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

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

A bit of history

Small architectural form - not today's invention. Its people knew even in the Renaissance, when in Italy they created unique park ensembles. And in Ancient Japan were convinced that the stone is the foundation of the garden. It was an integral element of each site, and stone sculpture was considered compulsory. For example, images of turtles with a carved octagon symbolized wisdom, eternity and longevity.

In Slavic peoples on garden arbors, porches, in patterns of platbands houses one can see birds, animals, flowers, epic heroes. Thus, even the ancient masters led to a unity of space and mood.

LFA in the city

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

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

Installation of small architectural forms is an equally complex task than making them.

Materials used

When selecting elements of urban landscape design, the choice of the materials from which they are performed is of great importance. It is more preferable to use natural elements such as wood, metal, stone, and for covering tracks and areas - sand, gravel, flagstone. Applying such materials, it is necessary to avoid variegated plastic or multi-colored wooden parts. A bright color in urban landscape design is permissible provided its tactful use. It even needs to be introduced in very small quantities.

The rule is slightly changed 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 LFA deserves special attention. The townspeople love fountains very much. Elderly people are happy to rest on the benches at the murmuring water, the young people here are dating. It is important that such a small architectural form be thought through to the last detail. The fountain should be located where people like to spend time. It will look ridiculous on the station square. Hurrying passengers and those who meet 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 only perceived as a place of waiting for transport. While abroad it is a beautiful architectural element and recreation area. Stops should be equipped with canopies, garbage cans, benches. Great importance is the improvement and planting of stops. After all, in fact, this is a waiting and rest zone, designed for passengers.

Value of color

It is well known that color is very important when creating an interior. It plays an equally important role in the creation of small forms on the territory to be decorated. The color of fountains, sculptures, buildings, sidewalk tiles, the tone of monumental painting is the basis of the design decision of the whole territory. When planning landscaping and landscaping, color should be used as a means of bringing architecture closer to nature.

How to avoid monotony

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

Similar products can have different shapes and colors. This will allow them to be arranged differently with each other. For example, a low ground bowl for flowers and a high vase should be not only beautiful, but also well combined with each other. Mass production of small forms should be as diverse as possible in form, color and texture. And, finally, with a large-scale use of this type of architecture in residential buildings, it is necessary to create original high-artistic works made by real masters on request of architects for a specific place on responsible central sites.

We draw up a household plot

If you have a country house or a summer residence, you will certainly want to improve it. And here you can not do without benches, swings, fountains. Which buildings are the most popular today for the design of a suburban area? Small architectural forms for the garden are very diverse. Let's try to describe the most popular of them.

Benches

As you already know, this is one of the types of LFA. No even the most modest garden plot can do without it. Benches are able to make the site more comfortable. If they are located in secluded shady corners, no one will refuse to rest there. They can be of different sizes and styles: forged and wooden, with backs and armrests and without them. In any case, such a small architectural form is needed on the site. Of wood, I must say, it will be more comfortable. It is this material that has maximum living energy and heat. These are necessary small architectural forms. With your hands, the bench made will give you moral satisfaction. You can paint it or, having preserved the natural beauty of the material, cover with several layers of varnish.

Pergolas

Such a small architectural form is needed on each site. Even the smallest arbor, twined with weaving plants, creates an inexpressible coziness. In addition, it can perform a number of useful functions. It's no secret that in the summer time all family members like to spend time here. Breakfasts or dinners in the fresh air surrounded by greenery - what could be better! Therefore, if the size of your site allows, then choose a suitable model for the size and configuration. Today, these small architectural forms are very common. With your own hands, you can build an arbor from almost any material. It can be made of bricks, wood or metal (forged). But it should match the design of your house. If you want to use the gazebo in the winter, glaze it and make a warm floor. By the way, you can do it yourself. With his hands, the built gazebo will become even more cozy and warmer. You can buy a finished sample and install it in the right place.

The bridges

Today, in the countryside you can see real works of landscape art. On many of them there are reservoirs. They can be of different sizes, but in any case it is a magnificent decoration of the site and an excellent resting place. If you also have a pond, and its size is quite impressive, then it's worthwhile to think about installing a bridge. This 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 pond.

Fountains and sculptures

If you want your site to be more like an English park, then you will need another small architectural form. Fountain - this is what you need. Next to it you can install several sculptures. The grinding of water, cozy benches and a shaved lawn will create the atmosphere of an ancient noble castle.

Playgrounds

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

Decorative elements

If you have already built a cozy arbor on the site, created an artificial pond, installed a fountain, and there are still lots of places, you should think over the decorative elements. You can install a decorative well or mill. They will revitalize and diversify the landscape.

Arches, trellises, pergolas

These architectural forms are necessary to maintain the climbing plants of the garden. If you want to obscure some area, these structures are used. Often they are made by themselves. These structures need not be air or light. They can be cast even from concrete.

Pergola will look spectacular if it is made of wooden beams or metal pipes welded together. You can use crossed rails. If such a structure is arranged in a semicircle, then it is possible to successfully zonirovat area for recreation.

Furniture for gardens, ornaments

This is also a kind of small architectural forms. For a country house or cottage area, furniture from bamboo or rattan is great. These are fairly durable materials that are not afraid of direct sunlight.

It is believed that the sculpture 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, you can create them from what you see daily. For example, you can make an original hedge or a bush, giving them an exotic shape.

Fences

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

Lighting

Each area zone needs a separate illumination. Lamps and lanterns are also LFA, which will add to your garden a unique color. Most often in landscape design, forged or cast lanterns are used. Since recent times, stone samples have also been applied on private plots. They should be arranged in different places, creating interesting compositions with bushes and trees. Such decorative elements will create on the site in the evening a mysterious and romantic atmosphere.

In the gazebo, the lamp with a textile lampshade will organically look. It's not difficult to do it yourself. It is necessary to remember that when creating any architectural form, you need to think over its design so that it fits well into an already existing general composition. LFAs play a big role in landscape design. They allow to revive the site, make it more cozy, functional and original. Even on the smallest territory there is always a place for children's swings or a sculptural group. And about sites with a large area and can not speak. However, it should be remembered that one should not overload the territory with a large number of elements. It is more expedient to select several architectural forms that fit well together. The site will be laconic and stylish.