Services

The Design Process

From your initial call you will receive a free in-home consultation meeting. This process will determine the scope of works for the project. We will familarise ourselves with the proposed work site and determine a scope of fees associated with the design.

sitedesign offers a complete start to finish solution with three design stages:

1- Concept Design Stage,
2- Documentation and Development Application Stage,
3- On-site consultation during construction works.

Your fee proposal will include these three stages individually quoted. This quoting method allows you to align our services to your needs and budget. Although sitedesign offers a total start to finish service, you choose how many of the stages you undertake.

sitedesign feels being involved during the whole process is critical to maintaining the design intent during construction. There are many decisions that have to be made on site during construction that should be addressed with the overall design intent in mind.

Drainage, retaining walls and other structures can cause expensive problems in the future if ad hoc instructions are provided to landscapers without consultation with the landscape architect. sitedesign ensures quality control and takes every measure to ensure that your finished project meets your expectations.

sitedesign has established working relationships with three locally based construction teams; New Mode Landscapes, Scape Landscapes and Entrenched Landscapes. All three are members of the LCA (Landscape Contractors Association). sitedesign’s relationship with these companies allows for prompt commencement of your project, and a choice of the team which best suits your construction requirements. If you choose one of sitedesign’s preferred landscape contractors the fee usually charged for the Consultation stage is waived (Stage 3-see below).

Stage 1 Concept Design

On acceptance of our proposal we will either survey the area, or analyse any existing plans. Having developed an understanding of the worksite we enter into the most important stage of design, our consultation with you. However, you decide the level of your involvement. To design a garden that suits your needs, personality and lifestyle, the greater your involvement the better. However if you prefer to rely on the creative talents and design skills of the sitedesign team we will submit a proposal to you. After our initial meeting, sitedesign will produce a Concept Plan, which outlines the overall design intent. The Concept Plan is a computer generated colour drawing(s) showing spatial relationships between elements, size of areas, focal points, turf areas, garden areas, elevations etc.

During the in home presentation of the Concept Plan we will discuss the design and its interrelating elements. As this is the first time you with “see” your new landscape you may want to discuss amendments. We will leave you with a colour copy for you to assess for a couple of days. Any changes will be made and sent to you.

On your acceptance of the plans, you will be invoiced and on payment the plans become your property. You have the choice of leaving it there or moving on to the second stage.

It is important to note that although it is possible to build off the Concept Plan, it is indicative only, and does not indicate specific materials or plant species.

Stage 2 Construction Drawings

Construction drawings are scaled plans of the client approved Concept Plans. This will be a package of 3 drawings including;

1- Setout plan
2- Planting plan
3- Lighting plan

Unlike the Concept Plan, the Construction Drawings specify all plants, materials, constructions and measurements. The Construction Drawings provide all the details a team of landscapers need to complete your project, therefore eliminating the hazards of attempting construction from the Concept Plan. At this stage you will receive an accurate itemised construction quote.

Stage 3 Consultation

As important as the design plans are, the monitoring of construction and the ad hoc management of unforeseen problems is critical to successful construction and budget adherence. sitedesign will act as a liaison between you and the contractors to keep you informed and manage any challenges faced by the landscapers.

Client requested amendments during construction are common, however not all are prudent. A landscape architect will assess each with the view to achieving client requests, but assess them for structural soundness and with budget and timeline considerations. Plans will be amended, communication with the landscapers made and implementation overseen. Our monitoring process occurs on site at various stages of construction, with particular concentration at project critical points. Your project will not be signed off until mutual satisfaction is achieved.

Other Works

Development applications

At sitedesign we have significant experience in working to Council legislation in the production and submission of development applications (DA) for both landscape jobs and other residential and commercial building works. Our consultation process ensures all submissions are as close to our client’s ideal design, whilst adhering to strict council guidelines. All DA plans lodged with Sutherland Shire Council requires a landscape plan completed by a qualified Landscape Architect. sitedesign can complete the following plans with any DA package.

+ Statement of Environmental Effects
+ Site Analysis
+ Floor plans
+ Elevations and sections
+ Landscape plans
+ Construction management plans
+ SEPP 1’s

We aim to transition your design ideas and requirmenets into an approved DA for pools and spas, alterations and additions, boatsheds, landscape works, pergolas etc.

DA Landscape Plans

sitedesign can complete landscape development applications and construction certificate plans for multi unit houses, apartments, commercial building and residential jobs.

Pool Design

Pools should be designed to be in balance with the residence, the client’s lifestyle and budget. sitedesign can design and prepare development application drawings (or comply development drawings) for pools and spas. Strict council DCP guidelines regulate construction encompassing pools. In addition to DA production and submission we can arrange construction contractors and monitor construction to completion. sitedesign has an impressive portfolio of pools and spas and have recently won two Landscape Contractor (LCA) awards in 2004.