Independent landscape architect...
or design & build?

Comparing the two workflows illustrates how there's a lot more feedback (shown with arrows) built into a system where design decisions are made by a group.

In the design & build model, it's you and your contractor, dancing a duet. If there's a tie, there's no referee.

Although the owner is always in charge, a three way team leads to better discussions and less chance of a tie. It also allows a technically excellent yet unimaginative contractor to create a masterpice, since the landscape architect has a vision of what the project should become.

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