WHAT IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE?

Landscape architecture involves planning, designing, managing, and nurturing the built and natural environments. With their unique skill
set, landscape architects work to improve human and environmental health in all communities. They plan and design parks, campuses,
streetscapes, trails, plazas, residences, and other projects that strengthen communities.

Landscape architecture is the study and practice of designing environments (outdoors & indoors) of varying scale that encompasses
elements of art, environment, architecture, engineering, and sociology.

Landscape Architecture is a profession that is unknown or misunderstood as gardening by many. Its value to society is greater than
many can imagine and should be celebrated by the population of every town, city, and country.

Landscape architects are involved in the conceptual design of spaces that “creates and enables life between the buildings”. The
involvement of landscape architects can be seen in streets, roads, shared paths, housing estates, apartment compounds, shopping
malls, squares, plazas, gardens, pocket parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, memorials, museums, schools, universities, transport networks,
regional parks, national parks, forests, waterways and across towns, cities and countries. Landscape architects often go beyond site
design and also create masterplans, frameworks and policies for place and city-shaping that enable citizens and government to create
better places for all.

1. How did Landscape Architecture appear?

The first Landscape Architects were the creators of palaces and parks in Europe, who skillfully formed aesthetic and
comfortable spaces for the highest aristocracy. The father of modern Landscape Architecture is considered to be
Frederick Law Olmsted, who participated in the creation of New York’s Central Park in the 1860s.
Today, the services of Landscape Architects have become much more affordable. Landscape Architecture specialists take
part in the planning of cities and regions, parks and residential estate.

2. What is the difference between a Landscape Architect and an “ordinary” architect?

Landscape Architects focus on the environment, while architects focus on buildings. Architects design structures such as
houses, offices, theaters, and others, and Landscape Architects develop plans for outdoor areas around the structures.
3. What is the difference between a Landscape Architect and a Landscape Designer?

The main difference is in the scientific degree. A Landscape Architect has been educated for many years, while a
Landscape Designer does not need a certificate. Therefore, a Landscape Architect works on large projects, and a
landscape designer works mostly on small nuances in projects.

4. What knowledge should a Landscape Architect have?

Modern Landscape Architecture specialists combine the functions of an engineer, an artist and a philosopher. To get a
Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture students study deeply disciplines such as Botany and Gardening, Fine Arts
and Architecture, Design (including Industrial Design) and Geology, Environmental Psychology, Geography and Ecology.

5. What trends have prevailed in Landscape Architecture in recent years?

– The use of modern materials (concrete, colored glass, textiles) to create new compositional and artistic solutions.
– A combination of Eastern, European and American methods and styles. So, the popularity of Japanese gardens for
meditation is constantly growing.
– The tendency to free the landscape from development as much as possible. As part of this trend, a significant part of
the structures is underground, and it is covered from above with lawns, flowers, and trees.
– Roof gardens that help solve the problem of landscaping in the context of a shortage of space.

6. Can a Landscape Architect help to increase the value of a property?

Definitely. Landscape Architects are providing creative problem-solving for clients, relieving them of this extensive
process. Landscape Architects have to take all the information provided to them (budgets/site/user
demographics/project goals / etc.) and filter it into solutions that achieve the desired results. This process is what
provides the best possible solutions for the proposed outdoor spaces.
Moreover, utilizing a Landscape Architect will help to establish areas of opportunity, increase project clarity and
contribute to the project value (Qualitative/Quantitative), at the same time providing clients with confidence in desired
project outcomes.

7. What ideas could Landscape Architects offer for residential estates?

– Bringing the internet cafe to the outdoor space platform (phone charging stations / correct type of seating / shade /
internet access);
– Workout stations and circuits tied into outdoor spaces;
– Community gardens.
In the end — anything that helps bring people together.

