Computer Tools in Landscape Design: review

Throughout the ages, people's pursuit of a unified and harmonious architectural environment has never stopped. When embarking on a construction project, it integrates architectural design and landscape design into integrated planning, fully integrating architectural space, landscape environment and humanistic environment, thereby forming an architectural design that integrates internal and external environments. This article aims to study the integrated planning path of architectural design and landscape design. This article first analyzes the embodiment of the integration of architectural design and landscape design, classifies the buildings in the landscape environment according to different functions and morphological characteristics, and summarizes the relationship between the building and the landscape. This paper studies the integrated planning path of architecture and landscape design from the aspects of integration under the display of landscape commonality, integration of architecture and environment under the interconnection of scenes, etc., and explores effective strategies under specific measures. The survey data of tourists on the ideal choice of architecture and landscape design in Natural Scenic Area A shows that 86.27% of them prefer to preserve the natural scenery, and 50% of them are in favor of abundant supporting facilities. Therefore, natural tourist areas should add more natural elements to retain the characteristics of their natural tourist areas.

With the continuous escalation of architectural design requirements, the continuous complexity of architectural models, and the integration of computer technology, virtual reality technology in architectural design has also emerged. The application of virtual reality technology in architectural design deepens the communication between professional architects and non-professionals, makes the architectural effect more intuitive, and effectively solves the communication barriers between architects and non-professionals. This article discusses the basic theory of virtual reality technology, and studies how to apply virtual reality technology in the landscape design of modern cities. On the premise of analyzing traditional landscape design methods, analyze the disadvantages of traditional landscape design methods; by studying the advantages of virtual reality technology, we choose to construct some scenes of urban architectural landscape design for virtual reality models. The article combines virtual reality technology with architectural design to effectively solve some of the shortcomings of traditional urban landscape design.

The development of digital technology has brought changes to architectural design, and the application of modern computer technology has an impact on architectural design. In recent years, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence and other science and technology, the application of virtual reality technology in architectural design has begun to emerge. Virtual reality technology brings strong participation, interaction and dynamics to architectural landscape design. Virtual reality technology enables architectural landscape design to obtain a realistic three-dimensional virtualized interactive experience, and improves the effectiveness and forward-looking of architectural landscape design through effective data collection and analysis such as simulation feedback information. Based on virtual reality technology, this paper studies the application of virtual reality technology platforms such as Iris VR and Mars for virtual reality visualization processing to restore real visual effects; it studies the waterfront landscape design method based on the interactive experience data and analysis of virtual reality technology.

Data exchange between different computer-aided design (CAD) systems is a major problem inhibiting information integration in collaborative engineering environments. Existing CAD data format standards such as STEP and IGES enable geometric data exchange. However, they ignore construction history, features, constraints, and other parametric-based CAD data. As a result, they are inadequate for supporting modification, extension and other important higher-level functionality when accessing an imported CAD model from another CAD system. Achieving such higher-level functionality therefore often requires a time-consuming, error-prone, tedious process of manually recreating the model in the target CAD system. Based on techniques adapted from programming language research, this paper presents an approach to exchanging parametric data between CAD systems using formally-defined conversion semantics. We have demonstrated the utility of our approach by developing a prototype implementation that automates the conversion of 2D sketches between two popular CAD systems: Pro/ENGINEER and SolidWorks. We present examples showing that our approach is able to accurately convert parametric CAD data even in cases where models were constructed using operations from the source CAD system that have no direct counterpart in the target CAD system. Although the case study focuses on 2D interoperability, our approach provides formal foundations for supporting 3D and semantic interoperability between CAD systems.

Currently, talent training in Chinese universities for landscape architecture is mainly divided into three directions: “landscape planning and design,” “landscape construction management,” and “landscape plant planting and maintenance.” However, with the background of the slowing urbanization process and the widespread demand for composite talents in society, it remains to be verified whether the traditional three major talent training directions in landscape architecture align with the job demands in the current construction market. Based on a survey and analysis of over 300 industry practitioners, this study found a clear trend of merging the three major employment directions into “landscape design and construction” and “landscape plant planting and maintenance.” This presents new requirements and directions for the skill training of landscape architecture majors in universities and provides insights into the alignment between talent training and employment demands in other industries.

