With the recent flooding that we’ve been having here in Mid-Michigan, I’ve been thinking about how our landscapes impact storm water, flooding and groundwater infiltration. Many of these ecosystem services that our landscapes provide are often invisible. And once they are out of sight, they are also out of mind. However, our recent weather in […]
Landscape Functions
Top 7 Ways to Spot a Well-Designed Landscape Plan
As you begin the development process, you have big aspirations of creating a place that will become a profitable enterprise. You envision creating a space where people will gather and enjoy spending time. You want to create a positive first impression for your site’s visitors. But you know that there is a lot of work […]
Ecosystem Service Functions of Landscapes – Part II: Urban Heat Islands and Biodiversity
In wrapping up the functions of landscapes series, it is fitting to end with ecosystem service functions. Ecosystem services function in order to sustain life through the use of natural systems. As Landscape Architects it is our responsibility to design landscapes that utilize natural systems for human benefit. In Part I of the ecosystem services […]
Ecosystem Service Functions of Landscapes – Part I: Stormwater Management
Ecosystem services are arguably the most important and most undervalued function of landscapes. These functions are often taken for granted. Take for example, the air that we breathe. How many times during the day do you think about the cleanliness of your air. Probably only when you’re parked behind a car that’s expelling poisonous gasses […]
Aesthetic Functions of Landscapes
As we move into a discussion on the aesthetic functions of landscapes, we begin a more intuitive conversation of plant functions that are more familiar. Unlike the architectural functions and engineering functions that we discussed before, the aesthetic functions of landscapes are primarily pleasing to the eye. This is the beauty aspect of landscape architecture. […]
Engineering Functions of Landscapes
In the Architectural Functions of Landscapes blog post, we took a first look at how landscape elements can be used to serve very specific functions that in turn create interesting people places. These functions fall into 4 categories: Architectural, Engineering, Aesthetic, and Ecosystem Services. This post will explore the engineering functions of landscapes and plant […]
Architectural Functions of Landscapes
We’ve discussed the value of placemaking and creating people places before, but not based on the values that landscape elements provide. The functional uses of landscapes fall into 4 categories: Architectural, Engineering, Aesthetic, and Ecosystem Services. I find the nuances of each of these functions to be very intriguing. When I see landscape elements in my day-to-day […]