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When planning your next outdoor landscape project, do you know whether you’ll need a Landscaper or a Landscape Architect? If you want to add a few shrubs or trees to your existing landscape, a landscaper will probably suffice. However, if you’re considering an outdoor renovation, pool, or a new home, chances are, you need a Landscape Architect to bring your vision to life. Luckily, Landscape Architect, Jeff Homans, and the talented team at Land Design Associates, Inc. (LDA) are here for all your landscape architecture needs.
LDA was founded in 2003 by Georgia licensed Landscape Architect, Jeff Homans. LDA has
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played a vital role in design and development of hundreds of projects in the Golden Isles over the past 17+ years. Projects have ranged from large scale community and resort developments to intimate outdoor living spaces. The list of services that LDA provides doesn’t end with design. They’ll be your partner and will see your project through to the end. Once the design is complete, you can choose to contract the work through LDA or engage them as a Project Administrator to provide oversight and direction for the various contractors that are typically involved in landscape and outdoor living projects. They’ll be there to ensure that the plan is implemented as designed, quality workmanship is achieved, and will also handle design modifications and change orders. Simply put, LDA will be your partner and will remain involved in your project until it comes to fruition. They’ll be with you step by step from conception through completion.
Many people assume that Landscape Architects are only used on new construction projects. This is far from the truth. Jeff and his team routinely work on renovation projects. In fact, LDA frequently works for clients that want to enhance their landscapes and outdoor spaces. What better way to add value and enjoyment to your home than to elevate the function and appearance of your outdoor spaces? It’s quite common for people to renovate the interior of their home, but they should also be paying attention to how it looks, feels, and functions on the exterior. LDA Project Manager, Bo Parker, says, “The first place we start with any landscape renovation is inside of our client’s home. This gives us a feel for their taste and how we can create a cohesive design that marries the inside to the outside.”
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LDA doesn’t just specialize in one particular style of Landscape Architecture. They let their individual client’s tastes, wants, and needs influence every design. Homans says, “It’s very important to us that we have a clear understanding of what our clients want before we ever put pen to paper. Once we know what they’re looking for, we get to work. Typically, we start with one or more schematic designs that open a line of communication with the client. From there, we refine the design until we ultimately arrive at a plan that meets our client’s aesthetic, functional, and budgetary requirements.”
One of the primary goals in any landscape design is to add value to the home. “Adding elements like pools, patios, firepits, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and landscape lighting can really add to a home’s value, not to mention its curb appeal,” says Homans. “People are frequently surprised at just how much we can change the appearance of a landscape. We’ve taken 40 year old traditional landscapes and turned them into contemporary outdoor oases. It’s a fun and rewarding process.”
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Once the design phase is complete, LDA engages reputable qualified contractors to complete the work. Parker states, “Coordination is key for all of our projects. Many times, we’re working with half a dozen or more contractors to complete a project. Imagine trying to coordinate a project that involves a pool builder, mason, plumber, carpenter, electrician, landscaper and lighting contractor when you’ve never done it before and don’t know who to call first. This can be a nightmare for homeowners to try to tackle by themselves, which is why we provide this service.” LDA routinely interfaces with multiple contractors on behalf of their clients. This ensures that the clients’ projects run smoothly, are completed in a timely manner, and that they stay on budget.
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In addition to LDA, Homans, Parker, and associate, Blake Hightower, own and operate Coastal Nights Outdoor Lighting. “We started Coastal Nights to provide an additional service to our Landscape Architecture customers,” says Hightower. “Outdoor lighting is an art, and simplicity is often key. Having landscape architecture backgrounds help us immensely when it comes to designing and installing outdoor lighting projects. We have a thorough understanding of how plants will grow and mature over time. This allows us to create elegant lighting designs that not only look good immediately after we install them, but for years to come as well.”
Outdoor lighting is one of the quickest ways to enhance the curb appeal of any home. The subtle ambiance that can be created through a well-planned lighting design is incredible. “There’s nothing that can add the instant ‘Wow’ factor quite like outdoor lighting can,” says Hightower. “The best part of our job is turning a lighting system on for the first time and seeing our clients’ reactions. It’s typically very rewarding.”
Back to the original question: Do you need a Landscaper or a Landscape Architect? Answer: You may need both, but it’s generally a good idea to start with a Landscape Architect if you want to make significant changes or enhancements. Jeff Homans and the teams at Land Design Associates, Inc. and Coastal Nights Outdoor Lighting, LLC are ready to serve you and make your dreams become a reality.
Contact Land Design Associates, Inc. at 912.571.1137 or via email at landdesignassociates@gmail.com. Visit their website at LandscapeArchitectGA.com. Coastal Nights Outdoor Lighting, LLC can be reached at 912.571.8723 or via email at coastalnightslighting@gmail.com.
