Landscape architecture and the time factor: Construction research on the contextual change of built landscape elements and the development of optimisation strategies.

• Applicant: Professorin Cordula Loidl-Reisch
• Subject Area: Architecture, Building and Construction History, Construction Research, Sustainable Building Technology
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 242199665

Surficial changes to and points of weakness of built landscape elements often become visible through the processes of time and patination. In this research, the time-bound behaviour of contemporary landscape architectural elements will be examined based on a non-destructive multi-temporal analysis under the prevailing local contextual conditions (microclimate, impact of users, etc.). The "built landscape elements" central to this research are for example steps, paths, edgings, drainage elements, tree grates, seating elements, fences and walls. In view of reduced financial resources for the maintenance of public spaces, an anticipatory method will be developed to optimise future landscape architectural projects with regard to their durability, resilience and maintenance already in the planning stages, and thus make an important and necessary contribution to the sustainability of landscape construction.Based on previous research results (covering only partial aspects) and our own findings, an overview of the time-bound processes of change in landscape architecture and their consequences will be compiled for built landscape elements. Construction surveys of the elements will be both qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated in order to make time-bound processes visible and pinpoint developing points of weakness. This will include an analysis of the location and context, type, combination, use, form, material, construction and the overall maintenance condition of the elements. As a result, in the interest of quality assurance, prevention, mitigation and protection strategies for the points of weakness of built landscape elements will be derived in order to optimise the durability of contemporary landscape architecture projects.The scientific direction is characterised by the combination of theoretical basic research and practical application. The analysis of realised contemporary landscape architectural elements with regard to stability, evidence of time-bound changes and points of weakness that affect durability, builds the basis for the theoretical part of the research project. The application-oriented part is based on the development of strategies for the protection against, mitigation and prevention of constructional points of weakness.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants