Types of Natural Gardens
"We must feel part of the land we walk on and love the plants that grow here if we are to achieve a spirit in a garden." (Gordon Ford)
Residential: Private home gardens.
Bush Sections: Creation of native plant gardens or design for existing native bush sites.
Rural Lifestyle Properties: Rural landscapes including homestead gardens, to protection and restoration of natural ecosystems e.g. wetlands, bush gullies, waterways or forest remnants.
Schools: Special landscapes responsive to the educational needs of children.
THE DESIGN PROCESS
Professional landscape design forms the foundation for any successful garden and it is important that adequate time is invested at this stage to ensure you are delivered a design that reflects your personal needs and aspirations.
The following steps outline the process involved.
Step 1: Site Visit 1 - Initial consultation with Client and development of Client brief
Designer to fully understand your ideas, and requirements
House/Building style - obtain plans of house and property, consider interior and exterior flows.
Client's preferred plant palette.
Cost estimate for design work. Consideration of budgetary constraints.
Step 2: Site Visit 2 - Site Analysis
Full measure up of site (can include a survey for levels etc.)
Site analysis (Location, services, soil type, drainage, site aspect, topography, wind and sun orientation).
Site photos.
Step 3: Preliminary Concept Plan - Preparation
Preparation of Preliminary Concept Plan (drawn to scale).
General concept, layout of main features such as constructed and planted areas.
Step 4: Site Visit 3: Preliminary Concept Plan - Presentation
Discussion and feedback on Preliminary Concept Plan with Client.
Opportunity for Client's input and suggested modifications.
Determine the number of drawings required. Are specifications or other documentation required where project is going out to tender.
Payment Due: Payment for work to-date, made at this time or as otherwise agreed.
Step 5: Final Design Drawings & Documentation
Refine ideas and incorporate any changes.
Finalise plan/s including construction drawings, planting plan / plant lists, specifications, project cost estimates (as required).
Computer generated model/s of proposal (where required).
Render plan/s and provide digital and/or hard copy.
Step 6: Presentation of Drawings & Documentation to Client
Present and discuss final drawings and documentation.
Prepare project estimates where required.
Payment Due: Final payment for drawings & documents made at this time or as otherwise agreed prior to final visit.
Step 7: Contract documentation / Tendering / Project Management.
Prepare contract documentation for tendering.
Call for selected tenders from Landscape Contractors and/or related trades.
Project Management - taking project through to completion and Clients final satisfaction.
Payment Due: Payment in stages or as otherwise agreed.
Step 8: Ongoing Maintenance Inspections - An essential after project service to ensure design integrity.
Undertake site visits on a 3/6/12 monthly basis (or as otherwise agreed) to advise on garden maintenance matters. Particularly valuable for those Clients who have little horticultural knowledge.