Exploring Landscape Design

Landscape Design Profession Landscaping is a profession that includes designing, installing, and maintaining the outdoor environment. This is a picture from the Biltmore Estate of Frederick Law Olmstead, a premiere landscape architect. He designed Central park in NY and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC… very famous dude.

There are three branches of the landscaping industry. Landscape architects and designers Landscape contractors Landscape maintenance

What is a design-build firm? Landscape businesses that handle everything from the initial contact with the client through the design and construction, as well as, long-term care and maintenance.

What is the difference between a landscape nursery worker and a landscape designer? Landscape nursery worker is a professional who sells and installs landscape plants and related materials.

What makes a good design?

Balance

Balance- materials are distributed evenly on opposite sides of a central axis Symmetric- one side is reflective mirror image of the opposite side (formal). Asymmetric-each side has as much interest as the other, but is not a duplicate of the other side. Proximal/distal-balances right and left as well as near and far. Macro-range- viewer sees the landscape from the most distant vantage points. Closer range- the views from other locations not as distant.

What type of balance do you see here?

What type of balance do you see here?

Focalization of interest Selects and positions visually strong items in the landscape composition to create focal points. Draws the eye of the viewer to one major feature in each use area, such as a corner planting or fountain.

Focalization of interest

Simplicity Seeks to make viewers feel comfortable within the landscape. Excludes any unnecessary changes in shape, color, direction, etc. Repeating plant textures and colors to not have strong contrasts that clash. For ex. Repeating burgundy throughout the landscape but with different plants and not using orange with red or pink.

Simplicity

Rhythm and line Repeating something at a standard interval or pattern creates rhythm, and lines establish the shape and form of the landscape. Replicating strong existing lines such as the lines of the house or pool. Functions of line plantings include foundation plantings, block a view, frame a view, and privacy.

Rhythm and line

Proportion The size relationships between all the features of the landscape including vertical, horizontal and spatial relationships. Proportion will maintain proper proportional relationships in a landscape between: buildings and people, building and plants, plants and people, plants and plants, masses and soils.

Proportion

Unity All separate parts contribute to the creation of the total design. Unity ties together the individual parts of each use area by: repeating prominent colors, construction materials, continuing interior design themes to outdoor rooms, repeat plant species, raise patios, decks, and porches to door level.

Unity

The Landscape Design Process There has to be a plan, man.

Landscape process Process is a sequence of steps to reach a goal.

Project development Need or objectives Design process Accepting the design Contracting Subcontracting Actual landscaping Acceptance Billing Payment

Project maintenance Need or desire Selecting landscape maintenance company Landscape Co. assesses needs Proposal Acceptance Co. schedules work Work Billing Payment

Design process Includes site analysis and program analysis Check out soils, do soil tests Look at drainage Measure site Determine grading

Client interview Ask client questions to gather information needed to design a plant Questions about their lifestyle, likes and dislikes and budget requirements

Questions you would ask?

Site analysis

Site analysis The designer examines the natural, man-made, cultural, physical and visual characteristics of the site. Collection should be a thorough inventory of the site’s positive and negative qualities. Identify existing features in the area(s) to be landscaped Take measurements and photos for reference and scaling

What things are you looking to identify?

Sequential plans Different plans are used at different phases of the design process according to need of detail. This is sequential planning- each is increasingly more specific and detailed.

Functional diagrams Begin the arrangement of the client’s program on the site. Bubble diagrams(loosely drawn freeform shapes represent areas or spaces) also known as concept plans. Help the designer make decisions concerning layout and sizes and use of each area.

Functional/ Bubble design Family living area: Extension of the interior to the exterior. Serves for outdoor entertaining Example: Pool, patio, grill, play area

Functional /Bubble cont. Service Area:The portion of the landscape that is utilitarian. Normally close to the kitchen, on the side or back of house. Sheds, trash cans, gardens, etc. Not public or private areas

Functional / Bubble cont. Private living Area: Typically attached to Master Bedroom. Not in view of public, adult relaxing, small, should be screened.

Preliminary designs Refine bubbles to show rough draft vision of how each landscape area will be shaped. The landscape is given its form, type of materials to be used, and application of landscape design principles.

Preliminary designs, cont’d. They are simple without real details. Horizontal and vertical relationships between objects and areas are now included. A number of preliminary designs may be show to a client before the final plans are made.

Final plans Use suggestions and reactions of the client to make a master drawing that is graphically detailed and completely specific in its intent for the landscape.

Final plans Include precisely identified plants and other materials. Specifics for contractors and subcontractors. Graphics are designed to impress.

Computer Assisted Drawing Auto CAD A computer program that can help in designing Used throughout design firms and trades

Graphics Lettering and numbers Can be done free-hand. Can be done mechanically. Can be done with computer.

Rendering Coloring of a design. Aids in giving a visual concept to the client about what it will look like. Drawing that can show the design from another view point other than plan view (bird’s eye).

Hand drawing instruments