A background in Landscape Architecture

Rose is a fully qualified chartered Landscape Architect with over fourteen years of professional experience. This means you are assured of a high quality, thorough and professional service. With Rose’s experience of a wide variety of projects before specialising in garden design, you will have the benefit of her breadth of knowledge so that your garden will not only look good, but will also be safe, functional, legal, sensitive to its environment and long lasting.

Site survey

All our designs are based on a thorough survey and analysis of the site, including, where appropriate, its setting. On smaller sites we can take measurements, or use your own measurements to draw up a plan of the site as existing. On larger, more complex sites, particularly where there are major changes of level, a professional land survey may be required, and we can arrange this for you.

Design to masterplan stage

After visiting the garden and meeting with you, we will write to you to confirm the scope of work, as well as our fees and conditions of appointment. Once this is agreed, we meet again for a more in depth discussion of your requirements, tastes and preferences, and to survey the garden. We will then prepare sketch proposals, and a further meeting is usual at this stage to present and discuss the proposals. Once we have your approval, the masterplan will be drawn up, and will illustrate areas of hard surfacing, planting, lawns, water features, as well as positions of features such as walls, fences, changes of level, steps etc., all in relation to the existing structures and boundaries. Detailed notes will be included with reference to suggested materials and finishes, as well as types of planting and features. To help you visualise the finished garden, we usually use 3D computer modelling for all or part of the design process (see below). If required a number of different options can be prepared.

Computer models

We like using SketchUp to create ‘virtual reality’ 3D models of your garden so that right from sketch stage, you can easily understand the design and have a clear idea of how it looks and works. This is particularly useful for small enclosed spaces, or level changes, where the three dimensional aspect is crucial. The model is supplied to you on CD so that you can look around it at your leisure. You can zoom in, walk through, look around, even see where shadows are falling at different times of the year and day! Most clients find this an invaluable aid to visualising the design and ensuring that they are happy with it before the final masterplan is drawn up. This also means that expensive design changes once contractors are on site are minimised. Of course we can also show this stage of the design on paper if you prefer.

Planting plans

Rose has built up an excellent body of plant knowledge having worked in a plant nursery and grown a wide variety of different plants in her own gardens over the years. She can advise on plants for many different uses such as wildlife habitat, sun- or shade-loving, drought or moisture tolerance, year-round colour and structure, low maintenance and so on. We will prepare detailed plans and schedules listing all plants, their sizes, spacings and quantities. Further supporting information describing the different plants and their appearance or management can be included if required.

Construction drawings

Wonderful ideas are all very well, but someone has to tell the builder how to turn them into reality! We can produce detailed technical drawings so that you can be sure of getting the result and the quality you expect. This will also allow contractors and specialists to produce accurate costings for the work in advance.

Specification of materials

Whether traditional or contemporary, choosing the right materials for the job is a vital part of achieving the desired result. We have experience of selecting and using all kinds of materials, both tried and tested, as well as more experimental. In our 2003 Westonbirt festival garden we used fine gauge stainless steel mesh to form a boundary, shaped to resemble curtains billowing in a breeze and shimmering in the sunlight. In another garden, chunky vertical timbers set in a curve form a novel take on an enclosing wall.

Costing

We can prepare cost estimates, although inevitably for the more complex, bespoke gardens this will be a ‘ball park’ figure until it has been priced by contractors.

Project Management

As a professional Landscape Architect, Rose is well qualified to act as your agent and manage your garden construction. This can include putting the work out to tender, selection and appointment of contractor(s), as well as administration of all aspects of the contract, site meetings, certification of payments and so on.

Liaison with planners

With over four years' experience as a Local Authority landscape architect, Rose is well versed in the ways of the Planning System, and can advise you on matters of Planning Permission, Listed Building Consent, Conservation Areas, Tree Preservation Orders (TPO's), hedgerow and wildlife legislation and such like. We can liaise with the planning department on your behalf, and in extreme cases, Rose's experience as expert witness on landscape matters in appeals could be invaluable.

Commissioning of original artwork

A one-off piece of art, whether purely decorative or serving a functional role such as a fountain, seat or gate, will personalise your garden and may be more affordable than it looks! With her artistic background, Rose can advise, draw up a brief and appoint and oversee the commission. Have a look at our Westonbirt Festival garden for specially commissioned glass globes on looped rusted iron hangers and a metal face sculpted from beaten copper, steel and lead.

Languages

Rose has near fluent spoken and written French as a result of having lived for over two years in Brittany, smallholding, renovating buildings and working on a plant nursery.