About Trees and Space

Theories & Methods 2014

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About Trees and Space a new perspective of the DTU Lygnby campus

Fig. 1 The six vegetation typologies of the campus are important in structuring spaces, from the outer edge of the site to the intdoor spaces.

This paper focuses on analysing the vegetation at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in relation to outer influences and time. In this large context, the research led us to ask what role does the vegetation hold in the campus. As we classified the vegetation in six typologies, we noticed that there is not just one answer to the question. After having been inspired by texts, the use of timelines, representation research and comparisons are the tools that contributed to our findings. This work is important because it brings up new knowledge, especially in these times in which DTU is about to change.

Introduction

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is large institution with many different locations. The focus of this study will be about the DTU campus in Lyngby, one of the main sites, that has been built from 1959 to 1974. At the time it was established, the main design influence was the modernist way of planning for which rational order, functional zoning, access to sunlight and fresh air were the

most important features (Le Corbusier, 1943). Today, fifty years later, the DTU institution is going through a total reorganization, giving the Lyngby campus more importance. As a result, a new planning strategy for the entire campus is being discussed with key words such as densification and networking. In addition to the teaching and research facilities needed, another goal of these future changes is to support a better social life in the campus (Lyngby-Taarbaek Kommune, 2011).

The original planning concept of the campus was for it to be as in a forest (Nørgård et. al, 1970), where vegetation holds a crucial position in the open space. However, its position is also very fragile because it takes up space that can potentially be built.

Very few information documents this green open space, therefore it is my interest to observe what it consists of and what qualities might be at risk when planning new buildings. This study will consequently focus on the vegetation, asking what role it holds in the campus and how can it be a tool to create qualitative lived space. In order to analyse the vegetation and recognize its qualities, I have classified

it in six typologies that are described and discussed. As an overall context, this study includes how time affects an area in relation to the designer’s original intentions, which is especially important now that changes are occurring on the DTU campus.

Relevant theories and methods

This study is the result of the analysis and reflection done in the course entitled Theories and Methods in Landscape Architecture and will try to reveal the analytical process gone

building principle

layer 1: tree alignments (horticultural)

through. I will focus on the following four approaches; the first is by the Danish landscape architect Malene Hauxner. Her conceptual model of the “pastoral-horticultural” landscapes and her analysing method about “morphology and syntax” will guide me while analysing the spatial qualities of the site. Then I will discuss the need of creating a qualitative life on campus and what elements can be used, referring to the concepts and theories of both Jan Gehl, Danish architect and urban designer and Edward Soja, an American geographer and urban plan-

layer 2: free pattern (pastoral)

overlaying horticultural and pastoral

Fig. 2 The complementary vegetation layers of the DTU Lyngby campus ABOUT TREES AND SPACE, Melissa Pestalozzi, XQM789, xqm789@alumni.ku.dk, 04.04.2014

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ner. Finally, the approach of Andrea Kahn, American architect and professor, discussed in her book Site Matters (Kahn, 2005) can be considered as an overall influence of this paper, helping to understand what shapes a site.

Planning in modernism

The modernist influence on the site can be read, among others, from the strong orthogoÂŹnal road system. It defines the general layout of the site with at its center a monumental parking avenue that shows the importance of cars at the time. The building pattern follows this strict road grid but only part of the vegetation scheme fits in it. Indeed, the latter can be read as divided into two plantation layers relating to the horticultural and pastoral landscapes described by M. Hauxner (Open to the Sky, 2003).

The horticultural landscape is here represented in strict alignments of trees that follow the roads reinforcing the modernist design of the campus, whereas the pastoral landscape consists of all the other trees spread across the campus in an informal way, acting as counterpart (fig. 2). At a large scale these two layers are very distinct however when observing the site closer, both landscapes are present again in the different gardens and parks. Identified in spaces that people use every day, the vegetation of the pastoral landscape is the focus of this study.

Vegetation typologies, the catalogue

In order to grasp the varied vegetation elements found in the DTU Lyngby campus, I have classified the vegetation into six typologies. They are ordered from the large to the small size, respectively being the frame, volumes, parks, courtyards, garden art and indoor trees. The following paragraphs group the similar typologies together and describe them briefly. I have matched the frame and volumes in a group as well as park and courtyards together for their similarity in use. A further and more in depth discussion concerning the lived space will be carried on with a focus on the park and courtyard typologies.

