H I S TO R I C A L C O N T E X T O F L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T E C T U R E Figure 4.12 Sea Ranch, California, by Lawrence Halprin.
density of development that did not burden the holding capacity of the landscape. The residential development Sea Ranch (Figure 4.12) on the Northern Californian coast was one of the early projects paralleling McHarg’s Design with Nature approach to land planning. Lawrence Halprin’s firm was responsible for the planning of the project, following a process using a system of thematic overlays (soil, geology, land form, plant species cover, weather and sun patterns, etc.) to find the optimal locations on the property for proposed land uses and siting of specific building footprints. Closely following this successful project was the Woodlands Community planned by the firm Wallace, McHarg, Roberts and Todd. The Woodlands was a master planned bedroom community located north of Houston, Texas. It featured a comprehensive system of greenways that served to accommodate storm water, provide recreation amenities, including bicycle and walking trails, and conserve extensive woodland and other natural ecosystems. The project, as originally conceived, became a well-regarded example of the benefits of designing with nature.
Sustainable Design During the past 15 or so years, landscape architecture has found itself one of the leading design professions in the discussion and practice of design and planning involving concepts related to sustainability, resilience, and best management practices. These movements have increased the breadth and depth of knowledge that landscape architects bring to the creation of new communities and cities, revitalization or re-imagining of failed or dysfunctional landscapes, and the rehabilitation of affected natural areas. Current trends in landscape architecture involve exploratory design and resource management strategies in response to globalization issues (global warming and sea level rise) and the search for healthier and livable cities. The future of the profession is bright and an attempt to foresee the part the professions will play in the future will be presented in Chapter 11. The new technologies and knowledge base for practicing the profes79
