As a logical extension of the principles of site-project unification the concept of site systems deserves special attention. The term implies sim-Site Development 139
ply that all site improvements are conceived to be constructed and func-tion in a systematic way.
Drainage
With few exceptions the natural site provides for storm runoff across its surface without causing erosion. The ground-stabilizing roots and ten-drils of living plants knit the soils and absorb precipitation. The fallen twigs and leaves also form an absorptive mat to keep the soil moist and cool the air. The natural swales, streambeds, and river gorges of the undisturbed landscape provide for the most efficient storm-water flow, while marshes, ponds, and lakes provide the ultimate storage and recharge basins. Any alteration to this established network is both dis-ruptive and costly. When the movement of materials is required, new storm drainageways must be shaped, and often extensive artificial storm-sewer systems. Usually, with the installation of roofs, paved areas, and sewer pipe, the amount and rate of runoff is increased to the detriment of the project site and downstream landowners.
Experience would suggest that artificial drainage devices be minimized and that the natural drainageways be preserved and utilized to the utmost.
Movement
Planned paths of pedestrian and vehicular movement that oppose the existing ground forms generate the problems and costs of earthwork, slope retention, interception gutters, storm-sewer connections, and the establishment of new ground covers. When such routes are aligned instead to rise and fall with the natural grades, to follow the ridge lines and ravines, or to trace a cross-slope gradient that requires no heavy cuts or fills, they not only are more economical to build but are also better to look at and more pleasant to use.
Well-designed walks, bicycle trails, and roadways also provide intercon-necting networks of movement that ensure regional continuity; they are particularly suited to the type of traffic to be accommodated and take into account factors such as safety, efficiency, and landscape integrity.
Materials, sections, profiles, lighting, signing, and planting are coordi-nated and designed as an integrated system.
Lighting
Site illumination does many good things. It provides safety in traffic movement and crossings, it warns of hazards, and it serves to increase security and reduce vandalism. It interprets the plan arrangement by giv-ing emphasis to focal points, gathergiv-ing places, and buildgiv-ing entrances. It demarcates and illumines paths of interconnection, serving as a
guide-140 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
on. With accent lighting, fine architecture or site areas of exceptional significance or beauty can be brought into visual prominence.
Well-conceived lighting gives clarity and unity to the overall site and to each subarea within it. However, poorly conceived lighting can be dis-cordant with a design, become a source of light pollution, or even create hazardous conditions.
Signs
Graphic informational systems are closely allied with site illumination, since the two are usually interdependent and complementary. Street and route lighting obviously must be planned together with the positioning of related directional signs. Often, light standards provide support for signs and informational symbols. Signs, like lighting, are best developed
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Proper lighting enhances the design.
Belt Collins
Improper lighting is offensive and hazardous.
Barry W. Starke, EDA
Unity with diversity is the key to identification signs. Shapes, sizes, and letter forms may vary with the information to be conveyed. Materials, mountings, and colors are usually standardized.
as a hierarchy, each sign being designed in terms of its size, color, and placement to best serve its particular purpose and all existing together as a related family. When the system is kept simple and standardized, the signing gives its own sense of order and clarity to the trafficway pattern and the landscape plan.
Planting
Planting excellence is also systematic. It articulates and strengthens the site layout. It develops an interrelated pattern of open, closed, or semi-enclosed spaces, each shaped to suit its planned function. Planting extends topographical forms, enframes views and vistas, anchors free-standing buildings, and provides visual transitions from object to object and place to place. It serves as backdrop, windscreen, and sunshield. It checks winter winds. It catches and channels the summer breeze. It casts shadow and provides shade. It absorbs precipitation, freshens the air, and modifies climatic extremes.
Aside from serving these practical functions, plants in their many forms and varieties are also pleasing to the eye. But even their beauty is increased if there is an evident reason behind their selection and use.
Fine plantings, like any other fine work of design, have a fundamental simplicity and discernible order. Many experienced landscape designers
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Plantings articulate and strengthen site layout.
Anold AssociatesBarry W. Starke, EDA
limit their plant lists to a primary tree, shrub, and ground cover and one to three secondary trees, shrubs, and supplementary ground cover—
grasses, herbs, or vines, with all other supporting and accent plants com-prising no more than a small fraction of the total.
Except in urban settings, the large majority of all plants used will be native to the region and will therefore fit and thrive without special care.
Essentially, each plant used should serve a purpose, and all together should contribute to the function and expressiveness of the plan.
Materials
Just as the palette of plant materials is limited in the main to those which are indigenous, so is it also with the materials of construction. Wall stone from local quarries seems most appropriate. Crushed stone and gravels exposed as aggregate, bricks made of local clays, lumber from trees that grow in the vicinity, and mulches made of their chipped or shredded bark all seem right in the local scene. Even the architectural adaptation of the natural earth, foliage, and sky colors relates the con-structions to the regional setting.
The reduction of the number of materials used to a small and selective list lends simplicity and unity to the planned development.
Operations
All projects must be planned to work and work efficiently. Each build-ing and each use area of the site must operate well as an entity, and all together as a well-organized complex. This can be achieved only if all components are planned together as an integrated system.
Maintenance
To be effective maintenance must be a consideration from the earliest planning stages. This presupposes that all maintenance operations have been programmed. It also assumes that storage for the required materials and equipment is provided, that access points and ways are strategically located, that convenient hydrants and electrical outlets are installed, and that maintenance needs are reduced insofar as practical.
It also means that the number of construction materials and compo-nents and thus the replacement inventory of items that must be kept stocked are reduced to a workable minimum. This requires standardiza-tion of light globes, bench slats, anchor bolts, sign blanks, curb tem-plates, paint colors, and everything else. Usually, a reduction in the quantity of items stocked can result in improved quality at significant savings. This is possible only if the maintenance operation is planned from the start as an efficient system or is converted to one.
From small-home grounds to campus, to park, to large industrial complex, site installation and maintenance costs can be reduced and performance improved by the standardization of all possible components, materials, and equipment. Use only the affordable best; therein lies quality and economy.
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Edging strips.
Paved mowing strips of concrete, set brick, or stone at lawn edges carry the wheel of an edger and eliminate hand trimming.