Landscape design for educational function
Modern landscape design for educational function is a broad concept. Depending on 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.)
• landscapes just for enjoyment and recreation
• provide convenience, such as comfort seating, walking areas, 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 (hard to be sustainable). 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 don’t take time and energy to look after crops
• teachers and students don’t have enough experience
So, it may cause negative impact that people don’t do something that the designer is supposed to do, and waste money because the unsuccessful design.
3. Landscapes (they don't have to belong to schools) which are sustainable, giving advantages for the environment, and implicitly guide people to observe nature. The most important thing is the feelings of the observations. Different people can't have the same feelings. But the key is different people have feelings after they observe.
Example Salem State University – Marsh Hall According to ALSA 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 ALSA 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 of these three types have developed in the same era with the same aim, which is sustainable development.
Significance of Landscape design for educational function,
1. Schools need good environment. The stress of study is big, people need a comfortable environment to relax. After crazy study, students sometimes get a good feeling which couldn't be described by languages after they observe nature.
2. For sustainable development, there is a greater significance. Environmental sustainability shouldn't just be a task for minority designers. All of people should understand and do efforts to maintenance. No matter if the landscape is part of a school or not, they implicitly provide a stable role to impact people to love and protect nature. This may inspire a few young people to become landscape architects.
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