A surrounding landscape, within the context of a Residence or a Planned Community’s Common Areas, represents one of the greatest values in Construction, when considering the return on your investment.  Location, location, location as the old Real Estate mantra goes – and your Landscape creates this initial impression of ‘Place.’  Our Landscape Architect’s Scope of Work encompasses Hardscape, Lighting, Landscape, and Irrigation. 

We focus on ‘artful’ design and the creation of a ‘functional image,’ in other words, a sustainable solution within the four listed Scope elements.

Hardscape plans create or enhance ‘outdoor rooms’ and ‘focal elements,’ such as water features, sculptural pieces, etc., or they create walkways, plazas, and drives.  Artful combinations also serve to functionally direct water for runoff, visually-cue user patterns for drivers or pedestrians, and denote important areas, such as an entry or a patio. 

Hardscape should respond to and enhance the Architecture, ‘extending’ its impact (and space) far into the Property; therefore, the grounds or ‘built environment’ become an extension of the value of the built space.

Lighting considers usage and image, marrying both the Site’s usage and Architectural elements, such as a façade.  The goal is to provide safety and enhance constructed features. 

In addition, controlled lighting design creates focal points within the landscape, physiologically extending, enhancing, and ‘changing’ the image viewed during the day.  Light pollution and an overabundance of uplighting has become an enormous topic of conversation at the Local Government level. 

A Landscape Architect can guide a design through the ever-changing Code revisions, such as utilizing full cutoff fixtures.  Light fixtures themselves play a crucial role in the daytime image of a site, and this selection is a critical component of reinforcing the image.

Landscape is perhaps the most dynamic element of any site.  This dynamic changes by the hour due to light patterns, by the season due to deciduous trees and flowering plants, and by the years, as growth matures and creates the ultimate goal, more value. 

The value is both aesthetic and monetary, conveying the ‘Sense of Place,’ through distinctive selections, a so-called ‘plant palette.’  A ‘Place’ directly relates to the value perceived in Real Estate, location. 

 Landscape Design selection also considers maintenance costs on a short and long term basis, perpetuating sustainability.  To a Homeowner or Association this would translate into cost savings associated with the elimination of large annuals budgets, periodic renovations due to overgrowth, and removals attributed to declining plant health.

Irrigation, properly designed, is one element of operating cost that is highly underscored.  A highly-efficient irrigation system, combined with properly sited plantings, can be ‘ramped up,’ ‘ramped down,’ or shut off completely, depending upon the Season and Rainfall totals on a site. 

With the rising cost of this precious resource, creative solutions to water recycling and its use on a site are a must. 

Trending, currently, is the incorporation of ‘Green’ concepts.  Our Firm recently was notified that our Design at Edison State College was recently designated a Gold Level of Certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED© N.C. (New Construction).  This is the First LEED©-certified Project in Collier County, and we are proud to be part of the designated Team.

As Professionals, Landscape Architects, consider a multitude of factors, from a Site’s context to Seasonal Patterns.  This is much more than your ‘backyard.’ 

The notion of ‘Form following Function’ is key to an environment’s complete success, and we possess the skills to ensure that upon Design, through Installation, and during Maintenance all factors are considered that impact the Budget and Construction, either initially or as an operating Cost. 

We serve to retain Design Intent (as previously-approved by an Owner) through the entirety of the Process and work for the Owner, not a General Contractor or Construction Manager.  We maintain an independent ‘eye’ on Cost controls and allow for field flexibility should unforeseen circumstances arise during Construction. 

Hardscape, Lighting, Landscape, and Irrigation are treated as a cohesive unit in a Design and are carefully coordinated with Other Design Professionals to maintain integrity, imagery, and ultimately, value. 

Related posts for further reading:

• Landscape installation continues to be one of the single greatest returns on your investment.
• Sense of Place