Landscape Designer, Builder and Aesthetic Pruner - A Gardener For All Seasons.  

California Landscape Contractor 712862

Design Philosophy  

Peter adheres to Thomas Church's theory that there are three sources of form.  The first is human needs and the specific personal requirements of the client.  The second comprises the technology of materials, construction, and plants, including maintenance and a whole range of form determinants derived from the site conditions and quality.  The third is a concern for the spatial expression, which goes beyond the mere satisfaction of requirements and into the realm of fine arts.

Sequence (click image to enlarge)

1. Program Development:  We meet on-site to develop criteria:  a shopping list of garden elements and preliminary budgets for design and construction.

2. Site Measurement Drawing:  Shows existing conditions such as structures, easements, property line, utilities, plants, and notes local planning & permit requirements.

3. Base Map:  Shows everything to remain as part of new design.  May contain some contour lines or spot elevations.

4. Site Analysis:  Shows environmental influences, human activities, surroundings and any other critical conditions that support or constrain a design.

5. Bubble Diagrams:  Simple outlines traced over basemap to show the relationship of elements to each other.  Bubbles show approximate size, shape or importance.

6. Rough Sketches:  These show alternatives for translating bubbles into rough form.

7. Illustrative Plan:  These combine the best parts of the rough sketches into one refined plan showing layout, materials, major plant massings, overall character and preliminary estimate of construction cost.  May include cross-sections, elevations, or even perspective sketches.

8. Working Drawings and Details:  These are additional sheets for irrigation, lighting, planting etc.  They are used by a designer-builder to obtain permits, or solicit bids from  sub-contractors.

Services  

Conceptual designs (without specifications)

Design-build, including the following:

• Plans, specifications and detail drawings
• Grading
• Drainage
• Rock placement
• Irrigation
• Water features
• Paving & paths  
• Low-voltage lighting
• Carpentry
• Planting
• Tree-moving
• Maintenance
• Managing subcontractors  

Peter is based in Oakland, California, USA.  He is primarily working in the east bay, also Marin and the San Francisco peninsula.