Landscape Architecture- Hardscaping elements

Elements of Hardscaping

Hardscaping in landscape

Hardscape are design elements that are incorporated in a built environment which are solid and unchanging as the years go by.

They include paved areas, driveways, retaining walls, sleeper walls, stairs, walkways, and any other landscaping made up of hard wearing materials such as wood, stone, concrete etc. as opposed to softscape, the horticultural elements of a landscape.

Why Hardscaping?

To cater needs not accompanied by soft landscape elements.To provide complimentary effects and to enhance the beauty of soft landscape.Hardscaping allows the erection of man-made landscaping features.Some compensate for large amounts of human traffic that would cause wear on bare earth or grass.

Separating elementsPlanter box/ Flower pots

Fence, walls/ retaining walls

Special surfaces

PavingLinkages

Bridge

Steps

Furnishings

Seating

Dustbins

Signage

Lighting

Based on functions of hardscaping elements,

Planter box/ Flower pots

The design is determined by the plant used and its surroundings. Drainage holes are essential.In close proximity to sufficient light, absorb noise, purify air or bad odour. Not placed making pedestrian route narrow.Material used should be easily available, cost- effective, vandal- proof and durable with aesthetic value.

• Used when soil is unsuitable for planting.

• Helps in subdividing spaces into different areas.

• Can be arranged to show access or directions.

• Provide scale of surrounding landscape.

CLAYReadily available

Attractive and ExpensiveHeavy in large sizes

Breakable if dropped Since clay is porous it allows

for good air exchange. Absorbs heat quiet well.

Fired and glazed pots are the most weather proof

PLASTICVersatile in appearance

Lightweightdurable

AffordableRealistic finishes that

mimic terracotta, concrete or stone Rolled rims to give an illusion of

thickness.

GLAZED CERAMICColorful pots, ranging from subtle earthen

tones to playful, vibrant glazes

Varied in stylesLess subject to freeze

damage

FIBREGLASSClassically styled

Durable Lightweight

Expensive Brittle May crack

Not insulator

CONCRETEAttractiveDurable

Affordable Found abundantlyExpensive in large

sizesCertainly heavy.

FOAMReadily available

Affordable in a variety of styles

Insulation protects roots from heat and

coldVery lightweight

Found in smaller sizes due limited strength

of material.

METAL Galvanized

metal buckets, brass or copper pots and other

containers made from metal can

be very ornamental.

SELF-WATERING Usually made of

plastic, these are containers

with a reservoir at the base that holds water for

later use.

Landscaping layouts

Fence, Walls/ Retaining walls

• Provides spaces or divide areas of ownership.

• Helps to block unpleasant view and odour• Gives security from intruders• Prevents soil erosions

Architectural image normally relates to design objectives, concept of landscape or existing buildingMaterial should be easily available, water proof and durable.

TYPES OF MATERIALS USED FOR RETAINING WALLS

There is a wide variety of many different retaining wall materials. The most important and most common factor all retaining wall materials have is that they are enhance with resistance to; fire, water damage, impact resistance etc. Proper drainage is also important for the wall material.

Timber is available in treated and enhanced types to ensure that the material will not rot, be infested with termites and bugs. Timber is a relatively simple product to install and work with. This wall material can be painted or left in its natural state. One of the beauties of timbers and woods is that some types have a natural resistance to termites, rot and other common wood occurrences. Ensuring that the timber used for the retaining wall is properly treated will help lead to a long lasting application whether it is for functional or decorative purposes.

Concrete blocks or units are also a common retaining wall material which has been used for many years. This material is available in a wide variety of designs, types, shapes, colors and textures. Concrete blocks are light weight and suitable for structural or decorative applications. It is also a low cost material which is easy to work with and install. There are many different types of concrete blocks including; interlocking, hollow, solid and half hollow. They are also made in high density and low density styles. Homeowners can customize concrete blocks to best suit the applications requirements.

