Model Homes Process

INTRODUCTION

BMLA Landscape Architecture was established in 1987 to create landscapes that build lasting community.

Today, our staff includes individuals with LEED certifi cation and degrees in Landscape Architecture, Design, Fine Art, and Horticulture. This allows our fi rm to successfully design a variety of projects. Our staff of landscape professionals are committed to the client’s success. Our talented design team honors the client’s needs by conducting research and developing designs that bring the client’s vision to reality. Our process builds lasting relationships that produce the commitment to execute the client’s vision on time, on budget, and to drive new levels of quality in our industry.

The studio atmosphere of our fi rm promotes open communication and a fl ow of creativity throughout our team. Our design-oriented professionals display exceptional individual talents and a relentless commitment to providing outstanding client service.

BMLA has an extensive portfolio of public and private projects. Our portfolio includes model complexes, residential master plans and guidelines, community recreation centers, streetscapes, community parks, urban in-fi lls, urban design, resort and hospitality.

APPROACH

BMLA is skilled at creating appealing environments that potential buyers envision as their future residences. Highly detailed entries and backyard garden spaces create a sense of comfort and home. Our previous work includes large master planned communities targeting young families as well as luxury residential communities.

MODEL COMPLEXESThe process starts with a kickoff meeting with the client, where goals and objectives are established along with schedules and milestones to be reached. With the information gathered here, concept design development can begin. Preliminary conceptual site design plans for the model complex are prepared which include the layout, type, size and quantity of plant material and of hardscape elements including paving, garden walls and decorative features. Once this is complete, construction drawings and documents are prepared. and the process is concluded with our construction supporting services.

DESIGN APPROACHWe focus on three elements in our design approach: Backstory, Design, and Collaboration. The foundation for quality design is multiple avenues of input and evaluation. We feel that collaboration is characterized by a feeding off of each others creative ideas and using them as the basis for pushing the boundaries of the design. BMLA believes that quality design does not happen in a vacuum. It takes an organic and inclusive process to develop a creative solution that fi ts within the parameters of the site’s context.

BMLA has a fi rm-wide commitment to a process that informs all steps of our design work, and our relationship with clients and consultants. It is our belief that when we implement our Design Approach we develop creative and productive solutions for our clients.

BACKSTORY

BACK STORY We want to know what is driving the design. For instance, geographic, social, fi scal, and environmental issues aff ect diff erent projects in diff erent ways. So we use a variety of research techniques, including demographic studies, site surveys and inventories to determine how each issue will play into the fi nal design of a project. We use the interplay of these elements to inform our design. From the information we gather we work to create a design statement for the project. This design statement is what will be the standard from which design iterations and revisions will be judged. What makes a good design statement is having explored the “backstory” of the project and concept.

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

Developing the backstory is vital in instilling a sense of home, community, and comfort into a design. Fundamentally, the backstory takes a step backward from the project starting point to take a look at the “whole picture” that is too often assumed. A projects established backstory is what keeps us honest and true to doing quality and relevant design work, and not resorting to formulaic design output.

DESIGN

DESIGNWith the foundations of Backstory, the design process itself takes on qualities of being open, creative, relevant, inclusive, and insightful. In a broad sense, BMLA believes that quality design does not happen in a vacuum. It takes an organic and inclusive design process to develop a creative solution that fi ts within the project parameters. In other words the goal of BMLA’s design process is to create the framework where ideas and solutions can be explored and evaluated objectively.

We start the work by studying the site’s surroundings and interactions with the environment. We work everyday on expanding our design vocabulary and understanding of construction techniques to create solutions that function like new even after years of use.

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

At BMLA, we provide client’s with the necessary imagery to see how their project will become a reality. We feel the ability to communicate our design is just as important as creating the design itself, so we use a combination of hand graphics, multimedia rendering, CAD and computer generated models to get our message across.

Conceptual Design is the central element of what we do, whether it is designing Models, a Courtyard or an entire Master Planned Community, we are consistently working on expand our design vocabulary and understanding of construction techniques to help push our client’s designs into reality.

COLLABORATION

COLLABORATIONThe foundation for quality design is multiple avenues of input and evaluation. Collaborative designs that are the product of a group’s eff ort inevitably take the best components and aspects of all individuals involved and produce a stronger, more thorough design. Collaboration is characterized by a progression of each others creative ideas and using them as the basis for furthering and pushing the boundaries of the design to higher levels.

In conjunction with our internal collaboration, external collaboration with our client’s help in the production of Amenities booklets and Plant Pallete that are themed accordingly to a given project, and further connect to the established Backstory. These appropriately themed amenities and plants help further develop a sense of home and community.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Habit and Cultural InformationCategory: ShrubFamily: FlacourtiaceaeOrigin: China (Asia)Evergreen: YesFlower Color: Yellow GreenBloomtime: FallSynonyms: [Xylosma senticosum, X.congestum]Height: 6-10 feetWidth: 8-12 feetExposure: Sun or ShadeIrrigation: Low Water NeedsWinter Hardiness: 10-15° F

Habit and Cultural InformationCategory: SucculentFamily: Asteraceae (Sunflowers)Origin: South Africa (Africa)Evergreen: YesFlower Color: WhiteBloomtime: SummerSynonyms: [Kleinia mandraliscae, S. talinoidesmandraliscae]Height: 1-2 feetWidth: 2-3 feetExposure: Full SunDrought Tolerant: YesIrrigation: Low Water NeedsWinter Hardiness: 15-20° FMay be Poisonous (More Info): Yes

RELIABLE PROCESSCONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTSOur multi-faceted design process, attention to details and dedication to our client’s success drive us in our development of accurate construction documents that ensure the integrity of the conceptual design carries into the fi nal product. Our client’s often cite that our construction documents help expedite the construction process due to clarity and completeness.

We have accumulated a signifi cant collection of tools that enables us to prepare complete and comprehensive construction documents. The tools include automated drafting systems, details, specifi cations, guidelines, and standards for most project types from model complexes to regional sports parks. We believe that it is our use of these tools that makes us a fi rm that can handle most projects, not just competently, but exceptionally.

COST ESTIMATINGOur processes and data allow us to predict the construction costs of a project within a narrow margin, thus providing our clients with value-engineered information. We establish preliminary studies for master planning purposes and detailed engineering estimates for bidding purposes.

WORKING DRAWINGS

PLAN

TING

PLAN

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RDSCA

PE PLAN

FOLLOW THROUGH

CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT SERVICESBMLA can provide construction support in the areas of on site landscape inspection, facilitating plant material contract grow programs and nursery based plant material approval.

CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATIONWe evaluate the conformance of the installed project to the plans and specifi cations. This service is performed for housing developers, but commercial developers could also benefi t from compliance checks as well.

SITE OBSERVATION The frequency of this service is dependent upon the requirements of the jurisdiction of the staffi ng level of the client. We evaluate the conformance to the plans and specifi cations, then update the client. This service is most often used in the housing industry, but commercial developers could also benefi t from compliance checks as well.

CONSTRUCTION ADMIN.

BMLA prides itself on always being fully invested in the success of its client’s projects, from fi rst conceptual design to fi nal product to actual construction. To that eff ect, once a design goes under construction BMLA’s continued services makes sure that the project retains the developed design and established backstory to the client’s liking.