R3111 UNDERSTANDING GARDEN SURVEY TECHNIQUES & DESIGN PRINCIPLES

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Judith Lindsay Peters
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1 INCLUDING EXAMINERS COMMENTS R3111 UNDERSTANDING GARDEN SURVEY TECHNIQUES & DESIGN PRINCIPLES Level 3 Thursday June :30 10:55 Written Examination Candidate Number: Candidate Name: Centre Number/Name:.. IMPORTANT Please read carefully before commencing: i) The duration of this paper is 85 minutes; ii) iii) iv) ALL questions should be attempted; EACH question carries 10 marks; Write your answers legibly in the spaces provided. It is NOT necessary that all lined space is used in answering the questions; v) Use METRIC measurements only; vi) vii) viii) ix) Use black or blue ink only. Pencil may be used for drawing purposes only; Where plant names are required, they should include genus, species and where appropriate, cultivar. Where a question requires a specific number of answers; only the first answers given that meet the question requirement will be accepted, regardless of the number of answers offered; Please note, when the word distinct is used within a question, it means that the items have different characteristics or features. Ofqual Unit Code M/507/586 Please turn over/..

2 ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS MARKS Q1 a) Identify SIX pieces of information that would be required to design an outdoor dining area as part of a client brief. 6. Please see over/..

3 b) State FOUR existing site features that need to be taken into account when designing the dining area. Please turn over/.. MARKS 4 Total Mark 3

4 Q State the characteristics of Italian Renaissance gardens under EACH of the following headings: i) layout; ii) ornamental hard landscaping features; iii) soft landscaping Please see over/.. 4

5 Please turn over/.. Total Mark 5

6 Q3 a) b) Identify FOUR distinct off-site features or characteristics that can have a negative effect on a garden when carrying out a site appraisal. For THREE of the features/characteristics identified in a), describe ONE design solution for each, to offset the limitations of the site. Please see over/.. MARKS 4 6 6

7 Total Mark Please turn over/.. 7

8 Q4 a) b) Describe the implications of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on the garden design process. Describe THREE ways in which mature trees can be successfully incorporated into a garden design. MARKS 4 6 Please see over/.. 8

9 .. Total Mark Please turn over/.. 9

10 Q5 State how hard and soft landscaping can be combined to achieve the following design principles, using ONE practical example for each: i) unity; ii) symmetry; iii) balance; iv) proportion; v) texture.... Please see over/.. 10

11 Total Mark.... Please turn over/.. 11

12 Q6 State the problems caused by limited access to a domestic garden under EACH of the following headings: i) access from road; ii) access within the site. 5 5 Please see over/.. 1

13 . Total Mark Please turn over/.. 13

14 Q7 a) Draw a large labelled diagram to show how to survey the outline of an irregular border Please see over/..

15 b) List THREE items of surveying equipment required for the survey outlined in a). MARKS Total Mark Please turn over/..

16 Q8 a) b) Differentiate between the terms movement and rhythm in garden design Describe TWO distinctly different ways that EACH principle in a) can be used when designing a garden MARKS 8 Please see over/.. 16

17 Total Mark ******* 17

18 DO NOT USE THIS PAGE 18

19 DO NOT USE THIS PAGE 19

20 These questions are the property of the Royal Horticultural Society. They must not be reproduced or sold. The Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU3 6QB. Charity Registration Number: 879/SC0386 0

21 R3111 UNDERSTANDING GARDEN SURVEY TECHNIQUES & DESIGN PRINCIPLES Level 3 Wednesday 1 June 017 Candidates Registered 78 Total Candidates Passed 63% Candidates Entered 6 Passed with Commendation 5% Candidates Absent/Withdrawn 14 Passed 58% Candidates Deferred Failed 37% Senior Examiner s Comments On the whole this paper was well answered with the majority of candidates attempting and completing all the questions. The following guidelines should be of help to future candidates. 1. Where named plant examples are asked for, full botanical names (genus and species) are required to achieve full marks. Common names will not be given a mark.. Use the command statements e.g. list or name (single words only), state (a few sentences), describe or explain (a fuller answer) together with the mark allocation, to judge the depth of the answer. Half marks are often allocated where the basic information given is correct but needs further qualification to gain the full mark. 3. Where a number of answers are specified in the question, the examiner will not select correct answers from a list e.g. if the question states State TWO plant names, only the first two names given will be marked. 4. Labels on diagrams should be correctly positioned to avoid ambiguity and diagrams should be clearly drawn and annotated. No marks will be awarded for artistic merit. 5. Candidates should use unambiguous plant examples as reference sources from, for example, the RHS Find a Plant Service available on the RHS Website. 1

