LANDSCAPE DESIGN 101
How to Think Like a Designer
Do your homework
Start small! Landscape design can seem very complicated and stressful at first sight - so do your research! By going through books, magazines and other resources such as the internet, you form base ideas and begin to construct and create plans in your head. You can even cut out images and pictures that appeal to you - it's simply about creating ideas.
An important note is to keep everything affordable - nature shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. Think simple and replace expensive store bought items for things found aroudn the home - afterall it isn't sustainable if it's not affordable.
Inventory your property
Whether you live in an apartment or on a farm, microclimates and opportunities exist to create some sort of sustainable environment. Examine your property - look for areas of activity or life. Sunny areas are good for maintaining plant life, but one must make sure that the sun isn't only temporary or even permanent. Plant life is delicate, and most often must be placed in good conditions to flourish.
More basic properties must be examined as well - soil type and water retention are very important factors. Check the area for insects and animals that live on the surrounding greenery, and plan for this wildlife to flourish naturally.
Take clues from nature
Look around - the Earth and life associated with it form some of the most complicated relationships known to man. Through millions of years nature has thrived through self-reliance and the ability to maintain a sustainable amount of life.
So clearly nature knows a few things we don't. Take ideas from the systems you see around you - take what nature has given us and compliment it or expand on it. These organic systems are simply a base for further human creation.
Create A Master Plan
After laying down base ideas and a simple outline - begin to think in terms of actual construction of yourideas. Creating a theme is a good start - many have found success in creating Mediterranean, contemporary or Japanese gardens. It doesn't have to be large scale - almost any project can be made sustainable.
Begin to lay down the structure of your outdoors - places for sitting and socializing, sections for dining and possibly even places for your barbeques or outdoor kitchens. It's important to lay these sections down early on, as it allows you to later create a plan that blends nature and your outdoor space quite nicely.
Similarly, define your garden rooms. Take a look around your yard and find places with significant amounts of organic life, soil or sunlight. These gardens add visually to your property, as well as providing healthy systems for many organisms to habit.
Your masterplan should be fairly specific and accurate. Visuals are always a plus - try to sketch out your ideas neatly with pencil and paper or using a computer image - editing program. Think reasonably - the project should be feasible. Record structures and grading - this must be done witha certain level of accuracy to allow developers to actually visualize and have a chance to create it.
Shown to the right is a sample done at the Hirsh residence by SLA Inc, showing extremely detail while still being visual and simple.
