LANDSCAPE  ARCHITECTURE    
 
Barron Eldridge          Licensed Landscape Architect: California: #1568, Hawaii: #7406
 

Barron Eldridge MLA
 

 (916) 487-5351
 barronsdesign@
         surewest.net
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Table of Contents

1:
A Little Background

2:
The Profession

3:

Outside Consultants, Project Variations & Development Data

4:

The 4 Stages of Work

5:

Getting  Started and
Estimating Cost

6:

Project Options &
Contact Information


7:

Professional History


 
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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 BayPacific 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.