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Points to Ponder -
Wish List for your Landscape Design
There are certain things about a landscape a client must consider for their design to be successful and for it to fulfill their needs. I give this list to my prospective clients so they may think about issues they may not have considered before I begin the design process. This way, the client can express their desires and needs fully to me and I may create a design that compliments their lifestyle. After all as they say in landscape design, "Form follows function."
If you are considering a design project, feel free to look over these questions and get a feel for what a designer needs to know to create an effective and pleasing design.
1) What uses do you currently make of your garden and landscape?
2) What do you like best about your site?
3) What don't you like about the existing site?
4) What specific uses do you want to plan for?
5) How do you and other members of your family plan to use the landscape and its new spaces?
6) If you have children, what specific uses will they be growing into and out of?
7) If you have pets, do they have any specific requirements that influence your design? (ie: enclosures and runs)
8) If you were to think of various parts of your landscape as outdoor rooms or extension of your indoor living spaces what would you call them? Kitchen, storage, dining room, or living room.
9) What is the architectural style of your house? What is the aspect of it do you want to carry through into the landscape?
10) Is there a particular landscape style that you want to use? For example: formal, japanese, country, woodland?
11) Are there any special plants you want to use?
12) What color foliage and flowers do you want to use?
13) Are there any plants or colors you dislike?
14) Are you and/or any member of your family allergic to any plants or bees?
15) What sort of paving surfaces do you like?
16) Does the site need any special screening to ensure privacy?
17) How do you feel about the look and feel of the entrance to your home?
18) Do you have any special needs or desires to save water, attract birds, screen windy areas, etc?
19) How much money have you budgeted for improvements?
20) How much time will you have to work on the project if you choose to install it yourself?
21) How much time will you have to maintain the design once it is installed?
22) How long do you expect it to last before you have to do major remodeling again?
23) Are materials readily available? Are there any materials or objects you want to use to create a special feeling?
24) Are there any easements, setbacks, or other zoning regulations that will influence what you do?
25) Are there any underground utility lines or old water pipes the designer should be aware of? Can you locate them from old plans or by digging sample holes?
26) Will local building codes apply to any of the work?
27) Do any of your potential plans influence your neighbor's interests? If so, have you discussed your plans with them?
28) Are there any "Heritage Tree" (trees protected by local ordinances) or other special elements you should take into consideration?
29) Are there any clippings in magazines or books of design ideas you would like to use in your plans?
Copyright © 2000 - 2008
Cristin M. Larson, The Garden Consultant and Landscape Design