Question 1.

If an enclosed garden has "the character of an interior" how is it possible that it can also serve as a "spatial laboratory" for landscape design?

I think this question might touch on the existential thoughts of immensity versus the minuscule and the garden as a "paradox" in it of itself. Aben and de Witt talk about the idea of a microcosm and mentions "the whole and its parts analogous". I can understand the idea of the garden as a small representation of the larger lay of the land, especially when the garden seeks to complement the larger landscape around it and condensing the nature of that landscape into a small, walled area. I dont know what the character of an interior might be referring to, other than something with walls but I really don't classify many gardens as having character of an interior. I do like the term "spatial laboratory" and I like exploring the idea that a garden can be both literally something small and enclosed but at the same time allude to the vast space that may surround it. As complicated and confusing as the paradox can become I like to think about the reciprocity of the theory.

Gunston Hall Virginia, Plantation home of George Mason. This garden is one of my earliest memories of being outdoors in a garden space. This particular garden is made of boxwood and is maintained to the specifications of the original design during Mason's time at the plantation. The garden itself sits on a vast tract of land and although the garden feels rather large when you are navigating your way through its hard not to feel the immensity of the surrounding landscape. The smell of boxwood always reminds me of Virginia :)

Question 2.

Are there theories from the readings so far that have informed your project work in studio? If not, have there been other inspirations? If the latter, what were they?

I think the reading and the discussion about the ten different ways people look at landscape has influenced the way I am now approaching looking at landscape and evaluating it. I was surprised to learn that my approach is more from a problem solving point of view but I don't necessarily fall neatly into that category. I dont think I have done enough work in the studio yet for the theories that we have read to really translate to what I am currently working on. I think the session we had in sight planning on environmental psychology was very informative and has helped a great deal when planning and designing for the moonlit garden. I can also look at design and know with more clarity if it is pleasing to me and why.