As we are well within late summer and the dreaded hayfever season is upon us, many find themselves battling the sniffles, sneezes, and itchy eyes of seasonal allergies, like me. While you can’t control the pollen count in the broader environment, you can significantly reduce your exposure and create a more comfortable sanctuary within your own backyard through strategic landscaping.
The primary culprit of late summer and fall allergies is ragweed, a common weed that loves disturbed and forgotten areas. This evil plant releases vast quantities of extra-fine, lightweight pollen that can travel for hundreds of miles on the wind. Ragweed, being a wind-pollinated plant, requires the wind to spread its pollen from the male to female plants.
On the other hand, many people mistakenly attribute their fall allergies to the beautiful and showy Goldenrod. Goldenrod’s pollen is heavy and sticky because it is insect-pollinated, requiring the showy flower to attract insects.
a field of goldenrod and asters, both are allergy friendly, insect pollened plants
Identifying and Eliminating Ragweed
Before you can tackle ragweed, you need to know what it looks like. Common ragweed has fern-like leaves and produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers on spikes, like the plant shown in the photo. It thrives in disturbed soil and is typically found in bare patches of your lawn or garden, as well as along the edges of gravel driveways and roads.
The most effective way to reduce its impact is to remove it before it has a chance to release its pollen. Hand-pulling is a good option, especially after a rain when the soil is soft.
A ragweed plant showing its typical leaf and form, albeit a bit smaller than normal.
Tips for Allergy-Conscious Landscaping:
Beyond ragweed removal, a well-planned and maintained landscape can help reduce your exposure to these airborne allergens. Consider the following strategies:
Mindful Maintenance:
How you care for your yard can make a big difference. Keeping your lawn mowed to a height of about 5 cm or two inches helps to prevent grasses from flowering and releasing pollen. It also helps to ensure the weeds, like ragweed, are crowded out by the grass. It’s also best to tackle yard work on days with lower pollen counts, typically after a rain or in the evening.
This is what you want to avoid! A poorly maintained lawn full of blooming ragweed. By keeping the grass maintained at 5cm or 2 inches helps to avoids this.
Strategic Use of Hardscaping:
Replacing some of your lawn with patios, walkways, or decks can reduce the area where pollen-producing vegetation can grow in your yard. These surfaces are also easy to clean, preventing pollen from accumulating. However, be cautious not to have too many hard surfaces, as this can lead to excessive stormwater runoff (a different concern).
Create a Windbreak:
Planting a dense hedge of low-allergen trees or shrubs can create a natural barrier that helps filter out windblown pollen from neighbouring areas. Choose varieties that are not significant pollen producers themselves, such as cherry trees, dogwoods, or hawthorns. With this type of hedge, you will also be supporting many pollinating insects, such as butterflies.
Choosing Low-Allergen Plants for Southern Ontario
The cornerstone of an allergy-friendly garden is selecting plants that produce little to no airborne pollen. Typically, plants with large, showy flowers are insect-pollinated and are safer to use in your plan. These showy flowers are designed to attract insects and usually have a heavier, stickier pollen, which can hitchhike to the next plant when the insect stops by each flower for a quick sip of tasty nectar.
On the other hand, some trees and shrubs are dioecious, such as holly (Ilex spp.), meaning the male and female parts are on different plants. These dioecious plants typically use the wind to spread the pollen between them. If you are selecting a dioecious plant only because of its leaf characteristics, it is best to choose the female varieties, whenever possible, as they do not produce pollen.
Some of My Favourites:
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
An early spring-flowering small tree or shrub that produces a tasty, edible, blueberry-sized fruit.
Hydrangea
This later-season flowering shrub has large, round flowers that dry and stay on the shrub over winter.
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
This perennial, with its pale purple flowers, is enjoyed by many pollinating insects, including many butterflies.