Stone Walls are made from a Portland cement mixture therefore they are a man made material. They are produced in shapes, designs and textures which replicate natural stone materials. Stone is most commonly used in applications where a mortar is not required and the dry stack method is used. Most stone applications look just like natural stone walls but at a lower price. This is a great alternate material for natural stone.

Natural stone blocks are the most expensive wall material. This material has a very unique and stylish outlook which is hardly matched by any other. Natural stones are available in blocks, units, irregular and regular shapes making them highly versatile for all types of applications.

SPECIA L F E A TURES

Added features which indicate activities, event and safety like paving (gravel, cobbles, tarmac, bricks and pebbles) and pedestrian walkway.PAVINGIndicates direction by using suitable, comfortable surfaces for pedestrian, compared to surfaces of other area.Differentiates access to vehicles and pedestrian movement by using different surface finishes.At junctions or meeting points, different material or levels can be adopted to indicate danger.Used as a focal point for temporary stopping. Paving materials should be cost- effective and easy to maintain, safe and sound.Rough finishes prevent slipping.Some materials with rough finish could reduce and absorb noise sources.Dark coloured surface finishes absorb light.Design pattern should make use of existing related pattern and arrangement.Scale and contrast can be used to differentiate various new patterns.

Sustainable Pavement materials

Pervious concrete (porous concrete, permeable concrete, no fines concrete and porous pavement) is a special type of concrete. Allows water from precipitation and other sources to pass directly through, thereby reducing the runoff from a site and allowing groundwater recharge.Made using large aggregates with little to no fine aggregates. Used in parking areas, areas with light traffic, residential streets, pedestrian walkways, and greenhouses.

Porous AsphaltIn driveways, parking areasSame as regular asphaltManufactured with fine material mitted, leaving open spaces that allows water to filter through to a – recharge or drainage bed.

Small stonesLeast expensive and allow water to penetrateRequire more frequent maintenance because little stones are easily displaced. Stones are smooth ones and not crushed gravel, which lets water run off instead in the ground

PaversGrass pavers create a hexagonal shape of concrete around a central pocket where grass can be planted or filled in with gravel.These pavers have less open area that is usually created either at the corners or by spacing the pavers on all sides to allow for infiltration.Cannot grow anything in the voids, but is typically filled with gravelGood option for driveways and areas which need more stability. Plastic Grid- Drivable grassComes in 2’ x 2’ mats that are much more affordable to have installed than individual pavers.Has a much larger exposed area (61%) for greater infiltration and more room to grow grass or ground cover in.Does not isolate the dual pockets.Allows plantings to remain cooler and receive more uniform watering. Provides superior green parking surface.

LinkagesLinkages or circulation systems are a combination of linear connectors circulation paths, traffic generators and events along the connectors like entrances, bridges, steps and gateways.

BridgesLink access from one place to another.Helps to avoid dangerous or disturbing element and to provide aesthetic value to landscape design.Should be easy to use.Safe to build.Located at suitable areas without causing damages.Design should consider safety and comfort at prime factors.Material should be durable, weatherproof and vandal proof.An alternative route for users should be provided during maintenance to avoid mischief.

Bridges in public spaces

Steps

Link areas of different levels and indicate access.Normally use uniform steps and avoid any design that can cause tiredness or discomfort with well- thought safety precautions.Landing should be provided for high staircases.

RampsAn inclined plane, also known as a ramp, is a flat supporting surface tilted at an angle, with one end higher than the other, used as an aid for raising or lowering a load. The inclined plane is one of the six classical simple machines defined by Renaissance scientists.

• Inclined planes are widely used in the form of loading ramps to load and unload goods on trucks, ships, and planes.• Wheelchair ramps are used to allow people in wheelchairs to get over

vertical obstacles without exceeding their strength. • pedestrian paths and sidewalks have gentle ramps to limit their slope,

to ensure that pedestrians can keep traction• Inclined planes are also used as entertainment for people to slide

down in a controlled way, in playground slides, water slides, ski slopes and skateboard parks.

