Concepts & Applications Landscape Principles Concepts & Applications By Andy TenHuisen June 2002 Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office
Objectives To identify the principles of art as it pertains to landscape design To distinguish between good and poor landscape designs To explain the importance of implementing design principles To describe methods of obtaining design principles
You know when something looks good, but can you explain to someone else why you like it?
Which do you like? Why do you like that one? House A House B Why do you like that one? What makes it different from the other? Does this relate anything at all to a haircut?
Why don’t you like this house? How do you tell another person why you dislike this house? Can you put into words what needs to be done to improve this house’s curb appeal?
Let’s take a look and find out what words you can use to better describe what you like
Balance Means “equilibrium” Visual weight of the landscape is equal Unbalanced objects cause the viewer to be uneasy and confused Two types of balance can be used in the landscape
Symmetrical Balance Mirror image Used more for formal architecture Visual weight is balanced
Which house has symmetrical balance?
Asymmetrical Balance Visual weight is balanced but not mirror images Used more in informal architecture
Home landscapes lacking balance are unappealing
Simplicity Should be soothing to the eye; not busy No competing objects Minimal plant variety No scalloped bed lines; gentle curves Repetition Mass Plantings
Repetition Repeating shapes helps maintain simplicity
Mass Plantings Large beds of one plant variety achieve simplicity
Simple Design Using minimal plant variety Gentle curving bed lines Repetition
What characteristics of simplicity are achieved here? Curved bed lines Minimal plant variety No competing objects Not busy
Focalization Visual importance One item appears to dominate Don’t have competing focal points Draws attention
Front Door The front door should be the focal point of the landscape
Accenting the Front Door Using brass kick plate Use lights and lighting fixtures Sidewalks lead eye to door Using porticos Stained glass Vertical elements Small flower beds
Front Doors
Bell Work: What are your suggestions to improve the focalization of this house?
Rhythm & Line What is rhythm? How to achieve rhythm? What lines are we concerned with? Sequencing?
Rhythm Landscapes have rhythm just as music has rhythm Music has a beat (count) Music has repetition of notes in the same scale Landscapes have rhythm by a repetitious count of textures/form/color
Rhythm Repeating plant form/color/texture throughout the entire landscape
Rhythm Tying areas together Continuity Gradual changes
Line What the eye follows Everything has a line Tree outlines Bed lines Patios & Decks Buildings Gradual changes of line are most appealing
Lines
Bed lines
Vertical Lines Vertical lines draw attention Create a sense of tension and nervousness Tend to exaggerate
Horizontal Lines Horizontal lines create a sense of warmth and tranquility Do not draw attention
Sequencing Positioning objects according to size Small – medium – large Provide a smoother line for the eye to follow Provide views of all plants Help create horizontal lines
Sequencing
Lacking Rhythm & Line
Scale & Proportion Large objects dwarf other objects Large objects tend to be overpowering and cause uneasiness Large objects used with large structures create proportion Small objects create a feeling of warmth and serenity Small objects enhance or exaggerate other objects Dwarfed plants should be used with smaller landscapes
Proportionately Correct
Incorrect Scale
Large plants in front of house help dwarf the house
Review Time
What are the 5 principles of design? Balance Simplicity Focalization Rhythm & Line Scale & Proportion
On the next few slides look at the picture and decide the principle that is the MOST apparent in the picture.
Symmetrical Balance
Asymmetrical Balance
Unbalanced
Simplicity Gentle curves and lines Repetition of plants Mass plantings
Simplicity One focal point Same texture Horizontal lines
No Simplicity
Focalization One focal point No competing elements Vertical lines help draw attention Changes in form
Rhythm & Line Bed lines tie areas together Horizontal lines create a feeling of warmth Repetition provides continuity Simplistic designs create rhythm
Scale & Proportion Using plants in size relationship to complement rather than offend Larger plants are overpowering and create uneasiness Smaller plants generate warmth
Let’s take a look at some more desirable landscapes
Let’s take a look at some designs lacking good landscaping principles Tell me what design principle is lacking and causing the landscape to be undesirable. If you were the landscape designer for this house what would you recommend to your client?
Conclusion Remember landscaping is an art Principles should be followed to create a sense a beauty The most exquisite landscapes generally are the most simplistic in design The brain imports information from senses. Don’t overwhelm the brain with excessive visual inputs!
The End! Quiz Tomorrow!