August 2008 Landscape Principles Concepts & Applications By Andy TenHuisen June 2002 Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office
August 2008 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
August 2008 You know when something looks good, but can you explain to someone else why you like it?
August 2008 Which do you like? Why do you like that one? What makes it different from the other? Does this relate anything at all to a haircut?
August 2008 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?
August 2008 Let’s take a look and find out what words you can use to better describe what you like
August 2008 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
August 2008 Symmetrical Balance Mirror image Used more for formal architecture Visual weight is balanced
August 2008 Which house has symmetrical balance?
August 2008 Asymmetrical Balance Visual weight is balanced but not mirror images Used more in informal architecture
August 2008 Home landscapes lacking balance are unappealing
August 2008 Simplicity Should be soothing to the eye; not busy No competing objects Minimal plant variety No scalloped bed lines; gentle curves Repetition Mass Plantings
August 2008 Repetition Repeating shapes helps maintain simplicity
August 2008 Mass Plantings Large beds of one plant variety achieve simplicity
August 2008 Simple Design Using minimal plant variety Gentle curving bed lines Repetition
August 2008 What characteristics of simplicity are achieved here? Curved bed lines Minimal plant variety No competing objects Not busy
August 2008 Focalization Visual importance One item appears to dominate Don’t have competing focal points Draws attention
August 2008 Front Door The front door should be the focal point of the landscape
August 2008 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
August 2008 Front Doors
August 2008 Where’s the front door?
August 2008 Rhythm & Line What is rhythm? How to achieve rhythm? What lines are we concerned with? Sequencing?
August 2008 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
August 2008 Rhythm Repeating plant form/color/texture throughout the entire landscape
August 2008 Rhythm Tying areas together Continuity Gradual changes
August 2008 Line What the eye follows Everything has a line Tree outlines Bed lines Patios & Decks Buildings Gradual changes of line are most appealing
August 2008 Lines
August 2008 Bed lines
August 2008 Vertical Lines Vertical lines draw attention Create a sense of tension and nervousness Tend to exaggerate
August 2008 Horizontal Lines Horizontal lines create a sense of warmth and tranquility Do not draw attention
August 2008 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
August 2008 Sequencing
August 2008 Lacking Rhythm & Line
August 2008 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
August 2008 Proportionately Correct
August 2008 Incorrect Scale
August 2008 Large plants in front of house help dwarf the house
August 2008 Review of Principles 1.Balance 2.Simplicity 3.Focalization 4.Rhythm & Line 5.Scale & Proportion
August 2008 Symmetrical Balance
August 2008 Asymmetrical Balance
August 2008 Unbalanced
August 2008 Simplicity Gentle curves and lines Repetition of plants Mass plantings
August 2008 Simplicity One focal point Same texture Horizontal lines
August 2008 No Simplicity
August 2008 Focalization One focal point No competing elements Vertical lines help draw attention Changes in form
August 2008 Rhythm & Line Bed lines tie areas together Horizontal lines create a feeling of warmth Repetition provides continuity Simplistic designs create rhythm
August 2008 Scale & Proportion Using plants in size relationship to complement rather than offend Larger plants are overpowering and create uneasiness Smaller plants generate warmth
August 2008 Let’s take a look at some more desirable landscapes
August 2008
Let’s take a look at some designs lacking good landscaping principles
August 2008
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!
August 2008 The End!