AR 8701 – LANDSCAPE DESIGN

UNIT -2
ELEMENTS IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN
PROF . T.M.A HAJEE HAFILA BANU
B.ARCH(Interior Design) , M.Arch
 UNIT -2
Introduction to hard and soft landscape elements. Different types of hard
landscape elements. Plant materials, water and landform - classification,
characteristics, use and application in landscape design.
HARD & SOFT LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS :

Inert means lagging

the ability to move

HARD AND SOFT

LANDSCAPES
Gauthma Buddha
University , Greater Noida
Hard Landscape :

The term hard landscape is used by practitioners of landscape

architecture and garden design to describe the construction materials
which are used to improve a landscape by design.
 Factors of Hard Landscape Elements:

• to provide physical visual interest, i.e. texture, colours, materials

• to satisfy practical needs of user, i.e. seating, safety, comfort

• to protect landscape plantings, i.e. retaining walls, for example, can help
prevent erosion and porous paving material limits water runoff.

MoonGate
(Chinese)
Pergola
)

Fountain
(Islamic)
Bollard
Bridge (Japanese) SCULPTURE
SOFT LANDSCAPE :
The term soft landscape is used by practitioners of landscape design,
landscape architecture,and garden design; and gardeners to describe the
vegetative materials which are used to improve a landscape by design.

The range of soft landscape materials includes each layer of the ecological
sequence: aquatic plants, semi-aquatic plants, field layer plants (including
grasses and herbaceous plants) shrubs and trees.
Soft Landscape Elements
Ground Covers & Grasses

▪ Some ground cover plants make good

alternatives to turfgrasses in some locations,
especially in the xeriscaped (a garden or
landscape created in a style that requires little or
no irrigation) landscape.

▪ They provide variety of texture and color, reduce

soil erosion, and serve as a transition between
grass areas and shrub or flower beds.

▪ Grasses add variety to many types of gardens,

including water, Japanese, rock, wildlife, craft,
xeriscape, container and others.

▪ Ornamental grasses add two elements to the

garden experience that are not readily obtained
from many other plants: movement and sound.
Soft Landscape Elements
Shrubs :

▪ Shrubs are the primary way gardeners can

diversify the garden horizontally.

▪ Shrubs are also a useful source for food and

cover for wildlife on a smaller scale, often
down to ground level.

▪ Shrubs provide cover for some smaller

shade-loving plants.

▪ Some flowering shrubs attract birds with

their fruit and some shrubs even provide
colorful fall foliage rivaling any tree.

”woody plant which is smaller than a tree and has several main stems arising at or
near the ground.”
Soft Landscape Elements
Trees :

▪ Besides the economic value a quality tree

can add, it also provides shade, privacy,
and beauty.

▪ Trees provide dramatic vertical layering

within the landscape and garden.

▪ Trees create shady microclimates in the

landscape, protecting shrubs and
groundcovers from direct exposure to the
natural elements.
Soft Landscape Elements

Fragrant
and
flowering
shrubs
Soft Landscape Elements

Ornamental Garden (English & Topiary

French) Pattern using evergreen As an art form it is a type of
shrubs called parterres and knots. living sculpture
Shape of geometry, box, yew are
frequently trimmed.
What is topiary in landscape?

▪ Topiary is the art of creating sculptures using a medium of living trees and
shrubs by pruning and clipping. Not to be confused with Bonsai, that is an art
creating nature in a miniature form.
▪ The word derives from the Latin meaning “creator of places”. First
introduced by Caesar in Tuscany, who grew interesting shapes like
ciphers, obelisks and animal shapes that brought what was a plain garden
to life, and produced a miniature landscape (topos).
▪ The trees and shrubs that are used in topiary are usually evergreen and have
naturally small leave or needles, creating dense foliage and have compact
and/or columnar growth habit. Vines are sometime used over a shaped wire
frame or cage to create a specific shape.
 Design considerations

• species type
• size
• height
• canopy spread
• trunk
circumference
• location
 General design
considerations
 General design
considerations
• Flower Color
• Season of
blooming
• Range of Tree sizes
• Growth Habit of
Trees
Growth Habit of Trees
Growth Habit of Trees

