TY  - BOOK
AU  - Downing, M. F.
TI  - Landscape construction
SN  - 419108904
AV  - NC 790 .D69 1977 
PY  - 1977///
CY  - London, United Kingdom
PB  - E & F.N. Spon
KW  - LANDSCAPE
N1  - Includes index; Site investigation -- Earthworks-- Drainage -- Surfacing -- Construction of simple structures -- Water features -- Index
N2  - This simple volume is an attempt to gather in one place information on a number of aspects of construction required by landscape architects. It is not exhaustive but if it answers a present need, it may, should further editions be called for, provide a framework for a fuller exposition. Many topics dealt with here in a simple manner are discussed in other volumes in more precise and scientific detail. In many uses, however, landscape architects and others dealing with small earthworks, drainage, or construction problems, for example, do not need to be involved in very exact engineering calculations. Where complex problems are encountered these simple 'rule of thumb' methods must give way to move some thing more accurate. In this case either more advanced texts must be studied or alternatively it may be an indication of the need to obtain the advice of a specialist in the relevant field. One of the aims of this volume is to provide an introduction to techniques and methods upon which a student can build as his knowledge increases. While a good deal of factual information is included to assist in the solution of construction problems there are very few worked examples or standard details. There are quite enough of these, if not too many, available from other sources. Architects have been known to complain that their profession is becoming work and more one of assembling and arranging standard units designed by someone else, and  manufactured in bulk. The same danger seems to exist for landscape design in detail through the proliferation of standard details which can be selected, as if from a catalog. Apart from the boredom of uniformity from site to site, town to town and country to country, there is the equally serious likelihood that a design detail prepared for the individual conditions of one site in a specific locality will not precisely meet the conditions of another site in another place. Indeed the use of standard details could be compared to the traditionally quoted dilemma of round holes and square pegs, or vice versa
ER  -