RM Garden Design

The design process is tailored to your individual requirements and usually includes one or more of the following steps:

Initial discussion
Usually on the telephone, this enables us to clarify certain key issues such as the garden size, location, and your basic objectives. A convenient date and time is then agreed for Richard Marti to meet you.

First Meeting
The purpose of this is to gain a full understanding of your needs and thoughts and the unique features of the plot, the style and period of your property and the surrounding environment. We discuss what your garden will be used for and by whom. During this meeting Richard will show you examples of previous designs to give you a better understanding of the scope of our work and to further explain the design process. Following this meeting we give you a detailed fixed price quotation for the design of your garden, in writing. On receipt of your written instruction and acceptance, we proceed to the next stage:

Site Survey & Analysis
Before commencing the design, a fully detailed survey is made, which includes the position of the property, boundaries, trees and all of the other existing elements and ground levels. When necessary this is carried out by a topographical digital surveyor when millimeter accuracy is required. Photos are taken of the garden, and plant diseases notified and analyzed. Soil boring is also made in strategic points to a depth of one meter to establish the structure of the ground, and samples are taken and tested for nutrient and PH value.

Concept Design
The initial concepts are made to scale on paper in full color and with 3D illustrations when requested. They give you a very clear indication of how things will look and Richard Marti explains any areas of uncertainty. Your reactions and concerns are noted carefully and considered for the final stages.

Detailed Design
Following your approval of the concept design, and allowing for modifications should they be necessary, we then create a highly detailed drawing of your new garden. This drawing is presented for your final approval before proceeding to the planting design. During this presentation, Richard Marti will gain a better understanding of your wishes for the planting and will advice on what works best, and will make notes on preferences.

Planting Plan
Detailed plans are made of the planting which show you where the plants will be positioned, showing their height, color and quantity required.

Construction Drawings
Detailed construction drawings are prepared for all of the hard landscape elements, i.e., steps, walls, pergolas and ponds, etc. Drainage, site section and setting out drawings are prepared also at this stage.

Specifications & Tender
Once all of the above stages have been agreed, specifications and scopes of work are made. Depending on where the project is situated will depend on how we work further with you. If you are within 200km of our offices we usually carry out the implementation of the work ourselves, otherwise we submit the specifications to tender, where 3 reputable landscape contractors are invited to quote for the building and planting of your garden.

Drawing Examples

Concept Plan A Concept Plan B These two concept plans are to show you variations of a design. During the concept process clients can often discover additional requirements, which can dramatically change parts of the design as shown here. These concepts where made for a large office block in Switzerland. The company wanted a park for it’s employees, and for corporate entertaining. The design brief changed when the clients realized they need far more car parking, and so an underground car park was incorporated giving far more car parking and open space in general.		Hand Drawn Illustration A Hand drawn illustrations are made where clients need to have a much clearer idea of how things will look. Surprisingly they are quicker to produce than computer models, and the quality and feel if often better and more life like. This drawing was necessary as it was difficult for the client to visualize all the detailed elements.
Hand Drawn Illustration B We design many elements for gardens, and this is a good example of a gate design in situ showing basic proportions.	3D Model A The only advantage of 3D modelling is being able to view the design from any desired angle with the click of a mouse.	3D Model B For expensive items like this 13 meter long Dragon, it is worthwhile creating 3D models not only for the clients benefit to see how it will look from every angle, but also for the sculpture artist.
3D Masterplans Sometimes these are necessary especially when there are many people involved as was the case with this show garden design in Switzerland	Construction Details Essential in aiding contractors to quote and accurately build specific elements of the garden.	Setting Out Plans The plans give the contractor accurate measurements for setting out the garden. When working to fine tolerances these can also be done with a Total Station which works to millimeter accuracy.
Planting Plans These we make with CAD for optimum efficiency, They show the plant name, color, height, spacing and the quantity required.	Photo Montage Usually only necessary when the client needs a sense of proportion in situ.