1. Concepts & Applications
Landscape Principles
Concepts
&
Applications
By Andy TenHuisen
June 2002
Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office

2. 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

3. You know when something looks good, but can you explain to someone else why you like it?

4. 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?

5. 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?

6. Let’s take a look and find out what words you can use to better describe what you like

7. 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

8. Symmetrical Balance Mirror image Used more for formal architecture
Visual weight is balanced

9. Which house has symmetrical balance?

10. Asymmetrical Balance Visual weight is balanced but not mirror images
Used more in informal architecture

11. Home landscapes lacking balance are unappealing

12. Simplicity Should be soothing to the eye; not busy
No competing objects
Minimal plant variety
No scalloped bed lines; gentle curves
Repetition
Mass Plantings

13. Repetition
Repeating shapes helps maintain simplicity

14. Mass Plantings
Large beds of one plant variety achieve simplicity

15. Simple Design Using minimal plant variety Gentle curving bed lines
Repetition

16. What characteristics of simplicity are achieved here?
Curved bed lines
Minimal plant variety
No competing objects
Not busy

17. Focalization Visual importance One item appears to dominate
Don’t have competing focal points
Draws attention

18. Front Door
The front door should be the focal point of the landscape

19. 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

20. Front Doors

21. Bell Work: What are your suggestions to improve the focalization of this house?

22. Rhythm & Line What is rhythm? How to achieve rhythm?
What lines are we concerned with?
Sequencing?

23. 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

24. Rhythm
Repeating plant form/color/texture throughout the entire landscape

25. Rhythm
Tying areas together
Continuity
Gradual changes

26. Line What the eye follows Everything has a line Tree outlines
Bed lines
Patios & Decks
Buildings
Gradual changes of line are most appealing

27. Lines

28. Bed lines

29. Vertical Lines Vertical lines draw attention
Create a sense of tension and nervousness
Tend to exaggerate

30. Horizontal Lines
Horizontal lines create a sense of warmth and tranquility
Do not draw attention

31. 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

32. Sequencing

33. Lacking Rhythm & Line

34. 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

35. Proportionately Correct

36. Incorrect Scale

37. Large plants in front of house help dwarf the house

38. Review Time

39. What are the 5 principles of design?
Balance
Simplicity
Focalization
Rhythm & Line
Scale & Proportion

40. On the next few slides look at the picture and decide the principle that is the MOST apparent in the picture.

41. Symmetrical Balance

42. Asymmetrical Balance

43. Unbalanced

44. Simplicity
Gentle curves and lines
Repetition of plants
Mass plantings

45. Simplicity
One focal point
Same texture
Horizontal lines

46. No Simplicity

47. Focalization One focal point No competing elements
Vertical lines help draw attention
Changes in form

48. Rhythm & Line Bed lines tie areas together
Horizontal lines create a feeling of warmth
Repetition provides continuity
Simplistic designs create rhythm

49. Scale & Proportion
Using plants in size relationship to complement rather than offend
Larger plants are overpowering and create uneasiness
Smaller plants generate warmth

50. Let’s take a look at some more desirable landscapes

59. 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?

66. 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!

67. The End! Quiz Tomorrow!