Fundamentals of Garden Design

This lecture will offer you an example of one of my design contracts.  I've provided it as a PDF file for you to download and use as a reference.   

An overview of the basic equipment used in surveying a property.  Many of you will be working in Imperial measurements (feet and inches) while others will be using Metric.  For This lecture and most of this Section will be using Imperial.  Please jump to Lecture 75 for an explanation and demonstration of using metric values. 

This is a list of the drafting tools and equipment I use in my office.  There are other manufacturer's than the ones I have mentioned that you may prefer.

There is hardly any limit to the uses of the drafting compass, and for triangulation it is essential.  

Using a drafting triangle will insure properly drawn lines at any angle.

Mostly used on planting plans, the circle template will enable you to depict plants at the proper diameter.  Combined with the right graphics and your plan really takes shape!

Often you'll find existing pool decking, patios and driveways won't have a radius point that enables you to use you drafting compass.  In these cases the flex curve can save the day.

Understanding how to use the scale rule - whether it be architect, engineering or metric - will get your field measurements proportioned so that your survey will fit on your paper.  In this lecture I'll discuss the architect and engineering scales.  If you are working in metric and need to get a refresher on using the metric scale please see Lecture 75 at the end of the course.  In that Lecture I discuss using metric scales and there are some resources and exercises available to download.

Good light is essential and a drafting lamp will help you to see what you're looking at.

For fine tuning a drawing and removing only the lines you need to the eraser shield is well worth having in your tool box.

Not interested in CAD or not ready to select the software for your needs?  Knowing and using the technical pen - or Rapidograph - will give your plans and presentations the professional look you're after.  And, by hand drafting you make the plans your own rather than that of a computer programer!

Available for download are two examples of radial designs - one by me while studying in England and another by a former student.  Both show the versatility of this approach and how it can be used effectively in both rural and urban settings.

Available for download is an example of an Arc and Tangent design.  This was my first design I did while studying in England in 1994.  A long, narrow backyard.  This design actually encompasses 3 different approach styles - rectangular-45; rectangular and finally into the arc & tangent approach.  notice how the component parts of all shapes relate throughout the design. 

Available for download are 5 examples of rectangular designs showing how they can work on properties of various shapes and sizes.  The two designs labeled Conceptual Rectangular are of the same property - one being a plan view and the second being a 3-D perspective.  These last two have been drawn in the software SketchUp which makes doing 3-D very easy.    

Available for download is an example of a rectangular-45 design approach by one of my former students.  Hand drawn and colored it shows how effective this approach can be in a small backyard giving the garden lots of interest.

Two examples of curvilinear design by British designer David Stevens.  This approach is best suited for larger properties where the flowing curves can be large enough to have an elegance to them.  In curvilinear design I feel that the Rule of Thirds really takes hold.  Start with rectangular or rectangular-45 near the house and evolve to the more naturalistic curvilinear (natural) design as you get further from the home.  This will apply to paving materials as well - more formal near the house and more casual and natural as you further into the landscape.

Presenting a concept plan that has been colored helps your friends and client have a better understanding of your ideas, but a mood (or presentation board) will convey the feeling and texture of your design even better.  In this bonus lecture I'll show some examples of mood boards you can imitate when preparing your own presentations.  Be sure to view the resources I've included with this lecture.

With this bonus lecture I'll cover how to layer your plan sheets to develop the construction plans for a project.  With this information you'll be able to take your conceptual plan and use it in creating your working drawings.  

Proper drainage is an important consideration for any landscape.  Whenever you design a planter that is surrounded by paving you've created a location where water can be trapped and damage plants and/or structures.   Rooftops, patios and other hardscapes will collect rainwater and irrigation overspray that will need to be dealt with.  In this, the first of two short Bonus Lectures, I'll show the two primary types of pipe used for drainage and have a drainage plan example for you to download as a reference.

In this second Bonus Lecture I'll cover some of the math used in sizing pipe when doing a drainage design.  This is simple algebra - nothing scary!  For proper calculation you will need to know the square footage (or square meters) of the different surfaces within your project.  I'll be covering all of this and have an example in both Imperial and Metric values for you to refer too.  Be sure to download and print out the information I've provided in the Resources section for this lecture.