Independent Landscape Architectural Design Analysis as a Service

[Rico Flor]

Hello all.

A twofold question: I’m curious as to any landscape architect having the experience of analyzing and critiquing a commissioned landscape architectural work made by another firm. Ethics-wise, I think the practice raises eyebrows. Being fellow professionals, we tend to respect the output of another firm as something done in a rigorous, standardized, and honorable manner. Yet this aforementioned task has been lain before me as part of my official to-do lists (yep, I’m a member of the LA in an Engineering Consultancy Group). What is your position on this?

Next question is technical: What is your recommended process flow to analyze a landscape architectural design?

Thanks a million.

[Jojo Navarro]

Hi Rico,
I’ve done a design review of another LA firms work as requested by their Client. This is a common practice and the objective is not only to review but also to have an outsiders view on the project. We also do this internally at EDAW with our Creative Review process where other members outside the project team analyze and critique the design during the different stages of the project.
In reviewing other firms design, you have to know the design brief and this will be your basis in giving an objective review. As you’ve said, there should be respect and in no way that you should attempt to supplant the other firm to obtain work from the client.

[Jeff Thomas]

I think you need to expound on what you are asking here. If you are talking about Project Budget then I’ve been given the task of reviewing and redesigning projects from other firms, but primarily for the purpose of making them work with a reduced project budget, or in some cases the original budget. I have come a cross more than a couple of construction documents that had been over design so that they no longer could be constructed under the clients project budget. You mentioned ethics in professional practice; well to me, this a a major fault in practice if you are putting out work that cant be constructed under the clients budget. This applies both to the largest scale public project to the family backyard design. If you are drawing a lot of spiffy looking color drawings and have no concept of how budget is reflected in them, you are committing fraud. I see a lot of this kind of stuff come through our office. But back to your question.

How do you review work of another, (other than from a budget angle)? If you are asking if it is simply a good design or well designed project, well to be objective we would have to stick with the basis for how the design responds to the criteria,. i.e. Design Guidelines. Beyond that if it accounts for site context, constructability, accessibility, sustainability, and future maintenance.

[Rico Flor]

Hi Jeff.

Good rational points! Thanks.

The crux of the matter is I’ve not even been briefed on what to analyze, other than a very ‘helpful’ directive to “analyze the landscape design of so and so as part of the service to client so and so”, stated with the kind reminder that “the deadline is at the end of the month (2 weeks! And I thought they were just seeking comments?).” Talking to the architect/planner in charge did not help as they could not give me previous methodologies, any existing system….not even a very rational budgetary analysis was brought up. Nonetheless, that could be a facet of design analysis which I could propose as part of the methodology we need to define if we are to pursue this type of service. For raising that, I find your comment very valuable.

Previously, Jojo mentioned the need to secure the client’s project brief which sound very rational. How else would one evaluate an accomplishment without the established goals, anyway? That aspect (which has to be fleshed out further) will also form part of this developing methodology. FYI, no client briefs have been provided for scrutiny.

As to making my query clearer than above, I seek as an “independent examiner” any previous methodology for analyzing the design proposal of another, the reason being that no existing system exists in my current workplace. As for why the service was promised to the client without the consultation of the landscape architects themselves, or the confirmation of the outfit’s track record to do so in the first place, is beyond me and can surely be the subject of another forum.

Beyond the gripe, there is a genuine interest to get this job done. Thus this informal Delphi consultation.

Rest assured, your thoughts will be heard out and considered. Please continue to contribute, and thanks very much for your valuable attention.

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