Architectural Landscape: Central vs. Jingshan Park

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Similarities in the Parks
Differences in the Park
Conclusion
Annotated Bibliography

Introduction

Modernism in architecture has experienced a massive transformation since Gilbert Laing Meason published his book, ‘On the Landscape Architecture of the Great Painters of Italy’ in 1828 (Hays 78). Several other architects have endeavored to come up with new designs that is not only meant to offer new insights into the world of architecture, but also meant to offer comfort and happiness to humanity. Le Corbusier once said that architects are supposed to conceive new and creative ways of offering designs that are functional, appealing, and conscious of the increasingly limited land resource (Sabatino 56). Since 1920s, history of landscape architecture has taken an interesting turn as we approached modernism. Architectures were under pressure to come up with structures that met the needs of people, besides being functional and appealing. One of the great architectural works in the modern society is the Central Park in New York. Sitting on a 778 piece of land, this park was constructed to offer New York residents a place where they could retreat away from the bustle in the city. Constructed in 1858 by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Olmsted, this is one of the most magnificent parks in the United States that attracts a lot of holiday makers. This research will compare the architectural landscape of this park and that of Jingshan Park in Beijing in an attempt to analyze modernism in architecture as manifested in the existing physical structures.

Discussion

According to Hays (78), modernism in architecture is widely associated to Le Corbusier and Paul Greenhalgh who brought a new insight into the field of architecture. Le is known for his criticism of the idea that architectures were basically meant to design houses, and hand their design to civil engineers who were supposed to implement their design. He insisted that architectures, just like poets and novelists, were supposed to be the custodian of culture, the social beliefs and other practices of a given community. This was to be presented in their design as a way of reflecting the true image of the society. This is demonstrated in the two parks that will be analyzed in this research. The figure below is the Central Park in New York

Figure 1: Central Park in New York.

The idea to come up with the Central Park was borrowed from the United Kingdom and France that had already developed beautiful parks within their major cities. The government and other stakeholders decided to develop a park that would be used by the city dwellers to rest without the disturbance of the noise from the city. Jingshan Park in Beijing is another public park that has attracted a lot of attention not only in China, but also in the entire world. It is important to analyze similarities of these two parks.

Similarities in the Parks

A close analysis of the two parks shows that they were developed with the intention of offering comfort of mind through beauty and serenity. This is demonstrated in their design, especially the need to present nature the way it is. The two figures below shows this.

Figure 2a: Jingshan Park in Beijing.

Figure 2b: Central Park in New York.

A close analysis of the two photos would make one believe that the two are not different. The beauty of nature is presented in the best way possible. According to Slavicek (48), the work of architects is to bring out uniqueness in a given structure in a manner that would be appealing to the eye. The two parks is a true presentation of modernism in architecture.

It is important to ensure that architectural designs reflect the true image of the society in terms of cultural practices and beliefs, just as Le advocated for during his era. The design of the two parks shows that their designers were conscious of this fact

Figure 3: Cultural Reflection. a. Jingshan Park.

Figure 3: Cultural Reflection. b. Central Park.

The two pictures in the parks are not only meant to offer beauty, but also to reflect on some of the cultural beliefs in the two societies. Chinese are known for their love of flowers. The designers were aware of this. This is clearly demonstrated in this park. Beautiful flowers are all over the park, specifically meant to please its visitors. In this society, flowers signify more than just beauty. It is symbolizes love and unity in the society (Curl 89). In the picture of Central park, there is a lady and fancy clothing, and a young boy at her feet. The picture is meant to bring out the American culture that cherishes liberty and family virtues. The American culture cherishes humanity, and the park would be incomplete without images of people symbolizing a society full of love. This is what Gazvoda (122), defines as modernism in architecture. It goes beyond offering functionality to the users. It entails giving the image of the society in works of architecture.

Differences in the Park

As mentioned above, architects’ works are always defined by the needs of their clients and cultural practices and beliefs in the society. The Chinese culture is very different from the American culture. In fact, Slavicek (88) says that the Chinese architectural works are unique. Although post-modernism has brought some similarities in architectural designs in the two societies, the Chinese architects have always tried to retain their unique traditional architectural designs. This uniqueness is presented in the park.

