I’ve been meeting with a lot of architects recently with a view to doing more collaborative work and taking advantage of the benefits of early input into projects. On new homes we normally get called in once all the building work has been complete and are then asked to fit the clients brief into what remains.  Each time this happens I think of all the opportunities and benefits available to those who get a landscape designer/architect involved at the start of a build rather than at the end. ( Photo of a Luis Barragan project Architect/Landscape Architect )

Applying landscape design principles to small spaces can be challenging because it’s more often the larger spaces that we see featured in case studies.  People often question whether it’s worth getting a landscape designer in to assist with their ‘little space’. The thing is if it’s the only space you’ve got then I’d argue it’s more important to get the design right.

I’ve addressed this before but in light of a behavioral trend in the market place that has emerged over the last few years I think it’s worth re-visiting.  The behavior I’m talking about is foregoing the cost of engaging a designer or landscape architect for the sake of cost saving at the start of a project.