Instrument of Environmental Transformation. Essay Example

fine art. Its main purpose is to create and maintain beauty in both the areas surrounding human dwellings and the larger natural landscapes. Additionally, it also focuses on enhancing the well-being and health of urban populations. Hence, landscape design encompasses these definitions.

The deliberate arrangement of landscape elements in outdoor scenery, known as landscape design, aims to transform the natural landscape through human intervention. By modifying the virgin landscape, individuals strive to create an improved environment that better suits their needs and desires. This process occurs whenever changes, developments, or improvements are made to the landscape.

An example that easily comes to mind is the transformation of the “eye sore” around the Ibom connection in the days before the democratically elected government of Arc (Obong) Victor Attah, into what is now known as the Ibom plaza. This transformation is a result of landscape design. Further improvements to the environment can still be achieved using the same approach. The purpose of landscape design is to establish optimum physical connections between individuals and their surroundings. Landscape is not purely natural, agricultural, horticultural, or architectural; it is a more intricate combination of these elements.

Designing a landscape involves determining the best approach for developing a specific program on a particular site or adapting a given site to suit a specific program. It entails making decisions about the precise form and arrangement of everything that will be seen or experienced within a defined area or movement zone. While it is not necessary to incorporate every principle of landscape design into every aspect of your design, having a foundational understanding of these principles will aid in idea generation and enhance

creativity. Ultimately, great landscape design is subjective, as individual preferences can vary. Therefore, while the principles of landscape design serve as valuable guidelines, they should not be viewed as strict rules. Dewayne. L. Ingram, a professor and extension horticulturalist at the University of Florida, agrees with this perspective, stating that landscape design combines art and science to create an aesthetically pleasing outdoor extension of indoor living. In order to achieve a desirable landscape design, designers need to possess knowledge of art elements and design principles.

The landscape designer must have knowledge of readily available landscape materials to work with. This paper is intended for landscape designers and planners who have little or no training in using these basic principles. However, it is not a complete landscape design text. Landscape materials provide the landscape designer with a lot of options for their work.

Landscape materials are used to create and enhance the landscape and surrounding area. There are two main categories of landscape materials: Natural Landscape Material and Man-made Landscape Material. NATURAL LANDSCAPE MATERIAL includes materials that occur naturally and can be used as they are or modified by humans to shape the landscape. These materials include Earth, Rocks, Plants, Water, and Relief. EARTH provides a flexible foundation for construction and can be shaped according to design preferences.

The technique of moulding, which includes cutting and filling, can enhance a flat and formless terrain. ROCKS are highly esteemed in design due to their distinct structural and aesthetic characteristics. They can be utilized in their original form or modified for specific uses. Utilizing rocks that are indigenous to a particular area presents various benefits as they can function

as ledges, builders, outcrops, walls, podiums, and even sculptures. Alongside rocks, artificial materials like bricks or concrete made from natural aggregates can also be considered as variations of rocks.

PLANTS play a significant role in the ecosystem due to their essential functions. They are easily accessible and adaptable, undergoing constant transformations influenced by seasonal changes. With plants, we have the ability to reduce glare, regulate solar radiation, and manage wind. Additionally, plants help purify the air, absorb excessive noise, and prevent erosion. Their diverse forms and textures add vibrant colors to the landscape. Similarly, WATER holds great importance in both natural and man-made settings, exhibiting a wide range of scales and shapes {G. A. Jellicoe}.

Water has distinct properties that set it apart from other substances. These include its capacity to transform, shift, and fluctuate in response to wind and light. Although water can be unpredictable and difficult to control at times, these attributes enhance its attractiveness. In contrast, relief pertains to variations in height or unevenness of terrain. It can be measured physically or derived from a contour map and plays a crucial role in shaping the overall structure of a landscape.

Man has successfully introduced artificial elements into his surroundings, in addition to the naturally existing elements that were previously mentioned. In his ongoing quest for an improved environment, man has modified the natural landscape and its components to fulfill his practical needs and aesthetic preferences. In certain instances, man has completely disrupted the original appearance of the landscape. The integration of these artificial landscape elements into the surroundings and the resulting impact, whether it is harmonious or discordant, will determine the

level of success in the design.

