What is a small architectural form. How to make small architectural forms with your own hands

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

In landscape gardening art and landscape architecture, a small architectural form (SAF) is an auxiliary architectural structure, an artistic and decorative element that is endowed with simple functions. Some of them do not have any function and are decorative decorations.

A bit of history

Small architectural form is not a modern invention. People knew her back in the Renaissance, when unique park ensembles were created in Italy. And in ancient Japan, they were convinced that the stone is the basis of the garden. It was an integral element of each site, and stone sculpture was considered mandatory. For example, images of turtles with an octagon applied to the shell symbolized wisdom, eternity and longevity.

Among the Slavic peoples, on garden pavilions, porches, in the patterns of the platbands of houses, you can see birds, animals, flowers, epic heroes. Thus, even the ancient masters brought space and mood to unity.

MAF in the city

Today, when creating a landscape design for a city, architects strive to make the most of natural conditions. After all, it is in contact with nature that a modern urban person, psychologically overloaded, finds a reserve for restoring physical and spiritual strength.

When landscaping city streets, parks, squares, it is very important to choose the design of small architectural forms and landscaping elements that will ideally match their location and purpose. For example, a bench for rest, which is located in front of the entrance to the house, is intended for short-term rest, and therefore can be quite simple: a board-sitting on legs. In a park, a square on the shore of a reservoir, in other words, in more favorable places for recreation, a different small architectural form would be more appropriate. The bench should be more comfortable. Perhaps it will be in the form of a sofa with a comfortable back so that you can spend a lot of time on it.

The installation of small architectural forms is a task no less difficult than their manufacture.

Materials used

When choosing elements of urban landscape design, the choice of materials from which they are made is of great importance. It is preferable to use natural elements for this, such as wood, metal, stone, and sand, gravel, flagstone for covering paths and playgrounds. When using such materials, you should avoid colorful plastic or multi-coloredwooden details. Bright color in urban landscape design is acceptable, provided it is used discreetly. It even needs to be administered in very small amounts.

This rule changes slightly when we create children's small architectural forms. Here, the proportion of bright elements should be significantly increased.

Sculptural groups and fountains

This type of MAF deserves special attention. Citizens are very fond of fountains. Elderly people are happy to relax on benches near the murmuring water, young people make dates here. It is important that such a small architectural form be thought out to the smallest detail. The fountain should be located where people like to spend time. It will look ridiculous on the forecourt. Passengers in a hurry and meeting people are unlikely to admire him and the sculptural group surrounding him.

Small architectural form: stop

Unfortunately, in our country for many years the stop was perceived only as a place of waiting for transport. While abroad it is a beautiful architectural element and recreational area. Stops should be equipped with sheds, garbage bins, benches. Landscaping and landscaping of stops is of great importance. After all, in fact, this is a waiting and rest area designed for passengers.

Color Meaning

It is well known that color is very important when creating an interior. It plays no lesser role in the creation of small forms in the area being formed. The color of fountains, sculptures, buildings, paving slabs, the tone of the monumentalpainting is the basis of the design solution of the entire territory. When planning landscaping and landscaping, color should be used as a means of bringing architecture closer to nature.

How to avoid monotony

It's no secret that in recent years the scale of housing construction in our country is simply enormous. In this regard, the mass production of MAFs within one city becomes relevant. How to avoid such repetitions? Architects should be wary of repetition within sight of decorative small forms (flower boxes, vases). Mass elements that perform certain functions (urns, benches, tiles) can be repeated as much as necessary.

Same products may have different shapes and colors. This will allow you to arrange them differently with each other. For example, a low ground flower bowl and a tall vase should not only be beautiful, but also blend well with each other. Mass production of small forms should be as diverse as possible in shape, color and texture. And, finally, with the large-scale use of this type of architecture in residential development, it is necessary to create original highly artistic works in responsible central areas, made by real masters commissioned by architects for a particular place.

Designing a personal plot

If you have a country house or summer cottage, you probably want to ennoble it. And here you can not do without benches, swings, fountains. What buildings are most popular today for decorationsuburban area? Small architectural forms for the garden are very diverse. Let's try to describe the most popular of them.

