Landscape

Planning a Landscape:

There are a number of things to consider when planning a landscape design for a property.

These not only include council regulations and laws but also things that the owner may which to include in the design. Consider the following issues before starting a Landscape design:

• 1. Budget - how much can be spend on the project.

  2. Aspect - what direction does the block face, how will it be affected by the sun and shade.

  3. Local climate - what plants are suitable for the area.

  4. Native Vegetation - consider the use of Australian native plans over introduced species.

  5. Soil type - this is not only important for the selection of plants but also needs to be considered when placing in-ground pools etc.

  6. Drainage - which direction will the water flow and how will this affect and changed to the current landscape.

  7. Areas of Shade - this has an effect on the growth of plants but may also need to be considered for pools BBQ areas and pergolas.

  8. Maintanence - how much time will be spent on maintaining the area, consider mowing, edging, pool maintenance etc.

  9. Outdoor living - consideration is required for the amount of space that will be required for outdoor living, will there be children using the area (what requirements will they need), will there be an area for pets, clothes line etc.

  10. Entertainment areas - where is will this be located in relation to the house, pool and other areas of the yard.

  11. Tranquility - will there be a need for a water area such as a fountain, benches or other items.

Scale:

Most landscape designs will be drawn at 1:50 and elevations at 1:20, how ever different scales can be used to show the detail more clearly, depending on the size of the block.

Symbols:

There is a large variety of symbols used in the presentation of a landscape design, these include:

• • Trees

  • Paths and Paving

  • Outdoor furniture

  • Pools, spas and water features

  • Fences

  • Gardens

  • Clothes lines

Hatching and Colour:

This will play an important part in the presentation of your landscape plan and can be used to give more detail about what is presented. Colours such as blue for water, brown for dirt, red for bricks, and green for grass, tree, foliage and other plants.

Structures:

Within the landscape design there will be many different materials and structures used in the development of the landscape, these materials could include:

• • Concrete; used for paths and driveways

  • Pergola

  • Retaining wall; used where the land is not level to hold back raised areas of the land.

  • Fences; there is a wide variety of fencing available including timber, bamboo, steel, wire, brick. etc that can be used to separate different areas of the yard.

  • Water feature; often used for tranquil areas, but also for attracting animals to the area.

  • Sheds; differ in size, shape, material and use.

  • Decks; often used in areas that are not flat, around pool or to create areas for specific purposes such as entertainment areas. These are usually raised above the ground.

Responsible Designs:

When developing a landscape design there are a number of things that should be considered, and can include:

• • Water Conservation; there are a number of regulations that have been create that must be followed when creating a landscape design to consider the use of water, such as drip irrigation systems, location of foliage etc.

  • Child Safety; areas such as pool and other water features, raised deckings, etc need to have the safety of children in place when the design is created.

  • Environmental Concerns; issues such as water runoff, types of materials and plants need to be considered when developing a landscape.

  • Recycling Material; many designs are incorporating the use of recycled material such as timber and other materials not only to save money on the cost but also to help the environment.

  • Shade Area; It will be important to con side shade areas, where trees are located so they do not affect areas of the gardens or infringe on the neighbours property.

  • Pet Care; adequate areas for pets maybe required in the design.

  • Fencing and Pool; some councils have requirements on the types and heights of fences that can be erected and there are national rules in relation to pools and other water creatures.

  • Machinery; the designer will need to consider what machinery will be need to construct the landscape design, there may be limited access to areas, what purpose will be required for each machine and will material need to be removed or brought in.

Elevations and Cross-sectional Views:

Not all blocks of land are flat, there area may have small rises and falls on the land or these undulations might be quite steep. The block of land and the landscape design will have to be shown in cross section to display how the buildings, and features will be located on the slope of the land. These may also represent what lies below the surface of the block of land to show the structure of the land, water areas and other important details.