13 landscaping techniques that every architect should know

 

As much as landscaping is commonly related to the aesthetics of squares and parks, its function goes far beyond the decoration of public spaces. Landscaping techniques are used to create complete environments, making the experience of people there much more pleasurable.

The landscape architect creates, recomposes, recovers and adapts places based on geographic, botanical, architectural, cultural and ecological knowledge. The idea is to organize the landscape in a sustainable, aesthetically beautiful and functional way for better use.

Spaces that bring more naturalness to everyday life improve air quality, increase humidity and promote a sense of well-being, as well as boost concentration and relaxation. For these and other reasons, landscaping techniques are of great importance for architecture   professionals who want to print their differential in the market.  

In this post we have separated 13 landscaping techniques that can be used in any environment, both external and internal, and that will certainly help you to design incredible gardens or green areas. Check out!

Landscaping in external gardens

1. Know the characteristics in depth

 

External area with an incredible landscaping project | 

When designing a garden or even environments with plants in pots, the first step is to understand the characteristics that involve the project, such as the place where the garden will be executed, the frequency of rains in the place, the incidence of sunlight, the humidity of the environment and even the type of land to be used when planting.

Thus, it is easier to know the architecture  that best adapts to the environment, ensuring the health of the garden. Without this information, your project is likely to experience some difficulties and incompatibilities that can even lead to the death of some (or all) of the plants and flowers.

This tip is also valid for projects of adaptation and decoration of environments that already have the presence of green. It is important to evaluate the characteristics of the pots and their respective plants and flowers so that, if they are located in inappropriate places, they can be transferred to other places. Often, just changing the room (and, consequently, the climatic conditions) already improves the plant's health.

2. Plant in pots

The use of pots is an interesting option for those who will grow both indoors and out. The great advantage of this alternative is that, unlike conventional gardens, the pots can be easily moved. In addition, the use of vases allows greater flexibility in the decoration, since they can be found in the most different colors, of different sizes, textures, shapes and materials.

As for materials, the choice can be based on the style of the rest of the furniture in the house or on the customer's profile. As much as the more traditional options are ceramic, you can also choose metallic materials or reused wooden pieces, such as pallets. 

3. Bet on benches and tables

Having a garden at home is a privilege that should be taken full advantage of. Having benches and tables in the project allows the family to enjoy the garden more fully. In this way, the space becomes an incredible place to have longer meals and gather several people, as well as a quiet and cool place to read and relax.

With the right furniture , the environment is no longer just decorative, it really becomes part of people's lives. But be careful: you need to be careful when choosing furniture materials. Outdoor tables and benches need to be made of materials that resist the sun and rain. Wood and iron are good examples that go very well with the bucolic aspect of the garden.

4. Making paths

Mix of grass and pebbles to give charm to your garden

Still following the idea of ​​integrating residents and the garden, a good option is to have a path so that everyone can enjoy the place without trampling the plants. Longer, the wavy paths create a very beautiful look, exposing all the cultivated species.

These paths can be made of loose stones, ceramic material or continuous cement. The important thing is that they are accessible and that the plants with thorns or pointed leaves are not too close to the place of passage so as not to hurt those who pass by.

5. Pay attention to the floors

Like all other elements of the gardens, the floors also deserve attention, and should not be made of any material. Remember that, as the coatings are exposed to the weather, they may end up yielding if they are not of quality. It is worth betting on materials such as wood, stones or even the composition of more than one type of material.

It is recommended that the floor under the chairs and tables be reinforced, since it is an area of ​​great circulation, and it is inevitable to transform the grass into clay in a few months without its own covering. The floor solves this problem, keeping the place looking cleaner and more conserved, not to mention that it is easier to clean.

6. Apply diverse textures

One of the most used landscaping techniques is the use of different textures. When designing a garden, you can combine foliage, stones, vases, furniture, fabrics and more. All of this makes the project, rich in textures, compatible with the rest of the house and also with the client's style.

More rustic gardens, for example, can combine with thicker foliage and wooden benches, while more modern gardens can benefit from metallic furniture and colorful flowers. Of course, as with any architectural project, landscaping does not follow a single rule. The final product will depend on the skill of the designer, who can even choose to mix rustic and contemporary concepts in one environment.

