Landscape Architecture Documentation Standards Page: i
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page: v
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Page: vii
SECTION 1 Establishing the Foundation Page: 1
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Page: 3
BACKGROUND Page: 3
Landscape Architects as Interdisciplinary Leaders Page: 3
ELEVATING AND UPGRADING DESIGN AND DOCUMENTATION PRACTICES Page: 3
Young and Evolving Page: 4
A Diverse Profession Page: 4
Wide-Ranging Quality Levels Page: 4
PURPOSE OF THE BOOK Page: 4
INTENT OF THE GUIDELINES Page: 5
OBJECTIVES Page: 5
Orientation Page: 5
Project Management Page: 5
Quality Management Page: 5
High-Quality Built Projects Page: 6
Reduced Liability Page: 6
HOW TO USE THE BOOK Page: 6
Potential Applications Page: 6
Organizing a Complete Set of Landscape Architecture Documents Page: 6
Preparing a Project Work Scope and Associated Fee Page: 7
Establishing Content for Individual Documents Page: 7
Establishing Graphics for Individual Documents Page: 8
Conducting Design Reviews Page: 8
Conducting Quality Assurance Reviews Page: 8
Conducting Interdisciplinary Coordination Page: 8
Literature Review—Defining the Need Page: 8
Chapter 2 DOCUMENTATION PRINCIPLES Page: 10
ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPLES Page: 10
Design and Documentation Synergies Page: 10
Relationships between Documentation Quality and Implementation Quality Page: 11
Documentation Phases, Distinct Purposes Page: 12
Cumulatively Dependent Documentation: Thresholds and Critical Path Sequences Page: 14
Interdisciplinary Alignment Page: 15
Working in Context Page: 16
Chapter 3 OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES Page: 18
EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE: SUBJECT ELEMENTS AND REFERENCE ELEMENTS Page: 18
Singular Purpose Page: 18
Hierarchy Page: 18
Subject Element Details Page: 18
Subject Element Plan Sheets Page: 19
REDUNDANCY IS NOT A VIRTUE: SAY IT ONCE, IN ONE LOCATION Page: 19
Redundancy in Specifications Page: 20
DRAWINGS ARE GENERIC, SPECIFICATIONS ARE SPECIFIC Page: 21
THREE-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN AND DOCUMENTATION—NOTHING TO HIDE Page: 21
COMPOSITE DOCUMENTATION—DEFINING KEY RELATIONSHIPS Page: 22
TELL THE MOST WITH THE LEAST GRAPHIC INFORMATION Page: 23
INTERDISCIPLINARY COORDINATION—EARLY AND OFTEN Page: 25
CROSS-REFERENCING CAUTIONS: A METHOD TO THE MADNESS Page: 26
On Drawings Page: 26
Within Specifications Page: 27
TWO OBJECTS CANNOT OCCUPY THE SAME PLACE: INTERFERENCE CHECKING Page: 27
Plan Interference Checking Page: 27
Three-Dimensional Interference Checking Page: 28
ARRIVING AT RESOLUTION Page: 28
SECTION 2 Phases Overview Page: 29
Chapter 4 PRE-DESIGN: ESTABLISHING THE PARAMETERS Page: 30
PURPOSE Page: 30
DOCUMENTATION CHARACTERIZATION Page: 30
Objective (Impartial) Page: 30
Inquiring Page: 31
Exploratory Page: 31
PRE-DESIGN COMPONENTS Page: 31
Key Coordination Needs Page: 32
Typical Pre-Design Coordination Needs (Partial List) Page: 32
Chapter 5 CONCEPT DESIGN: DEVELOPING THE FRAMEWORK Page: 34
PURPOSE Page: 34
DOCUMENTATION CHARACTERIZATION Page: 34
CONCEPT DESIGN COMPONENTS Page: 34
KEY COORDINATION NEEDS Page: 35
TYPICAL CONCEPT DESIGN COORDINATION NEEDS (PARTIAL LIST) Page: 35
Chapter 6 SCHEMATIC DESIGN: ESTABLISHING CONTENT Page: 36
PURPOSE Page: 36
DOCUMENTATION CHARACTERIZATION Page: 36
Measurable Page: 36
Aligned Page: 37
On Message Page: 37
Emotive Page: 37
SCHEMATIC DESIGN COMPONENTS Page: 38
KEY COORDINATION NEEDS Page: 39
TYPICAL SCHEMATIC DESIGN COORDINATION NEEDS (PARTIAL LIST) Page: 39
Chapter 7 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT—DESIGN SOLUTIONS Page: 40
PURPOSE Page: 40
Key Issues Page: 40
KEY DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT PHASES Page: 41
DOCUMENTATION CHARACTERIZATION Page: 42
Explicit Page: 42
Amalgamated Page: 42
Transitional Page: 42
Design Development Best Practices Page: 42
Organizational Discipline Page: 43
DOCUMENT SET MOCK-UP Page: 44
Three-Dimensional Emphasis Page: 46
Decision-Making Accountability Page: 47
The DD-CD Continuum Page: 47
Design to Budget Page: 48
Assuring Design and Documentation Quality Page: 49
DOCUMENT REVIEW PROCESS Page: 50
Planning Page: 50
Reviewing Page: 51
Responding Page: 51
KEY COORDINATION NEEDS Page: 52
Typical Design Development Coordination Needs (Partial List) Page: 52
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT COMPONENTS Page: 53
