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Green Scene: Landscape Designers Respond to Corona Challenges
Online consultations and safe-distance installations and garden maintenance are the new norm for landscape designers
Nature can be a great comfort in trying times. Add in the fact that people are spending more time gazing at their homes and gardens than ever, and it’s not surprising to hear there’s still a healthy focus on the design and maintenance of green spaces right now. But the way landscape designers are delivering their services has changed significantly lately – we spoke to four designers on the frontline to learn more.
So far, none of Mendel’s existing projects have been cancelled. “Those people who are still employed seem happy to direct their funds into the home environment as most overseas travel is off the agenda for at least a year. Creating a resort environment, a productive garden or just a beautiful place can be a priority at times like these. A beautiful garden lifts the mood and nurtures the soul – people are embracing biophilic design even though many have never heard of the term.
“Anecdotally, the busiest businesses – apart from supermarkets and pharmacies –are organic soil places and plant nurseries. Many people are looking to carry out garden projects and maintenance now that they have to spend more time at home.
“In terms of support from colleagues, I belong to the Western Australian Landscape Design Association (WALDA) and usually we have a monthly networking meeting where we share ideas, new products and other relevant information. We are very mutually supportive and I think this will continue via telephone and email,” says Mendel.
“Anecdotally, the busiest businesses – apart from supermarkets and pharmacies –are organic soil places and plant nurseries. Many people are looking to carry out garden projects and maintenance now that they have to spend more time at home.
“In terms of support from colleagues, I belong to the Western Australian Landscape Design Association (WALDA) and usually we have a monthly networking meeting where we share ideas, new products and other relevant information. We are very mutually supportive and I think this will continue via telephone and email,” says Mendel.
“At the moment I am using common sense with my approach to future business,” Mendel continues. “Most discussions about design concepts can be carried out remotely; plans can be emailed and a conference call set up so I can talk clients through the design. Instead of showing clients the selected materials from my extensive materials library, I can do a mood board selection on their plan. Local clients can pick up a hard copy of their plan from my letterbox or I can deliver it to them. Plans can also be posted or emailed. We can then discuss it over the phone.
“Although at the moment things seem to be humming along, I can see that some clients will defer the installation of their new landscape for a variety of reasons, such as if they are elderly and feel at risk or if they’re facing financial difficulties.
“It’s hard to predict the overall effect on this industry but I believe it will definitely sort out the men from the boys. The best of the best will survive and the industry will shed those who are not up to a high standard or are surplus to requirements in a tight market.
“My approach in slower times ahead is to do that admin that I never seem to have time to do; working on the website and social media. I also have a great interest in mastering 3D modelling for my own projects. I won’t run out of things to do, and of course I may have more time to spend in my own lovely garden.
“I think we need to support each other, keep our standards high, and not undercut other designers with offers of free consultations or cheap work,” says Mendel.
“Although at the moment things seem to be humming along, I can see that some clients will defer the installation of their new landscape for a variety of reasons, such as if they are elderly and feel at risk or if they’re facing financial difficulties.
“It’s hard to predict the overall effect on this industry but I believe it will definitely sort out the men from the boys. The best of the best will survive and the industry will shed those who are not up to a high standard or are surplus to requirements in a tight market.
“My approach in slower times ahead is to do that admin that I never seem to have time to do; working on the website and social media. I also have a great interest in mastering 3D modelling for my own projects. I won’t run out of things to do, and of course I may have more time to spend in my own lovely garden.
“I think we need to support each other, keep our standards high, and not undercut other designers with offers of free consultations or cheap work,” says Mendel.
Pepo Botanic Design
Nicola Cameron, director at Pepo Botanic Design, heads a five-person team (plus 11 horticulturists and landscape construction experts) from a studio in Paddington, NSW.
“So far we have not been affected as we have projects programmed in that will still go ahead at this stage,” says Cameron. “Some clients have contacted us to work with them on design as they are spending so much time at home and now feel they have the time to embrace the garden design process. But I am sure others are holding off investing in projects because of the unknown.”
“We are limiting our studio space to two people at a time with the others working from home. As we adjust, we are working from home more than the studio. The design team is discussing projects over the phone and having group meetings on Zoom,” says Cameron of the virtual meeting software.
Nicola Cameron, director at Pepo Botanic Design, heads a five-person team (plus 11 horticulturists and landscape construction experts) from a studio in Paddington, NSW.
“So far we have not been affected as we have projects programmed in that will still go ahead at this stage,” says Cameron. “Some clients have contacted us to work with them on design as they are spending so much time at home and now feel they have the time to embrace the garden design process. But I am sure others are holding off investing in projects because of the unknown.”
“We are limiting our studio space to two people at a time with the others working from home. As we adjust, we are working from home more than the studio. The design team is discussing projects over the phone and having group meetings on Zoom,” says Cameron of the virtual meeting software.
“We’re approaching site visits for our construction and maintenance staff with social distancing at the forefront of our minds,” she says. “We are also sterilising all gates, door handles and anything else we touch as we go. We are not going inside homes unless absolutely essential and agreed upon with the client.
“We are discussing briefs with clients over the phone and asking them to fill out our ‘brief sheets’ as well as send through photos and/or walk us through the garden using FaceTime. Our design presentations are held remotely with Zoom so we can share screens,” she says.
One of the biggest surprises for Cameron is how well clients have adapted to the changing protocols. “They have been very happy to have their design packages presented remotely. Our presentations have always been important and we have felt sitting down, having eye contact and walking through the package together was essential. But we are now finding the beautiful plants, materials and visuals are the things talking to our clients. It makes us very happy to know that future gardens will give people so much joy at this time of stress,” she says.
“It seems now more than ever after droughts, bushfires and now COVID-19, people are yearning for their gardens to be designed, healthy, functional and abundant – even seeing the design package on-screen without the designer present gives them a sense of relief.
“People seem to be connecting with their exterior spaces with even more depth than normal because of the current need to isolate themselves. It is interesting how when you are forced to change things and face fears sometimes opportunities you wouldn’t expect emerge,” she says.
“We are discussing briefs with clients over the phone and asking them to fill out our ‘brief sheets’ as well as send through photos and/or walk us through the garden using FaceTime. Our design presentations are held remotely with Zoom so we can share screens,” she says.
One of the biggest surprises for Cameron is how well clients have adapted to the changing protocols. “They have been very happy to have their design packages presented remotely. Our presentations have always been important and we have felt sitting down, having eye contact and walking through the package together was essential. But we are now finding the beautiful plants, materials and visuals are the things talking to our clients. It makes us very happy to know that future gardens will give people so much joy at this time of stress,” she says.
“It seems now more than ever after droughts, bushfires and now COVID-19, people are yearning for their gardens to be designed, healthy, functional and abundant – even seeing the design package on-screen without the designer present gives them a sense of relief.
“People seem to be connecting with their exterior spaces with even more depth than normal because of the current need to isolate themselves. It is interesting how when you are forced to change things and face fears sometimes opportunities you wouldn’t expect emerge,” she says.
- Staying connected is important to Cameron. “We are a very connected and respectful industry and are always happy to share information with our peers. The industry bodies, including AILDM (Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers) and TLA (The Landscape Association), are giving us regular updates, which has been a helpful resource regarding how to manage hygiene, social distancing and business in general,” she says.
Looking too far forward is impossible at this stage, Cameron adds. “When it comes to the garden maintenance and installation side of the company, it’s a bit of an unknown. We imagine there will be some very overgrown gardens if we are unable to provide this service.
“In regards to design, we will spend time looking at our systems, operations and conducting research on the future of landscape architecture and garden design. We know that plants and design will play a very important role in the future of our wellbeing as well as the planet’s.
“Although devastating, we believe this crisis will give us a chance to reconnect with homes and the environment and see the important role they play, and we will be looking at ways our business can play a part in that.
“This is an incredibly difficult time, so let’s take the opportunity to reach out so we can get through it together. Now is the time to talk about those dream collaborations and projects we can work on as a community in the future. Our gardens will keep growing and when things get back on track it will be important for us to keep planting, drawing and dreaming of beautiful, healing outside spaces.
“I truly believe our industry can give everyone some hope that the future will be okay,” says Cameron.
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Utopia Landscape Design
Aaron Worth is the director of Utopia Landscape Design, a one-person operation in Gumdale, Queensland.
For Worth, the operational side of his business has been unaffected by the unfolding crisis, but site and client meeting-related activities have been curtailed or modified – meetings now run online and he conducts site visits at an appropriate social distance.
“Inquiries have reduced markedly as I think landscaping generally is a low priority for many people right now,” he says.
On the plus side, he believes that the landscape design sector has unique advantages within the design industry. “Landscaping has always provided sanctuary for people and can provide an emotional anchor in uncertain times,” he says.
“Many people are confined to their homes and are either enjoying or seeing the potential value of a nicely landscaped home environment as opposed to the more structural nature of other design disciplines. It is, more than ever, seen as a necessity as opposed to a luxury.”
Aaron Worth is the director of Utopia Landscape Design, a one-person operation in Gumdale, Queensland.
For Worth, the operational side of his business has been unaffected by the unfolding crisis, but site and client meeting-related activities have been curtailed or modified – meetings now run online and he conducts site visits at an appropriate social distance.
“Inquiries have reduced markedly as I think landscaping generally is a low priority for many people right now,” he says.
On the plus side, he believes that the landscape design sector has unique advantages within the design industry. “Landscaping has always provided sanctuary for people and can provide an emotional anchor in uncertain times,” he says.
