Do garden layouts count as architecture?

[Tharkun]

I'm talking about sculpted topiary and those flowerbeds in the shape of the Canadian flag, here. Random, I know, but I have a sudden, burning desire to know the general consensus.

[May]

I would say yes and no. Based on number 4 of this definition, I would have to say yes, garden layouts count as architecture. Going on personal opinion though, I would say no. In my opinion, garden layouts as you described would fall under landscaping (or art, depending on what is done).

[jrtman]

I Googled it. How's that for consensus?

Architecture (in Greek αρχή = first and τέχνη = craftsmanship) is the art and science of designing buildings and structures. A wider definition would include within its scope the design of the total built environment, from the macrolevel of town planning, urban design, and landscape architecture to the microlevel of furniture.

But I agree Mayan, I think landscaping should fall into the gardening / art category.

[Snippy]

As a general answer I would say no *agrees that it should fall under landscaping*, but I guess there are some exceptions.

[ahoteinrun]

Architecture can include landscaping, but generally it falls under the design of the building, or buildings in a general area. It's not considered architecture in any of the courses i've taken, but it has been discussed when we talk about landscaping, simply under the grounds of buildings (gardens, that sort of things) . But to me they're not the same thing.

[shapu]

Depends on what you're doing.

If you are simply digging up and planting flowers, that's not architecture - that's gardening.

If you are actively resculpting the dirt, pouring concrete, installing walls, electrical equipment, sprinklers, and lighting, then yes, it's architecture. To wit, no company would ever accept an architect's plans if it didn't include the exterior space around the building.

[robot]

I prefer m-w.com over dictionary.com.

Main Entry: ar·chi·tec·ture
Pronunciation: 'är-k&-"tek-ch&r
Function: noun
1 : the art or science of building; specifically : the art or practice of designing and building structures and especially habitable ones
2 a : formation or construction as or as if as the result of conscious act <the architecture of the garden> b : a unifying or coherent form or structure <the novel lacks architecture>
3 : architectural product or work
4 : a method or style of building
5 : the manner in which the components of a computer or computer system are organized and integrated.

[Tharkun]

Okay, I've given in to the futility of any further responses to this thread. So... the dictionary says yes, but people say no. I'm going with the people, so - since, in modern argument, if you don't have three supporting statements, nobody cares - J.K. Rowling does not hate good architecture.

Okay, okay, so the flowerbed was a dodge.

[_jennythegreat_]

coming late to the question, I know, but thought I'd chime in anyway. :-D

Interestingly I thought I'd google landscape architects and it would appear that it is a fairly common term.

Given that the definitions tend to be #1 about the design of buildings and #4 (way down the list) about more general design, I do believe that the landscape architects are playing on a combination of the first definition and the fourth and counting on the populace to make the connection. Sooooo, really the term architecture can certainly be used in reference to landscaping, but it means something a bit different....like someone being the chief architect for peace in the middle east. That's architecture too, right? But the meaning is drawn from the first definition, it's not really the same as the first. *blush* ok. I'm done.

Lond-winded for a question answered a few days ago, really, I know. Hehe-- I dig semantics though.