landscape design

Essential Design Principles of Timeless Landscape Design – Part 2

November 8, 2013

As we previously shared, there are several design principles that must be taken into consideration in order to develop a timeless landscape. In the first part of this series, we covered axial relationships; focalization; symmetry and asymmetry; and repetition and rhythm. Today, we’ll continue our discussion on the principles of landscape design by taking a look at light and shadow; proportion and scale; and reflection.

Light and shadow, like color, often establish certain feelings or emotions within a landscape. Oftentimes, these can occur naturally, such as light filtering through the leaves and onto a garden floor in a pattern that is ever changing. Playing with light and shadow is a great way to create a serene and peaceful area one can retreat to at the end of a day.

In residential landscape design, proportion is used to develop “harmonious spatial relationships between the parts of a design and the whole.” More simply put, proportion is what helps create cohesiveness within the landscape. Scale refers to the size of certain elements in the landscape in relation to where it’s been placed. Sometimes we notice that elements of a landscape have been under-scaled – meaning objects are too small for their surroundings – or that they are out of scale, or too big for the area. Choosing appropriately-scaled elements for a landscape is essential in creating a balanced space.

Reflective qualities add so much to a landscape’s character and can also be used to set the area’s mood, bringing depth, mystery and drama to the space. The reflection of light in a landscape, especially when it’s reflected across water, instantly attracts the eye and adds life not only to the landscape, but the entire property as well.

The design principles of axial relationships; focalization; symmetry and asymmetry; repetition and rhythm; light and shadow; proportion and scale; and reflection are all necessary to create a timeless landscape design to enjoy for years to come. Contact Dargan Landscape Architects today to learn how we can help you develop a master plan or a tune-up for your property. We work with clients in all locations and can meet with you in person or virtually to discuss your needs and start planning your landscape’s new look.

For more information on creating a timeless landscape and to see further examples of these design principles at work, take a look at Mary Palmer’s book, Timeless Landscape Design.

Essential Design Principles of Timeless Landscape Design – Part 1

November 6, 2013

As we’ve previously discussed, the four visual tools of landscape design – lines, color, form and texture – are some of the most powerful elements of a landscape because of what they add to the space visually. However, there are still other landscape design principles that are essential for creating the perfect space to call your own. These principles, which include axial relationships; focalization; symmetry vs. asymmetry; repetition and rhythm; light and shadow; proportion and scale; and reflection, play an important role not only in how a landscape looks, but also in “describ[ing] why a garden visually works.”

Let’s take a closer look at each.

Axial relationships have a very profound effect on landscapes. They are generally created when a pathway or a line of trees extends from its starting point to a visual focal point at the other end. Cross-axial designs are created as two lines intersect, and in many cases, create the structural foundation for the space. Axial and cross-axial designs have tremendous power in directing the eyes to certain visual elements of a garden, and are extremely useful in distracting the eyes from an unattractive area of the garden.

Focalization is the technique we use to make “order out of chaos” by giving the eyes a point their line of sight can be funneled to. These focal points can be as simple as a planter filled with colorful blooms or as extravagant as a statue or a one-of-a-kind fountain. Focalization can also be used to frame a view and is almost always included in axial and cross-axial designs.

In landscape design, symmetry and asymmetry are often associated with order and chaos. Symmetry, or order, is achieved by striking a balance of shape, form and volume on both sides of the centerpiece of the garden or along an axis. Symmetry is a hallmark feature of most formal, traditional gardens, while asymmetrical designs are generally found in those with Asian or contemporary influences.

Similar forms repeated at either regular or irregular intervals create rhythmic results in a garden. When these forms repeat in a single direction, the rhythmic movement created grows stronger. This technique creates harmony and unity within the space. One of the most common examples of repetition and rhythm in landscape design is the incorporation of boxwoods. However, clipped cedars are also useful in incorporating this principle of design, as they add authority and sophistication.

We’ll take a closer look at the design principles of light and shadow; proportion and scale; and reflection in the near future, so stay tuned for more.

And if you’re in need of assistance in incorporating principles like these into your garden oasis, contact Dargan Landscape Architects. Virtually or in person, we can help you create a master plan or a tune-up for your garden. Contact us for more information. Also, for more information on these principles of landscape design, check out Mary Palmer’s book, Timeless Landscape Design.

Dargans Visit The Getty Museum

October 31, 2013

In addition to a lovely visit to The Huntington Botanical Gardens, we also enjoyed some time exploring the gardens of The Getty Center while in Los Angeles. The Getty is quite fascinating, with a variety of art, architecture, and gardens to take in at both The Getty Center and The Getty Villa. The Getty Center features European and American art from medieval times to modern day architecture and gardens, while The Getty Villa draws inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman periods, including 7,000 years of ancient artwork and recreations of old Roman architecture. We could spend days wandering around and admiring the beauty of both!

