June 19, 2023 4:27 pm
Published by Steve Dana
When thinking about the landscaping for your commercial property, water features will likely come to mind. Whether a Zen-like trickling waterfall, a Koi pond, or a fountain, water features can certainly add an enjoyable ambience to your environment. But is the inclusion of a water feature right for your project? Today, we’re going to talk all the pros and cons to help you decide! Create an Ambience With Water Features Arguably the most compelling reason to invest in this element of a commercial landscape is the impact it can have for your visitors. Water features appeal to various senses, with their visual beauty and delicate sound. They can also thoughtfully contribute to an aesthetic. Take one of our current projects as an example: For the revitalization of a historic courtyard, our clients want to create a New Orleans sort of feel. We’ve recently finished the planning phase, and one of the standout elements we utilized to build the look they desire is a fountain. Designed in the style of an old sugar kettle, the fountain will serve as a central, style-defining feature between two urban buildings. Seating plazas nearby will invite passersby to rest and enjoy the calming sound and […]
April 10, 2023 1:48 pm
Published by Steve Dana
When we think about successful landscape architecture, many qualities are top of mind. From flower arrangements that will remain beautiful throughout the year, to the seating areas that make an environment welcoming to people, to the irrigation that will help it stay safe and eco-friendly, a variety of concerns must be addressed. But one factor that sometimes gets overlooked, particularly in commercial projects like those we specialize in, is structure. By that we mean the pergolas, arbors, trellises, colonnades, and more that can act as extensions of a building and provide a dynamic addition to an otherwise plant life-centric design. Not only do they create that added visual depth, but outdoor structures often inspire people to spend more time in a landscape. Take, for example, a lush garden on your commercial property. Despite the winding paths you’ve incorporated, visitors might not know how much of it is intended for their use. They may be wary of the potential for an unspoken “look don’t touch” rule. However, if you install a pergola with picnic benches and a grill beneath it, the extent to which they are invited to enjoy your landscape architecture becomes clearer. That said, pergolas are certainly not the […]
March 16, 2023 7:58 pm
Published by Steve Dana
If we may, we’d like to take a break from our regularly scheduled landscape architecture-related programming to brag about our dear Pensacola! If you didn’t know, the “Western Gate to the Sunshine State” is Jerry Pate Design’s home base. And we are proud of it! Garden & Gun recently shared an article all about the arts and culture scene here in our hometown, and we can’t resist sharing it. Especially since it includes a photo of the overhead balloon display Foo Foo Fest brought to a streetscape we created. We love the reminder of how intertwined our passionate team is with the landscape of our beloved city. Read all about the opera, children’s chorus, Broadway, and more that are thriving in or on their way to Pensacola: Come for the Coast, Stay for a Show
March 14, 2023 5:53 pm
Published by Steve Dana
To some, grass is grass. But any landscape expert knows that there are quite a few options with different pros and cons for grass cover. Everything from how much shade a location gets to the levels of humidity in a certain climate to the wildlife traversing it—and more—can influence the choice you should make. In the context of commercial landscaping, the expected foot traffic should also play a huge role in this decision. So, today we’re going to share a bit of our own expertise … here are five types of grass you could consider for your commercial landscape. #1 St. Augustine Grass We’re starting with this out of the types of grass because of its beauty! St. Augustine, a warm-season turf grass, also can tolerate a bit more shade than some types of turf, which makes it a popular choice for partly shaded lawns. However, it can be a little more maintenance than some other types, as it can be susceptible to disease and pest pressures. But in the South, that doesn’t tend to be a problem! It also doesn’t necessarily do great with intense foot traffic. But for a patch of grass within a more visual landscape feature, […]
February 10, 2023 6:02 pm
Published by Steve Dana
In the mission to design gorgeous landscapes, the goal of building green spaces that people can enjoy sometimes gets lost. We don’t deny that the plant life and irrigation—often a landscape architect’s first thoughts—are key. But here at Jerry Pate Design, we believe in crafting open-air environments that welcome the people who experience them. We want to invite them to be in nature and find relaxation and inspiration as a result. So, let’s talk about a few of our favorite design ideas to create beloved (because it is the month of love, after all 😉 ) green spaces. #1 Design Ideas for Rest During a people-centric design process, it helps to consider concepts through the lens of the human need. Whether we’re designing a green space in the middle of a shopping center or a winding therapeutic garden outside a hospital, rest is a core need we seek to accommodate. As beloved green spaces go, those with opportunities for a comfortable seat tend to impress. Thus, one of our favorite design ideas for beloved green spaces is to incorporate vignettes that open to a bench. Keep in mind that a bench itself doesn’t make for a good seating area. The […]