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A RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN MODEL FOR NORTHERN ALBANIA

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 A RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN MODEL FOR NORTHERN
ALBANIA
ZYDI TEQJA1, GJOKE VUKSANI1
1
Agricultural University of Tirana, Department of Horticulture and Landscape architecture,
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Landscape architecture practice has experienced rapid development during recent years in
Albania. A residential landscape design model for a family house in Northern Albania is
presented. A plot of 5000m2, positioned at latitude 42o16’4.5’’, longitude 20o2’49’’and
elevation about 500 m above sea level has been designed. The aim of the paper is to present a
residential design process and propose plant species and materials that can be used in
residential landscape design for Northern Albania. Three site visits were accomplished during
this process; during first visit a general survey of the place and a family interview were done.
An imported part of site analyses was soil and climate evaluation. Two types of soil were
verified in site. One is the original soil and the other is the soil brought in site from Valbona
valley. Soil texture, organic matter and pH analyses were accomplished. Both types of soil
represent problems for plant growth and as they seem to be complimentary an experiment
was done to find the best mixer ratio of both soils. This experiment showed that in the soil
mixer, the part of Valbona valley soil should be less than 50%. The thermal regime is
characterized by mean annual minimum temperature about 6.5-7oC and mean annual
maximum temperature of 16.5-17oC. Based on the mean value of absolute annual minimum
temperature the site belongs to Plant Hardiness Zone 7. Annual precipitations are 1500-
2000mm (around 200mm during summer time). After analyzing this information a design
program was composed. The goal of this design program was to create a residential landscape
master plan that would combine aesthetic, environmental and production aspects of the place.
Based on the design plan a functional scheme and a preliminary design were prepared. These
were discussed with family members during our second site visit. This visit was combined
with a Kosovo nurseries market survey. The feedback of the family members was reflected
and a master plan was prepared. This master plan was presented during our third visit. The
master plan is composed by family living space, playing space, fruit trees space, vineyard
space, kitchen garden space, service space and mainly aesthetic spaces. The unity and
harmony of the project and respect of the spirit of place are achieved by using native species
like Picea abies, Forsythia europaea and Erica carnea and by using typical construction
materials and especially a collection of the rocks of the area.
Keywords: Landscape, residential design, native species
INTRODUCTION
Gardening began as soon as man started living in settled communities. Because it
encompasses so many different disciplines, it is also one of the most complex art forms. The
precursors of landscape architects in the nineteenth century were landscape gardeners in
England and in North America, who laid out private gardens and estates and then, with the
growth of the cities, began to work on public parks. Landscaping today is a service industry.
It serves people by planning, designing, constructing and managing environments where they
can live, work, play, or just pass time. These environments are primarily in the outdoors.
Landscapers use land forms, plants, water and construction materials to create living areas
that have utility, environmental and aesthetic values. Landscapers serve residential clients,
public clients, business clients, and others (Meining D 1979, Murphy M 2005, McHarg I
1996, Ingels J 2011).
The important role gardeners and landscapers have played is very well shown in the fact that
the history of civilization is written in the landscape. Every empire that ever existed, every
progress that human society made, has left its mark in some substantial way in the landscape.
People have, for ages, felt the need to improve their own landscape aiming to have the basic
needs of food, shelter and friendship, and even more than that, to make outstanding
testimonials that represent their shared philosophy of life.
In reality the environments around homes take up the majority of the property and we spend
an important part of our life within them. The way they are designed can simply make our
lives a pleasure, or they can make it difficult to experience our lives the way that we would
like. A good design can open up opportunities for us and in contrary; a not suitable design
could significantly reduce the opportunities for an enjoying and healthy life. According to
Mike Biddulph (2007) “the design of residential areas offers more potential than any other
aspect of urban design, but this potential is rarely reflected in practice”. This potential can’t
be achieved without the contribution of landscape architects. It is important that in planning
any residential scheme, designers are conscious of the landscape design choices that are
available to them so that these can be either encouraged or rejected through the design
process.
Different descriptions can be found in literature regarding landscape design process (Motloch
J 2001, Murphy M 2005, Ingels J 2009, Rogers W 2011, Booth N. et al 2012, Sauter D 2011).
Most of authors propose some sequential steps a design process should follow. The
differences among different authors may cause some confusion but in this case it is useful to
bring in mind the saying of ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, “Some people consider it
noble to have some method; others consider it equally noble to have no method. To have no
method is bad. To adhere strictly to method is worse still. It is necessary at first to observe a
strict rule, then to penetrate intelligently into all the transformations. The possession of
method liberates us from the necessity of possessing method”. The designing process in this
paper has followed mainly the design process proposed by Booth N. et al (2012). This design
process includes the following major phases: Research and preparation, Design, Construction
documentation, Implementation, Maintenance and Evaluation.
The practice of landscape architecture has experienced significant development during recent
years in Albania though the country still doesn’t have a certified education program in
landscape architecture. After years of investment in housing sector, a lot of people and
businesses are showing an increased interest on landscape design. A residential landscape
design model for a family house in Northern Albania is presented in this paper. The aim of
the paper is to present a residential design process and propose plant species and materials
that can be used in residential landscape design for Northern Albania.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
A plot of 5000m2, positioned at latitude 42o16’4.5’’, longitude 20o2’49’’and elevation about
500 m above sea level has been designed (Fig 1).
 Figure 1: Google view of project site.
Three site visits were accomplished during this process; during first visit a general survey of
the place and a family interview were done. An imported part of site analyses was soil and
climate evaluation. After analyzing this information a design program was composed. Based
on the design plan a functional scheme and a preliminary design were prepared. These were
discussed with family members during our second site visit. This visit was combined with a
Kosovo nurseries market survey. The feedback of the family members was reflected and a
master plan was prepared. This master plan was presented during our third visit.
RESULTS OF SUITABILITY ANALYSIS
Two types of soil were verified in site. One is the original soil and the other is the soil
brought in site from Valbona valley. Soil texture, organic matter and pH analyses were
accomplished by the soil research laboratory of Agricultural University of Tirana (Table 1).
Both types of soil represent problems for plant growth and as they seem to be complimentary
an experiment was done to find the best mixer ratio of both soils. This experiment showed
that in the soil mixer, the part of Valbona valley soil should be less than 50%.