Chapter 8 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION—THE IMPLEMENTATION CONTRACT Page: 55
PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW Page: 55
Defining the Documents Page: 55
Purpose and Intent Page: 55
Common Shortcomings Page: 56
DOCUMENTATION CHARACTERIZATION Page: 57
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION BEST PRACTICES Page: 58
Best Practice: Standardized Formatting Page: 58
AIA CAD LAYER GUIDELINES Page: 59
BEST PRACTICE: CONFORMANCE REVIEW Page: 59
BEST PRACTICE: FORMALIZED DRAWING–SPECIFICATION COORDINATION Page: 60
BEST PRACTICE: GRAPHIC DILIGENCE Page: 62
Graphic Rules of Thumb for Design Development and Construction Documentation Page: 62
Construction Documentation Components Page: 63
SECTION 3 Guidelines and Best Practices Page: 65
Chapter 9 KEY DOCUMENTATION PRACTICES Page: 66
DIGITAL ORGANIZATION Page: 66
Folder Structure Page: 66
File-Naming Conventions Page: 68
Layer Naming and Organization Page: 68
Labeling Page: 69
Plotting and Plot Styles Page: 70
COMPOSITION OF A DOCUMENT SET Page: 70
Presentation Logic Page: 71
Construction Sequence Page: 72
Mock-Ups Page: 72
Numbering Protocols Page: 72
Unused Series Page: 72
Sheet Series Page: 73
Small Projects—DD/CD Page: 73
Large Projects—DD/CD Page: 73
Additional Drawings That May Be Required Page: 74
Subconsultant Drawings Page: 74
Supplemental (Resource) Documents Page: 75
Landscape Architect as Subconsultant Page: 75
KEYNOTE SYSTEM—THE BACKBONE OF THE DOCUMENTS Page: 75
Site Detail Keynotes Page: 75
Site Reference Notes Page: 77
GRAPHIC SYMBOL SYSTEM Page: 80
Graphic Symbols Page: 80
Linetype Symbols Page: 81
DRAWING AND SPECIFICATION RELATIONSHIPS Page: 82
Drawings Page: 82
Specifications Page: 82
Specifications: Principles and Practices Page: 83
Basic Organization of the Contract Documents Page: 83
Divisions Page: 84
Best Practices Page: 85
Preparing Specification Sections Page: 86
Producing a Project Manual Page: 86
Methods of Specifying Page: 86
Specification Language Page: 87
Chapter 10 PRELIMINARY DESIGN Page: 93
PREREQUISITES FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN Page: 93
What Are the Components? Page: 93
PRE-DESIGN Page: 94
Client Work Session Page: 94
Internal Project Strategic Kick-Off Meeting (SKO) Page: 97
Coordination and Collaboration Process with Project Team Page: 98
Inventory and Data Collection Page: 99
Project Performance Metrics Page: 99
Best Practices Page: 100
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN Page: 102
Analysis and Evaluation of Baseline Information Page: 102
Project Program Page: 106
Design Intent Page: 109
Principles and Typological Precedents Page: 110
Environmental Analysis Framework Page: 113
Community Analysis Framework Page: 113
Economic Analysis Framework Page: 114
Art Analysis Framework Page: 114
Framework and Parti Diagrams Page: 114
Concept Formation Page: 116
Design Studies Page: 116
Character Imagery Page: 118
Preparation of Perspective Renderings and Other Illustrative Drawings Page: 120
Design Models Page: 120
Construction Budget/Cost Model Page: 123
Phasing Page: 124
SCHEMATIC DESIGN Page: 126
Introduction Page: 126
Cover Sheet—Schematic Design Page: 127
Graphic Recommendations Page: 128
Schematic Design Table of Contents Page: 130
Site Survey/Existing Conditions Plan Page: 132
Graphic Requirements Page: 133
Context Framework Page: 135
Sustainable Design Page: 138
Example of Sustainable Design Process Page: 139
Illustrative Site Plan Page: 140
Graphic Recommendations Page: 141
Site Protection and Removal Plan Page: 143
Site Materials Plan Page: 146
Site Lighting Plan Page: 149
Site Furnishings Plan Page: 153
Materials Palette Page: 156
Site Grading and Drainage Plan Page: 165
Tree Planting Plan Page: 168
Shrub and Groundcover Planting Plan Page: 172
Planting Palette Page: 176
ILLUSTRATIVE VISUALIZATIONS Page: 181
Perspective Renderings Page: 181
Illustrative Sections and Elevations Page: 184
Sketch Details Page: 186
Preliminary Project Descriptions Page: 191
Site Cost Model/Construction Budget/Estimate of Probable Construction Costs Pre-Design, SD, DD, and Page: 198
Chapter 11 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS Page: 202
Purpose Page: 202
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT TITLE BLOCK Page: 203
Landscape Architect’s Standard Title Block Page: 203
DESIGN DEVELOPMENTCOVER SHEET Page: 206
Objective Page: 206
General Requirements Page: 206
Specific Requirements Page: 206
Graphic Requirements Page: 211
