Elements of landscape design

What is landscaping?

• Landscaping
refers to any
activity that
modifies the
visible features
of an area of
land.
MAJOR ELEMENTS.

• LINE
• FORM
• TEXTURE
• COLOUR
• SCALE
Line

• Directs eye movement or flow

• Draws attention to an object
• Divides and groups objects
Form

• Defines shape and structure

• Branching pattern
Colour

• Convey emotion
• Influences mood and character
• Three properties: hue or chrome, value, intensity
Texture

• Surface quality of an object

• Coarseness and smoothness
Proportion and Scale

Proportion is the relationship that exists among the components of

a landscape. It also describes the relationship between the components of
the landscape and the landscape as a whole. Proportion involves the size
relationships between and among the components making up the
landscape.

Scale is the human perception of the size of space and form related
to the human dimension. Scale is relative to the perception of the viewer.
 MINOR ELEMENTS.
• TRANSPARENCY
• ENCLOSURE.
• FIGURE GROUND.
TRANSPARENCY
ENCLOSURE
FIGURE GROUND
 NATURAL ELEMENTS.
• PLANTS
• WATER
• LANDFORM
• TIMBER
• ROCK
Elements of landscape- Plants
• Plants create outdoor
rooms. Trees, shrubs,
and ground covers can
be used to emphasize
the desirable
architectural lines and
masses.
• Plants can be used to
soften and balance
harsh and awkward
architectural angles,
masses and materials.
 Elements of landscape design- Plants

The human eye has a tendency

to follow the outline of the
objects in the landscape.
With this idea in mind the
apparent size in affected.

By graduating plant sizes away from the house, the apparent size of the
structure is increased.

Plants that reach large sizes at maturity are often planted Tall evergreen create an inviting, inhibiting appearance
too closely to the house when small. When mature, they to this entrance.
dominate and make the house look smaller
 Elements of landscape design- Plants

Environmental role
• Pollution control
• Noise control
• Climate control

Use of windbreaks to control winter

winds

embankments., deciduous and evergreen plantings and

masonry walls are used together for effective sound control.

Use of deciduous plants to direct

summer breezes
 Elements of landscape- Plants

Creepers

Shrubs

Climbers
Covered pathways
 Elements of landscape -Water
Water flows inevitably, from the source to the receiving ocean
basin. This continuity of rivulets , streams and rivers can be readily observed.
• USES:
1. Excellent land water interface gives an ecological home for the animals and plants.
2. Water runoff reduced.
3. Microclimate created.
4. Moisture level maintained.
5. Wetland, marshes, swampy areas are conserved.
6. Maintaining vegetation into wetlands.
7. Hydrological cycle maintained.
8. Site aesthetics are enhanced
ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- LANDFORM
ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- LANDFORM
ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- LANDFORM
ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- TIMBER
ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- TIMBER
 MANMADE ELEMENTS.
• BRICK
• METAL
• PLASTIC
• GLASS
• STONE
• FENCING etc
 Elements of landscape -Stones
• Stones are hard, impermeable, inorganic elements used extensively in
landscape architecture.
• Stones are basically used for the following:

1. Paving
2. Retaining wall
3. Stacked stone wall
4. Sitting
5. Shelters
6. Parapets
7. Bridges
8. Sculptures
9. Planters
 Elements of landscape -Stones

 Stone, one of the oldest paving materials, offers good,

durable, wearing surface with a minimum
maintenance required.

 Rubble and ashlars masonry are the two forms

of stone used for paving.

 Rubble masonry is rough stone, as it comes

from the quarry, but may be trimmed somewhat
where necessary.

 Ashlars masonry is hewed or cut stone from the

quarry and is used much more often than
Rubble for the surfacing of the walls
 TANGIBLE ELEMENTS.
• PLANTS
• WATER
• STONES
• TIMBER etc.
 INTANGIBLE ELEMENTS.
• VISUALLY PERCIEVING PATTERNS.
• COLOUR.
• FORM.
• MASS.
• VIEWS OF SCENIC AREAS.
PATTERNS
MASS
VIEWS OF SCENIC AREAS.
END