Backyard Layouts

Six different ways to design a yard or garden using geometrical composition

In the early stages of design development, landscape designers are thinking in terms of form composition-
the combining of lines and arcs to form geometric shapes such as circles, squares and triangles !his
combination of forms is what establishes the edges of each outdoor room" from bed lines defining areas of
lawn to the edge of a terrace or swimming pool !he same form used repetitively throughout the design
creates a #visual theme# It is what establishes consistency, harmony and a sense of order in a garden
space Below are six layouts for various backyard landscape types that serve as a guide to landscape
designers when developing a site
Curvilinear
!he curvilinear approach to 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
!he 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 curves can
accentuate and accommodate changes in grade !he curvilinear approach is often mistakenly used on small
and restrictive sites where the forms created become an inefficient use of space
Radial
% radial theme, or circular, theme is created by using concentric circles radiating from a central point &and
straight lines' or by combining overlapping circles !he illustration shows a combination of concentric circles
and straight lines
!his approach differs from the others in that forms are created from an underlying radial grid versus a
square grid !his makes for very interesting, dynamic spaces I rarely see the radial approach used in
residential settings (n the few residential sites I have seen it applied, the home is typically of a
contemporary style and is itself designed from a radial grid &at least part of it' !he garden simply radiates
from the central point of the home following the concentric patterns
Rectilinear
% rectilinear theme is created in plan-view through the use of vertical and hori)ontal lines on a square grid
*ust as a homes architecture is designed in this way, the same treatment of the garden reinforces the
rectangular layout of the home
!he rectilinear theme is most appropriate for creating garden spaces, or rooms, that serve as an extension
of the home-decks and patios for instance Backyard partitions can be helpful when trying to create distinct
and separate spaces !his approach ensures for a much more efficient use of space !he rectilinear design
theme is also ideal for restrictive sites like city gardens enclosed by fences and walls Level ground is best
for this theme although slopes can be terraced to extraordinary effect using a rectilinear approach Because
this approach is more orderly and logical, it suits formal architectural styles perfectly
Rectilinear-45
(ften referred to as the diagonal approach, forms are created in the same way as the rectilinear approach
only diagonal lines are introduced" most typically +,-degree although lines of -.-degree are acceptable
(ften times this theme will be utili)ed without the vertical and hori)ontal lines !hese diagonal lines can
make a space more dynamic and exciting as well as make a space seem larger !his approach is used on
similar sites as the rectilinear approach only less with formal, traditional architecture I$ve seen the
rectilinear-+, approach utili)ed very successfully with contemporary, modernist homes designed from similar
diagonal lines
Arc-and-Tangent
!he arc-and-tangent approach is a combination of the four previous approaches /sing vertical, hori)ontal
and +,- degree lines with arcs and circles, a well-organi)ed 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
!he straight lines provide a feeling of structure while contrasting with the more #natural# soft curves I$ve
seen this approach used successfully on large sites where larger and more numerous arcs are introduced
as the garden moves away from the home towards a woodland or open field
Irregular
!he irregular theme combines multidirectional lines on a square grid" not restrictive to only +,-degree or -.-
degree lines !his approach can make for a very bold and complex space %s with the radial theme, this is
not common on residential sites, although I have seen it executed effectively with contemporarystyled
homes on occasion
Resources:
Drawing and Designing With Confidence: A Step-By-Step Guide by Mike W. Lin, ASLA Published
by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1993
Residential Landscape Architecture: Design Process for the Priate Residence by Nor!n ".
#oo$h !nd J!es %. &iss Published by Pren$ice'&!ll, Inc. 1991
Contri!uting Author:
Chris "eiler# con$ribu$in( )ri$er *or L!ndsc!+in( Ne$)ork !nd +residen$ o* L!ndsc!+e Le!dershi+