RHS Level 2 R2111 Survey and Design

Question 1

Define the term hazard.

Answer 1

The object (and it’s context)

Question 2

Define the term risk.

Answer 2

Likelihood of an accident X severity.

Question 3

What hazards and risks to look for….

Answer 3

Overhead/underground electricity-live cables. Identify by looking, asking, sockets, appliances, pylons, plans.
Risks- death, electric shock, fire, blackout.

Overhead/underground water- sewage, wells, leaks, stored water, guttering, mains, pipes. Identify by looking, asking, inspection covers, plans.
Risks- death, flooding, infection, contamination

Buildings/features-unsafe. Identify by rotten timber, non-vertical, damaged masonry, cracks, loose mortar.
Risks-death, squashing

Trees-unsafe, raised roots. Identify by fungi, overhead cables, rot, wounds, root rock, dead/shed branches, leaning.
Risks- death, squashing, head injury, trips, toxic sap, spines.

Topography/slope- uneven, unstable, slippy, steep. Identify by contours, map, equipment, debris, landslide.
Risks- death, falling over, slips.

Existing features- pond. Visible, plants.
Risks- death, drowning.

Access- narrow, off main road, broken surface, steps, unlit, gates. Identify by location.
Risks- death, traffic accident, back injury from carrying, tripping

Question 4

Name and describe restrictions limiting work on site.

Answer 4

Financial constraints - cash flow, price rises, unexpected Costs, unavailable material leading to higher costs.

Access for plant, equipment and materials - legal access, no direct entry to rear garden, narrow entry, road for deliveries, roadworks, need for larger equipment.

Topography/slope - use of machinery, availablity of PPE, mobility around site.

Boundary constraints - ownership, small space, disputes, physical restrictions: wall…

Time restrictions - seasons, weather, day length, deliveries, client’s schedule.

Other- preservation orders.

Question 5

What existing features should be identified in a survey…

Answer 5

Sheds, greenhouses and other buildings.
Statuary, archways, ponds.
Trees, plants to be retained.
Features which need to be removed.

Question 6

Why is it necessary to identify overhead and underground services?

Answer 6

The presence of underground services may limit where excavations can safely be made.
Overhead cables may restrict site access for large equipment.
Implications of damaging services.
Health and safety.
Cost, inconvenience, damage to soil.

Question 7

Describe how to carry out basic linear surveying techniques….

Answer 7

First determine a baseline and measure it (usually the house).
Most features such as ponds, beds etc… can be measured using offsets, these are measured at right angles off the baseline.
To plot single points or distant objects you can use triangulation. Measurements are taken from either end of the baseline to an object to give a triangle with sides of known length.
This is then plotted by drawing the baseline using a particular scale then with the same scale use a pair of compasses to generate an arc for the other two sides of the triangle, where the arcs cross is the object.
If plotting a tree note the girth of the trunk and extent of the canopy.

Question 8

What does a site appraisal entail?

Answer 8

Assessing and recording what is there, what the garden is capable of.
It comes first, looking at a site as a whole.
What is there, what the client wants, your ideas.

Question 9

What does a site survey entail?

Answer 9

Measuring and recording what is there in preparation for a plan.
Risk assessment.
Services mapped.
Features to retain.

Question 10

What needs to be recorded at a site appraisal?

Answer 10

Soil type - texture (texturing test), pH (chemical test, existing plants), structure (observe surface for standing water, dig hole), depth of topsoil (dig holes), fertility (existing plants, chemical test), contaminants & history of site.

Micro-climate - frost pockets, comparative temperatures, wind tunnel, rain shadows, suntraps, heavy shade.

Contour - Parts of the garden at the same level. Topography, slopes should be measured, ridges, undulations, terraces.

Exposure - Assess prevailing wind direction, wind speed, wind breaks, solid barriers. Location within landscape, valley, elevation…

Aspect - NSEW, use a compass, prevailing wind, shading cast by building/walls/plants. Time of year, angle, view or vista affect amount of sun.

Drainage - standing water, streams, springs, existing plants, ask client, dig holes and pour in water at different levels, assess slopes, soil texture and structure.

External features - visual assessment of particular views from/within garden including fine views and eyesores. Style and state of house should be considered.

