Dear Friend,

We create things in the construction industry with the intention for people to enjoy our creations; for us as the designers and builders to impart a lasting feeling on the users.  Often a feeling of peace, and calmness, sometimes an envigorating feeling and social atmosphere.  Regardless of what the goal, it is driven by the people that surround us, human nature and an end desire.

Most users who experience and enjoy the final products probably have never considered how they came to be, and what the steps were that achieved the outcome.  In this Newsletter, we give you an inside peak at our process and how integral we are as a team throughout the development of a project. 

Come join us in discovering the development of an Escape Garden.

As always, your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Dolecki-Smith, ASLA, RLA

It can be difficult for someone who has not experienced our design build process to imagine or understand what steps are necessary to transform a property.  Even our clients that have been through the process with us may not quite understand each step of our process.  From the initial time that pen meets paper,  to the first stone placement,  to the final placement of each perennial, and then on to maintenance, there are many transformations that happen at every step of the process.  As we see it, we have constructed each project four to five times before any soil is disturbed.  To understand more about this very creative process, see below.

In the beginning steps, I , as the landscape architect and our Escape Construction Manager and Crew see a blank page that will end up as a compositiion much like a painting or fine art while a client may only see that which is in front of them.  It is in this step of the process that we try to open up their mind to the possibilityes that can be.  As we work together, to develop the design, direction is given and elements are decided upon.  In this case, the Clients expeessed the desire for a water feature.  

To help them decide on a direction for this feature, sketches were developed for discussion and feedback.
 

Sketch 3 -  After considering the options, Sketch 3 was chosen to reflect our thoughts on Scale and overall concept.

The Project is "constructed " for the first time-

Once a conceptual idea is decided upon, and a conceptual plan is created, we enter into our estimating process.  In this process, Design and Construction work together to produce a buildable number; a budget number for the client, and a map for our construction phase to follow.

At this point, the conceptual plans that have been used in the sketching, and estimating are tightened up.  A grading plan is finalized and used for permitting, engineering if necessary, and construction.   In Aspen and Pitkin County, large landscape projects require a permitting phase.  this phase can last from a month up to 3 or 4+ months dependant on the type and complexity of the permits needed.  Ideally we like to allow for a generous amount of time in this phase.  This particular water feature was engineered due to its size and the hill side it retains.

Internally, we create a plan that has rough boulder sizing and character included on it.  This assists with materials selection in our next phase.  Even though the sketches are used to communicate with the clients and within our office, these sketches are taken as a loose concept and an open mind is set in order for the next phase

From the largest trees to every boulder, to each individual perennial, materials all add to the outcome of the project.  Because of this, all of our materials are hand selected to provide for the very best quality and detail.    

In the image to the left, you can see one of our internal communications used in boulder selection.

The above drawing and sketches are then taken into the field where we continue to construct the project.

This step of the process takes the design from sketch to the natural building blocks that will create the composition.  In natural products,  just as a color may vary, so does the character and face that each stone wishes to show.  The Sketch begins to gain its dimensionality as it guides the building block selection.  It is the interface between man and nature for this step, and it allows in the creative process of material selection.

Each boulder has seven faces, and while in nature it may be laying down or on its side, we as the artists must see all the potential ways a stone may want to be presented.

At the same time the boulders are being considered, we are also selecting specialty evergreens and other plant material that will fit within the puzzle and enhance the composition.

Below you can see a number of the actual stones used on this project in the selection process.    This Glacially deposited Colorado Granite Moss Rock is hand selected for each individual project.

coordination, delivery schedules, site prep

After rough grade preparations, stone setting begins.

Here you can see the scale of the boulders used on this project.  In late November, the "bones" of the waterfeature are in place.  It takes great talent and a respect for the stones to achieve a composition like the one shown here.    Pictured:  Alfredo Rodriguez (left) and Jorge Flores "Boulder Artist" (Right)

Here Mechanical has been installed and the water feature is functioning- fully lined and re-circulating.  During this process, we fine-tune the flows of the feature to give the desired look and sound.  High tones, low tones and different volumes of water are refined for the appropriate and most appealing musical composition.

And the Canvas is ready for Paint-

Much as the boulders have their presentation, the plants serve to draw the eye through the composition.  

Specialty Evergreens and larger plants have been planned for the entire time to be installed in places that will enhance the boulder sets and frame different views.  

The perennials that have been carefully decided upon and selected are then laid out.  The layout is designed to lead the viewer through the design in a pleasing and enjoyable way.  As the plants cycle through the seasone there needs to be a consistency in how the composition develops-  a smooth viewing of the entire space can vary with the seasons as the plants change, but must always remain in balance.