Frame and volumes The frame and the volumes are the two most expansive typologies and both indigenous forest-like plantations. Together with the buildings, they act as dense volumes and help constitute the overall structure of the site. Both typologies are mainly crossed or passed by and rarely used for activities; however they play a big role supporting the idea of DTU as a

campus in a forest.

Every person going to the campus encounters the frame, this 20 meters wide and 15 meters high threshold, for it encircles the site entirely. This monoculture of oak trees had no specific use until a running path was created five years ago and in the same time some benches were installed along the path.

The volumes are dense patches of trees originally planted to reserve the space for future building expansion (Ahnfeldt-Mollerup, 2004) and therefore fall into the scheme of the building grid. Their outer perimeter is thus strictly marked out whereas the inner plantations are disordered, mimicking a forest. By their similar proportions to buildings and strict delimitation, they can easily be compared to them.

Each volume is planted as a monoculture but altogether gather different indigenous species. At their feet, low compact vegetation covers the ground and makes it unattractive for pedestrians to settle in therefore the typology is not directly used for leisure and only few paths go through them.

Parks and courtyards The park and courtyards have a higher degree of detail in their design than the previous typologies. They add a new aspect to the DTU forest by the heterogeneity of their species. These typologies stand in spaces that are used by people every day simply because of their proximity to buildings.

They are part of the spaces where one goes out to smoke, chat or enjoy the sun during a break. For this reason,

Fig. 4 Distribution of vegetation typologies where frame, volumes and parks create the main mass of the forest.

Frame

Volumes

methods

Park

Courtyard

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Garden art Indoor trees

Fig. 3 The closer the vegetation gets to the buildings the more the level of design details increases

benches, tables and simple lawns are also characteristics of these spaces.

Although generally confining the vegetation, the buildings here act as canvases underlining plants and creating spaces for theme gardens.

The parks in DTU are very widespread since they are located next to almost every building and are meant to be used for recreational purposes.

Even though they are surrounded by almost identical buildings and are here understood as entrances, these parks unfortunately don’t show much variety.

The courtyards at DTU are gardens completely enclosed by buildings or walls. Some act as the core element of a building, arranged in the middle of teaching and learning facilities, as a central meeting place. Others give the image of hidden gardens where one can appreciate silence. The courtyards indicate the inspiration at that time

about the learning environment that subtly refers to monasteries, depicting a peaceful environment where knowledge is transmitted and reflection is encouraged. Together with the typology garden art they strongly illustrate the trends of the 1960s-70s where exotic gardens, in this case Japanese, were fashionable (Hauxner, 2014).

Garden art There are only very few gardens of this type on campus. All are small, highly maintained and stand in the centre of the building, entirely circled by windows. They add quality to the latter, offering light and an interesting art piece created out of nature.

Indoor trees This typology has emerged in the more recent buildings. Trees are planted inside large interior spaces almost acting as furniture and offer a green

frame

volumes

parks

courtyards

garden art

indoor trees

ABOUT TREES AND SPACE, Melissa Pestalozzi, XQM789, xqm789@alumni.ku.dk, 04.04.2014

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environment for the students and staff.

They help create a working space of quality in the hallways where people pass, relax and study. Unlike in the courtyards, the student is here in an active space where the limit of indoor and outdoor spaces is blurred. Taken out of their natural habitat and integrated in buildings, these trees might also fit in the DTU campus attitude where new technologies are constantly created and tested out.

tity in each quadrant and it stipulates that the buildings should help support the campus life and tie the campus together (Lyngby-Taarbaek Kommune, 2011). A great focus and responsibility is given to the buildings, as if they were by their shape, able to define the quality of the outdoor space. But are they the only elements that can and should have such responsibility?

Could the vegetation contribute to create this desired atmosphere?

Life on campus

When form influences behaviour According to J. Gehl (2010), the scale of spaces has a very big impact on the amount of activities and social life that will arise in them. He states that “small scale means eventful, intense and “warm” cities” and “large spaces and large buildings signal an impersonal, formal and cool urban environment” (Gehl, 2010, p.52/p.53).

In that sense, the suggestion written in the Lokalplan of having six new centres, densely built and with differentiated architectures (Lyngby-Taarbaek Kommune, 2011) will create narrow and intimate situations where people will feel more at ease. With a higher concentration of people in such areas, the correctly scaled spaces between buildings can become attractive and favourable in creating more interaction between people.

On this widespread campus, location is also important to create exchanges and spontaneous meetings.

An example of how location influences use is the building 1.01. Considered as the main building of the campus, its location is near the centre of the general layout and therefore easily reachable. As I have been observing and interviewing students about why they

In an architecture journal of 1970, a student of the DTU Lyngby critiques the campus in a severe way, focusing on the very poor living conditions.

