University
of Wisconsin Professional Development Course: Siting Wireless Communications
Antennas & Towers
Mitigation &
Simulation of Proposed Cell Towers
General Design Principles:
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by: Curt Westergard, Landscape Architect,
Digital Design & Imaging Service, Inc.
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Standard square
layouts for cell facilities can be made less visible by trimming off &
softening hard corners.
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For semi urban
areas work with in the extablished pattern of the built
landscape.
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Layout access
roads and building pads based on the distribution patterns of wetlands
and natural vegetation. Grading costs are cheaper and the sight lines
shorter.
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Earth berms
planted with local native grasses provides inexpensive camouflage
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General
Design Principles:
p. 1 of 4
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The abrupt
vertical edge in a flat landscape can be softened by mounding plants
of different size near the tower base.
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Women's fashion,
like architecture, uses horizontal stripes to make something tall
look slightly smaller.
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Bring down
the apparent height of tall structures by adding horizontal banding.
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The military
camouflage technique of filling in a structure's shadow area with
vegetation is useful for cell-facilities viewed in hilly areas.
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General
Design Principles:
p. 2 of 4
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Match &
co-locate on existing tall vertical structures. Work with the general
clutter of billboards
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Stobe lights
on towers are difficult to blend in with the sky. V-shaped blinds can
shield nearby home owners while allowing full visibility
by pilots
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Compliment
a building's fenestration pattern---even if it means adding a fake
antenna. Paint on any covered up shadow lines
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Mimic the
style of fencing that the site's neighbors have and the facility will
better match the neighborhood context
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General
Design Principles:
p. 3 of 4
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Soft rounded
forms can be structurally strong and more pleasing to the eye
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Use existing
structures such as extensions of mast lighting in a stadium.
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Compliment
surrounding businesses and attractions themes.
Humor has a role in the landscape
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by:
Curt Westergard, S. Prehl & P. Plewka. Copyright: Digital Design &
Imaging Service, Inc.
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General
Design Principles:
p. 4 of 4
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