This presentation covers two significant landscape projects by charles jencks while exploring his concept of postmodernism and other philosophies.

1. Charles
Jencks
A landscape architect’s journey

2. Background Study
● Charles Jencks was born on June 21, 1939, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
● Jencks attended Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts, and received his
Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature at Harvard University in 1961.
● And a Master of Arts degree in architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of
Design in 1965.
● In 1965 Jencks moved to the United Kingdom and did is PhD in Historical
Architecture.

3. Impact On His Thought Process
• Jencks’s background in Architecture helped
him develop a keen ability to analyze and
critique architectural movements, styles, and
trends.
• His background in literature likely contributed
to his analytical skills, enabling him to
articulate complex ideas and concepts in
accessible language.
• His understanding of literary theory, combined
with his architectural education, allowed him
to develop the concept of “Postmodernism”
and articulate its principles in a compelling
manner.

4. Principles, Philosophies, Concept
• Postmodernism: Jencks is best known for his contributions to
postmodern architectural theory. He coined the term “postmodernism”
and played a significant role in defining its principles, emphasizing
pluralism, symbolism, and the rejection of modernist dogma.
• Multivalence: Jencks believed that architecture should be rich in
meaning and capable of multiple interpretations. He encouraged
architects to incorporate diverse cultural, historical, and symbolic
references into their designs, allowing for layers of meaning to be
explored by viewers.
• Metaphor and Symbolism: Jencks emphasized the use of metaphor and
symbolism in architecture as a means of conveying abstract concepts
and evoking emotions. He encouraged architects to incorporate
symbolic elements into their designs to enrich the user experience and
create a sense of wonder.

5. Style and Elements of Design
• Eclecticism: Jencks blends diverse
architectural styles, materials, and forms,
creating visually dynamic compositions.
• Educational References: He incorporates
subtle or explicit references to cosmic and
scientific interpretations in a contemporary
context.
• Form and Shape: Jencks utilizes bold and
sculptural forms to create visually striking
landscapes. His designs often feature
geometric shapes, curves, and contours that
add interest and dynamism to the
environment.

6. • Playfulness: His designs exhibit a
sense of whimsy and experimentation,
encouraging curiosity and exploration
• Integration of Art and Science: Jencks
blurs boundaries between art,
architecture, and science,
incorporating scientific principles into
his work.
• Space and Scale: Jencks plays with
space and scale to create immersive
and experiential landscapes. He may
use elements such as pathways,
viewpoints, and open areas to guide
visitors through the space and create
a sense of discovery and wonder.

7. Major Projects
■ Garden of Cosmic
Speculations.
■ The Crawick
Multiverse
■ Thematic House.
■ Ariel Foundation
Park.
■ The Cells Of Life.

8. Garden Of Cosmic Speculations
• Built in - 1989.
• Location - Located in Scotland, near the town of Dumfries.
• Theme – The garden explores various scientific concepts, including
fractals, black holes, DNA, and the Big Bang theory, through its
design elements.
• Philosophy: Aims to provoke thought and contemplation about the
universe and our place within it.

9. Includes
• The Universe Cascade
• The New Kitchen Garden
• The Quark Walk
• The Fractal Terrace
• The Comet Bridge
• The Black Hole Terrace
• The Sense of Twist
• The Willow Twist
• The Birchbone Twist
• The Symmetric Break
• The Nonsense

10. Plan

11. The Universe Cascade
• Central Feature: Core
element of the
Garden of Cosmic
Speculation
• Symbolism:
Represents 25 shifts
of cosmic events.
• Mystery : The steps
disappear into the
water symbolises the
mystery of the
ordinary of the
universe.

12. Each garden here is
representing a
cell, and the
sculpture at the
center, the
nucleus
The New Kitchen Garden

14. The Quark Walk
Eight red painted tree
trunks representing the
eight classifications of
quarks by the physicist
Murray Gray

15. The Fractal Terrace
Fractals are geometric shapes that repeat at different scales, exhibiting self-
similarity and complexity.

