October 3, 2006

Landscape Architecture: Waller Creek

 

Landscape architecture provides a source of compromise to allow expression of human creativity through architecture to flourish among nature, instead of in competition. The Oxford English Dictionary defines landscape architecture as, ¿the planning of parks or gardens to form an attractive landscape, often in association with the design of buildings, roads, etc.¿ (dictionary.oed.com). Joseph Jones vehemently contends that ¿in cities¿we should be giving high priority to preserving every natural pocket still available¿ (Jones, Bump, 746). Although he describes the sense of unity he feels at Waller Creek, he also proposes that we salvage the beauty within cities, instead of separating the two; a feat that I wholeheartedly support. Specifically regarding college landscape architecture, I feel that UT has successfully been able to integrate the two, in a manner that is akin to the way in which Oxford University retains a sense that "nature that is coursing and contributing to the continuance of intellectual exploration" (Del Cueto, "The Nature of Oxford"). Even in Bump's class we have already begun to realize and take advantage of the UT's landscape architecture to enhance learning and employ multiple paths to education, rather than solely lecture and discussion. By taking classes outdoors, enjoying nature, while learning about her bounty and her connection to our urbanized world, we are, in a way, proving the success of UT's design. Whenever I take a stroll on campus, whether going to class or just enjoying the weather on my way back to the dorms, I find myself wandering around, absorbing both the architecture of the buildings around me and the nature that surrounds it. Consider a walk to World Literature class, led by towering trees, manicured lawns, beautified fountains, only to come to a final destination on a central lawn, where students lounge, sleep, study, or just socialize. Landscape architecture can be experienced and seen just looking out the dorm window!
Waller Creek provides an ideal example of such landscape architecture that retains the innate beauty within nature, but allows people to appreciate and enjoy such beauty in a practical manner, through its architecture. Liz brings up the question of whether any of us would be willing to die in the name of nature. Perhaps we are not as attune with our surroundings as the protesters from the 1969 riot, but does that reflect a stagnant, uncaring generation or a disconnectedness from nature? As we've matured, have we grown more and more distant from nature? Consider Joseph Jones¿ example of the child who ¿walks and runs up and down the bed of the creek¿ is at the creek to ¿feed his natural appetite for discovery, his primitive curiosity¿ (Jones, Bump, 751). The innocence of the child represents humans¿ inherent gravitation towards nature, whether for spiritual rebirth, to attain tranquility, or just to enjoy the serenity of uncorrupted beauty. Although not immediately recognized for its landscape architecture, even sites such as the Harry Ransom Center, with sycamore trees shadowing over the building to complement and even soften the harsh angles of modernism. Thus, landscape architecture, whether it be architecture within nature (as in the case of Waller Creek) or nature complementing architecture (as with the HRC), an intermingling of the two allows humans to live in our developed world, while not disassociating ourselves from our natural world within Mother Earth.