Importance Of Texture In Landscape Design: Architectural CAD Drafting
The AEC Associates Architectural CAD Drafting services play with different elements of landscape design to produce breathtaking parks, gardens and other open spaces. We have been discussing various elements in our posts- line, form, color- and how they are used by Architectural CAD drafting to design aesthetically pleasing and functionally viable landscapes. We will talk about the importance of texture in landscape design in this post.
Texture
Texture is used to provide variety, add interest and create contrast to a landscape. Basically texture refers to how fine or coarse the surface of a plant or other materials used feel or look. Everything has a texture- plant’s foliage, flowers, bark and also the overall branching pattern. Above all, the size and shape of leaves determines the perceived texture of the plant.
Types of texture
One can generally describe three types of texture- coarse, medium and fine. Coarse texture is the dominant one; it also tends to dominate color and form. Fine texture, on the other hand, remains subordinate to other properties and tends to unify a composition. The light and dark contrasts of the shadows in a coarse surface create more interest and thus attract and hold the eye. While fine texture exaggerates distance and gives an impression of a larger, more open space; coarse texture minimizes distance, giving the impression of a smaller or enclosed space.
Coarse texture
Each leaf of a coarse plant breaks up the outline, giving the plant a looser form. Coarse texture may be created by large leaves, leaves with irregular edges or bold and deep veins, thick twigs and branches and so on.
Examples- Philodendrons, Bromeliads and Palms etc.
Hardscape examples- rough-cut stones, rough-finished bricks, and unfinished wood with knots etc.
Fine texture
Architectural CAD drafting may use plants with several characteristics that create fine texture, such as, small foliage, thin strappy leaves, grass, tiny dense twigs, vines and small delicate flowers etc. Fine textured plants can sometimes have a stronger form as small individual leaves may be densely packed to provide a solid edge.
Examples- Japanese maple, grasses, ferns, vines etc.
Hardscape examples- smooth bricks and stones, smooth wood, ceramic pots etc.
Texture is an important element for Architectural CAD drafting in order to create nice, visually pleasing landscapes. We shall continue discussing the significance of texture and its properties in our next post.