16. The Comet Bridge

17. The Black Hole Terrace
Displaying the distortion of space
and time
Caused by a black hole

18. The Sense of Twist
The Snail Mound The Snake Mound

19. • Visual
Representation: It
could manifest as
twisted pathways,
sculptures, or
landscaping elements
that create a sense of
movement or rotation
• Symbolism: The twist
may symbolize
dynamic forces at
play in the universe,
such as the spiraling
motion of galaxies,
the twisting of DNA
strands, or the
curvature of space-
time.

20. Willow twist

21. • Design: The Willow Twist is likely a
sculptural or landscaping feature within
the garden that incorporates willow trees
in a twisted or spiraling pattern.
• Symbolism: The twist in the willow trees
may symbolize growth, resilience, and
adaptability, as willow trees are known
for their flexibility and ability to bend
without breaking.

22. BirchBone Garden

23. • Design: The Birchbone Garden is likely characterized by a
circular or eye-shaped structure surrounded by birch trees
evoking the cyclical nature of life and death.
• The circular shape may represent the continuous and
interconnected nature of existence, where life and death are
intertwined and part of a larger, ongoing process
• Birch Trees: Birch trees are often associated with renewal,
regeneration, and new beginnings. In many cultures, birch trees
symbolize purification and the shedding of the old to make way
for the new.

24. The Symmetric Break

25. The Nonsense
Jencks says that
“Sometimes it makes
sense
to stop making sense”

26. • Concept: The Nonsense Garden is a whimsical
and playful area, designed to evoke a sense of
lightheartedness and humor.
• Purpose: Unlike other areas of the garden that
focus on scientific or philosophical themes,
the Nonsense Garden encourages visitors to
let go of preconceived notions and embrace
the absurd and fantastical.
• Artistic Expression: Like other features in the
Garden of Cosmic Speculation, the Nonsense
Garden showcases Charles Jencks’ artistic
creativity and his ability to blend humor with
thought-provoking design..

27. The Crawick
Multiverse
• Located in Scotland
• The installation
features sculptural
landforms
representing cosmic
elements like black
holes, galaxies, and
supernovae.

29. Belvedere And Void
Belvedere:
• The Belvedere is a raised platform or
viewing point within the installation.
• It offers visitors a panoramic view of
the surrounding landscape and the
various sculptural elements
representing cosmic phenomena.

30. Void
• The Void in the Crawick
Multiverse installation is
symbolized by a large
ditch.
• The ditch invites
visitors to contemplate
the vastness and
emptiness of space,
prompting reflection on
the scale of the cosmos.

31. Multiverse
• Embodies the
concept of the
multiverse.
• The multiverse theory
proposes that our
universe is just one
of many universes
that exist
simultaneously,
forming a vast
“multiverse” of
parallel or alternate
realities.

32. Super Cluster of Galaxies

33. • Arranged to mimic the
clustering of galaxies
within a supercluster,
with individual
galaxies represented
as smaller features
within the larger
structure.

34. Milkey Way & Andromeda Galaxy

35. North-South Path

36. • Linear route, running parallel to the
cardinal directions of north and
south.
• The path would offer scenic views of
the sculptures, landforms, and
natural surroundings. Also enabling
visitors to encounter various artistic
and scientific interpretations of
cosmic phenomena.

37. Galatic Collision
Sculptural elements designed
to mimic the merging of
galaxies. These sculptures
might depict galaxies in various
stages of interaction, showing
tidal distortions and streams of
stars and gas being pulled
between them.

38. Amphitheater

39. • Serves as a focal point for
gatherings, performances,
and educational programs
• Serves as a symbolic and
functional space for the
exchange of scientific ideas,
the promotion of education
and wonder.

40. Omphalos
• Omphalos is a central focal
point or axis within the Crawick
Multiverse landscape
• It represents the navel or
center of the universe in Greek
mythology and cosmology.

41. Inferences
• Charles Jencks' landscape designs merge art, science,
and philosophy, particularly focusing on cosmic
speculation.
• Through sculptural landforms and symbolic elements,
Jencks creates immersive environments that invite
contemplation of the mysteries of the universe.
• By integrating scientific concepts with artistic
interpretation, Jencks stimulates dialogue and fosters a
deeper understanding of the universe’s complexity.
• Through his designs, Jencks effectively communicates
complex scientific concepts in accessible and engaging
ways.

42. Thank You!
Do you have any questions?