roles

When construction-savvy designers join forces with design-sensitive contractors, say Randy and Martha Beard, the results can be spectacularly satisfying. That’s one reason they’ve focused so much of their work at Pure Water Pools on forming alliances with local landscape architects; another is the fact that the give and take with creative people involves them in projects that are a distinctive cut above anyone’s definition of the ordinary.
Both Sides Now
The way we see it, the most successful watershapes take two participants:  a visionary designer who can express the clients' desires, and an accomplished builder who can turn that creative vision into reality. Sometimes, the designer and builder are one and the same person or organization.  In many other instances, however, it is the collaboration of two professionals from opposite ends of a project that makes the difference between a watershape that is simply a watershape - and a watershape that is truly a
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The relationship between watershape design and watershape construction is obviously crucial, observes landscape architect Mike Heacox – but it’s often misunderstood, which means that working out the balances can be crucial to success. Here, he offers a designer’s perspective on the relationship, outlining his views on the dynamic, delicate and potentially awesome partnerships that can develop between the pencil and the backhoe.
Bridging the Design Gap
As a contractor, do you ever wish that you could avoid fussing with clients about design and could instead just get down to the business of building watershapes and getting all the details right?  Do you ever think you're wasting the time you spend on design, because you know your prospects might go with another contractor despite the time you've spent drawing pretty pictures? Not every watershape contractor will answer "yes" to the first question, but I'm sure most of you have at least thought "yes" about the second one.  That's because most contractors I know don't charge for design, at least not directly.  As necessary, you'll hire
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There was a time not long ago when the mere thought of pool builders and landscape designers getting together on equal footing and having meaningful conversations about backyard design would have met with skepticism: There is not, it seems, much love lost between the trades. But times are changing, and if the dialogue begun around a table last August is any indication, there’s a tremendous amount to be gained by keeping the communications channels wide open.
Designing a New Paradigm
There was a time not long ago when the mere thought of pool builders and landscape designers getting together on equal footing and having meaningful conversations about backyard design would have met with skepticism:  There is not, it seems, much love lost between the trades.  But times are changing, and if the dialogue begun around a table last August is any indication, there's a tremendous amount to be gained by keeping the communications channels wide open.
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Defining Roles
Before we dive into discussions of plantings or the various components of landscaping work, I think it's important to define roles and talk about relationships among the trades involved in watershaping projects - in other words, to take a basic look at who does what. We can all save time and money by knowing from the beginning of the job who is going to handle each phase and detail as well as who is qualified, trained or licensed to perform the various tasks needed to get the job done.  Planning this up front might even result in greater profits, and it definitely will make your job easier. I know it's the goal of this magazine to build a greater "watershaping community" where both landscape professionals and those who
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