To be a great designer you need vision. The ability to create exceptional outdoor spaces needs creativity above all else. Seeing the potential in a flat paddock is not easy. Through my eyes I project my thoughts on the landscape seeing what it could be like. Creating the vision in my mind is the first step of the journey.
The rest of the creative journey is taking the vision and merging it with the practicalities of modern life, the specific setting and environmental considerations and the budget. This is where science meets art. The results of this unusual collaboration is beautiful practicality.
When the creative journey is over we reach the destination, which is were I present that information, by turning it into a tangible medium from which the client can see and understand my vision. This is the physical collusion of plans, sketches, photographs and descriptions.
Some key principles that I base my designs around are:
- The garden must suit the buildings if there are any.
- If there are no buildings then the landscape must suit the local environment.
- Designs must cover all practicalities prior to beautifying.
- All designs must be cost effective and designed to get the most value for money possible.
- Plants must be sourced from sustainable local sources so they have the best chance of surviving Marlborough’s hot and dry climate.
- All materials must be sourced from sustainable sources where ever possible.
- Any work, be it design or build, must be as efficient as possible to reduce excessive waste of time and resources.