Showing the Way In: Entranceways

That’s where landscape designers’ roles become key - designing a landscaped entryway that catches the attention of passing traffic (be it pedestrian or vehicular) and guiding these people into the building.

FUNCTION FIRST & FOREMOST. "An entranceway has to be obvious. That’s the most important thing," asserted Jim Klein, landscape designer, Stiles Landscape Service Co., Pompano Beach, Fla. "People need to be able to see it so they know where they’re going."

Landscape designers and architects are essentially in universal agreement about the importance of focusing upon an entranceway’s function during the design process. And they note there are a number of options available for achieving the desired effect.

Jim Catlin, a landscape architect with Anthony Bertotti Landscape Inc., Novato, Calif., is a proponent of extending the building’s architectural features out into the entranceway. "One approach is to integrate the structure into the landscape by using a predominant feature of the structure - such as an archway - or developing a design relationship between the construction and landscape materials," he noted. "This repetition of materials creates a sense of extension and continuity as opposed to having disparities in the colors and materials."

The use of landscape color is certainly not to be discounted, however. "In the Pacific Northwest where the climate is gray so much, we need to use color to make an entranceway pleasant," countered Catherine Firth, manager, landscape architecture services, The Mitchell Nelson Group, Portland, Ore.

Firth was quick to point out, however, that relying too heavily on annual color is a common mistake that can create long-term problems for the client. "Annuals are used too much on commercial projects," she commented. "They can be a nightmare because of the expense of change-outs and because they don’t hold the soil back when it rains, leading to a muddy mess."

Instead, she recommends minimizing the use of annual color to a few, select accent points, and being more creative with the use of other plant material with interesting characteristics. "A landscape doesn’t have to have flowers to be attractive," Firth pointed out. "I like to use plants that have interesting patterns even when they don’t have leaves. Star magnolias and Japanese maples are interesting to look at because of their structures and the smooth, light-colored bark that shows up on gloomy days."

Another common approach to direct visitors to an entrance is the use of different varieties of plant materials, according to Leonard Statile, president and chief executive officer, Statile & Todd Inc., Springfield, N.J. "If the design calls for one type of shade tree in the islands in the parking lot, switching to another type of tree around the entranceway can create a change in terms of variety and texture that the eye will be drawn to," he said.

It’s also important to note that designers can influence the use of an area via the design. "If you put an ash urn, a garbage can or a bench in an area, people will come," observed Firth, emphasizing the importance of designing with such considerations in mind. "An entranceway should be a space to move through. If the goal is to design staying space as well, create spaces on either side of the entranceway that are inviting but pull people about 10 feet off to the side and out of the traffic’s way."

GET ON THE SCALE. As important as an entranceway is to a landscape, it shouldn’t be over emphasized at the expense of the building or surrounding landscape.

"The scale and dimension of an entranceway is very important, so everything appears in proportion to its context and people feel comfortable in the area," noted Catlin, adding that he generally builds the scale for an entranceway around a 6-foot tall person. "If I’m going to use an overhead structure, such as an arbor, I think people are generally more comfortable if it is higher than the reach of their hand. Otherwise, they may feel they have to duck beneath it."

Statile believes an effective entranceway creates a sense of space or enclosure that gives visitors the perception of "having arrived somewhere." Using a structure of some sort in the landscape can be one way to achieve this effect.

"Anything that creates an enclosed area, such as an arbor to drive beneath or a pergola to walk through, can create a sense of arriving somewhere," he explained.

"The size of the entranceway has to work in concert with the architecture," Statile continued. "On a commercial site bringing vehicular traffic through the entranceway, it should be larger than what would be in front of a residential complex."

Klein agreed that too much emphasis could be placed on making an entranceway noticeable. "The designer has to remember what is behind the entranceway," he said. "If it’s a 20-story office complex, then the entranceway can be pretty complex. But if it’s single-story residential units, then you don’t want to use 60-foot tall palm trees down the median strip."

Firth also noted that the type of traffic the entranceway is designed for can influence the scale a great deal. "If it’s for vehicular traffic that is passing by at 35 miles per hour, then the entranceway has to show up from 1/8th of a mile away," she stated. In these situations, she likes to layer landscape elements to catch people’s attention and direct their eyes toward identifying signage.

"You can start with taller evergreens in the back, and then use some flowering trees in front of them," Firth explained. "Then comes the sign with some accent color around it."

HARDLY UNIMPORTANT. Although not as flashy as seasonal color or as obvious as 15-foot-tall pergolas, hardscape materials can be just as effective when it comes to creating an effective entranceway.

"Hardscapes can make the design successful by themselves," Klein asserted, talking about the difference between using rustic cobblestones and simple poured asphalt. "Hardscapes are just as important as the plant material because they set the tone of the landscape and create the setting for the plant material."

"The treatment of hard surfaces can be particularly important when it comes to designing for vehicular traffic," added Catlin. "Using repeating colored bands of concrete pavers or brick bands to surround an area or create a line to cross over can accent the entranceway and catch people’s eye much better than a plain, broom-finished driveway. It creates a much better product for little more cost."

Catlin also maintained that function and expected traffic types should be considered when it comes to selecting a hard surface. "The hard surface should be long lasting and good for all kinds of footwear, as well as other traffic like wheelchairs," he pointed out.

MAKING THE SALE. As important as the entranceway is to the overall success of the structure behind it, clients aren’t always quick to understand the need for such an additional investment.

"It is hard to sell entranceways," noted Firth, "but once clients see a good one, they’re sold."

"A lot of times, the budget is paramount," recognized Catlin. "Sometimes, we have to convince the client that it’s easier to justify a more costly detail in the entranceway than to install something such as a fence or some benches elsewhere in the landscape, especially in areas where the entranceway is important to direct people into the building."