Overview

Since the first edition was published in 1992, Nick Robinson's The Planting Design Handbook has been widely used as a definitive text on landscape architecture courses throughout the world. It examines the horticultural, ecological and aesthetic characteristics of plants, discusses the structural and decorative roles of planting, spatial composition, species selection, planting plans and spacing, and the vital role of management. With its fresh look at aesthetic principles and its analysis of the design process, it reveals how a systematic approach can allow the greatest freedom for the creative imagination. This revised second edition still provides a complete examination of both the principles and the practice of design with plants, for public, institutional and private landscapes, taking account of developments in professional practice and reflecting a variety of media and approaches currently used. It incorporates conceptual design approaches to planting, a range of design methods as well as tried and tested analytical and objective procedures, and a wide range of new international examples of planting design. The ecological basis for planting design has been broadened to include examples from warm temperate and subtropical vegetation types as well as those of the cool temperate and Mediterranean climate area. The layout of the book is clear and spacious, with colour illustrations. While retaining the beautiful and detailed line drawings of the Chinese architect and painter Jia-Hua Wu, it includes an international range of new photographs and professional drawings, updated since the second edition. These illustrate a range of media now effective and useful in professional practices of various sizes.

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9780754677161

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Reviews

'In this book, Robinson creates discussions and debate alongside practical information, encouraging the reader to understand and then apply what they have learnt...As a garden designer, I found this book a fascinating insight into the world of landscape architecture and the differences between our professions...If you want to extend your understanding of planting design beyond the comfortable confines of a domestic garden, then this is for you...' Garden Design Journal Reviews of second edition: 'One of the real strengths of this excellent text is its comparative approach. Nick Robinson displays his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for planting design with numerous examples from the UK and New Zealand, and from many other climatic and cultural settings. The evocative graphics highlight the critical relationship between the spatial and visual qualities of plants and their ecological characteristics. The Planting Design Handbook deserves a place on the desk of every landscape educator, student and practitioner. It will be permanently open, well thumbed, and highly valued as an inspirational source for creative planting design.' Professor Simon Swaffield, Lincoln University, New Zealand 'This refresher is exactly what landscape architects need... For students, it is an invaluable primer for measuring themselves up to the potential for design with plants...This is a comprehensive book that will be used to inform the use of plants by landscape architects all over the world.' Landscape Review '...[a] gem...a no-nonsense approach to true planting design technique.' Andrew Wilson, The Times '...this book is a pleasing and attractive read, aimed at a wide audience of planting and environmental designers...The author's prose is elegant...This second edition includes many practical examples of plantings, drawn from both Europe and New Zealand, which considerably enhance the book's appeal and application.' Landscape Review Reviews of first edition: 'Robinson's strategy is excellent in that it makes plants integral to the working out of a design. Any garden designer could profit from reading this book. For the student ... struggling to come to terms with the various stages of the design process ... it will be a substantial and time-saving asset.' VITIS (Journal of the Society of Designers) '...thought provoking and at times fascinating... invaluable for those who need to learn more about how design decisions are reached. The other highlight is the elegant clarity of the sketch illustrations.' Arboricultural Journal '271 pages packed with numerous black and white photographs, plans and sketches and text in easy to read style of language.' Leisure Manager

Author Information

Nick Robinson is a practising Landscape Architect and Lecturer. He has taught Landscape Architecture, specializing in planting design, at the Universities of Sheffield, and Gloucestershire in the UK and at Lincoln University, New Zealand, and has further teaching experience in the USA. He has run a design practice in both the UK and New Zealand.

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