Appreciating Natural Landscape Characters PDF

APPRECIATING the NATURAL LANDSCAPE CHARACTERS ASSOC. PROF. DR. MAZLINA MANSOR DEPT. OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE KAED, IIUM AESTHETIC & beauty in the landscape  Aestheticappreciation is associated wit...

APPRECIATING the NATURAL LANDSCAPE CHARACTERS ASSOC. PROF. DR. MAZLINA MANSOR DEPT. OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE KAED, IIUM AESTHETIC & beauty in the landscape  Aestheticappreciation is associated with nature, arts  Aesthetic appreciation depends on human’s PERCEPTION  The way we understand our environment.  Central to our sense of beauty and the pleasure gained from environment - ‘nature appreciation’  APPRECIATING THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE * Others- sound, Landscape can be * Visual – the most smell, taste & touch. appreciated by all of obvious of all senses. our senses.  The aesthetic in NATURE The aesthetic in nature “…..how We have made it and adorned it, and there are no flaws in it? And the earth – We have spread it out, is mentioned in many and set therein every kind of beautiful growth in pairs) – ayat in the Quran, e.g. to be observed and commemorated by every devotee in Surah Qaf, 6-11 – turning to God. And We send down from the sky rain charted with blessing, and We produce therewith mountains, in gardens and grain for harvests; and tall (and stately) pairs/males & females, palm tress, with shoots of fruit stalks, piled one over another; as sustenance for (God’s servants….) water/river, plants. Surat Luqman [31:10], [31:20], ; Surat Ali Imran: [3:189-190]; Surat Al-Roum: [30:30] ; Surat Al-Raad: [13:3]; Surat Al-Nahl: [16:11]; [16:69] ; Surat Al-An’am [6:99] ; Surat Ghaafir: [40:64] ; Surat Al-Hijr: [15:19]  Aesthetic is achieved when a diversity of elements and components exist together in a fitting association (unity). PRINCIPLES of Aesthetic It gives a sense of Genius Loci to a place. lack of unity among The absence of elements. beauty is ‘ugliness’ the presence of one or more incongruous – results from elements PRINCIPLES of aesthetic unity balance regularity measure simplicity definiteness proportion  LANDSCAPE CHARACTER Aesthetic in the natural environment Landscape characteristic refers to the unique aesthetic features that can distinguish one scene from another in certain time and space ranges. It is the expression of the unique aesthetic features of the landscapes (Yu, 2008). ‘The comprehension of pattern of the entire scene as a coherent or unified whole’ 7  LANDSCAPE CHARACTER Aesthetic in the natural environment Areas of apparent harmony/unity among the natural elements --- The ground forms, rock formations, vegetation, and animal life 8 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER in the natural environment A completeness that have a quality of ‘beauty’: “the evident harmonious relationship of all sensed components.” LANDSCAPE QUALITIES in natural environment Defined as: ‘The characteristics exist in the scene that are combined to produce the aesthetic qualities perceived by the observer’ https://www.samuelearp.com/ 10 LANDSCAPE QUALITIES in natural environment 11 Natural landscape beauty has many varying QUALITIES which is expressed with these words: ▪ Picturesque…charming ▪ Stark…unwelcoming ▪ Bizarre…strange ▪ Serene…peaceful ▪ Idyllic…peaceful/tranquil ▪ Majestic…grand ▪ Delicate…mysterious ▪ Bold…daring ▪ Graceful…elegant ▪ Ethereal…ghostly Picturesque…charming….Serene…..Peaceful…ethereal 12 Delicate….Mysterious…. 13 Majestic…Grand… 14 …..ghostly 15 Bizarre… strange….. ghostly PRINCIPLES TO DESIGN NATURAL AREAS To understand the characters & qualities in the natural landscape are fundamental to design/place a city, zone in a community, to build highways, industry or even to orientate and lay a single home/garden PRINCIPLES TO DESIGN NATURAL AREAS in landscape design  1. Land & Resource Planning Allah is the greatest planner and architect through His creations: “And He has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it shift with you, and [made] rivers and roads, that you may be guided.” (Al Nahl 16:15) This shows that the function