I don't view a lawn as some do. Yes it takes up the most real estate of the property, but it combines nicely with the plant beds, trees, Rock outcrops etc that I have. I do appreciate that aspect of it.
I get the plant gardens, but what happens when I have thousands and thousands of sq feet of plants that need to be watered constantly in the summer? When it gets hot and dry, I don't water my lawn like I do with plantings etc. So I dunno...for me I'm not sure that method is as Earth Friendly. At least in my area.