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”
Category Archives: Design process
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”
Plan first, build later
A while back, we visited a garden, almost completely built except for planting and a few details. Was it impressive? Yes! Did it fit how the people would use their garden? Maybe not so much. This is an example of where the program needs to come from the garden’s owners, developed by a professional designer,Continue reading “Plan first, build later”
Design studio on the go!
We’ve been streamlining measurement, sketch, brainstorming and presentation techniques for landscape concepts and quick initial plans, using an iPad to fill in for a desktop based CAD system. We can create base plans, sketch out options, do photo overlays, create illustrated design sketchbooks and export all this as pdf files (or print everything out). HereContinue reading “Design studio on the go!”
Independent design or design and build?
There’s a fork in the landscape design road. A big one, since once you’ve gone down one side or the other, coming back is difficult. Not impossible, but fraught with lions, tigers and bears. You can take the design and build path, or the independent design one. In the end, they both lead to aContinue reading “Independent design or design and build?”
A garden refresh near Lake Tahoe
Here are the steps needed if you want to undertake a garden refresh but need to complete it quickly. Briefly, there are three initial steps: gather data, create a planting plan, pick up and install the plants. This is provided that the preliminaries are in place: a working irrigation system (or person) that will provideContinue reading “A garden refresh near Lake Tahoe”
Design lessons from wildflowers
Wildflowers give great design lessons: color, planting design, ecology, light… Color Colors change throughout the day, shifting from warmer to cooler. They mix: sometimes complimentary (yellow-blue, violet-orange), sometimes analogous (shades of blue, pink or yellow). Planting design These plants often grow intermingled, where they support, shade or even nourish each other. Sometimes there are broadContinue reading “Design lessons from wildflowers”
Consults to Plans: a case study
All these sketches, concepts and plans came together to create a design for one project: a cloud of possibilities that condensed into a detailed concept ready for construction. It’s been a while since we invented a new workflow and adapted hybrid old school and digital creation for more flexibility. The goal was to get moreContinue reading “Consults to Plans: a case study”
The ultimate pool house!
This is the pool house that’s got it all: entertainment, dining table, bar counter, storage space, showers, and restroom. The kitchen boasts a wine conditioner, beer taps, warming drawers, a gas grill and lots of storage. There’s radiant heating for cold nights and a ceiling fan for warm days. Not to mention a great view ofContinue reading “The ultimate pool house!”