INTRODUCTION TO LANDSCAPE DESIGN

INTRODUCTION

By: NATHNAEL S. (M.Sc.)

z Introduction to landscape

What is Landscape?

 Landscape: A space of natural setting that can be seen in a single view or

from a single viewpoint.

 “a piece of land which we perceive comprehensively around us, without

looking closely at single components, and which looks familiar to us”
(Haber, 2004)

 “the total character of a region” (Von Humboldt)

 “a mosaic of interacting ecosystems”

z Introduction to landscape

What is Design?

 It is the process of creation of Object/ Space/ System/ Policy

 To serve a pre-determined purpose / Objective

 To solve one or more specified problems

 To enhance the quality of environment of the delineated space

 z What is landscape Design?

 “Art and science of planning and designing the landscape for

purposeful human use and the conservation of landscape resources”
 It is the conscious arrangement of outdoor space to maximize
human enjoyment while minimizing the cost and negative
environmental impacts.
 A well-designed landscape is aesthetically pleasing and functional.

 Creating comfortable outdoor space as well as reducing cost of

heating and cooling the indoor spaces.
 z Categories of Landscape Design
1. Landscape derived directly from natural habitat of the region

2. Man’s alteration of the natural habitat for his own use

3. Landscape deliberately designed for a purpose

1. Landscape derived directly from natural habitat of the region

• They exist in their purest form only where man is absent or in the areas of least human intervention

Forest, Coast, Desert, Open meadow

 z 2. Man’s alteration of the natural habitat for
his own use
• With or without major consideration or concern for the natural settings and its elements.

• Introduced to accommodate or solve a certain issue or requirement.

• Introduction of elements may sometimes result in mesmerizing landscape, which can be a planned
or an unplanned activity.

Farmlands replaced by original landscape

 z 3. Landscape deliberately designed for a purpose

• A landscape designed and created intentionally by man for a specific purpose.

• The character of the designed landscape helps to define the image of the people who inhabit it
and a sense of place that differentiates one region from other and the activity that surrounds the
place

landscape design for a purpose

 z
Interpretation of Landscape

 Interpretation of landscape has been theorized in a number of ways. The concerns primarily
interpretations from socio-cultural relations, emotions and interpretations of environmental
processes.

 Landscape interpretation amounted essentially to the explanation of how natural and cultural
forces combined in shaping environments.

 Attention to the importance of the human subject and cultural values stimulated a wide-
ranging scholarly engagement with interpreting landscapes within their shifting societal
contexts as places of, aesthetic pleasure, cultural value, spiritual refuge, ordinary experience,
or alienation
 z
10 Major Interpretation of
landscape

 Landscape as Nature Landscape as Wealth

 Landscape as Habitat Landscape as History

 Landscape as Artifact Landscape as Place

Landscape as Aesthetic
 Landscape as System

Landscape as Ideology
 Landscape as a Problem / Challenge
 z
Landscape as Nature

 A natural landscape is a landscape that is unaffected by human activity.

 It is intact when all living and nonliving elements are free to move and change.
 z
landscape as Habitat
 In ecology, a habitat is the type of natural environment in which species of organism lives.

 It is characterized by both physical and biological features. A species’ habitat is those places

where it can find food, shelter, protection and mates for reproduction.

Ibex in alpine habitat

Coral reef in the Phoenix Islands,
 z
Landscape as Artifact
 Artifacts are implied as elements of landscape showing human workmanship or modification

as distinguished from a natural object especially an object remaining from a particular period

showcasing various timeline, culture and environment.

Ancient stone vessels spread across the Figure 1.8: View of

 z
Landscape as System
 A landscape system is the collection of interconnected ecosystems, which is always open to

inputs and outputs . The successful integration of ecosystem ecology with landscape ecology

would be conducive to understanding how landscapes function.

 z
Landscape as a Problem /
 Land pollution is nowadays a major problem into landform which creates various hazardous
Challenge
effects to the environment. Waste landscapes or derelict landscape, disturbed landscape, land

that needs regeneration and reclamation, brownfields are some of the landscape challenges that

need to be addressed.
 z
Landscape as Ideology
 With an intention to help raise awareness about the world’s shrinking forests, artist Konstantin

Dimopoulos ‘paints’ trees in urban areas, most recently in Seattle and Kenmore, Washington

state. Colored with azurite (a blue rock) and water that will eventually fade and wash away, the

project’s trees are supposed to draw attention.

Painted trees at
Seattle and Kenmore, Washington state.
 z
Landscape as Wealth
 Landscape considered as aesthetic expressions of beauty through art and nature, a display of
taste or style in civilized life, an expression of an individual's or culture's philosophy, and
sometimes as a display of private status or national pride showcasing the wealth of the person/
culture/ community/ nation.

