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Lectures in Landscape and Urban Design

1) Line

In landscaping, lines can be used to control movement, such as a walkway,
path or flower bed. They can also highlight a design feature like a pond, pool
or fire pit. Lines add visual interest because they can take various shapes –
straight, curved, horizontal, diagonal. Straight lines tend to create a more
formal design, while curved lines fit well with an informal landscape. They
can be created with hardscape materials (pavers, natural stone) or vegetation.

2) Form

Form refers to the shape of the plant or hardscape feature. Plants are
available in many forms – upright, groundcover, round, freeform. Hardscape
forms can be in various heights and shapes: think stone paths, retaining
walls, and pergolas. A balanced landscape design carefully considers use of
form. For example, a more formal garden could include more structured,
trimmed shrubs, while an informal yard would feature more natural and
flowing plants. The combination of forms is what helps lay the foundation
for the landscape design.

3) Color

As color tends to truly capture the eye, it is a key element in landscape
design. When incorporating color, it is important to consider the four
seasons. While flowers and plants in varying hues make a wonderful
summer garden, you will also want to be sure to include vegetation that will
offer color during the other seasons, such as evergreens, conifers and holly.
The color of hardscape also plays a role in the design. Are you looking for
something that stands out like a crystal blue pool or something more subtle
such as natural stepping stones?

4) Texture

Texture applies to both softscape and hardscape. By texture we mean
whether the plant or design feature is hard, soft, fine, course, heavy, light,
rough, smooth, etc. Leaf structure, flowers, bark, and stone surface all have
texture. Incorporating a variety of plant and hardscape textures adds a layer
of dimension to the design.

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Dr. Sherein El-Shahat