LANDSCAPE PROJECT OF PRIVATE OR OFFICIAL

PREMISES: A CASE STUDY OF AHMADU BELLO

UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

BY

ADEYEMI, JESUFEMI AFOLABI Msc/Env-Des/10743/2008-2009

SADIQ, AISHA ABUBAKAR Msc/Env-Des/05824/2008-2009

BABA, BASHARIYA Msc/Env-Des/03834/2008-2009

DEPARTMENT OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING

FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

MAY, 2010

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INTRODUTION

Public and private premises landscape like any other starts from concept to completion

(Maintenance service). Whether it’s providing private, industrial or commercial landscaping

ideas and design for corporate Headquarters and commercial premises or retail landscaping

for parks and premises, the service/design is tailored to clients or public needs.

OWNERSHIP PATTERN

The ownership pattern in Ahmadu Bello University premises landscaping design is public.

THE SCALE OF DEVELOPMENT

The scale of development of any landscaping is determined by the clients. The landscaper

may work with a questionnaire that helps to determine how much someone wants to

spend, how much they want to do in keeping up the landscaping and whether they can do

that. It helps to determine if they can afford to not only create the project, but also

maintain it over time.

The scale can be: personal (private homes, hotels, etc.), urban (an area, entire city), regional

or national. In the case of Ahmadu Bello University the scale of development falls under

personal (school premises).

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INHERENT DESIGN UNIQUENESS

Constraints turns into potentials: There are constraints encountered in the landscape design

while many are maneuver and sharpened to potentials to add aesthetic to the landscape e.g.

the hilly side of the Ahmadu Bello University dam where not leveled but carpet grasses and

mango trees were planted to turn it into picnic ground for recreation.

Focalization: the leading of visual observation toward a feature. Straight lines are frequently

used in Ahmadu Bello University premises to achieve design uniqueness. E.g. Ahmadu Bello

University senate building straight line landscape is used. Plate 2, 5 & 10.

Balance: equilibrium of visual attraction is allowed in various type of Ahmadu Bello

University landscape to form a satisfying and harmonious environment e.g the proportion of

trees with shrubs. Therefore balance as a principle of design is achieve in making the

landscape of Ahmadu Bello University unique. It ensures that nothing is out of proportion.

Balance can be cementrical and accementrical e.g. the assembly hall landscape is

cementrical. Plate 6 & 8

Unity: all the landscape are well fussed into each other in colour whereby everywhere is

looking greenish all year round.

Repetition: features are repeatedly used to form vertical lines which also achieve

forcalisation to some certain features on the premises e.g. front view of senate building. Plate

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Considerations for private and public premises landscaping

The key to enjoying the great outdoors just outside one’s door is creating the right environment.

And this entails carving out the perfect niche for their respective suburban and urban lifestyles.

Private landscaping may be to create an entertainment venue at home in a subdivision. It may

be to enclosed space for the kids and the dog or to create a space we could enjoy, a family space

that’s separate from the street, and yet not completely close ourselves off from the

neighborhood. Or to create a patio and adjoining fire pit amid a re-landscaped area enhanced

by plantings.

The open space may be divided into sections including a narrow shaded side yard with a walk

that connects the front and back doors and a patio area that includes a dining/picnic table. The

area may further defined by a wood fence that runs along the property, which may include a

trellis for hanging plants. Small trees and flowering bushes provide further privacy and visual

interest.

As a landscaper professional it should be noted that every lot is different and every client’s

needs are equally different so understanding their lifestyle is the most important facet.

Private landscaping include everything from children’s play structures and children- and pet-

friendly plants to swimming pools, hot tubs, arbors, benches, gazebos, patios and accent

lighting.

Landscape Architect advised weather-friendly furniture that can be left outdoors helps create

conversation areas as well as privacy enclaves.(envi factors)

In both public and private premises landscaping it is important to work with the space, scape

and proportions. You should create the space as you would a picture, frame it and determine a

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focal point. Perhaps it’s a large urn or a piece of art. You let pathways lead to the focal point.

There is also need to pay attention to the architectural details of the home/structure if the space

is in back of the house/premises, you need to make retaining walls and other materials reflective

of the home/structure.

It is also notes that a buffer between the landscaped space and the home is desirable. It’s

important not to create a patio that comes right up to the back of the house. A buffer, even if it’s

only a couple of feet wide, helps make it an inviting space. Also, think outside the box when

placing furniture in various locations. You can get an entirely different feeling if you move the

furnishings every so often. It’s like creating a brand new space.

How the space is viewed from other vantage points is also important, adding that looking at a

potential space from a rear window in the house will help guide how it is shaped. How the

space affects neighbors is another consideration.