The practice of landscape architecture in Kenya is growing alongside the country’s construction industry, which is currently experiencing exponential growth in tandem with construction trends globally. With the growth in the industry, there has been significant growth in the economy, high consumption of natural resources, a 50% increased contribution to the world’s landfill waste, and pollution of the adjacent environment. These have given rise to high pressure to adopt environmentally sensitive approaches in the construction industry to achieve competitive advantage. It is therefore crucial to address the need for sustainability measures for landscape architecture projects to increase knowledge and awareness, create incentives geared toward supporting sustainable practices, and leverage legal instruments and policies. The aim of this study was to identify the barriers to the adoption of and improvement in the monitoring and evaluation of sustainable practices in landscape architecture in Kenya that prevent the industry from achieving sustainability. The objective of this research was to critically analyze the many challenges and barriers to the achievement of sustainability in the Kenyan construction industry with a focus on landscape architecture practices. It also examined the overall extent of the adoption, monitoring, and evaluation of sustainability, and possible solutions were proposed for the management of and reduction in said barriers. The study was carried out through extensive research of secondary data sources on the average level of knowledge and technical know-how of sustainable construction, the level of perception of compliance, the average cost of construction vis à vis sustainable construction, and the level of sustainability in the construction sector in Kenya. The collected data were analyzed empirically and, through the use of descriptive statistics and findings, the data were discussed. The preliminary findings from this study indicate that there is an overall poor attitude toward M&E of sustainability in Kenya, indicating the need to further improve processes.

The substantial emission of carbon exacerbates climate change, posing a threat to human survival and sustainable development. The primary inducement for the carbon emission issue is the excessive dependence of human activities on fossil energy. The construction industry is among the major sectors contributing to carbon emissions, and the low-carbon development within this industry serves as the cyclical engine for the path towards carbon reduction. Currently, there is limited research that integrates low-carbon development with the landscape design of renewable energy projects. Most studies emphasize the application of relevant low-carbon measures, overlooking the landmark effects of building decarbonization. Addressing how to truly achieve landscape design for renewable energy projects from a sustainable perspective based on relevant carbon emission quantification indicators during the architectural design phase is an urgent problem to be solved. This paper takes a sustainable perspective as the starting point and systematically summarizes landscape design concepts from this perspective. It proposes three major design approaches: ecological sustainability, cultural integration, and the application of advanced technology. Using these approaches, the paper tackles the balance between economics, energy, and the environment in landscape design, recognizing it as essentially a high-dimensional multi-objective optimization problem from a methodological perspective. The paper introduces an energy-economy-environment coupling model and utilizes big data. After low-carbon planning and design, both the net carbon footprint and total carbon footprint of the landscape significantly decrease. The Greenfield carbon sequestration per kilogram increases from 301,023.21 to the current 347,856.02, with an increase of 46,832.81.

<sec><title>Objective</title> Design brief is the main basis for determining capital construction projects and preparing design documents, whose preparation entails strict compliance with scientific and rigorous processes and methods. In the current construction process of landscape architecture projects in China, the preparation of design brief relies more on the experience of practitioners than on reliable evidence, and it is difficult to control the scientificity and rationality of the design basis. If landscape architectural programming is incorporated in the construction process of landscape architecture projects by designers and building owners to demonstrate the scale, nature, positioning and design requirements of such projects, and the preparation process and content of design brief as the basis for design are controlled before the design is carried out, it may be an effective way to promote scientific decision-making in landscape design. Landscape architectural programming is precisely a set of theories and methods for studying the process of design basis formation. As a matter of fact, the use of programming to enhance the scientificity of design decision-making has received considerable attention in the field of urban design and architecture. However, the current research on landscape architectural programming is still in its infancy, and there is an urgent need to clarify the connotations and attributes and develop the research methods of landscape architectural programming. </sec><sec><title>Methods/process</title> This research firstly traces and comparatively analyzes the development process of programming in the fields of urban design, architectural design and landscape architecture, and comparatively analyzes the design programming in the three human settlement environment disciplines in terms of the chronological position of programming in practice, the connotation of programming and the purpose of implementing programming, so as to put forward the broad and narrow connotations of landscape architectural programming, and point out the specific definitions and essential attributes of landscape planning. Secondly, from the perspective of scientific research, according to the process and hierarchy of scientific research, landscape architectural programming is reviewed as an independent research topic, and the research framework of landscape architectural programming in line with the characteristics and needs of the landscape architecture specialty is explored. </sec><sec><title>Results/conclusion</title> The research shows that design programming has two layers of connotation: Design programming in the broad sense is the programming of the whole cycle of project practice, covering the whole process of project planning, approval, design, construction, use, etc. Design programming in the narrow sense is the study of design basis and its formation process, which is positioned after project approval and before design. The current landscape architectural programming should prioritize the connotation in the narrow sense. As to the definition of the concept, landscape architectural programming refers to the research work in which landscape architects propose a combination of qualitative and quantitative design bases through various methods and procedures, which requires landscape architects to, following the target of a landscape architecture construction project, make rational and objective analysis of the social context and other relevant factors of the project by multidimensional investigation methods based on field investigation in combination with personal experience and technical specifications, and to justify the construction target as appropriate. Landscape architectural programming is evidence-based, which advocates evidence-based science rather than experience, and can thus contribute to scientific decision-making of design. The research framework of landscape architectural programming contains epistemology, theoretical perspective, programming methodology, programming procedure, programming methodology, and programming technology. The relationship between these 5 parts is as follows: Programming methodology is a complete set of action plans necessary for programming and a systematic collection of multiple methods and approaches, which links epistemology and theoretical perspective upward, and coordinates the three aspects of programming procedure, programming methodology and programming technology downward; programming procedure serves as an operation program for the modes and steps of programming practice, involving a variety of specific planning methods; programming methodology depends on the support of various techniques or tools in data collection, processing and analysis. In addition, this research integrates the author’s research and practical experience, and initially proposes a six-phase programming procedure: Goal presetting, field investigation and analysis, concept and spatial conception, goal justification, programming expression, and post-programming evaluation. This research also proposes 6 alternative programming methods including the survey research method, content analysis method, hierarchical analysis method, semantic analysis method, importance-satisfaction analysis method, and card analysis method, as well as 4 alternative programming techniques including the programming information matrix, programming periodic table, public participation model, and design competition model. </sec>

