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Landscape Architecture: A Manual of Site Planning and Design

by John O. Simonds

ISBN-10: 9780070577091
ISBN-10: 0-07-057709-9
ISBN-13: 9780070577091
ISBN-13: 978-0-07-057709-1
Hardcover
1997-09-01
McGraw-Hill Professional


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Editorials


Product Description
Landscape architecture bible--now better than ever. If you want to keep pace with the latest thinking in landscape design, turn to the Third Edition of John O. Simonds' Landscape Architecture. Packed with hundreds of new inspirational photos, clear diagrams and time-saving checklists, this revised classic gives you a systematic approach to designing outdoor places and spaces. From the basics of using the natural landscape as the ecological basis for all land use planning to breakthrough methods for designing habitations and communities, it gives you step-by-step procedures for selecting and analyzing sites. . .assessing environmental impact. . .developing detailed designs. . .and more. This completely updated resource also shows you how to design for sustainability and managed growth. . .reverse urban sprawl. . .revitalize run-down urban areas. . .utilize original methods for planning open spaces. . .and develop regional blue and green ways.

Reviews


not a reference book
Good photos but not so pleasure to read it. It covers whole range of landscape architectural topic. It give you the whole picture of this field. If you want to know what't the field about, you may buy it since there are not so many selections for you. However, the text is very dry.

Wise and wonderful!
I was surprised to see the two prior comments and suspect that they were not written by anyone in the landscape architecture field. This book has been the classic introductory text since the 1960s. As a text, it does not purport to be a definitive reference but rather to acquaint the student and layperson with the breadth of landscape architecture. It is not at all focused on the surface alone--Simonds has been one of the pioneers of sustainable ecological design, and the book proves it, covering, among other topics, natural water systems, native plants, greenways, and climate. As Simonds states, "The work of the landscape architect...is to help bring people...into harmonious relationship with the living earth--with the 'want to be' of the land." This book points us in the right direction!

Save your money
A good example of why you would go to the library or bookstore and see if the book was any good, prior to purchasing. Specifically, author hits a wide range of topics and delves into little. The book lacks summaries and lacks a general direction. Some nice photos, which probably resulted in the excessive price. Save your money.

Yikes!! Simplistic & dated for 1999
Based on the previous reviews I expected a rigorous, comprehensive, organized & contemporary approach to the topic but was soon disappointed with almost every aspect of the book, It's photo's, text, timeliness, scope, scholarship and even general layout are substandard for 1999.

The book discusses landscape in primarily visual terms i.e. the landscape is seen as something to be artistically composed according to principles espoused by the Master's of design, i.e. Corb, Wright, etc. as if that is enough. Wrong! For instance, a golf course is a monoculture with environmental benefits equivalent to a parking lot, yet the author cites numerous examples of the genre as something to aspire to.

Throughout the book, broad statements are made and not explained or justified, i.e. New York City is considered a bad landscape, a sort of icon of man's inhumanity to man, but on the next page Central Park is heralded for it's design and benefits, yet the author doesn't bother to explain either assertion, socially, environmentally, even visually, as if the statements and pictures are self evident.

In short, if you know nothing about ANY kind of design, perhaps this book is of some help, but if, like me you've studied architecture and are looking to add to your understanding of landscape architecture this book has VERY little to offer.


Great book for anyone interested in Landscape Architecture
This book covers all aspects of Landscape Architecture. For a student, this book takes landscape architecture and turns it around and exposes all facets. For a professional, it offers more points of view to stimulate your creativity.


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