Hydrangea flowerServiceberry flower
Plants to Avoid
Just as important as knowing what to plant is knowing what to avoid. Steer clear of plants that are known to be significant pollen and allergy producers, including:
High-Pollen Trees: Ash, Birch, Cedar, Elm, Oak, Pine
Grasses: Bermuda, Fescue, Timothy
Weeds: Besides ragweed, be on the lookout for other common allergenic weeds that typically have non-showy green flowers, like lamb’s quarters and nettles.
By implementing these landscaping strategies and making thoughtful plant selections, you can create a beautiful and inviting outdoor space that serves as a welcome retreat during the height of ragweed season. A little planning can go a long way in reducing your allergy symptoms and allowing you to fully enjoy your yard.
Have you ever blamed beautiful goldenrod for your sniffles? You’re not alone! Share your own allergy stories with our community below.“
**TL;DR:**
Your late summer allergies are from the ugly green-flowered ragweed, not the beautiful yellow-flowered goldenrod.
Mow or pull ragweed out of your yard now before it releases pollen.
For long-term relief:
landscape with showy, insect-pollinated flowers (like Hydrangea),
plant dense hedges to block windblown pollen,
avoid high-pollen trees like cedars, oaks and birch.
Staff News:
Owner and Landscape Architect Kevin Post recently completed the challenger’s course of the Wilderness Traverse Adventure Race. Kevin and his team completed the course in just over 31 hours, after dealing with extreme heat and a broken derailer hanger.
After the race, Kevin wait for two separate canoe trips along the Historic French River. His trip report can be found on his Linked In page:
3D scanning technology is transforming landscape design, especially for hilly and treed sites, by providing accurate and detailed spatial data. It minimizes uncertainties in the design process, improves client communication.
Do you have a Hilly or Treed Site and are considering updating your landscape design?
Our 3D scanners and 3D landscape design programs ensure your designs align.
Recently, I was out on a very sloped site, completing a 3D scan of a client’s project site. The site was so steep that I slipped a few times as I worked my way up the hill, repositioning the scanner multiple times to ensure I captured all the fine details of the existing wood stairs and the old, ruined stone ones hidden beneath. As I reviewed my iPad, guaranteeing the quality of the scan, I thought, how would one be able to accurately capture these existing conditions using the older methods, a tape measure, laser level, line altimeter, or a transit surveying, that many landscape architects and designers still use?
As a landscape architect specializing in challenging terrains featuring hills and dense tree coverage, I sincerely appreciate 3D scanning technology and its transformative effect on my work. This cutting-edge tool enhances the accuracy of my designs and significantly improves the efficiency of site assessments and planning.
Here’s how 3D scanning has become indispensable in navigating the complexities of hilly and treed environments.
Accurate Location of Site Elements and Great Details
One of the most compelling advantages of 3D scanners is their remarkable ability to capture extensive spatial data with exceptional detail and precision swiftly. In landscape architecture, every element, whether natural or manufactured, must be considered during the design phase. 3D scanning enables us to create precise digital models and a digital twin, facilitating meticulous analysis comfortably in our office. Additionally, the point cloud produced by the scanner provides a realistic visualization of the site, even if we envision specific components partially or entirely removed.
* The 3D scanner creates a point cloud or digital twin, which is made from millions of coloured dots. We use Leica’s BLK360G1 photographic Lidar 3D scanner; it has an accuracy of 6mm at 10m (1/4″ at 30′) and captures up to 360,000 points per sec. (Leica spec sheet)
Minimizing the Unknowns while our Enhanced Decision-Making
Working in 3D significantly reduces the number of unknowns in the design process, especially for our clients. Traditional surveying techniques leave information gaps, such as smugged or hard-to-read field notes or missing angles within the site photos. Many times, these information gaps can lead to complications, delays, and potential price increases as these issues and unknowns are corrected and the design modified.
On the other hand, 3D scanning allows us to proof our work on-site as we scan in real-time. On the iPad tablet, we see the site being digitally twined as the scan is completed. If any areas are missing, we reposition the scanner to ensure all areas are captured completely and accurately.