Rick Romano (2008) recommends homeowners to find a reputable landscape company to create

a master design to identify space utilization, and pull together a design concept to meet the

needs. From there, the landscape company would build retaining walls for more functional

spaces and install plants, hardscape, drainage and any additional structures. Also a landscaper

should interview the homeowners to discover their needs, take photographs, present a design

and help select landscape materials and furnishings. Homeowners can then install perennials

and annuals, as well as provide the personal touches such as flowerpots, sculptures, etc.

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ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Sunshine: this is taken into consideration in the landscaping design as tall tree trees are planted

to provide shade. The direction of sun is noted also the trees canopy is greatly taken into

thought to always provide shade throughout the day. Plate 3 & 4

The temperature and wind direction is taken into cognizance that is why there are trees to

allow provision for shade and to break winds, while recreating under those shades.

Erosion is also noted, so many “carpet grass” were planted in many area of the premises to

prevent erosion e.g. Iya Abubakar computer landscape etc. Plate 4, 6 & 9.

Rainfall is well considered that why there is open and closed drainage for the free flow of

storm water.

LANDSCAPING MATERIALS

Taking the time to landscape your premises will be an investment of your time and money

that you can be very proud of. The landscaping of premises is something that everyone

coming to your premises will see as well as those just walking by. Enjoying your landscaping

can bring a breath of fresh air to your day when you arrive. It can also serve as a great place

to entertain guests and recreate.

There are many types of landscaping materials to use. There is no right or wrong products to

use; it simply depends on what you want to create. However, it is important to purchase

quality products that will work well for you. One of the most popular landscaping materials is

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decorative rock. There are many wonderful colours and styles of rocks to choose from. It all

depends on the size of your premises and the overall effect you want to have.

In Ahmadu Bello University various types of plants, trees, and flowers are used in the

landscaping project. The type of plants that grows better in the region are taken into

consideration e.g coniferous tree, “yellow bush” etc. Colour patterns for visual appeal are

also taken into thoughtfulness. Quality seeds, bulbs, plants, and small trees from garden

centers, green houses, and landscaping supply companies are used. Right soils are used or

apply thereby the landscaping is flourishing. Better types of top soil, planting soil, mulch, and

fertilizer are used in the floral planting.

Statues, pottery, and other decorations are used to add wonders to landscape design of

Ahmadu Bello University. Many natural and abstract sculptures are in various strategic

places on premises to make the environment esthetically beautiful and attractive (plate 7 &

10). The design also consist of hardscapes like the well placed and fitted pedestrians

pavement stone leading to various structures and feartures in the official premises and

covered and uncovered walk-on to prevent sun. Plate 5 & 10

There are many great landscaping materials that are used in landscape design of Ahmadu

Bello University.

Types of landscaping materials in Ahmadu Bello University:

Decorative Landscape Stone:

 Granite Rock

 Flagstone

 Quartzite

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  Stripstone

 Sandstone & Siloam Stone

 Moss Rock

 Soil, Topsoil & Planter's Mix

 Mulch

 Bark

 Gravel

 River Rock

 River Cobble

 River Boulders

Building Materials:

 Concrete & Cement

 Masonry Sand

 Pavers

 Concrete Block

 Gravel

 Decorative Block

 Driveways & Walkways

 Patios, Stairs, Entryways

 Water Fountains

 Ponds & Water Features

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 Dry Stack & Retaining Walls

 Stone Veneers

 Sculptures

 Ceramics

CONCLUSION

As the architectural design of a building is important so also the landscaping design of the

premises surrounding it, because it compliment the beauty and add to the value both

economically and esthetically. The case study of this paper (Ahmadu Bello University,

Zaria) has shown greatly how landscape can be use to achieve principles of landscape

design, constrains manipulation, example of good premises landscape materials used or

that can be use in any other private and official premises and some environmental factors

that has to be considered in good landscape designing. Landscape designing is not much

financially demanding because you can tailor it to your available means and it worth more

than its cost.

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PLATE 1

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PLATE 8

PLATE 9

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REFFERENCE

Rick Romano (2008) Environmental factors, Landscape architects maximize yard space to
create spacious outdoor areas.
http://www.gmtoday.com/content/m_west/2008/April/41.asp

http://rockdepotcolorado.com/

http://www.landscapingideasonline.com/landscaping-materials.php

http://rockdepotcolorado.com/

http://www.cosmogroup.co.uk/services/estate-maintenance/landscaping/

http://www.gmtoday.com/content/m_west/2008/April/41.asp

http://home.howstuffworks.com/lawn-garden/professional-landscaping/basics/how-landscapers-
analyze-sites3.htm

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