The main artificial elements that are important to consider include shelter, man-made water bodies, outdoor furniture, hard surfaces, and soft surfaces. Shelter is a crucial requirement for humans and encompasses all types of buildings. It provides protection from rain, sun, and wind and serves as a screen or refuge from varying weather conditions. Shelter has a significant impact on human movement and contributes to the changes in the landscape. The appearance, shape, and aesthetics of shelters determine the quality of the built environment. Man-made water bodies, such as fountains and cascades, have traditionally been key design elements in gardens. These water features serve as decorative focal points and can delightfully convey water from one area to another, captivating human interest.

Outdoor furniture is comprised of various items such as seats, sitting areas, plant containers, lamps and lighting, litter bins, signboards, and outdoor play things. These elements can be considered as outdoor furniture. The selection of seats for both private and public spaces is influenced by several factors including simplicity of form and detail, ease of maintenance, cost durability, finish, and resistance to vandalism. Seats can be made of timber, concrete, or metal, with scale also being an important consideration.

Plants containers serve multiple purposes in urban or paved areas, including providing vegetation and enhancing architectural design. They can be used to emphasize space, pedestrian walkways, or as part of the overall building concept. Additionally, they can act as barriers to separate different areas and define spaces. Outdoor lighting in streets and open spaces is a technically complex matter, with three main types: lighting for roads, lighting for pedestrians or

amenities, and decorative lighting. When strategically placed in an environment, all of these types of lighting contribute to creating a beautiful scenery. As for litterbins, they should be simple, sturdy, easy to maintain, handle, and empty.

A good bin should not only hold litter but also conceal it. The sign should be designed in a way that ensures instant recognition through the clarity of the message. Playthings can be found in both public and private parks and range from those suitable for infants to those suitable for adults, such as swings, slides, merry-go-rounds, and joy wheels. Hard surfaces are crucial elements in landscape design, particularly in our increasingly urbanized civilization. In other words, hard surfaces play a vital role for both humans and their landscape, as they provide a hard, dry, non-slip surface capable of bearing the necessary weight.

In pedestrian and vehicular areas, smoother flags can be used to guide people across grass or gravel courtyards. The texture of pavement can also serve as an indication of pedestrian or vehicular priorities and caution against hazards. Alterations in paving material can draw attention to changes in elevation that can be traversed using steps or ramps. Moreover, paved areas subtly denote focal points and ownership. Soft surfaces like grass or turf are commonly referred to as the lawn within the landscape.

When kept in good condition, these soft surfaces can produce a pleasing aesthetic. They serve multiple architectural functions such as reducing glare, absorbing heat, and managing traffic. The elements of art - color, line, form, texture, and scale - are interconnected and mutually affect one another. Before exploring their interactions, let's examine their individual traits.

COLOR variation can be effectively demonstrated using a color wheel. Primary colors comprise red, blue, and yellow. Conversely, orange, green, and violet are secondary colors since they result from combining two primary colors.

The color orange is produced by combining yellow and red. Tertiary colors, which are between primary and secondary colors, are made by mixing a primary color with a secondary color. When white is added to a pure color on the color wheel, it creates a lighter value called a tint. On the other hand, adding black to a pure color on the color wheel results in a darker value known as shade. Neutrals like black, white, and gray can be paired with any other color. Light colors and tints have similar attention-grabbing qualities as bright and intense colors. Color schemes are created by combining different colors for practical purposes.

The text discusses three main types of color schemes: monochromatic, analogous, and complementary. A monochromatic color scheme involves different shades and tints of a single color but is rarely seen pure in landscapes. For instance, an incomplete monochromatic color scheme would be white and pink flowers against the backdrop of a dark pink and red brick house. Conversely, analogous color schemes combine colors adjacent or side-by-side on the color wheel like green, blue-green, green-blue, blue, and violet blue. To achieve this kind of color scheme, varying foliage color from green to blue-green can be helpful.

