RODIL, RONALD F.

LStud 201
2023 20555 25 Sept 2023
Prof. Zenaida DC. Galingan/ Prof. Norman June V. Brito Reflection Paper #1

Beyond Green: An Introduction to Landscape Architecture

Beyond Green – an interesting title for a discussion about Landscape Architecture. The title itself
conveys the very core of the discussion and the goal of the speaker – to replace what most of our first
impressions towards Landscape Architecture which is barred with designing greeneries and/or planting
trees, and to expand the knowledge of the listeners towards Landscape Architecture and see Beyond
Green.

The speaker, L. Archt Herbert, raised three question during the first half of the discussion. First a
question on “What do Landscape Architect design”. As an Architect I have a vague understanding on
what Landscape Architects do - mainly as what other may know it is designing the landscapes for
various projects such as a subdivision, hospitals, schools, etc. Aside from that I do think that Landscape
Architects does a lot beyond garden design. As what our speaker says gardens are only part of what
they really design. Ranging from Community Open Spaces to Ecological Landscapes, Working +
Productive Landscapes to Transitional Landscapes which includes event landscaping, art-scapes, and
remediation of forests or fields, Blue+Green Infrastructures – which wholly explain the title of the
discussion showing that a Landscape Architect goes beyond green. Second a question on “What are the
main element of Landscape Design”. As what majority have known, Trees, Plants, Shrubs are the main
element of Landscaping. Being an Architect it must be a common knowledge that in designing a proper
development you should always consider softscapes (plants, trees, shrubs, etc.) and hardscapes (street
furniture, pavements, and to list a few). But the discussion explained that these are only few of the
elements of design. One that surprise me as one of the key elements is Water management and Irrigation
– enabling me and the rest of the listener to know that Landscape Design include these things for the
betterment of their projects. The last question is on “What do they end up as”. Landscape Architects are
part of the Built Environment. Upon finishing the study we are more likely to end up as a Landscape
Architect but some may be a Specialized Designers designing street furniture, some may be an
Environmental Conservationist. A variety of possibility awaits us the students upon pursuing this study.

During the talk, L Archt. Herbert discussed some of the aspirations of a Landscape Architects. As what
he says “We Design for the Future”, Being an Architect I Identify to that, we design not only for beauty
and aesthetic. We design through various considerations for the user, the environment, etc. We
transcends our ideas not only for the current time but also for the impact it will make to the succeeding
generations. He also noted that “We design for the Environment”. Sustainability is now a major
consideration in design. Due to the fact that the earth is heating up ie. Global warming and our natural
environment is at risk for more damage, we the design field opted to find a solution to at least make a
change, to conserve, to alleviate, and also help the end users to improve the quality of their life. Lastly,
he talks about how “We Design for Experiences”. As an Architect we are here to make things for the
users we create these structures for the end user to experience things. Just like in Landscape Design, L.
Archt. Herbert discussed how he want the users to feel by being on these spaces created for them to
reconnect, to enjoy, to experience.

As L. Archt. Herbert summarizes the discussion, he tackled on why Landscape Architecture is at the
Fore Front of the design – It is as memorable as the structure façade’s or interior design and sometimes
it’s the outdoor experience that makes sense. He reiterate the three questions asked in the early
discussion, explaining that we are more than being the green in between, the glorified gardeners that
people deem – Landscape Architects are the Custodians of the built environment, Beyond planting trees
they are Curator of Memorable Experiences, and become the Catalyst for Innovation ( Montivergen,
2020, What is Landscape Architecture?)

Beyond Green properly discussed or I might say introduce Landscape Architecture very clear and on
point. For an Architect and an aspiring Landscape designer like me, this discussion helped me to briefly
understand what I need to deal and learn to the length of this course. I might say that both the Architect
and the Landscape Architects are an important role during the whole production of a Built Environment.
They both values various considerations such as the users, the environment, and the impact towards the
future. We as a designer shall always design for the people aiming to give them a proper experience and
to improve or at least make a slight impact to their lives.

References:
What Is Landscape Architecture? - Environmental Landscape Studio Laboratory by L. Ar Herbert Julius
Montevirgen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15iWoxa9Jwg&t=145s