10 Things You Should Know About Landscape Architecture
Modern landscaping practices include a diversity of styles and trends, but whatever the garden of your dreams is like, knowing some of the basics of this fascinating discipline will be very useful when designing it.
23/12/2020
The architecture of the landscape is a specialized discipline in the creation, rehabilitation and conservation of the outdoor spaces, designed on human needs but without losing sight of sustainability thinking and respect for the environment. Although this term was not coined until the early 19th century, the history of garden design is much longer, with examples as impressive as the Arab gardens typical of the Islamic empire.
Modern landscaping includes a great diversity of styles and trends, but whatever the garden of your dreams is like, knowing some of the basics of this fascinating discipline will be very useful when designing it.
Origin and history
Gilbert Laing Meason coined the term landscape architecture in 1828 and the International Federation of Landscape Architects, founded in 1948, was in charge of defining its general criteria. During the 19th century, landscaping was a key part of urban planning, with examples as spectacular as New York's famous Central Park. Today's landscape architecture comprises the design of green areas for all types of environments, from private residences to community buildings, public facilities, offices or workspaces.
Modern garden design
The design of a garden goes far beyond its aesthetic style. These projects must begin with a thorough analysis of the terrain and the definition of the needs to which that space must respond for each client. Afterwards, the landscaper proceeds to create functional diagrams and elaborate the design, in which every detail counts, from the location or the choice of plant varieties to plant to the construction of elements such as swimming pools, porches or garden sheds.
Colour, shape and texture
In the same way that a decorator plays with the colour, shape or finishes of the interior coverings or furniture to achieve the perfect decoration, any garden offers us infinite options to combine. Vegetable elements, by themselves, already represent a huge range of colours, sizes and sizes, textures and fragrances to choose from.
The ideal style
Mediterranean, tropical, English gardens, stone gardens ... There are thousands of styles to give life to the garden of your dreams, but, before choosing, you must analyze in detail the particular characteristics of its location: climate and orientation, frequency of rainfall, type of soil.
Landscaping, also indoors
Although the idea of landscaping is
normally associated with outdoor spaces, the new
trends in interior design and architecture also
rely on nature to create unique decorations in
interior spaces. Having these green spaces in
your home will bring freshness and vitality to
the environment, whatever its style, and
besides, these natural elements have important
benefits for our state of mind. What more could
you want?
Plant varieties
Choosing the vegetable varieties that will populate the garden of your dreams will be key if you want it to look perfect, during any time of the year. Landscaping experts recommend always giving priority to native varieties, but if we want to introduce foreign species, make sure to choose varieties well adapted to the climatic and geographical conditions of the area.
Water needs
Each plant species has particular water needs to fully develop, which will affect the energy consumption of your garden. Choosing native varieties or varieties adapted to the region, for example, is a good way to keep water use under control.
Spatial organization
As in a home we find different rooms, a garden can also include different areas and environments, depending on your tastes or needs. Outdoor dining rooms or chill-out-style rest areas are two very common options in modern garden design. Still, we can also incorporate many other elements: fountains, ponds, swimming pools ... Your garden design should properly organize the space, defining and delimiting environments according to your needs, to create a harmonious set.
Lighting
Although during natural light it is enough to make your garden shine in all its splendour, if you want to enjoy this space, also at night, you will need adequate night lighting.
Regular maintenance
Having a good design is key to giving our garden the style dreamed of but, once its execution is finished, good maintenance will be essential to always keep it in optimal condition. It includes tasks such as pruning trees and hedges, cleaning or clearing.