By clearly understanding the position of each element within the landscape and its surrounding context, we can plan to prevent potential design or construction conflicts with trees and buildings. We can also plan interventions that respect the existing flora and enhance the overall ecological balance.
Quick study of a patio and pergola in deferent locations in the yard, plus preliminary study of the stairs. Being able to spin the view around and look at the element within the existing context from every align allows us to provide better usable designs.
Facilitating Communication and Collaboration
Back in the office, we can use the point cloud to visualize the entire site from any angle and overlay our proposed landscape design. Our clients can easily visualize and relate to the project and its existing topography, which fosters better understanding and collaborative decision-making. This allows us to discuss comprehensively how the proposed designs will interact with the existing landscape, including the surrounding context, such as views from neighbours’ windows and shade from existing buildings and trees.
Similarly, construction teams can utilize the 3D scan and detailed 3D models during pricing and implementation, ensuring the vision is executed accurately. This proactive approach minimizes surprises and helps ensure designs align smoothly with your vision while blending perfectly with the slopes and contours of the land.
Closing Thoughts
Integrating 3D scanning into my landscape architecture practice has revolutionized how I approach projects, especially those on hilly and wooded sites. This technology provides rich, accurate data about the landscape and empowers me to design responsibly while minimizing the environmental impact. With 3D scanning, I can confidently navigate the complexities of each site, ensuring sustainable and aesthetically pleasing outcomes that honour the beauty of nature. As landscape architecture continues to evolve, embracing these technological advancements will be key to achieving innovative and environmentally conscious designs.
**TL;DR:**
3D scanning technology is transforming landscape design, especially for hilly and treed sites, by providing accurate and detailed spatial data.
It minimizes uncertainties in the design process, improves client communication, and allows for real-time adjustments on-site.
Utilizing tools like the Lecia’s BLK360G1 scanner enhances the accuracy of designs, facilitates collaboration, and promotes sustainable practices in landscape architecture.
Staff News:
Owner and Landscape Architect Kevin Post recently received his Orienteering Canadian O100 certification and is halfway through his O200 certification. These certifications prove that the event organizers have the fundamental knowledge and experience to create safe and challenging orienteering races for all levels. He also designed the well-received Toronto Orienteering Club’s Cup racecourse under the mentorship of the club’s president, Andrew.
3D scanning technology is transforming landscape design, especially for hilly and treed sites, by providing accurate and detailed spatial data. It minimizes uncertainties in the design process, improves client communication.
Traditionally, landscape and building designs have been treated as separate disciplines, each with its own priorities and processes. However, by considering them as complementary components of a unified plan, designers can unlock a multitude of benefits. This approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of a space but also increases its functionality and sustainability.
Aesthetically integrated design ensures that the architecture and surrounding environment complement each other. This results in a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, where the built environment appears as a natural extension of the landscape. Such harmony creates visually appealing spaces that invite occupants to engage more fully with their surroundings.
From a functional perspective, integrated design allows for optimizing space usage. By aligning the architectural and landscape elements, designers can create multifunctional areas that serve various purposes. For instance, a terrace can double as a green roof, providing leisure space while enhancing the building’s insulation and buffering stormwater. Similarly, strategically placed vegetation can offer natural shading, reducing the need for artificial cooling systems. When landscape and building are designed in tandem, it becomes easier to incorporate eco-friendly elements such as rainwater harvesting and stormwater buffering, natural ventilation, and renewable energy sources. These features reduce the environmental footprint and contribute to the project’s long-term efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
This introduction sets the stage for a detailed exploration of specific examples and strategies for achieving integrated design. We can gain valuable insights into creating beautiful, functional, sustainable, and resilient spaces by examining successful case studies and innovative practices.
