Dargan Landscape Architects

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Time to Take your Garden to School? Landscape Design Workshop Intensive in Seattle Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) Presents Landscape Architect, Mary Palmer Dargan at the Center for Urban Horticulture

Source: Mary Palmer Dargan
Source: Mary Palmer Dargan

Does your garden need a tune-up? Would you like to learn landscape design tips from a master with 40 years in the landscape design trenches? When the APLD contacted me about offering this workshop, it presented the perfect opportunity to share how to  avoid the common landscape design mistakes and pitfalls. We’ll be taking our experiences with us on the road for a presentation at the APLDWA Annual Design Symposium.

Join Dargan Landscape Architectects at the APLDWA Annual Design Symposium in Seattle ( open to both homeowners and landscape designers)

On January 26th, Mary Palmer Dargan and her life/ business partner, Hugh Dargan, will host a presentation, lecture, and  a landscape design workshop intensive at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle, Washington. The event is designed to help landscape professionals ( and landscape designing homeowners) avoid the common pitfalls that lead to “embarrassingly dysfunctional, over-budget & unsustainable client projects.”

The three secrets they’ll share are designed to help attendees design landscapes that are, in the words of ancient Roman author, architect, and civil engineer, Vitruvius, “firmitas, utilitas, venustas.” That’s, “solid, useful, beautiful,” for those of you who aren’t up on your Latin. These three secrets involve:

  1. Applying the tenets of a four-part master plan, so the project is not only aesthetically pleasing but is functional such that its purpose will be realized year after year.

  2. Implementing an innovative system of “layers,” which will help you organize and utilize site improvements.

  3. Using lifelong landscape design principles to create and guide a sustainable philosophy.

Registrants will receive a workbook (register early as we can’t guarantee workbooks for late-registrants) and are encouraged to bring paper copies of a survey at 1/8-inch of front or rear of project, an aerial photograph (Google Earth is great for those) and three photographs at letter size.

The cost is $150 for members, $200 for non-members, and $100 for students. The cost includes the workbook and an on-site lunch. Late registration (after 1/12/2015) is $250. Online registration will open soon at www.apldwa.org/events-and-news. You can also contact us here at Dargan for more information.

A Landscape Design Workshop in Seattle: Jan. 26

A garden grotto – designed by Mary Palmer Dargan

Washington Landscape designers

January 26, 2015 
Monday, 9:00am to 3:30pm

 Center for Urban Horticulture

3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle, WA 98105
 

Head back to school for a day with Mary Palmer Dargan, APLD, RLA, as she leads us in an advanced workshop for landscape design professionals. This workshop will provide you with a unique opportunity to focus on one of your own landscape designs right in our APLD classroom.

 

Mary Palmer is a renowned landscape architect and sought-after lecturer to students, design professionals, and homeowners. She will share with us tricks of the trade learned from her more than 40 years of designing landscapes for private clients from the coast of California to the low country of the Carolinas. She has a sharp eye for detail and a humorous, no nonsense approach to getting things accomplished.

 

Mary Palmer and her husband Hugh Dargan, RLA, are the award-winning principals of Atlanta-based Dargan Landscape Architects (read more about them at dargan.com). Although our workshop will be lead by Mary Palmer, Hugh will also join in with his unique wit and wisdom.  For an introduction to the workshop, check out  this video .

 

The workshop’s agenda:

  • Secrets Used by Successful Landscape Designers
  • “Form Follows Function” then Beautify (see video)

  • X-ray vision: Layers for Success (see video)

  • Design for the Future: Lifelong Landscape Design(see video)
The workshop’s take-aways include how to:
  • Improve functionality using the 4 Part Master Plan
  • Organize & estimate site improvements using an innovative layer system
  • Create a sustainable philosophy using lifelong landscape design principles
Bring to the workshop (all hard copy):
  • Base map at 1/8″ of front or rear of project
  • Aerial photograph (Google Maps works great!)
  • Three site photographs at letter size

  —————————-——————–

Cost for this event (includes lunch on site & workbook):
 
Members: $150; non-members: $200; students: $100 Late registration (after 1-12-15): $250
 

Note: late registrants cannot be guaranteed a workbook

 

CEU credits pending for APLD, ASLA, and WSNLA
 

Register on-line at: 

apldwa.org
 

For more information, contact Susan Picquelle at[email protected]

Blending Design & Shapes Into Outdoor Seating Areas

Blending Design & Shapes Into Outdoor Seating Areas
Source: Dargan Landscape Architects

As a career landscape architect and gardener, I’m very aware of the positive effects a landscape has on its owners. Your beautifully landscaped outdoor areas may be the only space to escape the trials and tribulations of daily life, as you breathe oxygen-rich air, surrounded by beautiful growing, living things.

Enhance the Holistic Benefits of Your Landscape by Blending Design and Shape into Outdoor Seating Areas

One of the best ways to reap the holistic benefits of your landscape is to add seating areas where you and guests can take a moment to comfortably soak up Mother Nature’s splendor.

Rather than plopping a few chairs or lounges down, I recommend integrating your seating areas by blending both their design and the shape into your existing landscape. Here are some examples of how to do so.

Use boundaries. Timeless cottage gardens have always used boundaries, both hardscape and natural, in order to define different landscape areas, whether they be winding walkways, raised kitchen gardens, or – yes – various seating areas. Larger spaces may be bordered using existing architectural walls or fences. If you are planning on creating a smaller or more intimate seating area, use a trellis, shrubs, or a small section of fencing to create a bit of privacy.

Consider circular or rounded additions. A rounded or circular shape can facilitate the flow of conversation in a particular seating area, as well as its aesthetics. Your rounded or curved seating area will also make a nice change if the majority of your landscape is portioned out in square or rectangular patterns. The addition of an arch or a trellis can also add the curved juxtaposition you’re looking for while serving as a focalization tool, guiding the eye to carefully proportioned and positioned table and chairs.

Use attractive flooring materials. Enhance your seating area’s design by using attractive flooring materials, like natural stone squares or pavers, that can be used in different colors and patterns, augmenting their visual appeal.

Blending design and shape into outdoor seating areas will make them as pleasant to the eye as they are to the soul.

Contact Dargan Landscape Architects to help you enhance your outdoor areas.