Landscaping: Start Smart to End Well

Don't leave landscaping, or landscape designers, out of the design process when fulfilling your dream of the ultimate mountain home.

Design in your mind your ideal living environment. Does it include a view of the Grand Teton? Does it have water, magnificent cottonwood stands, views to distant ranchlands and wildlife? Does the potential exist to take full advantage of the site's natural beauty?

Planning and organizing a residence on an extraordinary property is exciting but challenging. Purchasing a property because of its compelling environmental values is one thing; the process of creating your ideal environment is quite another. The architecture, style and quality of living and relationship to surroundings must be integrated in a final product we call home.

A Collaborative Process
The creation of a total living environment is a collaborative effort; there should be no professional territorial boundaries in the process. Consider that the land makes clear the house it wants. John Carney, principal of Carney Architects in Jackson, says, "The most successful projects for us are those with clients who realize the importance of a group design effort. When a landscape architect is on our team, we maintain an integrated, three-dimensional approach. We make a better building if they're in the room."

The most important element in the design process is engaging the appropriate professionals and utilizing them where they can be most helpful. For many people, this process begins with finding an architect and an interior designer. Usually, an architect is chosen based on recommendations, past experiences or good marketing. Often, an interior designer is brought on as a confidante for the client. These design professionals give integrity and flair to a project, and the end result is a beautifully designed structure.

Throughout this progression, however, who is considering the land? After all, you bought the property because of its inherent environmental qualities. To avoid compromising them in the process, consider "front-loading" your project by choosing your landscape architect first, and then finding an architect whose sensibilities are land-based and whose practice is collaborative in nature. As Mark Hershberger, principal of Hershberger Design in Jackson suggests, "Bringing a landscape architect into a project at the beginning improves the final product. Projects completed without a collaborative design process can lack focus and context. A design project is successful when everyone involved has an open mind about the project and is willing to listen to the input from the entire team."

Translator for the "Landscaping Language"
Dane Buk, owner of Terra Firma Landscape and Design in Jackson, sums it up this way; "Often we find that clients know what they want, but they don’t speak the design language. Landscape architects become translators of the process. We communicate with the client and the architect by relating what is on the ground to the architecture that’s on the blueprint."

Landscape architects are experts at reading the landscape for clues on context. They question ideal building placement, vegetation and wind patterns, aspect and sun exposure, accessibility and view. In many ways, landscape architects are the editors of the planning and design process, editing and reconciling existing conditions, views and elements. Says Hershberger, "Jackson's climate is so seasonally varied that landscape architects have opportunities to create interesting spaces that can only be used for short periods of time. I love working with one-story buildings because they result in a variety of interesting outdoor spaces that can be used year-round."

Budgeting is Important
Budgets often become compromised in the process of building a house. Including a landscape professional from the beginning can help to clarify any budget issues and expectations that otherwise emerge during actual landscape installation. Terra Firma's mantra is "more is less." Skimping on the budget actually creates a larger impact in the long run. "Instead of planting one tree to screen your neighbor, plant five. Study the existing topography and vegetative conditions; create a condition that blends into the existing environment," adds Buk. Like Terra Firma, Hershberger also finds that collaborating at the beginning of a project can save time, money and resources. "Our projects are much more successful when each professional involved has an open mind and is willing to listen to the guidance and advice provided by other members of the team."