Interview stage
Before proposing the Concept idea, we interview the Customer. Understanding the lifestyle, unique wishes, and even dreams is crucial for us, so that the Scandinavian Garden® fully embodies the personality and lifestyle of its owner and his/her family members. We will document the received information in terms of reference and get it approved by the Customer.
- Who primarily uses the garden?
- What is your basic activity in the garden? Do you enjoy hosting guests, or is the garden solely a private space?
- What state do you want to be in when you walk around the garden?
- What scenery do you want to see around?
- Do you have any pets, and can they damage the garden?
The responses to these questions, along with a thorough plot analysis, shape the Concept's baseline.
Concept project stage
Drafting Concept and drawings takes
8 weeks minimum
Area
20 ares minimum
Result
Conceptual layout with 3D visualizations in PDF, soft copy, and hard copy on request
It includes planning and creative solutions, designing engineering sections, and preparing documentation for the second stage of Detailed Design.
The concept design project includes:
Examples of landscape solutions (references)
Analytics (insolation, situational plan)
Sketch plan for landscaping with basic elevation marks
Sketch plan for surface cover layer
Sketch plan for lamps arrangement
Sketch plan for vegetation layout
Sketch variety of trees and shrubs
3D visualizations (quantity depends upon request)
Dimensional layout
The design stage involves a mandatory visit of an experienced studio architect to a plot (Moscow and Moscow region, St. Petersburg and Leningrad region, Kaliningrad and Kaliningrad region, Sochi and its suburbs, Gelendzhik, and other regions upon request).
The cost of the Concept stage depends upon the size of the plot, the agreed scope of work, and the complexity of the tasks set by the Customer.
The below mentioned is needed to start designing:
- Agreed cost and timeframe for concept design
- Agreed and signed Concept Design Contract*
- Payment of advance (funds debited to the account, or cash is deposited into the studio cash desk)
- Baseline data provided by the Customer
*Electronic document exchange is possible via SBIS, Kontur. Diadoc, Kaluga Astral. The draft of the Concept Design Contract is sent to the Customer once the cost and design timelines are agreed upon, and the Customer's details and required data for the design facility are received.
List of baseline data:
- An up-to-date topographic survey completed no earlier than 6 months before the date of sharing with the contractor, following the specified requirements*
- Results of geological surveys (if any)
- Architectural section and design solutions of all buildings and its models
- Inventory of plantings indicating species and trunk diameters**
- Layout plan for existing utility networks
- Layout for electricity connection
- Layout for water connection
- Layout with a place for stormwater disposal (well, common ditch, etc.)
- Specific restrictions on design and construction in protected areas, nature reserves, and historical development sites (if any).
*if unavailable, the studio will arrange a topographic survey for an extra charge.
**if the customer wants to preserve any existing greenery. If inventory is unavailable, the studio will arrange it for an extra charge.
Detailed Design stage
Drafting Detailed Design takes
8 weeks minimum
Area
20 ares minimum
Results
SET of DETAILED DRAWINGS AND LAYOUTS FOR THE ENTIRE PLOT enabling implementation by a qualified construction company.
Successful completion of an ambitious project requires proper construction documentation. The Detailed Design is the journey from the sketches and Concept being the result of stage 1 towards your dream garden implementation.
Choices like selecting plant varieties, automatic irrigation systems, and designing paving joints are Detailed Design elements. At L.BURO, we meticulously plan solutions and components to ensure that during garden implementation. We can concentrate on creating a high-quality service provision without wasting time on finding solutions.
Grading and levelling layout
Plan for surface cover layer
Stormwater layout
Drainage layout
Detailed layout drawings
Lighting scheme
Proposal for lighting equipment
Vegetation layout
List of planted species
Material specification
Master communications plan
The initial cost of the Detailed Design is specified in the Offer before the Concept Design Contract is signed. The final cost of the Detailed Project is set after the concept design stage and may vary based on the complexity of the solutions and ideas intended for implementation and agreed upon within the Concept framework.
The below mentioned is needed to start designing:
- Agreed cost and timeframe for concept design
- Agreed and signed Concept Design Contract*
- Payment of advance (funds debited to the account, or cash is deposited into the studio cash desk)
*Electronic document exchange is possible via SBIS, Kontur. Diadoc, Kaluga Astral. The draft of the Detailed Design Contract is sent to the Customer once the cost and design timelines are agreed upon.
