The Principles of Landscape Design Modified by GA Agricultural Education Curriculum July 2002

What Is Landscape Design? It involves the union between nature and man’s constructed environment. It includes aesthetics (beauty) and function (practicality). It can benefit people and/or the environment.

Steps In The Landscape Design Process Client Interview Site Survey and Analysis Problem Statement Objectives Concept Preliminary Design Final Design

The Program Phase Includes the first 5 steps of the landscape design process: Client Interview Site Survey and Analysis Problem Statement Objectives Concept

The Design Phase Includes the last 2 steps of the landscape design process: Preliminary Design Final Design

The Program Phase Must consider the facts of the project (collect facts about the site and client). Must anticipate problems, future needs, activities, and the development of the site. Must satisfy the needs of the customer (need to know personality, lifestyle, desires, and priorities).

How Important Is The Program Phase? If the designer does a poor job: Design decisions will be inaccurate Recommendations to the client will be ineffective The client will be dissatisfied The designer’s reputation suffers There will be no new referrals The firm goes out of business

Client Interview Find out as much about the client as possible. Clients may not even know what they want, therefore people skills are very important.

Questions To Ask The Client How much free time do you have? Any hobbies? What’s your personality type (social or private)? Do you have children and/or pets? Do you have a budget? Do you have any favorite colors or plant types? Do you entertain guests? What are your future plans?

Site Survey The purpose of the site survey is to catalog the existing features of the site. The items that one should catalog include: Topography-the shape of the ground Geology-what is the ground made up of Hydrology-the water table and water movement Existing Vegetation-types of plant matter present Circulation-people movement in the landscape Utilities-gas/power lines, septic tanks, or waterways Views-what might or might not be pleasurable to see

Off-Site Influence-city ordinances, neighbors, or roadways Climate-macro (encompasses the entire lot) and micro (specifies only a select area within the site) Soil-structure and fertility Views-back door, living room window, driveway to front door, deck, or road Site Survey (Cont.)

Site Analysis Identify “use areas”: for example, a large open area with a gentle slope, good soil, and no overhead wires would be an ideal location for a garden.

Problem Statement Defines the scope of the project with general sentences or phrases. Defines what you are trying to accomplish through the project. Is very general and nondescript.

Objectives These are more specific statements that identify the specific goals of the project. Does not include actual design decisions.

Concept Includes a “bubble diagram” of the property Includes the uses for each portion of the property.

Design Phase Puts all of the information, thoughts, and ideas gathered in the program phase into a working design.

Preliminary Design A rough sketch, not drawn to scale and not fully labeled Includes specific design items, plants, and hardscape materials. The design must be shared with the client for feedback.

Final Design The modified preliminary design; includes feedback from the client. Professionally completed, drawn to scale, and includes clearly labeled items and a materials list. Given to the landscape contractor for installation.