LANDSCAPE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

ASSIGNMENT 5- QUESTION PAPERS

SUBMITTED BY:

- KRITIKA GAGGAR

- ARIJIT SWARNAKAR

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE- 4th SEMESTER

SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITTECTURE

Q1. Describe the sequential stages of a landscape architecture project.

The stages are as under:

1 Project Inception & Initiation

1(a) Initial Consultation

first conversations about the project including location, size, initial ideas, uses, budget,
timeline.

larger projects may include the preparation of a design brief

1(b) Return Brief/Proposal

After the client has provided the information the landscape architect then provides a
return brief or proposal.

The return brief/proposal sets out what the landscape architect understands what the
project entails (ideas, use requirements, etc), what the landscape architect will provide (scope
and deliverables), who will assist in the design of the project (team/people), who else maybe
involve consultant services (architecture, surveying, arborist, horticulturalist, engineers, water
feature consultant, lighting designer, etc), the fee (how much the services will cost) and the
possible program (the time it will take).

1(c) Project Understanding and Research

After the client has accepted the proposal and there is a signed contract or understanding
made (such as M.O.U. or L.O.I.) and prior to going to the site, the landscape architect will
review the project.

The landscape architect will also undertake some research including government
requirements, local flora, adjacent area (uses, streets, etc).

1(d) Site Inventory and Analysis

This stage involves locating site and the vegetation, reviewing the terrain, building/s,
evaluating the current uses, environmental factors (site orientation, sun, shade, noise, wind,
water, soil, etc).

2. Concept Design

The main objective of this stage is to develop documents (plan or report) that provide the client
with an understanding of the proposed spatial arrangement, programs, functions, constraints,
opportunities and overall aesthetic. These documents often including plans, analysis
studies(topographic, climatic, land use, vegetation, access, etc), precedent project images,
renders (perspective, aerial, etc), typical material palettes, depending on the clients
requirements.

During Concept development the landscape architect could also have to provide documents
required by government for planning approval (sometimes called town planning,
developmental approval, planning approval, or government approval)

3. Design Development (Detailed Design)

This is the stage when landscape architects start to develop their ideas in more detail to ensure
that the concept design is achievable and will meet the client needs. At this stage the
designer also determines if there are any major issues (topographic, access, services, drainage,
budget) as the design evolves and allied disciplines start to investigate and design their own
design with greater detail.

This further has the following stages:

• Preliminary drawings
• Drawing for client’s approval
• Final Design Drawings
• Working Drawings

4. Construction Documentation

During this stage the landscape architect develops documents including plans, sections,
schedules, construction details, quantities and a specification for landscape construction
companies to be price and build the project.

5. Tendering

For the tendering stage the Construction Documentation package(drawings, schedules,

specification) is issued to often three or more contractors(dependent on local regulations and
client policies on procurement) to price the project and provide a construction program based
on the documents available. Often these stages include various contractor questions to clarify
the project design and requirements (materials, engineering, scope, etc.) and may also be to
suggest alternative material or construction methods that may offer savings for the client.

Various steps in this process are:

• Release of tender
• Comparison of offers
• Award of tender
This stage can occur at different points of the project this is often determined by the client. The
Tendering stage can occur at the end of Design Development or during or end of Construction
Documentation. There are pros and cons on the timing of releasing drawings for tender and
pricing.

6. Appointment of Contractors

During this stage the landscape architect advises the client on the appointment of the various
tenders.

7. Commencement of Construction

The tenders are awarded, the contractors are in place, the drawings are sent to site and the work
officially commences.

8. Construction

The stage when the contractor is on site building the landscape design.

