Design Services
Our design studio is collaborative, process driven, and guided by a shared passion for creating exceptional gardens. Our designs are inspired by our client’s lifestyle incorporating the architecture of their home and features on their property to create a wonderful sense of place. Please click here to learn more about our Design Process.
The DGA Design Process begins with an in-person consultation to review the property, discuss the scope of work and to clarify the goals of the project. Our process allows us to understand each individual or family’s lifestyle and aesthetic preferences as well as the characteristics of their home and property bringing all facets together in a space that complements their personal lifestyles and property. For simple projects where the design objective is very straightforward with limited variables, we may provide a proposal for the installation of the project rather than proceed with detailed designs. More complex multifaceted designs such as estate layouts that may include placement of buildings, drive and parking layouts, swimming pools, large ponds, outdoor living spaces, sport courts, vegetable gardens, etc. will require a Masterplan. If a Masterplan is required we will provide a Design Agreement for Design Services. The Design Agreement specifies the areas of the property to be designed, elements to be included, provides an outline of the process and establishes a single cost for the process rather than billing for services at an ongoing hourly rate.
The Design Process typically includes:
- Initial site analysis and creation of a base map
- Concept development and presentation
- Refinement of the client selected concept or a combination of elements into a more finished plan.
- A meeting with the clients to review the refined plan along with preliminary costs
- Utilizing feedback from the meeting, we develop a finish plan and a detailed proposal outlining the scope or work, materials and costs along with a strategy for the implementation of the plan.
Many projects are installed over time in multiple phases based upon our client’s budget and/or priorities. We welcome projects that installed in multiple phases as we often find opportunities to refine the plans even further as clients experience and live in the spaces we create. As a design/build firm with a management team having more than 150 years of combined experience in all aspects of garden design and construction we offer our clients a rare benefit. Our Designers and Builders collaborate from the onset to ensure every plan is developed utilizing time tested strategies that make efficient use of the budget with a well-planned strategy for installation. This integrated approach results in well-conceived, buildable designs with a respect for budget and a seamless, efficient installation.
