When and Where Did Landscape Design Originate?

Landscape design has been around for centuries, with evidence of its practice being found in ancient Egypt and China. In fact, many of the principles used by modern landscape designers were developed centuries ago. However, it was not until the end of the 19th century that landscape design became a formalized profession.

The father of modern landscape design is widely considered to be Frederick Law Olmsted, who developed the first professional landscape architecture firm in America in 1857. Olmsted’s firm provided services such as site selection, planning, planting, and construction management for numerous projects throughout the United States. His influence on the profession can still be seen today in many public parks and green spaces.

The early 20th century saw a rise in formalized education for landscape designers, with universities such as Harvard offering courses in Landscape Architecture. This period also saw a shift from designing parks for utilitarian purposes to designing spaces that would provide aesthetic pleasure as well. This trend was popularized by influential figures such as Beatrix Farrand and Jens Jensen who emphasized the importance of naturalistic elements when designing outdoor spaces.

Conclusion:

Landscape design originated centuries ago but it wasn’t until the 19th century that it became a formalized profession. The father of modern landscape design is widely considered to be Frederick Law Olmsted who established the first professional landscape architecture firm in America in 1857. Since then, education and trends surrounding the profession have evolved over time to include an emphasis on aesthetic pleasure when designing outdoor spaces.