FD8 - Landscape Design
| Issue Date | Effective Date | Version |
|---|---|---|
| 19/09/2017 | 01/01/2018 | 1.0 |
Purpose
To provide guidance on safe landscape design at aquatic facilities.
Description
Landscape elements in outdoor spaces at aquatic facilities may include paths and garden beds, plants, trees and shrubs, as well as statues, sculptures, water features and a variety of other landscape elements.
Consideration should be given to location, access, interpretation, usability and safety for everyone. Limitations to a person’s mobility, vision and hearing as well as the interpretation needs of both children and adults should be taken into account in the design and access to these elements.
Key design issues to consider are outlined below:
- The selection and maintenance of trees with foliage that does not inhibit the view of lifeguards and parents supervising persons in the water
- The selection and use of trees with foliage that does not overhang paths and drop branches, seed pods, berries or bark, which can create barriers for all users
- Use of landscaping design and elements to assist with way finding. For example:
- planting of shade trees and plants with different aromas and sounds that can assist users with way finding from the car park to the centre entry, as well as enhance the ambience of the space and create a sense of wellbeing
- a large sculpture near the entry of a building that can act as a key way finding element to assist users to find their way to the entry point
- consistent use of lightly textured paving, across a pathway to identify the direction to a viewing or seating area which assists people with limitations to vision and other people when looking for somewhere to rest
- Easy to find and follow paths of travel created by use of low growing plants along path edges, to features such as spectator areas, seating water features or other key elements.
- Installation of sculptures and structures that can be 'felt' as well as 'seen'
- Incorporating interesting seating designs, with backs and armrests, within landscape structures.
- Effective maintenance of sight lines, particularly in spectator areas, at key decision making points, isolated locations where personal safety could be compromised or any family use areas such as play spaces and swimming pools.
References
- AS 1428.1 – 2009 Design for access and mobility - General Requirements for Access - New Building Work
- AS 1428.2 – 1992 Design for access and mobility - Enhanced and Additional Requirements - Buildings and Facilities
- AS/NZS 4586 – 2004 Slip Resistance Classification of New Pedestrian Surface Materials
- AS 1680 - 2009 Interior Lighting - Safe Movement
- Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010