Trees and other vegetation, particular species, effect on rest of the garden.

Question 11

Describe a successful garden design.

Answer 11

One that works will follow garden planning principles.

They ensure that it will be pleasing to the eye, demonstrating unity and cohesion.

Question 12

What are the basic principles and elements of design?

Answer 12

Unity
Balance
Colour
Form and Texture
Movement
Proportion and Scale
Space
Focal point
Rhythm
Repetition
Simplicity.

Question 13

Define Unity in garden design?

Answer 13

A thread or theme running through a garden drawing it’s separate parts into a whole.
Architecture, hard or soft landscaping, planting and features come together to form a single coherent entity.
Colour themes
Shapes repeated
Complementary materials
Particular design style.

Question 14

Describe Balance in garden design?

Answer 14

A ‘feel’ for the arrangement of items in a garden. Shows more clearly in symmetrical designs.
E.g. pair of identical pots either side of an opening.
A left to right slope can be balanced by a smaller denser weight e.g. a structure.

Question 15

Describe the importance of colour in a garden design…

Answer 15

Can come from objects, foliage and flowers.
Warm colours from yellowish green to yellow, strong autumnal colours in foliage. Flowers in cream, yellow, orange, peach shades through to bright red.
Cold colours for foliage include blue greens, grey, silver. Flowers from shades of blue, bluish pink, blue violet, blueish purples.
Blues give an impression of distance so can extend a short garden.
Reds are bold and can shorten gardens.
Greens are soothing and balancing as well as stimulating.
White can reflect the light quality at different times in the day.
Colour combinations are very subjective, colour wheel can help with choosing colour contrasts.

Question 16

What is form and Texture in a garden design?

Answer 16

These refer to plants and their shapes as well as hard landscaping materials.
In monochrome designs variation in shape and texture is very important.
Form - the three dimensional shape is considered in itself and it’s relation to other shapes. Basic regular forms are derived from primary shapes, squares, rectangle, pyramids etc… very common in formal gardens.
Plants- prostrate and carpeting, hummock and dome, erect, arching, conical, etc… Topiary.

Texture - Visual roughness or smoothness. It is relative and relies on contrasting adjacent plants or structures.
Fine texture achieved by small leaves, smooth surfaces. Texture of lawn compared with paving.
Fine texture increases apparent size and spaciousness of an object or landform.
Coarse textures include large leaves, cobbles, bricks, tufty grass.
Coarsely textured objects can be seen clearly from a distance.

Question 17

What is movement in garden design?

Answer 17

Direction and pace can be manipulated by design.
Visual movement encourages physical movement.
Paths and narrow walkways encourage investigation and brisk movement as will a change from wide to narrow.
A corner, door or gap in hedge or a distant focal point will encourage movement.
A wider area will encourage more leisurely movement.
Enclosed areas, corners, square or circular spaces provide more static restful spaces.

Question 18

Describe proportion and Scale in garden design…

Answer 18

Size of plot relative to house surroundings or environment.
Proportional relationship between garden and elements within it.
Vertical proportion - a single oversized element can make a garden appear smaller.
Horizontal proportion - path widths, patios…
Use appropriate plants and features for the space.

Question 19

Describe the use of focal points in a garden design…

Answer 19

An object, special plant, structure, sculpture etc… glimpsed at a distance will draw the eye and invite investigation.
It can be outside the garden.
Usually not more than one visible at one time.

Question 20

Describe space, rhythm, repetition and simplicity in garden design.

Answer 20

Space - open and airy, closed in, secure and secretive.
Space is created by the layout. At ground level by beds and paths, vertically by structures and plants.

Rhythm - suggests a flow between parts of the garden, particularly visually.

Repetition - repeated plant forms and colours, hard landscaping materials, structures or features.

Simplicity - avoiding over-complex, busy designs. A simpler design will emphasise the unity of a garden.

Question 21

State the meaning of symmetry.

Answer 21

Central axis with a mirror image on either side.
Commonly found in formal Knot gardens.
Can be beautiful (Harmony and balance)
Lacking interest (passive, not dynamic)

Question 22

State the meaning of asymmetry

Answer 22

Balance is still important but it’s not an exact match either side of any dividing line. Used to instill a dynamic feel.