22 ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS MARKS Q1 a) Identify SIX pieces of information that would be required to design an outdoor dining area as part of a client brief. 6 b) State FOUR existing site features that need to be taken into account when designing the dining area. 4 Q1 a) This question required candidates to identify information about outdoor dining areas when developing a client brief. The designer must establish client needs and preferences in order to develop a design which is best suited to the users. The type of information required could include: facts relating to size of dining area, for instance how many people to be seated and the size of dining furniture options for location e.g. is it more important to have access close to the kitchen or patio doors, or is a location away from the house more desirable preferences for sun or shade - do clients like to dine in full sun, or is shade a priority considerations of design and style e.g. are integrated barbecue facilities on the wish-list are there any other intended uses of the space such as a children s play area, raised beds or spaces for herb planting what type of surface materials could be considered for the design e.g. paving or decking Other valid answers were credited, provided they related to client needs and preferences - not those describing design solutions or facts that would be noted in the site appraisal. Correct answers were those that related specifically to dining areas and not to more general questions e.g. about budget or garden access. b) Existing site features that could affect the design of a dining area would include: large trees that may provide shade - this could be positive or negative when developing the design underground services, beneath the site to be developed, which may have to be moved garden buildings that may restrict possible locations or may need to be demolished or re-sited existing vegetation e.g. shrubs or borders - either to be retained or removed existing hard landscaping features which cannot be moved e.g. walls and steps may limit the scope of a new design The question asked for site features and therefore no marks were awarded for site characteristics such as climate, aspect or topography. In this section candidates were asked to state features but many wrote far too much detail for the available marks.

23 Q State the characteristics of Italian Renaissance gardens under EACH of the following headings: i) layout; ii) ornamental hard landscaping features; iii) soft landscaping. 4 4 Q i) ii) Renaissance gardens were typically laid out on a slope overlooking the surrounding countryside, the space often being divided into geometrically patterned terraces with a central axis and symmetrical features. Ornamental hard landscaping features were made from stone or marble in the Classical style and could include: large scale classical statuary based on Roman figures and Gods complex series of water cascades and fountains elaborate grottos decorated with pebbles and shells courtyard or walkway surrounded by a stone loggia several terraces connected by grand stairways and cross paths iii) Soft landscaping included citrus trees arranged regularly along the axis, often in containers, groves of native trees, evergreen topiary trimmed into spheres and cones, geometric flower beds edged in low box hedging, sometimes a central maze planted with cypress trees, laurel or box. The highest marks were given for answers that adequately described a Renaissance characteristic - some candidates failed to write a convincing description to locate the garden within the Renaissance period. For instance, evergreen hedging could refer to almost every garden period. 3

24 Q3 a) Identify FOUR distinct off-site features or characteristics that can have a negative effect on a garden when carrying out a site appraisal. 4 b) For THREE of the features/characteristics identified in a), describe ONE design solution for each, to offset the limitations of the site. 6 Q3 a) Acceptable answers included any garden features or characteristics that are outside the garden boundary, which could be noted during a site appraisal, and would have a negative effect on the enjoyment of the garden. This would include tall hedges and trees on neighbouring land casting shade or blocking views; being overlooked by tall buildings; any kind of external pollution (odour, noise or atmospheric); ugly off-site views such as pylons seen from the garden; and nearby water courses causing temporary flooding. Characteristics of the general location, such as altitude, climate, and proximity to the coast were not accepted as off-site, because they directly affect the garden itself not just the external environment. Most candidates were able to correctly identify these features and many got full marks. b) Part b) required candidates to describe design possibilities for three of the limitations identified in a). Most were able to state three solutions, although marks were limited when answers did not give sufficient description. Saying that a garden with overhanging trees could be used as a shady seating area is a statement rather than a description. Some examples of answers with the correct level of detail for full marks include: designate a shady area for utilities or parking where temperature and light levels are not important reduce the impact of overlooking buildings and windows with tall trellis planted with a range of climbers for year-round screening plant a dense screen of pollution resistant trees or shrubs e.g. Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn) draw attention away from an ugly view to another part of the garden by installing a pond with a decorative water feature for intermittently boggy ground build raised features e.g. a decking walkway with a moisture-loving planting scheme alongside 4

25 Q4 a) Describe the implications of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on the garden design process. 4 b) Describe THREE ways in which mature trees can be successfully incorporated into a garden design. 6 Q4 a) This question asked for the implications of a TPO on the garden design process. This was poorly answered as many failed to link the answer to design process and simply described the meaning of a TPO and maintenance of mature trees. Points that were accepted included: permits are needed to fell or carry out any work on listed trees the permit application process may delay start of site works for up to two months the final design may have to plan around listed trees designs need to consider the continued growth of, and eventual size of trees into the future b) Following on from part a) this question asked candidates to consider possible design solutions to incorporate mature trees: mature trees can become part of a new design by making them a focal point within the overall scheme, making use of the characteristic features of maturity e.g. the shape and spread of the canopy or the flowering potential can be reflected in other aspects of the design the area below existing deciduous trees can sometimes be cultivated for new planting opportunities, for instance by removing existing grass and converting the area to a scheme with a range of bulbs and other woodland plants mature trees can become the focus of a wildlife area which can be left relatively undisturbed with wildlife viewing points added and bird boxes put up to encourage new animal species into the garden very old trees with large spreading canopies could support a tree house to become the center piece of a new children s play area For good marks, examiners were looking for an element of design to be identified rather than simply a use, such as a seating area. 5

