Through preliminary meetings and site consultation we listen carefully to the clients sensibilities in order to effectively assist with the development of their unique Site Program. The Site Program serves as a list of landscape needs and desires (a wish list) which gives rise to preliminary Design Criteria and ideas for the ultimate form and function of the landscape.
● SITE ANALYSIS / SURVEY
Our work is based on a sound analysis of the existing site conditions. The Site Analysis consists of both inventory and evaluation of existing conditions including, existing vegetation, drainage, soils, microclimate, site history, current land use, aesthetic features, views, neighbors, pedestrian and vehicular circulation and the individual character of our clients. Site Surveys are undertaken for purposes of recording existing information. From the Survey a Base Plan is created upon which all subsequent Design ideas and Construction Documentation is based.
● CONCEPT DESIGN / SITE PLANNING
All Site Planning processes begin with a Concept Plan, sometimes called a Landscape Master Plan. There are as many phases to the development of a Concept Plan as are necessary to ensure that our clients needs and wishes are fully represented. Concept development consists of giving preliminary form to landscape design through research and study of site dynamics.
● DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Once a Concept Design has been finalized, Design Development is the process by which Design ideas are solidified through additional research of materials and construction techniques, detailed study, sourcing of materials and interviews with Site Contractors, etc.. This phase includes Schematic Design which provides preliminary preparation (mock-up) for Construction Documents, Cost Estimation and contract Bidding procedures.
● CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
Construction Documents (CD's) provide the "blueprints" and instructions by which the project will be built. CD's include all drawings and specifications necessary for initial demolition, site preparation and complete construction procedures. This phase involves final budgeting, scheduling, coordination and hands-on interaction with each site contractor.
● PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Management of the project is ongoing throughout the process from Program Development through final Punchlist. During the early phases Project Management typically takes the form of facilitating the flow of ideas for the purposes of arriving at an ideal design. During the Design Development phase the focus becomes management of budget, schedule and document production. Once construction begins, management efforts become the hands-on interactions with clients, contractors and collaborative design team members. Very often this involves direct site design consultation in the form of site observation during the entire construction process.
● PROJECT FOLLOW-UP
Whereas Architectural design involves the creation of static elements (ie. once buildings are built they can remain unchanged for extended periods of time), landscapes are continually subject to the dynamic forces of nature and constantly changing of site conditions. Therefore, it is our practice to maintain a relationship with our clients through the long term fruition of each project. This may involve the latent creation of as-built documentation (for utilities, planting, etc.), or future consultation on subsequent phasing, editing of overgrown planting or other changeable site dynamics.
