On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
Elements of landscape
1. What is landscaping?
• Landscaping refers to any
activity that modifies the
visible features of an area
of land, including:
1. Living elements flora or
fauna.
2. Natural elements such as
landforms, terrain shape
and elevation, or bodies of
water;
3. Human elements such as
structures, buildings,
fences or other material
objects created and/or
installed by humans; and
4. Abstract elements such as
the weather and lighting
conditions.
2. Elements of landscape
• Natural
• Manmade
Natural
Plants/vegetation
Water
Earth forms/landforms
Timber
Stone
Manmade
Brick
Metal
Plastic
Glass
3. Elements of landscape
• There are many varieties of plant materials such as:
• Trees
• Shrubs
• Creepers and climbers
Land covers .etc.
• USES:
Architectural
1. Enframement
2. Scale induction
3. Creation of plaza
4. Defines pathway
5. Welcoming look and aesthetic
appeal to the building
Environmental
1. Microclimate modifiers
2. Conservation belt
3. Erosion control
4. Retains ground water
5. Retains soil fertility
6. Prevents siltation
4. Elements of landscape- Plants
• Plants create outdoor
rooms. Trees, shrubs,
and ground covers can
be used to emphasize
the desirable
architectural lines and
masses.
• Plants can be used to
soften and balance
harsh and awkward
architectural angles,
masses and materials.
5. Elements of landscape design- Plants
By graduating plant sizes away from the house, the apparent size of the
structure is increased.
Plants that reach large sizes at maturity are often planted
too closely to the house when small. When mature, they
dominate and make the house look smaller
Tall evergreen create an uninviting, inhibiting
appearance to this entrance.
The human eye has a tendency
to follow the outline of the
objects in the landscape.
With this idea in mind the
apparent size in affected.
6. Elements of landscape design- Plants
• Creating outdoor rooms
A small side yard developed into an
intimate strolling garden.
• The development of
outdoor rooms utilizes the
same elements as indoor
architecture-floors, walls,
and ceilings.
• The difference is that the
elements of outdoor rooms
are composed of plant
materials that have a
changing and dynamic,
living quality.
7. Elements of landscape design- Plants
Outwardly focused space
Inwardly focused space
Inwardly oriented
space is
characterized by
either complete or
nearly complete
enclosure and a
strong central focal
point.
Central areas for
sitting, sculpture
displays, patios, and
hot tubs require
enclosure for
purpose of privacy,
quit, and
concentration.
Outwardly oriented
rooms are enhanced by
amenities outside the
space such as good views
and breezes.
Activities taking place
within the front yard
are more public in
nature and will require
free visual access on
and off the site and
little enclosure.
Planting beds and walks act as a
breezeway between driveway
and entrance courtyard.
Various plant types,
heights, and
combinations create
walls, partial screens,
and overhead canopies
8. Elements of landscape design- Plants
Environmental role
• Pollution control
• Noise control
• Climate control
embankments., deciduous and evergreen plantings and
masonry walls are used together for effective sound control.
Use of windbreaks to control winter
winds
Use of deciduous plants to direct
summer breezes
13. Elements of landscape -Water
• Water is also another most important landscape element.
• Water bodies improve the quality and the worth of the site.it makes the site
attractive.
• There are many types of water bodies :
1. Fountains
2. Pools
3. Ponds
4. Spouts
5. Artificial waterfalls. etc.
Whether a small babbling brook or a
tumultuous cascade, water features
add sound, movement, and
enjoyment into the landscape. They
also provide opportunities for
incorporating pond and wetland
plants into your landscape design. The
choice and placement of boulders,
stonework, and plantings can link the
water feature with your building and
property, creating a unified landscape
composition
14. Elements of landscape -Water
Water flows inevitably, from the source to the receiving ocean
basin. This continuity of rivulets , streams and rivers can be readily observed.
• USES:
1. Excellent land water interface gives an ecological home for the animals and plants.
2. Water runoff reduced.
3. Microclimate created.
4. Moisture level maintained.
5. Wetland, marshes, swampy areas are conserved.
6. Maintaining vegetation into wetlands.
7. Hydrological cycle maintained.
8. Site aesthetics are enhanced
15. Elements of landscape -Stones
1. Paving
2. Retaining wall
3. Stacked stone wall
4. Sitting
5. Shelters
6. Parapets
7. Bridges
8. Sculptures
9. Planters
10.Bollards
• Stones are hard, impermeable, inorganic elements used extensively in
landscape architecture.
• Stones are basically used for the following:
16. 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
Elements of landscape -Stones
17. 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.
Elements of landscape -Stones
Landscaping with stone brings in a natural element that
evokes solidness and a sense security.
Types of Landscape Stones and their uses
18. Elements of landscape -Stones
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.