This document provides an overview of a landscape design course. It discusses key elements of landscape design including line, form, texture, color, and principles such as balance and repetition. The landscape design process is also outlined, beginning with site analysis and ending with project installation. Elements and principles of design are essential to organizing the components of a landscape in an aesthetically pleasing way. The document also provides examples of different landscape forms and styles.

1. ARCH 405 - LANDSCAPE DESIGN
AR. ZEHRA WAZIR - 3(2-1)

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
 What are elements and principles of design to landscape an area?
 What is Landscape Design process?

3. RECAP
Elements/components of Landscape Design:
• Natural
• Manmade
Natural Manmade
Plants/ vegetation Site Furniture
Water Hardscape Materials like brick,
stone, timber , concrete etc.
Earth forms/landforms Fountains & Lights
Trees pedestrian circulation

4. The design process begins with desires of the user and the conditions of the site. the
designer then organizes the plants and hardscape materials, which are collectively
referred to as the features.
The features/ components/elements can be physically described by the visual
qualities of line, form, color, texture, and visual weight—the elements of design.
The principles are the fundamental concepts of composition—proportion, order,
repetition, and unity—that serve as guidelines to arrange or organize the features to
create an aesthetically pleasing or beautiful landscape.
Knowledge of the elements and principles of design is essential to designing a
landscape and working through the design process.

6. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
 The elements of composition are the visual
qualities that people see and respond to
when viewing a space.
 Visual qualities gives different emotions and
feelings, and the more positive those
feelings, the more likely people are to enjoy
and use a space

7. LINE
 Line is created by the edge between two materials, the outline
or silhouette of a form, or a long linear feature.
 Lines are used to create an infinite variety of shapes and forms,
and they control movement of the eye and the body.
Landscape designers use lines to create patterns, develop
spaces, create forms, control movement, establish dominance,
and create a cohesive theme in a landscape.
 Landscape lines are created several ways: when two different
materials meet on the ground plane, such as the edge of a
brick patio meeting an expanse of green turf; or when the edge
of an object is visible or contrasts with a background, such as
the outline of a tree against the sky; or by the placement of a
material in a line, such as a fence.

8. The human eye has a
tendency to follow the
outline of the objects in the
landscape.
With this idea in mind the
apparent size in affected.
Tall evergreen create an uninviting, inhibiting planted
too closely to the house when small.
Plants that mature to full height planted near entrance
make the house look smaller
By graduating plant sizes away from the house,
the apparent size of the structure is increased.

9. There are three primary line
types that create form in the
landscape:
 Bedlines are created where
the edge of the plant bed
meets another surface
material, such as turf,
groundcover, gravel, or
patio pavers. Bedlines
connect plant material to
the house and hardscape
because the eye follows
the line, moving the gaze
through the landscape.
 Hardscape lines are
created by the edge of the
hardscape, which
delineates the built
structure. Line can also be
created by long and
narrow materials, such as a
fence or wall.
 Plant Lines

10. Straight lines are structural and forceful; they create a formal
character, are usually associated with a symmetrical design,
and lead the eye directly to a focal point.
Diagonal lines are straight lines with an intentional direction.
Curved lines create an informal, natural, relaxed character
that is associated more with nature and asymmetrical
balance. Curved lines move the eye at a slower pace and
add mystery to the space by creating hidden views.
Vertical lines move the eye up, making a space feel larger.
An upward line can emphasize a feature and has a feeling of
activity or movement.
Horizontal lines move the eye along the ground plane and
can make a space feel larger.
Low lines are more subdued and create a feeling of rest or
repose. Horizontal lines can spatially divide a space or tie a
space together.

11. FORM
 Shape is created by an outline that encloses a space, and form
is the three-dimensional mass of that shape.
 Form is found in both hardscape and plants, and it is typically
the dominant visual element that spatially organizes the
landscape and often determines the style of the garden.
 The form of structures, plant beds, and garden ornaments also
determines the overall form theme of the garden. Formal,
geometric forms include circles, squares, and polygons.
Informal, naturalistic forms include meandering lines, organic
edges, and fragmented edges.

12. Geometric Form
Circles can also be stretched into ovals and ellipses for more variety and interest. Circles are a strong design form
because the eye is always drawn to the center, which can be used to emphasize a focal point or connect other
forms.

13. Square Form
Squares are used for a variety of features, including stepping stones, bricks, tiles, and timber structures,
because they are an easy form to work with for construction. The square form can also be segmented
and used repeatedly to create a grid pattern. Unlike circles, squares are stronger on the edges, which
can be lined up or overlapped to create unique patterns and more complex forms.

14. Irregular Polygon Form
The angled edges of polygons can make interesting shapes, but they
should be used cautiously because the forms can become complex;
simplicity is best..

15. Naturalistic Form
Meandering lines often mimic the natural course of rivers or streams and can be described as smooth lines with deeply curved undulations.
Organic lines can be found in rock gardens and along dry creek beds or purposely created on hardscape edges.
Fragmented edges resemble broken pieces scattered from the edge, such as stones or pavers, and are often used to create a gradually
disappearing edge on patios or walkways.

