PROCESS - (scroll down)

Design & Installation Process:

Stephen Coan's design process starts with an in-depth consultation at the project site to review and discuss the clients' project. After they agree to work together an agreement is signed with the client then receiving a copy of his book that is full of garden and plant information and describes the entire process in detail.  They also receive a copy of his comprehensive written questionnaire to fill out that enables him to get a full understanding and direction of the project to create his bespoke, ecologically guided, & nature inspired fine gardens and designed landscapes for each unique client.

He will begin the base drawing as a foundation for all further designs after a thorough site analysis of the existing landscape, site conditions, soil, compaction, drainage, elevations, sun and shade positions, wind flow, and surrounding landscape, with many photos taken, and sometimes satellite or drone images done for reference.

He then creates the preliminary concept plan for the project that is reviewed with the Client prior to completing the final master plan that is the overall guide for the entire garden and landscape project.  With the completed master plan the project can be broken down into different installation phases that can be installed over time if needed.

He then, if needed for permitting, creates unique conceptual construction drawings for the style, shape, and materials of any non-permeable surface or architectural features included in the project. These drawings would be used as a design reference for a landscape architect to perform the technical drawings for the permitting process and ADA compliance. (Americans with Disabilities Act.)  Although he is not a landscape architect, he will consult and collaborate with licensed landscape architects on projects.

After the master plan and the construction documents have been approved, he will then create the unique planting plans with either a formal planting design or more frequently an on-site plant layout design that allows him the freedom of an artist ‘painting’ with the plants in direct response to the garden location and surrounding environment. He will then consult with the client and construction contractors during the construction and garden bed prep work phases. Once construction and prep work is completed, he will then lay out and install the lush plantings.

The comprehensive design, prep, and installation process frequently takes several months to design, consult, plan, acquire the estimates, plants, and materials, any needed permits, schedule any construction, construction, construction consulting, planting bed prepping, installation of the plants, followed by the garden maintenance consulting.

His unique garden solutions are one of a kind and site appropriate, reflecting the needs of each unique client and location.

The basic order of the Design/Install Process: Initial consultation > agreement > site plan > meetings > questionnaire > discovery > information gathering > site inspections & studies > concepting > design > preliminary concept plan > master plan > conceptual construction plan(s) > technical construction drawings by licensed professionals > search for installation contractors > estimate requests sent out to contractors > construction contracts > permits > scheduling > architectural feature construction > construction consulting > planting plan(s) > plant specifying selection plans > planting bed prep > on-site plant layout design > plant installation > garden maintenance consulting.

The projects progress through this process depending upon what is needed for each project in the general order listed with some tasks overlapping or sometimes skipped.

To schedule an appointment please call 267.251.5855

By Appointment Only.

Stephen Coan
Stephen Coan Garden Design
Nature Inspired Gardens
Garden & Landscape Design, Consulting, & Installation
131 Lawnside Avenue
Collingswood, NJ  08108
267.251.5855  

NJHIC# 13VH08688500