AHC30921 - Certificate III in Landscape Construction Assessment Answer

Introduction

Born on October 27, 1944, Piet Oudolf is a renowned Dutch garden designer. He has transformed the landscape design business through his innovative and green outlooks. His career is distinguished by a familiarity with horticulture and the breaking of stereotyped images on gardens and landscape. With international recognition, Oudolf has become a legendary figure in contemporary landscape architecture. Piet Oudolf's life and career are very closely related to his passion for plants, and plant breeding. As a child growing up in the Netherlands city of Haarlem, Oudolf was strongly attracted by plants 'beauty and variety. Then his pursuit of studies in horticulture gave him a strong knowledge base about the science plants and their surroundings. His background has played a key role in the development of his distinctive approach to landscape design. Hence, this paper aims to explores Oudolf's design approach, and an exemplary project to showcase his transformative impact on landscape design.

Designers Approach

Piet Oudolf's approach to landscape design is grounded in a deep respect for naturalistic planting and ecological sustainability (Elkin, 2023). At the heart of his philosophy is what he calls New Perennialism, a new planting style that employs perennials in ways which are naturally adapted to nature (Webster, 2015). Oudolf's designs are skirts between plants, with particular concern for timing seasonal changes; texture in raw materials and colours (Boon, 2018). Another important aspect of Oudolf's method is his focus on creating landscapes which change with the seasons (Munro, 2018). His designs are all about dynamic rather than static, and ever-changing instead of manicured spaces. As well as being beautiful, Oudolf's plants are also selected according to whether they can be grown in a particular area, helping create an ecologically stable landscape.

His landscapes become a dance of the elements of nature, constantly developing with each season to provide people's eyes and ears with an array of stimulations (Taylor, 2023). The emphasis that Oudolf places on adaptability and resilience makes his designs not only sustainable, but also serves to strengthen the bond between mankind and nature. The core of Oudolf's work is to rise above the old conceptions of landscaping, holding out hope that natural beauty and ecological awareness can coexist in a never-ending synchronous dance.

Evidence of The Designer Approach

New York City's High Line is a dazzling example of Piet Oudolf's design ethic. Oudolf worked with James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro to help create this novel public space (Mahadin, 2016). His greatest contribution was in selecting plant species with minute attention to detail, yielding a beautiful and ecologically complex landscape that is not only aesthetic but serves as an actual implementation of sustainable design. The mark of Oudolf's approach is clearly evident along the High Line, a linear park ingeniously carved out of an old railway track (Freedman, 2019). A tapestry of native and adapted plant species artfully laid out to mirror the natural beauty seen in nature are beautiful accents adorning any landscape. With his judicious selection of plants, Oudolf's art enriches people who look upon it while also helping to create a healthier urban environment. As a constantly changing stage, the High Line is like an open book for sensory enjoyment. The seasonal interest is none other than Oudolf's emphasis, as the plantings change with the seasons and show a mesmerizing play of colours, textures and forms (Freedman, 2019). In this intentional design Oudolf creates a kind of immersion through the array, not only promoting his view regarding sustainable and resilient landscapes but also transcending with that series the barriers between green spaces outside cities.

The High Line project serves as a perfect embodiment of Piet Oudolf's landscape design approach. The selection and grouping of plants along High Line have been carefully done to conform to his ecological principles and reflect seasonal variation. Significantly, it has been successful because Oudolf wants beautiful landscapes that are ecologically sustainable and this has been achieved through High Line being developed into a public space (McCoy, 2012). The project symbolizes his commitment towards dynamic plant system as well as the resilience of biodiverse environments within urban areas. The connection between Oudolf’s approach and the evidence provided by the High Line is deep. This project is a proof of his vision, re-iterating how landscape design based on an ecological framework can change our surroundings.

The High Line features a curated selection of more than 500 plant species and cultivars, with approximately 50% being native to North America (Richard & Moskalenko, 2017). These choices prioritize hardiness, adaptability, diversity, seasonal variation, colour, and texture. About 30% of the native vegetation specifically attracts pollinator species, contributing to the park's ecological richness. The cultivated gardens span 125,640 square feet (3.5 acres), which enhance Manhattan's greenery. The site showcases 200 perennial species, 40 varieties of grasses, over 75 bulb species, and more than 150 tree and shrub species (Richard & Moskalenko, 2017). This diverse planting scheme adds vibrancy and ecological value to the urban landscape. In addition to its botanical richness, the High Line serves as a cultural hub by annually featuring multicultural contemporary art. Since its inception in 2009, the park has exhibited over 200 pieces created by artists hailing from 43 different countries, contributing to the dynamic and global artistic tapestry of the space.

Another compelling example that illustrates Piet Oudolf's design approach is the Lurie Garden in Chicago's Millennium Park. At this public garden, Oudolf worked in concert with landscape architect Shannon Nichol and collaborated closely on architect Ben van Berkel to produce a revolutionary work of planting design which has only further enhanced the reputation as a visionary in landscape design (ASLA, 2008). Oudolf's pickiness can be felt in the Lurie Garden, where he assembled a wide variety of plants and orchestrated them into an overall composition that is constantly changing (Lurei Garden, 2023). Oudolf's sense of play with textures, colours and seasonal transitions are present in the garden divided into Light & Dark plates. This meticulous design not only holds visitors under the spell of its beauty, but also emphasizes just how serious Oudolf is about ecological sustainability. There is no doubt that Oudolf's inspiration can be seen, as the garden evolves through spring and summer to create a constantly changing mosaic of colour patterns reflecting nature 'cycles. Oudolf's ecological (naturalized) plant palette also includes perennials such as coneflowers, grasses and sedges that are resilient with low maintenance requirements. Like a living canvass, the garden connects city residents even more closely with nature. As per Nichol (2011), the total garden plantings consist of 35,000 perennials across 240 varieties and 5,800 woody plants spanning 14 varieties, with over 60% being native to the Midwest. The utilization of native and adapted plants contributes to a reduction in required irrigation. In the Summer of 2010, the perennial beds received irrigation only 12 times, and specific plants were hand-watered as required (Nichol, 2011). The garden's maintenance does not necessitate the use of insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides, thanks to the careful selection of plants.

