Landscape Design Basics Or When Plants and People Collide

Client Interview In preparation of any landscape there are some things that must be taken into account The first begins with the client’s or owner’s needs and wants A good place to start is with a client interview

The Clients

Meeting With The Client Who is your client? How many people are in the family? Any pets? What are their interests and hobbies? What do they do for a living? How much time do they plan on spending in their yard? Do they entertain frequently?

Determine The Client's Needs How much patio space do they require? How much lawn area do they need? Do they require landscape irrigation? Do they need built-ins – grill, refrigerator, sinks, etc.? Do they need a pool or spa area? Do they need any fencing? Do they require a secondary parking pad for RV or boat?

The Style Of Landscape What style of landscape are your clients looking for? Formal Informal Rustic Cottage garden Shade garden Sun garden Perennial garden Country garden Herb garden Japanese garden California native garden Maze garden Vegetable garden Meditation garden Cutting garden Rose garden Topiary garden

The Style Of Landscape Tropical gardens Parterre gardens Species-specific gardens Collections gardens Border gardens Gardens for the handicapped Raised beds Texture and scented gardens for the visually impaired

Wish List Develop a wish list for the client Ponds or fountains Outdoor lighting Paving materials – stone, brick, gravel, etc. Statuary Outdoor furnishings

$$$ Determine the client's budget How much money does the client intend to spend on their landscape? A good rule-of-thumb is to plan on spending 10% of the propertie’s appraised value on the landscape

$$$ Very often the client has no idea what the potential costs are They are often shocked or surprised when they find out But – a well designed, properly installed landscape can add considerable value to a property

The Site Analysis The next step is to perform a site analysis Several things at the landscape site should be identified and located on a site analysis map Measure the entire site to develop a base plan Include: All doors and windows Drip line of the house eves

The Site Analysis Include anything that will remain in the landscape redevelopment including: All existing hardscape (patios, patio covers, decks walkways, driveways, planters, etc.) Utilities (gas meter, water meter, electric meter, cable TV, air conditioning units, etc.) Pool, spa, Jacuzzi ® Plumbing equipment (hose bibbs, irrigation valves, backflow prevention devices, etc.) Any trees or shrubs that will remain in the new development

The Site Analysis Locate all views – both desirable and objectionable Determine the soil type Determine traffic flows around the lot Determine areas of shade and sun Determine prevailing winds Determine any changes in elevation Determine NORTH 

The Site Analysis

The Base Plan A base plan is a drawing that will ultimately be used to create the finished landscape design A base plan is a drawing done to scale, ex. 1/4” = 1’, etc. The base plan should include everything on the site analysis that will be kept with the landscape

The Base Plan

Lines of Force Brings the viewer’s eye into the landscape Helps determine focal points Aids in locating strong visual points for: edges curves Accent plantings

Lines of Force Assist in development of spaces within a landscape - intersections of walks, patios, mow strips, etc. Guides lines within the landscape Helps to proportion spaces logically Assists in smooth flows - both visually and for traffic

Lines of Force Place a tracing paper overlay over the base plan Draw lines at 0°, 90° & 180° from all corners of the building including all doors and windows

Base Plan

At 0°, 90° and 180°

Lines of Force On a tracing paper overlay draw lines at 0°, 45°, 135°, 180°, 225°, 270° & 315° all increments of 45° from: All corners of the building including all doors and windows

At 45°, 135°& 225°

With Combined Angles

Lines of Force Draw dashed-lines from the centers of all doors and windows: At 90° to the center of doors and windows At 45° & 135° from either side of the center line

Window & Door Center Lines

All Lines Combined

Bubble Diagrams Bubble diagrams begin the process of design Simple bubbles are used to determine area usages within the landscape Done on separate tracing paper overlays Often many iterations to reach a goal

Bubble Diagrams Bubble diagrams are used to help develop basic area uses, include: Traffic patterns through the landscape Turf areas New hardscape developments, including: patios, outdoor cooking areas, dog runs, work and storage areas, etc. Basic plant needs, including: shade trees, seasonal color, hedges and screens, etc. (refer to handout: A Summary of Plant Usages in Southern California Landscapes)

PRIVACY AREA GARDEN TURF AREA WATER FEATURE PATIO DECK PLANTER SIDE ACCESS

PRIVACY AREA GARDEN TURF AREA WATER FEATURE PATIO DECK PLANTER SIDE ACCESS

PLANTER AREA PATIO WATER FEATURE SIDE ACCESS MASTER SUITE “SECRET” GARDEN

PLANTER AREA PATIO WATER FEATURE SIDE ACCESS MASTER SUITE “SECRET” GARDEN

PLANTER MASTER PATIO PATIO PRIVACY SCREEN WATER FEATURE / POOL TURF MASTER SUITE “SECRET” GARDEN

Bubble Diagrams

Concept Drawings Usually the first set of drawings presented to the client Used to diagram several forms of entries, patios, walks, etc. Can include elevation drawings to show vertical space and to help explain the designer’s ideas and visions

Concept Drawings Allows the client to select a basic development that best suites their needs Begins to establish more specific plant types, hardscape materials, etc. Upon approval of the concept drawings the final drawings are next

PRIVACY AREA GARDEN TURF AREA WATER FEATURE PATIO DECK PLANTER SIDE ACCESS

Concept Drawings

Elevations

Final Drawings The final "working drawings" presented to the client Scale drawings showing specific hardscape materials, plant materials, etc. May include irrigation and drainage plans May also include any detail drawings where necessary

Final Drawings Scale: 1/4” = 1’-0”

Final Drawings

Plant Symbols

Hatch Patterns