8. If we are not talking about a new object, but about the renovation of an existing one,
what ideas can Landscape Architects offer?
Landscape Architects are not only working on the development of new facilities. An essential part of the work of a
Landscape Architect is the optimization and improvement of existing facilities and territories. Moreover, here is what
they can offer:
— Creating natural barriers like hedges instead of concrete walls;
— Softening hardscapes with DG’s and gravel instead of poured concrete;
— Drought-tolerant plant material for water savings;
— Upgrading irrigation;
— Landscape lighting to create inviting and safe spaces for tenants to enjoy.

9. How much does the work of a Landscape Architect cost?

Landscape architecture fees usually range between 7% and 10% of the final landscape construction cost, and change
orders are billed at between $125 and $195 per hour, depending on the position of the designer or architect in the firm.

10. What is the final product of the Landscape Architect’s work?

The main task of the Landscape Architecture is to smooth out the conflict between urban aesthetics and nature, increase
the aesthetic attractiveness of the object and its value. The result of the specialist’s work is a joyful, comfortable,
rational, environmentally friendly space in which the interests of nature and man are taken into account equally.

Environmental factors
Environmental factors need to be carefully considered when designing or redesigning a site. These factors
determine the type of plants that can be grown and the choice of hard landscaping materials and features.

Climate

Wind

It will be windy more often and at a greater speed on sites near the coast and in exposed places such as the top of a hill.
Wind speed can be increased by the effects of tunnelling such as between high rise buildings in a city centre.

Plants and people may need to be sheltered from frequent and/or strong winds. For example, seating should be placed
out of the wind if possible. People and plants prefer to be sheltered from southwest winds in New Zealand as they are
very cold and create a wind chill.

Northwest winds on the Canterbury Plains can be strong and gusty, hot and dry, sucking all the moisture out of plants
and the soil. Mulches can prevent soil drying out in these conditions. A pond or fountain can increase the humidity of the
surrounding air to make it more pleasant for people.

Light

Some landscaped areas need to be in full sunlight, but others may need some shade. A children’s play area in a childcare
centre or kindergarten may need shadecloth overhead during summer to protect children from harmful UV rays. Trees
planted in a park or garden can provide areas of summer shade to sit under.

A flower or vegetable garden, however, needs to be in full sun. If this is not possible, garden beds should get morning sun
and as much shelter from strong winds as possible.

shade cloth need more light than plants with large dark green leaves, which can cope with some shade.

Rainfall

In areas of low rainfall plants should be chosen that are adapted to the climate. Organic mulches can be used under
plants. These improve soil water-holding capacity and slow down evaporation of water from the soil surface. Irrigation
can be put in place but it does cost money and if a lot of water is removed for irrigation it can reduce underground water
resources.

In high rainfall areas drainage systems should be put in place to remove excess water. Excess water can be stored in tanks
or ponds for irrigation use in dryer times of the year.

Temperature

Plants that are suited to the temperature extremes of a site should be chosen. Subtropical plants, such as citrus fruit, are
only going to do well in temperate areas if they are planted in a well-sheltered position away from wind, cold
temperatures, temperature fluctuations and harsh sunlight.

Frost can limit the type of plants used in a design. Many plants are adapted to cope with frost, such as herbaceous
perennials that die down to a crown in autumn and send up new shoots in early spring. Examples are asparagus, rhubarb
and dahlias. Deciduous trees and bulbs are also frost-tolerant.

Physical factors

Aspect and slope

A slope that faces north is going to get all day sun, summer and winter. On this sort of site the soil temperatures warm up
more quickly in the spring and hold their heat longer in the autumn. These sorts of sites are used to plant early crops in
spring and also used to get a late harvest of crops planted in summer. This is why north-facing sites are useful when
trying to get a succession of crops harvested. North-facing sites are also people-friendly especially from late autumn to
early spring.

A site that faces south will get less sun in the winter because of the lower angle of the sun. The soil will take longer to
warm up in spring and will cool down quickly in autumn.
It may be an ideal site however for crops in midsummer, as the site could have more water in the soil at this time of year
than a north-facing site due to less time exposed to hot sun.
Sites in a valley can be cut off from sun in the winter due to the low angle of the sun and/or the aspect of a slope.

