Basic Principles of Landscape Design Page 7
Proportion in landscape design usually relates to
people and their activities. The desired size
relationships of components in a design should pose
little problem for the designer who considers this
principle routinely in systematic thought processes.
Rhythm is achieved when the elements of a
design create a feeling of motion which leads the
viewer’s eye through or even beyond the designed
area. Tools like color schemes, line and form can be
repeated to attain rhythm in landscape design.
Rhythm reduces confusion in the design.
Focalization involves the leading of visual
observation toward a feature by placement of this
feature at the vanishing point between radial or
approaching lines. Straight radial lines as in Figure
10 create a strong focalization when compared to
curved lines. The viewer’s eye is quickly forced along
straight lines to a focal point. Generally, weaker or
flowing lines of focalization are desirable in the
residential landscape. Transition of plants or other
objects along these lines can strengthen or weaken the
focalization. Curved lines are stronger when curved
toward each other than when curved outward.
Indirect focalization is created by lines curved in the
same direction. Focalization can be adjusted by plant
materials along the lines to create symmetrical or
asymmetrical focalization. Asymmetrical focalization
is indirect while symmetrical focalization is more
direct, creating stronger focalization.
Since focalization can be used to direct attention
to a point, traffic in an area is usually directed to that
point. Therefore, focalization could be used to direct
traffic in a garden area. Guidance of view toward
features of commercial, aesthetic or cultural value
may attract the eye of the unaware without conscious
effort.
Repetition refers to the repeated use of features
like plants with identical shape, line, form, texture
and/or color. Too much repetition creates monotony
but when used effectively can lead to rhythm,
focalization or emphasis. Unity can be achieved
better by no other means than repetition. Think of
repetition as not having too much variety in the
design which creates a cluttered or busy appearance.
Simplicity goes hand-in-hand with repetition and
can be achieved by elimination of unnecessary detail.
Too much variety or detail creates confusion of
perception. Simplicity is the reduction of a design to
its simplest, functional form, which avoids unnecessary
cost and maintenance.
STEPS IN DEVELOPING A LANDSCAPE
DESIGN
The benefits of an organized system in developing
a landscape design are tremendous. As with most
endeavors, the level of efficiency relative to time input
is greatly increased with an organized approach. The
game plan for the landscape designer should follow a
sequence such as the one presented here:
Steps In Design
1. Develop a plot plan.
2. Conduct a site analysis.
3. Assess family needs and desires.
4. Locate activity areas.
5. Design activity areas.
6. Plant selection and placement.
Develop a Plot Plan
It is difficult to visualize certain aspects of design
without putting it to scale on paper. The designer
should think with drawings or sketches and make the
mistakes on paper not on the landscape site. The
plot plan should consist of 1) accurate house
placement on the lot, 2) accurate lot and house
dimensions with window and door placement and 3)
existing driveways and/or walks. It saves a lot of time
if the customer has an accurate plat of the house and
lot and a house floor plan with outside dimensions.
These plans maybe secured from the builder,
developer or county or city property records.
Although the floor plan scale will probably be
different from the scale you use, it will still be easier
to convert the scale than to physically measure the
house, lot, etc.
Once the house position on the lot has been
determined, this should be drawn to a predetermined
scale on tracing paper placed over grid paper.
Commonly, 1 inch equals 5 feet or 1 inch equals 10
feet, but you may choose another scale based upon
your drawing equipment and project dimensions.
Recommended drawing equipment includes: drafting
pencils, T-square, scaled rulers, triangle, art gum
eraser, drafting tape, grid paper (8 or 10 squares to
the inch) and tracing or drafting paper. The designer
must have a firm, steady working surface.