Contextual Fit

In addition to being suitable to the shape of the paved area, a pavement pattern should be compatible with its surroundings including the house, nearby site struc­tures, and the landscape beyond.

House Paved areas that directly abut the house or are in close proximity to it should be designed to visually fit with the house. To do so, the material patterns of these paved areas should:

• be compatible with the style and character of the house.

• align with prominent corners, doors, and windows of the house so that the pavement and house appear as a unified composition (Figure 12-55).

• take into account the directionality of the pattern in relation to the house. Lines that extend away from the house can visually extend the space into the land­scape, whereas lines that parallel the house do the opposite (Figure 12-56). Furthermore, extended lines need to be perfectly aligned because any imper­fections will be easily seen from the house.

• consider repeating or echoing distinctive architectural details and features of the house in the material pattern itself (Figure 12-57). Figure 12-58 shows how the unique arch of the house portico has been repeated in the adjacent pavement.

Site Structures Similarly, pavement patterns should be designed to fit with adjoining or nearby walls, fences, steps, overhead structures, pools, and so on (Figure 12—59). Again, pavement patterns should:

• be compatible with the style and character of neighboring structures.

• align with prominent corners, edges, and posts of structures.

Landscape Beyond Pavement patterns should also connect to the larger landscape setting on a residential site. To do so, pavement patterns should:

• meet adjoining planting bed lines.

• be visually compatible with the character of the neighborhood and region.