Dargan Landscape Architects

Create Nourishing Flourishing Home Utopias

Atlanta landscape architects

Integrating Hardscapes into Your Landscape with Ease

Hardscapes are important features of any landscape design. They offer benefits such as erosion control, less maintenance, increased property value, increased accessibility to gardens and water conservation. How do you go about integrating hardscapes into your landscape?

To achieve a cohesive and harmonious look between your hardscapes and landscape, use these helpful tips:

1. Use traditional design principles in non-traditional ways – While most of us don’t have very large properties or formal gardens anymore, techniques used in these types of spaces can still guide you today. When it comes to integrating hardscapes into your landscape, seek symmetrical balance, a timeless design principle. Create a generous path and place an equal number and type of plants on either side. The formal lines and balance of the arrangement can be updated with new materials and less formal plants for a more modern look.

Atlanta landscape design
Dargan Landscape Architects

2. Use repetition and rhythm to achieve balance – We’ve emphasized the importance of repetition and rhythm before, but it’s worth mentioning again because it’s a great technique for creating unity and cohesion. For example, to complement a linear hardscape, such as a sidewalk with a fence, place several different plantings at measured intervals to create rhythm. This will make the setting appear harmonious. Such a technique can also be used on walkways and stairs with plantings on two sides. By using the same plants on both sides, you achieve repetition and rhythm.

landscape architects in Atlanta
Source: The Design Build Company via Houzz

3. Let plants spill over onto the hardscape. Nothing makes a deck, patio or other hardscape look more natural than draping plantings around them. This technique also softens the harsh lines of hardscapes. Just be sure to maintain plantings, so they don’t become too overgrown!

Atlanta landscape architects
Source: Liquidscapes via Houzz

Looking for more hardscape inspiration? Check out photos of some of Dargan Landscape Architects’ hardscape projects on Facebook, and let us know which ones are your favorite.

If you’re in need of assistance in creating a new look for your landscape, contact us. Whether you need a master plan for your property or just a tune-up, Dargan Landscape Architects can help you find the timeless look you’ve always wanted for your landscape. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

The Approach & Arrival Sequence: Memorable Moments

One of the goals of creating a timeless landscape is to create memorable moments. When it comes to the approach and arrival sequence, memorable moments are visual images that occur at any point from the street to the front door. There are three areas in the approach and arrival sequence where you should focus on creating memorable moments. These include the drive portal and corridor, the parking court and the landing.

The drive portal, or entry node, consists of the apron, mailbox, plantings and drive surface. A memorable moment here could be a gate accented by plantings that frames a narrowing view of the corridor. Pay special attention to the apron, which is the interface between your private drive and the public road. Choosing a high contrast material to the public road for your apron creates a memorable moment.

The corridor is the drive between the portal and parking court. This also sets the tone with plantings, lighting, curves, etc. Offering a glimpse of your home along the drive increases anticipation. To jazz up your corridor, add bands and/or curbs in organic materials such as cobblestone.

designing an approach and arrival sequence for residential landscapes
Dargan Landscape Architects

A parking court is any driveway that brings cars to the front door. Think of it as a parking garden, a place with shady spots to park a car, textured pavement for visual interest, and flowers and pots for a personalized look. Soften large areas of pavement with islands of plant material. Above all, make it clear where to park.

designing a parking court for a residential landscape
Dargan Landscape Architects

The landing at the front of the house, which is the culmination of the approach and arrival sequence, should be designed to ease the transition from outdoors to indoors. Here, you can make a statement with the shape of the walk leading up to the walkway (straight or curved), as well as with a mix of materials to add texture to large expanses of pavement.

landings in landscape design
Dargan Landscape Architects

Whether you need help with your driveway or a master plan for your entire landscape, contact Dargan Landscape Architects. We’ll help you develop a plan that will transform your property and create memorable moments for all who enter.

For more information about creating a timeless landscape, order a copy of Mary Palmer’s book “Timeless Landscape Design” from our online store.

The Approach & Arrival Sequence: First Impressions

A fully expressed landscape begins at the curb and ends at your front door. Mary Palmer’s book, Timeless Landscape Design, outlines how homeowners can use an approach and arrival sequence in order to design an entry and front yard landscape that makes an indelible first impression.

This approach and arrival sequence has existed in landscape design for centuries. Traditionally, it consisted of a long drive, divided into sections, which led visitors to the front door. In a country home, this distance may consume several miles; in an urban development, it may only be a matter of yards. In either case, it serves as a portal, creating a beautiful and soothing transition from the public sphere to the private one.

Three Axioms to Make a Unique and Personal First Impression

Use the following axioms to guide the design of your approach and arrival sequence.

Axiom 1: Harmony of Materials. Select your color palate and hardscape materials from the outset and use them throughout the entire sequence to create a feeling of consistency, familiarity, and harmony. The architectural materials of the home and existing landscape should be incorporated into the new design as well.

Axiom 2: Seamless Flow. While you, the landscape designers and builders are aware you are creating a progressive experience, visitors and guests should feel as if it is a seamless, coherent whole – with one design element flowing effortlessly into the next.

