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| Design Methods for Landscape |
Of the four components of the process involved in the design loop, only methodologies are readily changeable. Scholars have identified the following eighteen distinct design methods.
1. System Modeling
System modeling solves a design by looking at a system, understanding its function and stimuli, placing the system in the design context and substituting design elements for function and stimuli. In the following example, the movement of the crowd is similar to the movement of the tide. For example, when designing a plaza, the crowd could be thought of as water moving with a tide and managed by the same means as one controls water movement.
2. Environmental Relations
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| Design Methods for Landscape |
Environmental relations incorporates the proper relation between man and the environment and includes considerations of how materials interact with the environment. The following diagram shows the intent to use environmental heating to control the structure’s internal temperature. In the landscape architecture design context, landscape architects incorporate native plants into their designs to repair or minimize the environmental impact of a project.
3. Anthropometric Analogies
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| Design Methods for Landscape |
Anthropometric analogies focus on the human body and its relationship to the design goal. The following diagrams center on the baseline relationship of the human body to the design. The program elements are solved, and these solutions are then used to develop the design to completion. When designing a plaza, it is very important to incorporate how humans relate to the site. For example, is the bench too big and uncomfortable? Can one see over the wall if standing next to it, 10 feet away or 50 feet away?
4. Literal Analogies
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| Design Methods for Landscape |
Literal analogies use an existing form or construct to generate the solution for the design. The following example shows how one form influences the design. In the landscape architecture design context, if one is designing a path to a reptile exhibit, the path could be modeled after a snake moving along the ground.
5. Learning Probes
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| Design Methods for Landscape |
Learning probes start without a comprehensive understanding of all issues relating to the design. The design generates information used to explore the issues and understand the interplay of elements. The example starts with what known in its most basic form—what type of structure is needed to support the bridge. The information is used to “play” with the various elements of the structure and evaluate the results and effects within the design.
6. Subconscious Suggestion
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| Subconscious suggestion |
7. Brain storming
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| Brain storming |
Brain storming relies on a group or collective effort to generate solutions for the design. The following diagrams the brain storming process.
8. Evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria sets the criteria and subordinates all other design elements to this criteria. In this example, the criteria is for the last row to hear a pin drop on stage. Landscape architects commonly use a criteria for site run and design to that goal.
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| Well spaced alternatives bracket |
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| Evaluation criteria |
9. Well Spaced Alternatives
Well spaced alternatives bracket a design solution by the use of extreme alternatives. In one of the following photos, access is restricted by car, and in the alternative, access is unlimited by car. Neither alternative is the design solution, but they bracket the solution. The solution is found somewhere between these two alternatives.
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