The design of the Building is called Architectural Design,

 the design of the internal spaces is called Interior Design

and the design of the external spaces is called Landscape Design.

Many people associate ‘Landscape design’ with horticulture only. Unfortunately this myth has misled many people in getting their outdoors designed by gardeners which leave many important technical aspects ignored. Landscape Design is a highly technical subject, which is taught in the third and fourth year of Architecture. Horticulture is only 20 percent of the content. There is also a Post Graduate course for those Architects who want to further specialize in this field. Further, this subject also deals with large scale urban issues including roadside and waterfront developments.

The aspects which Landscape Architects address are not just putting various materials together with plant material but also creating a micro-climate which creates the mood of the place. Let us see how they do so. To begin with, after understanding the need of project;  the designer starts with two major parameters. Hardscape and Softscape.

Hardscape is the designing or assembling of all hard objects placed outside the building to improve its functionality. Like stone slabs in pathways, parking, roads, screen walls, pillars, Gazebos, bridges, furniture, pergolas, sculptures, guardroom, boundary wall  etc. Putting these elements together in the right sequence will give you the ambiance to highlight the architecture of the building.

Softscape is the second part of designing a beautiful Landscape. This consist of water and water bodies, fountains,  mounds, ground covers, shrubs, trees and Lighting; everything that is soft in nature. These elements tones down the hard feel and texture of the hardscape used to provide the functionality in the Landscape. Horticulture is the main part of softscape which provides the sound and color elements. Judicious selection of plants , at the right place can brighten up your mood while experiencing the Landscape.

However the actual twist comes when we talk about services. The intertwining of Service lines like Stormwater drainage, sewer drainage, Electrical supply for lighting, Firefighting pipes and hydrants,  Plumbing for irrigation systems and Rainwater Harvesting are a few of the issues which have to be manipulated and addressed when designing. It is very irritating when a manhole comes half into a pathway and half into a planter. Or when a firefighting hydrant pops up where you had planned a sculpture. So problems have to be predicted before they happen.

This problem is resolved with the help of a Services coordination drawing which has the whole Landscape layout with all the Services overlapped over it. So before execution of the job, all agencies involved, sit together to realign all those elements which come in the way of each other. Sometimes plants are used for hiding the services and sometimes it is used for pointing out the location of the nodes of the services. Once the Hardscape and Landscape elements are aligned with the services, then only is the Landscape Design complete.

 Another major hurdle is when Aesthetics and Functionality clash with one another. Sometimes the location of a pathway is necessary at the same position of a water body ; which would make that place look beautiful. Only one element can happen and options have to be worked out. To resolve this problem a bridge can be placed at that place. This way Aesthetics is not compromised whereas the functionality of the place remains intact.

The last thing on ground is selection of materials. The landscape architect has a wide knowledge of the types of stones, metal, wood and finishes available in the market. Sometimes stone colors have to be coordinated with the type of Plant colors being used. The type of property will decide the type of Landscape color and texture. So a farmhouse landscape will be different from an IT company landscape which will further differ from a heritage property landscape.

This design decision can be taken only by a qualified Architect. They can transform the very living experience of a property. That is why many builders and hoteliers are redoing their properties to increase the popularity and business. Today Landscape Architects have broken the myth that Jaipur or Rajasthan is not conducive for plantation or good Landscape. With more years down the line, be prepared for a greener city.

Mukul Goyal

Landscape Architect