ARCHITECT’S VIEW

James Cattle, associate director of Snell David Architects, discusses how to create stunning outdoor spaces that complement your new home

For new builds, extensions and renovation schemes, at what stage of the project should you start planning and designing your landscaping?

All too often, landscaping is a bit of an afterthought. Many self builders will get really excited about the works to their house, so it’s not usually until they are on site, and they see the building being realised, that they then turn their attention to the garden. It really shouldn’t be left this late. I would encourage people to think about landscaping from the outset of their build journey. This can be just a light touch, and possibly engaging with a landscape designer, or having an understanding of how you want to use the space.

One of the most important things I have learnt is that an architect is not an expert in landscaping. They will do a good job integrating the patio and general planting into the design, but you really can’t underestimate the value of a reputable and experienced specialist. A landscape designer will look into the soil type, orientation and sunlight exposure, as well as the specificities of the client’s brief.