Introduction to landscape design

1. INTRODUCTION TO LANDSCAPE
DESIGN
By Tonja T.

2. Definition of Landscape
• Landscape is the environmental, social and
cultural characteristics of a place.
• Landscape comprises the visible features of an
area of land, including the physical elements
of landforms such as mountains, hills, water
bodies and living elements of land cover.

3. Landscape Architecture
• Landscape architecture is the art and science of
designing outdoor areas to improve visual aesthetic
and functional use of the landscape.
• Landscape architecture is the study of design
outdoor public areas, landmarks, and structures to
achieve environmental, social-behavioral, or
aesthetic outcomes.

4. • Landscape design is a process of developing
practical and pleasing outdoor living space.

5. Landscape Elements
• Landscape Elements -Consist of various
components of landscape; such as:
– Vegetation,
– Land forms,
– Water bodies,
– The vertical element; which is Buildings and structures
– The horizontal elements; which is Land use
– Climate
That are combined to form a landscape.

6. Landscape Site
• Landscape Site - a typical
landscape site is composed of:
– Buildings,
– parking,
– open space and Natural areas,
– Pavements,
– Plazas and Courtyards,
– Streets,
– Accessibility,
– Pedestrian and Bicycle
Movement etc.

7. Types of Landscape
Based on ecological category landscape can be
classified as:
Natural Landscape
Working Landscape
Cultural Landscape
Urban Landscape

8. Landscape Design Process
• Comprehensive Planning Documents
Coordinate existing planning documents to
guide site development in an aesthetic,
functional, efficient manner.
– Research or study on the given type of landscape
project

9. • Site Features- A detailed analysis of the area
which includes: adjacent land uses,
topography, vegetation, drainage, views,
climate, pedestrian and vehicular circulation,
and utility systems.
• After inventoried the natural and built
features, begin to analyze what to keep, what
to remove, what needs to be modified, and
what will be added.

10. • User Needs- The determination of user/client
needs early in the design process is essential
for an efficient design solution.
– Working on program requirement
– Client budget

11. • Design Development - Develop and evaluate a
variety of alternatives to ensure a well-phased
design solution.
• Consider all points of view before committing
to a final design.
• Includes design concept, zoning, schematic,
plans, elevations, sections …

12. • Design Finalization/ detailing-
– The selection of an alternative design that
illustrates all the landscape elements.
– Production of working drawings and construction
details
– Budget

13. • Implementation Plan- Ensures that all funding
has been correctly identified and construction
timing is appropriate.
• This should also include the site and
construction phase of all projects.
– Planning the construction and planting process

14. Landscape Design Process

15. Landscape Elements
• The coordination and effective use of landscape
elements contribute to the overall success of the
landscape design. Landscape elements consist of
the following:
– Vegetation
– Land Forms
– Water Features
– Pavement Materials
– Site Amenities
– Lighting
– Signs

16. Vegetation
• Vegetation - consists of trees, shrubs, ground
covers, canopy, vines, and turf. They serve
many of the following functions:

17. Functional Value of Vegetation
Visual Enhancement -Vegetation strengthens
the appearance of the landscape and improves
the users’ quality of life.
Wind Control -Strategic placement of trees and
shrubs helps to break, guide, and deflect wind
currents.

18. Cont.
• Erosion Control -Ground cover and turf/grass
reduce the amount of soil surface exposed to
natural forces. The root structure binds the
soil, thereby reducing erosion potential.
• Noise Reduction -Dense flora and canopy
effectively reduce noise levels by absorbing
sound waves.

19. Cont.
• Climate Modifications -Vegetation helps reduce
temperatures by shading the ground and by the
cooling effect of water emitted from its foliage.
• Energy Conservation - Deciduous trees (trees
which loose their foliage) shade building surfaces
in the winter and, as a result, reduce the demand
on air conditioning systems. During summer
months, sunlight passes through the trees to
provide natural solar heat for the building’s
interior.

20. Cont.
• Glare and Reflection Reduction - vegetation
can effectively soften glare and reflection from
man-made materials.
• Air Purification -Vegetation is a natural filter
that removes dust and pollutants from the air.
They are sinks for carbon dioxide.
• Wildlife Conservation -Diverse vegetation
types provide wildlife habitat for nesting,
shelter, and food.

