Landscape design is a creative and complex process that involves making decisions about how to best use land in order to create an aesthetically pleasing outdoor environment. To achieve this, designers must be familiar with the various scales used in landscape design.
The Different Scales Used in Landscape Design
The main scales used in landscape design are: site scale, regional scale, and human scale. Site scale relates to the immediate area of the site, while regional scale deals with the overall context of the surrounding area. Finally, human scale deals with how people will interact with and experience the landscape.
Site Scale
At a site-scale level, designers must consider factors such as topography, soil type, vegetation, structures (e.g.
buildings), hydrology (water sources), climate conditions, and access. Designers must also consider how these factors interact with one another to create an aesthetically pleasing environment that meets specific goals or objectives for the site.
Regional Scale
At a regional scale level, designers must consider the context of their project within its wider surroundings. This includes looking at things such as existing land uses (e., residential areas), nearby bodies of water (e., rivers or lakes), transportation networks (e., roads or railways), and other features that can affect how a landscape may look and function over time (e., topography).
Human Scale
Finally, at a human-scale level, designers must consider how people will interact with and experience the landscape on an individual level. This includes things such as pathways for walking or cycling; seating areas for relaxation; lighting for safety; signage for wayfinding; and other physical elements that can make a space more enjoyable to use or move through.
Conclusion: What Scale Is Used for Landscape Design?
In conclusion, when it comes to designing a landscape there are three main scales used: site scale which deals with the immediate area of the site; regional scale which looks at its context within its wider surroundings; and human scale which considers how people will interact with and experience the landscape on an individual level.