Preliminaries
Initial Consultation
An 1-2 hour meeting to go through everything you are looking for in your garden. It really helps if all home owners are present for this meeting as it’s your opportunity to get your ideas down on paper before the brief is set.
Site Analysis
The site analysis serves as a schematic plan, charting the layout of the garden to understand its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and constraints. It involves evaluating elements such as views, existing features, trees or ornaments, and assessing the comfort levels of different areas. Additionally, broader context and considering how to integrate the garden with the house and its surroundings.
Design brief
Following our initial consultation, the design brief is a comprehensive report summarising the insights gained. It outlines the potentials, key functional requirements, and aesthetic considerations for your garden. This report serves as the foundation for the design process and functions as a valuable reference tool as the design evolves
Outline Design
Sketches and Mood board
Initial design concepts outline the evolving direction, ensuring consensus on the general mood and concepts aligning with your preferences and vision.
A mood board uses images to capture themes and ideas, aiding in communicating potential planting combinations and highlighting shareable inspiration.
Outline Plan and 3d Visualisations
The outline plan refines scale, proportions, and material choices start to form. Planting ideas and the correct positioning of key elements and features develop and are presented as a scaled watercolour plan.
I use a combination of computer design and hand drawn to help you visualise the design.
Detailed Design
Landscape layout plan
The outline plan evolves into a construction plan for accurate setting out and comprehensive assessment of details. This serves as a central hub for cross-referencing with other details, sections/elevations, and materials specifications.
Product Specification (Scope of Works)
The specification document clearly outlines all project materials and details. It facilitates cost estimation by providing precise quantities, ensuring a competitive comparison during the tender stage.
Construction Details
Detailed scale drawings of landscape features demonstrate best construction practices for quality control, enhancing longevity and aesthetics. This approach resolves complex design issues at a suitable scale, saving time and energy on-site.
Sections/Elevations
Scaled sections/elevations drawings are produced and clearly referenced on the plan. These are focussing more on level changes and improving understanding of the topography of the garden.
Planting Design
Planting Plan
Planting plans prioritise suitable plants, considering soil type, preferences, and overall design factors like height, seasonal interest, reliability, and maintenance. The aim is to offer texture and evergreen structure throughout the year, creating interest in all seasons, especially in early summer and autumn. Existing trees of value are noted and retained. A detailed plant list and specification accompany the plans.
Plant Selection
ll the plants used are sourced from specialist nurseries to ensure that the highest standard is delivered. Plants are laid out by the contractor and we then check and adjust as necessary before they are planted.
Plant setting out
As the project draws near to the end of its completion the last step is to set out all your new plants exactly as proposed through the planting plans. We are there to ensure that strategic placement of feature plants/trees is followed.
Site Operations
Setting Out drawings
Scaled drawings with setting out information are issued to the contractor and setting out is checked by the designer to ensure the design is correctly understood.
Site Inspections
These site inspections are used as a way to ensure the design is being followed correctly and appropriate construction methods are being used.
Site Resolutions
On site complications – Occasionally something can be discovered on site which requires adjustment to the design. We ensure these are well considered and in keeping with the rest of the project.
Snagging
To ensure proper sign off on the completion of the project, we prepare a snagging list with any work either unintentional forgotten about or work which falls below the standard for a finished job. These are typically small and do not take much time but without proper handling can drag on and become an inconvenience.