January 16, 2023 4:50 am
Published by Steve Dana
When one thinks about a beautiful commercial landscape, the first thing that comes to mind is probably plant life. But how about the winding path? Hardscape materials are a core component to any intentionally designed outdoor environment. The good thing is that there are many fantastic options nowadays, with different pros and cons to consider. Keep reading to explore with us how to choose the right hardscape materials for your commercial landscape! Concrete for Commercial Landscaping We know this might not seem like the most glamorous or desirable choice up front, but concrete has its role. First of all, it’s possibly the least pricey of the bunch. Second, it’s durable. When it comes to high-traffic areas that will be utilized by many visitors, the economical, practical option often proves smart. But concrete can also be a good design choice for your commercial landscape. Unlike some other hardscape materials, it can be customized, in a way. Play around with stains and pigments to craft a unique look signature to your property. Permeable Pavers For those who live in wet, tropical-type climates, permeable pavers might be the reigning (or raining 😉 ) champ! Because they are more porous, they allow water to […]
October 17, 2022 8:30 pm
Published by Steve Dana
When we think about landscape maintenance, the easiest advice is quite simple: hire or keep on retainer a professional team. But maybe you’re wondering exactly why that is necessary. Maybe you have a passion for the outdoors and think you might like to handle it yourself or have a young family member in need of a job to take it on. While those seem like great ideas, there are many reasons having a pro involved pays off. So, let’s talk about the details of what a firm like ours does. Here’s how to maintain your commercial landscape architecture! Shaping Upkeep One of the main reasons an experienced expert with an eye for design is helpful is shaping. You’ve had gorgeous landscape architecture designed for your business or organization. The last thing you want is to see grass growing over decorative pavers or shrubs looking lopsided. No matter how skilled someone is at trimming and tidying, the shaping part of it is somewhat artistic. We spend time contemplating how many millimeters away from a walkway grass should start. You might feel these details can’t matter much. But trust us, when it isn’t right, the eye picks up on it—even if […]
September 15, 2022 1:26 pm
Published by Steve Dana
When you seek to design landscape architecture for your business or community space, one goal is overarching. You want it to be a place that people enjoy. Time spent in nature is great for our well-being, and when you provide an opportunity for that, people appreciate it. People-friendly green spaces also invite respite that can support better interactions with your organization. For example, a tired mom who is running errands with the kiddos might be ready to make more stops in your shopping district after she gets a break with her coffee while the kids run around. The family of a sick patient might feel comforted and encouraged after spending some time in the hospital’s outdoor space. The value of designing green spaces for people to enjoy is clear. But how do you do that? Well, here are four tips to create a landscape people want to spend time in. #1 Make Shade Available in Your Landscape Design There are many benefits to planting ample trees in your landscape architecture. But as tips to create a landscape people want to spend time in go, this is a big one. Why? Because of shade! Whether you live in a super sunny, […]
August 15, 2022 2:06 pm
Published by Steve Dana
For much of human history, time was spent predominantly outdoors. In the beginning, we mostly lived outside—in the woods, the fields, the open expanses. And even in decades as recent as the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, we spent ample time exploring in the open air. But with the advent of so much incredible technology within the home, we have experienced a shift in how we spend our time, both in childhood and beyond. Now, there are literally endless options for things to do in the palms of our hands. We find avenues of play on iPads in toddlerhood. Schoolwork is made possible by Google. Our work life demands that we stay very much glued to our screens. The conversations that connect us with friends and family are so often centered on the shows we’re all watching. We live, undeniably, in quite a novel age. But all this technology keeps us indoors, away from nature. And we should still prioritize nature where we can. Because our mind and body crave it. Without it, a sense of disconnectedness and loss sets in. It’s called Nature-Deficit Disorder. What Is Nature-Deficit Disorder? In 2005, Richard Louv introduced the concept and coined the term in […]
July 18, 2022 4:35 pm
Published by Steve Dana
There are many goals for an ideal landscape. First, you certainly want it to be aesthetically pleasing. Second, you need to ensure it is enjoyable for people to use, or at the very least, safe for them to navigate. Next, you may want to design it to be easy to maintain. You could also craft a landscape that makes the best use of natural resources like water. But lastly, and often overlooked, you should design a landscape that can better combat air pollution. Altogether, it’s a tall order. That’s why we have become experts at executing just such ideal landscape architecture for our clients here at Jerry Pate Design. But today, we’re going to break it down and help you to explore the final of those goals. Here is how landscape architecture can better combat air pollution. You Can Combat Air Pollution by Being Thoughtful About Plant and Tree Selection Mother Nature herself can’t always decide precisely which plants and trees will go where. One wishes she could, because certain plant varieties can have an immense impact on clearing air pollution. You can help by doing this for her! Plants and trees purify the air by both removing pollutants and […]