16. PLANT FORMS

17. Natural plant forms, shrub form and groundcover form is a composition factor; that affects theme, shades,
wind barrier, privacy, outline etc. of garden

19. TEXTURE
 Texture refers to how coarse or fine the surface of the
plant or hardscape material feels .
 Texture is used to provide variety, interest, and
contrast.
 The plant’s foliage, flowers, and overall branching
pattern all have texture. The size and shape of the
leaves often determines the perceived texture of the
plant.
 A plant can generally be described as having a coarse,
medium, or fine texture. Coarse texture is more
dominant than fine and also tends to dominate color
and form, while fine texture is more subordinate to other
qualities and tends to unify compositions. Coarse-
textured plants attract the eye and tend to hold it
because the light and dark contrasts of the shadows
provide more interest. Fine texture exaggerates distance
and gives the feeling of a larger, more open space.
Rough texture minimizes distance—plants appear closer

20. COLOR
 Color in plant material and hardscape
adds interest and variety to the
landscape. The use of color is guided by
color theory (use of the color wheel) to
create color schemes.
 Beginning gardeners plant their favorite
colors with little or no planning.
 Advanced gardeners use the color theory
to make their plantings create mood and
style!

21. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
 The principles of landscape design
are guidelines, or tools, that designers
use to create attractive, pleasing and
comfortable landscapes. The landscape
design principles are:
 Focalization
 Proportion And Scale
 Balance
 Order And Unity
 Repetition
 Rhythm And Sequence

22. FOCALIZATION/ EMPHASIS/ CENTER OF INTEREST
 Focalization is created as a visual break in the sequence and flow of the landscape.
 The focal point is the point or area of the landscape that attracts the viewer’s eyes. The visual break captures
the attention of the viewer and draws it to the focal point. Without a point or area on which to focus, the viewer’s
eyes become lost and confused throughout the landscape.
 As a designer, create an accent or focal point that is strong and effective.
 Do not incorporate too many focal points into the landscape. Otherwise, their effect will be lost. Use the
design elements (line, form, texture, and color) to move the viewer’s eyes through the landscape to the place of
the focal point.

23. PROPORTION & SCALE
 A design is in proper proportion and scale when a pleasing relationship exists
among and between each component and the design as a whole.

24. BALANCE
 Equalization of visual weight across landscape.

25. Symmetrical Balance Asymmetrical Balance

26. REPITITION

27. SEQUENCE

28. UNITY is the harmonious relationship among all elements and characteristics of a design;
achieved through scale, balance, sequence, repetition and rhythm.

29. VIDEO RESOURCE: JAPANESE GARDEN
 Documentary: Beautiful Japanese Gardens
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKpM132sE-Y

30. LANDSCAPE DESIGN PROCESS
 Site Analysis
 Research
 Design program
 Theme
 Schematic Diagrams
 Concept Development
 Project installation

32. Research & Site Analysis
 Site inventory: soil, drainage, climate
conditions, and existing vegetation
 Critical for both plant selection and
placement and locating family
activities and functions.
 Important because the same climate
conditions that affect the plants--
temperature, humidity, rain, wind, and
sunlight--also affect the user.
 The designers challenge is to minimize
the problems, take advantage of the
opportunities and give the client a
functional, attractive landscape.

33. DESIGN PROGRAM & THEME
 Determining Your Needs Checklist of your/ your client’s needs and desires (This helps you
determine how your yard and landscape will be used)
 Establish a theme for the form and style of your design
 Environmental conditions often play a part in directing the design program.
 One approach to justify the budget is to look at landscaping not as an expense but as an
investment.
 Many real estate appraisers and brokers look upon 10% of the property value as a reasonable
budget for landscape needs.

34. SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM & CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
 The schematic diagram, also called a bubble diagram, consists of the arrangement of outdoor
activities into common use areas with efficient, comfortable access to them.
 The public area includes the entry and front yard and those area that are exposed to public
view.
 The bubble diagram is created to show general location and size of use areas and circulation
patterns.
 There are two stages of plan development, the preliminary plan and the final plan.
 A hard surface is recommended for walks which get a lot of use.
 A single type of paving, pathway or edging is one way to tie the garden together.
 Almost with exception plants play a key role in landscape design.
 At this point the designer focuses on plant characteristics and uses, not on individual plant
species.
 In the final plan, the exact location of all plants and features is shown.
 Usually selecting native plants with good ornamental qualities will result in a successful planting.
 Large trees create the greatest impact on a newly planted yard.

35. PROJECT INSTALLATION
Throughout the design process there are 10 important things to consider:
 Understand your site for plant selection and activity location
 Remember the user by considering what they want and need
 Use a form and/or style theme to help determine shapes and organize spaces
 Create and link spaces by designating activity areas and linking with elements
 Consider the function of plants for both the environment and the user
 Structure the plantings by using massing and layering techniques
 Highlight important points such as transition areas and focal points
 Pay attention to detail in the materials, the colors, and the surface textures
 Take time into account for the growth and maintenance of plants • Protect your resources by
using sustainable design practices

36. VIDEO RESOURCE: DISCOURSE AND INSIGHT OF FIELD
 Designing Extreme Landscapes: Antje Stokman at TEDxStuttgart
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4BvdyseTqo

37. STUDIO ASSIGNMENT ONE:
COMPOSITION OF A GARDEN
 Pick any style of Garden ( Chinese, Japanese, French or Italian) and
analyze it in terms of following:
1. Elements of Design through the technique of mood board or
infographic with dominant use of images
2. Principles of Design of composition through layering technique.
Medium: A1 sheets & Tracing sheets. (max 4)
Submission: 18/11/2018 at 1:00 pm. You will have studio hours to work
upon your assignment.

38. THANK YOU!