Forest Site Design

What is forest site design?

Forest site design is more than creating a scheme for object placement. It's working with a living environment where every tree, sound, smell, soil carries meaning. Here you can't dictate, here you need to listen to natural nature. That's why design is carried out in harmony with nature — with respect for its structure, rhythm and features.

We start with analysis: soils, microclimate, root systems, light direction and existing terrain. Based on this data, project documentation is formed, including materials on vertical planning, path construction, water drainage and zoning according to territory purpose. This is both a technical and aesthetic process.

In case of lease or other legal use of forest land, we work in strict accordance with the Land and Forest Code of the Russian Federation, as well as other regulatory documents in the field of landscape activity. We consider site boundaries, state cadastral registration, target purpose parameters, as well as quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the site.

Forest territory design cannot be done without coordination with specialized authorities and approval as part of general project documentation. Everything we do — from planning scheme to choice of coatings and small architectural forms — is subordinated to the goal: preserve the natural fabric, integrate architecture without destruction and form an environment where you want to be.

Forest site features

Minimal intervention — as the basis of approach A project in the forest begins with preservation. We maximally preserve the natural context, including terrain, trees and grass cover. This corresponds to the principles of natural resource protection established by Russian Federation legislation and sustainable land use practice. The forest is an active element of the environment with which a subtle dialogue is conducted.

Insolation and humidity: how to consider limitations Forest sites often have shaded zones and high humidity. This requires careful selection of coatings, precise planting and drainage organization. We rely on approved project documentation, conduct analysis of location and climatic factors, observing the order provided by current legislation in the field of improvement and sanitary protection zones.

Working with trees and their protection Every tree is part of a system. We create conditions for long-term project implementation without violating cadastral and ecological balance. Requirements for plantation protection, enshrined in Russian Federation legislation and local regulatory acts, are considered, including forest fund regimes and, if necessary, protection strip boundaries.

Terrain as an expressive tool Natural elevation changes, slopes and depressions may seem obstacles, but it's a resource. We work with forest form: through vertical planning, geoplastics, terracing. All this is done within a complete and coordinated approach, taking into account site area, its composition and type of permitted use specified in cadastral information.

Technology and logistics: how we solve complex tasks Delivering materials and equipment to forest sites requires a special approach. We think through logistics to minimize damage to root systems and soils. All actions are coordinated with authorities, observing the order of providing equipment, access and deadlines, within the framework of current Russian legislation and norms for site operation in forest management zones.

Opportunities: wild landscape as aesthetics The forest gives inspiration. In natural spaces, you can create routes, shady recreation zones, natural water features. We try to preserve natural authenticity in environment organization, corresponding to both client desires and approved project concept. This is landscape as art.

Forest site planning stages from L.BURO studio

1. Territory and forest structure analysis

The project begins with deep site examination. We study species composition, soil characteristics, forest structure, age and condition of trees, as well as data on insolation, moisture and terrain features. If necessary, geological surveys and soil analysis are conducted to predict risks and determine the scope of necessary work.

We also analyze the legal side: information from the forest cadastre, fund category, ownership form — whether municipal, private or forest park site. Type and regime of permitted use, forest management data, presence of licenses or special regimes (for example, protected territories) are considered. This information allows us to accurately understand site limitations and opportunities.

2. Forest life scenario: zoning and routes

Based on collected information, we form a life scenario on the site: where quiet zones will be, where open ones, where routes will pass, how architecture will be placed. Here both technical description and understanding are important: how the family lives, how light moves, how the forest reacts to intervention.

Site zoning is carried out taking into account norms for minimal intervention and ecological balance preservation. We necessarily consider specially protected zones, data assessment content and create a scheme for element placement without damaging the root system. Everything laid in the project has meaning: both functional and emotional.

3. Terrain and coating work

Forest terrain. We work with elevation changes, terraces, geoplastics without destroying the root layer. Laying paths, platforms and coatings is carried out using suitable materials — permeable, flexible, natural.

If it's necessary to arrange water flow drainage, we lay a drainage scheme taking into account slopes and depressions. All changes go through environmental expertise and, if necessary, are formalized with a conclusion on the admissibility of development or subsoil use, if the site is located in a zone of possible mineral extraction. All this is included in the list of processes that the Studio carries out within comprehensive design.

4. Lighting, landscaping, water, routes

We create the final site composition: place light accents, design lighting with soft temperature that doesn't disturb forest silence. We plant shade-tolerant species, select coating resistant to moisture and shadow. If water is provided in the project — stream, pond — we design drainage and outlines without violating natural landscape.

The site fills with details but doesn't lose peace. All solutions are fixed in project documentation, and in case of protected sites, they go through mandatory coordination with executive authorities or forestry agencies, formalized by orders, acts or declarations. We lead the project to the end, ensuring its compliance in artistic and documentary content.

Why do you need site planning?

Preserves valuable trees

Professional project begins with analysis of boundaries, forest condition and existing plantings. We form a plan according to real conditions, preserving site structure and not uprooting living things unnecessarily. Everything is fixed in project documentation and, if necessary, goes through approval stage in supervisory authorities.

Helps avoid construction errors

Competent design is both aesthetics and mandatory technical control. We lay all engineering solutions — from access roads to drainage systems — before work begins. This eliminates risks of deadline delays, conflicts with contractors and non-compliance with site purpose specified in documents and land code.

Considers drainage and soils

The project includes data on soil composition, groundwater level and necessary water drainage. This is important for coating durability, plant health and building protection. All site characteristics are reflected in documentation prepared based on state cadastre data, target use and Russian Federation norms.

Ensures privacy and safety

We design site zoning to create a feeling of security and privacy. We think through routes, viewing points, planting density — taking into account your needs and lifestyle. This is carried out within Studio activities taking into account requirements for protection zones and principles of responsible natural territory use.

Integrates architecture into environment without conflict

Professional project unites house, paths, terraces, landscaping and water elements into a holistic system. We work together with nature, adapting objects to context and landscape. Everything created has both visual and legal foundation — from lease agreement to list of other regulatory documents in landscape design field.