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ETD Abstract Container

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Spatial Phenomenon of Reflection Effect in Landscape Design

Xie, Fangyuan
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385979430

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Landscape Architecture, Ohio State University, Landscape Architecture.
The spatial phenomenon of reflection is ubiquitous in everyday life. Mirror is widely implemented in architectural use to broaden a space, multiply views or introduce views from beyond. Its ambiguous nature of virtual reality challenges our perceptions and understandings of the place and our position in it. Since early time, mirror reflection has been a popular pictorial motif in the history of Western art and widely implemented in modern art. It interests artists for its illusionary representational nature, the same as arts as a mimetic practice of life. Some artists use mirror as a responsive material to bridge the gap between people and art. Some question the spatial/ temporal quality of a space. Since design is not only about functionality or aesthetics, but also about experience, incorporating reflection effect in design is a way to think design experientially. The spatial phenomenon of reflection allows people to observe their embodiness in the environment, and the notion of the body implies and produces the notion of the space. While the effects have been thoroughly investigated for the conceptual meaning in art and strategic use in architecture, it is less categorized in an open landscape setting. In landscape settings, the only natural reflection occurs in reflecting pools. They usually exist adjacent to featured buildings or structures to reinforce their existence through the reflections in the water. Besides that, landscape architects, architects and artists are exploring the effects of reflection through installations or landscape artwork. The ephemeral responsive nature of reflection effect challenges people’s visual perception, generates curiosity, invites touch and promotes people-place relationship. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate reflection effects in landscape setting, dealing with the natural force like sunlight, the ever-changing nature, and spatial condition as well as the experiential quality. A range of selected works of reflection effect is studied and categorized, according to the effect and strategy. A category is generated for later site-related investigation. Study models are designed and used to experience the effects in an immersive way. The roof garden adjacent to the architecture school’s library is selected as the real site of proposal for its accessibility and the distinctive site features. Proposals are generated based on the site fact and are illustrated through rendering as well as those models. To conclude, the ultimate goal of the research is to design for spatial perception or experience through the spatial phenomena of reflection effects. Since we are living a life at the pace that the environment is often overlooked, the experience of confronting with reflection effect will make us pause and think and really understand the place we are in. In here, reflection effect acts as a shortcut to arouse people’s awareness of the environment and their relationship to it.
Jason Kentner (Committee Chair)
Jacob Boswell (Committee Member)
Curtis Roth (Committee Member)
Landscape Architecture
Reflection effect, perception, experiential space

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Xie, F. (2013). Spatial Phenomenon of Reflection Effect in Landscape Design [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385979430

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Xie, Fangyuan. Spatial Phenomenon of Reflection Effect in Landscape Design. 2013. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385979430.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Xie, Fangyuan. "Spatial Phenomenon of Reflection Effect in Landscape Design." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385979430

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1385979430
8,662
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.