Soil type

Soils containing a high proportion of clay will hold water well but unless they also have a high proportion of organic
matter they may contain less air for plant root respiration. Ponding can occur on clay soils in areas of high rainfall. Clay
soils contain a good store of nutrients. These types of soils are slower to warm up in spring but hold heat longer in the
autumn.

Soils containing a high proportion of sand will have very low nutrient levels. They will warm up quickly but will also cool
down quickly. They have high temperature fluctuations between day and night compared to clay soils. These types of
soils are very free-draining and have a low water-holding capacity (don’t hold onto water) unless they also contain high
levels of organic matter.

Plants should be chosen that are adapted to the soil type they will be planted in.

Soil pH

Most plants prefer a loam with a slightly acid pH of about 6.5. A loam will contain a mixture of sand, silt and clay particles
as well as organic matter.

Many plants are adapted to or prefer a particular soil type and pH so it is a good idea to know where a plant originated
from to match the plant to the soil conditions. Rhododendrons for example like a well-drained acid soil with a high
amount of organic matter.

Topography
Depth of topsoil on a slope.

Cold air will drain down into lower-lying areas because cold air is heavier than warm air. The depth of topsoil is likely to be
greater in lower lying areas because soil particles have been washed down to these lower levels over time.

Low-lying areas can be quite wet at certain times of the year.

Higher up a slope the topsoil may be thinner and may contain less water. It also may have greater soil and air
temperature fluctuations between night and day. All these things will need to be considered when choosing plants for a
site.

Types of Landscape Architecture

Site Planning

This is how to use a piece of land most efficiently for its intended purpose. Site planning can also include things like surface and sub-
surface drainage systems, geology, hydrology and grading. Master planning and design for residences, communities and estates are
examples of site planning landscape architecture.

Urban Design
This means how to plan cities and towns and their infrastructures and growth patterns, taking into consideration the natural geographic
features and limitations. It can include residential and urban design for streetscapes, public squares and spaces, transportation
corridors and facilities, security, academic campuses, institutions, interior landscaping, office and urban plazas.

Land Development

Land development deals with how to structure suburban development, taking into consideration some of the same elements as site
planning.

Parks and Recreation

This type of Lanscape architecture designs open spaces and recreational areas for public use. Examples of these types of landscape
architecture can include public gardens, therapeutic gardens, arboretums, public parks, playgrounds, golf courses, sports facilities,
monuments, landscape art, zoos and resorts.

Ecological and Environmental Planning

This is designing public areas using existing, natural spaces and elements with the least modification to them. This can include the
design of green spaces, ecological design, coastal and offshore developments, and natural parks.

Heritage Conservation

Heritage conservation recognizes, protects and restores historic lands. Habitat restoration, historic preservation and conservation
planning are types of heritage conservation landscape architecture.

For the different types of landscape architecture, designers look at proportion, repetition and unity of the site to incorporate any
structures, plantings or usage needs most pleasingly into their surroundings. Landscape architecture can also include design-only
services, design/build services, installation and maintenance of projects.
Landscape architects must be qualified, with an undergraduate or master’s degree in landscape architecture and a current landscape
architect’s license.

In a few weeks' time, your social media feed will be pink with sakura or cherry blossoms from your friends' trips to Japan
or Korea. Not everyone has the luxury of a spring break, but a quick glance at the trees in the Philippines will show you
that you don't have to go far for some beautiful and Instagram-friendly trees.

Popular Philippine trees that look most like the sakura are the Palawan cherry blossoms. There's even a park in Puerto
Princesa dedicated to their stunning blush flowers. Though these Philippine trees are commonly mistaken as the
Balayong (another cherry-blossom lookalike), they're actually a species of tabebuia and likewise bloom around April,
which is more or less the same as Japan's sakura. Unlike cherry blossoms, however, they are closer in species to
the acacia, narra, kamatsile, ipil, and tindalo. These trees. however, including the Balayong, aren't native to the
Philippines.

