Why Hire A Landscape Architect?

 

 

 

Because Landscape Architecture is a multi-disciplinary field, a Landscape Architect may offer a range of services relating to the improvement and development of a commercial, residential, or public parcel of land.  Planning and designing improvements may require coordination with Architects, Engineers, and other Professionals. To learn more about the Landscape Architecture Profession, go to the NYS Office of the Professions website. Also visit the American Society of Landscape Architects here.

 

The Design Process:

In order to design a plan that is functional, beautiful, and meets the client's goals, the following is a description of the typical full service design process for most projects - small or large, simple or complex.

 

1) Site Inventory & Analysis:

Conduct site visit(s) to collect data prior to design such as:  tree/shrub inventory, field measurements of built features, observation of the existing environment for potential important views, connections, and preservation.Obtain a survey; Draft all data into an electronic drawing to produce a base map.  This is required as a basis for a meaningful design.

 

(2)  Preliminary Design / Landscape Master Plan Concept Design:

Preliminary sketches and discussions to determine & evaluate overall design goals and potential improvements.

Designing the Landscape Master Plan: includes main design components/ideas such as: "almost final" forms, spaces and dimensions of program elements, consideration of applicable code and zoning compliance, conceptual planting masses,  addressing overall design style, theme, and goals, preliminary ideas of hardscape and softscape materials.

 

(3)  Design Development: 

Once the Master Landscape Plan is finalized, the design will be further developed into detailed drawings. This includes the development of final layout/dimensions of forms & spaces, selection of hardscape & softscape materials (i.e., pavement plans, planting plans, lighting plans).

 

(4) Construction Drawings and Permitting: 

Construction Documents includes, but is not limited to: determination of construction scope, schedule, budget, and creating detailed drawings into a biddable and build-able form. Drawings are also created for Town/Village Permitting per local or State regulations. Coordination with other Professionals may also be required.

 

(5) Construction Administration: 

Construction Administration or "CA" may include bid review, Contractor questions relating to the drawings, design or layout, and observing on-site construction as needed to see that the design intent is interpreted into the final product.  The Landscape Architect will inspect specific finish materials as specified (plantings, pavements, etc.), approve their layout, and observe best practices of construction means and methods.