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

2. 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.

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

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

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

6. 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).

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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?

10. 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

11. Site Survey (Cont.)
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

12. 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.

13. 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.

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

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

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

17. 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.

18. 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.