Dargan Landscape Architects

Create Nourishing Flourishing Home Utopias

timeless landscape design

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.

The Dargan Landscape Design Process – Part 2

Recently, we began a discussion on the landscape design process that we follow here at Dargan Landscape Architects. Our landscape design process consists of 12 steps that are intended to help homeowners achieve a beautiful landscape through meticulous planning. Our previous discussion covered the first six steps in the process, which include making a survey; developing a base plan; taking an inventory of the site; analyzing the site; developing a program wish list; and creating a functional diagram. Let’s continue the discussion today with a look at the final six steps of our landscape design process.

7. Develop a concept diagram. The concept diagram plays off of the functional diagram, putting more details and ideas into the vision for your landscape design.

8. Sketch alternative plans. You may discover through creating your diagrams that some ideas you had hoped for your new landscape won’t be ideal based on site conditions, space and other factors. A sketch of alternative plans gives you a “plan B” to fall back on.

9. Verify field conditions. Verifying your field conditions is a way to test your landscape design on the site before your plan and drawings are finalized. This can be done by taking measurements of the space you’re working in and marking it accordingly. By verifying the field conditions you’ll avoid costly construction mistakes.

10. Create a master landscape plan. The master plan shows the locations of the project and boundaries of the area to be designed. It also includes features to be built like walkways, buildings and other structures, as well as flower beds, focal points and more. Your master plan should include the approach and arrival sequence, hub, perimeter and passages to destinations.

master plan

11. Make implementation drawings. Making implementation drawings is one of the final parts of the landscape design process. These final drawings will guide the contractors and designers that will build and install your new landscape. 

12. Get it built! Now it’s time to get started on your property’s new look. Once you’ve signed an agreement with your contractor and set the date, construction can begin.

For more information on our landscape design process, purchase a copy of Mary Palmer Dargan’s book, Timeless Landscape Design. If you would like to discuss a master plan or a tune-up for your property, contact Dargan Landscape Architects for more information.

Register Now for the February Sprout-to-Grow Landscape Design Workshop

Spring is just around the corner, and what better way to get ready for spring gardening than by brushing up on your landscape design knowledge? Dargan Landscape Architects is offering a virtual landscape design workshop starting in mid-February 2014 that you don’t want to miss.

sprouttogrow_150

The Sprout-to-Grow virtual workshop kicks off with a one-day intensive lead by landscaping expert Mary Palmer Dargan, owner of Dargan Landscape Architects. Mary Palmer will help you rediscover your home PLACE (Potentials Layers Agenda Create Enjoy) and take the first step toward a revitalized landscape and lifestyle. Get one-on-one landscape design advice and ask all your questions to help plan your dream outdoor oasis.

Students of the virtual course will use Pinterest to create an online inspiration board for their landscape and home. When your inspiration board is complete, you’ll be able to share it with your family and friends and add to it in the future. It also makes a great resource to share with your contractor when you’re ready to begin work on your landscape. You will also leave the course with our Sprout-to-Grow Virtual Blueprint System to kick start your plans.

Dargan Landscape Architects
Dargan Landscape Architects

The Sprout-to-Grow landscape design workshop is the first level in the PlaceMakers program, a unique branded system created by Mary Palmer that allows you to get the best use of your property using the PLACE method mentioned above. It is based on Mary Palmer’s 30 years of designing hundreds of landscapes for private clients.

Other levels in the program offer more knowledge and experience to meet your growing needs as a designer. The program is a three-month home-study course that includes downloadable videos, audio, DVDs, access to an interactive forum and an inspirational photo gallery.

The February 2014 Sprout-to-Grow landscape design workshop is almost here. Visit our website for more information on the course, pricing and to register for the course!