Landscape Services |
We offer Landscape and design services for both Residential and Commercial projects including Schools and Early Learning Centres. Our Clients range from property owners, developers through to government departments and community organisations throughout Victoria and Southern NSW. We have extensive experience in above slab/rooftop gardens and the preparation of council Planting Plans for Town Planning. It is important to involve the Landscape Consultants during the early design phase to promote good connectivity between the building and landscape, and ensure the landscape is documented to fulfil the design intent. The landscape design may extend from just the Planting Plan to other related features such as layout, grading, lighting and irrigation and include items such as artistic elements, water features, greenwalls, drainage, and planters. Careful coordination with other related consultants may also be required. An appealing street frontage and welcoming entry which is able to blend individual qualities of the site and project with the essence of local surrounds is front of mind in our design process. For Commercial Clients, this helps to build their brand and that important first impression. We like to use natural elements through flora, materials and light to tie the different areas of your property and landscape together, so any structures, outdoor areas and landscaping effortlessly fuse together with your interior spaces. Water features can provide a calming effect to counter rising levels of stress or provide a reflective quality, while natural light and ventilation can improve the character and ambience of a building, which in turn has a positive impact on physical wellbeing of those who use it. Our Design Process involves a comprehensive strategy taking projects from design through to the Construction period if required. For most projects there are three distinct design phases – Consultation, Concept Design, and then Tender Design. |
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Stage1 Initial Design or Horticultural Consultations We think it is important to get to know your designer before engaging them for your whole project—after all you could be working together for a number of years. It is not unusual for both large residential projects and commercial projects to have an active life of around 2 years, with a review of the growing garden every 5 years. You should engage your designer based on their experience, education, and portfolio, but you also need to ensure that you communicate well together. An Initial Design Consultation with Ruth Czermak is a chance to meet and discuss in basic terms your project and what your aims are, or to ask very specific questions about a particular aspect of your garden. It is also a chance for Clients to obtain some initial design or horticultural guidance for their project. For some Clients with small projects such as vegetable gardens, replanting or balcony gardens, this maybe all that is required. During the Initial Consultation, Ruth helps you do develop your Brief and define the scope of design work required. We will listen to what your aims are and discuss in basic terms your budget. Drawing from the information gathered in the Initial Consultation, we then prepare a Fee Proposal for the next stages of the project. The charge for the Initial Consultation depends on the location and you will need to allow a minimum of 60minutes of time on site for the Consultation. Some projects, such as Town Planning planting Plans depending on their complexity, may not require an Initial Consultation. |
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Stage2 Landscape Mockup/Concept/Master Plan/3D Models/Videos (Generally takes 4-6 weeks) The Concept Design phase is very important as this is when the creative response to a design is formulated and is what all future stages are built on. This stage may include further, confirmation and development of a project brief, review of Client provided baseplan material and any initial research for the project s well as Client review meetings.It involves making sure that the Designer is familiar with the site and also helps to ensure that both the Designer and the Client have the same aims and outcomes in mind. The Landscsape Concept stage with Botanical Traditions is a collaborative process between you and your Landscape Architect. This stage typically includes the production of the Landscape Mockup (or Draft Concept Plan) and the Final Concept Plan or Master Plan after further discussions with the Client. The stage may include the production of hand drawn sketches, 3D models and montages, 2D plans and the compilation of indicative photographs. These plans and other drawings produced are illustrative and not meant to be used for Tender or Construction as they do not contain the required level of information. We have the ability to take your designs and show them in 3D. This may be very important for Council permit applications where there are specific requirements, Estate Planting Plans Fundraising, presentations for stakeholders or just so that you have a better understanding of what your landscape area will look like. Click here to go to some examples of our 3D Models. Videos and walk throughs can also be prepared and are based on the 3D models. We recommend that all larger or complex projects, specifically any which have complex grading are undertaken in 3D.New buildings or extensions may require Landscape Town Planning documents for Council approvals. Our basic Concept Plan together with our Planting Plan will generally satisfy this requirement.
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Stage 3 Design Development/Tender Design (Generally, takes 5 - 8 weeks) After the Concept Stage is completed and has been approved, the next stage adds further detail to the drawn design to enable you to obtain quotes for construction and compare them. A Tender package may include several plans depending on the size of your project or the complexity of your project – Planting Plans, Layout Plans, Irrigation Plans, Lighting Plans, Grading Plans and Sections are common. In addition, there might be Details, Specifications, Materials Schedules, and a Schedule of Works developed for the project. The Construction Design of structures or elements such as pergolas, decking etc is undertaken by engineers and are not handles within our firm. At this stage we generally make an introduction to a range of different landscapers who you can contact to obtain quotes for your Construction.
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After Design - Construction Support (Runs During the Construction Period) Most of the time there is little change between the Tender issue of the drawings and the Construction issue drawings as we prefer to finalise things at the Tender stage to avoid variations. We do not offer any Construction Administration Services or Project Management Services. The Landscape Architect does not supervise or manage the building works, as this is the role of the landscape contractor. We offer a support service to those performing the Contract Administration service – which on residential designs projects is usually the home Owner and on Commercial projects is typically the Architect. The Landscape Architect will review the work at key checkpoints and report back to the Client/Contract Administrator. Other services offered during this phase of the project involve Sample and Plant Approvals and if required Plant Procurement.
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Specialist Services - Knock Down Rebuild (KDRB) You have had a wonderful new house built and now are looking at how to integrate the garden. What to do with this blank canvas, especially when the budget has been spent on all that new furniture and building upgrades? We have developed a KDRB Light option for a number of standard houses from some of the bigger volume builders. These packages offer limited customisation and a cost effective solution to create a garden to match the house. The packages are suitable for Design and Construct packages with experienced Landscape Contractors.
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Specialist Services - Productive Gardens Your organic, home-grown fruit, vegetables and herbs are fresher, more nutritious and more delicious than conventionally farmed fruit, vegetables and herbs. Most fruit, vegetables and herbs lose nutritional value and taste when they are stored for lengthy periods, or when they are being transported from interstate or overseas. Do you want to grow your own, but don't know where to start. We can help. It doesn't matter if you are renting, have a small balcony or a large garden - everyone can grow their own productive plants with the right advice. Many vegetable gardens fail due to incorrect soil preparation, location or loss of interest. We can assist you to develop your own highly productive garden.
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Other Services - Pop Up Seasonal Displays and Urban Activation Do you have an event or an upcoming urban activation project? We can assist with the development of seasonal planting schemes for your upcoming event and if required, through our partners the growing of the plants, installation and maintenance. |
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Other Services - Gift Certificates For a really unique gift idea - Garden design gift vouchers offering one-to-one on site garden advice, design ideas, planting advice, and practical tips on how to improve an existing garden or design a new one. The Voucher can be redeemed throughout the year after issue and can be used to pay for any of our services including part payment towards a full garden design service. Vouchers are valid for 18 months after the purchase date and are valid for a 25km radius from Mitcham Victoria.
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