Taken literally a fence in some cases may seem impractical or unnecessary as it can actually reduce the chance for casual interaction. On the other hand the mai
ntaining of a fence may provide some neighbours the opportunity to regularly communicate with each other.
“Good fences make good neighbours”
Designing for Children
Recently spent time with a landscape designer who works building play areas for children. What became clear to me is the play structure business is focused on selling adults, not kids. All the catalogs look the same. Furthermore, children are often not interested in structures that can only do or be one thing. Next time you are at a playground look at how the children are playing. Are they using the whole thing?
To overcome these challenges this designer is engaging children directly. Through design workshops they are letting the children design the play yard of their dreams with paper. Amazing things are created when children’s ideas are not bounded by teachers, or parents.
My take away from this presentation is to take seriously the ideas of the people that will use what we are creating. And make special effort to include ideas for our youngest and most brilliant minds.
Outdoor Living Spaces – Creating part 2
This is the design process we use when working with our clients.
- Ideas – Get a few magazines and books from your book store or library. Photocopy ideas that you like. Make notes on the photocopy’s. One of our favourite books is Susan Susanka’s book called “Outside the Not so Big House”.
- Choosing – Leave your favourites on the kitchen counter so you can see them every time you walk by. Keep making notes. Consider texture, colour, size, function, form and feel.
- Designing – Your designer/contractor should take you through a Charret (or structured brainstorming). For shared things like fences it is a good idea to included your neighbour(s) in this process.
- Feeling/Experiencing – With your partner, designer, friend use a tape measure and stake your ideas out in your yard. Use string, tape, cardboard cutouts. If you have kids they will love this part.
- Building – Lastly you or your contractor will put it together. Your sweat equity will help reduce the costs but be sure you co-ordinate your efforts with your contractor. Things that help include: daily cleanup, pulling nails, painting, picking up supplies, moving material, and the occasional tea, coffee or treat.
Tagged building, choosing, contractor, design, designing, experience, feel, ideas, outdoor living space, project, sweat equity
