ASSIGNMENT 4 | DESIGN WITH NATURE II

Alvina Habib Khan

DATE- 23-11-2020 III Sem, M. Arch, Recreation Architecture

Q1. What considerations are made for plantation while site planning of a new project?
Plants can create an empowering design that evokes all of the senses and draws the viewer in
for more. Site planning is a comprehensive activity. Treating plantation as a vital element of the
landscape can make the space more desirable by framing individual spaces with plants or by
creating a specific rhythm of greenery, which could direct the viewer’s experience as intended.
The following steps should be considered while site planning for plantation –
1. ANALYSING SITE’S EXISTING CONDITIONS –

A good site Inventory and analysis is essential for every site plan and can go into great detail,
but when it comes to selecting plants, it is especially important to consider:
Topography – the natural topography of the site can be used an advantage in creating
different experience. It will also help to have clear idea of where plantation can take place
based on the drainage. Slopes also affect the plant selection and maintenance.
Soil Type - substrate plays an important role in the case of plant selection. It is important to
know what the present condition of soil – sandy, alluvial, loamy etc. and what different
species of plants need - acid, alkaline, or neutral soil. With this information, the right
substrate can be prepared.
Climate - While planning, for plant selections there are a variety of elements due to climate
that must be considered including temperature pattern, annual rainfall, direction of
dominating winds, and length of vegetation period, to name a few.
2. UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSE OF PLANTATION –

It is necessary to plan according to the purpose. The aim is to create a space by applying
appropriate plantings. However, ornamental plantings aren’t the only situation where plants can
be used.
The different purposes can be providing access, circulation, privacy, security, shelter, shade,
creating barriers, diving spaces visually, creating avenues, etc.
3. BALANCE THE ECOLOGICAL AND AESTHETIC FACTORS –

Aesthetics are only one part of the planting design process. As we select plants and materials,
we should think about what benefits they can provide to the site ecologically.
Considering native plants that are already adapted to the environment and require less
maintenance and fewer extra pesticides.
4. VISUAL OR PHYSICAL ASPECTS –
There are many attributes that are responsible for the visual effect -

• Plant form or shape (spreading, columnar, dense, conical, spherical, etc.)

 Figure i Different shapes of trees

• Colour
• Type (ornamental flowers, leaves, fruits)
• Size (tall, medium, low trees/shrubs)

Figure ii Size of trees

• Speed of growth (quick-growing, slow-growing)

• Structure of plants (deciduous, coniferous)
• Waste production – shedding of leaves and flowers.

Q2. What kind of design elements can be generated through designed plantation?
Planting design is a specialized and central discipline of landscape architecture. Plants are used
as structural elements to create spaces, provide enclosure in ground, wall sky and can be
combined in infinite ways.
Different kinds of design elements can be generated through designed plantation are –
1. Glades provide contrasting landscape experiences from
enclosure to openness, from dark to light. These could be
natural meeting spaces, stopping places with views of sky
and different fauna.
2. Forest spaces incorporates voids and masses
simultaneously. Forest spaces are usually complex with Figure iii Glades providing contrasting
columns of trunks and hidden under dense canopy of experience

trees.
3. Parklands provide sense of naturalness through
combination of openness punctuated by occasional trees.
4. Hedge Enclosures can enclose spaces at knee height and
above through soft, course and open textures of plants
providing a distinct and dynamic enclosure experience. Figure iv Parkland - openness and naturalness
 5. Hedges can provide secrecy, shelter and also reinforce
the direction of path. They create a sense of mystery and
seclusion.
6. Hedges and shrubs provide human scale edge structures.
they can be a combination of several scent, colour and
texture of plants.
Figure v Hedges - texture, enclosure, direction
7. Avenues provide shade, orient people by emphasizing
axis, provide transitional edges between road and
building. It also the demarcate and enclose the floor
space below.
8. Paths through tunnel provide a green and unique
experience because of enclosure in seclusion, sense of
direction that the leaves and branches create. Figure vi Avenue - axis, transition, shade
9. Single Tree can act as focal points, as end points to a
path and punctuate open area. Single tree conserved in
rural landscapes, very old trees and distinctive urban trees
usually become focal points, create emphasis and have
dominance and tremendous presence.
10. Grouping trees of same specimen, can be used to
dramatize in large spaces or become the focal point. Figure vii Green Tunnel - enclosure in seclusion,
direction
11. Trees canopies and trunks can create frame for viewing –
create focus, threshold and place for viewing and also
unify the area.

Figure x Single tree - focal point, emphasis, Figure ix Group of trees - Focal point, Dramatize Figure viii Canopy of trees - focus, threshold,
dominance unifying the area

REFERENCE
Dee, Catherine. 2011. Form and Fabric in Landscape Architecture . New York: SPON
PRESS.

Network, Land 8: Landscape Architects. 2016. Planting Design : 10 Things to Consider

When Designing With Plants. Accessed 2020. https://land8.com/planting-design-10-
things-to-consider-when-designing-with-plants/.

Rawski, Kamil. 2017. Why Do Some Graduate Landscape Architects Have a Poor
Understanding of Planting? Accessed 2020. https://land8.com/why-do-some-
graduate-landscape-architects-have-a-poor-understanding-of-planting/.