26 Q5 State how hard and soft landscaping can be combined to achieve the following design principles, using ONE practical example for each: i) unity; ii) symmetry; iii) balance; iv) proportion; v) texture. This question tested the ability of candidates to imagine how hard and soft landscaping can be effectively combined in garden design. Many candidates failed to read the question and make the link to combine hard and soft landscaping in their answers. Putting hard and soft features together in a convincing way is an essential part of good design, and use of the basic principles will aid the design process. A wide range of answers were possible and were accepted where the candidate demonstrated a knowledge of the principle. Both hard and soft landscaping had to be stated in each example. The following are suggestions of good answers: i) ii) iii) iv) v) unity could be achieved in a Mediterranean style garden by the use of lavender and rosemary edging a gravel terrace. Shape can be used to unify a design; for instance, a circular lawn could intersect a circular patio symmetry can be seen in a herb garden where identical herb planting in square raised beds are mirrored either side of a central access path in a courtyard garden, a vertical stone sculpture in one corner may be balanced by a spreading Acer dissectum in the opposite corner the dimensions of a patio and adjacent herbaceous borders can be measured out using the golden proportion principle, so that the length and width of both features have the same ratio the principle of texture can be used to create a pleasing contrast of materials and leaf texture - a smooth limestone paving contrasting with the deeply ribbed leaves of Hostas Answers could not be credited if examples did not state both hard and soft features. 6

27 Q6 State the problems caused by limited access to a domestic garden under EACH of the following headings: i) access from road; ii) access within the site. 5 5 Most candidates understood the problems associated with limited access from the road. A range of good answers were offered including: materials and plants may need to be carried in through the house or in small quantities by wheel barrow similarly, spoil and waste must be carried out without the aid of machinery machinery may not be viable for ground works, limiting the scope of the design for large scale terracing or a pond overhead restrictions could limit access of plant and machinery e.g. overhead cables in the way extra costs for additional labour may reduce the budget available for spending on other aspects of the design timescale may be extended due to hand labour involved rather than use of machinery insufficient space available for skips to store large amounts of waste Answers to part b) were less well articulated, but most candidates managed to identify two or three problems associated with limited access within a site. Acceptable answers included: access around site for workers and machinery may be hindered due to steep contours boggy ground may prevent full access to the whole site or slow down operations there may be restricted access through narrow gateways or between existing structures to allow machinery through dense vegetation will need to be cleared before work can start which may affect timescales space may be limited on-site for moving and storing materials and waste ground may become compacted due to limited areas for access Credit was also given for answers which noted that limited access may pose problems for users with restricted mobility, and that garden structures would be more difficult to construct in a small space. 7

28 Q7 a) b) Draw a large labelled diagram to show how to survey the outline of an irregular border. List THREE items of surveying equipment required for the survey outlined in a). MARKS 7 3 a) The usual method for surveying an irregular border would be to set out and measure a series of off-sets from a baseline. Marks were awarded for the method, the diagram and for labelling the diagram. Explanations were also credited. Marks were allocated for showing: the establishment of a replicable baseline the correct setting out and measuring of the offsets the drawing of the survey lines and the border This question was very well answered with many achieving good marks. Some candidates made extra work for themselves by drawing an island border and multiple survey lines, which would have taken more time than needed. b) Survey equipment usual for an off-set survey includes 30m tape, pegs, set square and field book. Surveying chain was also accepted, although these are now rarely used. 8

29 Q8 a) Differentiate between the terms movement and rhythm in garden design. MARKS b) a) Describe TWO distinctly different ways that EACH principle in a) can be used when designing a garden. Movement refers to physical movement of people through and movement of elements within the garden, whereas rhythm is about the frequency of and the intervals between repeated or similar objects or forms. 8 b) This question asked for two examples each of the use of movement and rhythm in garden design. Whilst candidates had no problem identifying examples of movement, the concept of rhythm is not so clear. Examples of movement the use of moving water either vertically e.g. in a cascade or horizontally e.g. along a rill on windy sites plants can be selected to move in the breeze e.g. the swaying stems and flowers of Stipa gigantea design can be used to encourage physical movement of people though the garden e.g. a series of archways connecting garden rooms Marks were not credited for answers that stated focal points to draw the eye. Examples of rhythm rhythm can be established by repeating visually strong elements at regular intervals e.g. standard roses as vertical elements within a mixed border distance between objects or design details can alter rhythm, to speed up or slow down the sense of travel through the space e.g. paving joints across the line of sight can be used to manipulate actual apparent speed. Choose large paving units with widely spaced paving joints to slow progress through the garden. Few candidates recognised this use of spacing to influence the pace of progression through the garden. 9

R3111 UNDERSTANDING GARDEN SURVEY TECHNIQUES & DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Including Examiner Comments R3111 UNDERSTANDING GARDEN SURVEY TECHNIQUES & DESIGN PRINCIPLES Level 3 Thursday 11 February 2016 09:30 10:55 Written Examination Candidate Number: Candidate Name: Centre Number/Name:..