After reviewing the three form composition studies prepared earlier in Chapter 10, the designer decided to develop two preliminary designs. The preliminary design shown in Figure 11—108 was prepared on the basis of the form composition study of Figure 10-79, whereas the preliminary design in Figure 11-109 was prepared based on the form composition study of Figure 10-80. It is suggested that the reader take a moment at this point to compare the preliminary designs with the form composition studies. As can be seen, the preliminary designs have essentially completed the spatial composition with the addition of plant materials, fences, and pavement.
In Figure 11-108, plant materials and other elements reinforce the organization of the form composition in a number of locations. In the front yard, low evergreen shrubs and ground cover along the entry walk help to define this space and separate it from the lawn area, and ornamental shrubs have been placed next to the sitting area as accents. All the new planting has been organized around the existing
sugar maple. Additional shade trees have been located along the west side of the house to screen hot afternoon summer sun. The planting on the east side of the driveway provides balance to the front yard while incorporating the existing trees and screening views of the work/storage area. In the backyard, the largest plants have been placed along the property lines for screening and spatial enclosure. Evergreen trees on the west side screen views from the neighbor’s second-story deck and block cold northwest winter winds. The ornamental trees on the north property line provide focal points to view from the house and the outside eating and living areas. Fences immediately adjacent to these outside living spaces provide additional enclosure and privacy.
The thoughts for the preliminary design shown in Figure 11-109 are similar. In the front yard, low shrubs, ornamental trees, and medium-sized trees have all been used to accent the curve of the arc on the ground plane. The planting immediately adjacent to the entrance walk is more limited, thus allowing the existing sugar maple to stand out in the lawn as a prominent focal point. Again, an ornamental shrub is used near the sitting area as an accent. In the backyard, the planting concept is very much like that depicted in Figure 11-108, except here it has been molded to the curve of the arc. The ornamental trees again serve as accents and are strategically placed at the apex of the curve, where they are most visible.
