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…
Have you ever struggled to visualize how a landscape design will look and function in your outdoor space? It can be challenging to fully understand the scope and impact of a design plan based solely on 2D drawings or computer renderings, and some people may never fully grasp it. This lack of clarity can lead to disappointment and costly changes during the construction phase.
At Beyond The POST, we understand how crucial it is to ensure that the final landscape design concept outcome meets your expectations and aligns with your vision. That’s why we offer a solution that enables you, as our client, to have a physical experience of your landscape designs before the construction process begins. By integrating virtual reality technology into our design process, we provide assurance and confidence that traditional methods cannot match.
Walking Through Your Design in Virtual Reality
Imagine stepping into your future outdoor space and exploring it from every angle. With our virtual reality experience, you can do just that. When you wear a VR headset, you enter into a realistic, immersive 3D representation of your landscape design. You can walk through pathways, admire the plantings, and even “sit” in the proposed seating areas.
This immersive experience allows you to truly understand the scale and proportions of the design. You can understand how different elements relate to one another and how they fit within the context of your property. It’s like a virtual test drive for your outdoor space.
The Benefits of Virtual Reality in Landscape Design
Investing in a virtual reality walkthrough for landscape design may seem like an additional expense, but it is a worthwhile investment that can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run. Here are some of the key benefits:
Accurate Visualization Virtual reality allows you to see your design in a 1 to 1 scale, providing a much more precise representation than traditional drawings or computer renderings. This level of detail enables you to make informed decisions on everything from layout to material selection and ensure that the design meets your expectations.
Early Problem Identification By experiencing your design in virtual reality, you can identify potential issues or challenges before construction begins. This early problem identification can prevent costly changes or delays down the line. It avoids the “I wish I had known that would be that size or look like that.”
Improved Communication Virtual reality also enhances communication between you, the client, and our design team. It eliminates the ambiguity that often arises when describing a design concept or envisioning the final result. With virtual reality, you can examine the space, while we see what you see, leading to a smoother and more collaborative design process.
Design Optimization With active links between your virtual reality tour and our modelling program, we can even make minor changes during our meeting, allowing you to see the results and impacts of your comments while immersed. You can experiment with different materials, colours, and layouts to find the perfect combination that suits your taste and preferences. This iterative process ensures you have a perfectly tailored final design to your needs.
Conclusion
Virtual reality is revolutionizing the way we approach landscape design. It provides an understanding and confidence that traditional methods simply cannot match. By investing in virtual reality, you are investing in the future of your outdoor space. You can ensure that what is built is exactly what you want, saving you time, money, and potential disappointment.
This video clip is our first trial of a virtual reality site visit – the quality is not the best, but it gives you a clear idea of what our technology is capable of – imagine that you are fully immersed and what you see in the video surrounds you. We use this digital twin as the base model, then overlay all the parts of your wishes and needs to create the best concept for you and your family.
Beyond The POST is committed to staying at the forefront of landscape architecture and design. We believe that embracing new technologies, such as virtual reality and 3D scanning technology, is essential to providing our clients with the best possible service and results. Contact us today to learn more about how virtual reality can transform your landscape design experience.
Four Benefits of Virtual Reality in Landscape Design and Review Process. Investing in a virtual reality tour of landscape design may seem like an additional expense, but it is a worthwhile investment that can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run. Here are some of the key benefits
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