General design terms and timeframe:
- The design stage involves a mandatory visit of an experienced studio staff to a plot (Moscow and Moscow region, St. Petersburg and Leningrad region, Kaliningrad region, Sochi, Gelendzhik, and other regions upon request)
- Payment for the design is distributed as follows: 70% – advance payment; 20% –prior to submitting the completed project for approval; 10% – final payment upon signing the Acceptance Certificate for works
- The cost of 3D landscape modelling does not include models of planned buildings (3D models of houses are provided by the Customer)
- Structural drawings for hardscape elements (gazebos, outdoor kitchens, etc.) are not included in the design
- Garden designs are provided in PDF format in hard and/or soft copy
- A separate Designer Supervision Contract shall be concluded for project implementation
- Additional site visits are charged separately
- Electronic document exchange is possible via SBIS, Kontur. Diadoc, Kaluga Astral. Payment on invoice or cash is deposited into the studio cash desk.
FAQ about designing a private garden
CAN THE DESIGN TIMELINE BE ALTERED?
The design timelines shall be fixed in the Contract within the design schedule annexed to the Contract. In practice, actual deadlines frequently vary from planned ones due to the following reasons:
1. The customer (or their representatives) takes more time to approve interim decisions than is scheduled in the Contract annex. We recognize that the Customer might be in situations where additional time is needed. Thus, the Contract outlines the procedure for addressing such situations, including extending the design period by the duration of the delay.
2. Changing the task and/or providing revised baseline data by the Customer during the design phase results in the need to make changes to the already designed part. In this scenario, the design timeline might extend, and certain changes requested by the Customer could necessitate an additional contract and extra payment, especially if a substantial part of previously completed and approved work needs to be redone. Each case is agreed upon with the Customer individually.
CAN THE TIME REQUIRED FOR DESIGNING BE ADJUSTED DOWN?
Design deadlines are discussed before signing the Contract and starting work. We make a schedule and annex it to the main Contract. Unfortunately, the Concept and Detailed Project stages require a minimum of 48 business days. This is due to the studio’s design technologies and the expectations of our customers – an original, unique, jetset garden.
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR L.BURO SPECIALISTS TO PROVIDE REGULAR SERVICING FOR MY GARDEN?
L.BURO studio designs private gardens and public spaces, follows up project and completes it with the necessary materials and plants during implementation, following the project. This ensures that the outcome matches the artistic concept and the stated quality level of the project.
Following project completion, we provide the Customer with a choice of top local experts to maintain and care for the garden or facility at varying pricing points. Only special care provides the necessary level of competence and the presence of specialists in the team, as we sometimes say at L.BURO, “who love plants more than people.”It's a joke, but like every joke, there's an important meaning behind it. Caring for plants requires a special background, years of experience, and important personal qualities such as watchfulness and patience.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ARRANGE A GARDEN PER HUNDRED SQUARE METER?
The Detailed Project, the second design stage, is necessary to develop all technical and artistic solutions that will be the basis for making a list of plants and materials and outlining the required work scope. Only then can the cost of designing a garden be ascertained.
The cost of a garden depends on the depth of the Concept, the complexity of the solutions, the technological and technical details (automatic watering, lighting, etc.), the quality level of the producers, the condition (size and appearance) and variety of plants, and the total area of the garden.
For the reasons mentioned above, the price per hundred square meters of gardens may vary. It is also important to understand: the larger the garden, the lower the price per hundred square meter is.
MAY I ARRANGE THE GARDEN ON MY OWN?
The decision on who to implement (arrange) the garden with is made by the Customer independently. We always recommend going all the way to the completed, implemented (arranged) garden with the studio that designed it. This recommendation is based on our expertise and two key considerations.
1. Design solutions are improved during the garden's implementation (arranging) process because there are always unforeseen issues (e.g., underground rivers, the size and characteristics of specific large plants purchased, environmental changes like neighbors building tall houses, etc.). During implementation, we refine the project based on the actual situation at the site.
2. Handing over the L.BURO project to third-party architects and construction companies means changing the concept based on the vision of the third party.