Benefits of Integrating Landscape and Building Design
Thoughtfully designed landscapes that harmonize with building structures invite occupants to utilize outdoor spaces for various activities, transforming them into extensions of the living or working environment. This synergy fosters a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor areas, promoting a sense of openness and fluidity.
Moreover, the integration of landscape and building design contributes to the enhancement of the natural environment. By incorporating native plants, trees, and green spaces, designers can support local biodiversity and create habitats for wildlife. These elements beautify the surroundings and play a crucial role in environmental conservation. Green roofs and walls, for instance, can mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and provide insulation, reducing the reliance on artificial climate control systems.
The promotion of passive and active recreation opportunities is another significant benefit. Integrated designs enable the development of multifunctional spaces that cater to various physical activities, such as walking, jogging, cycling, and yoga. These spaces encourage residents and visitors to engage in recreational activities, contributing to their physical and mental well-being and social interaction. Additionally, tranquil garden spaces and seating areas offer opportunities for passive recreation, meditation and self-reflection, allowing individuals to relax and unwind amidst nature.
Effective stormwater management is an essential consideration in contemporary design practices. Integrating landscape and building design can improve stormwater management by incorporating permeable pavements, green roofs, rain gardens, and bioswales. These elements help to absorb and filter rainwater, reducing surface runoff, minimizing the risk of flooding, and even capturing toxic chemicals from cars. Furthermore, they contribute to groundwater recharge and the watershed’s overall health.
Ultimately, integrating landscape and building design leads to the development of healthier, more vibrant, and sustainable communities. By fostering a harmonious relationship between built and natural environments, such designs enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike, promoting a balanced and sustainable future.
Case Study: Vancouver Convention Centre
The Vancouver Convention Centre stands as a quintessential integrated design model, seamlessly merging its architectural elements with the surrounding landscape. Located along the downtown waterfront, this iconic structure exemplifies how thoughtful design can harmonize built environments with natural surroundings, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and functional utility.
One of the standout features of the Vancouver Convention Centre is its extensive green roof, spanning over six acres. This living roof is not merely an aesthetic choice but a sustainable solution that supports a diverse ecosystem. It hosts over 400,000 indigenous plants and grasses, providing habitat for birds, bees, and other pollinators. The green roof also contributes to the building’s energy efficiency by providing natural insulation, reducing heat islands, and managing stormwater runoff.
Waterfront access is another critical element that integrates the Vancouver Convention Centre with its surroundings. The design includes an expansive promenade that allows unobstructed public access to the waterfront, blurring the lines between the built environment and the natural landscape. This connectivity encourages community engagement and recreates a sense of place that resonates with residents and visitors. The strategic placement of large glass facades ensures that the scenic beauty of Vancouver’s harbour and mountains is a constant backdrop, enhancing the overall experience of the space.
Sustainable building practices are deeply embedded in the design and operation of the Vancouver Convention Centre. The structure is LEED Platinum certified, reflecting its commitment to environmental stewardship. Features such as a seawater heating and cooling system, on-site water treatment, and locally sourced, sustainable materials underscore the building’s dedication to reducing its ecological footprint. These elements demonstrate how integrated design can balance functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic harmony.
Overall, the Vancouver Convention Centre exemplifies how landscape and building design can be thoughtfully integrated to create seamless, sustainable spaces that serve both human and environmental needs. Its innovative approach and successful execution make it a landmark case study in integrated design.
The Vancouver Convention Centre was designed by LMN Architects and MCM Architects, with landscape architecture by PWL Partnership. (https://lmnarchitects.com/project/vancouver-convention-centre-west)
Case Study: BaseCamp Lyngby
BaseCamp Lyngby, located in Denmark, is a premier example of how integrated design can create a harmonious living environment. The project masterfully combines residential spaces with lush landscapes, resulting in a balanced and aesthetically pleasing space that caters to the needs of its residents. The design philosophy behind BaseCamp Lyngby emphasizes a seamless blend of architecture and nature, fostering a sense of community and well-being.
