The “after” images with plants are computer renderings. The “before” images are photos. Just showing how “real” rendering technology is getting.
Category Archives: Computer aided design (CAD)
Mid-century patio gardens, 2008.
Sometimes everything has to follow one theme. Sometimes, not so much. This design created transitions between outdoor rooms, each with its own character. Arrive, entertain, relax Arrival The entire front, including the home’s façade and garage door, got a redo. The biggest issue was that once you were in the entry patio, you were basicallyContinue reading “Mid-century patio gardens, 2008.”
Four options for a new back yard
This is an example of why we get professional surveys. We sketched a pool that encroached on some rock outcroppings on the slope, not readily visible from the house. The survey also gave us the exact slope, useful for calculating retaining wall heights, steps, terracing… This was supposed to be four equal sized images, sinceContinue reading “Four options for a new back yard”
Finally! Irrigation AI
Although it’s been a while that CAD programs were supposed to automate the creation of irrigation plans, it looks like they’re finally doing so in a usable way. We can create graphics that auto-calculate (mostly), pipe sizing (mostly), pressure loss calcs (mostly). Why “mostly”? Because the plan is schematic, so pressure loss won’t be what’sContinue reading “Finally! Irrigation AI”
Provence in Sacramento
When you can’t get away as much as you like, create your destination where you live. You can play pétanque, dip in the pool, relax on the deck, entertain, enjoy a glass of Côtes-du-Ventoux with your friends. No arduous plane trip required! Maybe you can even speak a bit of French… Materials: Zellige tiles inContinue reading “Provence in Sacramento”
Remote communication
In this time of COVID-19, we can’t meet directly with clients. Luckily, we have a lot of communication methods available as long as we have internet access and electricity. For commercial projects, we get base plans from the architect or engineer, complete our work, and send it back for inclusion in the plan set asContinue reading “Remote communication”
Mobile Landscape Design on site
Running around a site waving your arms and explaining the wonders you’re proposing is fun, but does not work well for sharing concepts or remembering all the ideas discussed. This is especially true when we’re presenting alternate concepts that emphasize one aspect of the program over another. This is where mobile design shines. stencils siteContinue reading “Mobile Landscape Design on site”
Developing concepts with 3D modeling
Using 3D modeling is the step done after the initial concept gets sketched out on the iPad. This is where things get fine tuned in three dimensions, surfaces selected and verified, views examined and everything honed and ready for working drawings. Modeling the site after sketching it lets us look at sun and shade throughContinue reading “Developing concepts with 3D modeling”
A Trio of Concepts
These drawings show what happens when you take an iPad, stylus, laser measuring tool, some good apps and hours of practice, put them together with design ideas and run amok. They’re mostly completed in the field, with a few minor touch-ups in the office. The pieces get put together into a single pdf file, letterContinue reading “A Trio of Concepts”
Design studio on the go!
We’ve been streamlining measurement, sketch, brainstorming and presentation techniques for landscape concepts and quick initial plans, using an iPad to fill in for a desktop based CAD system. We can create base plans, sketch out options, do photo overlays, create illustrated design sketchbooks and export all this as pdf files (or print everything out). HereContinue reading “Design studio on the go!”