Landscape Architects Shape the Urban Landscapes With Art, History and Geometry

The Futures Channel introduces students to landscape architects Shannon Nichol and Jennifer Guthrie who used art, history and geometry to design the Lurie Garden at Chicago's famous Millennium Park.

Burbank, CA (PRWeb) April 2, 2007: When most people think of architects, they think of buildings. But what about the parks, outdoor plazas and gardens that adorn our cities?

In its latest micro-documentary, The Futures Channel introduces students to Shannon Nichol and Jennifer Guthrie, landscape architects who tell the story of competing against the top firms in the world to win the opportunity to design a one-of-a kind botanical garden for the city of Chicago: the Lurie Garden at Millennium Park. Featured this week on The Futures Channel website, "Landscape Architects," takes a look at the aesthetic, creative, colorful world of designing one of the city's most beautiful landmarks.

Since 1999, teachers have been turning to The Futures Channel for math videos that answer that often-asked question: "When will I ever use this?" The short video programs not only put math topics in the context of real-world locations and application, they also introduce students to inspiring people in exciting careers.

In the movie, Nichol and Guthrie explain how they used a combination of art, history and geometry to design the Lurie Garden. They were intrigued by the challenges the project presented, not the least of which was having to design a walk-through garden that could accommodate 10,000 people leaving a summer concert at the adjacent amphitheatre. In addition, they had to build the garden on top of an expansive, concrete parking lot.

They explain that it was important for them to consider how people would use the space and that they used a variety of shapes, lines and arcs to create the design of the garden. "Geometry is the backbone of design and really strong ideas that you can explain in words and you can show in drawings," Guthrie says in the movie.

Jeffrey Gothard is an educational media specialist who has used the Channel's math and science videos in his class. "I am very impressed with The Futures Channel documentaries," he says. "They provide a critical link: A view of the real-world applications for knowledge that I want my students to strive towards as they learn technology, art, math and science in school." He says the videos help students "understand and look forward to their adult lives with confidence."

The design of the Lurie Garden went through many transformations before it was actually constructed, but the architects describe in the movie how it all started with a simple shape that they felt symbolized the city's history. Today, it is one of the most popular destinations in Chicago.

Watch the movie:

http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/hands-on_math/landscape_architects/

For additional information about The Futures Channel, contact:

Jenna Bowles, 818.557.3300

www.thefutureschannel.com