“Many people are confined to their homes and are either enjoying or seeing the potential value of a nicely landscaped home environment as opposed to the more structural nature of other design disciplines. It is, more than ever, seen as a necessity as opposed to a luxury.”
Worth is staying up to speed with protocols and industry developments via his membership with the AILDM.
“While I have at least three months of work ahead of me, I anticipate the reduced inquiry rate to have an impact on business when this work is completed, so I have a number of in-house tasks that I intend to complete. These include updating my website and social media, maintaining client connections, formulating a medium-term marketing plan, updating my design resources and libraries, carrying out further product research and updating plant knowledge,” he says. “If a medium-term slowdown emerges, I may look at further study to update my qualifications.
“I believe it’s important to stay positive and remain connected to fellow designers, staff and clients. As small business owners we all wear many hats and often don’t find the time to work on our businesses – this is the perfect time to do that,” says Worth.
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“While I have at least three months of work ahead of me, I anticipate the reduced inquiry rate to have an impact on business when this work is completed, so I have a number of in-house tasks that I intend to complete. These include updating my website and social media, maintaining client connections, formulating a medium-term marketing plan, updating my design resources and libraries, carrying out further product research and updating plant knowledge,” he says. “If a medium-term slowdown emerges, I may look at further study to update my qualifications.
“I believe it’s important to stay positive and remain connected to fellow designers, staff and clients. As small business owners we all wear many hats and often don’t find the time to work on our businesses – this is the perfect time to do that,” says Worth.
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Space Landscape Designs
Space Landscape Designs is a five-person team headed by director Jason Elboz in Sydney, NSW.
“New enquiries have slowed, however there are a number of existing clients and some new inquiries who have been pushing for urgent site meetings,” says Elboz. “Existing and potential new clients with stable jobs and low-risk assets are pushing ahead. With uncertainty around a total lockdown and how long it will last, certain clients are still willing to push forward with landscape designs.”
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Space Landscape Designs is a five-person team headed by director Jason Elboz in Sydney, NSW.
“New enquiries have slowed, however there are a number of existing clients and some new inquiries who have been pushing for urgent site meetings,” says Elboz. “Existing and potential new clients with stable jobs and low-risk assets are pushing ahead. With uncertainty around a total lockdown and how long it will last, certain clients are still willing to push forward with landscape designs.”
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“It is unfortunate and inevitable that the tourism, hospitality and retail industries are going to suffer over the next 12 months. With so much uncertainty, people are also unlikely to be selling and buying new properties in that period,” he says. “This may result in households with stable jobs being left with more income as they won’t be taking overseas holidays or buying new homes, so they may look to improve their existing properties. This would mean the landscape-design industry – and other property-related design services – remain steady.
Pricing will be one factor that Elboz intends to reassess moving forward. “Pricing of jobs is important. We offer a very unique and detailed design service creating a lot of pool and landscape designs. It’s important that we keep our designs and services at the same high level, however we will have to look at pricing jobs more competitively. It won’t be about making huge profits but creating a good design and service at an affordable price for clients,” he says.
Pricing will be one factor that Elboz intends to reassess moving forward. “Pricing of jobs is important. We offer a very unique and detailed design service creating a lot of pool and landscape designs. It’s important that we keep our designs and services at the same high level, however we will have to look at pricing jobs more competitively. It won’t be about making huge profits but creating a good design and service at an affordable price for clients,” he says.
“Construction costs over the past few years have been high with high wages and high material costs. In these challenging times, costs need to come down in order to get people spending again. This would certainly help the landscape design industry as it would allow more people to afford to get their properties designed and constructed – along with their landscapes designed.”
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Your turn
Do you think your sector has any unique advantages or disadvantages in these challenging times? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, follow these design professionals on Houzz, and join the conversation.
More
Interested to hear how other sectors of the industry are coping? Don’t miss Prepping for Change: How Designers are Handling These Times
Do you think your sector has any unique advantages or disadvantages in these challenging times? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, follow these design professionals on Houzz, and join the conversation.
More
Interested to hear how other sectors of the industry are coping? Don’t miss Prepping for Change: How Designers are Handling These Times
Janine Mendel is the owner and designer at Cultivart Landscape Design in Karrinyup, WA. She works alone but has several contractors who install her garden designs.
“I have been working from my home studio for 30 years, so this is nothing new for me,” says Mendel of working solo. “I am still receiving website and telephone inquiries, but have noticed that any potential new clients are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach before booking an appointment for an initial consultation,” she says. “This is the first stage of the landscape design and is always best conducted on-site where you can discuss the garden with the client.
“Site visits and consultations are still safe as long as social distancing measures are in place. However, I think this may change as restrictions and concerns increase.
“In the future I can see carrying out site inspections and evaluations on my own and speaking with the client via FaceTime or on the phone,” she says.
Are you spending this time planning a new garden? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz for expert advice