Elements of landscape

ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE

The elements of composition are the visual qualities that people see and respond to
when viewing a space. Visual qualities can illicit many different emotions and feelings,
and the more positive those feelings, the more likely people are to enjoy and use a
space.

LIGHTNING IN LANDSCAPE :
•

•
•
•

OUTDOOR LIGHTING IS USED TO ILLUMINATE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS, ROADS
AND ENTRY AREAS. IT MAY ALSO PROVIDE A DRAMATIC EFFECT WHEN IT LIGHTS
UP BENCHES AND FOUNTAINS.
THE LEVEL OF ILLUMINATION VARIES WITH THE EXTENT OF USAGE OF THE
VARIOUS EXTERNAL SPACES.
HIGH INTENSITY LIGHT IS REQUIRED FOR HIGHWAYS AND OTHER HEAVILY USED
AREAS.
WARM AND COLOURED ILLUMINATION IS BEST SUITED FOR QUIET AREAS ALONG
MINOR RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND PARKING AREAS

LIGHTNING TECHNIQUES :

•

•

PATH LIGHTING
Typical fixtures: mushrooms, tulip lights,
lanterns, tier lights, specialty lights.
These low impact or shielded lights face down
to the ground or paths to add safety, security and
visibility for walking.
Path landscape lighting evenly and clearly light
pathways, walkways and water elements like ponds
and waterfalls while avoiding glare.

ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING
The techniques of architectural lighting are used
to accentuate the variations in texture as well as
architectural features in brick and stone work, soffit
details, and fascia. Architectural lighting can also be
used to enhance gateways, fountains, and statues.

LIGHTNING TECHNIQUES :
STEP LIGHTING / DECK LIGHTING
Typical fixtures: spot/accent lights, specialty lights
Step lighting brings deck to life at night and help guests navigate stairs safely with
specialized step and deck lighting. Fixtures can be installed beneath benches, as
recessed lights in the risers of steps, and as surface lights on vertical posts and
below railings.

TREE LIGHTING / UPLIGHTING / DOWNLIGHTING
Typical fixtures: spot/accent lights, floodlights, well lights, specialty lights
Uplighting is a dramatic way to highlight the beauty of statuary, trees, especially
large or flowering types. By lighting trees from two or more directions, your target
appears to be 3-dimensional and more lifelike.

LIGHTING FIXTURES:
SOLAR LIGHTS
 Solar landscape lights make use of tiny photo voltaic cells (PV) or solar
powered cells to charge the battery that is integrated into the lighting fixture.
 Solar landscaping lighting comes in a vast variety of styles.
 Most manufacturers prefer to install the PV cell into the lighting fixture itself.
This can’t work if you place the light in the shade.
 Other solar landscape lighting models tend to separate the PV panel from the
lighting fixture. Thus the PV module will be able to receive maximum sunlight.
Drawback is that wires have to be buried.

• Fluorescent light: A long straight tube
coated with phosphor containing low pressure
mercury vapor that produces white light.

• Halogen: High pressure incandescent lamps
containing halogen gases such as iodine or
bromine, allowing filaments to be operated
at higher temperatures.

• Luminaire: A complete lighting unit consisting
of a lamp, ballast as required with the parts designed
to distribute the light, position and protect the lamp
and connect them to the power supply.

• Neon: A low pressure gas contained within
a glass tube; the color emitted depends on the gas.

• Light emitting diodes: Light emitting diodes
(LED) are tiny light bulbs without the filaments that
would burn out on ordinary light bulbs, illuminated
solely by the movement of electrons in a
semiconductor material. "

UNDER WATER LIGHTING :
•

•
•

underwater lights can be used in outdoor or submersed conditions for dramatic
pond and garden effects.
Illuminating your pond, garden or watercourse not only increases its
attractiveness, it also ensures safety, as it is easier to see in the dark.
Underwater pond lighting is available in different colors to allow for a more unique
yard decoration. Colored lenses that can be placed over your underwater lights to
illuminate the pond with that color are available separately.

PAVING IN LANDSCAPE :
DESIGN OF PATHWAYS
•The Path defines the passage in the landscape created.
It could be paved or unpaved. Paving materials are used
to eliminate hazards from mud and dust and to form a
smooth surface for ease of circulation.
•Various design patterns in the pathways help beautify
the surroundings and look pleasing to the eye.
•The paving material could be natural or man-made.
Man-made paving materials are available in a wide
variety of textures and colors. Some of the materials
used are explained in the following.

USE OF STONE AS A PAVING MATERIAL
•

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

USE OF BRICKS AS A PAVING MATERIAL
•

Bricks offer a great variety of textures and colors as well as
flexibility in use.

•

it composed of hard, burnt clay and shale, brick is available
any colors due to the variation the chemical content of
clay. Bricks can be used to make tiles with varied shapes.
Because of the hard surface and resistance to wear and cracking,
these tiles are best suited for outdoor paving.

