The scale of the forms or areas within the composition also needs thought. Again, this is only a guideline and not a rule. When considering landform, a rectangular theme, like a circular theme, is best located on either level ground or on sloped ground where the different areas and forms of the design can be terraced in relation to each other. This will allow each shape to maintain its individual identity and be an adequate size and configuration for the intended use. However, a well-designed rectangular theme, including one organized on a central axis, can be every bit as exciting as any other design theme if the third dimension provides proper enclosure and variety (Figure 10-49). Figure 10-44
A rectangular theme may be either formal or informal. Figure 10-48
A rectangular theme is appropriate for sites that are small or narrow. Although numerous straight lines in a site may take time to get used to, they are nevertheless able to structure pleasing outdoor spaces. Undesirable : Too тспч shxt* {Desirable; bolder, lonqer
lines. The rectangular theme is very appropriate to use when developing exterior spaces as extensions of indoor living spaces. When overlapping two or more forms in a design, one guideline is to limit the overlap to one-fourth, one-third, or one-half of the dimension of the adjoining shapes (Figure 10-47). This theme may be used in either a formal or an informal fashion (Figure 10-44). A variety of sizes of squares and/or rectangles should be used in a rectangular theme. Formal
In-fbrma! And it should be remembered that plant materials will add natural softness and a bit of irregularity (if they are pruned in a natural fashion) to a rectangular design theme, making it more attractive in actuality than it might appear on paper. For some people, this type of theme may seem to be foreign to the desired pastoral outdoor environment dominated by living and changing plant materials. The rectangular theme is composed of squares and rectangles that establish 90-degree relationships between all shapes and lines. Figure 10-45
There should be a hierarchy of spatial size in a rectangular theme. This establishes visual interest and a hierarchy of spatial importance within the composition. Figure 10-50
Examples of pure diagonal design themes. When using a rectangular theme in a design, consideration should be given to
(1) the variety of sizes, (2) the scale of the forms, and (3) the amount of overlap among the forms. Figure 10-49
A rectangular theme can be enjoyable to experience if the third dimension provides variety of enclosure.