As he states, the monumental scale of the site does not fit with the everyday life and needs. According to him distances are too long, indoor spaces are too wide whereas outdoor areas are not inviting and cars are omnipresent (Nørgård et. al, 1970). Analysing the campus today, one should be aware of the major change that has occurred especially in the outdoor spaces. In forty years the vegetation has had time to settle in and grow to a mature stage.

In addition, other variations have occurred such as new decision makers (director, gardeners, etc.) that have influenced the campus according to their thoughts.

The interesting point about the student’s discourse is that although changes have happened it is still valid today. The validity of his critique is understandable in the campus director’s lecture (Jacob S. Møller, 2014) but also readable in the requirements for the new planning to come. Indeed, the Lokalplan is asking for new buildings that would help people orient themselves, it asks for stronger iden-

meet at 1.01 for lunch (it is not the only canteen) the common answer given was for its location. People studying in different buildings meet there for it is placed in a close distance to many others and therefore is used more. It is for this same convenient reason that the park and courtyard typologies are the most used vegetation spaces.

Vegetation as a spatial tool Reading the Lokalplan, one can observe the very strong responsibility given to buildings for creating a better social life on campus but they are not the only spatial elements that can be used for shaping spaces. In my opinion, the use of vegetation should be considered, especially in the context of this extremely green campus. The vegetation typologies of parks and courtyards are already existing elements, well located and that can be remodelled to fit the new social demands.

In addition to shaping spaces, vegetation adds enormously in creating atmosphere and identity. May it be the one of the peaceful monastery gardens, the more landscaped English gardens or messy urban spaces where spontaneous nature grows, vegetation can become a powerful tool in creating space that has a meaning for people. The modernist design influence was maybe stronger than one can expect. Although the parks and courtyard typologies of the DTU Lyngby campus are seemingly lush and very far from the rigid planning trends, they are very similar to one another.

Every park has the same dimensions and contains approximately the same number of trees, distanced in a same way. Species vary more than in the volumes or frame but still stay comparable. Giving a real differentiation in

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the planting patterns of parks in each quadrant, in relationship to buildings could be a strong action impacting the perception of spaces.

Uses and functions The concept of the “trialectics of spatiality” of E.Soja, described in Tim Creswell’s text entitled The Genealogy of Space (Creswell, 2004) contains the measurable, the conceived and the lived space. These three notions are according to him inevitably present in sites and cannot be separated.

The measurable space gathers the physical and mappable attributes of places. The conceived space is how people imagine a site, through ideas and perceptions. The lived space or practiced space is the third. It is created when someone is there, when people use space and is changeable depending on each individual.

In the paragraph above, J.Gehl suggests looking at the measurable space as a solution to create a better lived space but does not mention the conceived space. In DTU the conceived space is important to discuss for it might be the main reason why the students do not enjoy life on campus so much. Indeed, according to the interviews done, the students that do not live on campus leave as soon as their classes are over. It seems that the space offered on campus is not appealing enough for them to imagine spending more time there. The conception of space is directly influenced by measurable space and the opportunities it creates for a good lived space. What about if there were cafés and nice recreational spaces that refer to other things than studies? With a more varied scope of activities on campus, the conceived idea of DTU would change

Fig. 5 When the outdoor space does not answer to the users needs, funny situations occur

ABOUT TREES AND SPACE, Melissa Pestalozzi, XQM789, xqm789@alumni.ku.dk, 04.04.2014

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economic situation in Denmark

1700 century: deforestation in Northern Zealand

Economical development and optimism

Economical stagnation and unemployment

- modernism - horizontal hierarchy - social housing, educational institutions - technology and science as solutions to all problems - vegetation must be tamed

- back to nature - urban renewel - planning for ‘a dynamic image’ - social housing is set aside, single family houses are rising

1958: Decision 1959: Planning and of moving DTH building are started

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Economic growth - stones and pavements are preferred to plants - terrain and plants used as architectural elements

1974: Inauguration of DTH. Absurd situation because of danish economical crises.

1963: DTH (Danish Tecnical ‘Højskole’)

methods

Start 80’ies: DTH is asked to take in more students because of high youth unemployment

- importance of biodiversity - sustainable solutions - creation and preservation of ecologic biomes - high function - low maintainance

2007: Fusion with 1994: DTH change name to DTU during a institutions fusion with DIA (Danmarks Ingeniøraka2001: DTU becomes demi) and some other owner institutions.

aces built surf ntity me qua n o volu vegetati dents r of stu numbe

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Fig. 6 The timeline illustrates how different events influenced the development of DTU over time. The way nature was looked upon in the 70s when DTU was planned has not changed until recently, when the new campus gardener arrived.