Texture
Organic
W
matter
Conductivity Sand Clay Silt %
%
Soil type pH μS/cm (%) (%) (%)

Site soil 5.68 34.4 10.58 22.35 67.06 1.23 1.51

Valbona 8.47 115.7 15.00 54.57 30.43 4.55 5.57

The thermal regime is characterized by mean annual minimum temperature about 6.5-7oC
and mean annual maximum temperature of 16.5-17oC. Based on the mean value of absolute
annual minimum temperature the site belongs to zone Plant Hardiness Zone 7. Annual
precipitations are 1500-2000mm (around 200mm during summer time). After analyzing this
information a design program was composed.
PROJECT FUNCTIONAL SCHEME
The goal of this design program was to create a residential landscape master plan that would
combine esthetic, environmental and production aspects of the place. The master plan is
composed by family living space, playing space, fruit trees space, vineyard space, kitchen
garden space, service space and mainly aesthetic spaces. The unity and harmony of the
project and respect of spirit of place are achieved by using native species like Picea abies,
Forsythia europaea and Erica carnea and by using typical construction materials and
especially a collection of the rocks of the area (Fig. 2)

Figure 2: Master plan

The project is composed by different spaces. An outdoor family living space, divided by three
subspaces; dining space, in the middle, fireplace, barbeque and sitting space, (left side) and
children playing space on the right side, is the central part of the project. The organization of
this space is done by considering wind direction and the presence of beautiful views outside
the project area. All this area is in good communication with the house and the layout is in
harmony to it.
Fruit trees parcels take an important part of the project area, based on the need to support
family living also. Apples, pears, walnuts, quinces, plumps, cherries etc. are part of the
production function of the landscape. Another area with production function is vineyard area.
It is located in the terraces in left and upper side of the house.
In all spaces of the project the aesthetic aspect of design is important but there are some
special spaces where the main focus is aesthetics. The species with aesthetics function are;
the space in the left side of the east entrance, the terraced space in the west side of the house
and the entrance square in the west side of the house.
For the service sector, the project has an animal shelter at the south-east edge of the area,
where a place for collected and composting manure is located also and a fire and cooking
place close to the west side entrance. The garage is part of house building.
AESTHETIC AND ARCHITECTURE SOLUTION OF THE PROJECT
First of all, from the aesthetic and architecture point of view, based on the broken and
multiple terrain, the project needed a carefully thought solution that could provide unity. This
is achieved through a unified framework and some clear lines that go from one side of the
project to the other. Another aspect that helps unity is the connection of the project to the
nature. This is accomplished by using typical materials of the area. The general lines are
naturalistic except the family living area, which is the main functional space and it should
follow the house lines. It is the dominant space also and so it should be differentiated from
other spaces.
DESIGNING OF INDIVIDUAL ELEMENTS
Project framework and its unification
To create the outside framework Norway spruce (Picea abies) is used. Norway spruce is
common forest specie in Balkan Mountains and in Albania it composes small forests together
with European silver fir (Abies alba) and common beech (Fagus sylvatica). It is widely
found in this form in Valbona valley and in Peja. Cultivar “Cupressina” of Picea abies is
chosen to be planted.
The second element that provides unity in the project is covering of the upper part of
retaining walls with Cotoneaster horizontalis. Cotoneaster is shrub specie in Rosacea family,
native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. Cotoneaster horizontalis is a short shrub with a
spreading habit, growing to 1 meter tall and1.5 meters wide. It is cultivated for its flat,
symmetrical sprays of glossy green, deciduous leaves and masses of bright red berries
(pomes) in autumn, persisting into winter. The flowers appear in summer, and can range from
pink to white. It is commonly grown in parks and gardens as hedging or groundcover.

