A master landscape plan is a drawing which considers all of the different design decisions which will be made during a client’s time in their home. It may be as simple as laying out a patio, a walkway and some plantings, or on larger projects may include the layout of buildings, garages, pools, pool houses, driveways, walks, patios, plantings, grading, walls, lighting, pergolas, etc. There are many reasons to look at a project from a master planning view:
1. A well thought out project: By looking at the property as a whole, a design can be put together that creatively ties together the outdoor rooms of the landscape, and how they are all connected. All of the attributes and challenges of the site are thoroughly examined to create the best possible solutions. By getting involved early in the planning process, thought can be given to proper layout and grading of the site. Grading and storm water management as an afterthought are often handled poorly, or sometimes not at all.
1. Budget!!! I cannot tell you how many times I have run into clients who have finished a large remodel or new home project only to think of the landscape as an afterthought. Depending on the amount of site disturbance, the cost of putting things back together’can be significant, involving both heavy equipment and skilled craftsmen. Budgeting at the inception of the project, before the home is built, allows the design team to develop a plan with associated costs, so the client may allocate money on some of the things that will need to be done immediately. In other words: no unpleasant surprises at the end of the construction!
Post construction… did a meteor strike here?!?
Much better!
2. Order: There is an order to how a landscape project will ideally progress. With a master plan, the client and designer can see what types of equipment and manpower will be necessary to complete the job, and how to use both most efficiently. For example, if an excavator is necessary to rough in the proposed driveway, it might be advantageous (and cost effective) to use that same piece of equipment to dig the footings and install material for the proposed hardscape areas. You can also be sure that by completing one project, you are not closing off an area you might need access to for another phase. Pulling things apart due to not thinking ahead is disappointing and a waste of money.
3. The multi-year plan: Many, if not most, of my clients choose to install a master plan over time. By developing a budget and phasing approach throughout the design process, all parties know the approximate costs of the various pieces and what should happen when. Thus, different projects can be chosen to begin based on priority, while others may be shelved for another year.
As always, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have about anything landscape related!
We were finally able to make some headway on phase 2 of the Ulrich terrace project early this fall. Phase 1 was the addition of the reclaimed wood pergola and broad, repurposed brick landings to the upper grade of the driveway. Phase 2 dealt with the area in between the driveway, lawn and terrace. It is a crucial space because it joins the organic curves of the driveway and lawn with the rectangular edges of the terrace, pergola and steps. I decided to carry the cobble edging and peastone of the driveway through to the terrace, and group some unique granite pieces to soften some harsh edges.
The granite stones were generously donated by one of our friends and frequent subcontractors, W.T. Leroyer. Will had a pile of unused stone that he has stockpiled; we spent some time picking through looking for 5-7 interesting boulders which could be used in this area. Placement entailed the combined artful eye of both designer and contractor, along with Will’s adept use of a small excavator. 
Cary Simmons wraps the outer edge of the terrace with a small break and different paving pattern for wedding ceremonies. The outer arc of the pavilion frames beautiful views to a fountain and pond in the background. An abundance of drought tolerant trees, shrubs, and perennials surround and embrace the terrace area. Many of the trees will soon provide much needed shade, as well as some structure to the landscape.
Lisa’s side has room for her desk, extensive library, smelly incense, and a chair for sale that has remained unsold but provides a great place for me to read the paper. We love visitors. Some recent visitors who have stopped by and sat in Lisa’s chair are my twins, Seamus Farrell, and The Haus.
I’ve had a chance to get out and take some photographs of recent work. The rain last fall and this spring has really helped the plantings grow; in some cases we’ve been looking at 3 years of growth in less than a year! Below is a ‘before’ shot of an Essex project from last year. This project began when the client contracted LDa Architects to renovate and create an addition for the house on this site. The challenge to the architect was to capture a part of the original structure’s charm while expanding the space to accommodate an active family of four. An addition spanning the space between the house and garage was built to connect the two existing buildings and to house the master suite, mudroom, and exercise room while maintaining impressive marsh views and access to the landscape.
The challenge to me, the landscape designer, was to redesign the approach and entry to the new home, while considering both the scale of the structure and the unique landscape context of a tidal salt marsh.
This existing home had some major water problems, with water flowing directly down the sloped driveway to an access door adjacent to the attached garage. A new entry and addition off the back by Art Dioli of Olson, Lewis, Dioli & Doktor Architects provided an opportunity to overhaul the landscape as well. A slightly revised driveway layout allowed us to minimize the slope, and the installation of a permeable paver driveway also helped to reduce the amount of surface runoff. The pitch of the drive also diverted water to a catch basin at the left of the drive, safely carrying excess storm runoff to a constructed rain garden in the rear of the property.
This project, completed in the spring of last year, addressed a major drainage problem right by the front door. Formerly the garage to the home, the grade rolls right into a low spot by the back door. With nowhere for the water to go and downspouts adjacent to the area, large storm events would result in water creeping under the french doors.
The best way to find what you need is to ask around! It took some time and connections to finally get my hands on what I needed, but the patience paid off. Through an established network of friends, contractors, and architects I was able to scavenge the posts, beams and joists necessary to complete the project. The stout 6 1/2″x6 1/2″ posts were sitting in my friend Brians’s garage untouched since he had moved into his ca. 1700 home. The long 7″x7″ support beams and 2″x7″ joists were salvaged from a construction project by Geoff Blaisdell of Roger Burke and Associates. Geoff had stockpiled these knowing that they could be repurposed somewhere down the road. 
Once I had the pieces secured, Geoff and I headed to downtown Ipswich to catch up with Tom Beard of T.S. Beard Architecture for some guidance on assembly. With Tom’s advice and some input from my father in law, Dick Blechman of Millstone Development, a schematic plan was put together and we were finally ready to build. The labor force consisted of Dick, my father George, and me. On day #1 I dug and poured the concrete footings and installed 4 simpson post bases several days before. On day #2 the labor team notched the beams and joists and assembled the pergola.
What is compost?
