Analysis of a Real Client Case: From Brief to AI Visualization

As the founder of formspace.design, throughout my career in landscape design, which began in 1997 with the company 'Dom i Sad' (House and Garden), I've seen countless projects. Each client case is a unique challenge, requiring a deep understanding of needs and the technical specifics of the site. Today, I want to share my approach to analyzing a real client case, utilizing all my experience and modern tools, including AI visualization. This is not just a story, but a demonstration of the logic that formed the basis of formspace.design's modules.

Client Briefing: The Foundation of a Successful Project

Everything begins with the brief. It's not just a list of wishes, but a deep dive into the client's lifestyle, values, preferences, and even hidden expectations. When I started, these were long conversations, often involving a site visit for the initial acquaintance. My task as a designer is not just to create a beautiful picture, but to design a functional space that will bring joy for years to come. I always ask many questions: who will use the plot, how often, what activities are planned, are there pets, children. It's important to understand the budget constraints, although initially, clients are often not ready to state them precisely. I explain that general guidelines, for example, 10-15% of the house's cost for landscaping, help immediately filter out unrealistic ideas and focus on achievable goals. Over the years, I've realized that the key is the ability to listen and ask the right questions to uncover true needs, not just superficial requests.

Site Analysis: From Topography to Insolation

After receiving the brief, I proceed to a thorough site analysis. This is a critically important stage that determines the viability of all subsequent decisions. I examine the topography, existing structures, assess soil type, the presence of trees, shrubs, and water bodies. I pay special attention to insolation — how the sun moves across the site throughout the day and in different seasons. This directly affects the placement of functional zones: where it's best to create a shaded relaxation area, and where a sunny vegetable garden. For example, if a plot has a slope of more than 10-15 degrees, it immediately signals the need for terracing and slope reinforcement, which significantly impacts the budget and timeline. A typical mistake I often observed when I was still a director at 'Dom i Sad' was attempting to place a children's playground in a shaded northern part of the plot or a barbecue area exposed to constant winds. Such miscalculations are very expensive to rectify later.

Zoning and Functionality: The Heart of the Project

Based on the brief and site analysis, I proceed to zoning. This involves creating a logical structure where each zone has its purpose and is harmoniously connected to others. I always consider movement paths across the site: from the entrance group to the house, to the recreation area, to utility buildings. The width of main pathways should be at least 1.2 meters for comfortable passage of two people, and secondary paths 0.6-0.8 meters. I try to avoid long and straight alleys, unless it's part of a formal style, preferring winding paths that add intrigue and visually expand the space. It's important that zones don't just exist side-by-side, but interact: for example, the barbecue area should be near the kitchen, and the children's playground within sight of the main house windows. My experience as a business consultant in the 90s, where I learned to structure information and build logical connections, which is very similar to spatial zoning, greatly helped me here.

Sketching and Concept: First Visualizations

Once functional zoning is thought out, I move on to sketching. Previously, these were hand-drawn sketches, then AutoCAD, Revit, and 3ds Max. Today, I actively use AI for quick concepts. This allows me to generate several options in a matter of minutes, which previously required days of painstaking work. With AI, I can quickly show the client what a patio with a pergola or a group of coniferous plants at the entrance will look like. At this stage, I'm not aiming for photorealism, but rather for conveying the mood and main ideas. This is an excellent way to get client feedback early on and adjust the direction, avoiding costly changes at later stages. I've already discussed this in the article How to use AI for quick sketches during the first client meeting.

Plant and Material Selection: Details That Shape the Look

After the concept is approved, the detailing stage begins. Plant selection is a separate art. I consider not only aesthetics but also the climatic zone, soil requirements, light conditions, and maintenance. It's important for the client to understand how labor-intensive the care for the chosen plants will be. I always offer several options: from minimalist compositions requiring little attention to lush flowerbeds needing regular care. The same applies to materials: paving stones, decking, decorative elements. It's crucial to find a balance between beauty, durability, and budget. For example, natural stone always looks impressive, but its cost and installation complexity can be 2-3 times higher than quality paving slabs. Here, I draw upon knowledge gained at DGIFK, where we studied sports facilities and their materials, as well as my experience in manufacturing 'artificial granite' concrete products at 'Alkar-invest'.