Complementary color schemes involve combining colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. For example, red and green are complementary colors. In a landscaping context, achieving a complementary color scheme can be done by using

plants with green foliage against a red brick house. As the seasons change, incorporating different color schemes within the same area of the landscape is possible. For instance, when paired with a red brick house, white and pink azalea flowers can create a monochromatic color scheme. During summer, the green foliage of azaleas would complement the red brick. Hence, considering how colors will change throughout the year is important for landscape designers when creating a landscape plan.

The use of colors can visually change how we perceive distance. To make something appear closer, warm colors and light tints like red, orange, yellow, and white can be employed. Placing these colors near the base of a house would create the illusion that it is closer to the street. Conversely, cool colors and deep shades such as blue, green, and black give the impression of distance and can make the house seem farther from the street. Cool colors have a calming effect while warm colors evoke action; they work best in filtered light or against a green or dark background. Strategically using color can also help guide attention in landscaping.

Caution should be exercised in the use of color due to its significant impact. When incorporating color, it is essential to consider its effect throughout the year rather than just during specific seasons. It is also important to think about the time of day when the color will be appreciated. To create interest on a patio, white or light tints can be used, as dark colors would not enhance enjoyment in this area as daylight hours decrease. LINE refers to eye movement or flow and its concept

and creation depend on the purpose and existing patterns of the design.

Line in the overall landscape is determined by the arrangement of beds and how they fit or flow together. Additionally, line can be created vertically through variations in plant height and the height of tree and shrub canopies. In a smaller area, such as an entrance or privacy garden, line can be established through the branching habits of plants, leaf arrangement, or the sequence of plant materials. Straight lines are often seen as forceful, structural, and stable, and they quickly direct the observer's eye to a specific point. On the other hand, curved lines are considered smooth, graceful, and gentle, and they evoke a sense of relaxation, progression, movement, and naturalness.

The relationship between FORM and line is closely connected. Usually, line is considered as the outline or edge of objects, while form has a broader scope. Moreover, the concept of form also encompasses the size of an object or area. In terms of plant growth habits or landscape planting arrangements, form can be discussed. Plant forms come in various shapes such as upright, oval, columnar, spreading, broad spreading, weeping, etc. Essentially, form refers to the shape and structure of a plant or a mass of plants. It is important to acknowledge that structures also possess a form and should be taken into account when designing the surrounding space.

Texture refers to the visual or tactile quality of an object, including elements in the landscape like buildings, walks, patios, groundcovers, and plants. The texture of plants depends on how their leaves, twigs, and branches are arranged. It can be coarse, medium, or fine

and may also vary in smoothness (glossy or dull) or roughness. Design-wise, scale is important - it pertains to an object's size relative to its surroundings. Size refers to specific measurements while scale focuses on the size relationship with neighboring objects. Therefore, when considering plantings and buildings from a human perspective,
it is crucial to consider how they relate in size to the overall scale.

The principles of design, including color, line, form, texture, and scale, are combined to adjust different aspects of the design. These principles interact with each other to achieve the desired design by incorporating unity, balance, transition, focalization, proportion, rhythm, repetition, and simplicity. Unity is achieved through effective use of design components to convey a central idea in a consistent style. Consistency between units in the landscape further enhances unity. Harmonious unity is created by using elements to express a specific theme within these units.

Unity in composition or landscape can be achieved through mass planting and repetition. A sense of cohesion occurs when each activity area seamlessly integrates with the overall landscape. It is essential for everything chosen for a landscape to complement the central scheme and serve a functional purpose. Design balance pertains to the equilibrium or equality of visual appeal. Symmetrical balance is attained when one side of the design mirrors the other side, with a clear dividing line between them.

Both symmetrical and asymmetrical designs aim to achieve balance in different ways. Symmetrical designs maintain equal lines, forms, textures, and colors on each side, whereas asymmetrical designs utilize different elements to create visual attraction. This is achieved by incorporating contrasting compositions on each side of the central axis

to generate an equal level of appeal. For instance, mass may be countered by color, or linear dimension may be balanced with height. In order to create asymmetrical balance, the landscape designer must skillfully manipulate the design elements while considering the predetermined central axis. The elements of art and other principles of design discussed in this publication are utilized to develop this central axis and maintain balance. Furthermore, transition in design is a gradual change that occurs throughout the composition.

