Landscape Talks 2019-20 (Sem A)

The Writtle Design #Landscape Lectures are back, with the first inspirational talk from Ceylan Belek Ombrect, of Martha Schwartz Partners, taking place on 7th October.

These talks are an invaluable opportunity to hear from industry experts, including WUC alumni, about #LandscapeArchitecture and #GardenDesign.

The five talks for semester A will take place in U41b (in the main building) from 12-1pm on Mondays in October, November and December.

For further enquiries please contact Dr Saruhan Mosler, Course Manager for the postgraduate Landscape Architecture & Garden Design scheme.

#Chooselandscape #OnlyAtWrittle #LandscapeArchitecture #GardenDesign #LandscapeTalks #WUC #Writtle

Writtle joins Global Climate Strike

Students and staff from Writtle University College took part in yesterday's global #ClimateStrike.

Climate change, along with environmental impact and biodiversity, are embedded in our teaching within the #Design department. Our #LandscapeArchitecture and #GardenDesign courses have included the tackling of the issues around climate change for many years, and as part of our new #Art & the #Environment courses our students will be creatively exploring this critical issue.

#WrittleUniversityCollege Mission Statement: 'Transforming lives and the environment through inspiring education.'

Exploring Alhambra

Our Design Technician recently undertook a fascinating visit to the Alhambra, a stunning fortified hilltop Moorish complex overlooking Granada in the Andalusia region of southern Spain.

The Alhambra as seen from the Albaicín

The Nasrid Palaces contain a wealth of Moorish architecture and design, and are an absolute highlight of the Alhambra. There is amazing detail in the carving, and you will find four materials used throughout - plaster, wood, ceramic and marble.

 Incredibly detailed tiles with Islamic text

Water is a key element within Islamic landscape architecture in general, and the Alhambra is no exception. Water helps to cool the palace, but is also a symbol of power and prosperity. The Court of the Myrtles contains a large central pond, significantly reducing the temperature within the courtyard.

Court of the Myrtles

At the centre of the Court of the Lions is a white marble fountain with a central basin surrounded by 12 lions, all part of an elaborate water feature, with four channels that run to the colonnaded sides at the cardinal points. 

The fountain is said to represent the heavenly garden of Islam, with the water channels symbolising the four rivers of paradise.

Court of the Lions

To the east of the Alhambra you’ll find Generalife, which has some stunning formal gardens that are a sight to behold when in full bloom in spring/summer.

Court of the Water Channel

View from Generalife to the Alhambra

350 year old Magnolia in Generalife

The Alcazaba, the oldest part of Alhambra, was a military fortress originally constructed in AD 889 on the remains of Roman fortifications. It subsequently fell into ruin but was rebuilt in the mid-13^th century. There are stunning views across Granada and beyond from the top of the Alcazaba, as seen below.

Various points other within the Alhambra also offer fantastic views of the surrounding land, with Sacromonte to the north, the Albaicín to the north-west, Sierra Nevada to the south-east.

View of Granada from Alcazaba

#OutAndAbout #ChooseLandscape #LandscapeArchitecture #GardenDesign #Spain #Historic