THE GARDEN DESIGN PROCESS: WHAT WE DO
– We design landscapes and gardens of all sizes, urban or rural. Our projects range in scope, from the re-design of a single border to masterplanning an entire site. We also work alongside architects in the public and commercial sector –
DESIGNING A GARDEN: STAGE BY STAGE
1: INITIAL CONSULTATION
We meet in your garden to familiarise ourselves with the space and discuss your requirements and budget. We’ll compile a design brief with you, exchange ideas and gauge your likes and dislikes. We’ll also assess the site during this visit, specifically looking at routes, access, views, the aspect, soil, drainage and existing planting.
2: OUTLINE DESIGN
Now we nail the concept, conveying the overall look and feel of the garden! The Outline Design includes scaled plans, perspective drawings and sectional elevations (to illustrate level changes, if relevant). We compile material and planting palettes too, ensuring that each element compliments the next and that the overall scheme hangs together well.
3: DETAIL DESIGN
Once the outline design is signed off, we develop the detail further, providing ‘Setting Out’ plans, level plans and cross-sections – all of which enable a contractor to accurately build the garden. We can also produce construction drawings for hardscape (including bespoke items), lighting plans and irrigation plans as required. Written specifications (covering all elements of the build, including soil preparation) are also produced at this stage, together with a Bill of Quantities.
4: TENDERING AND BUILD
Our Bill of Quantities will aid the accuracy at tendering stage, and we usually meet with potential or appointed contractors to discuss the design before work starts. A close working relationship between contractor and designer is essential to the success of any build, and we try to foster this from the start. We maintain communication throughout, visiting site at key stages of the build. We’re also on hand to answer queries and respond to changes remotely.
5: PLANTING DESIGN
Planting plans are provided for all areas of planting, with a schedule of plant names, optimal pot sizes and quantities. Plants are selected to thrive within each area – we work to a ‘right plant, right place’ philosophy. We source plants from a selection of excellent trade nurseries and set out the plants on site ourselves. Plants are usually planted by the landscaping contractor.
6: AFTERCARE
We leave our clients with a maintenance schedule to help ensure their gardens thrive, and usually make regular visits while the garden is establishing.
DESIGN CONSULTATIONS
Need some fresh ideas, but unsure whether to employ a garden designer? Spend time with us in your garden – we’ll listen to your requirements and aspirations, and advise on layout and spatial configuration, surface materials and planting. We’ll also cover practicalities like drainage, lighting, soil health, sustainability and any other factors we feel are particularly relevant to the site.
Use this information as you wish – and should you decide to commission Rigden Studio to fully design your garden, we’ll refund the cost of the consultation back to you!
I would recommend Rigden Studio to anyone looking for friendly garden designers with a huge depth of knowledge.
-R. Dirkzwager, Poplar, London
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
We regularly collaborate with architects and developers on commercial and public schemes, both large and small. We use a right plant, right place philosophy to create intelligent planting schemes that help to tackle the effects of climate change at a local level. We use trees and plants to absorb CO2, dampen noise pollution, filter dust particles and cool the air during sustained dry periods, as well as to provide habitats for wildlife. Our view is that function and form should go hand in hand – aesthetics remain at the heart of what we do and we aim to create beautiful planted environments that improve the day-to-day experience of the people using them. We offer:-
– Landscape design for public and commercial spaces
– Experience with BREEAM status requirements
– Functional, ecological, low input planting schemes
– Planting plans and plant sourcing
– Construction drawings
– Working to SUDS compliancy
– Full specifications and tender preparation for planning applications
– Monitoring works on site
– Liaising with ecologists and other specialists
A landscape design for a pub garden in South Oxfordshire: this scheme embedded the garden within its rural context through soft, naturalistic planting, and native multi-stem trees, creating a series of bespoke semi-private ‘rooms’ for al fresco dining.