Environmental landscaping is known to build, plan, and manage landscapes that consider the ecology of a site and produce gardens that benefit both people and the rest of the ecosystem. Landscaping and the environment are combined in landscape design planning to provide holistic answers to complex issues. Seeding native species and eradicating alien species are just a few ways humans influence the region’s ecosystem. Landscape architecture is the design of landscapes, urban areas, or gardens and their modification. It comprises the construction of urban and rural landscapes via coordinating the creation and management of open spaces and economics, finding a job, and working within a confined project budget. There was a lot of discussion about global warming and water shortages. There is a lot of hope to be found even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. AI is becoming more significant in many urban landscape planning and design elements with the advent of web 4.0 and Human-Centred computing. It created a virtual reality-based landscape to create deep neural networks (DNNs) to make deep learning (DL) more user-friendly and efficient. Users may only manipulate physical items in this environment to manually construct neural networks. These setups are automatically converted into a model, and the real-time testing set is reported and aware of the DNN models that users are producing. This research presents a novel strategy for combining DL-DNN with landscape architecture, providing a long-term solution to the problem of environmental pollution. Carbon dioxide levels are constantly checked when green plants are in and around the house. Plants, on either hand, remove toxins from the air, making it easier to maintain a healthy environment. Human-centered Artificial Intelligence-based web 4.0 may be used to assess and evaluate the data model. The study findings can be sent back into the design process for further modification and optimization.

As the carrier of integrating architectural space and urban ecological environment, landscape architecture has become a constructive choice of high density urban in recent years. However, the landscape architecture generation logic lacks scientific feature, and its environmental performance is poor, so the landscape architecture form design needs to be studied rationally. The key factor influences people’s outdoor activities which is the wind environment in severe cold region. Therefore, this article explores an landscape architecture optimization design approach and the wind environment influence on the human comfort under different slope forms based on CFD simulation, and results indicated 9° top interface that can be used as a preferred choice for cold region landscape architecture.

This study examines the potential of computer-aided design (CAD) systems equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) in reducing the workload of dental technicians. We aimed to compare the accuracy and design time of crowns designed using conventional CAD with those designed using AI-equipped CAD. Abutment tooth models of a maxillary right second premolar (FDI classification #15) and a maxillary left first molar (FDI classification #26) were mounted on a dental model to form the master model. Stereolithography data were acquired using an intraoral scanner, and five dental technicians designed one crown each for #15 and #26 using both conventional and AI-equipped CAD systems. With the #15 and #26 crowns, six measuring points were established for comparing the accuracy of the occlusal surfaces and design time of the crowns designed by the two CAD systems. The occlusal surfaces were also compared for the buccal and palatal sides. The accuracy of the occlusal surface was 275.5 ± 116.8 µm and 25.7 ± 13 µm for the conventional CAD and AI-equipped CAD systems, respectively. For the buccal and palatal surface comparisons, the conventional CAD system revealed larger misfits on the palatal side for both #15 and #26, with significant differences observed. No significant differences were noted with the AI-equipped CAD system. The AI-equipped CAD resulted in significantly faster design time for both #15 and #26. The AI-based CAD system significantly reduced design time and enabled the fabrication of uniform crowns regardless of the dental technician's experience and skill.

