D E PA RT M E N T O F A R C H I T E C T U R E
COURSE TITLE: LANDSCAPE
COURSE CODE: AR407
LECTURE 5
GEOMTRICAL COMPOSITION THEME
OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Course instructor: Dr. Ahmed Zaki
DIAGRAM OF BASICS OF LANDSCAPE DESSIGN PROCESS
CONCEPT STYLE
ZONING
COMPOSITION
SHAPING
DETAILS PRESENTATION
DETAILED DIAGRAM OF LANDSCAPE DESSIGN PROCESS
Functionality
Aesthetics NEEDS CONCEPT STYLE
Sustainability
COMPONENT OF PROGRAM EGYPTIAN STYLE
AREA S OF COMPONENTS ROMAN – GREEK STYLE
ZONING & SUB ZONES ZONING CHINESE STYLE
RELTION SHIPS AMONG COMPONENTS JAPANESE STYLE
ISLAMIC STYLE
THE CURVILINEAR THEME ITALAIN RENASSIANCE STYLE
RADIAL OR CIRCULAR THEME FRENCH STYLE
RECTILINEAR THEME COMPOSITION
ENGLISH STYLE
THE DIAGONAL THEME AMERICAN STYLE
THE ARC & TANGENT THEME ECO-STYLE
THE IRREGULAR THEME
SHAPING
SHAPING OF CIRCULATION
SHAPING OF HARDSCAPE
SHAPING OF SOFTSCAPE
DETAILS PRESENTATION
COMPOSITION THEME OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN
The curvilinear Approach
Radial or Circular, Theme
Rectilinear theme
Rectilinear-45: The Diagonal Approach
The arc-and-tangent approach
The irregular theme
COMPOSITION THEME OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN
The curvilinear Approach Radial or Circular, Theme Rectilinear theme
Rectilinear-45: The arc-and-tangent The irregular theme
The Diagonal Approach approach
The curvilinear Approach This approach is most appropriate for large,
Curvilinear: The curvilinear approach to open sites
design is the most typical amongst
landscape designers; even on sites
where another approach would be much
more appropriate. Sometimes referred
to as ‘natural’, this is a mistake because
the curvilinear forms are created from
an underlying geometry following very
subtle guidelines.
The curvilinear design approach is most
appropriate for large, open sites where
the large sweeping curves can lead the
eye about the property. It’s also the best
approach for rolling terrain where the Advantages:
curves can accentuate and Sweeping curves lead the eye
about the property
accommodate changes in grade. The
suitable with circular contours
curvilinear approach is often mistakenly Soft curves add natural spirit to design
used on small and restrictive sites where
Disadvantages:
the forms created become an inefficient inefficient use of space in small sites.
use of space.
The curvilinear Approach
Radial or Circular Theme combination of concentric circles and
straight lines and overlapping circles
Radial: A radial theme, or circular, theme
is created by using concentric circles
radiating from a central point (and straight
lines) or by combining overlapping circles.
The illustration shows a combination of
concentric circles and straight lines.
This approach differs from the others in
that forms are created from an underlying
radial grid versus a square grid. This
makes for very interesting, dynamic
spaces. I rarely see the radial approach
used in residential settings. On the few
residential sites I have seen it applied, the
home is typically of a contemporary style Advantages:
and is itself designed from a radial grid (at Makes very interesting & dynamic spaces
least part of it). The garden simply duo to use of concentric & overlapping
radiates from the central point of the circles
Soft curves add natural spirit to design
home following the concentric patterns.
Radial or Circular Theme
Radial or Circular Theme
Rectilinear theme
Rectilinear: A rectilinear theme is created in
plan-view through the use of vertical and
horizontal lines on a square grid. Just as a
homes architecture is designed in this way, the
same treatment of the garden reinforces the
rectangular layout of the home.
The rectilinear theme is most appropriate for
creating garden spaces, or rooms, that serve as Advantages:
an extension of the home-decks and patios for Most appropriate for creating garden
instance. Backyard partitions can be helpful spaces, or rooms, that serve as an
when trying to create distinct and separate extension of the home-decks and patios.
spaces. This approach ensures for a much Helpful when trying to create distinct
more efficient use of space. The rectilinear and separate spaces(partitioning).
design theme is also ideal for restrictive sites Ensures for a much more efficient use of
space & restrictive sites .
like city gardens enclosed by fences and walls.
This approach is more orderly and
Level ground is best for this theme although logical, so it suits formal architectural
slopes can be terraced to extraordinary effect styles perfectly.
using a rectilinear approach. Because this The straight lines provide a feeling of
approach is more orderly and logical, it suits structure
formal architectural styles perfectly.
Rectilinear theme
Rectilinear-45: The Diagonal Approach
Rectilinear-45: Often referred to as the
diagonal approach, forms are created
in the same way as the rectilinear
approach only diagonal lines are
introduced; most typically 45-degree
although lines of 60-degree are
acceptable. Often times this theme will
be utilized without the vertical and
horizontal lines. These diagonal lines
can make a space more dynamic and
exciting as well as make a space seem
larger. This approach is used on similar Advantage:
sites as the rectilinear approach only Make a space more dynamic and exciting as
less with formal, traditional well as make a space seem larger.
architecture. I’ve seen the rectilinear- Very successfully with contemporary,
45 approach utilized very successfully modernist style
with contemporary, modernist homes
designed from similar diagonal lines.
Rectilinear-45: The Diagonal Approach
The arc-and-tangent approach combination of the four previous approaches.
Using vertical, horizontal and 45- degree lines
Arc-and-Tangent: The arc-and-tangent with arcs and circles,
approach is a combination of the four
previous approaches. Using vertical,
horizontal and 45- degree lines with
arcs and circles, a well-organized and
dynamic space can be created. I find
that the arc-and-tanget approach can
be well adapted to many different
types of sites and architectural styles.
The straight lines provide a feeling of
structure while contrasting with the
more “natural” soft curves. I’ve seen
Advantages:
this approach used successfully on Can be well adapted to many different types
large sites where larger and more of sites and architectural styles.
numerous arcs are introduced as the Can create well-organized and dynamic
garden moves away from the home space.
towards a woodland or open field. Contrast between straight and curved lines
add value to design
The arc-and-tangent approach
The irregular theme
Irregular: The irregular theme combines
multidirectional lines on a square grid;
not restrictive to only 45-degree or 60-
degree lines. This approach can make
for a very bold and complex space. As
with the radial theme, this is not
common on residential sites, although I
have seen it executed effectively with
contemporary styled homes on
occasion.
Advantages:
This approach is better used for a very bold
and complex space.
Effectively used with contemporary style
The irregular theme
END of LECTURE 5
