BASIC ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE

ARCHITECTURE
The basic 5 elements of landscape architecture are:

COLOUR
FORM
LINE OF SIGHT
SCALE OR BALANCE
TEXTURE

COLOUR

Colour is one of the important elements in landscaping design.

It is responsible for creating interest.
Similar colours can be used to create oneness in the landscape, while different colours can
be used to create contrast.
Colour can be used to draw attention to an important feature like fountain, tree, sculpture, etc.
They create a mood as they are pleasing to eyes.

A mix of different pots, brings colour and personality into the garden

FORM

The shape or structure of a plant or object is its form.

Type of forms used are dependent on the design of landscape.
For example, a formal garden should have tailored forms such as clipped hedges and
topiaries, while an informal garden will have more natural, flowing forms.

The manicured forms of the hedges in this garden suggest formality

LINE OF SIGHT

Extending a point in one direction creates a line.

Lines can be implied by the location of points.
Lines can be imaginary yet still exert influence.
Edges of planes can be seen as lines.
Natural lines are common and important in the landscape.
Man-made lines are also numerous.
Lines as boundaries are used extensively.
Lines can act as defining elements in architecture.
In the landscape, lines are very numerous and important. As natural lines they exist in stream
patterns, tree trunks, edges of vegetation patterns, the skyline or horizon and rock strata.
Field boundaries, roads and plough furrows are common examples of man-made lines.

The use of straight lines and right angles in a landscape design will create a contemporary, formal effect

SCALE OR BALANCE

In landscape design, scale refers to the relationship of sizes, between elements within the
garden and the surrounding spaces.
The design should balance the size of the buildings or established plants it surrounds, while
maintaining a comfortable human environment for the individuals who will use the area.

Make sure the scale of your garden is appropriate for the size of your home and its surroundings.

TEXTURE

Generally texture is added to a garden with plants.

Texture can also be created using hardscape materials.
Plant texture refers to the fineness or coarseness, roughness or smoothness, heaviness or
lightness of a particular plant.
Using plants with different textures is a great way to create variety in a garden.
Paving and building materials along with plants with varying textures can add to the
atmosphere of your outdoor area.

Ornamental grasses are great plants for adding texture to a landscape design.

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ubmitted By:
Kuh
u Dhingra
B.ARCH

4 th

Year