• Columnar : They frame the views and

structure in the landscape setting.
Juniperus chinensis,
• Weeping : It can be used as a focal point.
Salix Babylonica, S. alba.
• Round to spreading : These plants mass
well to create grove effect. Dalbergia sisso,
• Fan shaped : They can be used as a focal
point. Cycus revoluta,
LANDFORMS:
▪ Landform is the most important element which serves as a base for all
outdoor activity. It is considered both as an artistic and utilitarian element
▪ Basically Landform is synonyms with “Topography” and refers to the 3
dimensional relief of the earth’s surface. In simple words landform is the
“lay of the land”. Macro landforms and micro landforms.
▪ Landform is one of the primary elements that landscape architects use to
adapt and integrate human activities into the landscape. Every built
object eventually comes in contact with the ground plane of landform.
▪ And whether it is the man-made landform of an urban plaza or the
natural landform of a mountain range landforms are always part of our
experience of the environment.

▪ Landforms are described by their volumetric form (ridge, valley, plain, hill,
depression,etc.) type of slope (convex, concave), and the steepness of
their slope (flat, steep, etc.).

▪ Landforms are represented using contour lines. A contour line is an

imaginary line that connects points of equal elevation. They represent
landforms by their direction, spacing and contour interval (the vertical
distance from one contour to the next)
TYPES OF LANDFORM(SCALE) :

MICRO MACRO
Micro landforms:

At the site scale, landform may encompass mounds, berms, slopes and
level areas or elevation changes via steps or ramps all of which may
generally categorized as “microlandforms”.
TYPES OF LANDFORM(MICRO) :

BERM SWALE WASH/DITCH/ TERRACE

ARROYO
BERM :
1. A low, gently rising &
rolling, man-made land form
with concave & convex
slopes used to screen,
emphasize.
2. It can be constructed on
the periphery of parking areas
to provide screening.
3. Used in large, flat open
areas to help define a space,
direct movement.
4. Bream slopes need to be
soft and gentle & carefully
integrated into the overall
grading plan of a project.
Swale
1. A low-lying, usually grassy, linear depression that is used to divert & carry
water through or away from a site.
2. Most of project requires Swales.
3. As an integral part of the design, Swales should be located, graded and
planted.
Terrace
1. This is a Natural or Man-made, relatively flat area.
2. Terraces are used when the natural slope of site is severe & usable level
area is required.
3. Retaining walls are often constructed to create terraces & often the
designer additional opportunities to implement a successful design solution
on difficult. Steeply sloped sites.
Wash/ditch/arroyo
1. They are Linear & usually steep-sided water drainage courses that
collect.
2. Landforms are usually a necessity rather than an aesthetic design
element.
Macro landforms:

At a regional scale landform may

include diverse types such as valleys,
mountains, prairies and plains etc.
These are called as macro landforms.
Landform is very important because
topography affects among other things
the aesthetic character of an area, the
perception of space, views, drainage,
micro climate etc.
Benefits of Landform:

Landform brings aesthetic character to a place.

CATEGORIES OF LANDFORM :
VIEWS :
Landform can affect what and how much is seen at any one point,
establish dramatic vistas, create sequential viewing or “progressive
realization” of an object or completely hide undesirable elements.
Landform has the ability to impact the height and distance relationship
between the viewer and the object or space being looked a
DRAINAGE :
Most precipitation that falls eventually reaches the earth’s surface and
that which does not percolate into the ground or evaporate becomes
surface run-off. The amount of run-off its direction of flow, and its rate of
flow are all related to the landform
ROLE OF WATER IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE:

Water is the most important life sustaining element after air or oxygen. Water also
has wide range of utilitarian value such as washing, cleaning, bathing, cooking
etc. It also offers recreational values. Apart from its life sustaining and utilitarian
values, humans are also fascinated by its aesthetic beauty—

Water has been important part of gardens and public spaces throughout the
history.Also, more often people are seen picnicking in a venue some place near
water. People are very often seen spending their leisure time resting on the
beaches, and near lakesides, riversides or simply closer to a small pond. Hence it
seems, people are intuitively attracted to water and shares a special bond with
it.

