Hardscaping refers to permanent landscape elements made from hard materials like stone, concrete, wood, and metal. It includes features like driveways, walkways, retaining walls, stairs, and planters. Hardscaping is used to provide structure, separate different areas, and enhance the beauty of the natural landscape. There are many options for hardscaping materials with considerations including durability, maintenance needs, and aesthetic qualities. Proper planning is needed to incorporate hardscaping elements that meet the functional needs of the space.

1. Elements of Hardscaping

2. Hardscaping in landscape
Hardscape are design elements that are incorporated in a built environment which are solid and unchanging as the years go
by.
They include paved areas, driveways, retaining walls, sleeper walls, stairs, walkways, and any other landscaping made up of
hard wearing materials such as wood, stone, concrete etc. as opposed to softscape, the horticultural elements of a
landscape.

3. Why Hardscaping?
To cater needs not accompanied by soft landscape elements.
To provide complimentary effects and to enhance the beauty of soft
landscape.
Hardscaping allows the erection of man-made landscaping features.
Some compensate for large amounts of human traffic that would
cause wear on bare earth or grass.

4. Separating
elements
Planter box/
Flower pots
Fence, walls/
retaining walls
Special
surfaces
Paving
Linkages
Bridge
Steps
Furnishings
Seating
Dustbins
Signage
Lighting
Based on functions of hardscaping elements,

5. Planter box/ Flower pots
The design is determined by the plant used and its surroundings. Drainage holes are
essential.
In close proximity to sufficient light, absorb noise, purify air or bad odour.
Not placed making pedestrian route narrow.
Material used should be easily available, cost- effective, vandal- proof and durable with
aesthetic value.
• Used when soil is unsuitable for planting.
• Helps in subdividing spaces into different
areas.
• Can be arranged to show access or directions.
• Provide scale of surrounding landscape.

6. CLAY
Readily available
Attractive and Expensive
Heavy in large sizes
Breakable if dropped
Since clay is porous it allows
for good air exchange.
Absorbs heat quiet well.
Fired and glazed pots are the
most weather proof
PLASTIC
Versatile in appearance
Lightweight
durable
Affordable
Realistic finishes that
mimic terracotta,
concrete or stone Rolled
rims to give an illusion of
thickness.
GLAZED CERAMIC
Colorful pots, ranging
from subtle earthen
tones to playful, vibrant
glazes
Varied in styles
Less subject to freeze
damage
FIBREGLASS
Classically styled
Durable
Lightweight
Expensive Brittle
May crack
Not insulator

7. CONCRETE
Attractive
Durable
Affordable
Found abundantly
Expensive in large
sizes
Certainly heavy.
FOAM
Readily available
Affordable in a variety
of styles
Insulation protects
roots from heat and
cold
Very lightweight
Found in smaller sizes
due limited strength
of material.
METAL
Galvanized
metal buckets,
brass or copper
pots and other
containers made
from metal can
be very
ornamental.
SELF-WATERING
Usually made of
plastic, these
are containers
with a reservoir
at the base that
holds water for
later use.

10. Landscaping layouts

11. Fence, Walls/ Retaining walls
• Provides spaces or divide areas of ownership.
• Helps to block unpleasant view and odour
• Gives security from intruders
• Prevents soil erosions
Architectural image normally relates to design
objectives, concept of landscape or existing
building
Material should be easily available, water proof
and durable.

12. TYPES OF MATERIALS USED FOR RETAINING WALLS
There is a wide variety of many different retaining wall materials. The most important and most common
factor all retaining wall materials have is that they are enhance with resistance to; fire, water damage,
impact resistance etc. Proper drainage is also important for the wall material.

13. Timber is available in treated and enhanced types to ensure that the material will not rot, be infested with termites and
bugs. Timber is a relatively simple product to install and work with. This wall material can be painted or left in its natural
state. One of the beauties of timbers and woods is that some types have a natural resistance to termites, rot and other
common wood occurrences. Ensuring that the timber used for the retaining wall is properly treated will help lead to a long
lasting application whether it is for functional or decorative purposes.
Concrete blocks or units are also a common retaining wall material which has been used for many years. This material is
available in a wide variety of designs, types, shapes, colors and textures. Concrete blocks are light weight and suitable for
structural or decorative applications. It is also a low cost material which is easy to work with and install. There are many
different types of concrete blocks including; interlocking, hollow, solid and half hollow. They are also made in high density
and low density styles. Homeowners can customize concrete blocks to best suit the applications requirements.
Stone Walls are made from a Portland cement mixture therefore they are a man made material. They are produced in
shapes, designs and textures which replicate natural stone materials. Stone is most commonly used in applications where a
mortar is not required and the dry stack method is used. Most stone applications look just like natural stone walls but at a
lower price. This is a great alternate material for natural stone.
Natural stone blocks are the most expensive wall material. This material has a very unique and stylish outlook
which is hardly matched by any other. Natural stones are available in blocks, units, irregular and regular shapes
making them highly versatile for all types of applications.