of mountains is to regulate the motion and speed of the earth. The Quran has made this benefit of mountains very prominent in many places. Natural paths are those routes which are formed along the banks of streams, ravines and rivers. Souces: Google image/Pinterest-photographygallery.top Design - Land & Resource Planning Lessons on aesthetic principles from the natural landscape character The Quran has mentioned on the apparent harmony/unity among the natural elements - of the ground forms, rock formations, vegetation, and animal life expressed in the landscape quality, depicting Allah’s perfect creation of the Earth. [e.g. Surah Qaf 50: 6-11; Luqman 31:10. 20; Al- An’am 6:38: Al-Raad 13:3] Distinct, recognizable and consistent pattern Order Coherent Unity Harmoniuos relationship Balance Proportion Simplicity Sense of place Minneapolis Courthouse Plaza Source: Martha Swartz Partners  2. Plants/Softscape The abundance and existence of numerous, divergent and aesthetic of plant species on the earth has been beautifully mentioned in the Quran: “…And the earth – We have spread it wide, and set upon its mountains firm, and caused it to bring forth plants of all beauteous kinds (Qaf 50:7) “…And the earth has He spread out for all living beings, with fruit thereon, and palm trees with sheathed clusters [of dates], and grain growing tall on its stalks, and sweet-smelling plants.” (Ar-Rahman 55:10-13). “For it is He who has brought into being gardens – [both] the cultivated ones and those growing wild – and the date-palm, and fields bearing multiform produce, and the olive tree, and the pomegranate: [all] resembling one another and yet so different! (Al-An’am 6:141)  2. Plants/Softscape Many verses touch upon plants in various context: Environmental equilibrium The production, process of Analogy for righteousness and food stability e.g. Landscape design –aesthetic - bad words are like a bad tree, uprooted from earth with no stability. & principles  The Aesthetic of Plants GARDENS OF PARADISE GARDENS ON EARTH “…And it is He who sends down The aesthetic & beauty of plants or its structural integrity, rain from the sky, and We mentioned in the depiction of Paradise: produce thereby the growth of all “…And the companions of the right hand; how happy are things. We produce from it the companions of the right hand! Amid thornless lote- greenery from which We produce trees, And banana-trees (with fruits), one above another. grains arranged in layers. And And extended shade, And water flowing constantly, And from the palm trees – of its abundant fruit, Neither intercepted nor forbidden (Al- emerging fruit are clusters Waqiah 56: 27-33) hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives Other surah – Ar-Rahman 55:48, 64; An-Nisa 4: 57; Yasin 36:56 and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indicating the abundant, gorgeous with lush foliage and Indeed, in that are signs for a indescribable colours. people who believe.” (Al-Anam Indicating the beautiful scene that the earth reveals. 6:99) Indicating its function as source of food, shade/canopy. The Aesthetic of Plants PLANTING IS A CHARITABLE DEEDS For utilitarian-sustenance THE QURAN CONTAINS HORTICULTURE INFORMATION “There is none amongst the AND MENTIONED THE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF HERBS. believers who plants a tree, or ALLAH SPEAKS ABOUT HIS CREATIVE DESIGN AND THE sows a seed, and then a bird NUTRITION AVAILABLE FROM NATURAL PRODUCE. or a person, or an animal eats thereof, but is is regarded as PLANTS MENTIONED IN THE QURAN – POMEGRANATE, having given a charitable gift DATES, OLIVES, FIGS, GRAPES, HERBS, GINGER, GARLIC, [for which there is great LENTILS, ONION, CUCUMBER, MUSTARD, CEDAR AND THE recompense].” ACACIA FLOWER. Even if doomsday starts and AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO EAT HEALTHILY. a person has a palm seedling THE PROPHET S.A.W. ENCOURAGED THE SUSTAINABLE USE or palm shoot in his hand, he should plant it. (Narrated by OF FERTILE LANDS AND MAKING UNUSED LAND TO BE Bukhari) PRODUCTIVE FOR PLANTING TREE, SOWING A SEED AND IRRIGATING THE DRY LAND, WHICH ARE CONSIDERED AS CHARITABLE DEEDS (KAMARUZAMAN, 2011). Aesthetic principles of plants in landscape design The Quran has mentioned the use of the aesthetic principles of design with plants: Plants’ diversity and the morphological principles as visual foundation in the composition of space. Succession of plants create rhythm and repeated elements thus help create a sense of movement – palm trees between other crops (Al- Kahf 18: 32-33). As physical element that provide a barrier – a backdrop for privacy. As useful backdrop for accents and features in the landscape Aesthetic principles of plants in landscape TREE design Architectural & aesthetic PALM functions The use of its aesthetic principles in BAMBOO form, colour, texture landscape design. SHRUBS To appreciate the beauty of plants Create theme GROUNDCOVER around us. Focal point, welcoming, identity CLIMBER Respect for flora and fauna. Enhance building facade AQUATIC PLANT Soften building outlines TURF/GRASS These moments of reflection count as Sense of direction worship for Muslims, they are moments Shade & Thermal comfort of connection to the Creator. Unifying effect Gratitude towards the abundant Framing view resources. decorative accent and contrast spreading silhouettes and reflection smell round weeping picturesque columnar pyramidal  3. Water element ❖ Natural water resources - waterfall, stream, lake, pond, river, ocean. ❖ Designed water elements - flat, static water, flowing water & falling water elements Pool; pond; channel; cascade; waterfall; water jets The words water appears 63 times in the Quran, rivers 52 times. Others mentioned are fountains, springs, rain, clouds, hail and wind. (Kamaruzaman, 2011) Souces: Google image/Pinterest “…We made from water every living thing.” (Al-Anbiya 21:30) “…And have sent down from the rainy clouds abundant water.” [ An-Naba’ 78:14] Verily….in the rain that God sends down from heaven, thereby giving life to the earth after its death.” (Al- Baqarah 2:164) “…And you see the earth barren and lifeless, but when We pour down rain upon it, it stirs and swells, and puts growth of every resplendent kind (Al-Hajj 22:5) “…Have you seen the water which you drink? Was it you who sent it down from the raincloud or did We send it? Were it Our will, We could have made it bitter; why then do you not give thanks?” (Al-Waqi’ah 56:68-70) Design - Water Use & Preservation of Water Allah uses the analogy of life and death for Muslims Water is life providing to recognize the value of Water is for sharing water. Allah creates life through water then sustains it “And Allah has sent down by streams, the rains, rivers and oceans that are rain from the sky and homes for so many creatures. given life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness. In order to protect land with water, the Indeed in that is a sign for Prophet s.a.w. created zone known as people who listen.” (16:65) haram. Haram areas are often drawn up around wells and water sources to protect the groundwater table from over pumping. (Kamarulzaman, 2011)  The Built elements “…Indeed, We created humans in the best form.”(At-Tin 5.Structures 95:4) Surface materials -pavement Separating & enclosing elements – wall, bollard, fence Linkages – bridge, gateway Site furnishing – seatings, lighting Focal elements – sculpture, gazebo, shelter 4.Hardscape Fengming Mountain Park, China Grand Canal Square, Dublin Beiqijia Technology Business district Source Martha Schwartz Partners Design – The Built Elements AMANAH (TRUST) ABSENCE OF CORRUPTION The Quran is alarming readers: Belief in Allah, respect nature. “..And do not desire corruption in the land. Earth and its resources e.g Indeed, God does not like corruptors.” (28:77) water, air, minerals, soil, energy “…and do not commit abuse on the earth, are considered as a trust from spreading corruption.” (2:60) Allah to mankind. “corruption has appeared throughout the Man are prohibited to destroy, land and sea by what the hands of people damage and pollute the have earned”. environment & natural “…So..let them taste part of (the resources from his design and consequences of ) what they have done that action: perhaps they will return (to righteousness).” (30:41)