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Jeremy Christianson, APLD
Featured Member, APLD
Website, August 2006
Designing by Principles in a Creative Process
I approach my design work following some guiding principles; use mass plantings and strong focal points. The property lines and the project budget determine the scope of each of these items. Throughout the design process, I keep my eye not only on the individual spaces, but also on the big picture to ensure a landscape plan with balance and harmony.
When I first step
onto a site, I assess the existing conditions and begin planning
a general concept for the property. As I walk up to the front
door, I may begin to envision the space with a comfortable entrance
garden that not only accents the architecture of the home, but
also draws visitors to the entryway.
Typically, I request potential clients to prepare for our initial meeting by having photos, ideas, and needs clearly organized. This usually accelerates the process and allows us to more deeply explore their ideas because the customer has already spent adequate time considering their needs and wants. As we start our discussion, both the customer and I discover their garden design preferences and how best they may be applied to their home. Then I “drill down” into more detail with the client in order to start turning their ideas into useful spaces that not only provide innovative solutions but also compliments their lifestyle.
During the site survey,
I pay particular attention to locating the windows, doors, and
anything that may play a role in the new garden. This portion
of the survey allows the site lines to develop. These are key
elements because when an owner looks out their window, I want
them to see something that makes a statement. Of course I would
like the garden to compliment the outside of the house as well,
but often the garden is viewed from a window inside of the home.
Considering this viewpoint can take a landscape plan from good
to outstanding.
As I begin the design phase, I start with the hardscapes. From the seating areas to the grand entrances I usually base the scale of these spaces upon the size of the home, not the quantity of people that will be using it, in order to keep these spaces in scale with the other surrounding elements of the home. Obviously, if the home owner desires an over sized patio to entertain a large quantity of people that can be accomplished by simply integrating plant material into the patio to soften the space, making it feel more intimate. However, if only one person lives in a sizeable home and rarely entertains large crowds, the patio will be designed to a mandatory minimum, keeping in mind the privacy that one resident may enjoy on their own.
Next, I decide
how traffic will flow physically and visually around the new
garden. Whether visitors enter through the front door, or from
a side access point, I would like their journey to be filled
with surprise, delight, and enjoyment. From the meandering path
to a straight formal walkway, its shape is determined by the
existing site conditions and the new over all theme. I use the
walkways to determine physical traffic flow and the bed lines
to determine the visual. The degree of movement is determined
by the number of sweeps and turns I include in the plan. I often
strive for a delicate balance between chaos and tranquility.
I generally do not veer too far from the garden style that has
been chosen for a property, however sometimes a new area develops
and it may be out of the theme’s boundaries. If it feels
right, than I make it work. I try not to limit the design if
a new idea merges naturally into the overall garden concept.
Plants
round out the garden plan. I first decide on the plant’s
function before I make the plant selection. This helps me choose
the right plant for the right location. If I go in with a predetermined
list of plants, I usually end up forcing them into places that
may not fit in form or function. However, like most designers,
I have my favorite plants that I like to use more often than
not. From serviceberry to paper bark maple, from sedum to liriope
(no cactus included in Zone 5, sorry desert designers!) the
plants that make my favorite list are categorized by characteristics
for easy reference.
During the initial interview, the client and I
often discuss plant characteristics and the client shares with
me what colors, shapes, and textures they enjoy, rather than
the actual plants themselves. This allows me to draw from my
favorite list of plants based upon their characteristics and
not a particular plant name. If a homeowner likes a particular
plant, they have usually researched its characteristics and understand
its values therefore making it a valuable option that I will
fit into the garden. However, it is important to educate the
client if the plant of their choice does not work. I generally
offer the client several options that meet the goals they are
trying to accomplish. There are times that I remind myself that
as long as their plant option fits the desired characteristics
it should be easy to include it in their space. 
Often times when
I try a new plant, one that maybe I have avoided in the past,
I usually end up liking the selection and may even add it to
my short list of favorites to be used again. As each garden plan
evolves, so does the designer.
Once the major planning is complete I consider several additional issues to ensure that all aspects of the design have been captured on the plan:
Drainage: This not only includes site grading but also storm water management. I try to use the most progressive solutions to manage these issues keeping in mind the environmental impacts.
Irrigation: Very important to maintain a healthy garden. If an underground automatic irrigation system is requested, a plan is created to match the landscape plan accordingly.
Landscape lighting: It is about the effect, not the fixture! Each time a landscape lighting plan is created, I educate my client on the fact that they do not need to spend a lot of money on a fixture if it will not be seen. Following this criteria I select lamps that will create the desired effect keeping a low profile in the garden which in turn is aesthetically pleasing during the day light hours.
Once all of the aspects of the design have been
covered and the final details are in place, I prepare for the
presentation. Adding color to a final plan makes it pop. Again,
I am constantly trying to take my designs and the client presentation
to the next level.
Each garden design is different, unique, and should be constantly evolving. When I get stuck during the planning phase, I flip the plan upside down. When the thoughts are flowing, I try to sketch out as much as I can. My inspiration comes from different sources; trying to capture it is the most difficult part. From the initial meeting through the final phase of construction, I stay involved in each project to ensure the owner’s goals are met and their expectations have been exceeded. I enjoy being a landscape designer and appreciate belonging to an association that has a forum to spread these ideas.
About the Designer
Jeremy Christianson, APLD, holds a bachelors degree from
Michigan State University, East Lansing Michigan. Jeremy is
the owner of Michigan Landscape Design Services. A landscape
design and consultation firm that offers design, consultation
and project management services throughout Michigan. With over
13 years of experience in the industry and a Michigan Certified
Nursery Man certificate, Jeremy teaches continuing education
classes for the UAW and is involved at the local community college
as well. He volunteers his time with the Michigan Green Industry
Association helping where ever he can serve. He can be contacted
at:
Jchristianson@wowway.com
www.michiganlandscapedesignservices.com
Certified Members seeking to be profiled should send before and after photos with SHORT design intent statement to:
Bethany Dennis
APLD Communications Manager
Email: communications@apld.org
Phone: 717-238-9780
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