14. S
P
E
C
I
A
L
F
E
A
T
U
R
E
S
Added features which indicate activities, event and safety like paving
(gravel, cobbles, tarmac, bricks and pebbles) and pedestrian walkway.
PAVING
Indicates direction by using suitable, comfortable surfaces for
pedestrian, compared to surfaces of other area.
Differentiates access to vehicles and pedestrian movement by using
different surface finishes.
At junctions or meeting points, different material or levels can be
adopted to indicate danger.
Used as a focal point for temporary stopping.
Paving materials should be cost- effective and easy to maintain, safe
and sound.
Rough finishes prevent slipping.
Some materials with rough finish could reduce and absorb noise
sources.
Dark coloured surface finishes absorb light.
Design pattern should make use of existing related pattern and
arrangement.
Scale and contrast can be used to differentiate various new patterns.

24. Sustainable Pavement materials
Pervious concrete (porous concrete, permeable
concrete, no fines concrete and porous pavement)
is a special type of concrete.
Allows water from precipitation and other sources
to pass directly through, thereby reducing the
runoff from a site and allowing groundwater
recharge.
Made using large aggregates with little to no fine
aggregates.
Used in parking areas, areas with light traffic,
residential streets, pedestrian walkways, and
greenhouses.

25. Porous Asphalt
In driveways, parking areas
Same as regular asphalt
Manufactured with fine material mitted, leaving
open spaces that allows water to filter through
to a – recharge or drainage bed.
Small stones
Least expensive and allow water to penetrate
Require more frequent maintenance because little
stones are easily displaced.
Stones are smooth ones and not crushed gravel,
which lets water run off instead in the ground

26. Pavers
Grass pavers create a hexagonal shape of concrete around
a central pocket where grass can be planted or filled in
with gravel.
These pavers have less open area that is usually created
either at the corners or by spacing the pavers on all sides
to allow for infiltration.
Cannot grow anything in the voids, but is typically filled
with gravel
Good option for driveways and areas which need more
stability.
Plastic Grid- Drivable grass
Comes in 2’ x 2’ mats that are much more affordable to
have installed than individual pavers.
Has a much larger exposed area (61%) for greater
infiltration and more room to grow grass or ground cover
in.
Does not isolate the dual pockets.
Allows plantings to remain cooler and receive more
uniform watering.
Provides superior green parking surface.

27. Linkages
Linkages or circulation systems are a combination of linear connectors
circulation paths, traffic generators and events along the connectors
like entrances, bridges, steps and gateways.

28. Bridges
Link access from one place to another.
Helps to avoid dangerous or disturbing element
and to provide aesthetic value to landscape design.
Should be easy to use.
Safe to build.
Located at suitable areas without causing damages.
Design should consider safety and comfort at prime
factors.
Material should be durable, weatherproof and
vandal proof.
An alternative route for users should be provided
during maintenance to avoid mischief.

29. Bridges in public spaces

30. Steps
Link areas of different levels and
indicate access.
Normally use uniform steps and
avoid any design that can cause
tiredness or discomfort with well-
thought safety precautions.
Landing should be provided for
high staircases.

32. Ramps
An inclined plane, also known as a ramp, is a flat supporting surface tilted
at an angle, with one end higher than the other, used as an aid for raising
or lowering a load. The inclined plane is one of the six classical simple
machines defined by Renaissance scientists.

33. • Inclined planes are widely used in the form of loading ramps to load
and unload goods on trucks, ships, and planes.
• Wheelchair ramps are used to allow people in wheelchairs to get over
vertical obstacles without exceeding their strength.
• pedestrian paths and sidewalks have gentle ramps to limit their slope,
to ensure that pedestrians can keep traction
• Inclined planes are also used as entertainment for people to slide
down in a controlled way, in playground slides, water slides, ski slopes
and skateboard parks.