Bench

As you already know, this is one of the types of MAF. Not a single even the most modest garden plot can do without it. Benches can make the site more comfortable. If they are placed in secluded shady corners, no one will refuse to rest there. They can be of different sizes and styles: forged and wooden, with and without backs and armrests. In any case, such a small architectural form is needed on the site. Made of wood, I must say, it will be more comfortable. It is this material that has the maximum living energy and warmth. These are the necessary small architectural forms. A bench made with your own hands will give you moral satisfaction. You can paint it or, preserving the natural beauty of the material, cover it with several layers of varnish.

Pavilions

Such a small architectural form is needed in every area. Even the smallest gazebo, entwined with weaving plants, creates an indescribable comfort. In addition, it can perform a number of useful functions. It's no secret that all family members like to spend time here in the summer. Breakfasts or dinners in the fresh air surrounded by greenery - what could be better! Therefore, if the size of your site allows, then select a model that is suitable in size and configuration. Today, these small architectural forms are very common. With your own hands, you can build a gazebo from almost any material. She may bemade of brick, wood or metal (forged). But at the same time, it should match the design of your home. If you want to use the gazebo in winter, glaze it and make a warm floor. By the way, you can make it yourself. A gazebo built with your own hands will become even more comfortable and warmer. You can buy a ready-made sample and install it in the right place.

Bridges

Today, in the countryside, you can see real works of landscape art. Many of them have ponds. They can be of different sizes, but in any case, this is a great decoration of the site and a great place to relax. If you also have a pond, and its size is quite impressive, then you should think about installing a bridge. It can be a modest sample of logs or a real forged bridge. It all depends on your choice, the size of the plot and the reservoir.

Fountains and sculptures

If you want your site to look more like an English park, then you will need another small architectural form. The fountain is what you need. Several sculptures can be installed next to it. The murmur of water, cozy benches and a mowed lawn will create the atmosphere of an old noble castle.

Playgrounds

If you have small children, then you can't do without a playground. Sandboxes and swings, sports complexes and slides are also small architectural forms. With your own hands, even in a very small area, you can create a multifunctional sports complex. Today, many manufacturers offer ready-made options for such structures. Many of them are compact and quite affordable.

Decorative elements

If you have already built a cozy gazebo on the site, created an artificial reservoir, installed a fountain, and there is still a lot of space, you should consider decorative elements. You can install a decorative well or mill. They will enliven and diversify the landscape.

Arches, trellises, pergolas

These architectural forms are necessary to maintain the climbing plants of the garden. If you need to shade some area, these structures are used. Often they are made by hand. These designs do not have to be airy and light. They can even be cast in concrete.

Pergola will look spectacular if you make it from wooden beams or metal pipes welded together. You can use crossed rails. If such a structure is arranged in a semicircle, then you can successfully zone the recreation area.

Garden furniture, decorations

This is also a kind of small architectural forms. Bamboo or rattan furniture is perfect for a country house or summer cottage. These are quite durable materials that are not afraid of direct sunlight.

It is believed that the sculptures on the site must certainly be made of natural stone or ceramics. It can be funny gnomes, cute little animals or some abstract forms. Such products are now sold in stores. But if you connect fantasy, then they can be created from what you see.daily. For example, you can cut a hedge or a bush in an original way, giving them an exotic shape.

Fences

This small form is quite functional. First of all, it fences off one territory from another, creates an internal delimitation of functional zones, in addition, it can serve as a support for climbing plants, protection from the wind, and shading the site. However, the main function is still the protection of the territory from unwanted guests. Therefore, its height, as a rule, is 1.5 meters. The fence can be metal, wood, stone or brick. Internal fences can also be used to separate one zone from another. For example, a recreation area and a garden.

Lighting

Each area of the site needs separate lighting. Lamps and lanterns are also MAFs that will add a unique flavor to your garden. Most often, forged or cast lanterns are used in landscape design. Recently, stone specimens have also been used in personal plots. They should be placed in different places, creating interesting compositions with shrubs and trees. Such decorative elements will create a mysterious and romantic atmosphere on the site in the evening.

In the gazebo, a lamp with a textile lampshade will look organic. It is quite easy to do it yourself. It must be remembered that when creating any architectural form, it is necessary to think over its design so that it successfully fits into the already existing overall composition. LFAs play a big role in landscape design. They allow you to revive the site, make itmore comfortable, functional and original. Even in the smallest area there is always a place for a children's swing or a sculptural group. And there is no need to talk about areas with a large area. However, it should be remembered that the territory should not be overloaded with a large number of elements. It is more expedient to choose several architectural forms that are well combined with each other. The site will become concise and stylish.