CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
October 2024
Construction details are a critical element in landscape architecture plan sets because they provide detailed instructions on how all the different elements come together and are constructed. These details ensure landscapes are implemented correctly and true to the vision of the landscape architect. Below are specific construction details relevant to landscape architects:
Planting Construction Details:
• How to plant all the plant material: soil preparation, planting hole and root ball depth, soil mix, mulch, fertilizer, and staking of trees.
• Required setbacks from hardscape surfaces
• General maintenance and cleanup.
Site Grading and Drainage Construction Details:
• Dimensions, slopes, and soil substrate mixes/depths for specified drainage method (i.e. swales, rain gardens, French Drains, dry stream beds). Required compaction (or non-compaction) methods for installation of various materials.
• Trenching methodology
Hardscape Construction Details:
• Pattern layout, size of joints, joint material, and subbase layers for patios, walkways, and driveways.
• Engineering details for retaining walls, water features, pools: including materials, structural reinforcement methods, drainage backfill, waterproofing.
• Material and installation technique for edging.
• Deck construction - details of how joists, stairs, railings, etc. are put together. Are nails going to be visible or not visible? What exactly will railings look like? As well as practical, code driven underpinnings of decks that most people never see.
Irrigation Construction Details:
• How to install the various components of irrigation systems. It specifies what type of piping is used to connect the various valves, heads, and auxiliary components. In a diagram it shows how controllers should be mounted.
• A diagram depicting how irrigation pipe trenches should be dug (dimension of trench, distance from other utilities, free of debris)
• Any special conditions that may be present on the site requiring specialized installation practices.
 |