Furnishings

Structures that are added to spaces, to enhance and complete the spaces like seating, dustbin, signage, lighting, sculptures, and kiosk.

Seating

Attract and highlight some garden design. Used for relaxed viewing the surrounding or reading books or similar such activities.Seating design is normally based on the garden design concept.Comfort is the main criteria in design.Design should avoid intricate corners or spaces.Scale or size should be able to accommodate load as well as relate to the surrounding landscape scale.Materials used should be easily cleaned or painted.Structure of materials should be durable.Construction and maintenance costs should compliment the surrounding construction cost and landscape design. Modern and traditional materials can be chosen based on the context whether they are to be used in an urban or rural area.

Seating could be accommodated under big trees (large canopy/ foliage) near covered buildings, next to a wall or plants sheltered from sunlight, and windy areas not obstructed by other landscape elements. Select places for seating having good and have pleasant views.

Woo

d

Whether if it is Teak, Redwood, Mahogany or even Composite Wood, they are one of the most popular kinds of materials used in furniture manufacturing. One of the highest demanded material anywhere in the world. The lifespan of wood also beats many other types of material and it’s also very simple to maintain. It can also be combined with other materials like stainless steel or even leather.

Stai

nles

s ste

el

Stainless Steel does not easily corrode, rust or even stained by water which normal steel does. They are highly durable and last for a long time with proper care and maintenance. Using water jet cutting technology, Stainless steel can be manufactured in many shapes and sizes and can be stored away without having to take up alot of space.

Cane

An all natural material, Cane is popular in the outdoor furniture category due to its highly durable material aspect. Able to bent it any shape and size, Cane can create many designs that the mind can imagine and is rather affordable for the mass market.

Plas

tic

One of the popular characteristics of plastic material are that it is lightweight and are able to meet the budget of the low budget consumer. Plastic is very suitable for the outdoors and comes in a variety of colours. However, Plastic material furniture loses it’s strength over time and if exposed to heavy weight over a long period of time, the parts might bend and its colour will fade overtime. Higher grades Plastic materials are more resistant to such problems even though they cost a bit more than normal plastic materials.

Fabr

icFabric furniture is often seen as a luxury and sophisticated material that is used in many upholstered furniture. for your furniture. Some recommended fabrics include linen, cotton, velvet, jute and cotton.

Wic

ker

This type of outdoor furniture is usually made of plant material such as cane and rattan and it created a comfortable, homey look. Resin wicker is much more durable than the traditional wicker material so look for that if you want long-lasting furniture. It requires minimal maintenance, it doesn’t fade, or crack and is weather-resistant.

Wro

ught

Iron

Sturdy and durable, wrought iron furniture is, however, somewhat vulnerable to the elements. The powder-coated finish seals out moisture and makes it more long-lasting. This type of furniture is particularly heavy and tends to look more traditional or rustic.

Alum

inum

Aluminum furniture is also lightweight, hence easy to store and rearrange. It requires minimal care and can withstand rain, rust and moisture damage better than lots of other materials. You can use wax or mineral oil to offer it extra protection.

Plas

tic

Plastic furniture requires little to no maintenance. It’s resistant to moisture, doesn’t produce mildew and stands up to outdoor elements without the beed for sealants or varnish. It’s also very affordable and comes in a wide variety of colors, plus it can be made to look like other materials. Another advantage is that plastic furniture is lightweight and often stackable.

DustbinDustbin should have easy access for garbage disposal and collection.There are different types of dustbins like wall mounted, free standing, removable, big sized where population is high.Located near pedestrian access with other facilities such as toilets and recreation area, where people gathers, picnic or relax.Not located too close to each other to avoid bad odour or flies or bad view.Design and material depends on location, method of collection, relationship to the surrounding landscape elements and capacity.Galvanized sheet metal, aluminum, timber, fiber- glass and concrete are normally used.

