Landscape Design - Site Planning - Part 1

Summary

In this insightful video, landscape designer Eric Arneson shares his design process, starting with a bubble diagram to block out site elements for a client's outdoor space. He emphasizes understanding site conditions and sun exposure, creating multiple compositions to find the best layout. Arneson refines the design through iterative drawings, using colored pencils to differentiate hardscape and softscape elements, and aims for a balanced relationship between the two. The process concludes with fine line drawings and color rendering to finalize the landscape design.

Takeaways

• 📐 Eric Arneson, a landscape designer, shares his design process in a video.
• 📈 He starts by blocking out site elements with a bubble diagram to loosely configure the site's composition.
• 🏠 The client's project includes a fire pit, outdoor pool, privacy screen, outdoor deck, and kitchen area.
• 🔍 Understanding site conditions, climate, and sun exposure is crucial for appropriate item placement.
• 🎨 Arneson creates multiple compositions to find the best arrangement of site elements.
• 🖌️ He refines the design using a thick pen for a loose initial drawing on trace paper.
• 🖍️ Colored pencils are used for differentiating hardscape (red) and softscape (green).
• 🎨 Rendering techniques vary for hardscape and softscape, aiding in visual distinction.
• 🌈 The use of colors helps visualize the balance between hardscape and softscape, essential for a symbiotic design relationship.
• 🖋️ The final line drawing is created with a fine line pen before moving on to color rendering.
• 🎥 The video provides an insight into the iterative and detailed approach of landscape design.

Q & A

What is Eric Arneson's profession?

Eric Arneson is a landscape designer.

How does Eric start his design process?

Eric starts his design process by blocking out site elements with a bubble diagram to loosely configure the composition of the site.

What are the specific site elements the client wants in their landscape design?

The client wants a fire pit, an outdoor pool (12 by 24 feet), a privacy screen around the perimeter of their yard, an outdoor deck, and an outdoor kitchen area.

Why is understanding site conditions and climate important in landscape design?

Understanding site conditions and climate is crucial to appropriately place items and ensure the design is functional and sustainable in the given environment.

How does Eric refine his initial design?

Eric refines his initial design by creating an iterative process with drawings on layers of trace paper, using a thick pen to loosely refine the composition.

What materials does Eric use to differentiate hardscape and softscape in his design?

Eric uses colored pencils, with red for hardscape (constructed elements like concrete paving, tiles, and gravel) and green for softscape (living elements like trees, shrubs, and ground cover).

Why is visualizing the balance between hardscape and softscape important?

Visualizing the balance is important because it ensures a harmonious and symbiotic relationship between the two elements, which are both crucial for a successful landscape design.

What is the next step after finalizing the line work for hardscape and planting material?

The next step is to create the final line drawing with a fine line pen, followed by starting the color rendering process.

How does Eric use colored pencils to aid in the design process?

Eric uses colored pencils to differentiate and visualize the balance between hardscape and softscape, and they also help with tracing as they are different colors and render the materials differently.

What is the significance of the iterative design process in landscape design?

The iterative process allows for continuous refinement and adjustment of the design, ensuring that the final outcome is well-thought-out and tailored to the client's needs and site conditions.

What is the purpose of the bubble diagram in landscape design?

The bubble diagram is used to block out and visualize the placement of site elements, helping to create a preliminary layout and composition for the landscape design.