Landscape design for educational function
Modern landscape design for educational function is a broad concept. Depending on the detailed function and significance, there are three main categories of designed landscape:
1. Landscapes which are:
- located in educational institutions (campuses, primary schools, kindergartens, training institutions, etc.)
- designed for enjoyment and recreation
- designed to provide convenience, such as comfortable seating, walking areas, and sun shades, etc.
Example Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., South Campus, Torrance, CA
2. Landscapes (not necessarily belonging to schools) which (more or less) not only have interesting features but also have educational functions (which are hard to sustain). For instance, landscape design encourages people to observe how crops grow and mature.
Example Shenyang Architectural University Campus, Taizhou City, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
In this case, crops may not grow well because:
- teachers and students generally do not take the time and energy to look after crops
- teachers and students do not have enough experience
So, it may cause a negative impact if people do not maintain the design as intended, resulting in wasted money due to an unsuccessful design.
3. Landscapes (which do not have to belong to schools) that are sustainable, provide environmental advantages, and implicitly guide people to observe nature. The most important aspect is the feeling evoked by these observations. Different people may not have the same feelings, but the key is that different people experience feelings after observing.
Example Salem State University – Marsh Hall According to ASLA 2014 awards, "With this design, the entire campus can reconnect both physically and symbolically to the adjacent tidal marsh, a habitat rich in plant and animal life."
Example Salem State University – Marsh Hall According to ASLA 2014 awards, "The 180' long bio-swale gives modern form to a natural process, educates students about alternative storm water practices while making architectural and material references to the historic Salem Wharf."
Salem State University – Marsh Hall
All three types have developed in the same era with the same aim: sustainable development.
Significance of Landscape design for educational function,
1. Schools need a good environment. The stress of studying is significant; people need a comfortable environment to relax. After intense study, students sometimes experience a positive feeling that is indescribable after observing nature.
2. For sustainable development, there is greater significance. Environmental sustainability should not just be a task for a minority of designers. Everyone should understand and make efforts to maintain it. No matter whether the landscape is part of a school or not, it implicitly plays a vital role in influencing people to love and protect nature. This may inspire some young people to become landscape architects.
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