ESC GARDEN DESIGN STUDIO
Pre-registered Member of the Society of Garden Designers
FULL GARDEN DESIGN SERVICE
We guide you through each phase of the design process.
We will meet on site for a tour of the existing space to talk about your aspirations. The information gathered will inform the design brief, which will be mutually agreed to identify the parameters of the creative process. Following a written acceptance of the brief and design fees, work for your new garden design will begin.
Understanding the site is crucial to the development of a considered design strategy. For large, or complicated sites, we will recommend a trusted land surveyor to undertake a full topographical survey; for smaller projects we undertake this work in-house. Other information required may include a soil analysis, climate report, boundary issues including any public rights-of-way across or near the property, significant views to highlight or hide, as well as historic use.
A series of conceptual 3D models are developed to test emerging design concepts and practical layouts. Two to three concepts are presented to you with accompanying mood boards and a summary of the findings of the site analysis. This phase of the design process should encourage a dialogue, to hear your feedback and ensure we are meeting the requirements specified in the brief.
After the concept is agreed we produce a detailed, to scale, masterplan of the site identifying the main areas of activity, circulation routes, planting areas, hard landscaping features and structures to be included in the design. This is presented to you for approval along with site elevation drawings to identify any intended changes in level to the existing site.
This is where the fine details of the project are considered. Hard landscaping materials are evaluated, decisions are weighed against principles of sustainability, conservation, future maintenance requirements and the project budget. Scaled construction drawings are created to see the paper design onto the ground. The drawings ensure that design features are constructed and installed to an exact specification. Material samples are available on request. Specialist features may require a third party company to be retained to collaborate on individual elements.
The success of a garden hinges on the relationship between the hard and soft landscapes. We consider all aspects of suitability, such as seasonality, hardiness, colour, texture, form and future maintenance requirements before specifying a plant for your garden. The planting plan accurately specifies the names of plants, planting density and position within the border; it also facilitates the logistical process of sourcing plants. Planting plans are designed to achieve a relatively close-knit appearance within three to five years of installation.
Once the detailed design package is finalised we will invite contractors to quote for the work. If you have a preferred contractor we are happy to work with them too. We recommend appointing a construction company with a strong reputation for excellent project management and positive client-facing communications skills. We will be on-site regularly to monitor the build and to answer any questions, as they arise on a day-to-day basis, by phone.
We will discuss with you how you would like to care for your new garden. Maintenance schedules can be produced detailing how to care for hard landscape surfaces, new lawns, irrigation systems and of course the new planting scheme. Plant maintenance schedules include care information from the establishment phase up to the first five seasons of growth for individual plants. If you have a gardener we are happy to work with them, or we can assist in appointing a maintenance contractor to carry out the work.