How to Plan in formspace.design: From Idea to Interactive Project

All the logic I've used in my projects formed the basis of formspace.design. When a client comes to me with a request, I offer them not just a ready-made design, but the opportunity to participate in the creation process. In module 1.1 'Site Plan,' we can upload an existing plan or draw it from scratch, precisely marking all existing objects and boundaries. Then, in module 1.2 'Zoning,' together with the client, we define functional zones, based on their wishes and my recommendations for insolation and logistics. This is a highly interactive process where the client sees their ideas come to life on screen, and I can quickly make adjustments.

Next, in module 2.1 'AI Concept,' we can use artificial intelligence to generate numerous visual ideas based on the chosen zoning and style. I can upload photos of the client's site, and the AI will suggest, for example, 5-10 different design options for a gazebo or flowerbed arrangement. This allows for quick evaluation of various approaches and selection of the most suitable one. After that, using module 3.1 'Design by Photo,' we can 'try on' the selected design elements directly onto a photograph of the site, so the client can see how it will look in reality even before construction begins. This significantly reduces time for approvals and minimizes the risks of misunderstandings that often arose when I still managed clients 'in a notebook,' which I also wrote about in the article Why contractors manage clients in a notebook, not a system: I used to do it myself.

FAQ

How long does it take to develop a landscape project?

Timelines vary greatly depending on the complexity and size of the site, as well as the client's responsiveness in making decisions. On average, developing a concept for a 10-15 'sotka' (approx. 1000-1500 sq meters or 0.25-0.37 acres) plot takes 2 to 4 weeks. Project detailing with plant and material selection can add another 2-3 weeks. Using tools like formspace.design with its AI features significantly speeds up the sketching and conceptual planning stages.

Is it possible to save money on landscape design?

You can save money, but it needs to be approached wisely. I always recommend not cutting corners on design, as it prevents costly construction errors. Expenses can be reduced by choosing less expensive but quality materials, using local plants that are better adapted to the climate and require less maintenance, or by implementing the project in stages. The main thing is competent planning, which allows for budget optimization without compromising quality.

What if I don't have a clear vision for my future garden?

That's perfectly normal! My job as a designer is to help you form that vision. During the briefing stage, I ask guiding questions and show examples of various styles and solutions. With formspace.design, we can experiment with zoning together and use AI to generate concepts, allowing you to see many options and choose the one that resonates most with you. There's no need to worry if you don't have a ready-made picture in your head.

What are the main mistakes plot owners make when planning independently?

Common mistakes include a lack of a comprehensive approach (planning in parts, without considering the overall design), ignoring site specifics (topography, insolation, soil type), incorrect plant selection (mismatch with climate or maintenance requirements), and a lack of functional zoning. Many first build pathways and then realize they lead 'nowhere.' Without a clear plan, such projects often result in a chaotic collection of elements and the need for rework.

How important is author's supervision during project implementation?

Author's supervision is very important to ensure the project is implemented exactly according to the design. Even the most detailed drawing cannot account for all nuances that arise on the construction site. I always insist that the designer or their representative regularly visit the site, control the quality of work, material compliance, and the precise placement of elements. This guarantees that the final result will maximally correspond to the approved design and your expectations.

Can I get a 3D visualization of the site before work begins?

Yes, absolutely. Modern technologies, especially those integrated into formspace.design, allow for the creation of high-quality 3D visualizations even at the design stage. We can show you what your future garden will look like from different angles, at different times of day, and even in different seasons. This helps the client fully immerse themselves in the future image of the site and make informed decisions before construction or planting work begins.

Conclusion

Working on a landscape project is a fascinating journey from the initial idea to a realized space. My experience, accumulated over decades in this field, and the capabilities of formspace.design allow me not only to create beautiful gardens but also to build an effective dialogue with the client, turning their dreams into reality. If you are considering landscaping your plot, remember that competent planning is an investment that will pay off with comfort and beauty for many years to come.