Landscape PrinciplesConcepts

& Applications

By Andy TenHuisen

June 2002

Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office

Principles of Landscape Design

1. Balance2. Simplicity3. Focalization4. Rhythm & Line5. Scale & Proportion

Which do you like?

• Why do you like that one?• What makes it different from the other?• Does this relate anything at all to a haircut?

Why don’t you like this house?

• How do you tell another person why you dislike this house?

• Can you put into words what needs to be done to improve this house’s curb appeal?

Let’s take a look and find out what words you can use to better

describe what you like

Balance

• Means “equilibrium”• Visual weight of the landscape is equal• Unbalanced objects cause the viewer to be

uneasy and confused• Two types of balance can be used in the

landscape

Symmetrical Balance

• Mirror image• Used more for formal

architecture• Visual weight is

balanced

Which house has symmetrical balance?

Asymmetrical Balance

• Visual weight is balanced but not mirror images

• Used more in informal architecture

Home landscapes lacking balance are unappealing

Simplicity

• Should be soothing to the eye; not busy• No competing objects• Minimal plant variety• No scalloped bed lines; gentle curves• Repetition• Mass Plantings

Repetition

• Repeating shapes helps maintain simplicity

Mass Plantings

• Large beds of one plant variety achieve simplicity

Simple Design

• Using minimal plant variety

• Gentle curving bed lines

• Repetition

What characteristics of simplicity are achieved here?

• Curved bed lines• Minimal plant variety• No competing objects• Not busy

Focalization

• Visual importance• One item appears to dominate• Don’t have competing focal points• Draws attention

Front Door

• The front door should be the focal point of the landscape

Accenting the Front Door

• Using brass kick plate• Use lights and lighting

fixtures• Sidewalks lead eye to

door

• Using porticos• Stained glass• Vertical elements• Small flower beds

Front Doors

Where’s the front door?

Rhythm & Line

• What is rhythm?• How to achieve rhythm?• What lines are we concerned with?• Sequencing?

Rhythm

• Landscapes have rhythm just as music has rhythm

• Music has a beat (count)• Music has repetition of notes in the same

scale • Landscapes have rhythm by a repetitious

count of textures/form/color

Rhythm

• Repeating plant form/color/texture throughout the entire landscape

Rhythm

• Tying areas together• Continuity• Gradual changes

Line

• What the eye follows• Everything has a line• Tree outlines• Bed lines• Patios & Decks• Buildings• Gradual changes of line are most appealing

Lines

Bed lines

Vertical Lines

• Vertical lines draw attention

• Create a sense of tension and nervousness

• Tend to exaggerate

Horizontal Lines

• Horizontal lines create a sense of warmth and tranquility

• Do not draw attention

Sequencing

• Positioning objects according to size• Small – medium – large• Provide a smoother line for the eye to

follow• Provide views of all plants• Help create horizontal lines

Sequencing

Lacking Rhythm & Line

Scale & Proportion

• Large objects dwarf other objects

• Large objects tend to be overpowering and cause uneasiness

• Large objects used with large structures create proportion

• Small objects create a feeling of warmth and serenity

• Small objects enhance or exaggerate other objects

• Dwarfed plants should be used with smaller landscapes

Proportionately Correct

Incorrect Scale

Large plants in front of house help dwarf the house

Review of Principles

1. Balance2. Simplicity3. Focalization4. Rhythm & Line5. Scale & Proportion

Symmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Unbalanced

Simplicity

• Gentle curves and lines• Repetition of plants• Mass plantings

Simplicity

• One focal point• Same texture• Horizontal lines

No Simplicity

Focalization

• One focal point• No competing

elements• Vertical lines help

draw attention• Changes in form

Rhythm & Line

• Bed lines tie areas together

• Horizontal lines create a feeling of warmth

• Repetition provides continuity

• Simplistic designs create rhythm

Scale & Proportion

• Using plants in size relationship to complement rather than offend

• Larger plants are overpowering and create uneasiness

• Smaller plants generate warmth

Let’s take a look at some more desirable landscapes

Let’s take a look at some designs lacking good landscaping

principles

Conclusion

• Remember landscaping is an art• Principles should be followed to create a

sense a beauty• The most exquisite landscapes generally are

the most simplistic in design• The brain imports information from senses.

Don’t overwhelm the brain with excessive visual inputs!

The End!