=1 14. Jay, M. (2021, October 18). Mike Jay · At Las Pozas: Edward James’s Sculpture Garden · LRB 21 May 2020. London Review of Books. https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v42/n10/mike-jay/at-las-pozas 15. kohler foundation preservation. (2019, October 30). Las Pozas. Spaces Archives. http://spacesarchives.org/explore/search-the-online-collection/edwardjames-las-pozas/ 16. Las Pozas, Surreal Architectural Fantasy of Edward James. (n.d.). Mexico with Heart. http://www.mexico-with-heart.com/places/huasteca-region/laspozas-surreal-architectural-fantasy-of-edward-james/ 17. O’Neil, M. (2017, February 15). Exploring Las Pozas: an Escher-like playground in the Mexican jungle. The Spaces. https://thespaces.com/exploring-laspozas-escher-like-playground-mexican-jungle/amp/

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REFERENCES 17.

Reid, G. (2019, September 25). The Surreal Gardener: Edward James & the Making of Las Pozas. The Planthunter. https://theplanthunter.com.au/gardens/the-surreal-gardener-edward-james-the-making-of-las-pozas/ 18.

Ro, L. (2016, June 29).

Discover Poet Edward James's Surrealist Garden in a Mexican Jungle.

Curbed. https://archive.curbed.com/2016/6/29/12058138/edward-james-las-pozas-surrealist-garden-mexico 19. The Sculpture Garden of Edward James. (2020, October 29). Great Gardens of the World. https://www.greatgardensoftheworld.com/gardens/thesculpture-garden-edward-james/ 20. Sherlock, K. (2017, August 22). This Surreal Sculpture Garden is a Dreamy Mexican getaway. Ecophiles. https://ecophiles.com/2017/08/22/las-pozasmexico-travel-sculpture/# 21. Staff and Alumni News: Visiting “Las Pozas.” (n.d.). West Dean. https://www.westdean.org.uk/study/school-of-arts/blog/visual-arts-1/staff-and-alumninews-visiting-las-pozas 22. Stringfield, J. (2020, August 13). Visiting Las Pozas in Xilitla, Mexico. AN EARTHLY PARADISE. https://anearthlyparadise.com/blog-2/2019/9/5/las-pozasxilitla 23. U. (2021b, December 10). Las Pozas. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/las-pozas 24. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (n.d.). Las Pozas, Xilitla - UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Unesco. https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5493/ 25. V. (n.d.). Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas. Laspozasxilitla. https://www.laspozasxilitla.org.mx/en/las-principales.html 26. Worldwide Elevation Finder. (n.d.). Worldwide Elevation Finder. https://elevation.maplogs.com/poi/xilitla_s_l_p_mexico.162390.html

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Poem written on a white pillar in the forest

Now through the forest springs a gale to waft the wandering and pale mist of midmorning. This soft kind does – out of deep mountain gorges – steal, brining green orgies to the neither blind nor sleeping leaves, who in the dark can see and drawning thus the fragrant sap aloft.

So even the most aged branch can feel the vigor of the spring’s all virile tree with laughing, laughing rain and drunken wind.

They then, as clouds across the senith sail; white clouds that do their pristine petals peel; or, like tall silver-masted ships of hail, these glass, translucent caracols will reel under the frozen weight of crystal, shattered soon by the magnetic influence of the moon.

While, far below, beyond the blue wet pain rolls yet the drunken wind and gentle rain. where river waters coil and fall and gleam, white lilies sigh beside the wriggling stream.

-EDWARD JAMES

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LAS POZAS MEXICO

BY EDWARD JAMES ARCH3461 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE SEPT 2021

Created by SITI NURFARAHIM AMIER IZZAT SYAZA SYAZANA AHMAD NABIEL FARAH AFIQAH

picture by The Planthunter