SignageAll signage should have standardized design, colour and lettering. Located at an appropriate place.Should be of suitable size to convey information.Should not obstruct aesthetic value of other elements. Type of information usually conveyed through signage is: preventive, prohibitive, warning, and general.Materials used depends on cost, design, durability, and maintenance.

• Signage is a key element of a sensory garden. Visitors will be more inclined to interact with plants if they are prompted by clear labeling.

• One approach is to use color coded signage that highlights the different senses associated with each plant.• Braille plant labels placed at accessible locations, such as the backface of a handrail, are typically used in

gardens for the visually-impaired.• A sensory garden brochure with photographs and a plant list can serve as a guide during the garden visit,

and as a take-home educational piece.• Multiple signage within a development should have a standardized format and design for uniformity.• Free standing signs should be no more than five feet in height. These signs should be appropriately

landscaped and lit.

• Be attractive• Direct to destinations• Be a part of an overall city identity• Provide direction over short distances and at lower speeds• Compete effectively with street, regulatory and storefront signs for

attention

Colour

• Parent colour is chosen complementing to the unity of master design.• The color contrast is at least 60 percent between the

typeface and the background to meet the needs of people with color blindness or limited vision. • Mild contrast pair colour to keep the design clean and

simple. • Other colors were introduced as needed, especially in

designs for parking lots. • Where possible, the background of signs containing text

will be white lettering to maintain the 70% contrast between letters and background as recommended by the ADA. • The yellow is used as a decorative highlight. The reverse

side of each sign will be a solid color; utilizing the same color that encompasses the majority of the sign front.

Typeface• The selected typefaces are principally formal fonts.• They vary in size according to the required sight

distance for the particular type of sign and should not be reduced from the recommended size. Typically, the sight distance of one inch high type is legible from fifty feet, two inch at one-hundred feet, and so on.

• Letter styles are simple and wide kerning (space between letters) is relative to the height of the letters. These standards are intended to meet the needs of older drivers who tend to have problems differentiating lettering at vehicular speeds.

• Letters should be applied using reflective material, with vinyl the most commonly used to allow for alterations should the need arise to change a sign message.

• Symbols and logos representing destinations:

Where possible, international symbols are used, for example, Parking “P” or the Hospital “H”. • Fabrication: Although they are created for the benefit of the motorist, these signs must be pleasant to the eye from all sides and be safe to the pedestrian. Sign panel heights should be at least seven feet off the ground to satisfy the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Panel signs should be high enough off the ground to deter vandalism.

• Sign placement: Signs must be placed to avoid urban clutter while allowing the motorist enough time to make decisions. Vehicular signs should never be closer than 75 feet from an intersection to give the motorist more decision-making time and to avoid conflicts with traffic signals and signs at the corner.

• Spacing between signs should be at least 30 feet. Vehicular signs should never conflict with pedestrian directional signs.

The pedestrian environment contains freedom of movement; pedestrians can use one-way streets in both directions, as well as parks and pathways that are restricted to cars. Pedestrian-oriented signs should never be placed where a motorist might misinterpret the directions.

• Maintenance and management: Before a sign goes in the ground, a maintenance and management system must be put in place that sustains the program long-term. • In most cities, destinations move

and new ones are added. As the system grows, a well-managed database of signs and maps (a geographic information system) is desirable to keep track of these changes.

Types of signage

LIGHTING

Meant to illuminate dark and insecure areas.Illuminates and enhances a focal element or dangerous objects.Provides suitable mood for occasions. Safety and comfort are prime factors in choosing material.Material should be durable, vandal proof and weather proof.Maintenance should be safe and easy. Three types- Roads and highways lighting, Pedestrians lighting, ad Decorative lighting.

Down facing lamps

Stake mounted spotlights or in- ground lamps

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