Inonu University Journal of Art and Design, vol.6, no.14, pp.1-12, 2016 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Unity is the most important principle for achieving order which is the aim of design and success in composing unity means bringing semantic, functional, and visual integrity at the same time. For this reason considering unity in landscape design and its relationship to design elements and principles is essential. In this context Architectural Design Course in landscape architecture departments is especially important. This course includes teaching information on building-environment unity and analyzing interior functions of different buildings and how these functions expanse to outside. In this course a design project, which aims engaging building with its environment thus forming a whole by landscape design focusing on character unity, is developed. In this study unity concept in design and its role on ensuring building-environment completeness is emphasized and its relationship with landscape design is explained through literature research. Through a residential building and its environmental design in Architectural Design course in Landscape Architecture Department of Karadeniz Technical University; how building-environment unity was composed, what kind of and how design elements and principles were used, were explained with visual analyzes of student works. The design elements form-scale-texture-direction which were found to be strongly related to unity concept were analyzed by visual schemas on photographs of student works and how these elements were used with design principles continuity, similarity, repetition, and contrast was evaluated. When generally discussed similarity was found out as the most common design principle used in the student works, it was seen that students can use this principle with whole design elements. This result shows that similarity is easily comprehended by students and reflected to their designs. Performing the design process through a visionary building design means both improving creativity, and enriching formal repertoires of students. Also this process supports flexibility and each student is encouraged to develop a model in accordance with their design abilities. Key Words:Landscape Design, Architectural Design, Unity, Basic Design Elements and Principle, Student Works.