Axiom 3: Modulate Space. Use your landscape to shape and mold the view, choosing plants for their particular visual interest in all seasons. Plants add shape, line, color and texture leading one through the sequence. Furnishings and hardscape features should be used sparingly.

harmony in materials 2

The Anatomy of the Approach and Arrival Sequence

Your approach and arrival should be divided into three anatomical parts, designed to form a continuous body.

The anatomy of the approach and arrival sequence is comprised of:

  • The Drive Portal and Corridor – This area should be treated so that it enhances “the personality of your approach with regard to color, mail collection, pots, paving and plant materials” to help express your property’s overall personality.
  • Parking Court – Your parking court should be carefully planned so that it is large enough for your family and guests to use. To find the perfect arrangement for your property, use survey flags from your local hardware store and a tape measure to map it out.
  • The Front Walk, Entry Node and Landing – This area will be your guests final welcome to your home. The walk should direct guests to your door with ease and, as a part of your landscape, can feature potted plants or color nodes to “reinforce its importance.” If this area has steps, consider landings every five or six steps to make it feel less steep.

anatomy of approach and arrival sequence

Each of these areas should be thoughtfully considered as to how they comprise the whole. For more information on how to design a timeless landscape, pick up a copy of Mary Palmer’s book, Timeless Landscape Design, or contact Dargan Landscape Architects for professional assistance.

The Approach & Arrival Sequence: Dignity & Expectation

There are four main components to a timeless landscape design, one that speaks to us with unmistakable beauty for ages to come. The first piece of this puzzle is “the approach and arrival sequence.” This is what we call the area between the street and the front door. When thoughtfully designed, it can provide a lasting first impression while setting the tone with curb appeal that expresses personality and sophisticated style.

Atlanta landscape architects
Dargan Landscape Architects

Whether it’s a stately mansion, an expansive rural estate or a smaller urban property, the approach and arrival sequence should be designed to play on the human emotions. The aesthetic perspective of landscape forms and textures and the manner in which the driveway ribbons to the house should evoke anticipation, expectation and excitement. Landscapers, builders and architects have been creating these emotional experiences for centuries. Many nineteenth century English novels paint descriptive scenes of the emotions heroines felt while riding their carriages up a winding driveway and catching glimpses of grandeur estates amidst rolling hills, trees and shrubs.

Unfortunately, this area is not getting the design attention it deserves on many of today’s residential sites. As many homeowners direct a great amount of time and energy into the outdoor living areas where they want to relax and entertain, the front yard and entryway can be left neglected. The drive portal and corridor, the parking court and the entry node may serve very practical functions, but this doesn’t mean they should not be meticulously designed to create relationships between shapes, textures, colors and heights.

This area should be the quintessence of the perfect collaboration of owner, builder, architect and landscape architect. The ultimate goal should be to achieve a harmonious blending and balancing of elements in order to exude refined tastes and dignity.

Here at Dargan Landscape Architects, we create custom designs that tell stories and express the personal style of our clients while letting nature speak. When every design element is approached with precision and care and imbued with purpose, the landscape becomes a beautiful experience for us and a healer for the earth.

Genius Loci: Spirit of Place

Part of what makes landscapes unique is the “genius loci”, a Latin phrase we use in landscape design meaning “spirit of place.” Identifying or describing the genius loci of your property is essential to creating a timeless landscape that best suits you.

The concept of genius loci dates back to 18th century England, when it was first described by poet, classical scholar and gardener Alexander Pope. In a place and time when it was most fashionable to recreate French and Italian gardens, Pope advocated for a landscape style that considered the inherent qualities of a place first and foremost. In other words, let nature be your guide.

The easiest way to understand genius loci is to tap into your senses. Touch, taste, smell, sight and sound all contribute to spirit of place. Considering these aspects should help with more concrete parts of the decision-making process involved in any landscaping project such as Dargan Landscape Architect’s Four-Part Master Plan.

To identify your genius loci, observe your land and the surrounding area and what is naturally occurring there. Here are some things to consider:

  • What is the local topography?
  • What kinds of plants are already growing and doing well?
  • What are the prominent natural features–a creek, pasture, etc.?
  • What are some of the naturally occurring raw materials and color palettes?
  • What kinds of rock, stone and earth abound?
  • What kind of wildlife inhabit the area?
  • Are there any subtle sounds or smells?
  • How does the sunlight hit your property throughout the day?
  • What is your home’s architectural scale and style?
  • What building materials are used on the house?
  • What are the house colors, forms and textures?
  • What is the neighborhood like, and are there any vernacular building styles?
  • Does the neighborhood have lots of trees, hills, or other features?
  • Are the houses modern or traditional?
  • Are there straight or winding streets?

spirit of place in landscape design

For more information about the concept of genius loci, order a copy of Mary Palmer’s book “Timeless Landscape Design.”

Contact Dargan Landscape Architects for help identifying your genius loci and incorporating it into your landscape master plan.