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Genius Loci: Spirit of the Place
We use the term genius loci—Latin for “spirit of the place” — to describe the essence of an established property (new or old) that has an unmistakable atmosphere — a palpable character that permeates the site and manifests an unforgettable presence. Sites of this caliber have been landscaped with such sensitivity and artistry they leave an indelible impression on anyone who visits them. A strong spirit of place can be found on a hundred-acre estate or in a small, walled courtyard. Wherever it is, one senses quality, identity, and timelessness; all of the elements seen and felt, built and planted, are in harmony with one another and with the natural site. When you are on a property like this, you have a powerful feeling of being someplace.
The unique atmosphere and personality exuded by a property with a powerful genius loci is what we have studied and analyzed in Europe, Great Britain, and the United States. Creating a strong spirit of place is what we aspire to in all of our projects — from residential properties to museum landscapes and historic re-creations and restorations.
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Genius Loci: Time-Honored Advice
Building a strong genius loci on a property begins by paying attention to the spirit of place already there. A rustic cottage set in a mountain community, an Italianate mansion on acres of land, a vernacular bungalow on a neighborhood street—each has a unique, inherent quality rooted in the house’s architecture and the land surrounding it. The first step in the design process is to identify the abiding character that inhabits the site—no matter how subtle. A sensitivity to what is already there tells you what would be appropriate or inappropriate when selecting materials and specific design treatments for all that will be added.
Understanding the genius loci of a property guides countless design decisions when creating a new landscape or improving an existing one. All of our design projects begin with a study of the genius loci that already exists on a site; our goal as landscape architects is to make it more clearly defined, more beautiful and more memorable.
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The term genius loci originated in 18th c. England with the poet and master-gardener, Alexander Pope. In one of his poems, An Epistle to Lord Burlington, he gave the following advice to his countrymen who were enthusiastically adopting the latest trends in garden design; in this case, it was the formal French, geometric style:
| “To build, to plant, whatever you intend, To rear the column, or the arch to bend, To swell the terrace, or to sink the grot; In all, let Nature never be forgot… Consult the genius of the place in all…” |
Pope, a classical scholar, is harking back to the ancient Roman idea of genius as a guardian spirit. A person, family, or city had its own resident genius looking after things. In a magical sense, Pope says that every piece of land has an abiding presence available for consultation and inspiration. This presence transcends fashion and style. It knows what is right for a property and what would be wrong. “In all, let Nature never be forgot … Consult the genius of the place in all.”
Going along with Alexander Pope’s, our advice to clients is: really study your property and understand what you have. Try not to impose too many ideas on it before you’ve tuned in to what nature and history have already put there.
