Design

The Design Process

Designing a garden requires both practical knowledge and artistic flare.  An understanding of materials and construction techniques, as well as a feel for line, shape, colour and texture all come together in creating a successful garden.

Designing a garden is informed by the relationship between the designer and the client; a successful design will always meet the client's brief.

I have detailed below the various stages of the design process.

 

Initial Consultation

At our first meeting we can discuss your aspirations for your garden and I can make an initial assessment of your site.

How do you intend to use your garden?

What style of garden would you like?

How much maintenance are you happy to undertake?

We will work toward drawing up a detailed brief of your requirements for your new garden; and I will then be able to provide you with a clear outline of the fees involved in the design process.

Site Survey
  1. Undertake a detailed survey of the site.  This will involve recording all measurable elements, such as existing topological and structural features, as well as non measurable elements, such as views out, the impact of neighbouring properties and microclimates.
  2. Undertake some simple tests to assess the nature and condition of the soil.
  3. Take a series of photographs to facilitate the development of the design.
  4. Draw up a base plan of the existing site.
Concept Plans

With reference to the client brief, it can be helpful to work up a number of different concept plans, so that the client can visualise different ways of setting out the garden.

 

Setting Out Plan
  1. Develop the preferred concept into a coherent proposal.
  2. Produce a setting out plan of the proposed scheme.  The drawing will be typically drawn on A1 paper, will be to scale and will detail every significant feature of the design.
Planting Plan
  1. Devise a planting scheme appropriate to the soil and situation.
  2. Produce a planting plan of the new garden in pen and ink on tracing paper, detailing the name, position and quantity of each plant; this drawing can then be duplicated as required for the purposes of a working drawing.
Setting out plan with construction notes
Planting Plan
Setting out plan

What next...

For a free estimate and advice on individual features or entire garden schemes, please get in touch.