(Zwisler, 2013 [online], Aarhus University [online], Lund, 2003)

and certainly affect the use of the lived space.

A flexible structure

Looking at a distance, the vegetation and buildings on the DTU Lyngby campus create a regular pattern throughout the whole site. This interaction between vegetation and buildings reinforce the general layout, binding spaces together. Closer in scale, one can observe that each typology, depending on its location answers to different needs and uses and therefore hold different roles. The vegetation, being a living organism evolving in time no matter what, also seems to be easily adaptable to change composition.

A variation within some typologies could be emphasised in order to add differentiation and identity the Lokalplan is asking for (Lyngby-Taarbaek Kommune, 2011). A greater variety could orchestrate a series of experiences throughout the campus. As the vegetation typologies are partly defined by their location, each route would encounter its own variations in colours and themes but the sequences would stay the same.

Influences on the vegetation

Working with Andrea Kahn’s theories of the three areas (control, influence and effect) (Kahn, 2005), I have recognized how an area is the result of many different factors interacting together. Analysing such factors only in one moment in time does not give the full picture. A complete overview with further information such as historical, political and economic contexts helps to understand how influences and ef-

fects contribute to the development of a site. Figure 6 focuses on different factors that have affected the vegetation and its maintenance over time, even though they might not be direct.

One striking example is how the economic situation in Denmark during the 1980s has indirectly influenced on cutting down trees on campus. In that period DTU was asked to take in more students because of high unemployment among young people, which caused a need for more teaching facilities and resulted in replacing trees by new buildings (Zwisler, 2013). Changes are always connected with a chain of actions and effects and have to be considered when redesigning a site.

Perspectives

This intriguing mass of vegetation that I first encountered when arriving on site has changed from unclear to fascinating thanks its understanding through a diverse analysis. Initially the vegetation scheme was laid out to give a forest atmosphere, but it is not until these last years that it has reached its full size and meaning. By bringing up what has been done in the past and analysing it today, gives a better understanding of the spatial qualities of the site. Acknowledging these present qualities of DTU, suggestions for its future development become more qualified, as it will be a conscious choice to either emphasize or alter the current conditions.

In today’s situation, as the physical environment of the DTU Lyngby campus is about to change, considerations like densification and social life are being lifted up as central. Under pressure, the original designer’s intention of creating a campus as flexible as

possible (Nørgård et. al, 1970) seems to be successful, for it creates a stable framework in which new planning can be considered.

Designed in modernist terms, the actual campus gives much focus on the transportation and built structure.

Even though these trends have passed and other planning ideals are current, the power is still given to the buildings.

The goals are different but the means seem to be the same. This study suggests considering other elements, such as vegetation as tools to design space.

Carried out in a short period of time, this paper is pointing out a subject that could use a much more in depth study. The remodelling of the site with six new, dense centres suggests great changes and might even ask to reconsider the validity of the vegetation typologies here defined. Might there be the need of an additional typology, one can fit in the overall structure and that will contribute in generating the desired quality of the outdoor space?

References Aarhus Universitet Online (?)

“Danmarks historie” [online]. Available from http://danmarkshistorien.dk/ perioder/ [accessed: 26 Febuary 2014]

Life/DTU-Lyngby-Campus [accessed: 17 March 2014] Gehl, J. (2010) Cities for people, Island Press, pp.52-53 Hauxner, M. (2003) Open to the sky, first edition, Arkitektens forlag.

Jepsen, M. K. (2014) Guided tour in DTU’s landscape, oral source [18 Febuary 2014] Kahn, A. & Burns, C. J. (2005) “Introduction: Why Site Matters” and “Chapter 11” In: Site Matters, New York: Routledge, pp. vii-xxix, pp.281296 Le Corbusier, (1943) The Athens Charter, New York: Grossman Publishers (1973) Lund, A. (2003) Guide to Danish Landscape Architecture, revised edition, Copenhagen: The Danish Architectural Press, p. 23-27 Lyngby-Taarbaek Kommune, (2011) Lokalplan 228, for Danmarks Tekniske Universitetet, Campus Lyngby Møller, J. S. (2014) DTU’s landscape - visions and development, The Technical Univesity of Denmark [18 Febuary 2014]

