Design Elements create moods or feeling of the Observer. The Landscape Element uses complementary streetscape design features to provide an attractive and inviting route for a variety of users. The landscape design recognizes these variations in the visual and land use character.

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REPORT ON:
INTRODUCTION
LANDSCAPING DESIGN ELEMENT
Design Elements create moods or feeling of the Observer. The Landscape Element uses complementary
streetscape design features to provide an attractive and inviting route for a variety of users. The landscape
design recognizes these variations in the visual and land use character.
INTRODUCTION
Design Element - LINE
Lines are a powerful design element that define rooms and connect people to the landscape. Line is one of
the more structural principles of landscape design and it is one of the easiest to work with. Line is generally
related to the way your eye moves and flows around the landscape such as how garden beds, walkways,
and entryways move and flow with one another.
It's often reflected in the way paths and beds are arranged and fit together, but a more subtle line can also
LANDSCAPING DESIGN
ELEMENT -
LINE

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be created by changes in plant heights or the shapes and directions of their branches. Line in the landscape
is created by the edge between two materials, the outline or silhouette of a form, or a long linear feature.
Lines are a powerful tool for the designer because they can be used to create an infinite variety of shapes .
Landscape designers use lines to create patterns, develop spaces, create forms, control movement,
establish dominance, and create a cohesive theme in a landscape.
Notice the strong use of "line" here in
the Japanese Garden at Butchart
Gardens, Victoria BC. The path
(primary line) invites you into the
garden. Secondary lines form the beds
In this private garden, the "line"
formed by the edge of the pond
creates an amazing space as the
plants reflect in the water. The line
defines the space and pulls you into
the landscape.

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Properties of Lines
The properties of lines determine how people respond to the landscape, both emotionally and physically.
Straight Lines
Straight lines are structural and forceful; they create a formal character, are
usually associated with a symmetrical design, and lead the eye directly to a
focal point. Diagonal lines are straight lines with an intentional direction. They
direct the eye right to the next focus. They say plainly what you want, like the
straight line of a stairway, it tells you, "Go this way." Straight lines are most
often found in hardscape edges and material.
Wavy Lines
Curved lines create an informal, natural, relaxed character that is associated
more with nature and asymmetrical balance. Curved lines move the eye at a
slower pace and add mystery to the space by creating hidden views.

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Wavy or curved lines have a more natural, gentle, flowing effect. A curved line tends to be more smooth
and free flowing and create a more relaxed, natural movement for a more relaxed landscape effect. It
tends to "invite" you through the garden instead of "directing" you.
Vertical Lines
Vertical lines move the eye up, making a space feel larger. An upward
line can emphasize a feature and has a feeling of activity or movement.
Vertical lines in the landscape include tall, narrow plant material, such as
trees, or tall structures, such as an arbor or a bird house on a pole.
Horizontal Lines
Horizontal lines move the eye along the ground plane and can make a space feel larger. Low lines are more
subdued and create a feeling of rest or repose. Horizontal lines can spatially divide a space or tie a space
together. Low lines are created by low garden walls, walkways, and short hedges.
Lines are used to draw forms on a plan. In plan view, they define plant beds and hardscape areas. Lines are
also created by the vertical forms of built features and plant material.

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There are three primary line types that create
form in the landscape: bedlines, hardscape
lines, and plant lines.
Bedlines are created where the edge of the
plant bed meets another surface material, such
as turf, groundcover, gravel, or patio pavers.
Bedlines connect plant material to the house
and hardscape because the eye follows the line,
moving the gaze through the landscape.
Hardscape lines are created by the edge of the
hardscape, which delineates the built structure.
Line can also be created by long and narrow
materials, such as a fence or wall.
Fig. Shows common landscape lines,
including bedlines, hardscape lines, path
lines, sod lines, and fence lines

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How Line Forms DictateSpace and Style
Design principles are the fundamental guidelines every landscape designer should use as a basis for
creating their plans. These principles include scale, line value contrast, lettering and line forms. There are
five basic line forms:
 Rectilinear
 Arc and tangent
 Arc and radii
 Arc and arc
 Curvilinear
Line Forms and Styles:
Rectilinear Line Form
Rectilinear:

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Grid: the pattern created by lines running side by side (parallel) and intersecting with lines running at right
angles (perpendicular) to the parallel lines.
Form
 No arching or curved lines;
 Line segments may be of any length or various lengths;
 All lines are straight;
 All lines are either parallel or perpendicular to one another;
 Lines intersect at 90-degree angles;
 Promotes a regular grid pattern style
Style
 The intersections of this grid pattern dictate gathering spaces;
 Rigid style;
 Very formal style;
 Typically symmetrical;
 May create the feeling of cold and unwelcoming if
underdeveloped.
Figure 1: Example of a grid pattern
in a rectilinear line form.

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Figure 2: Example of rectilinear form
in a landscape design plan view.
Arc and Tangent Line Form
Form

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 A series of arcs connected by straight-line tangents;
 Only two types of line segments: straight tangents and arcs;
 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;
 Lines extending beyond an arc will form a grid;
 Tangents cannot intersect directly;
 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 areas.
Figure 3: Example of arc and tangent form

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Figure 4: Arc and tangent form used for
concept lines in a landscape design.
Arc and Radii Line Form
Form

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 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;
 The straight-line segments constitute the radius and must be complemented by the presence of at
least some portion of the 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.
Figure 5: The form of arc and radii

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Arc and Arc Line Form
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;
 Circles and ellipses may be of varying lengths within the design;
 Arcs may intersect in a variety of configurations as long as the relationship of the intersections
remains consistent within the design plan;
Style

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 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.
Figure 6: Example of arc and arc line form.

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Figure 7: Arc and Arc line form as a concept line in a plan view.
Curvilinear/ Bio-morphic / Organic Line Form
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

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 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;
 Tends to blend manicured landscapes into more natural environments;
Figure 8: Example of curvilinear / organic line form.

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Figure 9: Curvilinear line form in a landscape design plan
view.
Soften lines in landscape design, what does it
mean?

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In the landscape design world, horizontal lines or vertical lines and corners of some structures, like a
house, walkway, or patio, create a harsh appearance. Landscape design is introduced to reduce the visual
impact of sharp lines and subsequently create a more pleasing view. Well-placed flowers, shrubs or small
trees conceal sharp lines, like where the ground meets the vertical foundation of the house. Covering or
hiding all or part of sharp lines with plants is referred to as softening the line or edge.
To appreciate the value of softening lines in the landscape, Adding
foundation plants helps blend structures into nature.
imagine a house with no flowers, shrubs or trees (above).
Examples
Japanese Gardens

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The line between garden and its surrounding landscapeis not distinct.
Curvilinear/ Bio-morphic / Organic Line Form to developthe informal character and
Asymmetry.
Plan showing
Organic Curvilinear
Water Bodies,
Pathways, Dry
Garden of
Japanese Gardens.
These hide views
like nature.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
8 Basic Principles of Landscape Design Line
http://www.weekendgardener.net/gardeningdesign/basic-landscape-design6-110911.htm

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SULIS - Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series U of MN.
http://www.sustland.umn.edu/design/energysaving.html
The Elements of Good Garden Design
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/design/styles/line-garden-design/
Views from the Garden Soften lines in landscape design, what does it mean
http://www.viewsfromthegarden.com/2011/09/soften-lines-in-landscape-design-what.html
Principles of Landscape Design
http://www.cmg.colostate.edu/gardennotes/413.html
CIR536-MG086 Basic Principles of Landscape Design
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg086
Japanese Gardens by Gunter Nitschke