Integration of spaces, paths, edges, thresholds, foci in landscape design

The integration of spaces, paths, edges, thresholds, and foci is an important aspect of landscape design, as it helps to create a cohesive and functional outdoor environment. Spaces refer to distinct areas within the landscape, such as seating areas or play areas, while paths provide connections between these spaces. Edges are the boundaries between spaces, and thresholds are points of transition from one area to another. Foci are the key elements within a landscape that draw the eye and create a sense of visual interest, such as a water feature or a sculpture.

In landscape design, it is important to consider the relationship between these elements and how they work together to create a cohesive whole. For example, paths should be designed to connect spaces in an efficient and aesthetically pleasing way, while edges should be carefully considered to define and separate spaces without creating a sense of division. Thresholds should be designed to create a smooth transition between spaces, and foci should be strategically placed to draw the eye and create a sense of interest and intrigue.

By considering these elements in the design process, landscape architects and designers can create outdoor spaces that are not only visually appealing but also functional and enjoyable to use.

Space

Landscape architecture essentially involves organizing and dividing land. Spaces are the result of this division and thus the primary medium of design. Spaces provide for different human uses and enjoyment of the landscape.

Public spaces need to function for an extremely wide range of uses including:
• social and recreational purposes, for example, gathering, eating, dancing
• work, for example, buying, selling, mending, studying
• health and fitness
• aesthetic and cultural purposes (linked to social and recreational)
• ecological and environmental purposes.

Path

Paths can be defined as:
• linear landscape spaces for travel
• linking forms that create networks of circulation in the landscape
• linear surfaced areas.

Paths are adopted and made to enable people and wildlife to travel easily between and within places. Paths are not only places of movement but, for example in cities, streets become social and recreational places. Paths are also places of recreation when they are travelled for pleasure. In design, the landscape architect considers both movement for pleasure and necessity alongside the static social activities that may occur and can be facilitated on paths. Good path design is thus a primary method of enabling and encouraging access and enjoyment of the landscape. As paths play this key role, they are considered – together with spaces – part of the fundamental structure of landscapes.

Edge

An edge can be defined as:
• the linear interface between two spaces or regions of a landscape that have different functions and/or physical characters
• a thickened permeable ‘wall’ plane
• a transitional or ‘in-between’ linear zone
• a seam of ‘interlock’ in landscape
• an ecotone
• a boundary
• a horizon.

An edge occurs at the place where openness (space) transforms into the solidity of enclosing elements. In landscape architecture, harsh and immediate transitions from space to solid are often neither desirable nor feasible. This is due, in part, to the nature of landscape elements particularly vegetation. Plants ‘mesh’ space within their form. Sudden transitions in designed space ignore the potential of spatial subtleties and the social and ecological opportunities that transitional places offer. The enclosing edge of a space is often a well-used place. This is considered so important to spatial thinking in landscape architecture
that a part of this book is devoted to the design and consideration of edges both as enclosing elements of space and as places in their own right

Foci

A focus can be defined as:
• a form or centralized group of forms (often vertical) that contrast(s) with the surrounding landscape
• a landscape form which assists orientation
• a form that marks a place of spiritual, cultural or social significance attracting people and becoming a destination and gathering point
• an ‘event’ in the landscape.

Foci play a significant role in human use and experience of landscape. As the definitions of the term suggest, foci mark places of cultural significance, help people to orient themselves and attract people as places of differentiation. Foci may be natural forms ‘adopted’ by people, or they may be specifically created for any of the functions described above.

Threshold

A threshold can be defined as:
• a small transitional space between larger spaces or paths
• an ‘in between’ place
• a space on an edge
• a landscape form that visually links one place with another
• an entrance place or gateway
• a place of ending or beginning, rest and anticipation.

Thresholds are places of transition and, if well designed, places that help to integrate the physical landscape and the experience of it. Thresholds give spatial configuration to people’s need to adjust from one situation or experience to another. They are places in which people wait, rest, anticipate, arrive and leave, greet, contemplate, change – they are places in which to acclimatise or prepare. A threshold can often provide visual and physical integration of the landscape if it possesses qualities of both the spaces it connects – the environment that is being left behind as well as the place being entered.

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