Link Between Approach and The Evidence Project

The connection between Piet Oudolf's unique approach to landscaping and the proof offered by High Line and Lurie Garden runs a long way. These illustrative projects reflect Oudolf's design philosophy stressing naturalistic plantings and ecological sustainability. For the High Line, Oudolf's painstaking selection of plant species and herring-bone arrangement in imitation of a random growth resembles his idea about sustainable design. These native and adaptive plant species were chosen with full awareness. Besides adding to the beauty of the urban park, they are also beneficial to natural surroundings in that sense. The mood of High Line changes with the seasons, a constantly shifting interweaving- and tension implies every moment--in colors, textures of Young's preference for dynamic ambience that is never static. In the same vein, Lurie Garden in Chicago's Millennium Park provides another compelling example. Oudolf's precise selection of a rich plant collection, his variety with surfaces and lorishnesses, as well aware reflect in this careful designing that gardens should change over the years. Not only does this increase the hardiness of his garden, but it fits Oudolf's own ecological principles. All plants there are native or adapted to their environment.

The High Line and Lurie Garden both take Oudolf's concepts into the tangible world. Such designs are mapped out by the conscious choices of form, a focus on seasonal interest and their use of hardy plant species one can see in Oudolf's overarching design paradigm to an application in imprinted meteoric public space. The fact that these projects exist is evidence that the Oudolf concept isn't just an abstract idea but can be put into practice-with moveable objects such as plants and light, at a scale large enough to work on landscapes. They make life human, harmonious and eco-friendly; they address a new discourse for environmentally friendly gardens within the city which surpasses limitations of taste or even generation gaps.

Conclusion

The significant influence that Piet Oudolf has brought to landscape design is underscored by his new methodology, which includes projects such as the High Line and Lurie Garden. His intimacy with naturalistic planting and ecological rationality has not only meant a recasting of open spaces in our cities, he's also redrawn the two-way interaction between mankind and nature. Oudolf's designs are based on an intricate play of colours, textures and shifts with the seasons which break through established landscaping restrictions. The success of the High Line and Lurie Garden provide concrete evidence that Oudolf's ecological principles are not just a series of pseudoscientific formulas but can be translated into elegant, resilient landscapes suitable for public enjoyment. As a pioneer in modern landscape architecture, Oudolf's legacy marks the start of an age when beauty and sustainability go hand-in-hand with a deep relationship to the ever-changing rhythms of nature. His work is an expression of creative possibility that exists in sober, environmentalist landscape architecture. It does not just spruce up the cityscape or enhance people's minds and souls-it boosts their bodies--something important to Lord because “people are what matter in landscape design.”

Therefore, landscape maintenance should be included in the annual operations and maintenance budget. It also has to provide resources for building engineering jobs besides weekly cleaning services that are relied upon. The Lurie Garden is a horticulture garden. Within it fall various lighting elements such as exterior lights, site furniture and water feature sets; other classes are the garden roads paved for pedestrian or vehicular traffic (both maintenance vehicles and emergency equipment), etc. Consequently, it can be viewed as both a "building" and a "landscape." Having an endowment proves beneficial for any project that necessitates an annual operations budget.

References

ASLA, 2008. General Design Award of Excellence. Available at: https://www.asla.org/awards/2008/08winners/441.html
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Boon, S., 2018. Gardening as Editing. Available at: https://snowhydro1.wordpress.com/2018/06/27/gardening-as-editing/
[Accessed 15 December 2023].

Elkin, R., 2023. Nature Without Ecology. Available at: https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2023/11/30/nature-without-ecology/
[Accessed 15 December 2023].

Freedman, L., 2019. Piet Oudolf: the man who planted the High Line. Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/39475642-86e8-11e9-b861-54ee436f9768
[Accessed 15 December 2023].

GGN, 2016. The Lurie Garden at Millennium Park. Available at: https://www.ggnltd.com/the-lurie-garden-at-millennium-park
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Lurei Garden, 2023. The Challenges and Rewards of Mapping the Naturalistic Garden. Available at: https://www.luriegarden.org/mapping-the-naturalistic-garden/
[Accessed 15 December 2023].

Mahadin, Y., 2016. Park Design and User Behavior Pattern: A Case Study of the High Line Park in New York Line Park in New York , Mississippi: Mississippi State University.

McCoy, M., 2012. High Line the undeniable highlight. Available at: https://thegardenist.com.au/high-line-the-undeniable-highlight/
[Accessed 15 December 2023].

Munro, L., 2018. Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf. Available at: https://wonderground.press/people/five-seasons-gardens-piet-oudolf/
[Accessed 15 December 2023].

Nichol, G., 2011. The Lurie Garden at Millennium Park. Available at: https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/the-lurie-garden-at-millennium-park
[Accessed 15 December 2023].

Richard, P. & Moskalenko, E., 2017. The High Line, Manhattan: Landscape Architecture Foundation.

Taylor, E., 2023. The Beautiful Perennial Gardens of Piet Oudolf, the World’s Greatest Living Landscape Designer. Available at: https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/piet-oudolf-at-work-phaidon-book
[Accessed 15 December 2023].

Webster, P., 2015. The New Perennialism: Open Source Planting Design. Available at: https://thenewperennialist.com/the-new-perennialism-open-source-planting-design/
[Accessed 15 December 2023].  

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