This is Part 3 in a series on Using Images as Inspiration for generating your own Garden Design Ideas.In it I take a look at the design and construction process – all the decisions and, more importantly, the changes that occur along the way from conception to completion.
Part Twoof the Context is Everything!series looked at the Clients – the people behind the photos.This post follows on, looking at the changes during thedesign andconstruction process.
Understanding the nature of this process isincredibly important.It gives you an insight into how things changed over time, andWHYthey changed.
It is common for larger, more elaborate projects to require designers and builders.Since they have a stake in an aesthetically pleasing outcome, they will adapt and change throughout the build.For anyone who has never been through a build or design process, it can beEXHAUSTING.
Like many relationships, they can be good or, sometimes, bad.Especially so when clients feel left out of the loop in design or construction decisions.
Ironically, builds generally proceed smoothest when theclients know as little as possible.
This is an important aspect to consider when looking at a single image for a number of reasons, outlined below.
How Many Design Iterations?
An iteration is simply a version of a design.
In good design, you have a draft version, test how it works, and create a new version where you arerespondingto something in order to make it better.
In most garden designs, the designer creates a few options to choose from, the clients chooses, and they take it from there.
There is generally a cap on how many iterations you can have, with additional costs per change beyond that.So if the client wants to change the design, the designer will create another iteration.
Whenever aclient wants to change something, the designer creates another iteration.As you can imagine, the more iterations, the more expensive things get.
Generally designs change even once they get into construction, as newinformationandconstraintsraise their heads.
The reason it is important to know if their were major changes throughout the design process is thatchanges are a response to something. Due to either aclient changing their opinion on something, or aconstraint that became apparentduring the process.
So if all you see is the finished product without theworkings that underpin it, you haveno idea how much work was involvedin getting it to that finished state.It may be a lot more than you bargained for.
For a great look at quick design iterations, check out this great little sequence by Vrank92 at IGN.com (somewhere I did not expect to find landscape design content).
It is quick, messy and explores a lot of different ideas.Therefore itexpandsoptions rather than diminishes them.
Budget To Work With (For Design AND Construction)
Outlined in the clients section, what it refers to here ishow much wiggle room the clients had to work with.
Most projectsgo over budget, and some clients have the ability to handle it, while others don't.
This causes issues if you're trying to copy a design from some unknown location directly to your backyard.When you're already at your budget limit, you will haveno way to deal with any problems that arise.
Size Of Team Involved In Construction (Or Even Design!)
For all you know, a 20 man team finished construction in 4 weeks.Or, it may have been one man, slowly working on the project until its completion.
One is clearly muchmore expensivethan the other.And also requires much morelogisticalandsupply management.
While you may desire that beautiful dry stacked retaining wall, consider the (often unexpected) costs of construction.
Finishing in a shorter time frame is unusual – unless you have deep pockets and a big team.So adjust your expectations accordingly.
Image from hmlconstruction.ca.
Any Council Requirements, Or Issues With Construction Or Design
This works two ways.
First – if theclients had any difficulties with their council.
Second – ifYOU might have problemsattempting a similar design.
Council restrictions and organising permits can be the bane of many projects.Often they have a big influence on how smoothly and quickly a project runs.Even the final outcome will be heavily influenced by councils.
Be prepared for changes– unless you are aware of what council permitted that construction in the image.Depending on how flexible or rigid the council is,you run the risk of your project being rejected completely– or payingbig feesfor permit applications.
Changes During Construction
One rule of every build –sh*t happens and things have to change.
Problems will appear when excavation is involved.It's difficult to quote costs and finalise timelines when you don't know what you'll find until you start digging.
Simply looking at a photo gives youno indication of any difficulties throughout the construction process.What looks smooth and calm on the surface may belie a turbulent and dangerous undercurrent.
Unseen Problems And Solutions (Both Physical And Cost)
Continuing the previous point, the image won't indicate anyextra changesordecisions.
Therefore you won'tseedelays, or if it wentover budget.
You won't know if there were any other issues that came up during the design and construction process.All you see is the finished product, with none of thecomplications,compromisesoralterationsthat may have taken place.
The Rest Of The Garden/ Design (Including Orientation And Slope)
Unless you have a video, or a series of images from the project, it can be very difficult to seehow this view fits into the rest of the garden.
One of the biggest problems people run into when trying to design their own garden from individual pieces is theyfocus on one section, rather than considering how it will fit into an overall scheme or plan.
It's easy to do that when all someone does is copy and paste completely different styles, ideas, designs, tips or tricks in random positions all over the garden.That's how you end up with half finished, abandoned projects around a garden –using single pieces from different puzzles.
So when you look at that must have vista, think aboutwhat you're missing just out of frame, and if there is more to the picture than you are seeing.
Material Options And Availability (Including Cost, Supply And Legality)
It's really easy to be seduced by a beautiful weathered deck, smooth paving area or luscious lawn or garden bed, but what many people don't consider is thecost and availability of using these materialsin their backyard.
Besides even a basic understanding of cost (tradeorretail?) there is also the issue of whether it is easy tosupply,availableat different times of the year.
Not to mention howlong does it take from order to deliveryand is iteven possible to source through a retail supplier(many wholesale suppliers don't deal with the public, requiring a trade partner to help out, or some out of the box thinking)?
Besides those considerations, are those materials (particularly plant varieties) evenlegalin your area?Are they consideredweedsby the local council and therefore sink your plans before you've even begun?
This ties back to the first step in this series – considering site and climate.
It's A Stop-Start Process
As you can see, the process of getting a design from a clients (or more likely a designers) head onto paper has many steps.
Starting in abrain(or brains), it goes onto (draft) paper.Then into a computer where it is altered again.
Following many iterations it will be printed and sent tothird parties.Engineers, drafters and planners will alter it again.Not to mention thecouncilwill add in their two cents.
Once you have design approval you will need totender,analyseandcontract a builder.From there you need to be aware of supply timelines, excavation and sub-contractors.
And that ignores the certain changes you will make during the build.You will determine how to cover mistakes, fixes, clean ups and disagreements… finally, at the end you have (sort of) a backyard garden (hopefully) similar to your original design.
If all you're seeing, and all you're basing your decisions on, is thefinal, freshly washedandscrubbed landscape, idea, tip or trick, then you are missing a hugely important part of the story, one that had amajor influence on and dramatically informed the final outcome.
For many things in life you don't care about the process – all you want is the finished product.
But your own personal garden or backyard is NOT one of them.
Take Action: WRITE DOWN ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS
WHAT WOULD YOU BUDGET FOR THE DESIGN IN THAT IMAGE?
HOW LONG WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO BUILD FOR?
ARE YOU FLEXIBLE WITH THE LAYOUT AND MATERIALS?
CAN YOU BE PATIENT WHEN THINGS GO WRONG?
The more flexibility you are comfortable with, the easier it will be to work that idea into your garden.
We'll explore ‘the Image Itself' in the next post.Specifically how reworking and manipulating images leads to more clicks (but less ‘truth').