PurposeThe point of departure for this viewpoint paper is the current development in which landscape architects are working towards achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals and the associated cross-cutting pledge “Leave No One Behind”. The sustainable development goals 3 and 11 can be achieved through landscape projects that are inclusive and health promoting, and the authors argue that an evidence-based design process is needed to ensure that project designs deliver what they promise. However, most landscape architects are not trained in evidence-based design and are therefore unsure of what can be used as evidence. A further challenge is the lack of relevant and applicable research evidence for design processes.Design/methodology/approachThe authors present a process model for evidence-based health design in landscape architecture as an overall framework on which the authors base their arguments. The model includes four topics of evidence: target group, human health, environment and use of nature. For each topic, the authors present their view on what may be considered as evidence and where it can be found or generated. The study view is supported by a detailed presentation of where and how evidence was found and generated in a design project for an accessible and health-promoting forest trail for people with mobility disabilities.FindingsThe authors suggest a broad definition of evidence, and that the design process should draw on evidence from relevant research and practice disciplines. Evidence can be found in multiple sources, for example, scientific articles, theoretical works and design guidelines. It can also be generated by landscape architects themselves, for example, through landscape analyses and stakeholder workshops. The evidence should guide and support the landscape architect and not dictate the design process.Practical implicationsThe authors hope that the knowledge provided on the evidence-based health design process and on where to collect or how to generate evidence may inspire landscape architects in their future health design projects.Originality/valuePeople with mobility disabilities face many health challenges and should potentially be able to benefit from visiting green spaces. The authors hope that the knowledge provided on the evidence-based health design process and on where to collect or how to generate evidence may inspire landscape architects in their future health design projects.

A virtual reality (VR) interface to a feature-based computer-aided design (CAD) system promises to provide a simple interface to a designer of mechanical parts, because it allows intuitive specification of design features such as holes, slots, and protrusions in three-dimensions. Given the current state of a part design, the designer is free to navigate around the part and in part cavities to specify the next feature. This method of feature specification also provides directives to the process-planner regarding the order in which the features may be manufactured. In iterative feature-based design, the existing part cavities represent constraints as to where the designer is allowed to navigate and place the new feature. The CAD system must be able to recognize the part cavities and enforce these constraints. Furthermore, the CAD system must be able to update its knowledge of part cavities when the new feature is added. In this paper, (i) we show how the CAD system can enforce the aforementioned constraints by exploiting the knowledge of part cavities and their adjacencies, and (ii) present efficient methods for updates of the set of part cavities when the designer adds a new feature.

Traditional landscape design methods rely entirely on the experience of designers and are difficult to adapt to the needs of modern society. This article proposes a landscape design method based on a distributed integrated model. Based on landscape design scheme data, the intelligent landscape design function is achieved by constructing a distributed geographic model, extracting features through data analysis and key point analysis, and using virtual environments in computer-aided design to display and restore the actual effects of landscape design. The results indicate that the landscape design method based on distributed integration mode is more in line with the needs of modern society and has significant advantages over traditional landscape design in terms of public interest and evaluation coefficient. The intelligent landscape design method based on distributed integrated models has important significance in modern urbanization construction, which can effectively improve the accuracy and speed of landscape design and create better living spaces for people.

In recent years, with the continuous progress of the new era and the continuous improvement of people’s material living standards, landscape design has entered a new stage of development. The introduction of this innovative digital art makes landscape design produce not only new sensory experience and visual effects, but also a closer combination of innovative digital technology and art with the maturity of technology and social promotion and application. At the same time, the landscape can provide leisure and recreation places for users and enrich people’s entertainment life, while the color matching in landscape design can best cause people’s visual satisfaction. Therefore, landscape architecture design should pay attention to color design, and landscape architecture should be designed on the basis of color aesthetics to meet the spiritual needs of users. With the development of contemporary digital technology, both software and hardware are improving, which can assist the transformation of landscape design research from feeling to perception, from qualitative to quantitative. For example: The use of digital modeling software to preset the color matching of the site and the use of instruments and equipment for color quantitative data analysis can objectively compare and screen the best landscape color composition scheme. At present, landscape designers can try to realize the application of different color elements in virtual digital technology. Based on the analysis of the application strategy of color in innovative digital landscape design, this paper provided feasible references and suggestions for the development of urban landscape design.