Which outdoor areas can be included in garden and landscape design?

Garden and landscape design encompasses a wide variety of outdoor spaces, ranging from intimate private areas to expansive public environments. These designs integrate structural elements, water features, and functional furnishings to create cohesive spaces.123

Types of Outdoor Spaces

• Private Gardens: Historically centered on individual expression and seclusion, these spaces range from tiny courtyards to larger residential lots. They serve as a retreat from the social and physical world, utilizing greenery and space to foster a sense of privacy.4
• Public Landscapes: These include designed green spaces such as parks, which evolved from the expansion of private garden scales to meet the needs of the public. Public areas also incorporate functional infrastructure like kiosks, service elements, and seating to accommodate community use.42
• Plazas: These are structural public open spaces that are typically not dominated by foliage, serving as traditional meeting places.4

Key Design Elements

• Structural Components: Designs incorporate structures related to the earth, enclosures, shelters, and engineering works.1
• Water Features: Essential to most landscapes, water is used in natural forms like streams and ponds or structural elements like pools, fountains, and irrigation systems.3
• Furnishings: Fixed and movable items—such as seats, tables, lighting, and containers—are critical to the utility and visual experience of both private and public landscapes.2