The Process & Garden Design Services
This is the first or early meeting whereby the client explains their ideas and requirements. These ideas are discussed and explored, with the Garden Designers input and interpretation of the project. We also discuss at this stage the Garden Design & Build process in general, Project budgets, Planning & Licences (If required) timelines and Design Fees. It’s helpful for the Garden Designer at this stage to get as much information and understanding of the client’s requirements tastes, and style preferences. From here we develop a written Design Proposal outlining the Brief, our Design Concept overview, and Design Fees. This lets the client know that we have a good understanding the project, the client’s requirements and have creative ideas and insight to develop the project. Once the terms of the Design proposal are agreed we the move to the Garden Survey and Project Planning
This is where we measure the existing garden, for use at the Design stage. We will also introduce the client to our in-house Garden Designer and Project Manager. The existing level changes, buildings, trees, utilities and services all need to be recorded. Access information is also noted, as this will have a bearing on project planning and related costs. We also take photographs of the site and use this at the garden Design stage. Pre-Design we will create an existing drawing of the garden, and this will help us during the design process and give vital information eg for retaining walls, excavation volumes and garden layout. Many Garden Designs are what is termed site driven which means we use the existing landform to guide our ideas and inspirations. Once the survey is complete and a better understanding of the space is know we have a pre design discussion with the client to discuss ideas, tastes , stylisation etc.
Concept Design:
Concept design is where we do the creative work and establish the concept of the project. We will create scaled plan drawings and elevations in required to show the ideas. Depending on the project these ideas say, could be two separate ideas completely or one main idea with option .within. These ideas will then be discussed with the client and, amendments decisions made. Another set of drawing will then be presented for review. This process then leads to Concept Master drawing being drawn and labelled.
For most projects the scope of works and estimate costing can be produced at this stage.
This can be done in 2d plan or 3d model depending on requirements and type of projects, but for most 2D Plan Concept Design s sufficient to realise the project and best of all keeps client design fees down as 3 D modelling is a more expensive process.
The Concept design is also supported by a materials & Image File to show Materials for use and to support visualisation and design concept. At the end of the process the client will have batch of materials to base cost on and final selection can be made once Samples are brought to site. This is usually done with the landscape team.
Design Detailing:
We can supplement the Concept Design also with Construction Design detailing. This is help full for the client to understand how something is built and is great for, features, stairs, bespoke built benches, etc. We can also use to show elevations on say more complicated terraced gardens, showing the build-up and relationships between various levels, retaining walls and steps. Lighting schematics can also covered at this if more complex, but can be estimated and designed in at the concept stage .
3D Model Visualisation:
This is a computer-generated model to scale, showing the Garden Design layout, features, materials and planting. It can also show selected design detailing if required. construction. Detail .The garden can be viewed from many angles, showing how the design works, what you will see from key points, like from inside the house or looking back down the garden. It helps the client to understand the design, routes of flow etc. We can illustrate types of planting and how the garden will look once planted. We can also show how lighting can work and can give an idea of the atmospheres intended.
These 3d concept models are also supported by a creative visual mood board, illustrating stylisation, concepts, features, materials and atmospheres intended.
The final stage of the garden Design process is to create a Master Plan.
This can be produced from the Concept design, but also can incorporate more detailed drawings relating to the Design detailing and Construction drawings if required. This is a more expensive process as requires more design time, cost and most projects don’t require this.This has all the detail required to construct the garden, showing dimensions, and building details, features and is the garden blueprint and final draught of the Concept Design or 3d Design. It’s really a more in depth and detailed extension of the 2d, 3D concept and visualisation drawings. This stage can also be by passed with a view to keeping down design cost. Another benefit of using a good Design and build company is that we can estimate as we go from the concept and 3d Visualisation. This is often done to keep client Design cost down and as main revenue comes from the build itself. As a Design and Build company we prefer to put the budget where it counts.
The Design time and level of design will be discussed once project is understood and it is our aim to offer the most cost efficient design service.
Mood Boards:
The mood board is a way of showing concept ideas, illustrating how things may look, and use of materials. It can also show types of features, detail, proposed stylisation, atmospheres intended. We also use mood boards as part of the planting design showing proposed plants for selection Click on Mood Board for examples.
3D Models:
Click on the links below to view examples of our 3d designs:
Tudor Road | Whittell Gardens | Kennington65 | 12 Alleyn Crescent
6 Martell Road | 20 Carson Road | 55 Elms Crescent | 56 Hayes Grove
122 Annandale Road | Archdale Road | Canonbie Project | Kingsgrove
Planting Design:
We prefer as a Company to create a separate Planting design process with Taylor made fees:
We can give a full design fee but at the pre stage we are not exactly shure of the area and volume of planting an planting verity size etc. This can all affect the Planting Design cost . We do prefer to look at tis once the Concept work stage if nearer completion then we have the information required to create the Planting fee if required.
Planting is also done clinet as project and therefore we feel its ab better process to do seperaly
Plants bring your garden to life as a living entity. Creating the right planting design and planting plan for your garden is very important. It brings colour, form, and texture and sent to the space and brings the garden to life. Complementing the stylisation and structure of the garden, reinforcing conceptual themes and ideas. Three-dimensional form plays a big part in the garden design and plant form embellishes the concepts at the heart of the design. Contemporary Gardens with strong clean lines and rectilinear geometry can be softened with soft textural planting and banks of colour. You could also punctuate the landscape with plants that a have a strong form giving an architectural presence. Seasonality is very important also so your garden changes throughout the year, with mini events happening all the time. Seasons of change Creating a good planting plan and planting design is a very important part of the process and can vary greatly. Contemporary Outdoors rooms, Roof Terraces and Contemporary Courtyard e.g. are high in stylisation and Architectural content but can have a small amount of planting. Larger family gardens with more traditional/formal/classical themes will generally have larger and a greater number of beds. Planting design cost do vary and are very bespoke in nature. Equally Contemporary Outdoor rooms may look for a greater Architectural impact from a good Pot and Plant Design.
Design Fees:
As a Design and build company we aim to offer very competitive Garden Design fees and can create a Design and build package. Design fees can be a percentage of build and operate on a sliding scale depending on size of project. They can also be offered as a flat rate fee This is best discussed on site as part of the brief. Projects vary greatly and we assess each project bespoke and on its own merits. A small Contemporary Roof Terrace or Contemporary Courtyard Garden can be very design intensive even though on the whole not a big project, whereas a Large Family Garden may require more Landscaping, with new retaining wall, new steps and new lawn . The garden design for this type of project is generally more straightforward and requires less time but it can be a larger budget project. This is one plus points of creating flat rate Design fees opposed to a percentage of budgets. Garden Design Fees usually fall between £400- £ 2000 for larger project Estimate, Project Management & Build: We like to present the estimate initially as an itemised list of costs, broken down into sub groups, so the client can see the cost for each element of the project . Within these sub groups there will also be costs options eg. We may present three different type of garden fencing, hardwood decking or patio costs using different stone. This gives the client the opportunity to explore design v cost. Projects mostly have budget restrictions and so important for the client to know exactly what can be achieved. As part of the project estimate we will propose timelines, key target dates, duration of project and Terms and conditions. This explains the client /contractor obligations and requirement Project Management.
Once the estimate agreed plan start dates then schedule and we. A retainer to hold a start date and slot will be required at this stage and is 5% of Budget. This will go towards part of the 1 st 30 % payment once project under way. See Payment Schedules: The Project and client liaison will be managed by Billy Clarke, Company owner and head of Creative. The on-site and office based management will be run by Project Manager head Designer