TREES THAT CAN BE USED FOR LANDSCAPING

1| Narra Tree

In case you've forgotten your gradeschool social studies, the Narra is actually the national tree of the Philippines. It can
grow up to 30 meters high and its short stems can spread into luxurious branches. Its beauty lies in its dainty yellow
flowers, which bloom between February and May. The Narra is low-maintenance and sturdy, which makes it a favorite for
construction and woodwork purposes.

Where to find Narra trees in the Philippines:

They can grow anywhere, but they're more common in the Bicol region.

2| Banaba Tree
The Banaba tree is a favorite among landscape artists for its delicate pink-purple flowers, which have a similar vibe to
cherry blossoms. Also known as the Giant Crape-Myrtle or Queen's Crape-Myrtle, these trees have several uses. Because
of its strong and widespread roots, this Philippine tree been used to combat soil erosion; its leaves can help stabilize
blood sugar; and its bark can help with stomach problems.

Where to find Banaba trees in the Philippines:

These are easy to find in Luzon (Palawan, especially) and Mindanao. Even U.P. Diliman has some.

5| Salingbobog Tree
The Salingbobog is one of the Philippine trees likened to cherry blossoms. The flowers are more white than pink, but look
up close and you can see that lovely pink hue in the middle. They're also called balai-lamok, among many other names. It
bears an edible fruit that's chock-full of vitamin C.

6| Malabulak Tree

We've just missed the Malabulak in its prime. Its red flowers are magnificent around February. It's often mistaken as the
fire tree, but its flowers are much more compact. More importantly, the Malabulak is a proud native of the Philippines.

Where to find Malabulak trees in the Philippines:

You'll see some of these around Quezon City. They're also common in Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Rizal, and Laguna.

WHAT IS PARKS AND RECREATION?

Parks and recreation are resources and services provided for the purposes of leisure, entertainment, and recreational pursuits.
Resources may be public spaces and facilities like parks, nature preserves, open space areas, greenways, trails, and built structures for
sport, recreation, or arts programs. Examples of services include recreation activity programs, athletic leagues, special events, arts
programs, and environmental education programs.

The field of parks and recreation also encompasses resources and services offered by sector, though they are only delivered to members
or paying visitors. Examples include YMCAs, health and fitness centers, resorts, and guide services.

There are also quasi-public providers like power companies, land trusts, and other authorities that manage resources that may be used
for recreation purposes. An example in Connecticut is the MDC reservoir trail.
What is a public park?

A public park is any area or portions of areas dedicated or designated by any federal, state, or local agency primarily for public
recreational use.

PARK RESTROOM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

PARK RESTROOM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
When building a new park, there’s a lot of design elements and basic amenities to consider. Beyond the overall landscape design, dedicated green space,
walking paths, and possible inclusion of playground or workout equipment—one main necessity is having a restroom facility for your park patrons. Take
some time to consider the following for your restroom facility:

The overall size of the park

The architectural theme
Who your park users will be and their needs
Level of park security

SIZE MATTERS
First, you need to make sure the building is appropriated sized for the park by taking into consideration the expected daily attendance and park activities.
One good measure is to calculated based upon the number of parking spaces available or typical park attendance. As a general guideline, about half of park
visitors will use the restroom. For example, a single-occupant restroom with one toilet and sink can typically service up to 45 people per hour. Whereas a
floor plan with two single-occupant restrooms on each side can service up to 90 people per hour.

KNOW YOUR PARK-GOERS & THEIR NEEDS

Ask yourself, what is the main draw to the park or location? Are you designing for a campground that might also need showers? Or, is it a dog park that may
need an outside drinking fountain or wash station for pooches? Being able to customize your restroom building to meet the park needs is critical.

