Category Archives: Concepts

Consults: Fast concept development in the field

It’s amazing what you can do with a couple of iPads, a laser and the right software, in this case Morpholio Trace and AutoCAD. These are examples of past consults for projects of different styles

Four options for a new back yard

This is an example of why we get professional surveys. We sketched a pool that encroached on some rock outcroppings on the slope, not readily visible from the house. The survey also gave us the exact slope, useful for calculating retaining wall heights, steps, terracing… This was supposed to be four equal sized images, sinceContinue reading “Four options for a new back yard”

Miles of ideas: remote consults + design

We developed workflows to work remotely because of COVID, but it turns out that they’re great for designing landscapes that are impractically distant. This design would have stuck us in the car for about five hours. This composite image uses multiple data sources, plus input from our client, to create something “close enough” for aContinue reading “Miles of ideas: remote consults + design”

Winery Design: Creating Culinary Destinations

Wineries are for learning, socializing, being entertained. They should be beautiful, artistic and most of all worth repeat visits. A winery can host tastings, lectures, cooking demonstrations, organic gardening, tours, bocce tournaments, weddings, parties, anniversaries… Our goal is to create a unique look and feel, a sense of place, a unique brand that dovetails withContinue reading “Winery Design: Creating Culinary Destinations”

Provence in Sacramento

When you can’t get away as much as you like, create your destination where you live. You can play pétanque, dip in the pool, relax on the deck, entertain, enjoy a glass of Côtes-du-Ventoux with your friends. No arduous plane trip required! Maybe you can even speak a bit of French… Materials: Zellige tiles inContinue reading “Provence in Sacramento”

Concept for a sloping site

We’ve been busy doing consults. They’re not affected much by social distancing since they’re outdoors and we email back the drawings. Staying home in a wonderful new garden space is not a bad thing! New Style A bold, modern desert look is up next, transforming an ordinary suburban landscape into a bold, water conserving statement.Continue reading “Concept for a sloping site”

Mobile Landscape Design on site

Running around a site waving your arms and explaining the wonders you’re proposing is fun, but does not work well for sharing concepts or remembering all the ideas discussed. This is especially true when we’re presenting alternate concepts that emphasize one aspect of the program over another. This is where mobile design shines. stencils siteContinue reading “Mobile Landscape Design on site”

Developing concepts with 3D modeling

Using 3D modeling is the step done after the initial concept gets sketched out on the iPad. This is where things get fine tuned in three dimensions, surfaces selected and verified, views examined and everything honed and ready for working drawings. Modeling the site after sketching it lets us look at sun and shade throughContinue reading “Developing concepts with 3D modeling”

A Trio of Concepts

These drawings show what happens when you take an iPad, stylus, laser measuring tool, some good apps and hours of practice, put them together with design ideas and run amok. They’re mostly completed in the field, with a few minor touch-ups in the office. The pieces get put together into a single pdf file, letterContinue reading “A Trio of Concepts”