Weekly topic: Exploring Alternative Layout Compositions

As we all learned in Amano's first Nature Aquarium World, there are three basic layout shapes:

Mound:


Triangle:


Concave:


Please refer to the following past weekly topic for more discussion on these basic layout compositions:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42

The Dutch favor wall to wall plantings, creating depth and perspective through the use of carefully pruned streets and rows of plants:



However, these layout compositions are endlessly flexible and allow for much greater creativity than is often thought. You can combine these layout compositions to create something totally new:



Combining the concave layout with the mound layout, you can create three islands (which has been seen in past ADA contest entries):



Also combining the wall layout with the wall layout also works very well:


As illustrated by this very natural, pleasing Cryptocoryne aquascape from Japan:



Another possibility is to reverse the basic layout, such as starting lower near the corners and letting the plants get taller and taller as they near the focal area:



So what new compositions can you concoct? Pull out your Photoshop or Paint programs and participate by drawing up a composition! Let's see what we can invent here on APC.

Carlos