Best Practices Page: 211
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION COVER SHEET Page: 215
Objective Page: 215
General Requirements Page: 215
Specific Requirements Page: 215
Graphic Requirements Page: 217
Best Practices Page: 217
GENERAL SHEETS: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SITE REFERENCE PLANS Page: 220
Objective Page: 220
General Requirements Page: 220
Specific Requirements Page: 220
Graphic Requirements Page: 221
Best Practices Page: 222
GENERAL SHEETS: CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION SITE REFERENCE PLANS Page: 225
Objective Page: 225
General Requirements Page: 225
Specific Requirements Page: 225
Graphic Requirements Page: 225
Best Practices Page: 225
GENERAL SHEETS: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT KEY PLAN Page: 228
Objective Page: 228
General Requirements Page: 228
Specific Requirements Page: 228
Graphic Requirements Page: 229
Best Practices Page: 230
GENERAL SHEETS: CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION KEY PLAN Page: 233
Objective Page: 233
General Requirements Page: 233
Specific Requirements Page: 233
Graphic Requirements Page: 233
Best Practices Page: 233
GENERAL SHEETS: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT GENERAL INFORMATION SHEET Page: 236
Objective Page: 236
General Requirements Page: 236
Charts and Lists Page: 240
Keynotes Page: 240
Graphic Requirements for General Notes Page: 241
Best Practices Page: 243
GENERAL SHEETS: CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS GENERAL INFORMATION SHEET Page: 246
Objective Page: 246
General Requirements Page: 246
Specific Requirements Page: 246
Graphic Requirements Page: 246
Best Practices Page: 246
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PLANT PROTECTION AND REMOVAL PLAN Page: 249
Objective Page: 249
General Requirements Page: 249
Specific Requirements Page: 251
Special Conditions Requirements Page: 253
Best Practices Page: 254
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION PLANT PROTECTION AND REMOVAL PLAN Page: 258
Objective Page: 258
General Requirements Page: 258
Specific Requirements Page: 258
Special Conditions Requirements Page: 258
Graphic Requirements Page: 259
Best Practices Page: 259
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SITE DEMOLITION PLAN Page: 262
Objective Page: 262
General Requirements Page: 262
Specific Requirements Page: 262
Graphic Requirements Page: 263
Best Practices Page: 265
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION SITE DEMOLITION PLAN Page: 269
Objective Page: 269
General Requirements Page: 269
Specific Requirements Page: 269
Graphic Requirements Page: 269
Best Practices Page: 269
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SITE MATERIALS PLAN Page: 271
Objective Page: 271
General Requirements Page: 271
Specific Requirements Page: 272
Graphic Requirements Page: 273
Best Practices Page: 276
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION SITE MATERIALS PLAN Page: 279
Objective Page: 279
General Requirements Page: 279
Specific Requirements Page: 279
Graphic Requirements Page: 279
Best Practices Page: 279
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SITE LAYOUT PLAN Page: 281
Objective Page: 281
General Requirements Page: 281
Specific Requirements Page: 282
Graphic Requirements Page: 293
Best Practices Page: 295
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION SITE LAYOUT PLAN Page: 298
Objective Page: 298
General Requirements Page: 298
Specific Requirements Page: 298
Graphic Requirements Page: 300
Best Practices Page: 300
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SITE GRADING AND DRAINAGE PLAN Page: 304
Objective Page: 304
General Requirements Page: 304
Specific Requirements Page: 305
Graphic Requirements Page: 312
Best Practices Page: 313
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION SITE GRADING AND DRAINAGE PLAN Page: 321
Objective Page: 321
General Requirements Page: 321
Specific Requirements Page: 321
Graphic Requirements Page: 324
Best Practices Page: 324
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SITE LIGHTING PLAN Page: 326
Objective Page: 326
General Requirements Page: 326
Specific Requirements Page: 326
Graphic Requirements Page: 328
Best Practices Page: 329
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION SITE LIGHTING PLAN Page: 333
Objective Page: 333
General Requirements Page: 333
Specific Requirements Page: 333
Graphic Requirements Page: 333
Best Practices Page: 333
