Dear Expert: When do I bring the Landscape Architect into the project?
A: Early. Our most successful projects are those where we are included as part of the design team early on. The landscape architect brings another skill set to the team. The orientation of the house, the elevation of the house relative to existing terrain, making the home seem a part of the landscape as opposed to forcing the landscape to solve problems, are all things landscape architects are familiar with. With the ever-increasing municipal regulations placed on residential construction (erosion control, watershed rules and regulations, hardcover limits, tree replacement requirements), getting the landscape architect on the design team early can avoid potential problems later in the design or construction process.
—Kevin Keenan, President
Keenan & Sveiven
www.kslandarch.com
