Architectural landscape work presents some interesting challenges. You may want to bring in a landscape architect company to assist you with many of these issues. Which jobs call for this level of help, though? If you're facing one of these four scenarios, it may be time to ask a professional for support.
Indoor-Outdoor Interfaces
A place where the indoors and outdoors meet may be one of the trickier locations on a property. For example, a patio or courtyard with significant built-in landscaping features can look amazing. However, it also creates a situation where you have to think about how watering and drainage will come together with a building's structure. You don't want to create a spot where the greenery causes problems.
Generally, the more you see interfaces between indoor and outdoor elements, the more you will want to consult with a landscape architect company. If you want to have an outdoor fireplace in an outdoor area with plants, for example, you need someone to think about everything from plant survivability to accidentally causing a fire. The right arrangement and plants will reduce such risks.
Engineering Needs
Many landscaping projects call for engineering work. If you're adding a multi-tier waterfall in a garden, for example, you'll need to consider several problems. Can the ground support the rocks you're using to build the waterfall? How will the pieces stack up? Is the arrangement able to consistently send water where you want it? Which plants can thrive in the new environment?
You will encounter similar problems when you build retaining walls, gazebos, and terraces. Even paths with pavers or gravel can pose engineering issues.
Art
Art installations can make an architectural landscape more exciting. Integrating them with plants, though, requires some consideration for how the art will interact visually and physically with the landscape.
Walkways and Driveways
Clients sometimes want to have walkable or drivable areas with landscaping. You might install a slightly winding sidewalk alongside a building, for example, to break up its sharp lines. In the bends, you can add trees and bushes to beautify the landscape and further break up the larger visual.
These sorts of arrangements require some attention to both the landscaping components and the engineered ones. You don't want to have a driveway too close to a tree that might send roots under it, for example. Similarly, a sidewalk next to a tree that doesn't tolerate reflected heat well could produce trouble for the plant.
For more help, contact a local company, like Philip Moser Associates.
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