Earth, Air, Fire & Water

These “Elements” are more lore than anything, but their presence in the landscape creates a sense of completeness. Users respond favorably to their inclusion in the whole experience. As a designer, it makes for a great sensory checklist for the residential outdoor space, especially, but for any public space where users will gather.

Earth

Earth is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. It was commonly associated with qualities of heaviness, matter and the terrestrial world. Due to the hero cults, and chthonic underworld deities, the element of earth is also associated with the sensual aspects of both life and death in later occultism.

Air

Air is one of the four classical elements, along with water, earth, and fire in ancient Greek philosophy and in Western alchemy. Air is also linked with intelligence and the soul.

Fire

Fire is one of the four classical elements along with earth, water and air in ancient Greek philosophy and science. Fire is considered to be both hot and dry and, according to Plato, is associated with the tetrahedron.

Water

Water is one of the classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy, in the Asian Indian system Panchamahabhuta, and in the Chinese cosmological and physiological system Wu Xing. In contemporary esoteric traditions, it is commonly associated with the qualities of emotion and intuition.