22. Land Forms
• Earth berms, terracing, and retaining walls are
examples of land form elements.
• These elements should be in harmony with
the site’s natural topography or contrast and
respond to the architectural form.

23. Earth Berms -Provide spatial enclosures, screening of
undesirable areas, and reinforce architectural forms.
Use earth berms and appropriately placed vegetation to screen
parking areas.

24. The vines on this wall provide a smooth transition from the hard surface roadway to
the natural preserve beyond.
Retaining Walls - Preserve vegetation, minimize grading
requirements on steep slopes, and create visual interest.

25. Water Features
• Water features include ponds, lakes,
fountains, and reflective pools. They can be
located along green space corridors or in
developed plazas. Water features provide the
following:

26. Functional value of Water Features
• Visual Enjoyment -An area that is a source of
natural beauty.
• Focal Points -Special interest areas that attract
attention.
• Micro-Climate Modification -A localized
cooling effect created by the spray from a
fountain or bubbler.

27. Cont.
• Native Habitat -Areas for wildlife conservation
and management.
• Recreational Opportunities -Areas for
swimming, boating, and fishing.
• Irrigation Reservoirs - Help to reduce the
demand for potable water resources.

28. Ponds provide visual relief and
recreational opportunities
Fountains provide enjoyment
and mask undesirable noise

29. Pavement Materials
• Different types of pavement materials serve
various purposes. They can provide the
following:
• Spatial Definition -Use various pavement
types, colors, shapes, and sizes to define
outdoor spaces.
• Sense of Direction -Various surface patterns
and colors define movement and direction.

30. Pavement Materials
• Spatial Character - Texture and color of
surface materials can project a unique
character to the area.
• Warnings -Use an abrupt variation of
pavement color, texture, or size to signal level
changes, roadway intersections, or other
hazardous conditions.

31. Pavement materials provide interest and variety to this
building’s entrance

32. Pavement materials provide spatial
definition and character for a place
Pavement materials provide spatial
direction and warnings

33. Site Amenities
• Site amenities include benches, tables, mail
boxes, vending machines, drinking fountains,
telephone booths, bus shelters, walls, fences,
monuments, memorials, flag poles, etc.
• With proper planning and design, site amenities
become a cohesive link that has a positive effect
on the overall appearance of the landscape.
• Site amenities need to be compatible with the
adjacent architectural features, and serve the
functional needs of the user.

34. Achieve visual continuity
by selecting site amenities
that are compatible in
color, materials, and
character

35. The harmonious coordination of
site amenities along with the
brick pavers complement the
color and style of the adjacent
architecture.

36. Lighting
• Exterior lighting can be categorized as street,
architectural, or walkway and parking lot light.
• Street Lighting - Reinforces street hierarchy by
visually differentiating major and minor roads
through varied light intensities, pole spacing,
and height.

37. Lighting
• Architectural Lighting - Draws attention to the
entrance and special features of a facility.
Provides orientation and visual interest of
prominent buildings or displays.
• Walkway and Parking Lot Lighting - Provides
safety and security, and identifies the routes
and intersections.

38. Lighting can provide orientation,
highlight a building entrance, and
direct pedestrian movement
A building’s lighting can create an
interesting effect, provide security,
and direct attention.

39. Uplighting a prominent tree can create a dramatic nighttime
effect

40. Sign
• A simple but effective sign system provides a
means of communicating information without
compromising the appearance of the
landscape. Signs are categorized as follows:
• Identification -Identifies entrance gates and
military, community, recreational, and other
facilities.
• Destination -Directs visitors to major
activities.

41. Sign
• Regulating -Controls traffic, parking, maintains
security, and identifies hazards.
• Informational -Provides educational
information and directional guidance for
visitors.

43. A colorful display of annuals provides an attractive foundation
treatment

44. A coordinated approach to the design of site amenities, lighting, pavement
materials, land forms and vegetation selection is illustrated in this corporate
campus

45. Trees, flowering plants, a flag display, and a simple but effective sign achieve a quality
appearance at this main gate entrance

46. end