Transforming ‘33 The Cloisters’Stuart Parkinson

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Introduction

‘Transforming 33 The Cloisters’ is a docu-

mented report, following a REAL LIFE garden

landscape project, Involving my client, a

residential home owner.

Most people struggle to visualise the 2D

plans presented to them, however this

booklet gives the reader an insight into the

process of bringing garden design and ideas

to life through 3D imaging. Imagine being

able to see how your designs will really look,

with the ability to walk through your design,

helping to anticipate problems and giving

you piece of mind about what will be deliv-

ered, before any work commences.

The process starts with an informal chat to

discuss the garden, the client’s needs and

what they want to see as the end result.

Sketches, drawings and visualizations are

produced to scale, for the client to study in

the comfort of their own home, enabling

them to change things they are not happy

with through the design stages, in liaison

with the CAD visualiuser.

The outcome results in a stress free proc-

ess of designing their dream garden, avoid-

ing any unexpected costs and no upsetting

surprises.

“A well designed garden is a worthwhile

investment and can add 5% or more to the

value of your property.” (Royal Institute of

Chartered Surveyors).

“A well designed garden is a worthwhile invest-ment and can add 5% or more to the value of your property.” (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors).

Site

This East facing garden belongs to a new

build house, located in the beautiful coastal

town of Rhos on Sea in North Wales, less

than 200 meters away from the sea.

The garden is East facing and is sheltered,

helped by the northern sea breeze and by

a 15 meter tree, which overshadows the

garden.

Existing View from 1st floor Bedroom

Existing ViewExisting Garden

The new owners of this property Louise and Conrad have big aspirations for their new 55m2

garden, but like many first time buyers are on a tight budget. Louise and Conrad also wanted

to do most of the work themselves, so they wished for a solution which required as little

manual work as possible, yet still fulfil their requirements.

Unsightly

Entrace to existing garden

Exis

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Outline BriefLouise and Conrad wanted a garden with a modern design without it being contemporary, with a clean feel. They wanted to incorporate a pond within the garden to be constructed using railway sleepers. They also required a flexible seating area which would enable them to sit in the sun, a small shed and green space with planting areas. They wanted to retain the fencing bordering the garden and within the existing space they were conscious of the regular shedding of pine needles from the neighbours’, pine tree and the inherited make-shift construction in-between the two adja-cent outbuildings, at the rear of the garden.

Pine Needles

Fig 1.1

Clients Sketch Plan

pond

Shed

Grass

Stepping Stones

Railway Sleepers

PlantsSeating Area

Mood Board

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2 3 3 4

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Design Development

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Hi Stuart, saw the plans today, really clever! We like those slate paving slabs. Conrad is happy with his railway sleeper idea, following through from the Pond into the step. Interesting to see how it could look, REALLY excited!! Will show Conrad when he gets back.

Hi Louise, Pleased you like it so far, if you have any other ideas please let me know Take Care!

1 May 2012 12.40

Stage 1: Initial Concept Design Based on the pencil sketch that Louise and Conrad provided and further discussions about other

ideas communicated via a mood-board. From then a 3D Model representation was provided for

them to view, and feedback was given.

Estimate

5

3

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4

6

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Item Cost Ex VATSlate Paving (14.5m2) £800

Paving under Shed £80

Timber Decking (11.5m2) £150

Pond (14.8m2) £350

Pea Gravel £8Circular Pavers £15New Shed £250

Table & Chairs (seats 4/6) £300Planting £250Turf £50

Screening £50

Other Building Materials £200Contingency £200

Total Ex VAT £2703

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1

4

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5

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Feedback

- Smaller Pond - Less Decking- More Grass- Larger Planting Area- Take out the Stepping Stones

- Welsh Slate Paving - Oak railway Sleepers, but lighter wood- Will Keep the fence as it is

Areas for ChangeWould like to Keep

6

Stage 2 Sketch Stage 3 Stage 4

Alterations to the original design include a

smaller pond, and more green space.

Alterations include; a change in finish for the oak

railway sleepers, a change in shed orientation

and a desire to see more green space.

Alterations include; a change of shed orientation

back to stage 2, with the return of a small patio

area at the rear of the garden for additional seat-

ing, as in the original design.

Hi Stuart, have just had a look through the new plans, and I think we would like to see more grass. Also could you bring the path right through. Conrad would also like to see what the shed would look like turned around. A lot happier with the size and design of the pond, and we would like to have a mini waterfall which flows down from the top bay to the second bay.

Virtual Tours

Hi Stuart, Conrad saw the plans today, Looks good, but could you make the pond smaller and remove the planter and the decking and chairs. We would also like more grass and we would like a planting area next to the fence thanks!

Hi Stuart, could you bring the pond forward by 1m. Also Ive seen a shed that I like, here is the link: http://www.acesheds.co.uk/prod-ucts/Summer+Houses/Richmond+Corner+Summerhouse/1165714684?gclid=CLuU3Jbh8K8CFQ0KtAod-Ba7XQ Thanks!

Hi Louise, no problem! I’ll make those changes and email you a new link.

Hi Louise, I’ve made the changes and I’ve uploaded the updated version of the design for you to look at.

Let me know what you think? I can also post you a link to the virtual tour on Facebook so you can share the design with your family and friends, if that would be helpful?

Thanks Stuart, that would be great. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

2 May 2012 13.16

2 May 2012 17.41

2 May 2012 19.03

6 May 2012 14.07

6 May 2012 14.01

Hi Louise, yes no problem! I’ll change the pond and incorporate the shed into the design and will let you know when you can view the new design. Take Care!

Stage 4: Areas for Change

Sketch

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Entr

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3.Increase height of Zoner

2.Introduce Corner Shed

1.Increase Seating Area

4.Move Forward

1 meter

Final DesignPl

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Please note: Planting is suggestive

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3.Reduced Paving Area

2.Modified Pond

1.Extra Seating 1800X1800Corner Shed

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Hi Stuart, Wow! It’s really come together! The extra seating is a really good idea, it will be nice to sit next to the pond and watch the fish! The corner shed does actually give us more space for seat-ing too, so we are really pleased with that. Thanks again!

Yeah, it seems like a good solution! It also means that we don’t have to cover the space with a shed, and it gives us lots more room for seating. Thanks!

Hi Louise, I’ve uploaded the latest design for you and I’ve also incorporated some extra seating, let me know what you think?

What do you think about the screening to cover the area between the two outbuild-ings? Thought you could grow some climbers up the trellis to soften the look of this area?

Louise, I will send you the dimensions of this final design and wish you all the best for creating your little Oasis! Please do also keep me informed of the final outcome, best wishes

A B

View A View B

9 May 2012 19.10

9 May 2012 17.00

9 May 2012 19.21

Final Design

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Final Design

Item Cost Ex VATSlate Paving (30m2) £1590

Paving under Shed (1.5m2) £80

Bench £45

Pond (14.8m2) £300

Pea Gravel £8New Shed £650

Table & Chairs (seats 4) £150Planting £250Turf £50Screen £50Other Building Materials £200Contingency £200

Total Ex VAT £3573

Estimate

Louise and Conrad now have a garden design they delighted with, and excited

about. Louise and Conrad said;

“Although our budget has increased, we are a lot happier with the overall layout. We have decided to be patient, and do it in stages, This will give us the time to save a bit more.”

Dimensions - Final Design

Thanks Stuart, Your help visualising

our ideas, and developing our vision .

It has taken a lot of the stress away and

made designing our garden really fun!

Can’t wait to build it now!!

Louise & Conrad

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