Creswell, T. (2004) Place - a short introduction, First edition, Blackwell Publishing, p. 38

Nørgård, O. et. al (1970) “Om Lundtofte-byggeriet”, Arkitekten, no.17, p.404-409

DTU Online (2013) “DTU Lyngby Campus” [online]. Available from http://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/ International-Student-Guide/Student-

Zwisler, L. (2013) “DTU’s historie” [online]. Available from http://www. historie.dtu.dk/tidslinie [accessed: 17 March 2014]

ABOUT TREES AND SPACE, Melissa Pestalozzi, XQM789, xqm789@alumni.ku.dk, 04.04.2014

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APPEARANCE 20m wide and 15m high belt of trees planted randomly in a forest-like way. Until today the bottom has been kept clear of shrubs.

DISTRIBUTION Along the outer perimeter, enclosing the site.

USE/ACTIVITY No special use until 2009 where a running path was installed.

photo Signe Hvergel Petersen

VOLUMES

photo by Google Street View

FRAME

SPECIES 1974: Planted as monoculture of oak trees.

2011: Input of indigenous trees.

APPEARANCE 15m high trees planted in large mono cultural patches in a forest-like way with low vegetation at the bottom.

DISTRIBUTION Initially planted throughout the site, but this typology has dwindled as buildings have replaced them since the 70s.

SPECIES Various species, but mostly oaks.

USE/ACTIVITY Very few activities, no benches, possible to walk through at some places

INDOOR TREES GARDEN ART

COURTYARDS

photo by Signe Hvergel Petersen

PARKS

APPEARANCE Each one of them are different, they consist both of solitary trees, bushes, hedges and smaller plants.

DISTRIBUTION Located in the vicinity of and often in between buildings. Almost every building is connected to this typology.

SPECIES Various species such as oaks, pines, beech hedges, rhododendrons, maple trees, rowan trees, etc.

USE/ACTIVITY People cross these little parks to access buildings, areas with a high social aspect, the lawns are also used for sitting and resting.

APPEARANCE Enclosed on four sides by either buildings or walls. Varies a lot in size and design, but in general more sculptural elements, mix of solitary trees, small bushes and plants.

DISTRIBUTION Found inside several buildings.

SPECIES Each courtyard has different species.

USE/ACTIVITY Mostly accessible through the interior of the buildings, these spaces are used for more calm activities like dinning, reading or just sitting.

APPEARANCE Enclosed on four sides by buildings. With small, sculptural trees, bushes cut as sculptural elements together with stones, inspired by the Japanese garden style DISTRIBUTION Found in only one building.

SPECIES Box bushes and maple trees USE/ACTIVITY Created to look at from inside the building, only accessible by the maintenance staff.

APPEARANCE Evergreen trees with a height of 4-5m planted amidst interior furnishings.

DISTRIBUTION Found in more recent buildings.

SPECIES Different kind of evergreen trees.

USE/ACTIVITY Can be considered almost as pieces of furniture, aesthetic use, part of leisure and learning environment for students in between class rooms.

ABOUT TREES AND SPACE, Melissa Pestalozzi, XQM789, xqm789@alumni.ku.dk, 04.04.2014

The oak forest frame encloses the site, and creates a big, dense mass of trees even though the undergrowth is cleared under the canopy.

new plantings with different species to gain greater biodiversity

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future perspectives

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vegetation is planted

Diagrammatic top view

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number of trees

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time volumes are replaced for new buildings

The vegetation volumes are planted on geometrical surfaces, they are quite dense and often the same height as the buildings, which makes them easily comparable to building volumes.

some parks are replaced for new buildings, new ones are created in relation to these

The scale of space radically changes between the frame or volumes that are large surfaces of trees and parks that are smaller areas. A more intimate atmosphere is created in the parks due to the proximity of the buildings and variety of trees.

potential new courtyards in the future buildings

Courtyards can be considered like additional rooms of the buildings that differ from the others by having no roof. These gardens seem to be very much cared of considering the high amount of design details. The plants chosen in such areas are often very sculptural.

The garden art typology is very specific and relates a lot to the Japanese garden style. A very high level of maintenance is required to create these living sculptures.

Indoor trees have been put in the newer buildings and can be seen as symbol of knowledge and mastering the developing technologies. We can also guess that there is a research of blurring the boundaries between the inside and the outside, pushed further than the courtyards.

potential new garden art places in the future buildings

potential trees planted in the future buildings

ABOUT TREES AND SPACE, Melissa Pestalozzi, XQM789, xqm789@alumni.ku.dk, 04.04.2014