Conceptualist Landscapes

Conceptual gardens depend on inspiration which is the result of an exhaustive intellectual process. The starting point is an IDEA or stimulus that pushes the design along, rather than observing more conventional styles - whether classical of modernist - into which idea or relationships are fitted. Horticultural considerations, architectural or aesthetic doctrines and practically-based problem-solving are either abandoned or regarded as a means to an end, rather than the end in itself. Idea-driven design, therefore, cannot be taught by a 'rule-of-thumb' methodology. So, the way to design a conceptualist garden is not the theme of this book; nor does it contain 'of-the-peg' solutions for garden and landscape designers. Rather it encourages student and professional designers to think further towards their designed solutions.

Paul Cooper was born in Manchester in 1949 and now lives in Wales. He was a professional sculptor at the start of his career, and taught the subject at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1972-74, and then art and design at the University of Lancaster, 1974-86. He was a visiting professor and artist in residence at the Maryland Institute of Art, Baltimore, in 1984. Paul became interested in garden design in 1984, and later lectured at Central St Martin's College, London, the Inchbald School of Design London, Writtle College, Chelmsford, Essex, and Leeds Metropolitan University. He has won Royal Horticultural Society bronze, silver and gold medals at their garden shows, and his 'Cool and Sexy' garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 1984 caused a sensation, and established him among the most thought-provoking contemporary designers in Britain. He has published four other books: 'The New-Tech Garden', 'Living Sculpture', 'Interiorscapes' and 'Gardens Without Boundaries'. Paul lectures widely and continues to design gardens for private and public clients. He is now recognized as one of the front-runners in the emergence of conceptualist garden design.