Water is a multidimensional object of research which appears in various fields:

Environmentally it is a natural resource essential for living (drinkable water, river,
lake etc.), Socially it appears as a sensitive basis for developing human activities,
▪ Financially it influences tourism, agriculture, fishery etc,
▪ Culturally it is related to folklore, mythology, arts oreligion,
▪ Aesthetically it is represented as a beauty element of nature.
BENEFITS OF WATER :
(HISTORY)

▪ In history, one can find abundant evidences of water being used for
aesthetic pleasure, in gardens or public plazas—for e.g.in Mesopotamian
gardens. Egyptian gardens, Chinese gardens.

▪ Medieval monastic gardens and renaissance gardens also had centrally

located water themes.

▪ Many historic squares and plazas consist of a water feature as a vital

attraction (for e.g. Victoria Square, Birmingham; Trevi square, Rome, Italy;
Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy).

▪ One of the most common and vital content in many of world’s most
famous public places is a water feature (for e.g. Millennium Park in
Chicago, USA; Versailles Garden, Versailles, France)

▪ Beauty and popularity of many cities are based on water, for instance,
waterfront cities like Stockholm, Venice, Helsinki etc.
City of Stockholm
Stockholm, capital and largest city of Sweden. Stockholm is located at
the junction of Lake Mälar (Mälaren) and Salt Bay (Saltsjön), an arm of
the Baltic Sea, opposite the Gulf of Finland. The city is built upon
numerous islands as well as the mainland
of Uppland and Södermanland. By virtue of its location, Stockholm is
regarded as one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world.
The water in Byzantium

▪ The water as symbol of life, health and civilization was playing

an eminent role in the everyday life of byzantine time.

▪ Fountains and cisterns could be found at many rural houses,

while sculptured fountains (shaped as birds or crawlers) were
to be found at many high class houses.

▪ Fountains were existing even at rural or forest roads for the

needs of travelers.

▪ Areas with hot water fountains such Aghilaos or Pithia were

therapeutic places which were supposed to cure pain.

▪ These fountains were a natural infrastructure for developing

luxurious bath towns.

▪ The baths were a sociable place appropriate for meetings,

discussions and demonstration of femaleness.

▪ The water had a great real or symbolic importance.

1.The water as landscape design element

The important design characteristics of the water consist in its movement,

sound, and reflection.
2.Stimulation of senses through image and sound :

The water stimulates the senses. The water cause memorial and emotional
impacts with its tranquil and sensitive properties. The movement of water
presents a dynamic and charming character which may cause
thunderous sound or predominate the sound of city.
3. Water helps to create micro climate :
4.Water as a Symbolic meaning/value of water :
Water, in many cultures is revered. In Hindu culture, water is associated
with holiness, a sacred element that can cleanse and purify your body
and soul. Hindus believe that by simply taking a dip in holy rivers like
Ganges one can get redemption from all the sins committed.

Photo exhibiting celebration of a traditional festival ‘Hadigaon ko

Jatra’, Hadigaon, Kathmandu, Nepal
Similarly, in religions like Christianity, Judaism and Islam, water is
associated literally and symbolically with significant events in human
life— baptism (in Christianity), immersion of the body in a water pool
before marriage (Judaism and Islam), and purification of the dead
body before burial.

Water and Water bodies in many cultural festivals have significant

roles—in Kathmandu, a famous festival generally called as
‘Hadigaon ko jatra’ is celebrated in a traditional pond where
devotees look for an ornament belonging to a god which as a myth
is believed to have been lost in the same place.
5.Water increases property value :
In Auckland, New Zealand they
found that wide views of water
add an average of 59% to the
value of a waterfront property, but
that this effect diminishes quite
rapidly as the distance from the
coast increases.

