The Home
As the tempo of the world quickens, and the number of cars, roads and people increases, our cities start to resemble anthills. The idea that the home serves as a refuge and a sanctuary becomes a literal truth. Landscapes and Gardens provide beauty, functional spaces, a sense of shelter, outdoor areas for quiet contemplation and a place to observe nature.
The Balance of Three
The best outcome for projects occurs when equal proportions of consideration and respect exist between the three main entities:
| Site | history natural conditions soils adjacent landscape |
| Client | objectives tastes needs |
| Landscape Architect | design instinct functional aesthetic concerns |
East and West
Geographically, the Pacific NW region is equidistant between Europe and Asia. In Architecture, Cuisine, Art, Landscape, ...we are influenced by both cultures, and are fortunate to be able to draw from both. European and Asian aesthetic ideas can be combined in a manner that are not easily identified as being one or the other, but can form an integral whole composition.
The Site
Each Site is unique. Each has it's own history and characteristics. Throughout the ages many battles have been fought, and are still being fought over land. Even the most mundane suburban lot represents a piece of the Earth's finite landmass, and affords views of the stars and moon. Changes to any site should be performed with forethought, patience and respect.
Agricultural
Of all the economic eras this country has witnessed (Colonial, Agricultural, Industrial, Technological, Financial), the Agricultural era had the most desirable effect on the American landscape. The farmhouse with it's barns, hedgerows, orchards, fields and stone walls, forms idyllic images loved by many. It could be argued that the subsequent periods have a marked increase in prosperity, but at the cost of the defiling the rural landscape left by the Agricultural period. In Landscape Architecture, we can utilize some of the landscape elements that gave farms their beautiful, rustic, functional simplicity.
Simplicity
The changes to a landscape should be subtle in nature and join the surroundings with harmony. One of the best compliments I received on a landscape goes something like this: "I really can't remember how it was before, it seems like it was always like this." The placement of overbearing landscape elements threatens the beauty of the site. The skilled use of restraint results in a Landscape that reflects the old adage "less is more".
Natural vs. Manmade
On each site a balance should be obtained between human uses of land and that set aside for nature. Humans require organized spatial environments that are defined, functional and can be maintained. Nature enjoys a less controlled and wild, soft environment. The contrast between these, respectively, hard and soft landscapes, have a beneficial aesthetic effect on each other and should be included in every project.
Observations
In my travels and explorations, observations of the natural and man made environments serve as a source of inspiration and material for deeper thought. By taking notes in a journal and through photographs, I am able to record these observations and images.
