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Fundamental Landscape Architecture Terms
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Axis
An imaginary line that organizes a sequence of spaces or elements in the landscape.
Berm
A raised section of earth used for screening or improving drainage; it can also add aesthetic contours to the landscape.
Vista
A designed or natural viewpoint that creates a framed view of a landscape, structure, or feature.
Allee
A walkway lined with trees or tall shrubs which creates a sense of enclosure and elongates the perspective.
Hardscape
The non-living elements of landscaping, such as walkways, walls, patios, and rocks.
Softscape
The living, horticultural elements of landscaping, such as plants, flowers, grass, and trees.
Swale
A low-lying or depressed and often wet stretch of land which is used for drainage or as a boundary feature.
Terracing
Creating graduated flat areas in a sloped landscape, which can reduce erosion and make steep land more usable.
Gazebo
A freestanding, open-sided structure usually covered with a roof, providing shade and a decorative feature in a landscape.
Pergola
An outdoor structure consisting of a framework covered with trained climbing or trailing plants.
Xeriscaping
A landscaping method that uses drought-resistant plants and techniques to conserve water.
Folly
A purely decorative building or structure in a garden or landscape that has no practical purpose.
Biophilia
The inherent human tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.
Ecotone
A transitional area between two ecological communities, with characteristics of both and often high biodiversity.
Fenestration
The arrangement, proportion, and design of windows in a building, affecting views to and from the landscape.
Curvilinear
Arranged in or characterized by curved lines, as opposed to rectilinear, which involves straight lines.
Rectilinear
Characterized by straight lines, and right angles, commonly used in formal landscape design.
Green Roof
A roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation planted over a waterproofing membrane.
Greenway
A corridor of protected open space managed for conservation and recreation purposes, linking parks, nature reserves, or cultural features.
Labyrinth
A complex and intricate pathway design that leads to a central point, used as a meditative journey or ornamental garden feature.
Pavilion
An open-sided, often temporary structure or shelter in a park, garden, or recreational area.
Retaining Wall
A structure designed and constructed to resist the lateral pressure of soil when there is a desired change in ground elevation.
Topiary
The horticultural practice of shaping plants into ornamental and often elaborate designs by clipping foliage and twigs of trees and shrubs.
Water Feature
A design element that incorporates water in the landscape, like fountains, ponds, streams, or waterfalls.
Zoning
The process of planning for land use in a way that groups certain kinds of construction and land use in one area.
Native Planting
The use of plants endemic to the region in landscaping to promote local biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Brownfield
A property which has the presence or potential to be a hazardous waste, pollutant, or contaminant.
Rain Garden
A shallow, vegetated basin that collects and absorbs runoff from impervious urban areas, like rooftops, driveways, walkways, and compacted lawn areas.
Riparian
Pertaining to the interface between land and a flowing surface water body, important in ecology and resource management.
Sustainable Design
Design practices that reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants.
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