Landscape design: the basics of landscape design, landscape design objects, programs for landscape design

Landscape design is aimed at making the territory maximally comfortable. And in this process an important role is played by the project - on its quality depends the success of all further works.

Main stages

Any project is developed with the fact that experts study and evaluate the site, collect information about it, get acquainted with the ideas of the owners. Such an integrated approach allows us to work out common principles of improvement and gardening for a particular site.

Landscape design begins with the development of several sketches, which are subsequently approved by the customer. In the most voluminous version, the project documentation consists of a master plan, various drawings, summary estimates, a plan for organizing the space and an explanatory note for the project.

Objects and concepts

Landscape design involves the allocation of every detail that can play a role in the improvement of the territory. Objects of landscape design are the basic elements of space that are calculated in accordance with the landscape data, that is, it depends on the objects that will ultimately be the territory. All objects can be reduced to the following:

• Natural elements of the environment, to which the person is involved: these are trimmed hedges, broken flower beds, that is, the natural relief into which changes were made by the human hand;
• Objects with equivalent design elements - natural and artificial origin;
• Plants and supports on the basis of which they grow, systems for water effects - fountains, pools, as well as details of the relief in the form of stairs, retaining walls.

Landscape design of the site also involves landscaping of the territory using various compositions based on plants, stones, furniture and even water bodies.

Why do I need a master plan?

The master plan is a drawing that allows you to evaluate the available space and implement certain design decisions on it. The plan contains all information regarding the features of the site's terrain, the systems on it, as well as places where trees, bushes, flowers or small architectural forms will be planted. When landscape design is being carried out, three-dimensional images are also compiled, sections and explanations are being developed on a scale. In general, the master plan outlines the amount of work to be done on landscaping and landscaping.

The main thing - stage-by-stage

To improve the land plot was conducted correctly, it is important to perform it in the established order of works. And the design in these works is only the very first stage. Note that each territory is unique, has its own microclimate and soil characteristics, so it is important to take into account all these nuances even at the design development stage. In addition, the landscape design should provide for the artistic aspect, so that a unified and consistent design of the site is created.

In the simplest version, the design is performed in several stages:

• The designer goes to the site to assess the territory. Survey of the site is carried out: within this stage, the boundaries of the site are determined and plotted on the plan, arrangement of plantations and communications is thought out. The analysis of a site on a condition of soil, hydrological researches is carried out, the insolation mode is studied.
• Several sketches are being developed, which describe the principles of gardening, landscaping, the availability of elements of architecture.
• A master plan is drawn up.
• An assortment of plants is selected, a special sheet is prepared for their registration.
• Price schemes based on the master plan are being developed.
• Working drawings of the project are formed.

Design of the garden: where to start?

Landscape design of the garden allows to evaluate the perspective picture of the future design. Realization of the project directly on the territory involves careful planning of the space, carrying out a number of works. And the whole process begins with works on the improvement of the territory. The relief, paths and areas in the garden, the presence of small architectural forms, reservoirs - these are the components of a quality project, which is created by the architect, taking into account the preferences of customers.

First - landscaping!

Landscape design of the site is a whole complex of works that are necessary to create a comfortable and cozy environment. In the framework of these works, you need to think about the presence of the following elements:

• Small architectural forms. In the design of the garden should not be trifles, in fact, ideally it should be consistent in a single style. LFA is precisely those elements that can bring novelty and uniqueness even to the very simple territory. Small forms mean pavilions, garden benches or luxurious pavilions, which will create a single architectural ensemble in the garden area.
• Steps. They are needed if the site has elevations. In this case, you can use just steps to connect the tracks.
• Pathways. Cobbled paths are an ornament of any garden, therefore often landscape designing of territory assumes their presence in a garden or park. Materials for arranging tracks can be chosen any.
• Borders. Their purpose is visual and functional division of materials, which are used in the arrangement of the territory. For the unity of style curbs should be combined with the design of garden steps, paved paths and small architectural forms.
• Reservoirs. Create a living corner in the garden or park is a great solution, but you need to do it right.
• Playgrounds for children and sports. If the space of the site allows, you can equip and sites that can be very different in size and configuration.
• Outdoor fireplace or barbecue. If you spend a lot of time on the site, you should think about having a rest area with a fireplace or a barbecue area.

Plants

Various plants act as the basis of landscape design. They are the link between nature and architecture on the site. There is a huge number of opportunities for landscaping the site using trees and shrubs of different sizes, whole compositions based on flowers and plants and alpine hills. If space allows, you can break a real winter garden or cover a lawn.

The main rule of planting the site is the emphasis on harmonious combination of lawn and other elements of the site. After all, the main thing is that the territory is subject to a common artistic design and style.

Engineering systems

Landscape design and construction is impossible without engineering systems. The normal functioning of parks and gardens will be provided only if there are garden drains of structures and irrigation systems. Within the framework of landscape design, the presence of:

• Automatic watering.
• Drainage and storm systems.
• Garden lighting.

The most important thing is that the engineering communications are created in unity with the architectural design of the common territory. For timely irrigation of the plantation, it is possible to install a variety of irrigation systems: drip, capillary, sprinkler, retractable, rotary and many others. An even more important role is played by the drainage engineering network, which is necessary for timely removal of moisture, lowering the level of groundwater and draining surface water from buildings and structures.

Garden lighting can be on duty and functional. In the first case, a lighting system is needed so that in the dark you can focus on the garden or in the park. With functional garden illumination, the illumination of places in which the inhabitants are often found in the dark is being planned. Within the framework of the project, a competent arrangement of lighting devices is developed on the site, which, moreover, harmoniously complements the design in a variety of styles. The main requirements for the lighting system on the site are safety, convenience and aesthetics.

What programs are needed?

To implement a variety of design ideas in the field help different programs for landscape design. There are a lot of them, and each is different in its own way:

• Realtime Landscaping Architect. This program allows you to design at a professional level in two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces. Suitable for professionals and those who want to beautify the territory of a private house or villa. Realtime allows you to make a master plan in 3D, calculate estimates, select materials and plants, and all actions are absolutely free.
• Punch Home Design. Convenient interface, a solid library of ready-made objects - the ability to think through the composition of the landscape as quickly as possible.
• SketchUp (Google SketchUp). The program perfectly copes with the design of the adjacent territory, terraces, plots. On the screen in 3D mode, amazing projects are created, in which there is a place for gardens, front gardens, lakes, fountains and parks.