Architecture and Landscape - The Design Experiment of the Great European Gardens and Landscapes

The great parks and gardens of Europe come alive by the skilful interplay of natural landscape and architectural elements. Throughout the ages, however, this relationship has been treated in very different ways. The gardens of the Italian renaissance in the 15th or 16th century were based on rational plans, whereas the French parks of the Baroque period seem rather more geometric in design, and the English parklands of the 18th century present a scenic composition.
In this publication famous historical gardens from all over Europe are analysed, and these graphic analyses allow us to see into the mind of the designers. By highlighting the design processes, they also function as models for future landscape projects. More than 30 renowned gardens have been examined and documented with a wealth of illustrations. Amongst the parks presented are Palladio's Villa Emo, the perfect order of the Baroque garden Vauxle-Vicomte near Paris or the pastoral yet mysterious park of Blenheim Palace near Oxford.