Design is all about process - the steps taken, the discussions that are held, the ideas shared, the experiences that enlighten. Below are phases of design that define different stages of our overall process toward a completed project, from ideation to usable space. Not all projects employ each phase, but each project has its own process that leads to a unique design.
01. Discovery
02. Conceptualization
03. Design Evolution
04. Documentation + Coordination
05. Implementation
01. Discovery
Before putting pen to paper, we put our eyes on the site itself, exploring what it feels like to be there. We take with us property surveys and other publicly accessible documents, like aerial imagery, GIS-generated maps, and general research about the immediate site as well as its context. As we inventory and assess the existing conditions—be it trees, topography, materials, structures, views, or hydrology—we look for elements that inspire us and opportunities for improvements. Conversations with the client help establish preliminary programs, project goals, aesthetic preferences, and budget considerations. Ideation begins here.
02. Conceptualization
Back in the studio, sketches are loose and conversations of programming unfold. We begin to shape and mold the landscape into various zones with different activities in mind: play or pause, circulation or gathering. This process includes “right-sizing” program elements, taking into account function, scale, edges, and context. We view this as a chance to identify and leverage opportunities as well as minimize constraints. Organizing program and space on paper allows us to see how things fit and flow not only on the site but in conjunction with sites at and beyond the edges of the project boundaries.
03. Design Evolution
To help our clients visualize these concepts, we prepare diagrams and renderings, site sections, analog or digital illustrative site plans, and/or 3D digital models. Further research into ecological, cultural, or historical aspects of the site may lead us to unique ideas, and feasibility studies allow us to test different concepts on paper before making them a reality. Ongoing collaboration with the client allows the design to evolve into its constructable form. Priorities are fine-tuned, ideas fleshed out, and elements customized to fit the vision. We end with a purposeful project that can be translated into buildable plans and details.
04. Documentation + Coordination
As we narrow in on details of plant species, materials, and furnishings, continued communication with the client ensures we make the right selections to help them reach their vision. Leading up to and throughout construction documentation, we coordinate our drawings with appropriate allied fields to ensure compatibility and prevent conflicts, incorporate necessary site utilities and infrastructure, and prepare for required permits and code reviews. We prepare complete plans and details that reflect this coordination and address the customization designed into the project.
05. Implementation
Our centrally-located office makes site visits convenient during construction administration, whether it is to review mock-ups, check on install progress, or inspect plant material. These visits also enable us to make in-field adjustments or address issues raised by the contractor. Following project completion, post-occupancy inspection gives us the opportunity to evaluate the install over time and see the landscape weather, evolve, and grow into its space. Long-term involvement is vitally important to us. We care about the current and future success of our projects and believe that staying connected results in a better product.
At Firma, we maintain an engaged, process-driven approach throughout the project, which allows the design to unfold naturally but systematically. In this way, we meet the needs of our clients while enriching the overall landscape narrative.