By Brett Allen
1. Landscape architects will increase the value of your home, adding as much as 15% to its value over comparable houses. A landscape architect is well equipped to design an outdoor living space that will not only add value, but also extend your living space while allowing you to enjoy all that nature has to offer. Arbors, installed seating, fountains, firepits/fireplaces, patios and even outdoor kitchens can increase a space that is both inviting and environmentally sustainable.
2. Landscape architects have a plan. Landscape architects are trained to think about landscapes as systems. They will assess your property’s problem areas as well as possibilities and create a solid plan that addresses both the big picture and exact details of how your landscape will look. They will also help you select the perfect materials, styles, textures, and colors for your landscape project. A landscape architect will handle all the details, saving you time and stress.
3. Landscape architects design low-maintenance gardens featuring beautiful plants that reduce water costs, attract beneficial insects, and often reduce chemical applications. One trend that relies on water-efficient plants called xeriscaping, reduces the need for supplemental watering or irrigation for most of the year.
4. Landscape architects incorporate permeable paving, offering solutions for flooding or just adding beauty to patios and sidewalks, while reducing runoff and encouraging groundwater recharge.
5. Landscape architects know where to place trees and large shrubs to lower energy bills using deciduous trees that allow light through in the winter for heat and provide shade in the summer to cool a structure.
6. Landscape architects design natural swimming pools that look and sometimes act like a natural pond, and also offers all the benefits of a chlorinated pool with less maintenance and harsh chemicals.
7. Landscape architects can devise the perfect drip-irrigation system that waters plants right at the root zone and serves as an efficient alternative to overhead sprinkler systems. Many drip systems can incorporate the use of gray water or recycled water for ultimate water conservation.
8. Landscape architects offer expertise from start to finish, remaining involved with the construction and follow-through to completion.
9. Landscape architects design beautiful rain gardens for projects that may experience seasonal flooding. These gardens create a habitat for birds and beneficial insects, help to filter rainwater runoff away from sidewalks and lawns and allow the water to infiltrate back into the ground.
10. Landscape architects will design a landscape you will love. Landscape architects will deliver a finished project that you will love and will also comply with regulations and codes. It will be a special place that you and your family and friends will enjoy for years to come.
Brett Allen is the President of ASLA-SD and an associate of VDLA Landscape Architects in Solana Beach.
Sources: National American Society of Landscape Architects, Wikipedia, the State Landscape Architect Committee, The San Diego Business Journal.
