SITE PLANNING PRINCIPLES

STEPS IN DESIGN

• Understand your site

• Conduct a Site Analysis
• Client Evaluation
– Assess family needs and desires
• Develop a Bubble Diagram
– Locate private, public, service, and utility areas
• Design Landscape Plan
– Pencil drawing, then color
• Plant selection and placement
SITE

• Obtain architectural drawings – location of building

• Visit site
• Context and surroundings
• Inventory of existing features – rocky outcrops,
existing vegetation, historic elements, permanent
features, existing hardscape etc.
• Utilities / services
• Climatic data
SITE ANALYSIS
Legal Environmental
Understanding bye - laws • Topography
• Drainage
Physical
• Hydrology
• Adjacent land use • Surface water
• Utilities • Subsurface water
• Water • Flora and fauna
• Electrical • Tree cover
• Wildlife
• Sewer
• Geology and Soils
• Existing physical features • Climate
• Buildings • Solar
• Vegetation, etc. • Precipitation
• Site aesthetic opportunities • Wind direction
• Site challenges
• Noise Levels
TOPOGRAPHY
• Slope analysis

• Natural drainage pattern

• Soil erosion

• Constraint and opportunity

• Creation of levels
• Visually pleasing
• Design development
• Rock garden, flowing stream, cascades,
ponds, terrace gardens etc.
• Formal sitting areas, steps, retaining
walls, bridges etc.
• Ground covers to bind the soil along
steep slopes

• Some times created artificially

HYDROLOGY

Surface water
• Existing drainage pattern
• Water body - pond, lake,
wetland

Subsurface water
• Aquifer
• Aquifer recharge areas
GEOLOGY AND SOIL

• The drainage of ground and

surface water

• The types of plant material

able to grow on a site

• Soil erosion
• Prevention
CLIMATE
 COOL AIR VENTURI EFFECT

TURBULENT SMOOTH
CLIENT EVALUATION

• Users
• Age groups
• Hobbies
– Cooking an dining
• Type of cooking
• Type of entertaining: Number of people
• Children’s play: Specific requirements
– Gardening
– Pets – indoors, outdoors, confinement
– Plants (favorite, allergies)
• Preferences
• Budget
GOALS:

• PRIVACY
• COMFORT
• BEAUTY
• CONVINIENCE/ SAFTEY
• EASE OF MAINTANANCE
• FLEXIBILITY

Design will be effective and impressive.

ZONING

The essential portions of any

garden are

a) APPROACH
b) SERVICE AREA
c) OUTDOOR LIVING
d) UTILITY AREA
e) LIVING AREA
f) GARDEN AREA
g) RECREATIONAL
AREA
h) CHILDREN’S AREA
APPROACH

• Well designed - overall picture of the

garden - creates impression to the
people who visit.
• Gate to the main entrance - public -
short and well designed.
• Drive way to the garage and walk way
to the rear side entrance - private and
service zone.
• Approach area must be direct and
shortest and occupy little but very
attractive space.
SERVICE AREA
• Waste disposal, storage of pots, manure,
fuel, storage yard, utility and other such
areas.
• Properly located and hidden – screen by
fence, hedge etc.
• The kitchen garden - not so pleasing and
attractive but utilitarian, nursery etc.
must be very close proximity to the
service area.

UTILITY AREA
• Storage of garden tools, pots, mowing
machine, hose pipe etc.
• Cloth drying area, dust bin etc.
• If exposed may become an unpleasant
seen.
OUTDOOR LIVING

• Extension of the interior

space
• Maximum area has to be
devoted for this purpose in
any garden.
• Recreational areas,
enjoyment zones
• Aesthetics, pleasing design
and details
• Garden elements are lawns,
terraces, flower beds,
fountains, paving, rocks,
trees, shrubs, ground covers,
climbers, seating, steps etc.
LIVING AREA

• Sit in the living room and

experience views from the
windows.
• If it is drab and dry add for visual
enjoyment like landscape design
features
• Extension of living room interior to
the exterior
• Accommodation for future
expansion - swimming pool
• Pet shelter, dog kennel etc. for
safety, look etc.
• Outdoor eating, private garden
GARDEN AREA:
• Spaces for a rock garden,
flowerbeds, rose garden, vegetable
garden etc
RECREATION AREA:
• Children play area - safety
aspects, housewife’s view,
sandbox, swing
• Play areas - paved or as lawn
• Spaces for badminton, basket net
etc.
CIRCULATION AREA:
• Driveways, pathways etc.
• Guides vehicular movement for
various places
• Materials choice & selection?
• Availability, durability, cost factor
architecture
• Plant materials play major role
THANK YOU