A Tale of Two Conceptuals.

posted; 07/12/06

This conceptual uses a design principle called “arc and tangent”. Where everything (most things) start out as rectangles and squares, and then are rounded off-connecting arcs/ I have been using a lot of this lately and there is a reason why.

I was getting lazy with a lot of lines. Lines for walks, lines for beds, lines for planters, etc. I was making work in curvilinear form, and you know what? It was easy . . . easy to do, easy to think of, and easy to implement.

I have noticed that most American Landscapes are some sort, or form of curvilinear. Not just for the “easy” reason,, but . . because it also is the best design principle to use when you start thinking about “Natural”.

“Ooooh, I want something that looks natural!” Please don’t get me started on that subject  today. Maybe this winter, but not today, not today.

The upper part, or walkway through the boulder seats, is my ode to the “Japanese stroll garden”. It really isn’t fleshed out here and there is a reason for that. The client doesn’t know it’s coming! It will be a surprise and a departure from what’s there, and it is totally different from the other side of the main walkway-“The congregation side”.

For a conceptual plan I have drawn a lot of the lines in pretty hard-there is a budget issue along with the design side, and we are working hand in hand. We (the contractor of record and I) feel that if the design is strong enough-the money will follow; as in, raise the budgeted amount.

This conceptual is totally different-some Geometric to be sure but the bed lines, hmmm, the bed lines are definitely curvilinear.

The planters are the same as in the above conceptual, to do double duty. Hold plants and act as a seat wall. Above the main walkway are two rows of trees on some rolling lawn. Something to kick back on should the mood strike.

Speaking of the main walkway . . . it needs some work. Especially going from left to right the right side (along the bottom) is just not good. but, hey! it’s a conceptual. There is no reason to tighten that up right now until they have seen the ideas we have presented to them.

So this is for a high traffic area going into the back of a high use building on a small college campus. Which one do you pick. I know my preference my client will probably pick the other.

I’m gonna guess this is my longest entry to date. I hope I haven’t bored anyone. I do appreciate the e-mails for the “way-to-go’s”, “keep it up”. As long as somebody is reading or listening.

I’ll keep writing or talking (scary thought).