Evolution of Garden Design

Prepared by : Ar. Kamisetty Nihaarika

M.Arch Landscape
Assistant Professor
GITAM School of Architecture
Hyderabad
• Hebrew word for ‘GAN EDEN’ which means Garden of Eden
• Gan : Protect or defend and Eden: Pleasure or delight
• Garden in Contemporary English: Enclosure of a land for pleasure and delight

• The etymology of the word gardening refers to enclosure.

• A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and
other forms of nature.
• The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a
residential garden, but the term garden has traditionally been a more general one.
• Zoos, which display wild animals in simulated natural habitats, were formerly called zoological gardens.
• Western gardens are almost universally based on plants, with garden often signifying a shortened form of botanical
garden.
History of Gardens can be traced to civilizations which had high productivity and could afford for spaces to spend in
leisure.
EXAMPLES OF ANCIENT
GARDENS 1380 BCE
TOMB OF NEBAMUN, THEBES
• The gardens depicted on the walls of
wealthy Egyptian officials are an
important primary source of
information about the ancient
Egyptian landscape.
• Shown here is an ordered
arrangement of specific plants around
a rectangular basin stocked with fish.
2500 BCE–612 BCE
MESOPOTAMIAN HUNTING
PARKS
• Written accounts describe the
large enclosed parks of the
Sumerians, Babylonians, and
Assyrians as being stocked with
exotic plants and animals—
evidence of early management of
the landscape.
• The Epic of Gilgamesh described
the ancient Sumerian city of Uruk
as being composed of equal parts
city, garden, and field 546 BCE
PASARGADAE, PERSIA
• The imperial capital of Cyrus the
Great was described by ancient
Greeks and Romans as having a
geometric division of space
defined by water and trees, an
early example of the four-square
pattern later associated with
“paradise” gardens.
• Existing ruins show the close
relationship of buildings and
gardens and the decorative use of
water. Gardens provided visual
and climatic comfort, not spaces
for active use.
 BABYLON : HANGING GARDENS

EGYPT: GARDEN AT THEBES

PERSIA

SPAIN : ALHAMBRA GARDEN, GRANADA

GREEK AND ROMAN GARDENS

ITALIAN GARDENS

FRENCH GARDENS

ENGLISH GARDENS

CENTRAL PARK

JAPANESE GARDENS

MUGHAL GARDENS

CHINESE GARDEN

NEO NUSANTARA/ MALAYSIAN GARDEN

 Role of Water as a Design Element in various Garden Styles
• Water is one of the significant elements in
nature as our survival depends on it.
• In nature, about 70% of the earth is comprised
of water and hence EARTH is also called as a
water planet.
• The earth’s never-ending supply of water is
maintained by the hydrological cycle.
• The natural sources of water are Oceans, Seas,
Rivers, Lakes, Natural springs, ponds etc.
• In Landscape design water features can be
classified as
- Spouts
- Fountains
- Artificial Waterfall
SPOUTS:
Water Feature in which water is forced to flow through small pipes from an elevation.

FOUNTAINS:
• A fountain (from the Latin "fons" or "fontis", a source or
spring) is a piece of architecture which pours water into a
basin or jets it into the air either to supply drinking water
or for decorative or dramatic effect.
• Types of fountains
i. Musical Fountains
ii. Splash fountains
iii. Drinking fountains
ARTIFICAL WATERFALL:
Outdoor man-made waterfalls, a continuous flow
of water and heights can vary to gain different
effects.
Styles of Gardens:
• Formal
• Informal
• Free
• Wild

Features of a formal gardens :

• First plan is made on paper and then land is selected
accordingly
• Land is levelled
• Symmetrical design
• Geometrical: Square, rectangular, circular beds and
borders
• Roads and paths cut at right angle
• Balance is symmetrical as same feature replicated on
both sides of central axis
• Hedges, edges and topiary are trimmed
• Trees can be selected as individual feature
• Mughal, Persian, Italian, French and American gardens
 Persian Gardens

• The tradition and style in the garden design of

Persian gardens has influenced the design of gardens
from Spain to India and beyond.
• The Persian garden styles follow the gardening styles
of Egypt.
• The local climate, high walled structures, shady trees,
water streams and fountains are the factors which
makes the Persian garden a paradise on earth.
• The different styles of Persian garden are Hayat,
Meidan, Chahar Bagh, Park and Bagh.

