Study On Landscape Architecture Nature View Of George Hargreaves

The wave of ecologism sweeping across the globe has prompted contemporary landscape architects to link their missions with an ecosystem of the whole earth.George Hargreaves,a renowned American landscape designer and one of a pioneers of modern landscape design,has unique views on art and ecology.He arranged natural elements and human culture in a special way so that developed a philosophy of ecologism design,which deeply influenced the relationship of human,nature,material and spirit.This philosophy of design has profound influence over modern landscape architecture and indicated new directions for development of modern landscape design.Through studying of Hargreaves'design philosophy and landscape theory,We found that the special experience between Hargreaves and nature played a key role at the turning point of his professional career.The change and development of his landscape view of nature had a philosophic guidance on his design,which influenced him to this day.Studying George Hargreaves' landscape view of nature is helpful for designers to develop their own view of nature and to create natural and harmonious design.Based on George Hargreaves' speeches,interview records,related works and his research results,this paper discusses Hargreaves'reflection on the relationship between nature and landscape from the point of landscape nature view,and expounds the connotation of Hargreaves' landscape view of nature and its application in landscape design.The main conclusions are as follows:(1)George Hargreaves believe that nature is not a fixed single model or a static object of entity,but it's a complex relationship of mutual influenced elements with dynamic development.Nature is an organic composite and human is a part of nature,and closely connected with it.The natural environment and human society are interdependent and mutually influenced.This dialectical and unified viewpoint is embodied in the two aspects of landscape design:the establishment of a dual dialogue between man and nature,and the participation of nature in landscape design.In the design practice,we should correctly recognize the relationship between the subject and object of human and nature,and the relationship between them.We should also accurately understand the impact of material elements on the landscape.(2)George Hargreaves realized that nature is a free state characterized by spontaneity,variability,uncertainty,timeliness and infinity.This free state in nature show the beauty of changes which reflects the real sense of life.It intervenes in the landscape in a dynamic way.Landscape design provide opportunities for expression and display of these "states"and to continue let nature express its vitality.Landscape design should make use of the state characteristics of nature,that is using scientific way to explore the inherent law of landscape and guide a development of natural processes,so that we could achieve a harmonious coexistence between human and nature.Hargreaves expresses his design from three aspects:controlling the overall landscape skeleton,introducing time scale and strengthening the beauty of natural process.He emphasizes an eternal movement of matter,an infinite development of nature and a relationship between time,space and evolution.(3)By coordinating with the direction of society development and paying an attention to the natural and social attributes of human beings,George Hargreaves realized that nature is a special psychological feelings of people which is brought by various elements,and it can resonate with human's feelings,memories and natural environment or trigger people's thinking to feel the real meanings of life.Hargreaves' comprehension of nature is always based on the development of human beings and society,which integrates human beings,nature and society as a whole in an organic way.He believes that landscape design should not only consider human interests,but also respects natural interests.The design should coordinate the harmonious development of society,and ultimately establishes a culture-ecological relationship in which human beings and nature could coexist and flourish.Landscape is for people,therefore design should not only guide the natural process,but also lead people's physical and mental perception,and focus on comprehensive and sustainable development of nature,man and economy.George Hargreaves' landscape view of nature is a pluralistic and dialectical view of nature.It focuses on the relationship between man and nature as well as the role oflandscape among interaction between them.It also shows Hargreaves' strong spirit of the time,sense of social responsibility and positive attitude of pursuing the harmonious development of man and nature.George Hargreaves' landscape view of nature promotes the combination of science and art in landscape design theory and provides a new way to recognize the relationship between art and ecology.it also provides a valuable reference for the current design industry.