Designing Hard Landscape

Hardscaping is a term extensively used for highlyremains low in comparison to the rural area. In this
urbanized area. It deals with the practice ofcondition these areas have to largely depend on the
landscaping in a particular area for particular purpose.imported water from lakes, dams, rivers or
In broad terms it stands for the practice of makingreservoirs.
side walks and streets, housing developments andHardscaping is done by the specialists like landscape
business complexes. The main feature of this practicearchitectures. They are experienced people with
is that upper surface profile developed is notgood idea of materials required for designing the hard
exposed to the actual surface of the earth. In otherlandscape. They know how to improve a particular
words the surface has nothing to do with the actualarea of landscape to meet the needs of the localized
soil of the land. It happens in the massively urbanizedpeople. The materials required for hard landscape
areas.designing include gravel, brick, stone, bitumen, timber,
The whole process of hardscaping requires artificialconcrete and metals. A hardscape designer has to
method of construction. It is done to make thechoose materials that are compatible to each other.
drainage or run off to carry heavy volumes of waterIt is necessary as they have to do things like planning
in case of heavy rain. The water then gets absorbedarchitecture, interior designing, garden designing and
in to the ground through the bare soil. Thus housingsuch other designing. While designing the urban
complex or business premises are quite safe withsocieties designer has to deal with other outdoor
minimum water interference. This is necessarylandscape products and materials also.
particularly in condition of hurricanes, thunderstormsThe basic purpose of such designing is to provide a
or typhoon. In the absence of this landscapewell designed environment that facilitate easy and
designing heavy rush of water may create majorcomfortable environment for human activities. It
problems for the people staying or visiting this area.ranges from large scale civic environments to the
The water level in the highly urbanized area is usuallypersonal surroundings. It is usually opposed to the
low. It happens because rain water is not absorbed innatural environment but designers try to give them a
to the ground as the area is least exposed to thenatural look giving soothing effect.
actual surface of the earth. Hence water table