Areas We Serve:

Clement Walsh Landscape Architect Inc. would like to add you and/or your company to their website on our partner online directory. We are looking for Vendors, Architects, Arborists, and Engineers to create a directory and reference. If you are interested in having your company details added to this directory, please complete the form below to indicate your interest. 

Follow along as we renovate a 1905 barn and make it our home office! This building was originally located off Dollar Street in West Linn, Oregon, and was torn down, moved, and rebuilt on an Old Willamette property in the 1980s. It is still designated as a Historic property today.

Being an environmentally aware landscape architectural firm, we promote sustainable development, green infrastructure, sustainable urban development, the application of ecological design, the improvement of water management, the increase of energy efficiency and the use of low impact materials.

Specifically, our landscape designs promote and incorporate into their specifications the following sustainable practices:

Preservation: We strive to preserve and protect valuable on-site features, such as mature trees, during our landscape design process. Preserving mature trees enhances air quality, supports wildlife, reduces erosion, regulates temperature, and adds both aesthetic and economic value. 

Reuse or Reclaim On-Site Materials: During our initial site analysis, we conduct a thorough inventory of all existing materials and features to identify opportunities for reuse in the new design. For example, a large tree slated for removal may be repurposed into seating or milled into planks for raised garden beds. Similarly, boulders and stones unearthed during excavation can be transformed into garden accents or borders. 

Native Plants: We encourage the use of native plants wherever possible, as they are well-suited to the Pacific Northwest’s climate and conditions. Native plants require less water and upkeep, promote biodiversity, support local wildlife, and contribute to sustainable, beautiful landscapes that thrive naturally. 

Replace Conventional Lawn with Ecological Alternatives: Traditional lawns can be high-maintenance, requiring weekly mowing and regular fertilization, which can strain both your resources and the environment. To reduce this impact, we recommend replacing portions of your lawn with wildflower mixes, no-mow grasses, or herbaceous groundcovers such as dwarf thyme and chamomile. 

Strategic Irrigation Plans: We design planting plans by grouping plants with similar water needs together, which informs an efficient irrigation system. This approach creates water-use zones within the landscape, optimizing irrigation by ensuring each zone receives the appropriate amount of water without waste. 

Local Stone: For a low-carbon footprint landscape, we partner with stone vendors to source high-quality local stone. By using locally sourced materials, you reduce transportation emissions while adding lasting beauty and functionality to your design through natural pathways, walls, and garden features. 

Stormwater Management: With all the rain we get in the Pacific Northwest, managing stormwater is essential! We design landscapes that use rain gardens, swales, and dry stream beds to capture and filter runoff, reducing erosion and protecting waterways while adding natural beauty. 

Drought-Tolerant Plants: If you want to reduce your water bill, we design drought-tolerant gardens using resilient plants and efficient irrigation systems. These sustainable landscapes conserve water, require less maintenance, and stay beautiful even during dry spells, helping you save resources while protecting the environment

Local sourced and locally reclaimed: Incorporating locally sourced and reclaimed products is a fantastic way to create an environmentally responsible landscape. For example, reclaimed bricks can be used for pathways and reclaimed wood from old barns for raised beds. The natural patina on reclaimed products can give a landscape an established and enduring appearance

Fire Safe Designs: Many components go into creating a fire safe landscape including plant selection (fire resistant plants and appropriate spacing to minimize spread), mulch selection (use of non-flammable mulch materials), pathway material, and ongoing maintenance techniques (regular pruning, removal of dead plants and clearing of debris).

Reducing Carbon Footprint: Healthy soil is a key component to addressing climate change and keeping carbon out of the atmosphere. Erosion protection, minimizing site grading and tillage, use of organic amendments, minimizing chemicals and fertilizers, avoiding disturbance and keeping leaves in the yard to decompose are all positive approaches to enhance soil health and thus reduce carbon footprint.

Designing large, dense planting beds is another way to reduce carbon as plants draw CO2 from the atmosphere.

Since concrete is the largest source of carbon emissions in many landscape projects, our firm specifies natural materials and minimizes the square footage of concrete when appropriate.

Landscape Lighting: When designing our landscape lighting plans, we choose fixtures that are shielded with directional lighting to minimize light pollution and create less impact on wildlife. Using motion sensors when applicable also reduces light and energy consumption.

1. What is the difference between a Landscape Architect and a Landscape Designer?

A Landscape Architect will have greater technical knowledge and experience in plant and structural design, while a Landscape Designer will focus more on aesthetics, plant selection and layout design. A Landscape Architect requires more education and licensing. They often undergo intense training in design principles, site planning, ecology, horticulture, and construction. 

The scope of work for landscape architects and designers varies as well. Landscape architects are licensed professionals who can engage in a broad range of projects including large-scale planning, urban design, public spaces, parks, city planning, and other work that involves complex engineering and environmental concerns. Landscape designers often focus on smaller-scale projects such as residential gardens, outdoor living spaces and smaller construction projects. 

2. What can I expect throughout your design process?

Our project approach involves meeting with our clients and having a detailed conversation regarding scope of work, schedules, client expectations/deliverables and ongoing progress updates of the varying design phases such as (1) Schematic Design (2) Design Development (3) Construction Documentation and (4) Construction Administration and Observation. Please visit our Services Page to learn more.

3. Can you supply all sub-contractors after the design is complete?

We have a thorough list of trusted contractors that we can provide to you after our design. We always recommend getting multiple bids to ensure you are getting a fair price and are happy with their proposal.

4. On average, how long does it take to have plans designed for my home?

Timing depends entirely on scope of work, but on average it takes a couple months to deliver plans to our clients.

5. I want my yard to be eco-friendly/green landscape. Is this something you can provide?

Yes, we are an environmentally conscious landscape architectural firm that routinely integrates sustainable practices into our designs. We promote sustainable development, green infrastructure, sustainable urban development, the application of ecological design, the improvement of water management, the increase of energy efficiency and the use of low impact materials.

6. Can you provide after care advice once the project is complete?

Yes, we are happy to assist you in after care advice or any follow up plans needed once your project is complete. We now offer a Garden Maintenance service which will provide you with maintenance punch lists, maintenance services and possible enhancement opportunities. Visit our Residential Garden Services page to learn more.

7. What areas do you service?

Clement Walsh is licensed in the states of Oregon and Washington.

8. Do you design both residential and commercial landscapes?

Yes! We have extensive experience in both residential and commercial spaces. Visit our portfolio page to see a selection of our work in both categories