The Landscape Design Process
The landscape design process essentially consists of 4 steps
1. Consultation
2. Schematic Design
3. Design Development
4. Tendering
1. Consultation
We begin the design process by gaining an understanding of our clients and what they hope to achieve; their wants and needs for their new garden, as well as an insight into their lifestyle.
During our initial visit, we will assess the site, discuss with you what you hope to achieve for your garden and any foreseeable site issues that may arise including council regulations and engineering. To ensure our designers can tailor your landscape to your needs the budget for the project is also discussed at this stage.
Following the consultation, a fee proposal for schematic design will be sent to you. Design work will begin when the quote has been formally accepted.
2. Schematic Design
Based on the information gathered during the consultation and the site analysis our designers create a detailed concept plan for your landscape which includes the overall design layout, showing hard landscaping materials and thematic plantings (i.e. the plant forms: deciduous, evergreen, tall tree, small tree, shrubs; groundcovers, any feature trees may be specified).
Descriptions of any feature items in the landscape may be detailed here. Construction details, irrigation & garden lighting are not included at this stage. Any council requirements or building regulations that may affect the overall design will be identified.
At the end of this stage, a meeting will be arranged with the client to present the schematic design and discuss the various features of the drawing. During this meeting the following aspects of the design will be outlined:
- general estimates of landscape items
- basic plant types*
- site specific issues such as council requirements and building permits
- potential construction issues
- initial material ideas and colour options
- level changes and how they will be resolved
* When the plan is to be submitted as part of a planning application the “basic plant types” are replaced with a full-plant schedule (as per planting plan discussed below).
Once the design is finalised a fee proposal for design development will be sent to you.
3. Design Development
The intention of this stage is to take the conceptual design ideas and the feedback from the client of the initial concept plan and develop into a final working drawing. Your discussion with our designer will help us to further clarify the design and provide you with a landscape that will suit both your lifestyle and practical needs.
The Final Plan set consist of the following;
The intention of this stage is to take the conceptual design and develop it further into working drawings.
The working drawing set typically consists of the following;
A hardscape plan. This is a are highly detailed drawing complemented with annotations and material specifications for all the hard landscape elements in the design. Materials and colours are specified on the plan and are accompanied by supplier details.
This drawing also contains general construction details.
A planting plan. This plan outlines botanical and common names, pot sizes, quantities and location of all specified plant material.
A services plan. This includes lighting and irrigation design layouts. Sections and elevations, as needed.
4. Tendering
Drawings can be submitted to landscape contractors to allow us to obtain detailed costings.