One of the standout features of BaseCamp Lyngby is its communal gardens. These shared green spaces are strategically placed throughout the development, providing residents with areas to relax, socialize, and engage in outdoor activities. The communal gardens are not just aesthetic additions but functional spaces that enhance the overall quality of life. By promoting interaction among residents, these gardens foster a strong sense of community and belonging.
Another critical element contributing to the project’s success is the implementation of green roofs. These roofs are covered with vegetation, which enhances the buildings’ visual appeal and offers several environmental benefits. Green roofs help regulate building temperatures, reduce energy consumption, and improve air quality. Moreover, they serve as additional green spaces where residents can unwind and connect with nature.
Natural pathways are also a key feature of BaseCamp Lyngby’s design. These pathways meander through the development, linking different residential units and communal areas. Using natural materials and organic shapes in the pathways’ design creates a sense of continuity between the built environment and the surrounding landscape. This thoughtful integration ensures that residents enjoy easy and pleasant walks, further enhancing their connection to the natural world.
BaseCamp Lyngby exemplifies how thoughtful design can create a seamless and harmonious living environment. By integrating communal gardens, green roofs, and natural pathways, the project successfully merges residential spaces with lush landscapes, offering residents an exceptional quality of life.
BaseCamp Lyngby was designed by Lars Gitz Architects with landscape architecture by Kragh Berglund Landscape Architecture and Urban Design. (https://www.larsgitz.com/project/basecamp/)
Strategies for Achieving Seamless Design
Creating a seamless integration between landscape and building design requires a multifaceted approach that combines collaborative planning, sustainable practices, and advanced technology. One of the foundational strategies is fostering a cooperative planning process from the beginning of the project by bringing together architects, landscape architects, urban planners, and engineers from the outset. This collective approach ensures that both the built environment and the surrounding landscape are considered holistically, leading to more harmonious and functional spaces.
Leveraging technology, particularly Building Information Modeling (BIM), is essential for cohesive planning. BIM allows for the creation of detailed, three-dimensional models that integrate all elements of the architecture, plus the landscape. This technology facilitates better visualization and coordination among different design disciplines, reducing the risk of conflicts and ensuring that all components work together seamlessly.
By employing these strategies—collaborative planning and utilizing advanced technology—architects, engineers, landscape architects, and urban planners can create aesthetically pleasing, environmentally responsible, and functionally coherent spaces.
Future Trends in Integrated Landscape and Building Design
Integrating landscape and building design is becoming increasingly crucial as we move towards a more sustainable future. Innovations in sustainable design are at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. One of the most significant trends is the incorporation of green building technologies, such as green roofs and walls, which enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings, contribute to energy efficiency and biodiversity, and increase useable space. These technologies are evolving rapidly, offering new materials and methods to create more environmentally friendly and resilient structures.
Societal needs also influence the direction of integrated landscape and building design. As populations grow and urbanize, there is a greater demand for multifunctional spaces that cater to diverse activities and promote well-being. This trend drives the creation of mixed-use developments that seamlessly blend residential, commercial, and recreational areas with green spaces. These designs foster a sense of community and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Moreover, digital technologies are playing an essential role in advancing integrated design. Tools such as 3D modelling, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enable the design team to create more precise and efficient designs. These technologies facilitate better collaboration between disciplines, ensuring that landscape and building elements are harmoniously integrated from the outset.
In conclusion, the future of integrated landscape and building design is bright, with sustainability, resilience, and technological innovation driving progress. As we continue to face environmental challenges and evolving societal needs, the seamless integration of natural and built environments will be vital in creating harmonious and sustainable spaces for future generations.
Introduction to Integrated Design Traditionally, landscape and building designs have been treated as separate disciplines, each with its own priorities and processes. However, by considering them as complementary components of a unified plan, designers can unlock a multitude of benefits. This approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of a space but also increases its…
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