The radial sequence on the color wheel previously discussed can illustrate the transition in color (monochromatic color scheme). Transition is achieved by arranging objects with different textures, forms, or sizes in a logical sequential order. For instance, you can have a transition from coarse to medium to fine textures, from round to oval to linear structural forms, or from cylindrical to globular to prostrate plants. By combining elements of various size, form, texture, and color, an unlimited number of schemes can be created to achieve transition. It is important to remember that transition refers to the 3-dimensional perspective of composition and not just the flat or facial view.

By utilizing transition techniques, it becomes possible to expand the visual dimensions of an area beyond its physical boundaries. In the context of a landscape, for instance, creating radical lines within a private space can serve to both frame and draw attention to a picturesque lake scene. Integrating transitional plant materials along these lines seamlessly incorporates the scene into the overall landscape. Employing a transition from taller to shorter plants, accompanied by textural changes from coarse to fine along focal lines, serves to enhance the beauty of

the lake scene. Conversely, transitioning from shorter to taller plants and shifting from fine to coarse textures effectively frames the scene, giving it a closer resemblance to a wall-mounted painting.

In general, transition helps guide the viewer's eye slowly through the design and its elements. PROPORTION refers to the relationship between the sizes of different parts of the design and the design as a whole. For example, a tall oak tree may complement an office building but would likely overpower a single-story residence. Likewise, a small three-foot pool would be insignificant in a large open lawn but would be a perfect fit in a small private area. Additionally, while a massive fountain might dominate a private garden, it could enhance a large city plaza. Proportion in landscape design primarily considers the needs and activities of people.

The designer should have little difficulty with the desired size relationships of components in a design if they routinely consider this principle in systematic thought processes. The feeling of motion created by the elements of a design leads the viewer's eye through or beyond the designed area, resulting in rhythm. Rhythm can be achieved through the repetition of tools such as color schemes, line, and form in landscape design, reducing confusion. Focalization involves directing visual observation towards a feature by placing it at the vanishing point between radial or approaching lines.

Straight lines have a powerful effect on focalization compared to curved lines. They swiftly guide the viewer's gaze to a focal point. In residential landscapes, it is preferable to have softer and more flowing lines of focalization. The arrangement of plants or other objects along these lines can

either enhance or diminish the effect of focalization. Curved lines have a stronger impact when they curve towards each other rather than away from each other. Lines that are curved in the same direction create a more indirect form of focalization. By strategically placing plant materials along these lines, symmetrical or asymmetrical focalization can be achieved.

Indirect focalization, known as asymmetrical focalization, is less direct compared to symmetrical focalization. The latter creates a stronger focalization effect. Focalization is used to draw attention to a particular point, which is why traffic in an area is typically directed towards that point. Therefore, focalization can be employed to guide traffic within a garden area. By directing the view towards features of commercial, aesthetic, or cultural value, one can effortlessly attract the attention of individuals who may not be consciously aware of it. The term "repetition" refers to employing features such as plants with identical shape, line, form, texture, and/or color repeatedly.

When used effectively, repetition can create rhythm, focalization, or emphasis. It is an essential tool for achieving unity in a design by avoiding clutter and a busy appearance. Simplicity is closely tied to repetition as it involves eliminating unnecessary detail. Too much variety or detail can cause confusion. Simplifying a design to its simplest functional form not only reduces cost and maintenance but also enhances its overall appeal.

The advantages of having an organized system in creating a landscape design are extensive. Like any other project, using an organized method significantly improves efficiency in terms of time allocation. The landscape designer should follow a sequence similar to the one outlined below:
Steps In Design
1. Create

a plot plan.
2. Perform a site analysis.
3. Evaluate user requirements and preferences.
4. Identify activity areas.
5. Design activity areas.
6. Select and position plants.