The earliest references to man-made “residential gardens” emerge when the first civilizations first associated with vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and other foodstuffs adjacent to homes were introduced. With the unfolding of history and the fruit of times characterized by stability and security, recreational and leisure spaces began to be created, which were understood as the ‘paradises on earth’ of men.
With the evolution of the art of building, both at the architectural and engineering level and at the level of the natural landscape, the residential or domestic gardens were planned and designed in a way to establish a more direct relationship with the house, extending the comfort, and in some cases, the luxuries of the houses to the exterior. In fact, it is believed that the Romans were the great movers and shakers of the private residential garden by the definition of courtyards / gardens, flanked by peristals and arcades in the ‘interior’ of the house and by the combination of various elements in the gardens like ornamental plants, walks, trellises / pergolas and decorative elements such as statuary and water fountains, among others.
Creating Residential Gardens
In a first step define the circulation, automobile and pedestrian, the spaces of stay and leisure, the spaces of active recreation and the spaces of contemplation, so that they better respond to its needs like primary users of the space.
Choose plants that fit the different functions of each area. These in addition to their ornamental character, when well chosen, can also become structuring elements of space helping to create different points of view and a garden with surprises at every corner. Because of its sculptural character, certain plants are great elements to build a living space for contemplation. Partitions, mirrors and decoration also help to adorn both the spaces of stay and those of contemplation.
Circulation
In the circulation area, it is very important to choose durable flooring suitable for the type of use. If you need a driveway and parking area for your car choose a floor that is resistant enough to the load / weight of the car, the granite microcube sidewalk is a good option due to its mechanical resistance and reduced maintenance. Avoid the use of gravel, grass grates or even grass lawns as they will show poor performance. On the pedestrian paths, the ties, whether in stone or concrete, may prove to be a good option for their potential in integrating harmoniously with the garden, as long as well planned and adjusted to space.
Spaces of Stay and Leisure
In these areas is usually defined a paved dining area that has a direct relationship with the living room and / or kitchen. It can be paved with the most diverse materials, from stone and ceramics, more suitable to more shaded areas, to wooden decks for more sunny areas. They should be complemented with the presence of elements that provide shade like pergolas and / or trees and by elements with a more decorative character such as shrub and herbaceous beds, furniture, vases, among others.
Recreational Spaces
Usually they are characterized by being broader areas and directed to the possibility of practicing physical activities, such as playing ball, running, jumping and other activities to the taste of the young. Normally defined by a grassy area may also include water elements such as the pool, which not only enhances the practice of exercise but also brings advantages to the level of regulation of the ambient temperature and constitutes a scenic element of contemplation that values the villa and the garden .
Privacy and vegetation
In the residential gardens, safety and privacy are important elements and therefore they should be given special attention in a Landscape Architecture project, especially if their dwelling is exposed to noise and visual noise from outside. In this sense you can only use inert materials such as metal fences or walls, or you can use the combined use of fences and vegetation that will surely make your house and garden more inviting and fluid.
One option, for example, is to use live hedgerows to delimit the property, such as the Yew, Taxus baccata or the Azereiro, Prunus lusitanica, since these are evergreen species of moderate growth requiring less maintenance than others commonly used in the garden, such as cypress and cedar.
