The book by the legendary Danish landscape architect, Carl Theodor Sørensen (1893-1979), originally published in 1966, is for the first time published in English, with a foreword by Joost Emmerik and an Introduction by Lodewijk Wiegersma. Published by Blawdruk Publishers and Sonja Poll, the 39 Unusual Gardens for an Ordinary House is a landmark book in terms of garden design.

Through the book, as Wiegersma points out, we can grasp the author’s character as the translation encapsulates Sørensen’s conduct. In words as in design, Sørensen was witty and critical and elevated the landscape profession to a higher degree with visually striking and engaging results. Adapting historic garden design references, using plants for sculptural effect and volumes to create architectural forms of walled rooms leaving the sky as the ceiling, Sørensen converged the profession to accompany contemporary architecture practices.

As explained in the introduction, one of the modernist garden elements – the lawn as a prominent spatial element of a garden “was born” with the invention of the lawnmower which promotes usability rather than just observing a garden from afar. Contrasted with overlaying the garden with perennials which formed a picturesque image brought forth a counterpoint to the architectural garden principles. Those influences spread from England to continental Europe yet Sørensen took modernist ideas further, crafting his unique style where planting retreats and supports the clean geometric forms, leaning towards land art expressions. Besides the gardens, Sørensen’s work encompasses widely influential allotment gardens in Nærum and the less-known invention of “skrammel legeplads”, a construction playground.

The book presents 39 variations of garden designs in a singular layout and the creativity seems inexhaustible. Sørensen’s designs, foster simplicity yet address various groups of users and cultures that specific design resonates with. The book is a study and an exercise in freeing one’s imagination when inexperienced or stale, to be consumed in enjoyment by students, professionals and lovers of different gardens, and is still very much up to date.

Published on September 3, 2024