The Design Process
What to expect when you contact David MacQueen.
Of primary importance and the core of the business, is a personal, detail-oriented service. As a small design practice David MacQueen is able to keep the focus on a highly individual set of parameters while allowing each design to grow organically but always with a high technical aptitude.
Every client is an individual and every project reflects that personal individuality, so it makes sense that no two projects will ever be the same. Generally however the format follows the following lines.
Part 1: Initial Consultation.
From initial query, a site visit is mutually arranged to discuss your ideas. It’s important that we learn as much about your project as we can. We will discuss your garden requirements, take a brief overview of the land, its surroundings and the aspect of any buildings within the site boundaries. We will discuss views (good and bad), and any garden style that you might favour. Your “wish” list is one of the most important aspects of design and a few questions will be asked relative to this. During this process, many notes will be taken and these, together with any other relevant design information are used to create your “Design Brief”.
This design brief will be the basis for creating the Initial Proposals and so, it’s very important to get this as precise as we can fairly early in the design process. On the basis of the initial visit, proposals and ideas will be formulating and an estimate of design fees will be submitted for your consideration.
Part 2: The Survey.
On approval of our design fees, we will arrange a convenient date to conduct a full site survey, during which time we will conduct all the necessary dimensions of the house, garden and any other structural object that may impact the overall final views. A full set of photographs will be taken from various angles and positions both around the plot and from inside the property. Small gardens are relatively quick and easy to survey however larger properties may require the professional services of a land surveyor. If this is the case, you will be advised of this prior to any survey work.
If you are currently working with an architect or designer, you may already have plans of the building and property lines. These will be useful and can facilitate a quicker survey on the day.
Part 3: The Outline Design Plan.
The Outline Plan is produced and presented for your approval. Generally this is drawn to scale and indicates ideas and intentions taken from the design brief. Some sketches may be shown at this stage to clarify some design principles.
Depending on the size or complexity of the project, a sketch model or computer generated model may also be produced to explain a particular, unique design concept.
This plan is used as a discussion point and any revisions or changes can be freely made at this stage, within the context of the original design brief. If there are many revisions at this point unrelated to the Brief, an hourly charge will be levied.
Part 4: The Proposed Design
On approval of the Outline Plan, a new Proposed Design is created.
This plan takes on board everything considered in the design brief plus any amendments or recommendations made in the previous stage. This is essentially the master plan from which all new intentions are based on.
The Proposed Plan also forms the basis for any further drawings that may be needed to clarify details. These may include elevations, sections, projections or other specified drawings that might be required by a Landscape Contractor or Sub Contractors.
Part 5: Detailed Drawings
Some or all of the following drawings may be required to give further detailed information to the Contractor.
Depending on the size of your project and/or specific requirements, these details may include Planting Plans, Construction Drawings, Ponds/Lakes, Pergolas, structural or non structural walls, details of unusual or difficult construction areas, Lighting Plans, Irrigation Plans, Water Features, hard-landscaping, Garages, subsidiary buildings, barbecues, outdoor kitchens and plumbing. Essentially the details could be of anything that requires careful thought before full construction goes ahead.
Part 6: Written Specification
When all the drawings required have been completed, we establish how you would like to proceed with your project. If you wish to take the drawings and details up to this point, this is fine. If you want the full design service, we can prepare all the written documents you may need for an “Invitation to Tender”. This document includes all the drawings to date along with a written specification of materials to be used and their methods of construction, time schedules, plants and intended work progress. Depending on the size of the project, the Tender documents are then sent simultaneously to a number of selected Landscape Contractors (usually 3-5 Contractors) with a given deadline date for return of their respective quotes.
On receipt of the quotes, each Tender document is considered and a decision is made about the winning bid who is then contacted and informed. Dates are then confirmed and the building process begins. An Invitation to Tender ensures a competitive quote from invited Contractors. If you have your own, trusted preferred builder you want to retain, we will send these documents to them for their individual quote.
It is understood that the winning Tender will be directly employed by the Client however at all times during construction, we will be available to check the quality of work being done and sign off on agreed payment terms as the project progresses.
Please Note:
Some or all of the above drawings or processes can be undertaken individually if required. For example, you may wish only a Planting Plan for a specific area of your garden. In this case, your planting plan can be prepared based on your favourite plants or colour schemes. Advice and recommendations will be indicated and a concise planting list can be prepared with the full Latin names to facilitate ease of ordering from plant suppliers, (this ensures no mistakes or confusion with species of plants wherever you are in the world).
Occasionally, a client wants to do much of the work themselves. In that case, they can pick and choose any one of the processes they need the most help with. Sometimes it will be construction drawings, other times it will be the design of a feature eg. a pond or water feature. If you feel you need help with any of the above drawings or processes, please call and we can discuss a project based on your personal requirements.
Telephone from UK: 07974 927564.
Telephone from outside of UK: 0044 7974 927564.
Or email me at david@davidmacqueen.com
Pages/Text below here are still under
construction!
PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION!