line forms and landscape design symbols

Question 1

five basic line forms

Answer 1

1. Rectilinear
2. Arc and tangent
3. Arc and radii
4. Arc and arc
5. Curvilinear

Question 2

rectilinear

Answer 2

Style
The intersections of this grid pattern dictate gathering spaces
Rigid and formal style
Typically symmetrical
May create the feeling of cold and unwelcoming if underdeveloped

Question 3

2. Arc and Tangent

Answer 3

Form
A series of arcs connected by straight-line tangents
Arcs may be either circular or elliptical
Lines that do not meet are either straight or intersect at 90º angles
Lines can be either parallel or perpendicular
Tangents cannot intersect directly
Usually circular arcs will have a constant radius, but circles may differ within the design
Elliptical arcs have a slope that is ever increasing / decreasing
Style
Less formal
May be symmetrical
Patterns of straight-line tangents express rectilinear form
Straight-line tangents promote movement
Arc segments dominate the design
Curves increase the overall flow within the design
Arc areas promote pause and gathering area

Question 4

3. Arc and Radii Line form

Answer 4

Form
Two major line segments, straight lines and arcs which are a portion of circles and ellipses.
Straight-line segments must radiate from the center point of a circle or ellipse.
Straight-line segments must intersect circle or ellipse at an angle perpendicular to the tangent of that arc.
All radii must intersect at right angles, or run parallel or perpendicular to each other.
Radii can be of varying lengths.
Arcs can be of any length and size.
Straight-line segments will form a grid pattern similar to the rectilinear form
Style
Formal style due to the grid pattern that develops
Arcs tend to promote gathering spaces
Radii dissecting arcs tend to extend space within the arc beyond it
Straight-line segments connecting two or more arcs will often promote movement between spaces

Question 5

4. Arc and Arc Line Form

Answer 5

Form
Utilizes only one type of line segment
Line segments are always portions of arcs, either circles or ellipses
Circular arcs will have consistent radii
Elliptical arcs will connect all major axis with the end of minor axis
Arcs may intersect in a variety of configurations as long as the relationship of the intersections remains consistent within the design plan
Style
Informal overall design concept
Configuration of overlapping circles and ellipses which open into one another and promotes sharing of space
Although informal, the style of this type of line form is not necessarily natural of flowing
Greater space within an arc promotes its use as a gathering space
Smaller arcs and the space within an arc promote movement

Question 6

5. Curvilinear /Bio-morphic /Organic Line Form

Answer 6

Form
Line segments consist of only one type of spatial edge.
All spatial lines are curving.
All arcs have consistently changing radii
Arcing lines may increase /decrease along the direction of movement through the plan.
Arcing lines may change orientation and direction so as to never re-curve or close upon itself.
Line segments can be of any length.
Style
Very informal
Natural, flowing lines
Reflects forms found in nature
Movement of free-form lines in the landscape offers more possibility for exploration and discovery

Question 7

Landscape design symbols

Answer 7

Designers use graphics and symbols, to show various components of the landscape design plan.
Different graphics are used to indicate different types of plants, such as evergreens, deciduous trees, or groundcovers.
Hardscape materials, such as brick, flagstone, and decking are also shown with different groups.
There are an endless number of different graphics that can be used to depict plants and hardscapes.