1. What do people actually see, hear, smell, and feel, first, upon approaching the landscaped space or place, and second, while moving within the space or place? What are the physical attributes of the space or place?

2. What are the personal reactions to these sensory perceptions? Do people feel good, bad, or indifferent?

3. What was the intended purpose for the space or place? Has it in the past and does it currently fulfill that intended purpose?

4. Does the site have a "sense of place" that is unique unto itself? What is it and how do people react to the "genius of the place"?

To be a truly successful public space or place, it should fulfill the following basic human needs:

1. Have a rich variety of spaces, i.e. in form or shape, enclosed or open, light or dark, etc.

2. Provide for health, safety, convenience, and mobility.

3. Provide some sense of order, not be chaotic and totally random and without relationships of purpose.

4. Provide sources of inspiration, stimulation, refreshment, beauty, and delight.

With a residential space or place, there are additional basic needs that should be fulfilled. The site planning and design for a residential space or place is often, but not necessarily, done on a much smaller scale than a public space or place.

In the planning and design of a space or place, a designer will often use different materials, - notably earth, rock, water, and plants. These elements are subject to constant change through the rhythm of human activities, the natural cycles (day, night, seasons, etc.), the cumulative effects of growth and aging, decay, and alteration of uses. The light that gives it form shifts with the hour, day, and season, and the space or place is seen in sequence and over and extended period of time.

Function - A site plan should give careful attention to the pattern of human activities and use, the pattern of circulation and traffic (both vehicular and pedestrian), and the pattern of form that supports them.

Legal - All sites plans should conform to the legal requirements that govern the design, be they zoning and A.D.A. regulations for public sites or just rules for a temporary display at a flower and garden exhibition.

Site planning ingredients which produce a sense of space or place to a public site are:

1.Aspects of the existing natural environment such as landform, topography, vegetation, climate, the presence

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of water, etc.

2. Cultural expressions, such as bridges, forts, or hilltop buildings or churches, social history, physical location, human activities, and place as a cultural artifact.

3. The sensory experience, primarily visual, but taking into account all of the senses, which results from the interaction of culture with the existing landscape.

All public sites have specific roles to fulfill. As examples, recreational sites should provide opportunities for safe and pleasant times for its users. Church properties should provide a sense of order and mediation. Commercial properties should be planned to attract customers and to motivate and allow them to spend money. A corporate complex should reflect the best image of the organization by the appearance of a harmonious and distinguished arrangement of the site’s elements. When determining the excellence of a design, the specific priorities of a site’s function must be the guide; the major criteria to consider is what is the purpose of the site and how well does it carry out its function.

This process begins by determining the three main areas of the residential project:

1. The public or entry area - the place where both visitors, and often, the family enter the space; this is usually directly related to the street via a driveway or entry walk. The feeling of this space should say "Welcome, come on in!", but in some instances it can be a barrier and security check point that requires special permission for entry or leaving the area.

2. The service or utility area - the area where necessary outdoor storage, gardening, pet runs, clothes drying, and service vehicle parking might occur. This area should be screened from the other two main areas of the site and may be fenced and gated with locks for additional security.

3. The private or outdoor living area - the area where active and passive recreation might occur. Typical elements in the area might be patios, decks, pergolas, gazebos, swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, ornamental pools and fountains, and play and game areas for children and adults.

The functional aspects of these areas should be comfort, convenience, and adaptability. Aesthetic aspects should be changing seasonal color and interest, restful as well as active areas within the space, and variety with order.

Circulation to and through these three main areas is important. Circulation systems and elements should be direct without being boring, safe, durable, and easy to maintain. Paving elements for driveways, walks, patios and decks can be the most costly portion of the residential landscape and should be carefully thought out to avoid problems and unnecessary costs.

The planning and design of a public or residential project is often done on a flat, two-dimensional sheet of paper, yet the designer is trying to represent a three-dimensional space. Care must be taken in the design process to understand the impact of the three-dimensional planes of the site. These are the floor or ground plane where much of the costs are incurred for the circulation systems; the wall or vertical plane which provide a sense of enclosure or openness; and the ceiling or overhead plane which can provide a sense of protection from the climate as well as a sense of privacy. When planning, designing, and evaluating a public or residential space or place, one must be aware of these three areas and three planes, how they impact the use of the space or place and the personal impressions of the site.

Human scale and the consideration of the relationship of the size of the users of the space or place to the elements of the space or place is very important in public or residential design. For example, a children’s play area should relate to their ages and sizes and should evolve as they grow older and develop more motor skills and play activities. Likewise, adult areas should relate to the use and number of adults to be accommodated, both minimum and

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maximum numbers. A space or use area should be comfortable and convenient whether used by one person for relaxation or participating in a hobby or by several people at a party, active, game, or community event.

A project’s budget will critically impact a design. The intent of the client and the designer will be guided by the funds available for the project design, implementation, and maintenance. The types of hardscape construction elements and the particular varieties and sizes of plantings will be selected based on what the client can afford.

Maintenance is of primary importance for all sites, whether they be public or residential. The length of life for a site will be determined by how well the landscape has been designed for its maintenance. The most aesthetically pleasing landscapes are ephemeral, if the capabilities of the owner and/or the maintenance staff are not considered in the planning stages.

Spaces or places which are over-designed quickly decline aesthetically. If the designer and the client (be it home-owner or civic or corporate board) do not address the overall budgets, including the design, implementation, and maintenance budgets and the quality and performance expectations early in the design process, the success of the project will suffer the consequences. The designer of a public or residential project must take into consideration the probable annual budget for maintenance and the staff and their particular capabilities. Civic board members evaluating competitive landscape design entries for tax-supported projects are especially charged to keep the long term budget in mind.

It is critical to understand the peculiarities of a site and a specific design. An evaluator must visit the place, review the plans for the project either on site or prior to a visit, and must become knowledgeable about the terms and conditions before the judging process begins. Since criteria for each project will differ, the evaluator should become acquainted with the priorities of needs and requirements, as well as the environmental challenges of the project. By reviewing the design process for the site, an evaluator can best distinguish the degrees of excellence in its design.

Stewards of the Land, A Survey of Landscape Architecture and Design in America by the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc., 1999, Chapters 1, 30, & 31.