In another similar study in

Washington, found that the view of
an ocean or a lake adds a large
value to a property (more than
double for the highest quality
views). They also noticed that the
value of the property decreases as
the distance from the water source
increases.
5. Water as texture and Form ::
VISUAL CONCEPTS OF PLANTING DESIGN :

Line Color Form Mass Texture

1.LINE:
1. One of the most important & most visible design elements.
2. Leads the eye to a desired destination.
3. In landscape, Lines are created by driveways, walkways,
paths, patio edges, planting beds, edgings & fences.

Flowing Lines are more relaxing than Straight ones

1. Straight lines are used to develop formality.
2. Curving lines are more typical of informal plantings.
2.COLOUR:
1. Green colour is the major background colour in grouping plant.
2. Flowering plants with vibrant colours add interest to landscape.
3.FORM:
1. It’s the shape of the plant.
2. The tree’s shape or form is one of most important obvious feature.

Types of Form :

Columnar Irregular Oval Spreading Weeping

/rounded
 Columnar:
1. Trees have a strong, upright shape.
2. They can look like an exclamation point.
3. They can be effective silhouetted against buildings or walls or
planted as screens.
(e.g.) Asoka tree (Polyalthia longifolia)
 Irregular:
1. Trees appear to have no definite shape.
2. Growth habit seems random, with branches growing in all
directions.
(e.g.) Temple tree (Plumeria Alba)
Oval or Rounded:
Some of the popular shade trees have this form.
(e.g.) Rain tree (Samanca, saman)
 Weeping:
1. This form has a soft, graceful appearance.
2. Because of their drooping foliage attracts attention.
(e.g.) Weeping willow ,
Salix Babylonia
Spreading:
The majestic stably branches reach out wider that the tree is
high.

(e.g.) Gulmohar tree (Delonix regia)

4.Mass:
1. Masses of plants form the body of a landscape design, providing
boundaries & separating one from another.
2. A mass of shrubs (as a hedge) can create a screen.
3. Which also serve as a boundary, giving shape & definition to the open
area.
5.Texture:
Divided into 3 types.
1. Fine,
2. Medium,
3. Coarse.
An exciting composition can be made be mixing plants of different textures
The greater the distance the plant is, the smoother the texture appears to
be TEXTURE .
 Principles of Design
➢UNITY

➢BALANCE

➢SCALE OR PROPORTION
UNITY
➢SIMPLICITY

➢VARIETY ▪Describes the idea of tying the landscape together

into an orderly design.
➢SEQUENCE ▪Some repetition is good, but it should not be carried to
the point of monotony.
➢FOCALIZATION
▪Unity in the landscape can be achiev ed through a
theme of colors, forms, or textures without using exactly
the same plants.
For example, a red color may be used as a
theme, but you could use plants with reddish
foliage as well as other plants with similar colored
flowers or foliage. The plants would be in different
areas of the landscape, but the color theme unites
the overall landscape.
Other themes, such as kinds of plants, curves or
straight lines, and construction materials, can be
used to create unity in the design
BALANCE
▪In landscape design the idea is to balance the
v isual weight of objects in the landscape.
Balance can be symmetrical—one side of an
area looks just like another and giv es a sense of
stability, creating a formal balance.
▪Balance can be asymmetrical creating an
informal balance.
Asymmetrical balance can be achiev ed
with a mass planting of shrubs or a tree on
one side of the house v isually balancing a
chimney on the other side.
Asymmetrical balance is dynamic and tends
to suggest mov ement.

PROPORTION
▪Proportion or scale refers to the way in which
objects, like plants, people, or structures, relate to
each other in size.
▪ Proportion can be used to ev oke emotion
▪Large scale causes a humbling of the observ er.
Example: A large tree or massive screen can
seem imposing.
▪Small scale giv es a sense of dominance or
perhaps a desire to care for the smaller objects;
Example: dwarf plants, such as miniature
roses.
Balance in Landscape
Imbalance in Landscape
SIMPLICITY
▪It is an important principle of design, but it is a hard
one to achiev e.
▪Too many design themes can be confusing, and
unity of design lost, so the design should be kept
simple.
▪Too many different colors, textures, and forms result
in visual confusion, and any sense of design can be SI MPLE BUT STI LL
ruined. MONOTONOUS
▪One way to achiev e simplicity is by using a limited
range of plant species.

