350 LANDSCAPE DESIGN 



factors which we can control : first, which side up we shall put the plan 

 and how we shall arrange the border line ; second, what we shall have 

 for a title, scale, north-point, and explanatory notes, and where we 

 shall put them. 



There are various considerations determining which side up we shall 

 put our plan. The north-point is more intelligible if pointing up, as 

 on ordinary maps. On the other hand, heavy masses, interesting 

 things, are commonly better towards the top rather than towards the 

 bottom of a plan, if they must be in one or the other place. If there 

 is a balanced relation of parts about one axis only, on the plan, this 

 relation will be most effective if its axis be vertical. 



The border line should leave as little unbalanced space inside it as 

 possible ; that is, the rectangular shape of the border line should fit 

 the shape of the lot, or whatever the total object is, — or rather it 

 should fit the lot, title, scale, north-point, and anything else there may 

 be on the plan, considered all as one composition. 



The important straight lines of the plan should run parallel to the 

 border lines. These lines may be of two kinds : lines of some im- 

 portant interior mass, for example, a building group ; or boundary lines 

 of the total area treated. If a formal building group is the dominant 

 factor in the design, it may often best be oriented with its main axes 

 parallel with the border lines ; the boundary lines of the lot, or other 

 lines not parallel to this system, being subdued with color which makes 

 no great contrast between the areas within and without the boundary. 

 The important side of the dominant object — for example, the main 

 fagade of the house, or the entrance to the estate — is commonly best 

 towards the bottom of the plan. This is especially true if the plan is 

 large and is to be laid on a table to be looked at. Then the main line 

 of sight is upwards in the middle of the plan, and the most important 

 line of sight on the ground should, if possible, be represented on this 

 line. 



If shadows are indicated on the plan, they should come from a 

 point of the compass where it is possible for the sun to be; else the 

 plan is not truthful as to what areas are sunny and what shady, an 

 important point in the design. 



On plan, however, it is customary to have the light coming diago- 



