Masonry Magazine April 1995 Page. 17
Technical Notes
on Brick Construction
Brick Institute of America 11490 Commerce Park Drive, Reston, Virginia 22091
3B
BRICK IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
PEDESTRIAN APPLICATIONS
**Abstract:** This *Technical Notes* describes brick paving systems used in landscape design. Landscape architecture and its relationship to brick masonry is covered. Master planning and environmental aspects of landscape architecture are briefly discussed. Applications covered include patios, walks, steps and ramps. Materials and methods of construction of flexible and rigid paving applications, citing the most critical requirements, are outlined.
**Key Words:** landscape architecture, patios, pavements, ramps, steps, terraces.
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SITE WUHK
PAVING & SURFACING
INTRODUCTION
Landscape architecture is the planning and design of elements relating to the land, including trees, plants, paving, streets and sometimes structures. The design must take into account all of these elements and their relation to each other. Brick as a landscape material is an important design element. Brick paving applications can be used to create a pathway through the landscape, delineating pedestrian elements from natural elements. Since brick is made from the earth and is small in scale, it fits into many landscaping plans.
This *Technical Notes* covers the topic of brick as it relates to landscape architecture. It also covers environmental issues concerning the use of brick and brick paving systems in landscaping. Paving applications addressed include patios, walks, steps and ramps. Design, installation and material selections are discussed. Other installation practices that must be considered, but are not included in this *Technical Notes*, are edging, expansion joints and membranes. Other *Technical Notes* in this series cover garden walls and other miscellaneous landscape applications. Paving systems and related issues are discussed in more detail in the Technical Notes 14 Series [5,6].
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
The art of landscape architecture is more than the placement of trees and shrubs. Often it involves the development and planning of large areas within cities and suburban areas. This is typically organized through the development of a master plan. Alternately, landscaping may be on a much smaller scale, as in the design of a small garden. The landscape architect must always consider certain issues, including aesthetics, harmony, continuity/unity, accessibility, economy and other design parameters. Material and system selections are usually based on these issues.
Materials can be broadly classified as either landscape materials or hardscape materials. Landscape materials include trees, plants, grasses, soil and gravel. Hardscape materials include brick, stone, concrete and other hard materials. A comprehensive landscape plan usually combines both landscape and hardscape features.
Master Planning
The landscape architect plays a much larger role with all land development issues today than in the past. Buildings and their relationship and integration into the site have become increasingly important design issues. This may apply to entire subdivisions and cities as well. A master plan is usually developed to incorporate all elements into a comprehensive land development design. Master plans will dictate where open spaces should be located and locations of buildings, pavements and walks. Brick can play an important part in the development of master plans since it can be used as a common thread throughout an entire project. This includes walls, pavements, fountains, planters, fences, steps and other miscellaneous landscape uses. Continuity throughout the project can be achieved by using brick in many of these applications.
Environmental Issues
There is now more pressure than ever to consider the environmental effects of a particular landscape plan. A movement, often termed "sustainable development", considers the environmental impact of land development before, during and after design. Environmental issues, such as storm water runoff and the lack of water, are becoming more important as landscape architects
MASONRY-MARCH/APRIL, 1995 17
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BRICK
MASONHY