SI MPLE BUT NOT MONOTONOUS

TOO LI TTLE VARI ETY CAUSES MONOTONY VARIETY

▪Oversimplification is boring; some variety must be
sprinkled in for interest and to focus attention on the
desirable aspects of your property.
▪Don’t use the same kind of plant ev erywhere.
TOO MUCH VARI ETY CAUSES VISUAL CONFUSION ▪A long hedge of the same kind of plant can be
v ery monotonous.
For example: break plants up into groupings,
maintaining some of the same plants in the
VARIETY = ABSENCE OF MONOTONY groupings but adding other plants for v ariety.
 SEQUENCE
▪Sequence is used to direct the eye smoothly to a
desired focal point like the front door or a
specimen shrub. Sudden changes in appearance
break the v isual flow around the landscape.
▪Includes a gradual change in the form, color,
texture, or size of the landscape.
▪Sequence can help the eye move from one
area to another – orderly progression

▪Sequence (rhythm) can be achiev ed through the PLAN VIEW OF A GOOD SEQUENCE
gradation in size and type of plants used.
Sequence In Landscape evokes a Sense of Movement towards
the Focus…
FOCALIZATION
▪Focalization involves the leading of visual
observation toward a feature by placement of
this feature at the vanishing point between radial
or approaching 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.

Straight lines create a strong focalization

when compared to curved lines

▪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 curv ed 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
Use of height transition and texture stronger focalization.
changes to emphasize (top) or
focalize (bottom).
TAJ MAHAL
The large charbagh (a form of Persian
garden divided into four parts) provides
the foreground for the classic view of the
Taj Mahal. The garden's strict and formal
planning employs raised pathways
which div ide each quarter of the
garden into 16 sunken parterres or
flowerbeds. A raised marble water tank
Elsewhere the garden is laid out with
at the center of the garden, halfway
av enues of trees and fountains. The
between the tomb and the gateway,
charbagh garden is meant to symbolise
and a linear reflecting pool on the
the four flowing Rivers of Paradise. The
North-South axis reflect the Taj Mahal.
raised marble water tank (hauz) is called
al Hawd al-Kawthar, literally meaning and
named after the "Tank of Abundance"
promised to Muhammad in paradise
where the faithful may quench their thirst
upon arriv al.

Balance,repetion,unity,focalization are certain

principles adopted in the Taj Mahal
 . Cypress trees are almost certainly to have been
planted being popular similes in Persian poetry for
the slender elegant stature of the beloved. By the
end of the 18th century, Thomas Twining noted
orange trees and a large plan of the complex
suggests beds of various other fruits such as
pineapples, pomegranates, bananas, limes and
apples.
The layout of the garden, and its architectural
features such as its fountains, brick and marble
walkways, and geometric brick-lined flowerbeds
are similar to Shalimar's, and suggest that the
garden may hav e been designed by the same
Two pav ilions occupy the east and west engineer, Ali Mardan.
ends of the cross axis, one the mirror of Early accounts of the garden describe its profusion
the other. In the classic charbargh of v egetation, including roses, daffodils, and fruit
design, gates would hav e been located trees in abundance.
in this location. In the Taj they prov ide
punctuation and access to the long
enclosing wall with its decorativ e
crenellations(a wall of a building) with
battlements)
The original planting of the garden is
one of the Taj Mahal's remaining
mysteries. The contemporary accounts
mostly deal just with the architecture
and only mention 'various kinds of fruit- Taj Mahal decadaes Present day Taj Mahal
bearing trees and rare aromatic herbs' back when the
in relation to the garden landscaping was not
properly designed
Akshardham Temple,Delhi
Lotus Temple,Delhi
Akshardham Temple,Delhi
Assymetry,Sequence,Rhythm,Imbalance – Key Principles of this landscape design in a
Resort
Integrating Structure & Nature by using Landscape elements…
Burj Khalifa,Dubai
 Design functions of Planting
1. Many things to consider when choosing plants for landscape design.
2. Every building as unique & planting has to be arranged to suit the Style
of each building.
3. Choosing of plants not only provide beauty but also to perform a
variety of functions.
Foundation Planting
1. Basic planting done around building- creates foreground for the building.
2. Use planting of trees and shrubs to frame outstanding parts of the building
not to hide them.
3. Shrubs work well at the outside corners of a building.
4. When planting trees and shrubs, give careful thought to their placement.
5. Their location depends on the angle at which the building will be viewed.
6. Accent plants are used to highlight the front entrance
Screening & Enclosure
1. Plants can attractively enclose an area to provide privacy & can even
block wind.
2. Plants properly planned enclosures or outdoor rooms created by trees
and shrubs can provide a feeling a safety and security.
Factors to be considered when choosing trees and shrubs for Screening &
Enclosure :
Evergreen or Deciduous
1. Needed a year-round screen we can use evergreen trees & shrubs.
2. But most deciduous plants provide very little amount of screening.
Plant Height
Determine the height requirements of the screen & the choose
appropriate plants.
Branching
For Screen to be effective & Enclosure to be complete the
branches of the plants should extend to the ground.
Bed lines & Edging
Bed Lines
1. Defines the shape of the edge.
2. These edges can be curved, straight or a combination depending on
the desired effect.
3. Straight lines – create a formal look than curved line.
Edging
1. Defines a plant bed giving it a definite shape.
2. These can be of variety of materials like paving blocks, wooden pegs etc.