7. Fancy lighting

So that the external environments can be properly used after sunset, it is necessary to take care in the lighting. It is no different with gardens. Because they are great spaces for summer family nights or dinners with friends, the lights are essential.

Of course, the choice of lighting depends on the style of the garden and the client's use, but in general, we can say that lamps along the way and close to the flowers and plants are important. The LED options are the most suitable, since, in addition to being economical, they do not heat up like the others, offering less risk to the garden.

8. Design useful spaces

As we said, much more than decorative complements, gardens can not only be designed as spaces to be used by people on a daily basis. After all, the landscaping techniques aim to harmonize the environment and the user, causing greater integration between them.

In addition to benches and tables, the gardens can have hammocks, spaces for children, swings, a meditation area, a corner for relaxing activities, such as yoga, and much more. In cases of larger gardens, how about thinking about an open space , surrounded by climbing plants and full of cushions to provide moments of relaxation, conversation and reading?

Indoor landscaping

9. Choosing the right plants

Care in land preparation is fundamental

Contrary to what many people may think, houses that do not have an external area can also house plants. It is even quite easy to determine the species that can be grown in small pots indoors, as long as one is concerned with knowing the weather conditions in advance.

Santa Catarina architect Silvia Monteiro reinforces that it is possible to create a garden inside an apartment, just taking some care to choose the ideal seedlings for each environment. "We get this help through professionals in specialized houses", he points out.

An important guideline is to evaluate if the place will have direct sunlight, if it will take rainwater (in the case of balconies, for example) or if it will have manual and monitored irrigation. From this information, just go with the choice of species!

Silvia also remembers that other plants can compose a small garden of fresh spices - there is a chance to know exactly where the ingredients come from! The only concern, according to the architect and landscaper, is that the pots are in the sun for at least four hours a day.

It is also possible to choose decorative species, such as flowers or succulents. The latter need little care and are great for people with no time or little experience in gardening. For indoors, palm trees are great options, as they don't need a lot of sunlight and live with little water.

10. Making vertical gardens

 

Outdoor area with beautiful vertical garden |

In small apartments, creativity has to be exploited to the maximum to take advantage of all available spaces. In this case, a practical way to bring the plants into the house is to make a vertical garden  . Occupying a space often overlooked by residents, this composition not only beautifies the house but can also be used to plant a garden, fragrant flowers or small succulents.

The vertical garden serves as a   decoration or as a useful piece for the kitchen. In additio you can stay on balconies, as long as they have some sunlight. “Vertical gardens are a great choice to bring well-being and comfort connected with nature. Even in small environments, we can create a green wall without disturbing the location's ergonomics ”, reinforces Silvia Monteiro.

11. Use pots with fruit trees

Outdoor area with beautiful garden | 

Did you know that it is possible to grow fruit trees indoors? That's right! Following this line, you make small gardens inside the house become even more attractive and useful for residents. Fruit options that can be planted in pots are pomegranate, acerola, lemon, jaboticaba and pitaya.

Among the precautions to be taken are attention in relation to the size and depth of the pot, the most suitable type of soil and the drainage of the tree. It is important to remember that when planted in pots, trees need more care than when planted directly in the soil. It is necessary to take into account the incidence of light, air circulation and other characteristics that enable the development of the plant.

12. Create winter gardens

 

It is possible to carry out a winter garden  in almost every room in the house. This proposal is especially indicated for those who do not have external areas in their residence. If well planned, it can give a natural touch in small places, bring sophistication to rooms and lightness to environments.

As it is inside the house, it is necessary to pay attention to the availability of sunlight in the place where the garden is implanted, since generally the species most used in this type of green area also need a great deal of natural light. If the environment does not have many windows or the availability of light is not so strong, it is worth betting on species of half-shade, such as fern, São Jorge spear, raffia, zamioculca and lily of peace.

13. Guide the client to be patient

It is worth having a sincere conversation with the client, reminding him that plants take time to grow and stay the way they want, in addition to needing frequent care. Even those species that require less attention have to be watered from time to time. The ideal is that gardening is a pleasurable job and no longer an obligation in the already busy routine.

The benefits of having so much green at home are numerous, either to create a nice place to socialize or to provide fresh spices. All the care required, therefore, is very worthwhile.