Welcome to our May edition of Design Challenges. This month and next we will be discussing a job we completed in August of 09. I will be able to show you before pictures, just completed and a year later. Because we also offer both bi-annual and quarterly maintenance services, we are able to remain connected to our clients and to the landscapes we created for them. It is incredibly rewarding for me to watch these landscapes grow and to see our vision (the client’s and mine) come to fruition, especially the more challenging ones, like this one. A sloped landscape is always more difficult to design and build than one on level ground. However all landscapes, whether sloped or level, start with the same question: What is our objective and theme?
The objective of this landscape was twofold. The way the house was positioned allowed one to see the sunset from the top of the hill. It has a beautiful view of the hills and the surrounding homes and tall Oaks in Folsom. Also the client, now in her early 70’s, had teenage granddaughters for whom sunbathing is a high priority. So our client requested an area for tanning. While considering what part of the hill was best suited for the granddaughters, I also had to consider my client’s age, and how many steps she could comfortably take before needing a level platform to rest. Figuring out how to make the space work for everyone involved required many careful calculations and measurements. These were necessary not only for the design, but also for an accurate estimation of the cost of the job. Since this portion of the design represented 60% of the work, and hence the majority of the cost, it was important to get these numbers right. So we calculated and recalculated, measured and re-measured.
Another part of making the job work is its affordability, and the selection of materials is a big part of that. In discussing different choices with the client, we decided on wood and the plan was she would have the wood oiled and stained each year to preserve its fresh appearance. Wood is by far the least expensive option, both in materials and labor, and this was an important consideration. A design that does not fit into the client’s budget is as useless as a concrete trampoline. For this reason, I always give a rough estimate of cost before I leave the first meeting with a client. This allows the family to discuss what they are willing and able to spend. It acts as a reality check that puts the designer and the client on the same page. I will often say, “We can design a Volkswagen, Chevy or Mercedes, it is a matter of what the client wants in the landscape, and to “see” in the end.” Some clients know their budget before we even meet, which enables me to begin the actual design more quickly.
It is important to note that the size and location of a tanning area, thinking through reasonable access and budget were all pre-design considerations. The design itself takes all those decisions and unifies them with a theme. It is a lengthy and exacting process, but one that ensures that your outdoor retreat will be enjoyed for many years to come. Until next time, Good Gardening.
