Robert Heaslip
Golf Course & Landscape Design
Residential Design
Robert has maintained a special interest in residential landscape design and offers a wealth of experience from the small intimate urban townhouse setting to the country estates with acreage as well as cottages. Services can range from a consultation to spark and confirm the owners ideas to a complete landscape design services from concept to construction completion. Retaining the services of a landscape designer is not a common activity for a home owner, the following outline illustrates the role of the landscape designer so that one can proceed with confidence when entertaining design services.
Residential Landscape Design Residential landscape design incorporates man-made and natural elements with the artistic to create an aesthetic and personal space. A well designed and constructed landscape will offer an inspiring environment for family and friends to enjoy. Such a landscape will elevate the appearance of the home and its surroundings as well as increase the value of property.
Design Considerations Residential landscape is unique unto itself as it reflects the image of the owner according to tastes, needs, priorities and budget. The landscape incorporates the front yard 'curb appeal', the transition through the side yards and other connecting spaces that leads to the backyard 'outdoor living' space. New home construction offers a clean canvas for landscape design. With a welcoming front yard landscape that complements the architecture of the residence to the backyard outdoor living areas and landscapes that may have decking, patios, perhaps a swimming pool, a variety of gardens, special landscape features, lawns and utility areas. New home construction offers a clean canvas for landscape design. With a welcoming front yard landscape that complements the architecture of the residence to the backyard outdoor living areas and landscapes that may have decking, patios, perhaps a swimming pool, a variety of gardens, special landscape features, lawns and utility areas. Larger and rural properties add a different dynamic to the design considerations as the size of the property and the enviroment within and beyond would be an integral part to the design process.
Design Services Robert offers a variety of services, from a one time site consultation, landscape master plans, constuction drawings and documents, and construction administration. An inital visit to the property is arranged to discuss the scope of services and to derive a terms of reference so that a proposal of services and fees can be prepared and tailored to the owners specific needs. The most common service offered is the Landscape Master Plan.
Landscape Master Plan Upon acceptance of services, a visit to the property is scheduled to gather information such as the legal property survey, any architectural plans or relevant documents, site measurements, survey elevations and digital pictures, all to assist in preparing a computer base plan. The data gathering will include documenting existing features within the property as well as neighbouring buildings, structures, landscapes and views. Digital pictures are taken of the property and surrounding area to assist in the planning and design process. Google Earth Pro and other similar apps will be used to assist in creating the most approporate base plan. When the baseplan has been prepared, a concept meeting will be scheduled.
The concept meeting allows the client to participate in the planning of the landscape and will ensure that there is a full understanding of the scope of the landscape, the opportunities and constraints which may influence the budget, staging and programming, materials and implementation techniques used. The goal is to ensure that the best landscape solution has been achieved within the given parameters. The information gathered from the concept meeting will lead to the preparation of the Landsccape Concept Plan. This plan will illustrate the landscape elements with support information. A meeting is then scheduled to present the Concept Plan and to confirm the goals have been met and to discuss any new ideas or questions which may arise. Upon acceptance of the Concept Plan, this plan is then refinded into the Landscape Master Plan. The Landscape Master Plan will be prepared, illustrating general details and support information that had been outlined in the concept planning, such as scheduling, quantities, recommendations, plant materials and preliminary budgets. The Landscape Master Plan would be a descriptive document for the client, and based on their skill and confidence, can proceed with the work on their own, or have a contractor price and execute certain elements.
Landscape Concept Streetview - Hand Drawn Sketch
Master Plan - Bragagnolo Residence, King City, ON
Construction Documents Should the client desire to go into greater details, detailed plans can be prepared for site specific lanscape elements or the complete landscape project, noting the landscape elements with measurements, elevations, construction details, materials, quantities, construction notes and specifications, planting plan with plant material list of species, size, quantities, spacing and description notes, as well as a construction strategy and schdule.
Planting Plan, Woodbridge, ON
Bragagnolo Residence, King City, ON
Construction and Completion Depending on the clients requirements, Robert can be involved during the construction phases, and offer a variety of services that can include arranging contractor bids or assist in providing guidance should the owner decide to undertake the work. Site visit to inspect and ensue that the work is being carried out correctly, and to assist in resolving that may arise during the construction phase.