For example, if you are designing an all-inclusive park to provide an engaging play experience for both children with or without disabilities—you’ll need to
consider how your restroom will serve those with disabilities. Keep in mind, not all disabilities are the same and often they are not physical or visibly
noticeable, many are emotional or sensory related. This is something often overlooked when it comes to choosing certain restroom fixtures, because it isn’t
always included in ADA building codes. If a person has a sensory disability, loud or unpredictable noises from flush systems or hand dryers can be
problematic as it catches the individual off-guard. It’s worth considering manual features instead, so the caretaker can warn the individual or have them
leave the restroom altogether to prevent a difficult situation before it happens.

By providing an ADA compliant Adult Changing Table in a single-occupant restroom allows the caretaker to assist the individual in both a private and secure
setting. Because after all, parks are meant for enjoyment and to help promote relaxation, not to create difficult situations for its guests. Below are some
photos of our PS-011 Restroom Model at Ann Eisemann Inclusive Playground at Cottonwood Park in Richardson, Texas.
CLEANLINESS DURING A PANDEMIC
Parks are gaining popularity during the current pandemic, as they provide an outdoor escape for people to relax and still practice social distancing safely.

Single-occupant restrooms where the park users have a restroom all to themselves is the safest design layout during a pandemic to provide social
distancing. As noted by the CDC, “spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).” Providing fresh air into the
restroom through open vents and undercut doors will help maximize passive air flow.

Exterior sinks are another growing trend to allow park goers to wash their hands before entering or leaving the restroom or after playing in the park. Exterior
sinks also have an additional benefit when it comes to the homeless population, as it helps prevent these individuals from camping out in the bathrooms
and bathing.

If your park restroom remains open and operational during this time, daily cleanings are necessary and when possible, more than once a day is always
better. Make sure cleaning staff is always wearing the proper PPE during cleaning and that they focus on disinfecting high-touch surfaces such as: faucets,
toilets, doorknobs, and light switches. The easier it is to keep your restroom looking clean and utilizing better restroom design to prevent the spread of
germs will help put park users at ease during these trying times.

SECURITY & SAFETY

One challenge that all public spaces endure is security and safety. Unfortunately, all public spaces run the risk of vandalism, but some locations are more
prone to this issue than others. Choosing the right materials and fixtures for your building is imperative for long-term reliability and overall appearance. PRC
offers the highest quality, prison-grade stainless steel fixtures to outfit the inside of your restroom with all plumbing hidden and secured in a separate utility
chase. We also offer other features such as concealed magnetic locking system in the door jambs and continuous hinges on our exterior doors to maximize
security and reduce vandalism.

When it comes to safety, there are design considerations to incorporate if you are located in an area with more transient populations or security issues.
Such as single-occupant restrooms that lock, undercut doors to see if someone is in the restroom prior to entering, and mesh vent screens to be able to call
for outside help in the event of an emergency.

PS-021 FLOOR PLAN WITH EXTERIOR SINK AND DRINKING FOUNTAINS

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK CONCEALED IN DOOR JAMB

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Where you place a restroom is key to the park layout. Typically, it’s best to locate the restroom near the playground since kids wait until the last minute to
warn they need to go to the bathroom. It’s also helpful to have the restroom doors face the playground, so parents can keep a visual on their child. If
possible, it is helpful for the restroom to be near a parking lot so police or security can easily drive by and shine lights under the restroom doors to ensure
homeless aren’t sleeping in the restroom.

MATCHING SITE ARCHITECTURE

Choose a restroom design that matches surrounding architecture and goes beyond block construction, with finishes such as: lap siding, stucco, brick or
cultured stone to enhance the building’s aesthetic. With modular design, you can also add-on other exterior features to make the building even better
looking with enhanced functionality. For example, a covered entrance for weather protection or a custom tiled alcove for drinking fountains or water bottle
fillers to keep park goers hydrated.

If you think about each of the above key items before proceeding with your restroom plans, you will find yourself with a restroom design that matches the
greatness of your new park. Happy Designing!
SP-044 MODEL – TUSTIN, CA

SP-132 MODEL – SAN CLEMENTE, CA

SP-132 MODEL – LOVELAND, CO

PS-011 MODEL – MILWAUKIE, OR