How to Prepare for your Meeting with a Landscape Architect

If you never worked with a landscape architect, you may be wondering the best way to prepare for your upcoming meeting.

Your landscape architect’s main objective at the initial meeting is to listen and learn about you and your project.  Many questions will be asked and discussed, but the best way to prepare is to be ready to discuss the following.

Be ready to discuss:

• What are the main function(s) you envision for your outdoor space, property or campus (such as outdoor dining, passive or active recreation, connecting with nature, relaxing, re-energizing, entertaining guests, or public gatherings)?
• Will the outdoor space or property be for personal use, entertaining friends and colleagues, public or employee use, seniors, adults, teens, children, people with disabilities, or all of these?
• What kind of features are you thinking about?  Do you desire hardscapes, pathways, sitting areas, planting areas, garden architecture, structures, outdoor kitchen, sport courts, amphitheater, specialty gardens, pool, spa, walking trails, etc.?
• What are your style preferences?  Such as informal style, formal, natural, modern, simple and sleek, Asian, Mediterranean, southwestern, northwestern, cottage style, Zen, sustainable, etc.? 
• Are there any issues with your site?  Such as drainage, soil erosion, flooding, privacy, noise, permitting, property boundaries, easements, acquisitions, etc.?
• What is your budget range for construction, desired time-frame or phasing for your project?  Take some time to be comfortable with your targeted budget.  Your landscape architect will create a custom design based on your desired budget in mind. 

If you don’t have answers for all the questions, no worries, landscape architects have plenty of spectacular ideas to help guide you along the way. 

Things to bring:

• As they say, “pictures are a 1000 words”.  If you have the time, collect a few visual aids for your meeting.  Find photos of styles you like (or don’t like) in books, magazines or online.
• If you have a plat map or topographical survey of your property, that is fabulous, bring a copy for your landscape architect.  If you have neither, bring the property tax identification number or survey description.  Many jurisdictions have data bases available online for viewing property boundaries and general land information.

The final tip for your meeting is to have fun!  The design process can be just as much fun as the finished project.  It is our goal to create your vision into a delightful outdoor experience with long lasting enjoyment.  
 
“How to Prepare for Your Meeting with a Landscape Architect” author:  Susan Combs Bauer, landscape architect at BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. "Connecting People to Nature by Design”.  www.bauercombs.com