In addition, creating a garden requires years of construction expertise and advanced solutions and technology. Peter Lari and his team have been arranging gardens since 2009.
Under the guise of the inability to implement what was designed, a new contractor's lack of expertise usually boils down to persuading the customer of the project's mistakes in order to simplify it to the contractor's level.
The best way to test a contractor's competence is to ask them to show a completed garden of the level of your project. Most often, you will hear the answer that such gardens are not accessible for visiting due to the owners' privacy. L.BURO is always ready to show one of its gardens.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO VISIT SOME OF YOUR GARDENS AS AN EXAMPLE OF YOUR WORK?
Every year, from July to November, L.BURO opens one of its gardens for visiting by all comers. For example, in 2024, we had over 500 visitors to our gardens. Information about the schedule and rules is published on our Telegram channel. Subscribe and stay tuned. Visits are available in organized groups of up to 20 people, by prior arrangement.
Visits are conducted by Peter Lari, Valery Fedotov*, or Yana Markelova**, depending on availability, and last up to 3 hours. During the visit, we tell the story behind the garden, answer the questions, and give handouts. Photos and videos are welcomed.
*Peter Lari and Valery Fedotov are the founders of L.BURO.
**Yana Markelova is the head of the private garden design department.
CAN A PROJECT BE PUT ON HOLD?
Sometimes we face a situation when the Client asks to suspend the design for an indefinite time period or postpones the garden implementation (arranging). This can occur for various reasons, such as a change in one's financial circumstances or new personal goals: relocating or taking a lengthy professional trip overseas or to another city.
This possibility is settled in proposed Design Contract. At the customer's request, we will halt work if the design is not finished, get the project ready for conservation, give the customer all the designs in a format that will be easy to come back to later, and reimburse the unearned part of the advance.
If the design is completed and the Customer puts implementation on hold, this does not require any regulation. After a while, he or she may choose to modify the project considering new, pertinent tasks.
WHAT DOES A LANDSCAPE PROJECT COVER?
The project includes a full set of drawings, layouts, and explanatory materials: from a sketch plan and 3D visualizations to a layout drawing, a layout of plants, schemes for automatic irrigation, drainage, and stormwater systems. This is a precise navigator for arranging a garden accounting for the terrain of the plot, zoning, paving, planting, artificial lighting, and hardscaping.
AT WHAT STAGE ARE PLANTS AND DECORATIVE ELEMENTS SELECTED?
The choice of plants, flower beds, decorative elements, and hardscaping starts already at the Concept design stage. We consider the climate of the region, soil characteristics, Customer wishes, and the style of the land plot.The final choice is specified at the stage of drafting the planting list and vegetation layout.
ARE THE SITE'S ENGINEERING SYSTEMS CONSIDERED IN THE DESIGN?
Definitely yes. We analyze existing utility networks, elaborate schemes for water drainage, automatic irrigation, lighting, and consider drainage and stormwater systems. The master plan of landscaping is developed upon accurate calculations of loads and the peculiar features of the terrain and soils.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO ORDER ONLY A SKETCH PROJECT?
Yes, we offer the opportunity to develop only a sketch plan of the site with the main zones, ideas for paving, plantings, zoning, and key design elements. This can be the first step towards a comprehensive project. It can always be supplemented with details, layouts, and specifications later.
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE COST OF DESIGN WORK?
The cost of design depends on the area of the plot, the complexity of the terrain, the number of zones, the functional content, the set of drawings, and the wishes of the Customer. We always provide an individual offer, make a transparent estimate, and fix the parameters in the Contract.
After receiving your request and discussing the baseline parameters, we will agree on a visit date. At the site, the specialist studies the terrain, surface, engineering conditions, takes photographs, and clarifies details. All these form the basis for the analysis and further design solutions.
CAN THE PROJECT BE AMENDED AFTER APPROVAL?
We are always open for discussions. Minor adjustments during the design process are possible and are discussed with the client. Substantial changes, especially after approval of the project documents, are formally recognized as an extra contract that calls for time and cost revision.
DO YOU IMPLEMENT L.BURO PROJECTS ONLY?
Yes, we exclusively arrange gardens designed in our studio. This is due to the high level of expectations on style, technical precision, and interaction with contractors. This way, we maintain the authentic quality and guarantee consistency with the result.
