Roots of Landscape Design: How Historic Principles Shape our Practice

Have you ever wondered how gardens were first designed, and why we are drawn to certain places in the landscape? Part history lesson, part spatial psychology lesson, this course will look at the ways in which landscapes have been created from ancient gardens to contemporary landscapes, and the overarching principles of garden design that have resonated with people across history. The discussion will highlight examples from Italian, Roman and Renaissance era landscapes, the mid-century West Coast modernist design movement, and spatial psychology and sociology studies from the 1970s and 1980s, all of which have had a profound impact on landscape design today.  
Participants will learn the historical background and design terminology of cultivated landscapes, and how these can help us better understand (and better design!) the landscapes we create around our homes today. Anyone with a passion for history and/or a love of being outdoors should enjoy this course. No prior experience is necessary.