Vertical and Horizontal Planes

Paying attention to these can add much more interest to your design work. They help define the space, control views, and guide movement through a site.

Vertical elements, such as low retaining walls, can provide a place to sit. Hedges, bamboo, steps, retaining walls, and embankments are all examples of vertical elements and add interest to a design. More obvious vertical elements are pergola posts, screens, brick walls, etc.

Overhead elements include interlocking canopies, an arbour, or slats over a pergola.

An avenue of plane trees evenly spaced with interlocking canopies combines vertical and horizontal planes to change how the space is perceived.

Tip: Some designers recommend that vertical space should be at least 1/3 the horizontal length.

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