Shady trees such as Water Streams

Cyprus
Features of Persian gardens:
• Based on idea of heaven
• Strictly formal and symmetrical
• Beautiful architectural work
• Laid out after cutting terraces
• Water flowing canals
• Planted cypress as symbol of eternity
• The main purpose behind building such
gardens was to provide relaxation in
different manners such as spiritual,
leisurely (e.g., meetings with friends).
Basic styles of Persian garden :
Hayat:
• This is the old classical Persian garden layout
which highly emphasizes on aesthetics.
• The grounds are covered with gravels flagged with
stones.
• Planting is very simple. The trees are planted in a
line with a shade.
• The pools are the source of humidity in the
surrounding atmosphere.
• These gardens are mainly pool centred and
structure centred.
Meidan :
• This is a public, formal garden which emphasizes more on
biotic elements than structure.
• Here we see bedding plants, trees, shrubs, grasses, etc.
• In this garden also the elements like gravel pathways, pools
divide the lawns.
• The shade providing structures pavilions are also built.

Chahar Bagh:
• These gardens are formal and private.
• The garden structure mainly consists of four quadrants divided
by pathways and waterways.
• This garden has a balanced structure with proper pathways and
greenery or plants around the periphery of the pool.
Park:
• These are casual parks used for public functions.
• These are full of various plants.
• Here we see pathways and seating, but these gardens are limited
in terms of structural elements.
• The purpose of such gardens is relaxation and socialization.

Bagh:
• Like other casual gardens, it focuses on natural and green
aspects of nature.
• These gardens are often attached to houses consisting of trees,
lawns and ground plants.
• It gives less emphasis on waterways and pathways.
• The primary aim is familial relaxation.
Elements of Persian Garden:
• The important factor to be considered while designing the Persian garden is sunlight and its effects in the garden.
• Architects arranged the samples and forms from the rays of light to restrain the sunlight.
• Persian gardens often connect internal yard gardens with the surrounding outward gardens.

Sunlight :
• The important factor to be considered while designing the Persian
garden is sunlight and its effects in the garden.
• Architects arranged the samples and forms from the rays of light to
restrain the sunlight.
• The specific textures and shapes were chosen by the experienced
architects to harness the light
Shade :
• Shade is also an important element due to heat of Iran
• The Persian gardens includes trees, shrubs and trellises which
work as biotic shades to provide protection from strong
sunrays.
• In these gardens we can see large number of big shade trees,
fruit and flower trees as well.
• Walls and pavilions are also important in blocking the harsh
sunrays.
• Mostly cypress trees are found .
Water :
• In desert regions, there are many dry areas beside
the many forests, therefore water comes as the next
important element in the Persian garden.
• The underground water canals are built on slopes to
facilitate either natural or the artificial flow of water
(waterfalls).
• It is assumed that this style of irrigation is thousand
years old.
• This style works in the best way and widely used
even in modern gardening styles.
Jub
• For this purpose of moving water around the surface (Ditch)
water systems.
• Trees are planted in a ditch called a jub, to prevent
water evaporation and allow quick access of water to
the tree roots.
Buildings:
• In many of the Persian gardens, buildings of splendour, brick
works, and pavilions are seen.
• Here we also get to see the different structural designs like
royal palaces, mansions, temples, etc.
• Iranian architects used to build domes on square buildings very
skilfully.
• These enhance the beauty of these gardens.
• In Persian gardens, beautiful arches were constructed.
• In front of many mansions and palaces of these gardens, the
water fountains were placed as the source of cool, peaceful
atmosphere and pleasure.
• The beautiful types of glasses (e.g., stain glasses) were used for
windows and other glass works.
Characteristic features of Persian gardens :
• The most important factor of Persian gardens is to build shade type structures wherever necessary in the garden.
• This helps to cope with hot climates and keep the atmosphere cool.
• These gardens are closed and walled and have very little association with the area outside these walls.
• The Persian gardens necessarily have a central water feature or ponds as water is the soul of these gardens.
• Fountains tend to be more of modern Persian garden design.
• It is a best way save water and maintain with the original design consisting of a water structure.
• The gardens have crisp colours and clean alignments. Intricate mosaic tiles are occasionally used in these gardens.
• Arches play an important role in Persian garden designs
• Symmetry is very important in these designs.
• The matching or mirroring elements can give enjoyment and pleasure.