Figure 4: Architectural Designs. Jingshan Park.

Central Park

The above photos show the architectural designs of buildings constructed within or adjacent to the parks. They demonstrate that the two parks were unique to the cultural practices of the society they belong. Figure 4a was a very popular design in the Late Han Dynasty. It has remained symbolic in the Chinese society. Architects have been tasked with the duty of ensuring that this does not disappear in the face of the society. The above house is in the heart of this park. Not only does it offer entertainment for the visitors, but it is also meant to act as a pleasant reminder of the beauty of the society’s past. Architectural landscape in the modern society has taken a new shape, especially due to the pressure on land as a scarce resource. Le once warned architects that they had to realize that the horizontal space was continually getting scarce, while the vertical space was underutilized. He challenged the modern architects to think of ways of using the vertical space. His message was received well in the West, and figure 4b shows this. Adjacent to the park are magnificent buildings towering up the sky. While in the Central Park, one can easily admire the modern-world’s work of architecture away from the excessive noise in the city.

Landscape architecture has gained popularity as the society looks beyond buildings within which they stay. There is need to have a beauty within our environment, as demonstrated by the two parks. Curl (90) says, “Landscape architecture involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions that will produce the desired outcome.” It involves a deliberate attempt by the architects to present their artistry beyond structure. It involves bringing out nature to give its beauty to the society. The figure below shows this.

Figure 5. Fountain within Central Park.

To the eye, this may appear to be a natural beauty that just occurred within this park. However, this fountain was constructed just to give this impression. It involved bringing nature to give a beauty that could not have been delivered without artistic work.

Conclusion

The modern landscape architecture has evolved over the years. As technology changes, so does the need to need for the human being. People have marveled at the skills of architects in coming up with skyscrapers and unique designs that defy nature. However, architects have the responsibility to offer more, just as Le said. Landscape architecture has therefore, gained popularity in the last century. Although nature is beautiful, there has been a need to involve architects in improving this beauty. Modern landscape architecture would therefore, defined as outdoor designs that blend technology, nature and architectural skills. It is an attempt to make out natural environment more appealing and orderly.

Annotated Bibliography

Curl, James. A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. Print.

Architecture has taken a new shape in the contemporary world. The need to improve our environment has made architects look beyond construction of magnificent buildings into the need to modify the environment. This modification is meant to improve the environment to be more appealing to members of our society. Some of the modern parks clearly show the new path that modern architecture has taken.

Gazvoda, Davorin. Characteristics of modern landscape architecture and its education. Landscape and Urban Planning, 60.1 (2002): 117–133.

In order to protect nature, regional landscape planning, and landscape ecology, architectures must be ready to apply both scientific and creative approaches. Landscape architectures have special skills that they can use to protect the ecology. They must understand that it is not their responsibility to protect the environment.

Hays, Michael. Modernism and the Posthumanist Subject: The Architecture of Hannes Meyer and Ludwig Hilberseimer. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press, 1995. Print.

Modernism in architecture has largely emphasized on the role of architects to improve the environment within which human being lives. Beautiful designs in our society, especially in public places such as parks are a way of improving lives. Architects have the role of coming up with designs that blends nature with technology to ensure that technological developments do not pose threat to the environment, but rather helps in its protection.

Sabatino, Michelangelo. Pride in Modesty: Modernist Architecture and the Vernacular Tradition in Italy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2010. Print.

Land as a natural resource, is increasingly becoming scarce. Spatial planning has become very important in the modern society, especially in major cities that have high population. It is the responsibility of architects to take lead in urban planning to help maximize the use of land as a scarce resource.

Slavicek, Louise. New York City’s Central Park. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2009. Print.

The Central Park in New York is one of the leading tourist attraction centers in New York. The park was design in 1858, by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Olmsted, and has been considered a unique work of architecture that gives a reflection of the socio-cultural image of this society. The park is not only meant to offer New York residents a serene environment for social events, but also a reminder of what this society holds dear.

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