The Vital Landscape: Nature and the Built Environment in Nineteenth-Century Britain (1st Edition)

The Vital Landscape delves into the profound impact of the biological sciences—particularly botany, zoology, ecology, evolutionary science, physiology, and psychology—on architecture and landscape architecture in nineteenth-century Britain. This groundbreaking work explores how the concept of the “contrived” or “artificial” environment became both a subject of scientific inquiry and aesthetic contemplation during the period.

Unlike other works on biological science or environmental thought, The Vital Landscape connects contemporary environmental concerns and the human pursuit of well-being to historical debates surrounding housing and the rise of domestic and public gardens in the nineteenth century. It masterfully weaves together a diverse range of topics, including architecture and garden history, philosophy of science, plant and animal physiology, human psychology, and even popular science and domestic economy. The book opens new avenues for the study of architecture and gardens, offering fresh insights into the relationship between humans, nature, and their built environments.

Key Features:

• Unique Approach: Explores the intersection of biological sciences and architecture in nineteenth-century Britain

• Interdisciplinary Analysis: Combines architecture, garden history, science, and psychology to explore environmental concerns

• Historical Significance: Examines the rise of domestic and public gardens and their role in shaping architectural thought

• Cultural Impact: Reflects on how the concept of “artificial” environments influenced both scientific and aesthetic perspectives

• Incorporates Diverse Sources: Draws on literature, popular science, and the philosophy of science

Ideal For:

• Scholars and students of architecture, garden history, and the history of science

• Researchers interested in the relationship between nature, science, and built environments

• Anyone looking to explore the historical roots of contemporary environmental issues and urban design

Authors:
William M. Taylor (Author)
From the book: