Some of the most awe-inspiring structures are found in nature. As James Van Sweden, creator of the New American style of design, reminds us, “Nature was the first architect, and she remains an insistent practitioner, instilling architectural order into every aspect of her landscape.”
          Ansel Adams captured this in his photo “Tetons and the Snake River” in which the river meanders like a garden path into the majestic Tetons, drawing the viewer into the photograph.
          Many of our garden structures mimic elements found in nature and placing them in our gardens is often an attempt to recapture what we’ve experienced in more natural landscapes. How many times have we perched on a rock to watch the sun set or sat on a bench to rest? Viewed wildflowers with a backdrop of mountains or perennials against a wall or shrubs? Walked a deer trail through a meadow or wandered on an intimate path? Gazed at Chimney Rock or a striking sculpture?
          For hundreds of years cultures across the world have been creating gardens to enhance the quality of life. While garden and park design has changed immensely over the centuries, structural elements have always played a key role in these landscapes. Whether it’s a marble sculpture, walls, moats, man-made ponds, impressive terraces, or a simple park bench, these structures have served as focal points or visual unifiers, making the terrain usable and accessible, adding mystery and giving shelter.
          Van Sweden asks the question “Why do gardeners so often ignore the need for architecture?” His answer is one we can all relate to, “for most of us, plants are always at center stage of the garden.” In our modern landscapes we have leaned toward naturalistic design, and with good reason, but often structural elements are used without thinking critically about how or why they belong in our landscapes. Let’s take a closer look at how we could use structure more effectively in our landscapes.

Function first
         A poorly designed parking lot, for example, is apparent when it takes 15 minutes to find a parking place, a vehicle almost backs into you because of visual barriers, your car heats up from being in the sun and the parking lot is so narrow you can hardly get past parked vehicles. A well-designed shopping center is harder to recognize because it doesn’t require our attention, it simply makes things easier. Before we know it we’re in and out of the store. We don’t recognize all the details that help create a good design—the width of a driveway or the placement of trees, signs and walkways.
          Well-placed structural elements can make a radical difference. Well thought-out paths move the user easily from point A to B. Carefully placed benches focus the user toward certain views and provide shade and resting points. Retaining walls move traffic, define space, hold slopes or level terrain. Arbors and pergolas provide shade, transition and visual beauty. Water features capture our attention and create white noise to help drown the sound of traffic. Low walls reinforce a slope, direct traffic and provide seating.
Here are some questions to ask in considering whether an architectural element should be included in a landscape:
          What are the primary functions—pathway, barrier, shelter?
          What are the secondary or aesthetic functions? Are there views to be highlighted?
          Can one element serve more than one function?
          Who will be using the space?

The art of scale
         What is proper scale? It has to do with placing things in right proportion, relative to the space they are in. A steep, narrow staircase is appropriate in a small house. The same staircase outdoors would appear cramped and too steep. Here are some general guidelines in thinking about scale:
          A large garden will require larger elements, although when smaller areas are created within these spaces, smaller elements can be used.
          Less is usually more, especially in smaller spaces.
          Short, broad steps can make outdoor stairways seem more spacious.
          A tall, wide arbor, besides being more visually appealing, will allow space for two or more people to pass through at the same time.

The art of choosing hardscape material
         Wood, brick, boulders and concrete are still popular choices, but the range of other options continues to grow. Concrete can be dyed, stained or stamped to make it look like many other materials, and new recycled and synthetic materials are introduced every year. The choice of hardscape materials is a matter of personal preference, but it should always enhance the aesthetic appeal of the site while meeting the necessary functional requirements. Take into account:
          The materials in surrounding buildings.
          The feel you want the landscape to have. A naturalistic landscape may benefit from a dry stacked wall and wood benches, for instance.
          Who will be using it? This may be the most important factor. If kids will be using the space, it needs to be safe and kid friendly. Older people might have trouble with a walkway of coarse gravel.
          In public landscapes, materials should be able to withstand heavy usage.

The art of placement
         How and where a structure is placed can greatly affect its appeal. Benches, for instance, may need to be placed near parking lots, dumpsters or an expanse of concrete where people can gather. Still, they can be sited so the view leads into the garden or a more appealing part of the landscape. Things like lighting, shade, accessibility and security also affect how much an area is used. Though physical structures are essential to the garden, plant materials can greatly soften and enhance their impact on the landscape.

Blending it all together
         Just like strong bones help the human body function well, structure is part of the bones of a good landscape, helping the overall landscape to function well. Art is what results when all these elements work together. Claude Monet captures this in “Bassin aux nympheas,” his painting of an arched bridge spanning a lily pond. The bridge, appropriately scaled to the landscape, visually ties together the gardens on either side. The curve and color of the bridge have a sculptural quality and the background mysteriously disappears into the trees and reflecting surface of the pond. The result is subtle but beautiful; a blend of art, function and beautiful plants.