Our Landscape Design Process
Our process is different from most landscape architects and designers. We truly feel that we simply care more. For that reason, our design process is more ITERATIVE, COLLABORATIVE, and CLIENT CONTROLLED than most companies. We include several opportunities for revisions, working together through well-designed meetings and innovative collaborative tools. Because our pricing is ala Carte and clearly defined, you are in control of the process. We believe in a systematic process - comprised of thoughtful small steps to ensure you aren't presented with an expensive plan that simply doesn't fit YOU.
Combined with great communication, we are very proud of the Aspen Design Experience. Our design team Mission is, "A top-notch client experience - from start to finish. With no surprises, no arrogance, and with the client's best interests in mind- always!"
Pre Design Step One - Information Sharing
This is a fairly straightforward step. We'll ask you to provide site information and info on your goals. This information will be used throughout our design process. Items like site plans, blue prints, and info on HOA / restrictive covenants, etc. are all very helpful to have access to.
Pre Design Step Two - Client Interview / Visioning Meeting
Preliminary Assessment of site and clients’ program
Our Client Interview / Visioning Meeting is an exciting and resource-packed introduction which sets the tone for our entire design process. During this meeting, we aim to gain an understanding of your goals and perspective. We also like to get an initial idea on whether your goals are likely feasible based on your desired budget.
This is an online meeting to allow for ready sharing of photos and ideas as well as allow for two or more design team members to be present at a reasonable price and with less scheduling issues. We use a fairly methodical process in this meeting to be sure we capture and share as much relevant information as possible.
At the culmination of this meeting we hope to know:
1) Are we a good fit for the project?
2) Does the project seem like a good idea?
3) Does the desired scope/ program match the budget? If not, how can we adjust the design Program/ wish list?
4) A shared aesthetic vision / style for the project.
5) The best design approach - which of our design types do we recommend? ( we have developed several design approaches based on client and project needs)
6) Does the client want to work with us?
7) Are there other questions to answer before moving forward?
We will share a detailed vision builder document and rough budget upon final payment for this meeting.
Cost for this service is $189.00
Prior to the meeting:
You will complete a thorough design questionnaire (available here).
You will send copies of any available site information (building plans, etc).
You will ensure your device is compatible with zoom and is updated.
If you plan to use an ipad or similar please let us know if you can use a rear facing camera to provide a walk-through tour of the property - or share views from windows.
We will review the completed client questionnaire and create a design wish list / program.
We will find available site info (zoning/ county/ google earth)and post on our meeting outline for review.
We will begin a budget builder tool for the project.
We will create Houzz and Pinterest Pages to share ideas for the project.
If, based on our meeting, it doesn’t feel like a good fit to continue with design services, we still want this meeting to be valuable to you. We’ve been doing this for a long time and have developed a sharp eye for opportunities and constraints … and will share honest opinions and references on making good choices.
Design Step One - Site Visit and Initial Ideas Generation
This step is the beginning of our true "Design Process". We will provide a clearly written contract for design services which ensures that we agree on our scope and all costs involved. It's a fun step - meeting with you to discuss your hopes, dreams, and goals in person and with eyes on the site! Using what we’ve learned from the visioning meeting, we’ll walk the site with you and get a better feel for your space. While we’re there, we aim to dig in on whether our design program (wish list) can work. We take care to thoroughly investigate the site - looking for issues and opportunities, site constraints, and other factors early in the process- before getting you too excited. Our hope is that you’ll leave this meeting feeling empowered and having learned a lot about your space. Usually, we leave this meeting with a few more design ideas, too.
To get the creative juices flowing, we like to share some initial ideas shortly after our visit. Sometimes these are quick sketches. Sometimes , they are plan view concepts over an aerial photo. This step is loose and informal, and it does a lot to ensure we’re on the right track.
Design Step Three - Initial Design Study: Design Concepting
Once we have a good understanding of your goals and your space through our meetings and site inventory and analysis process, we’ll begin our preliminary design process. Before getting too focused on details, we want to focus on the overarching forms and flow, always considering how the site will be used. It’s important to us that the design of the landscape doesn’t compromise its function. This is the most challenging, fun, and rewarding portion of the design process.
Using inspiration from the site and architecture as well as frequently reviewing the design program (wish list) we've created together is a big part of creating a thoughtful design. We often contact a client throughout this process to gather input on various ideas. We may also send you what we call an "Initial Impressions Video” to talk through our design ideas in rudimentary form and paint a verbal or sketch picture of what we are envisioning.
Once we’re confident that we have a good idea, we draw a conceptual design (or sometimes more than one option) . We don't create a detailed planting plan at this point, but do set a good direction for plants, color, materials, etc. The results of this step include precedent photos, plant and materials suggestions, and at least one design concept.
To share our ideas, wWe’ll send you a video recording outlining the concept. We find a video format allows for ease of scheduling and a quicker process.
Design Step Four - Client Review of Initial Design Study
You'll have some time to review our ideas. After a bit of time, we’ll meet (typically via zoom)to answer questions, review and revise the design program (wish list), and explore materials and style options. We want to be sure you have an opportunity to provide input before we invest too much time in finalizing a plan. We often uncover that some of a client’s goals may change once they see them brought to life on paper. That’s great and a part of the process- we can adjust our design program at this point based on changing thoughts. We'll talk about the budget here too to understand if your budget or desires have evolved.
At the conclusion of our meeting, we hope to have clear guidance on which aspects of our preliminary design(s) are preferred, and any necessary changes, etc. so we can refine the plans for you. This is the end-point of the Initial Design Study of our design. An invoice will be sent for current work after this meeting, and we'll discuss potential additional design costs for the potential adjustments and next steps we've discussed. next steps.
Design Step Five - Design Refinement
Design refinement is an essential step for most projects. If the concept we've created in early steps is "the dream," the purpose of the design refinement phase is intended to be sure the dream is clear and shared equally by all stakeholders. During this phase, we'll update and refine drawings based on our conversations to give you a better understanding of the details. We can create some quick sketches to help clarify what the design will look like or define shapes onsite in the landscape using spray paint to show how spaces will fit together. Modeling with 3D rendering tools is also an option at this point.
More detailed measurements or a confirmation of grades may be needed. As this phase moves along, we are much more able to refine 'ballpark' prices and ensure conceptual ideas are likely feasible. We'll review all of this together to be sure we're on the right track.
At the end of this process, we hope to have a design we all feel good about. We'll send a video and pdfs of any drawings for your review. We can then meet in person or via zoom to review as necessary. An invoice will be sent for current work after completion.
Design Step Six - Design Finalization
Once we all feel good about the refined design concept, we’re ready to finalize plans. We'll specify materials, decide on exact plant species, and create detailed construction drawings if necessary. Based on this design we can also create a final cost estimate which we’ll share with you.
A multi-sheet series of drawings may be necessary to really communicate all the information. Our goal is to reduce surprises and ensure a stress-free installation. Grading, demolition plans, lighting plans, permitting info, etc. are all likely options here.
Design Step Seven - Installation Planning
Upon finalizing your design, we’ll meet again to review final details and discuss project installation options. Some projects are installed all at once. , but others may be installed in phases to better match your budget or time frame. We can strategize so you get the most value out of each phase if you choose a multi-phase approach to go that route.