Designing and implementing a regenerative landscape is a core concept for The stone ville. Our goal is to improve the health of the local soil and ecosystem through the design and execution of landscapes that delight and inspire. We strive to provide benefits such as increased biodiversity and water filtration along with improved pollinator habitat. However, creating these landscapes can be complex, as it requires careful consideration of factors such as native plant selection, tillage practices, and minimal disturbance to the existing environment.
Challenges of collaborative construction
Access and Planning – Minimizing the impact on the land during construction requires careful planning for access, planning and resource management. Coordination with all contractors in advance to establish vehicle access routes, parking areas, and material placement locations will help limit unnecessary disturbance to the natural environment. This may sometimes be inconvenient for contractors and customers, but it is necessary to protect the ground from compaction and damage.
Project management – Additionally, a central point of contact, such as a project manager, is critical to a smooth workflow. This designated person ensures clear communication and contractor collaboration, fosters a seamless transition, and avoids scheduling conflicts between trade professionals. With the cooperation and thorough planning of these aspects, construction can proceed effectively while respecting the integrity of the surrounding landscape. Your project manager must have a detailed understanding of the design intent, the nuances of the project, the client’s goals, and the contractor’s needs. Their work requires participation from the beginning to the end of project development.
Respect for Industry and Contractor Alignment – When it comes to landscape restoration projects, the goal is to work in sync with natural systems while understanding the specifics of the project site. This requires respecting the often misunderstood industry while being in tune with the prime contractor and their unique subcontractors. Collaboration is critical, especially when working with those unfamiliar with these practices. Starting with clients, we as designers, project managers and main contractors want to ensure that they are briefed on all participants in the construction process. This includes sharing plans, job titles and scopes, and chain of command details. A surefire way to undermine a project is to put too many cooks in the kitchen, creating a common restaurant adage. Clearly define the decision-making strategy both internally and externally. Avoid making changes without the approval of the project manager and/or designer in case of an emergency.
Bridging the Gap Between Traditional and Regenerative Practices – Aligning the often-quick conventional construction methods with the more nuanced approach of regenerative landscaping can be challenging. However, employer and contractor training can significantly reduce these challenges. By fostering a spirit of collaboration, explaining restorative principles, and clearly articulating how decisions are made, project managers can empower contractors to embrace new techniques while keeping clients’ trust in their team. This approach ensures successful project outcomes and paves the way for a future where respect for industry and regenerative practices go hand in hand.
Specific challenges for regenerative practices
Scheduling and Change Orders – Due to the dynamic nature of all projects, surprises may arise. Unexpected discoveries during construction, such as hidden underground features (such as ledges or stumps) or fluctuations in the availability of native plants and materials, may require on-the-fly adjustments. Open communication with customers throughout the process is critical. By keeping them aware of potential changes and the rationale behind them, project managers can manage expectations and minimize the need for disruptive change orders. Respecting the customer’s decision-making process is very important. Rushing through adjustments to meet unrealistic deadlines can jeopardize the integrity of the project. Instead, encouraging an environment where all parties have a voice ensures that the project moves smoothly, with the client feeling engaged and the revitalizing vision intact.
Unforeseen Conditions and Construction Creep – our team acknowledges that surprises are inevitable during construction, and even minor additions, often called “construction creep,” can snowball and budget and affect the timeline. To combat this, we take a proactive approach that strives to minimize construction creep through careful advance planning and clear communication with the client at the start of the project. This can mean that it takes longer to complete a design or finalize a project contract, but it also limits change orders and unforeseen budget additions. This proactive approach ensures that all parties are aware of potential challenges prior to construction and are prepared to address them effectively, allowing the project to stay on track and within budget.
The solutions and approach of our stone ville
At The stoneville, we tackle the inherent complexities of regenerating landscapes with detailed site assessments to uncover hidden surprises before construction begins. Early communication with customers about potential changes due to factors such as site discoveries or plant availability helps manage expectations and minimizes the need for disruptive change orders. To bridge the knowledge gap, they hold joint planning sessions with contractors to foster a spirit of training and ensure everyone is aligned with the revitalization goals of the project. Finally, they develop contingency plans for unforeseen circumstances, which allow for flexible adjustments without compromising the project’s vision or budget. Through this holistic approach, we strive to create beautiful and restorative landscapes while respecting the land and overcoming the inevitable challenges that arise.
Woodland & Ledge – There is a challenge in developing a landscape that requires a significant change in the pre-existing landscape environment. In this project, we were faced with a new house that was located in a rural young forest of mainly ledges, sandy soil and slopes to a wetland system. Nothing about the soil in this system can support lawns, gardens or even pastures. So, while the client wanted a native, regenerative landscape, working soil is needed to support this desire. The plantings are simple and primarily native, so a major part of the work was developing healthy soil to support the new plantings. We used organic matter, biochar, nutrients, and bioinoculants to jump-start the biology necessary to create an environment that would host the desired native plants. To fill out the landscape, we planted a diverse palette of potted and plug-sized potted and potted plants. We added drip irrigation to provide the hydration needed. The project was planted in a hot, dry July in Massachusetts and was a success from day one. Focusing on soil development and proper hydration gave the plants what they needed to survive out of the gate.
Sangville recognizes that while design is the foundation of a beautiful landscape, transparent collaboration and systematic implementation practices are the cornerstones of successful regenerative landscapes. By communicating openly with clients about how their project will be built, how the process will unfold, and potential challenges ahead, we set reasonable expectations for timelines and budgets. By respectfully working alongside all contractors, we can effectively guide the development of the project while ensuring that we can deal with unforeseen circumstances in a professional manner. This commitment to collaboration fosters the ethos of education and empowers everyone involved to achieve the best possible outcome within a reasonable time frame. If you live in our Massachusetts service area and are interested in creating a living space on your property, The stone ville offers a free consultation to discuss your goals and possibilities. If you want more details on project design and development, get your copy of STOP Landscaping, START Life-Scaping today. You can also download their guide to regenerative gardening best practices to learn more about this innovative approach to landscape design and how it can help mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. Let’s work together to build a healthier future, a revitalizing vision every time.