•

These could be laid on stone bases or on concrete slabs.

•

The most common patterns are running bond, herringbone
and basket weave.

RUNNING BOND

HERRINGBONE BOND

BASKET WEAVE

 Brick:

Brick in landscaping

Types of brick paving that are done generally

USE OF CONCRETE AS A PAVING MATERIAL
•

•

Concrete maybe poured in situ, offers a variety in texture and colour and forms a
durable walking surface. It is extensively used as a paving material.
Concrete lends itself to variations in finish, and
maybe smooth or rough, with aggregates exposed
when desired.

USE OF CONCRETE AS A PAVING MATERIAL
•

Asphalt does not offer the variety of textures
that concrete does, although it provides a softer
walking surface
• Asphalt is not as durable as concrete; it is less
expensive and is used extensively for walkways on
college campuses, in large parks and recreational areas,
and in the construction of roads.

FENCING AND EDGING
•

•

To be aware of ourselves, our identity, to elevate ourselves,
self-importance, ownership, security, privacy, all these human
behaviors are such that we build walls and fences around us.
There are many different types of fencing to choose from :
Wrought Iron : Wrought-iron fences also offer more
security features than other types of fencing, as you can
include spikes across the top of your tall wrought iron fence
to discourage intruders

Vinyl Privacy : Vinyl privacy fences define your property
lines and provide a backdrop for additional landscaping.
Unlike wooden privacy fences, vinyl or composite fencing does
not need to be replaced, repaired or refinished due to decay.

Stacked Stone : A stacked stone retaining wall can
perform double duty as both a decorative fence and a
means to protect against eroding soil.

Picket : Picket fences are more for decoration and
definition than they are for privacy and security

Bamboo: Bamboo is a renewable resource, thus making it an
eco-friendly choice for your fence material. Bamboo
grows quickly, so you can plant a live bamboo fence line
a part of your landscape and expect to have tall stalks of
bamboo in about two years.

STONE:
•
•






Landscaping with stone brings in a natural element that evokes solidness and a
sense security.
Types of Landscape Stones and their uses
Retaining Walls--There are many different types of
stones that can be used when it comes to creating
retaining walls in the lawn. One may elect to assemble
a retaining wall around a small pond, or even a garden.
Flagstone-- Flagstone is a very popular choice when
it comes to stones that are used for steps, or simple
ornamental design.
Boulders --Homeowners elect to implement the use of
boulders in the decorative design of their landscaping.
Great products in the way of boulders include that of
Birchwood, Wisconsin, Granite, and even Honeycomb
Western stone.



Marble--Many individuals elect to use marble when
decorating their landscape. Marble can be used to
create signs, around or in garden ponds, and even
marble fountains can be purchased in order to bring
out the natural appeal of a pond or garden area. They
are also used in sculptures.
 Natural Stone--Natural stone is often a choice
for small landscaping structures.
 Decorative Stones--Decorative stones are used
in pathways or trails to beautify the garden. Some
of them are Royal George, Walnut nuggets,
beachwood pebbles and many more.
 Other-- Other than that there are pebbles
used for sidewalks, stepping stones used in
gardens and stone is also used as stone lantern
in Chinese gardens.

 Wood:
Uses of wood chips
Use wood chips for pathways alongside a
garden. They are durable and resist compaction
from foot traffic, and offer a cushioned surface
to walk.
Incorporate color into a path using wood
chips. This will guide foot traffic away from
certain areas you want to protect.

Tree house of wood

Use wood chips as mulch. This will reduce
weeds, keep the soil warmer in the winter and
cooler in the summer, and conserve the
moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation.

Work wood chips into the soil to correct
compacted soil. This soil allows more water and
air to promote plant health. The wood chips
also add nutrients to the soil as they
decompose.

Wooden fencing

 Wood:
Uses of wood

Wood used in steps

Wooden bridges

Wooden retaining wall

 Wood:
Redwood
Lower grade redwood is fine for decking and rails. This wood is
rot-resistant.
Due to its high cost we may only want to use it on the most
visible parts of the deck. It is relatively soft wood, and can be
easily damaged, hence it is best to drill holes to avoid splitting
the wood.

Cedar
Cedar is similar to redwood in its durability, and resistance
to rot and insect pests. Cedar is usually not used as a structural
component in construction for it is much weaker than redwood
& cypress. It is used only for the decorative portions of a project.
On average cedar is about half the cost of redwood and
about twice the cost of pressure treated lumber.

Plastic-Wood Composites & Vinyl
Both of these materials are new & are becoming popular in the construction industry. Plasticwood composite lumber is manufactured from plastic and wood fibers. Composites are virtually
indestructible & almost impervious to rot and insects. Both these construction materials are
more expensive than redwood, but they will last indefinitely.

Elements of landscape

More Related Content

What's hot (20)

Viewers also liked (20)

Similar to Elements of landscape (20)

Recently uploaded (20)

Elements of landscape