The Gardens of Versailles , Palace of Versailles

 z
Landscape as History
 The complex cumulative record of the work of nature and man gives a picture of the written
record and deep into the natural evolution of the history and geology. These landscapes will act
as a record to the evolution of mankind, the culture belief and their relationship with the
environment. .

Stonehenge, Historical landmark in England

 z
Landscape as Place
 Each landscape needs to define the character of the place and its relationship with the
surrounding elements. E.g. Urban landscape, gardens, plazas. An appreciation for the everyday
landscapes (vernacular) that citizens create out of their social, economic and environmental
needs. E.g. Farmers market.

Hud Plaza, Washington, USA MAGOK central plaza

 z
Landscape as Aesthetic
Landscape pleases the eyes by means of high
water jets, land art and colors in outdoor areas.
The courtyard with bubbles made out of used
compact discs.

Landscape pleases the eyes by means of high water jets,

land art and colors in outdoor areas. The courtyard with
bubbles made out of used compact discs.
 z
Components of landscape
design
The components of landscape design often will fall into Two broad categorization major
components:

1. Hardscape (the nonliving elements, such as Paving's), and

2. Softscape (the living elements, such as flowers)

 There is a requirement of a good mixture of soft as well as hard landscape materials

for a proper well-built landscape design.
Components
z of landscape design

Hard Landscape:

 Hardscape or Hard Landscape refers to the heavy elements of a

Landscape design like stone, rocks or driveways.

 The construction materials used in the design of landscape elements or

to make outdoor structures come under hardscape.

 z Components of landscape
design

Soft Landscape:

• The Softscape or the Soft Landscape is the living part of your

landscape structure.
• The plants, the lawns, the trees and the shrubs make up the
components of Soft Landscape.
• For example, materials required to build a pond in a garden area are
components of Hard Landscape; however, the Pond itself is a part of
Soft Landscape.
 z Hardscape Elements:
 Pavements :
s:  Pavement in construction is an outdoor floor or superficial surface covering. Paving materials

:
include asphalt, concrete, stone such as flagstone, cobblestone, setts, artificial stone, bricks,

tiles, and sometimes wood.

s:  are used on sidewalks, road surfaces, patios, courtyards,

ature:  Pavements are classified as being either flexible or rigid. Additionally, they are porous or non-

porous.
 z Pavements also classified as ;-

1. In-situ Paving:

• Concrete: It is easy to pour concrete and pattern imprints it, which makes design patterns
s:
versatile. Concrete can stand abrasive materials and different climatic conditions.
:
• Asphalt: Asphalt is flexible, built in multiple layers and provide smooth surface to pavements.

Asphalt pavements are load bearing and are easy to construct and maintain.
s:
• Synthetic Surfacing Systems: Can be designed for specific purpose (e.g.. Court games, track)
ature:
More resilient than concrete or asphalt.
 z 2. Unit Paving:

• Bricks: Bricks provide non-skid surface. Bricks can be use anywhere due to their small size;

they can be laid to strong flowing curves.

s:
• Tiles: Tiles provide polished appearances (indoor/outdoor)
:
• Granite: Granite can support heavy load. They are durable, flexible and easy to clean.

• Limestone: Easy to work with. Rich color and texture.

s:

ature:
 z 3. Soft paving:

• Aggregates: Economical surfacing material. Available in wide range of colures.

s: • Organic materials: Compatible with natural surroundings.

: • Turf: Good drainage characteristics. Ideal for many types of recreations.

s:

ature:
 z Other types of Hardscape elements .

 Fences

 Seating’s:

 Pergolas:

 Gazebo:

 Lightings:

 Water Feature:

Assignment 1 :- Explain In detail About the above Hardscape

elements ( With freehand sketches)
 z Softscape Elements:
Trees:
• Trees are an important part of landscaping. When thriving they make a beautiful
contribution to the landscape. Adding trees to your landscape, whether it is one
specimen tree or a grouping of a certain variety, will greatly improve the appearance
and ecological value of the area.

Structural Quality Of Trees

 z Shrubs
• Shrubs diversify the landscape and give variety to it horizontally.
• It is a good source of food and cover for wildlife on a smaller scale.
• It also provides cover for shade loving plants.
• It can be used to demarcate boundary, give buffer between spaces and give a sense of place.
• It gives free vision and movement

Horizontal characters with shrubs Shrubs giving boundary

 z Grass
• Grass, any of many low, green, non woody plants belonging to the grass family (Poaceae).
• They make good ground cover
• They provide variety of texture, color and serve as a transition between two different vegetated
areas such as from a shrub to a flower bed.
• Ornamental grasses add experience to the landscape.
• Helps the surrounding by preventing soil erosion.
 z Flowers
• A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in
flowering plants.
• They add color and texture to the landscape defining the mood or the context in which it is set
in.
• Alters and plays with the aesthetic feel of the area.
• They add value to the place with their interaction with surrounding flora and fauna.
z

……to be continued
 z

Assignment 2 : write in detail about history of

landscape design/ Architecture?