Aesthetics
Accent plants are generally used in a landscape to add interest.
Planting with different textures & colours creates a dramatic effect to
the building.
Brainstorming Session
1.What is an soft and Hard Landscape ?
The living materials are refered to as soft landscape & inert materials are
called hard landscape.
2.What are the principles of Design ?
▪ Unity
▪ Balance
▪ Scale or Proportion
▪ Simplicity
▪ Variety
▪ Sequence
▪ Focalisation
3.What are the types of Landform which we saw today?
4.What are the functions of the Hard Landscape elements ?
Site Amenities – benches, gazebos, bollards, drinking fountains, area lighting,
landscape lighting, retaining walls, decorativ e water features, bus shelters, trash
containers and fences.
Walkways, Trails & Bike paths:
An integrated pedestrian & bicycle circulation system can reduce the
use of the automobile.
A pedestrian walkway system should prov ide the following-
▪ Be logically connected from start to finish.
▪ Be handicap accessible & separated form v ehicular traffic
▪ Be of sufficient width.

Standard walkway – 4 feet wide.

Bike paths should be wide enough to accommodate two bikes passing.
Streets:
1. Use of street trees is an effectiv e way to v isually soften, complement & define the road system
hierarchy.
2. Large trees provide a canopy & giv e emphasis to the major corridors.
Parking:
1. They are a dominant v isual element on an installation.
2. Landscape treatments can improv e the v isual appearance.
3. A median at the ends of parking rows or full length, formally planted prov ides shade.
4. Landscape materials- used to screen parking areas form v iew along major circulation routes.
5. Landscape treatment of parking areas- always consider mowing and snow remov al requirements
to av oid the potential of increased long term maintenance.
5.What are the Visual concepts of Landscaping?
▪ Line
▪ Color
▪ Form
▪ Mass
▪ Texture
5.What are the different types of texture?
▪ Fine
▪ Medium
▪ Coarse
Information
Semmozhi poonga

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABHRVgEEXB0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABHRVgEEXB0&t=83s
Philiphadia Navy yards
Assignment
Assignment -2

ELA -2 - Analyse the principles of design in Landscape from Institutional Master Plans &
Document it.

Submission date :
23rd of August , 2020

hafila@amsarch.ac.in
Assignment -3

ELA -3 - Analyse the Role of Landscaping in any Institutional Campus (Pick only main
academic block ) & put forward how the landscaping is done analysing the landscaping ,
Indoor & Outdoor

Submission date :
23rd of August , 2020

hafila@amsarch.ac.in