It is very helpful in the designing process to be able to use maps. First of all, it is a tool to write down all the observations from the space, such as existing trees and vegetation, entries, bad drainage, shadows etc. And second, it will help us to place out the different elements in the garden taking in account the right proportion. Using different layers, it is even possible to see different information gathered separately at the same time later on. For example, I have drawn the shadows from the buildings and the trees on the map a summer morning. Now I want to place out the horticulture raised beds. With the shadow map as a background layer, I can move around the correct sized raised bed on the map to try to fit them in on a sunny place.
- How does scale drawing work?
- How do I draw a map of my spot?
- How can I use the map in designing my therapeutic garden?
How does scale drawing work?
We use units of measurement to create a ratio that is our scale. The ratio compares two things. It compares a small drawing or a figure size of the object or place to the actual size of the object or place.
A scale of 1 to 1 (scale 1:1) means that 1 centimeter on the paper represents 1 centimeter in real space. This is easy with a small object like a pencil. Here is a picture with the scale 1:1.
Imagen 8. Escala 1:1 de un lápiz
When it comes to a garden object, I would not be possible to draw in real size on this paper so I have to scale it.
We can make scales of any size. One centimeter can represent 1,000 meters if we want our map to show a very large area, such as a continent. One centimeter might represent 1 meter if the map shows a small space, such as a room or a small garden.
Let’s start by thinking about distances on a map. On a map, we have a scale that is usually found in the corner.
Imagen 9. Ejemplo de mapa a escala. Dibujo de Jardines Terapéuticos Palmlof.
This scale tells us how many centimeters on the map represents the real size. In this case the scale is 1:100, 1 centimeter on the map represents 100 cm (1 meter) in reality. We observe that the table measures 1,2 cm on this paper. The table measures 120 cm in reality.
Maps of therapeutic gardens are usually drawn in the scale 1:100 or 1:200. Where 1 cm on the map represent 1 or 2 meters.
How do I draw a map of my spot?
There are many ways of drawing a map that will later serve you as a tool to experiment and help you try different designs. In this manual the recommendation is to draw as much as you can by hand with paper, ruler, and pencils. This way you get the feeling for the size and for the geometric forms. Starting something new can be challenging, but it’s important to approach it with a sense of playfulness. Eventually, one can explore using a computer-aided software.
To follow these steps, it is not necessary to be familiar with technical drawing…but it does help.
STEP 1.
If there is no map available of the spot (Usually there is one. Ask administration.), it is easy to print out a map from google maps. In google you can also measure the distances of your spot. But you must always confirm the measures at the spot later on.
Tutorial of how to measure distances in Google map:
STEP 2.
Copy your printed map with the distances you wrote down to a paper (A2 or A3), using the right scale (Use the scale 1:100 in the beginning. You will need set squares and a 2H pencil. If your spot has a lot of angles, you will also need a protractor to measure angles.
To keep the scale while drawing, it could be helpful to use a grid, where each square is 1 cm.
Image 10. Drawing boundaries of garden with a grid to keep the feeling of the scale. Each square is 1,00 x 1,00 cm (1mx 1m in the garden)
STEP 3.
Draw existing objects and plants in the map. This is a difficult step if there are a lot of existing elements. The best way of doing this is by triangulation method and you need to measure distances on the site. See picture of how to take these measurements.
Imagen 11. Triangulation in technical drawing.
POSITION OF AN OBJECT-TRIANGULACION
1. Look for two reference points (A y B, The corners of the house)
2. For each object (trees, shrubs, fence) you want to draw and locate on the map, you have to take two measures: Point A -object (8,5 m) and Point B -object (10,2 m). These are the measures needed to locate the tree P2 on the map.
3. Keep on doing the same for all the object you need to locate and draw on the map.
Now you can locate the object on your map with the help of a compass. See picture:
Image 11. The P2 on the map where the tree is located is the intersection between the two circles drawn with the radius of the measurements taken in corner A and corner B (with the center of the circles at the reference points A and B).
STEP 4.
Now you have a scaled map of your garden as it is. A nice way to explore the site is to write down all gathered information in a second layer. This second layer is a transparent paper that you lay on top of your map. On the transparent paper you can write down all interesting information that you gathered in the first chapter, for example:
- Drainage
- Pavements
- Winds
- Orientation of the plot: shadows at different times of the day
- Accessibility
- Views: from the garden to the outside and from the outside to the inside
- Topography
- Water supply
- Soil quality: aspect: clayey, sandy
It might look like this:
Image 12: Gathering useful information about the spot to be considered during the design process. Example Jardines Terapeuticos.
STEP 5.
Now you are ready to design your therapeutic garden. Remember to use the scale 1:100. Take a new transparent paper and locate it over your map.
- Start to draw pathways with the correct width, areas of activities, areas of plants, trees for shadows and green house, shelters. Please see chapter 4, before continuing with this step.
- Continue with smaller objects like raised beds, furniture, water features and all other objects you decided to have in the garden.
A design is never done in one drawing. You probably will have to do many, trying different solutions. Look at other garden maps…perhaps there are good ideas of how to design for places like your garden.
Another way to verify that you did not forget important design items for the therapeutic garden is to use the assessments that you can find in chapter 5.
Computer assisted applications for drawing garden plans:
- Sketch up: Take some time to learn, bit very helpful in understanding geometrics and scale.
- Iscape: Easy to use and understand BUT does not consider real volumes and scales. Only for iOS devices.
- Home design 3D outdoor: This application is very nice, but it takes some time to learn how to use it. Give the real size of elements and can even give you the size of the plants with different ages. Only for apple units.