Of course, our time was quite limited, so on this trip we choose to explore the gardens at The Getty Center. The highlight of this space is Central Garden, which was created by artist Robert Irwin and covers 134,000-square-feet. He began crafting this garden in 1992, and it features a vast assortment of fountains and plants, with new additions regularly being introduced, playing tribute to Irwin’s statement “Always changing, never twice the same.” Its many unique features and over 500 varieties of plant materials make it especially appealing to the senses of sight, sound and smell.

Beyond Central Garden, there are a number of specialty gardens filled with magnificent foliage and plants that have been selected specifically to “accentuate the interplay of light, color, and reflection.” A winding walkway creates the path to oases filled with streams, cascading stone waterfalls, a maze of azaleas and more.

Here’s a look at the Getty gardens from our perspective.

Have you ever been to the Getty gardens? If so, let us know what your favorite part was in a comment below.

And if you are hoping to create your own space inspired by the Getty gardens, or any other garden, contact Dargan Landscape Architects. In person or virtually, we can help you develop a master plan or a tune up and teach you how to Heal the Earth one Garden at a Time!

Four Visual Tools of Landscape Design

October 29, 2013

Flowers, plants and trees all play a very important role in the way a landscape looks. However, the most important, if not most powerful, elements are those that give the landscape depth, dimension and energy. The four basic tools of visual art for landscape design include lines, color, form and texture.

Lines are important because they help shape the landscape, as well as establish its purpose. Lines can be represented as rows of plants, such as hedges or an allée of trees, in addition to the line of a curving or straight pathway.

Color is perhaps the most exciting element to work with because it can be as extravagant or simple as you wish for it to be. Varying shades of green create the backdrop upon which floral selections ranging from vivid brights to deep, rich hues can be splashed about to energize the overall look. Or, a monochromatic color scheme can be used for a more calm and relaxed feeling.

Every part of a landscape has form, whether its form is horizontal, vertical, linear, curving, or symmetrical, to name a few. Certain elements of your landscape will be selected specifically for the distinctive form they bring to the space. For instance, Italian cypresses are often chosen for landscapes that are inspired by gardens found in Italy. Other elements that add to a landscape’s form include the delicately manicured lawn, stone features like urns and even topiaries trimmed to look like a whimsical creature.

And finally, there’s texture. Texture in a landscape is best explained as representing the relationship between the size of a plant’s leaves, the size of the space they will occupy, and other textures nearby. Plant textures are categorized as large, often seen in magnolias and hydrangeas; medium, found in plants like camellia and ivy; and fine, represented in grasses like zoysia and plants with daintier leaves.

Other elements of the landscape, such as stone and brick, are considered important textural elements as well. Often times, plants and building materials like these are selected to have similar textures to help define the landscape at hand and further enhance the spirit of the space.

These four art elements of landscape design, lines, color, form and texture, are the basic visual tools needed to create a garden or landscape that will withstand the test of time. If you’re interested in learning more about these elements and how they can improve your landscape, contact Dargan Landscape Architects! We would love to assist you, either virtually or in person, in creating a turn-up or master plan for your property.

A Trip to The Huntington Botanical Gardens

October 24, 2013

While in Los Angeles last weekend for “Live Long and Landscape: Gardening for Health and Happiness,” Hugh and I were able to visit The Huntington Botanical Gardens and the Getty Museum. We returned with many great photos of each space, and just had to share some with you!

In particular we loved visiting the Japanese garden with its spectacular collection of bonsai and the Chinese Garden with its wonderful pavilions and large water body. Our takeaway was that intimacy provided for outdoor spaces is created by walls, views thru walls, a sense of enclosure, the sound of water and interesting plant materials set into winding paths. A transitional “bridge” whether a change of grade or a actual bridge, separates one garden experience from another. By visiting public gardens that exhibit varying styles, one can press the limits of their own design and imagine variable ways to create personal garden spaces.

The Huntington Botanical Gardens covers 207 acres of land, and of that about 120 are landscaped and open for visitors. The land was originally called the San Marino Ranch and was used by Henry Huntington as a ranch that produced a variety of crops, including citrus and other fruits, as well as nuts and alfalfa. He also had a herd of cows and poultry on the ranch. It was his superintendent, William Hertrich that spurred the efforts to introduce the plant collections that created the foundation for the botanical gardens as we know them today.

Now, the botanical gardens feature over 14,000 varieties of plants in 14 themed garden areas, including a Camellia Garden, Chinese and Japanese Gardens, an Herb Garden, Lily Ponds, a Rose Garden and more! Below is just a glimpse at these gorgeous gardens from the Dargan point of view.

Beautiful and inspiring, don’t you think?

Do you have a favorite botanical garden here in the U.S. or elsewhere? Leave a comment below and tell us about it. And if you’re looking to create your own oasis inspired by your favorite garden, contact Dargan Landscape Architects. Whether you are in need of a master plan or a simple tune up, we are happy to assist you and show you how we can Heal the Earth one Garden at a Time!

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