The History of:
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Landscape Architecture​
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The Use of Rammed Earth
Landscape Architecture
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Ferdinand Knab (public domain)
Gardening dates back to 23 000 years ago and represents when our ancestors gave up the nomadic lifestyle in favour of planting their roots, literally, through seeds. Landscapes and gardens did not become aesthetically orientated until the first cities began to form in modern-day Iran, Egypt and Iraq.
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In the beginning, there was a logistical focus on irrigation as these cities were situated in desert climates. Visually the gardens provided an interesting contrast between the hot outdoor sandy desert and the lush tropical essence of the green space. Psychologically this contrast provided an escape, an oasis, meant to relax and rejuvenate the individual.
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Landscape architecture has a long history in ancient Iran, with evidence of planned gardens dating back to the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BCE). The Persians were known for their sophisticated irrigation systems and terraced gardens, which were designed to enhance the natural beauty of the landscape while also providing practical benefits such as shade and food production. One of the most famous examples of Persian garden design is the Gardens of Babylon, which were said to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Later, during the Islamic period, Persian garden design continued to evolve, with an emphasis on symmetry and geometry. This tradition of landscape architecture in Iran has had a lasting influence on garden design throughout the world, with Persian-style gardens still being admired and emulated today.
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Down in South American the landscape architecture of Machu Picchu is a stunning example of Incan engineering and design. The site features a series of terraces that were built into the steep mountainside to create flat areas for agriculture. The terraces were carefully constructed to prevent erosion and to provide drainage, and they were also designed to withstand earthquakes and heavy rainfall. In addition to the terraces, the site includes numerous buildings, plazas, and fountains, all of which were carefully integrated into the surrounding landscape. The Incas believed that nature was sacred, and they viewed their architecture as a way of harmonizing with the natural world. They also believed in the importance of public works projects, such as roads and aqueducts, that could benefit the community as a whole. This ideology of landscape architecture continues to influence designers today, as they strive to create sustainable, beautiful, and functional landscapes that serve the needs of people and the environment alike.
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The history of landscape designers in North America can be traced back to the early colonial period, when European settlers began to transform the landscape to suit their needs. However, it wasn't until the mid-19th century that landscape design emerged as a distinct profession. This was largely due to the work of Frederick Law Olmsted, who is often credited with establishing landscape architecture as a profession in North America. He was an American journalist, social critic, and public administrator who designed many of America's most famous urban parks, including Central Park in New York City and the Emerald Necklace in Boston. Olmsted believed that public parks were essential to creating healthy, livable cities, and he worked tirelessly to promote the idea that parks should be open to everyone, regardless of their social class or background. In addition to his work as a landscape architect, Olmsted was also a vocal advocate for conservation, and he played a key role in establishing the National Park Service. Today, Olmsted's influence can be seen in park design around the world, and his legacy continues to inspire landscape architects and urban planners to create beautiful, sustainable public spaces that serve the needs of all people.
Rammed Earth
Rammed earth is essentially man-made sediment. It has been around for thousands of years and can be seen throughout most of the world through various techniques and adaptations for the region and technology of the period. Jericho, the first recorded city dating back to 9000 BCE was built using earth. Throughout the middle east temples, mosques and churches were built using mud brick and rammed earth. Traditionally the makeup has been 70% and 30% clay.
Rammed earth has a great presence in Asia. Specifically, in China where the use of rammed earth dates back to the Tang Dynasty during Emperor Zhongong’s rules. One example is the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an, Shaanxi Provence. It was built fifteen stories high between 707-709 AD. The building was constructed of rammed earth walls set in brick pillars. The walls were faced with brick set in a soft lime mortar. The bricks reinforced the building’s structural ability to bear weight. The structure survived the deadliest earthquake recorded in 1556 Shaanxi. It killed 830 000 people but did little to no damage to the Pagoda.
Looking back at the Incas they used rammed earth for a multitude of interesting reasons
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Terraced Agriculture: The Incas were known for their impressive terraced agriculture, which involved building stepped farming platforms into the sides of steep hills and mountains. The walls of these terraces were made using rammed earth techniques, which allowed them to be strong and durable, even in the face of heavy rainfall and erosion.
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Fortress Walls: The Incas built many impressive fortresses, such as the famous fortress of Sacsayhuaman. These structures were often built using rammed earth techniques, which allowed the walls to be thick and strong enough to withstand attacks from enemies.
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Road Construction: The Incas built a vast network of roads and bridges throughout their empire, which allowed them to move troops, goods, and information quickly and efficiently. Many of these roads were built using rammed earth techniques, which allowed them to be sturdy and durable, even in harsh mountain terrain.
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Religious Structures: The Incas were known for their impressive religious architecture, such as the Temple of the Sun in Cusco. Many of these structures were built using rammed earth techniques, which allowed them to be strong and durable, while also providing good insulation against the extreme temperatures of the high altitude Andes.
In France, Francoise Cointereaux promoted the use of rammed earth during the later 18th century, and into the early 19th century. He was an architect with a passion for improving rural living conditions. In 1784 the Academy of Science, Humanities and Art of Amien held a competition to see who could develop the least costly and simplest construction method that would prevent fires, whilst utilizing the local material recourses of Amien. His contribution was the construction of rammed earth blocks which he had designed a form to create with. He then used these blocks to construct walls. Cointereaux called his final product a nouveau pise wall. The goal was to create a system that would allow those in rural areas to construct their own “affordable, dignified and inflammable housing.” He continued experimenting with his system between 1785 and 1787 in Amiens designing buildings that showcased how one could use various earth block sizes. Cointereaux goal has continued to be carried out today but in a more refined and aesthetic sense
USA
In the states, the concept of rammed earth gained popularity around 1780 to 1850 until massed produced bricks and saw lumber became readily available for public use. With the arrival of WW1 followed by The Great Depression, a need for affordable and easily accessible material arose once again. This lasted for twenty years until brushed aside. Unluck in France rammed earth was utilized in times of desperation and not for the purpose of innovative progression. It was then reintroduced in 1970 during the decade in which environmental conscientiousness started to pick up socially. An issue that arises at present time is the lack of experienced builders when it comes to earth as the building material. For thousands of years, the techniques of rammed earth have been passed down from generation to generation however as we have moved away from rural dwellings and towards a technology-driven career many crafts have been dropped along the way. What we can do instead is intersect the new technology with old practices in a green and sustainable mindset. In recent years books and how-to guides have been put out on this practice. One such book, Rammed Earth Walks for Buildings, encouraged the use of rammed earth structures, especially those living rurally.
In Canada The Coast Salish people built their homes, known as longhouses, using a variety of materials, including wood, bark, and earth. Rammed earth was often used for the lower sections of the walls of these longhouses, which were built partially underground to help insulate against the cold and wet weather of the region.
The rammed earth technique allowed the Coast Salish people to create strong, durable walls that were well-suited to the local climate and environment. The walls were also relatively easy to construct using simple tools and techniques, and the materials were readily available from the local area.