hardscape and softscape elements; An introductory lecture for benefit of students of design

1. The use of hardscape &
softscape elements
By:
Surashmie Kaalmegh
Faculty in Interior Design
LAD College

2. Hardscape, or "hardscaping"
Consists of the inanimate
elements of
landscaping,
especially any
 masonry work
 wood work.
 stone walls,
 concrete or brick patios,
 tile paths,
 wooden decks
 and wooden arbors
But by extension, anything
used in landscaping that
is not part of the
softscape can be
considered a hardscape
element, including
accents such as water
fountains and, yes, even
pink flamingoes

3. Landscapes : formal

4. Landscapes :informal

5. Hardscape is seen as a raw
or fabricated form , but mostly
structural , a material
 Stone & its forms
 Wood & its forms
 Metals & its forms
 PVC
 Fibre
 Glass & its forms
 Bamboo & its forms
 Fabric / thatch
 Sculptures
 Furnitures
 Structures
 Accessories
 Fixtures
 Containers
 Bases / floors
 Covers / roofs
or walls

6. Stone

13. Wood

15. Bamboo

16. Metal

20. Structures ,containers, walls, decks
furniture etc

22. Softscapes
 Trees
 Shrubs
 Climbers
 Ground covers
 Water plants
 Plants
 Grass
 Cactii
 Palms
 Succulents
 Ferns
 Bulbs & corms
 Roses
 Lawns
Seasonals
esp. plants
Annuals -
All three
Shrubs ,
climbers,
plants
Perrenials-
All three

23. Trees
There are 3 main
categories of trees.
 Ornamental Trees
 Evergreen Trees
 Shade Trees
Some of their attributes
and the specific ways to
use them in a landscape
is important for a
Designer.
 They have specific
characteristics :
physical : which are
form, branches,
leaves, trunk, bark
flowers, fruits, seeds
growth : the method
in which the tree
grows in a given
environment

24. Tall ruffled Palms
Licuala Grandis
Growth characteristics & maturity :

25. Trees
 ornamental trees - flowering
trees or have some other
special feature, such as
interesting bark. usually,
these trees are smaller than
shade trees. There are so
many wonderful uses for
ornamental trees.
 Specimen
 Driveway
 Emphasis
 Fragrance
 Privacy
 Screening
 Shade
 Windbreaks
 Background for
other plants.

26. Trees as
screens
 Using trees as living
screens can easily
enhance living and working
spaces. Before selecting
trees for screening, first
determine the screen's
purpose, whether
functional or
environmental. Screening
can be used to
 define an area,
 modify or hide a view
 create privacy,
 block wind, dust, salt and
snow,
 control noise,
 filter light, and
 direct traffic flow.

27. Trees
as
frames

28. Trees
for
shade

29. Trees as
enhancers

30. Trees as
backdrops

31. Important factors in
selecting trees for
screening
 Size at maturity
 Form & shape
 Foliage density
 Branch arrangement
 Site conditions
 Special
characteristics
 Type of screening
Mass tree planting
Mix planting
Container planting

32. Climbers
 Definition: Climbers are
plants that climb on their
own. Some climbers,
such as wisteria plants
are "twining" vines; Other
climbers climb by using
tendrils , twiners,
scrambling ,adhesive
pads, clinging stem roots
are the methods.
Climbers are often
suported with structures
upon which to climb.

34. Shrubs
 Hedges
 Specimen
 Background
 Topiary

35. Ramblers

36. Plants :
seasonals,
annuals,
Perenials

37. Groundcovers
Groundcovers are low-lying plants,
usually chosen with aesthetic
considerations in mind and requiring
minimal maintenance.
If groundcovers are projected to cover
large expanses of ground on the
landscape, the initial cost will be much
greater than for sowing grass seed;
but groundcovers may save money in
the long run, as expenses such as
tune-ups for lawn mowers will be
eliminated.
"Groundcovers" and "cover crops" are
different groups of plants, despite
some overlap. Cover crops are
sometimes used as "living mulches," in
which function they serve a role not
unlike groundcovers.
But cover crops are often tilled into
the soil not long after being planted,
simply to supply the soil with
amendments, whereas groundcovers
may inhabit a stretch of land for many
years.

40. The total
impact

42. Its about experience

45.  http://homes-
interior.com/?s=corridor