Reading list

Together these books will help you establish a foundation of knowledge and skills around the design and communication of landscape architecture. Reading and revisiting these introductory texts throughout your studies will help you to develop as a designer.

You may find it useful to have your own copy to refer to, but they are also all available to loan in our library.

Explore the University library

MA Landscape Architecture

Loidle, H & Bernard, S (2014) Opening Spaces- Design as Landscape Architecture:  Basel: Birkhauser

This is a really useful introductory landscape design book which we will be referring to in the semester 1 studio. It is helpful in setting out how we design landscape and how we can communicate the different qualities of landscape space.

Dee, C. (2001) Form and Fabric in Landscape Architecture, London: Spon Press

For many years, Cathy Dee was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Landscape Architecture. Her book on landscape design is a core introductory text for many UK and International landscape courses. It provides an excellent introduction to the key principles of landscape design and is used extensively in the first year design studio.

Hutchinson, E (2016) Drawing for Landscape Architecture: Sketch to Screen to Site, London: Thames and Hudson

This is an excellent introduction to a wide range of graphic styles for landscape architects. Edward Hutchinson is a practicing Landscape Architect and his book brings together examples from a wide range of projects that he has worked on. What sets this book apart from similar publications is its focus on the unique challenges and opportunities of communicating the temporal qualities of landscape design and outdoor spaces.

Philips, R (1978) Trees in Britain, Europe and North America: London, Pan Books

It takes time to acquire a knowledge of plants and how we can use them as designers; a skill which will continue to develop throughout your career.

The introductory studio introduces a very limited selection of trees that you will be expected learn and to use in your studio project.

This book is excellent in helping you to identify trees including their key characteristics and form. Whilst no longer in print, there are lots of used copies available online. 

You may also find it helpful to download the Woodland Trust app: a free Tree ID app for Android and iPhone to identify the UK's native and non-native trees. It's an A-Z tree guide in your pocket!

MA Landscape Studies

Randrup, T.B., Buijs, A., Konijnendijk, C.C. et al (2020). Moving beyond the nature-based solutions discourse: introducing nature-based thinking.

Urban Ecosyst 23, 919–926 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-020-00964-w

Thomas Rainer, Claudia West (2015). Planting in a post-wild world : designing plant communities for resilient landscapes.

First edition. Portland, Oregon, Timber Press.

Jorgensen, A., & Keenan, R. (2012). Urban wildscapes. Routledge.

Dunnett, N., & Hitchmough, J. (Eds.). (2008). The Dynamic Landscape: Design, Ecology and Management of Naturalistic Urban Planting. Taylor & Francis.

Landscape Institute 

Connect with Landscape professionals, keep up to date with industry news and access discounts and deals with a Student Membership of The Landscape Institute; the professional body for Landscape Architects in the UK.

You can choose from the student e-network, their free electronic student membership, or full membership.