This is the final article on the 6 steps of our project cycle of services. Pretty much every successful project needs to contain these essential elements. We have spoken about what is involved with and the main principles of: cost estimation; consultant appointment and management; design development, council submission of documentation and interior design.
The final step is one that is usually subcontracted by the contractor as it is a specialist skill, but an essential one, to complete the look and feel of any home or office building – this is landscaping. We thought it may be of interest to our clients to have an overview of the basic principles of Landscape Design in a building project. These are not necessarily in any order, but some of the key principles that most good landscape designers follow is…
Keep it simple
When setting out the landscaping of any garden, it is important to prioritise what is most important and eliminate that which is not absolutely necessary. It is preferable to keep the design clean, neat and uncluttered.
Of course there are many forms of landscaping and nowadays being water wise is a great consideration in any design, but in all cases simplicity of design will usually mean easier maintenance and better functionality.
Variety and sequence
Simplicity should not be forfeited to create variety, but variety of course is a key element for aesthetic reasons. Shapes, sizes and colour should vary to avoid a too formal look.
There should be a good sequence to this however. There should always be a gradual change from one set of elements to the other. Shapes and sizes planted haphazardly are seldom appealing.
Scale, proportion, balance and weight
There are certain key terms that your landscaper may use and it can be helpful to know what these refer to. The size of the components in a landscape is referred to by landscapers as its scale and the way that they relate to each other is its proportion.
In order to maintain a good proportion the scale of your landscape and whatever is planted in it, should all have a pleasing balance. The visual appeal of everything that is placed in it is known as the visual weight it carries in the design.
Unity – the cohesive whole
Last, but certainly not least, unity is said by many landscapers to be the key element to landscape design. Unity is about everything working well together in unison.
Walkways, paved areas, paths, stairs and fences all need to interconnect beautifully to link the areas of the design. The repetition of certain key elements can assist the feeling of unity too, but too much repetition can again lead to formality.
The 6 point project plan that makes it happen
This has been the last article detailing Davel and Lottering Construction’s 6 point project plan – a plan that is always rigidly executed because it has shown to be a proven success blueprint for every project.
We hope you have found it informative and invite you to contact us to talk about, and plan your future home, or office building, or renovation projects. We have no doubt that COVID-19 will not have its grip on us for much longer and when it is nothing but a memory we will be well along with your planned project.
In the meantime stay home stay, stay safe and stay in touch!