The Importance of Investing in Detailed Design

AS THE GREAT ARCHITECT AND DESIGNER CHARLES EAMES ONCE SAID, ‘THE DETAILS ARE NOT THE DETAILS, THEY MAKE THE DESIGN’. THE THOUGHT OF CREATING YOUR OWN SLICE OF OUTDOOR PARADISE IS SO EXCITING, IT’S EASY TO GET IMPATIENT. BUT MAKING SURE YOU END UP WITH THE OUTDOOR SPACE YOU’VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF REQUIRES A LEVEL OF DETAIL THAT CAN TAKE SOME BY SURPRISE. AND THAT STARTS WITH SPENDING TIME ON THE DESIGN.

Creative Director of Secret Gardens, Matt Cantwell, says things have changed since the days where a few basic drawings and some face-to-face conversations sufficed to get the construction ball rolling.

“Years ago people would tell you what they wanted and you would quote, and it still works that way in some respects,” he says. “Any good contractor can provide some design direction but our clients expect a certain level of service including collaboration on the design, communication – and project documentation.”

Depending on the size of the site and the scope of works, plans for garden design can require a level of detail similar to that required for building a house. So taking the time to consider the site, including its natural advantages as well as its constraints, is a worthwhile exercise, even if it can feel like a bit of a long process.

“More time at the drawing board at the start allows you to finesse ideas,” Matt says. “It’s important that you spend the time to understand the whole house, the change of seasons, the clients’ brief and how it might change. The design process allows time to explore and to communicate with the client in a meaningful manner.”

“It’s important that you spend the time to understand the whole house, the change of seasons, the clients’ brief and how it might change. The design process allows time to explore and to communicate with the client in a meaningful manner.”