35. Furnishings
Structures that are added to
spaces, to enhance and
complete the spaces like
seating, dustbin, signage,
lighting, sculptures, and kiosk.

36. Seating
Attract and highlight some garden design.
Used for relaxed viewing the surrounding or
reading books or similar such activities.
Seating design is normally based on the
garden design concept.
Comfort is the main criteria in design.
Design should avoid intricate corners or
spaces.
Scale or size should be able to accommodate
load as well as relate to the surrounding
landscape scale.
Materials used should be easily cleaned or
painted.
Structure of materials should be durable.
Construction and maintenance costs should
compliment the surrounding construction
cost and landscape design.
Modern and traditional materials can be
chosen based on the context whether they
are to be used in an urban or rural area.
Seating could be accommodated under big trees
(large canopy/ foliage) near covered buildings, next
to a wall or plants sheltered from sunlight, and
windy areas not obstructed by other landscape
elements. Select places for seating having good and
have pleasant views.

37. Wood
Whether if it is Teak,
Redwood,
Mahogany or even
Composite Wood,
they are one of the
most popular kinds
of materials used in
furniture
manufacturing. One
of the highest
demanded material
anywhere in the
world. The lifespan
of wood also beats
many other types of
material and it’s also
very simple to
maintain. It can also
be combined with
other materials like
stainless steel or
even leather.
Stainlesssteel
Stainless Steel
does not easily
corrode, rust or
even stained by
water which
normal steel does.
They are highly
durable and last
for a long time
with proper care
and maintenance.
Using water jet
cutting
technology,
Stainless steel can
be manufactured
in many shapes
and sizes and can
be stored away
without having to
take up alot of
space.
Cane
An all natural
material, Cane is
popular in the
outdoor
furniture
category due to
its highly
durable material
aspect. Able to
bent it any
shape and size,
Cane can create
many designs
that the mind
can imagine and
is rather
affordable for
the mass
market.
Plastic
One of the popular
characteristics of plastic
material are that it is
lightweight and are able
to meet the budget of the
low budget consumer.
Plastic is very suitable for
the outdoors and comes
in a variety of colours.
However, Plastic material
furniture loses it’s
strength over time and if
exposed to heavy weight
over a long period of time,
the parts might bend and
its colour will fade
overtime. Higher grades
Plastic materials are more
resistant to such problems
even though they cost a
bit more than normal
plastic materials.

38. Fabric
Fabric
furniture is
often seen as
a luxury and
sophisticated
material that
is used in
many
upholstered
furniture. for
your
furniture.
Some
recommende
d fabrics
include linen,
cotton,
velvet, jute
and cotton.
Wicker
This type of
outdoor furniture
is usually made of
plant material
such as cane and
rattan and it
created a
comfortable,
homey look. Resin
wicker is much
more durable
than the
traditional wicker
material so look
for that if you
want long-lasting
furniture. It
requires minimal
maintenance, it
doesn’t fade, or
crack and is
weather-resistant.
WroughtIron
Sturdy and
durable,
wrought iron
furniture is,
however,
somewhat
vulnerable to
the elements.
The powder-
coated finish
seals out
moisture and
makes it more
long-lasting.
This type of
furniture is
particularly
heavy and
tends to look
more
traditional or
rustic.
Aluminum
Aluminum
furniture is also
lightweight,
hence easy to
store and
rearrange. It
requires
minimal care
and can
withstand rain,
rust and
moisture
damage better
than lots of
other
materials. You
can use wax or
mineral oil to
offer it extra
protection.
Plastic
Plastic furniture
requires little to no
maintenance. It’s
resistant to
moisture, doesn’t
produce mildew
and stands up to
outdoor elements
without the beed
for sealants or
varnish. It’s also
very affordable and
comes in a wide
variety of colors,
plus it can be made
to look like other
materials. Another
advantage is that
plastic furniture is
lightweight and
often stackable.

40. Dustbin
Dustbin should have easy access for garbage disposal and collection.
There are different types of dustbins like wall mounted, free standing,
removable, big sized where population is high.
Located near pedestrian access with other facilities such as toilets and
recreation area, where people gathers, picnic or relax.
Not located too close to each other to avoid bad odour or flies or bad view.
Design and material depends on location, method of collection, relationship
to the surrounding landscape elements and capacity.
Galvanized sheet metal, aluminum, timber, fiber- glass and concrete are
normally used.

