Landscape architecture is a broad profession, loosely defined as the act of arranging or modifying the features of a landscape for aesthetic and/or practical reasons. Our quick and simple explanation as to what a landscape architect does: We assist with the siting of buildings, and we design everything that you see in the landscape out beyond the exterior walls of a building. What follows below is a more thorough explanation of the type of landscape architectural services that Beechbrook Landscape Architecture provides.
Land Planning
Land planning involves outlining appropriate land-uses, building sites, and circulation networks, vehicular and pedestrian, on a given property.
Terms that fall under the umbrella of land planning at Beechbrook are campus planning, town planning, community planning, master planning, and site planning.
Successful land planning efforts evolve from a thorough site analysis. We take a comprehensive look at the ecological, cultural, historical, and regulatory issues that affect a site before coming up with a plan. Whether planning a mixed-use community, creating an institutional campus, carving out several home sites from an active farm, or developing a residential estate, our land planning efforts aim to develop plans that are practical, attractive, and respectful of natural resources, ecological systems, and scenic views.
On residential estates, we outline appropriate building sites for primary dwellings, guest houses, farm buildings other accessory buildings, and recreational activities, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, and outdoor riding arenas. Road and pathway networks are also delineated along with appropriate land-uses, for example depicting which areas are suitable for pasture, haying, growing crops, and/or harvesting wood.
Princeton Farm, Warrenton Horse Farm, and Irvine Nature Center are just a few project examples that involved land planning.
Site Design
Site Design is the next step after a land planning exercise, although not every project begins this way. Sometimes building sites, circulation networks, and land-uses have already been firmly established. While land planning is general and non-detail oriented, site design focuses on developing the actual appearance of the landscape, i.e. developing the look and feel of all the landscape features on a given site.
Terms that fall under the umbrella of site design at Beechbrook are grading and drainage design, hardscape design, garden design, and planting design. Specific landscape features we design include roadways, pathways, patios, site walls, decks/balconies, pergolas/arbors, fountains/water features, and pools.
Our site designs are comprehensive and specific in nature, and include the design of the overall property on down to specific garden spaces. We cover everything from the design of landforms and hardscape to the layout of utility and stormwater infrastructure, including the design of rain gardens (bioretention facilities), bioswales, and green roofs. Design of exterior signage, lighting, and irrigation is also included. We also assist with the exact placement and orientation of a building in a designated building site. Our planting design binds architecture, hardscape and grading into a whole resulting in enjoyable spaces, and we emphasize native plants and the judicious use of non-invasive exotic ornamentals.
Princeton Farm, Magnolia Manor, Hamilton Lawn at St. Paul’s School, Garrison Poolside Retreat, and Woodbrook Residence are just a few project examples that involved site design.
For any type of project, whether land planning or site design, Beechbrook can provide permitting services, developing the needed drawings to acquire permits, then submitting the required materials and coordinating with public agencies.
Stewardship Strategies
Stewardship Strategies involves developing a plan for maintaining the land in a manner that sustains and improves a site’s resource base, productivity, and ecology.
Whether a large working farm, a country estate, or a small lot, we can provide consultation on a wide range of activities to improve the land, including management of invasive plants, development of meadows, reforestation efforts, and wetland enhancement. We will study the land and then come up with appropriate strategies that can be implemented to improve the health of the land and to uncover any gems that may be hidden under layers of non-native, invasive plants or masked by poorly placed site materials and debris.
Our stewardship strategies are outlined through various plans and reports specific to a property. Examples of stewardship plans and reports are:
Princeton Farm, Magnolia Manor, Irvine Nature Center, and Warrenton Horse Farm are just a few project examples that involved stewardship strategies.
We have a passion for designing, detailing, and helping clients bring their projects to fruition. Teamwork, communication, observation, evaluation, and re-evaluation throughout every phase of the design and construction process are key elements in the formation of successful projects. We are committed to these elements in order to provide excellent service and value to our clients.
Our standard design process typically involves the following stages outlined below.
Conceptual Design – Site Analysis, Master Plan, Schematic Design
Design Development – Design Refinement, Detailed Design
Construction Documents – Documentation of the Design for Construction
Bidding & Negotiation – Final Pricing
Construction Observation & Administration – Reviewing Design Implementation
Post Construction Review – Landscape Stewardship, Reviewing Maintenance
© 2013 Beechbrook Landscape Architecture