Construction often includes the following stages:

• Demolition and Site Clearing

• Excavation and Trenching

• Services Installation (drainage, irrigation, electrical, etc)

• Fine Grading

• Hardscape Structure Construction (backfilling, compaction, base, footings, walls,

buildings, edges, etc)

• Hardscape Finishes Construction(paving, cladding, inorganic mulches)

• Planting (trees, plants, organic mulch)

• Final Fixtures (furniture, pavilions, lighting, etc)

• Defects (identity and fix problems)

• Completion (Initial and Final)

The order in which these sub stages occurs is dependent on the size and type of project. A
residential project may complete the construction in the order as listed. However, a park project
may complete Demolition, Excavation, Services and Fine grading and then plant trees as the
remainder of the project may take 6 to 18 months to build the Hardscape and Fixtures.

9. Construction Management (Construction Administration)

The client may request that the landscape architect manage the project which can include full
site supervision or can be several inspections and approval of construction, approvals of
payments, approvals of variations.

10. Maintenance

Once the project is complete the contractor is often required to maintain the project for a period
of time. This can be months or years depending on the client requirements. The landscape
architect is often required to attend and submit reports during or at the end of the maintenance
periods to ensure that project is being maintained and also that any defects (dead trees, item
failures, etc) are made good or replaced.

11. Post Occupancy Evaluation

Often design firms and clients will undertake Post Occupancy Evaluation. This can happen at
various intervals during the initial opening and then the following months or years.

Q2. Describe the scope of work as specified as a part of the agreement of a

project.

Stage 1: CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

(minimum 1 week after receiving all information, signed Contract & Retainer)

1.1. Meet and Consult with Client, Architects, and involved Personnel to develop and establish
and desirable "general landscape image and character" for particular areas in this development.

1.2. Study and analyse the existing environment and the building type to decide the visual and
spatial effect of the landscape
1.3. Analyse existing site conditions, environmental factors, natural features, and overlay them
with the program requirements that will lead to the design and arrangement of landscape
features

1.4. Review applicable codes and regulations. All applicable codes and regulations shall be
provided by Owner and/or its appointed agents.

1.5. Prepare Overall program requirement, overall concept and suggestion on concept for the
whole development, conceptual planting scheme for Clients review and approval.

1.6. Attend meetings to sum up Client’s needs and incorporate them in design proposal and
present the concept

Stage 2: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

(minimum 2 weeks after approval of previous stage & receiving of all information)

2.1. Co-ordinate with other consultants on aspects of their works affected by landscape
concepts, if any.

2.2. Details of the landscape design including general grading, sub-surface grading, site layout
related sections & details, planting plan, lighting plan, material palette and details of features
such as plazas, water features, pedestrian walkways, and fixed site furniture.

Stage 3: CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION

(minimum 4 weeks after approval of previous stage)

To discuss issues related to landscape in this Stage we shall attend a maximum of six

meetings, in which the following shall be discussed:

Civil work: Prepare complete landscape civil work plans, sections, elevations and details at
appropriate scale.

Dimension plan: Prepare and issue all setting out plans for accurate location of all elements &
materials related to Civil Work.

Grading plan: Prepare and issue plans with proposed levels for all graded areas based on
existing elevation, including utility, layout pattern and grade for all required subsurface
drainage structures.
Planting plan: Prepare and issue planting plan and planting list with locations, quantities, sizes,
and species of all plants.

Planting Specification: Prepare and issue written specifications complimenting working

drawings to ensure proper supply and installation of landscape soft-scape.

Material Specification: Prepare and issue written construction specifications complimenting

working drawings to ensure proper supply and installation of landscape material.

Lighting plan: Prepare and issue lighting plan with proposed spacing and setting out for all
lights in the landscape area. This does not include the lights for external lighting of the
buildings and the looping of lighting circuits.

Detail Drawings: Design and detail the required outdoor furniture, to be made and executed by
personnel appointed by the client.

Q3.Describe the sequence of construction activities from inception to

completion stage for landscape works with the help of a PERT chart.

Project inception
and initiation

Construction management
Initial consultation (Construction administration)
1 day

Construction
Return brief / proposal

1 day 6 to 18months

Tendering (Procurement)

Project Understanding
and Research

1 week Construction documentation

6 weeks
Site inventory and 3 weeks
analysis Design development
Conceptual Design (Detailed design)
1 week