To the editor:
Have you ever noticed how relaxing driving through the prairies can be? Have you ever noticed how relaxing sitting on your deck looking out over the lake at your cottage can be?
These are just two examples of how strong horizontal lines, which are parallel to the horizon (hence the name) can slow your heart rate and give you a feeling of calm and well being.
If you are looking out at a peaceful mountain range on the horizon, you will have the same feeling of relaxed wellness without being aware of why this is happening, you just know that it is.
This phenomenon is a well-known major element in the world of design. The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, for example, used as a major design element the vertical and diagonal structure at the main entrance to the building.
This was to represent the many train trestles the designer from Southern Ontario thought we had in this area. These crossed vertical, diagonal lines produce an agitated stressful feeling as compared to the relaxed calm of the strong horizontal line mentioned above. It’s a pity the designer didn’t consider this in his award winning design.
Locating tall vertical wind turbines with their huge rotating blades along the top of the strong horizontal natural line of the Nor’Wester Escarpment, will have the same adverse affect as the Regional Health Sciences trestle.
There is more to good design than just what meets the eye.
Thunder Bay
