Planting Design Functions of Plants The functions of plants should be the basis for their use in environment design. The primary aim of planting design should be to use plant in solving environment problems Basic to this is a knowledge of their characteristics, what functional problem they solve, and how effectively they solve them. (i) Architectural Uses Plants, singly or in group, form walls, canopies, or floor of varying heights and densities; these are architectural characteristics In designing building, the architect uses materials to give privacy, to screen, to progressively reveal a view, or to articulate space a. Privacy control b. Screen objectional view c. Progressive realization d. Space articulation (ii) Engineering Uses The engineering is primarily concerned with glare, traffic, and sound control; air- conditioning, or filtration; and soil erosion. a. Glare reduction b. Traffic control c. Atmospheric purification d. Acoustical control (iii) Climate control Shade trees and windbreak trees are examples of plants used for climate control. It is well known that plants alter adverse microclimates, making the environment more pleasant and livable for man. The four major element of climate human comfort are : A) air temperature B) solar radiation C) air movement D) humidity or precipitation *Plant control solar radiation The sun s rays are filtered through the leaves of deciduous trees with relatively light foliage. *Wind control a. Air flow without vegetation b. Air flow Low hedge c. Air flow Medium hedge d. Air flow High hedge e. Air flow high and medium shrubs *Plant and rain (iiii) Esthetic uses Visual Controllers Plants are visually controlling elements positive element The plant is a positive element when it is an object to be seen and to be noticed, and when the plant or its parts are what is important or of interest. negative component When the view beyond is what is important, the plant directs or blocks. It exists to enframe a view. (b) View direction(a) Masking (c) Perspective control (d) Perceptual control Discussion