Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
traditionaL handLinG of Surface Storm
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Site grading can be approached in a number of ways, ranging from
an art form to a means of solving practical physical problems. The ulti-
mate grading plan is one that integrates art and practical requirements.
The landscape grounds at Parc de Sceaux, Paris, accomplish both. In Fig-
ure 14.5, the artful carving and shaping of an existing landscape into an
expansive, terraced parkland make this garden a visual pleasure. Under-
lying the creative approach that went into manipulating the landscape
to create such a grand view, André Le Nôtre, the designer of Versailles,
manipulated the ground form in subtle ways to disperse surface water
to either side of terraced lawns. The designer not only accomplished the
creation of a beautiful scene, but also solved the dispersal of surface
water without compromising the smooth transition of the terraced pan-
els of lawn to the tree-lined frame. The subtleness of the rolling topog-
raphy and the efficient dispersal of storm water were achieved through
contour grading.
One of the more common grading strategies for placing a building
or structure in the landscape is to set its finish floor elevation on high
Figure 14.5
Parc de Sceaux, André Le Nôtre, Paris, France
Figure 14.6
Building set on high ground so surrounding
pavement slopes away to direct water away from the build-
ing on the J. Paul Getty Museum campus in Westwood, CA
