Landscape Modernism Renounced
Before the Second World War landscape architect Christopher Tunnard was the first author on Modernism in Landscape in the English language, but later became alarmed by the destructive forces of Post-war reconstruction. Between the 1950s and the 1970s he was in the forefront of the movement to save the city, becoming an acclaimed author sympathetic to preservation.
Ironically it was the Modernist ethos that he had so fervently advocated before the war that was the justification for the dismemberment of great cities by officials, engineers and planners. This was not the first time that Tunnard had to re-evaluate his principles, as he had done so in the 1930s in rejecting Arts-and-Crafts in favour of Modernism. This book tracks his changing ideology, by reference to his writings, his colleagues and his work.
Christopher Tunnard is one of the most influential figures in Landscape Architecture and his journey is one that still resonates in the discipline today. His leading role in first embracing the tenets of Modernism and then moving away from to embrace a more conservationist approach can be seen in the success and impact on the profession of those with whom he worked and taught.
David Jacques is a landscape historian and conservationist, having been the first Inspector of Historic Parks and Gardens at English Heritage and involved in many conservation projects. He was a Visiting Professor to De Montfort University and Programme Director for the graduate courses in Landscape Conservation and Change at the Architectural Association in London. He is a widely published author on garden history.
Jan Woudstra is Reader in Landscape History and Theory at the Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield and a leading expert in Modernism in landscape. He has written numerous publications on Modernist landscape architecture and garden history, with a wealth of experience in landscape consultancy, research and teaching on the Landscape Conservation and Change course at the Architectural Association in London.