Landscape design is aimed at making the territory as comfortable as possible. And in this process, the project plays an important role - the success of all further work depends on its quality.
Main stages
Any project is developed so 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 develop common principles for landscaping and landscaping 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, project documentation consists of a master plan, various drawings, a consolidated estimate, a plan for organizing space and an explanatory note to the project.
Objects and Concepts
The landscape project involves the allocation of every detail that can play a role in the improvement of the territory. Landscape design objects are the basic elements of space that are calculated in accordance with landscape data, that is, it depends on the objects which territory will ultimately be. All objects can be reduced to the following:
- natural elements of the environment to which man is involved: these are trimmed hedges, broken flower beds, that is, a natural relief in which changes were made by the hand of a person;
- 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 relief details in the form of stairs, retaining walls.
Landscaping of the site also involves landscaping using various compositions based on plants, stones, furniture and even water bodies.
Why do you need a master plan?
The master plan is a drawing that allows you to evaluate the available space and translate certain design decisions on it. The plan contains all the information regarding the features of the relief of the site, the systems available on it, as well as the places where trees, shrubs, flowers will be planted or small architectural forms installed. When landscape design is being carried out, including three-dimensional images, sections and explanations on a scale are thought out. In general, the master plan outlines the scope of work that will be carried out on landscaping and landscaping of the site.
The main thing is phasing
In order for the land improvement to be carried out competently, it is important to carry it out in the established order of work. And the design in these works is only the very first stage. Note that each territory is unique, has its own microclimate and soil features, so it is important to take into account all these nuances at the design stage of the project. In addition, landscape design should include an artistic aspect in order to create a unified and consistent site design.
In the simplest version, design is carried out in several stages:
- The designer goes to the site to assess the territory. The site is being surveyed: as part of this stage, the boundaries of the site are determined and plotted, the arrangement of plantings and communications is considered. the site is analyzed for soil conditions, hydrological studies, the insolation regimen is studied.
- Several sketches are being developed, which describe the principles of landscaping, land improvement, and the presence of architectural elements is considered.
- A master plan is being drawn up.
- An assortment of plants is selected, a special statement for their accounting is compiled.
- Pricing schemes based on the master plan are being developed.
- Working drawings of the project are formed.
Garden Design: Where to Start?
Landscaping of the garden allows you to evaluate the perspective picture of future design. The implementation of the project directly on the territory involves careful planning of the space, a series of works. And the whole process begins with the work on landscaping. The relief, paths and platforms in the garden, the presence of small architectural forms, ponds - these are the components of a high-quality project, which is created by the architect taking into account the preferences of customers.
First - beautification!
Landscaping of a site is a whole complex of works that are necessary to create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere. As part of this work, you need to consider the presence of the following elements:
- Small architectural forms. There should be no trifles in the design of the garden, because ideally it should be designed in the same style. LFAs are precisely those elements that are able to bring novelty and uniqueness even to the simplest territory. Small forms are understood as arbors, garden benches or luxurious pavilions that will create a single architectural ensemble in the garden.
- Steps. They are needed if the site has elevations. In this case, just steps can be used to connect the tracks.
- The tracks. Paved paths are the decoration of any garden, so often the landscape design of the territory implies their presence in the garden or park. You can choose any materials for arranging the tracks.
- Borders. Their purpose is the visual and functional division of materials that are used in the arrangement of the territory. For the unity of style, borders should be combined with the design of garden steps, paved walkways and small architectural forms.
- Reservoirs. Creating a living corner in a 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 the site, which can be very different in size and configuration.
- Outdoor fireplace or barbecue. If you spend a lot of time on the site, then it is worth considering the presence of a recreation area with the installation of a fireplace or a barbecue area.
Plants
Various plants also act as the basis for landscape design. They are the link between nature and architecture on the site. There is a huge number of possibilities 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 set up a real winter garden or cover the lawn.
The main rule of landscaping the site is the emphasis on the harmonious combination of lawn and other elements of the site. After all, the main thing is that the territory is subject to the general artistic intent and style.
Engineering systems
Landscaping and construction is impossible without engineering systems. The normal functioning of parks and gardens will be ensured only if there is garden drainage of structures and irrigation systems. As part of landscape design, the presence of:
- Automatic watering.
- Drainage and storm systems.
- Garden lighting.
The most important thing is that engineering communications should be created in unity with the architectural design of the common territory. For timely irrigation of plantings, you can install a variety of irrigation systems: drip, root capillary, sprinkler, retractable, rotary and many others. An even more important role is played by the drainage engineering network, which is necessary for the timely removal of moisture, lowering the level of groundwater and the removal of 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 it is possible to navigate on a personal plot or in a park. With functional garden lighting, the illumination of places where residents often visit in the dark is thought out. Within the framework of the project, a competent arrangement of lighting devices on the site is being developed, which also harmoniously complement 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?
A variety of design ideas on the site help to translate into reality various programs for landscape design. There are a huge number of them, and each is special 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 improve the territory of a private house or cottage. Realtime allows you to draw up a master plan in 3D, calculate estimates, select materials and plants, and all actions are absolutely free.
- Punch Home Design. User-friendly interface, a solid library of finished 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, stunning projects are created in which there is a place for gardens, front gardens, lakes, fountains and parks.