Landscape design is a process of creating outdoor spaces that are functional and aesthetically pleasing. It involves the use of plants, water features, hardscaping, and other elements to create a beautiful and functional space. Landscape design has been around since ancient times, but the modern version of landscape design began in the late 18th century.
The origins of landscape design can be traced back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, where gardens were designed to please the gods. Ancient Greeks and Romans also had a hand in designing gardens for their homes and temples. Even though these designs may not have been as elaborate or sophisticated as modern landscape designs, they still contained some basic principles that are still used today.
The formal practice of landscape architecture didn’t begin until the 18th century, when English aristocrats began creating large parks on their estates. These parks contained an array of exotic plants, ornamental trees, and water features that were designed to evoke feelings of awe and wonder. This style became known as the English Landscape Movement and it was quickly adopted by wealthy landowners across Europe.
In the 19th century, architects such as Frederick Law Olmsted began designing residential neighborhoods with an emphasis on green space. Olmsted is credited with creating Central Park in New York City, which set a new standard for public park design in America. He continued to refine his ideas about landscape architecture through his work on the grounds of numerous universities such as Harvard University and Stanford University.
By the early 20th century, landscape architecture had become an established profession with its own body of knowledge and academic institutions dedicated to teaching it nationwide. In 1948, The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) was founded to promote excellence in professional practice as well as education in this field.
Today, landscape architects are increasingly being called upon to help create sustainable outdoor spaces that protect ecosystems while also providing recreational opportunities for people living nearby. They use cutting-edge technology such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create detailed plans for sustainable urban development projects or conservation efforts such as wetlands restoration projects or wildlife corridors.
Landscape design has come a long way since its beginnings in ancient times, but its fundamental principles remain unchanged: To create an outdoor space that is both beautiful and functional while preserving natural resources for future generations.
In conclusion, when did landscape design start?
It can be traced back to ancient times when gardens were designed for religious purposes or pleasure but the formal practice didn’t begin until the 18th century with the rise of English Landscape Movement which was adopted by wealthy landowners across Europe.. Since then it has evolved into a profession with its own body of knowledge which uses cutting-edge technology such as GIS to create sustainable outdoor spaces that protect ecosystems while also providing recreational opportunities for people living nearby.