The Case for Functional Garden Design

Before 20th-century landscape architects followed architecture's turn from historical references, garden design focused solely on decoration, ornamentation, and plant cultivation. While many gardens still reflect horticultural passion, others treat the yard as valuable living space. A garden can function on all levels—recreation, relaxation, food production—with thoughtful design. Let's explore functionalism, the architectural principle of "fit for purpose."

The Swedish Garden Architects' Association in the 1930s—when modernism ignited landscape architecture's new perspective—highlighted three guiding points:

1. Avoid both formal classicism and wild-style imitation of nature. Rational design creates spaces suited to rest and recreation, linked to the owner's lifestyle.
2. Design for function eliminates need for historical styles, symmetry, or decoration. Garden space should always have purpose, not just be filled with ornamentation. Any decoration should derive from its function.
3. Minimize paths and walkways to only what's needed for movement. Plants abutting paths should grow freely to overlap, uniting planting and hardscape. Trees should serve a function—shading or fruit production—not overpower the design.

Rational Design Creates Functional Space

Purely functional design—no decoration beyond overall design lines—isn't everyone's choice. Spaces reflect their use; all is rational with little room for imported styles.

Belgian landscape architect Jean Canneel-Claes, an early functionalism champion, stressed seamless inside-outside transitions, realized in his own house with wide windows and glass doors. Similarly, expansive sliding doors here link garden and house for wonderful outdoor recreation.

A simple landscape demonstrates form following function: no ornamentation, minimalist planting breaking up concrete lines, utilitarian concrete path leading straight from A to B, paving shifting to stepping stones in grass to blend soft and hard features. Unfussy, unembellished, materials fit for purpose.

Following the rule that decoration comes from the design itself, this controlled garden shows functional design needn't be bland. Wide paths and pavers link driveway to front door; plantings unite garden parts without overpowering.

Function Has No Need for Historical Styling

Functional garden design discards decoration and historic styles—including symmetrical planning and axes. Spaces are created for clear use, not balanced like formal parterres with central paths dissecting beds.

A softer-looking garden still follows functionalism: hot tub and dining areas created for specific uses, plantings acting as foil for hardscape. Early functionalists believed personal gardens could be inexpensive, easy-to-maintain recreational and relaxation facilities due to their seclusion.

Link Function to Function with Utilitarian Pathways

Paths and steps are functional by nature, yet many garden styles make them anything but utilitarian. In functional gardens, paths become catwalks—straight passageways directly linking spaces, not design features highlighting distant viewpoints.

Stepping stones blend with surrounding landscape, uniting the plan. A simple run links house to back deck.

Plantings Should Be More Than Decoration

Early functionalists introduced "architectural" plants—interesting leaf shapes, colors, textures, great form, year-round interest. In functional gardens, plantings must be hardy, easily maintained, tolerant of dry sun or wet shade near buildings or patios.

The plantings around this hardscape aren't ornamental—they're part of the overall design, maintaining geometric rational style and enhancing relaxation through seclusion.

Soft landscaping complements the building and surroundings. Stepping-stone paving through grass echoes steps to the building and mirrors window overhangs. Simple, functional, serving the owner's needs without added decoration.

The Swedish Association's blueprint specifies tree usage: like hardscape and other plantings, trees should serve a purpose—not just decoration. Fruit production (standard or espaliered) or shade in recreational areas.

With house and garden linked functionally, garden areas become both kitchen larder and relaxation space. Instead of traditional beds, simple architectural raised beds efficiently maximize space.