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Stage 1,
Orientation:
Orientation Meeting
is when the consultant is introduced to the project, when the prospective
client describes the property, the scope of work, their vision of the
project and essential information like timing, political expectations and
special conditions, if any. Achieving a clear understanding of the good as
well as the not so good, is a high priority, for the proposal they form
for their work is based on the information they receive during this
meeting.
Budget:
The budget at this
stage is considered 'preliminary,' established
by the Client from the information
on hand. This is important, for unless something unexpected surfaces in
process, this "budget" tends to shape future design and development
decisions.
Stage 2, Conceptual Development:
The presentation might include several visual forms:
diagrams, sketches, plans, model(s), as well as options for grading,
construction elements and materials. The final product might be an
illustrated report, or diagrams one hangs on the wall and speaks to after
providing a handout of supporting data. The consultant's objective is to
provide their client with sufficient data, so they can make informed
decisions relative to where they want to be when their project is
complete.
 Hillside Residence, Mill Valley, California
Quick
Sketch:
Over East
elevation of the home.
Objective:
The client wanted a pool, however with 3 young children,
the decision was made to develop this in two phases.
Phase 1: Included a rolling lawn, play house,
fencing, walls, trike walks, lighting, irrigation and
plantings.
This stage anticipated equipment access and
installed underground connections for the next phase of work.
Phase 2:
Drawings were provided for
the lap pool, entertainment center and terrace that stepped down to
elevated decks overlooking the valley
below them.
The Conceptual
Plan: The product of this
work are plans in black and white, in color, or as required by the scale
and complexity of the assignment. Design options with supporting notes,
diagrams, sections, elevations, perspectives, illustrative drawings, quick
sketches and details are also considered in this quest for clarity.
Design Options:
These are explained with
additional plans, diagrams, sketches,
sections and elevations, and notes. Subjects that support a conceptual
theme may include: garden structures, water features, circulation elements,
site lines,
mature plant
material, lighting,
paving, walls, fencing, etc. People, cars and furniture are sketched in to provide
scale and/or suggest an activity.
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Stage 3, Preliminary Plans:
With the "Notice to
Proceed" in hand, work can now begin on the Preliminary Documents.
Product: With reconditioning and urban
development projects, the consultant will identify features that remain and
those scheduled for removal, a Demolition and Site Preparation Plan that
anticipates work to come.
The Layout Plan identifies new conditions relative to those that remain and a
grid, established with offsets from an existing fence, wall or feature with a
visible tangent, is easy to establish and a quick means for locating items on
site.
Included in this plan set is Grading and Drainage, Circulation, Irrigation and Lighting, and
Planting.
Construction Details would be created for fences and walls, flat work,
water features, lighting, planting, irrigation and garden structures.
Engineering Notes:
Clarify existing utility services, mechanical and
electrical equipment, the point of connection and means for interfacing with existing structures.
Plant Material Notes and Schedule:
Container Size, Botanical and Common
Names, soil amendments and notes for special handling.
Maintenance:
By the installing contractor on completion is usually 90 days, including: management
standards, procedures, staging, quality control and process.
Mature plant material will required separate notes and handling details.
Smaller Projects:
This is when several subjects are combined on a single sheet.
For example:
(1) Demolition
w/ Layout, (2) Grading w/ Drainage, (3) Shrubs and Ground Covers, (4)
Irrigation w/ Lighting...
Larger Projects: A regional park may
have a large format or more then one sheet for a given subject. For
presentation and discussion purposes: On Eastside Reservoir, Barry prepared diagrams
that were three feet wide by seven feet long.
Preliminary Cost Estimate: When Preliminary Plans are close to
done, the order of magnitude, can be updated to reflect previously unknown
conditions that emerged during process. This estimate might consi der
options relative to cost, materials used, conditions effected by supply and
demand and the time of year. This
isn't a comprehensive estimate, but sufficient in detail for the client's review
and budget driven decisions.
In forming the
Preliminary Estimate, Consultants draw heavily from their experience and past
projects.
Unit Cost: Calculating the quantity or area covered by a specific
item according to industry standards, i.e.
ea or
each: lights, plant varieties by size, bollards,
s.f. or
square foot: wall area, paving, steps, turf, pools,
structures,
irrigation, ground covers,
l.f. or lineal foot: curbing, fencing,
curbs, swales, headers,
tons, c.y.
or cubic yards: topsoil, compost, sand, gravel,
Plant Materials: Include: purchasing,
shipping, holding, installation
labor and maintenance for 60-90 days.
Conditions: The 'Unit Cost' can be adjusted up or down, according
Layout for a Bronze Casting:
to conditions that include: Site
Location (Travel Distance), site
For interpretive terrace on the shore of
condition, the political climate (experience), availability of skilled
San Francisco Bay. Pacific
Shores, a
labor and the time required for
original design, i.e. additional work Research
and Development Center
in
to resolve emerging,
previously unknown conditions.
Redwood
City, California
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Stage 4, Contract Documents:
Specifications:
After “Preliminaries” are reviewed, amended and
approved by the Client, then the Specifications are formed. This document
outlines
standards, process, materials and level of quality required for each stage of
work. This is a comprehensive document.
Contract Documents: Finally, the Preliminary Cost Estimate is updated
to cover any changes. This Proposal, the Final Drawings, Specifications and
Final Cost
Estimate will form the Contract Documents.
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