Our Design Process

A Comprehensive Approach

LandArc Landscaping & Design uses the following process for developing a comprehensive landscape design.  Of course, this is only intended to act as a guideline.  Like the built landscape, the design process is custom to you and your landscape.  Some people may desire an artistically rendered design that can be framed and put on display.  Others may need a full detail construction document to inform the building process.  Some may only need a simple sketch with basic ideas to inspire possible building opportunities.  A custom landscape first requires a custom landscape design.  The following steps are all important to develop a comprehensive landscape design.   The landscape design process includes site analysis, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, and a construction document.

• • • Site Analysis: Study existing site conditions and identify opportunities/constraints.  Consider biotic, abiotic, and cultural factors that directly or indirectly influence the site, such as hydrology, solar aspect, plants, animal migration, views, privacy, and structural elements.  Identify invasive, diseased, hazardous, or unhealthy plants. Conduct a photo documentation of the existing site.
    • Conceptual Design: Illustrate conceptual ideas with visual relationship diagrams (activities, circulation, zones, etc.)
    • Schematic Design: Produce an Illustrative drawing of the design intentions that demonstrate the use of space.  A plant list and material collage provide ideas for the look and feel of the future installation
    • Design Development: Illustrate specific areas and features of the proposed design with more detail using perspectives, section/elevations, and details.
    • Construction Document: This phase may include a collection of documents that combine to inform the building process. A Planting Plan will indicate specific species, locations, and quantity of proposed plants to be installed on the site. A Site Layout will identify and illustrate the proposed site elements, such as pathway, patio, water feature, deck, bench, firepit, pergola, bioswale, vegetable garden, retaining wall, etc.  A Grading Plan will specify elevation changes across the site.  A Lighting Plan will plot circuits and specify lighting styles, such as path lights, flood lights, spot lights, etc.  An Irrigation Plan will identify the flow of water through pipes, valves, and emitters.