42. Signage
All signage should have standardized
design, colour and lettering.
Located at an appropriate place.
Should be of suitable size to convey
information.
Should not obstruct aesthetic value of
other elements.
Type of information usually conveyed
through signage is: preventive,
prohibitive, warning, and general.
Materials used depends on cost,
design, durability, and maintenance.

43. • Signage is a key element of a sensory garden. Visitors will be more inclined to interact with plants if
they are prompted by clear labeling.
• One approach is to use color coded signage that highlights the different senses associated with each
plant.
• Braille plant labels placed at accessible locations, such as the backface of a handrail, are typically
used in gardens for the visually-impaired.
• A sensory garden brochure with photographs and a plant list can serve as a guide during the garden
visit, and as a take-home educational piece.
• Multiple signage within a development should have a standardized format and design for
uniformity.
• Free standing signs should be no more than five feet in height. These signs should be appropriately
landscaped and lit.

44. • Be attractive
• Direct to destinations
• Be a part of an overall city identity
• Provide direction over short distances and at lower speeds
• Compete effectively with street, regulatory and storefront signs for
attention

45. Colour
• Parent colour is chosen complementing to the
unity of master design.
• The color contrast is at least 60 percent between
the typeface and the background to meet the
needs of people with color blindness or limited
vision.
• Mild contrast pair colour to keep the design clean
and simple.
• Other colors were introduced as needed,
especially in designs for parking lots.
• Where possible, the background of signs
containing text will be white lettering to maintain
the 70% contrast between letters and
background as recommended by the ADA.
• The yellow is used as a decorative highlight. The
reverse side of each sign will be a solid color;
utilizing the same color that encompasses the
majority of the sign front.

46. Typeface
• The selected typefaces are principally formal
fonts.
• They vary in size according to the required sight
distance for the particular type of sign and
should not be reduced from the recommended
size. Typically, the sight distance of one inch
high type is legible from fifty feet, two inch at
one-hundred feet, and so on.
• Letter styles are simple and wide kerning
(space between letters) is relative to the height
of the letters. These standards are intended to
meet the needs of older drivers who tend to
have problems differentiating lettering at
vehicular speeds.
• Letters should be applied using reflective
material, with vinyl the most commonly used to
allow for alterations should the need arise to
change a sign message.

47. • Symbols and logos representing
destinations:
Where possible, international
symbols are used, for example,
Parking “P” or the Hospital “H”.
• Fabrication:
Although they are created for the
benefit of the motorist, these
signs must be pleasant to the eye
from all sides and be safe to the
pedestrian.
Sign panel heights should be at
least seven feet off the ground to
satisfy the Americans with
Disabilities Act requirements.
Panel signs should be high
enough off the ground to deter
vandalism.

48. • Sign placement:
Signs must be placed to avoid urban
clutter while allowing the motorist
enough time to make decisions.
Vehicular signs should never be closer
than 75 feet from an intersection to
give the motorist more decision-
making time and to avoid conflicts
with traffic signals and signs at the
corner.

49. • Spacing between signs should
be at least 30 feet. Vehicular
signs should never conflict
with pedestrian directional
signs.
The pedestrian environment
contains freedom of
movement; pedestrians can use
one-way streets in both
directions, as well as parks and
pathways that are restricted to
cars. Pedestrian-oriented signs
should never be placed where a
motorist might misinterpret the
directions.

50. • Maintenance and management:
Before a sign goes in the ground,
a maintenance and management
system must be put in place that
sustains the program long-term.
• In most cities, destinations move
and new ones are added. As the
system grows, a well-managed
database of signs and maps (a
geographic information system)
is desirable to keep track of
these changes.

54. Types of signage

55. LIGHTING
Meant to illuminate dark and insecure areas.
Illuminates and enhances a focal element or dangerous objects.
Provides suitable mood for occasions.
Safety and comfort are prime factors in choosing material.
Material should be durable, vandal proof and weather proof.
Maintenance should be safe and easy.
Three types- Roads and highways lighting, Pedestrians lighting, ad Decorative lighting.

56. Down facing lamps
Stake mounted spotlights or in- ground lamps

57. Thank you