SITE DETAILS: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT COMPOSITE REFERENCE SECTIONS Page: 336
Objective Page: 336
General Requirements Page: 336
Specific Requirements Page: 336
Graphic Requirements Page: 337
Best Practices Page: 337
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION COMPOSITE REFERENCE SECTIONS Page: 340
Objective Page: 340
General Requirements Page: 340
Specific Requirements Page: 340
Graphic Requirements Page: 340
Best Practices Page: 341
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SITE DETAILS Page: 342
Objective Page: 342
General Requirements Page: 342
Specific Requirements Page: 345
Graphic Requirements Page: 346
Best Practices Page: 349
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION SITE DETAILS Page: 360
Objective Page: 360
General Requirements Page: 360
Specific Requirements Page: 360
Graphic Requirements Page: 361
Best Practices Page: 361
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT TREE PLANTING PLAN Page: 365
Objective Page: 365
General Requirements Page: 365
Specific Requirements Page: 365
Graphic Requirements Page: 370
Best Practices Page: 371
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION TREE PLANTING PLAN Page: 375
Objective Page: 375
General Requirements Page: 375
Specific Requirements Page: 375
Graphic Requirements Page: 375
Best Practices Page: 375
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SHRUB AND GROUNDCOVER PLANTING PLAN Page: 377
Objective Page: 377
General Requirements Page: 377
Specific Requirements Page: 378
Graphic Requirements Page: 383
Best Practices Page: 384
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION SHRUB AND GROUNDCOVER PLANTING PLAN Page: 388
Objective Page: 388
General Requirements Page: 388
Specific Requirements Page: 388
Graphic Requirements Page: 388
Best Practices Page: 388
Strategies Page: 388
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SITE SOILS PLAN Page: 390
Objective Page: 390
General Requirements Page: 390
Key Distinctions between DD and CD Site Soils Plans Page: 390
Specific Requirements Page: 390
Graphic Requirements Page: 392
Best Practices Page: 393
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION SITE SOILS PLAN Page: 395
Objective Page: 395
General Requirements Page: 395
Specific Requirements Page: 395
Graphic Requirements Page: 395
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PLANTING DETAILS Page: 397
Objective Page: 397
General Requirements Page: 397
Specific Requirements Page: 398
Graphic Requirements Page: 399
Best Practices Page: 402
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION PLANTING DETAILS Page: 408
Objective Page: 408
General Requirements Page: 408
Specific Requirements Page: 408
Graphic Requirements Page: 409
Best Practices Page: 409
INDEX Page: 413
EULA Page: I
SUPERB EXECUTION RELIES UPON RIGOROUS PROJECT DOCUMENTATION
A project will only be built as well as it is documented. This publication focuses on the key documentation needs of the landscape architectural design and construction documentation process. That includes both "design documentation" and "construction documentation" as well as all that which occurs in the transition from one phase to the other.
Documentation requirements include those components necessary to explore and define design intent, logic, physical proposals, and ultimately, the specific components included within construction and bid documents.
- Discover how proper documentation facilitates every stage of the design process from pre-planning to construction, and leads to a highly resolved built outcome. Understand the principles behind these documentation practices.
- Implement best practices specific to each documentation phase and drawing, from title block and cover sheet design to soil plans and plant protection.
- Organize keynoting systems, cross-referencing and interdisciplinary coordination amongst multiple consultants and vendors.
- Study sample project documents from a leading landscape architecture firm to better understand the elements and benefits of complete and well-coordinated project documentation.
These standards have been time-tested by over 150 designers at the industry leading landscape architecture firm Design Workshop, reflecting a range of project types, including parks, streetscapes, urban spaces and over-structure construction. This guide shares the methods behind the success, to facilitate exceptional built outcomes through principled documentation practices.