Figure 3: East entrance, in front of the gate (left) and in the back of the gate (right)
The third element are box hedges (Buxus sempervirens) which connect the east and west
entrances, going through all spaces including the family living space. Another important
element that provides connection of the project to the surrounding area is the use of typical
rocks of the area.
Some other plants are needed to provide diversity and interest of course. In general the
following list of plants resulted to be suitable for our project and we recommend them for
residential landscape projects in most parts of North Albania: Picea abies, Abies alba, Fagus
silvatica, Cotoneaster horizontalis, Buxus sempervirens, Thuja occidentalis, Tilia
 platyphyllos, Forsythia europea, Erica carnea, Acer japonicum, Berberis thunbergii,
Juniperus horizontalis, Nandina nana, Cineraria maritima, Lavandula angustifolia, Ilex
aquifolium, Pyracantha coccinea and Jasminum nudiflorum
CONCLUSIONS
Successful residential landscape design needs sound knowledge on soil, climate, flora and
fauna and good understanding of historical and cultural values of the area. In North Albania
sometimes we find very different soil conditions in short distances. Soil analyses are
necessary before deciding on plant species. Based in USDA classification of plant hardiness
zones, Tropoja area is in zone 7.
Project unity is important especially in Northern Albania, with very broken relief. This unity
can be achieved through creating a good frame work and by using plant and construction
materials of the area.
For residential landscape projects in most parts of North Albania, among other species we
recommend: Picea abies, Abies alba, Fagus silvatica, Cotoneaster horizontalis, Buxus
sempervirens, Thuja occidentalis, Tilia platyphyllos, Forsythia europea, Erica carnea, Acer
japonicum, Berberis thunbergii, Juniperus horizontalis, Nandina nana, Cineraria maritima,
Lavandula angustifolia, Ilex aquifolium, Pyracantha coccinea and Jasminum nudiflorum
REFERENCES
1. Biddulph Mike (2007). Introduction To Residential Layout- Elsevier, Amsterdam,
Boston, Heidelberg, London, New York, Oxford, Paris, San Diego, San Francisco,
Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, 255p.
2. Booth Norman K. & James E. Hiss (2012) Residential Landscape Architecture:
Design Process for the Private Residence, sixth edition- Prentice Hall; Boston,
Columbus Indianapolis, New York, San Francisco, Upper Saddle River, Amsterdam
Cape Town Dubai, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Montreal, Toronto, Delhi,
Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, 581p.
3. Cook Thomas W & Ann Marie Van Der Zanden (2011). Sustainable Landscape
Management - John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New Jersey, 274p.
4. Ingels Jack E (2009). Landscape architecture principles and practice, Seventh Edition.
Delmar, Cengage Learning. United States. 560p.
5. McHarg Ian L (2001). Design with nature- John Wiley&Sons, INC, New York , 370f.
6. Meining D.W (1979). The interpretation of ordinary landscapes- Oxford University
Press, New York, Oxford. 255p.
7. Motloch John L (2001). Introduction to Landscape design- John Wiley&Sons, INC,
New York, 198f.
8. Rogers Walter (2011). The Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture- A
Complete Guide to Starting and Running Your Own Firm, Second Edition, John
Wiley & Sons, Inc, USA, 563p.
9. Sauter David (2011). Landscape Construction, 3rd Edition- Delmar, Cengage
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10. Simonds John Ormsbee & Starke Barry (2006). Landscape Architecture- McGraw-
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