Renovating landscapes deserves some thought. ‘Old’ doesn’t mean ‘useless’. John Gabriele wants us to consider the value of old or used materials before automatically discarding them.
Everything has a finite life and that includes landscape installations which, by their very nature. are dynamic and under constant change due to the growth of plant material within them and the ongoing impact of time and climatic influences.
Landscapes and gardens are designed to engage users to interact with the landscape and its components and provide a sense of connection with nature that helps to shape and reshape our lives. While urban landscapes have become an instrumental part of modern-day living, there are those installations that have suffered over the course of time and no longer meet the functionality of the original design intent or reflect the modern narrative. Those landscape installations that are 20 years or 30 years old are now requiring complete overhaul. They need the replacement of all components to bring them into line with modern urban design, or renovation to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
Whether it’s an urban residential landscape or a utility landscape for public use, many older installations will at some stage require renovation to repair damaged hardscape components and remove certain components, including plant material, to allow for inclusion of more useable space. They may need a style change to meet modern lifestyle expectations.
Taking stock
Unfortunately, with the popularity of home renovation programs, there is a common belief that an old landscape should be ripped up holus-bolus and a completely new installation established.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
As with any approach to redesigning a space, a systematic method is required.
There are some basic steps to work through when dealing with a mature landscape before ripping up old paving or turning the first sod on a new planting. A complete site assessment should be the first step in the redesign process. Essential starting points for good design go beyond the simple application and compliance with development controls. We need to analyse existing features of the site and look for interdependencies, opportunities, and constraints, as these will assist in the design of the new space. The aim of the site analysis is to ensure the renovation recognises, conserves, and enhances the characteristics that give places a valued identity and create a high-quality and distinctive landscape.
The typical considerations of a site analysis include:
• Aspect – determine the sun’s path and where shadows are cast throughout the day and over the year
• Wind – what is the dominant direction and where are the exposed areas of the site?
• Soil – what soil type is the landscape developed on? This will greatly influence any additional plant selection
• Topography – does the site have significant rises and falls? This can influence drainage
• Functional zones – are there zones within the landscape that serve a specific function: entertainment areas, play zones, water features?
• Views – are there existing views to be retained or views that require screening?
• Microclimate – what are the attributes of the space that differ from the surrounding areas climatic conditions? And,
• Existing features – what hardscape features are currently in play? For instance, paving, retaining walls, pergolas, fencing, water features, decks, firepits, buildings and other structures.
SWOT analysis
A landscape SWOT analysis should follow on from the site analysis to assist in determining which aspects of the site may be retained and those features that may require removal or modification. It will assist in setting the objectives of the scope of works to be undertaken. Examples of what could be considered in a landscape SWOT analysis follow.
Strengths:
• Mature tree provides protection to existing understorey planting, summer shade and winter sun (deciduous trees) to property north side
• Soil pH and texture class provides for a wide selection of plants to be cultivated, and
• Surrounding buildings provide wind protection.
Weaknesses:
• Poor drainage on south-east corner of site from compacted soil.
Opportunities:
• Sloping topography provides for good surface water run-off
• Maximise level changes and incorporate steps and retaining walls.
Threats:
• Loss of privacy to entertainment space from overlooking buildings
• Neighbouring vegetation restricting direct light to garden beds.
A well-defined SWOT analysis of any site will assist in identifying the strengths of the site, such as unique features, understanding the weaknesses which may include lack of features, poor quality, lack of structural integrity, or other disadvantages. By assessing these factors, landscapers can develop a comprehensive understanding of what is necessary for the successful renovation of the site.
Everything old is new again
The beauty of working with an established landscape is that there will inevitably be some mature plants that form the basic structure of the planting as a focal point and provide an opportunity for a change in design to utilise the structure and framework that mature plants provide. Removal of mature plants from a landscape, particularly residential landscapes, can be a costly mistake. It is estimated that the removal of mature plantings can reduce the value of a property by up to 10 per cent, and in some instances even higher. Bear in mind that not all landscapes will contain plant material that is worthy of retention and there will be instances where replacement with more appropriate species is warranted.
Hence the importance of a detailed SWOT analysis.
Retaining plant material in an existing landscape may cause some inconvenience to other stages of construction. Plant protection zones may be required to prevent mechanical damage to established tree trunks and root zones and machinery and equipment access may be compromised to some degree and require reconfiguration to allow for the construction to proceed with minimal disruption to efficiency.
Apart from the obvious materials that have long been used in landscapes, from recycled materials such as timbers, masonry and aggregates, there are many other options for material reuse that won’t necessarily give the impression of being old or second hand, which is a common criticism of reused or recycled products. Many products that have been recycled or repurposed may not even form part of the visual landscape to a great extent. This is evident when it comes to growing media substrates derived from recycled materials, some of which may be retained from the original site. Significant cost savings can be achieved through retaining loose materials and reusing them. It may require some modification to meet required standards, but the savings are more than just monetary: it is demonstrative of good environmental stewardship.
The upside
The benefits of retaining existing materials within a landscape avoids the costs associated with demolition, transportation, and disposal of materials to landfill. Masonry components in landscapes are a case in point. They can be acid washed or cleaned with high pressure water to breathe new life into them with little effort, thereby extending their life in an existing installation.
Materials used in landscapes are often seen as having a linear lifecycle, ie: they are produced from virgin materials and have a useable life expectancy. They move through the lifecycle once and then are disposed of.
If we look at materials differently in terms of their lifecycle being circular rather than linear, materials can be reused, recycled, or repurposed. This paradigm shift in thinking results in a more sustained approach to business practices.
Opportunity also exists for the reclamation and reuse of site materials within any size construction site with thoughtful planning prior to site excavation and demolition activities. Effective incorporation of reused, recycled, or repurposed materials in landscapes requires considered planning and an integrated approach to landscape design. Collaboration is needed between designers, suppliers, and construction contractors to encourage adaptive resource management across all sectors of the landscape construction industry.
The use of recycled, reused, and repurposed materials in construction is setting the standard for more sustainable ecological landscape design. The time is right to consider the option to renovate, not detonate.
Stay in touch with John Gabriele at landscapecontractor.com.au.
