Figure 2-44
The outdoor dining space should use all three planes of enclosure for a roomlike feeling. Although there may be other important factors to consider, it should be stressed that a pool is likely to be the dominant element of a design owing to its uniqueness, thus making it an extremely important element requiring extensive study. A wall or fence may be needed to enclose the work/storage space for security and/or to screen it from other spaces on the site. Many vegetables have attractive flowers and foliage texture. SUMMARY______________________
Outdoor rooms are the residential designer’s building blocks. In all cases, thought should be given to (1) size of the pool desired based on the intended use (leisure, serious swimming, visual focal point), (2) adequate pedestrian circulation around the pool, (3) location of the pool in relation to the other functions on the site, (4) location of the pool’s mechanical system and equipment, (5) ease of access by heavy equipment for constructing the pool, and (6) local ordinances governing fence type and height around the pool for protection of children and animals. Garden Space The garden space is another utilitarian area on the residential site. These include the recreation space, work/storage space, and garden space. All of this suggests
Figure 2-49
Plant materials and fences can be used to screen the garden. Its function is to store such things as firewood, garden and recreation equipment, and other items that are too large or unnecessary to keep in the house, garage, or cellar. If continuous sun exposure is not possible throughout the day, then morning and midday sun is preferred. The lawn area is often an undefined entity that takes up all of the remaining area of the site after other elements are located. The garden space should also be located so it won’t become an eyesore, especially during those times of the year when vegetables and other plants are not growing. Several other outdoor spaces or rooms also deserve attention. Outdoor Work/Storage Space The outdoor work/storage space is primarily a utilitarian room on the residential site. This gives the garden a neat and organized appearance and makes it easier to tend the vegetables while standing. Inside the work/storage space, a work/potting bench, shelves, and enclosed or covered storage might be provided. It should not be too close to other
spaces that require peace and quiet or where delicate elements such as flowers and potted plants are located. It exists as a work or hobby space for raising fruits, vegetables, and perennial flower beds. It can be quite unsightly to look at a bare earthen patch in the backyard. work/storage space should have a hard, durable, and nonslip pavement surface. Ideally, the garden needs to be near a water source such as a well or outside water spigot. that the back corner of the property, where the garden is commonly located by default on many sites, isn’t necessarily the only or best location. Much of this can be designed and built in a coordinated manner (Figure 2-48). Having completed this chapter, you should now have an understanding of the following:
• Definition of outdoor space
• The three planes of spatial enclosure and the functions of each
• Landscape elements that define each of the three planes of spatial enclosure
• Outdoor rooms that are recommended for the residential landscape
• Zones of the outdoor arrival and entry space and the location of each
• Recommendations for views and legal constraints along the street in front of the residence
• Guidelines for the driveway dimensions, safety for the opening of car doors, driveway edge, and the landing within the driveway space
• Considerations for making a pleasant walk to the front door including walk width and slope, direction of walk, enclosure, views, and use of focal points in the entry walk space
• Suggestions for size, proportion, relation to front door movement, pavement, vertical and overhead planes, and use of feature elements in the outdoor foyer space
• Guidelines for the outdoor living and entertaining space including size and proportion, subspaces, arrangement of furniture, circulation, pavement, vertical and overhead planes, and connections to adjoining outdoor and indoor areas
• Recommendations for the outdoor food preparation space such as location, circulation, relation to wind direction and nearby plant materials, and ways to accommodate cooking tools and equipment
• Criteria for the outdoor dining space such as location and size, plan proportion, and planes of enclosure
• Requirements of the outdoor recreation space(s) including size, noise, and needed equipment
• Suggested location, pavement surface, enclosure, and ways to support potting, crafts, and other related gardening activities in the outdoor work/storage space
• Guidelines for the garden that consider location, sun, access of equipment, connection to utilities, and views Shrubs, fences, or walls may be used to provide varying degrees of screening of the garden (Figure 2-49). Pools are a specialty item in some regions of the country, but quite typical in others. The shape of the recreation space should be appropriately and adequately sized for the type of recreation. Figure 2-50
Vegetables can be integrated with masses of other plant materials. Beyond the functional requirements, the recreation space should be defined as an outdoor room. The edge and shape of the lawn area should not be an
Figure 2-46
A continuous ground-cover edge and masses of plant materials can be used in designing the recreation area. As discussed later, the outer shape and outline of the lawn area should be given as much study as the form of any other space on the site. Mid — to late-afternoon sun is the least desirable because it is the hottest and most drying. Recreation Space The outdoor recreation space should of course be located on flat ground, with a slight slope for adequate drainage. Figure 2-45
The outdoor dining space may be designed as a subspace of the living and entertaining space. One is to incorporate the planting of vegetables with other plants in the yard rather than creating a separate vegetable garden. For these functions to occur, the outdoor work/storage space should be located near the garage or basement door so materials and equipment can be easily carried between them (Figure 2-47). afterthought or be left to chance.
