Basic Elements of Landscape Architectural Design

On a whim I picked this up because it's on the LARE Section 2 & 3 recommended reading list. It took me several months to get around to it because it's old and I figured there were more recent resources to turn to. I was only partly right. This is a great book - especially if you are about to start a semester of your first design studios. But it is also great for developing a fundamental understanding of site design that many landscape programs seem to gloss over. It covers landform, vegetation, buildings, pavement, structural elements, water, and the design process independently while building your understanding of the interrelationships between each.I really feel like this book contributed to my sophistication as a designer because it explores each element very thoroughly in chapters that are about 50 pages each with lots and lots of diagrams and graphics. I have a much better understanding of how to use design elements to effectively manipulate spaces for the various purposes that you find in standard design programs (human psychology, microclimate, and functional needs - particularly). In my opinion, the information in this book is still very relevant.

Not finished studying this yet but it's very well written and easy to understand. Lots of sketches to illustrate the points being discussed as you go along and I was particularly pleased with the attention paid to the psychology of landscape design. I have been in the landscape business and designed landscapes by my eye that turned out fine. Now I know WHY they turned out fine and that's important. Good book for anyone in the business and for students as well. Landscape architects would find this a handy reference book no matter how long they have been in this field. Good job Norm. Pete McGill, Bonita Springs, Florida.

The book was in really good condition. The illustrations make it much easier to understand the concepts being discussed in each chapter. The book really emphasizes critical thinking and rough sketching, two things that I have been told are really critical in this field of study.

I actually had the honor of taking serveral of classes with Prof. Booth while getting my landscape architecture degree. Basic Elements of Landscape Architectural Design is very straight forward and easy to understand. The book is appropriately titled containing all of the basic elements of design in this profession from landforms, spatial definition, plant material uses, and water to the design process. This book helped me pass section B of the LARE (Landscape Architectural Registration Exam) and I have continued to keep it on hand as a reference.

INSTRUCTIVE

just what the classroom work was about, needed for associate degreeat community college. Good idea builder. did some gardening from such also.

Good book easy to read.

Not impressed. This is a good beginner book if you are starting out. I found it to be way too basic for LARE study material.