There are many parallels between historic home restoration and community revitalization - here are five lessons. We recently had the opportunity to volunteer, by providing Landscape Architectural services for two very deserving families, on the hit TV show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"! In case you haven't' seen the show seriously, who. Trial by Fire: How I Became a Historic Preservation (and Community Revitalization) Advocate.
In the process of re-building a historic home, we also became part of a larger community re-building process. Through blood, sweat, and tears, and a literal baptism by fire, we became old-house restoration experts, and at the same time, grassroots community advocates.
For us, our home restoration and the revitalization of this amazing place have been parallel narratives, narratives that began with looking past the outer layer of decay and blight and truly believing in the potential of a place; willingness to work hard and apply hours upon hours of sweat equity; and making slow but steady incremental improvements that have an exponential impact over many (so many) years.
In the process of re-building a historic home, we also became part of a larger community re-building process. Through blood, sweat, and tears, and a literal baptism by fire, we became old-house restoration experts, and at the same time, grassroots community advocates.
For us, our home restoration and the revitalization of this amazing place have been parallel narratives, narratives that began with looking past the outer layer of decay and blight and truly believing in the potential of a place; willingness to work hard and apply hours upon hours of sweat equity; and making slow but steady incremental improvements that have an exponential impact over many (so many) years.
Services
At Io LandArch, residential landscaping specialties include Historic and Environmentally friendly landscapes.
Our landscape architects are professionally licensed (a rigorous process which requires a minimum 4-year degree from an accredited university, work-experience, and passing an extensive professional licensing examination).
Additionally, Io's landscape architects have both training and professional expertise in design theory, ecology, plant and soil science, site grading and drainage, and irrigation technology.
Our landscape architects are professionally licensed (a rigorous process which requires a minimum 4-year degree from an accredited university, work-experience, and passing an extensive professional licensing examination).
Additionally, Io's landscape architects have both training and professional expertise in design theory, ecology, plant and soil science, site grading and drainage, and irrigation technology.
Step 1 - Ask The Expert: Our design process begins with a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation with one of our Licensed Landscape Architects to discuss your project.
This is an opportunity to talk about your specific goals and challenges relating to your landscape project.
Step 2 - Project Planning: During this initial phase we establish the BIG IDEA for your landscape!
But this phase is more than just a pie in the sky wish-list of your yard - we work with you to discuss your budget options, and develop phasing plans so that you can move forward with confidence!
This is an opportunity to talk about your specific goals and challenges relating to your landscape project.
Step 2 - Project Planning: During this initial phase we establish the BIG IDEA for your landscape!
But this phase is more than just a pie in the sky wish-list of your yard - we work with you to discuss your budget options, and develop phasing plans so that you can move forward with confidence!
At Io LandArch, we specialize in Historic Landscape Architecture, integrating historic preservation, restoration, adaptive re-use and the re-creation of historic landscapes and historical landscape elements.
We also plan and design historically appropriate green spaces that are contextually sensitive to historic homes and other historic structures, while providing sustainable, and ecologically friendly, landscape designs.
The resulting landscapes work to preserve and tell the story of our shared past, while also providing an important cultural, civic and environmental resource for a successful home and community.
We also plan and design historically appropriate green spaces that are contextually sensitive to historic homes and other historic structures, while providing sustainable, and ecologically friendly, landscape designs.
The resulting landscapes work to preserve and tell the story of our shared past, while also providing an important cultural, civic and environmental resource for a successful home and community.
At Io we are dedicated to the concept of sustainability through ecological landscape design.
By factoring in the soils, climate, micro-climate and natural ecology for each specific site, we are able to create environmentally sensitive and sustainable landscapes.
Our goal is to preserve, improve, and restore ecological function by implementing functional site plans and beautiful garden designs that are as functional as they are attractive.
Sustainable ecological landscape design begins with design architecture at the site level.
By factoring in the soils, climate, micro-climate and natural ecology for each specific site, we are able to create environmentally sensitive and sustainable landscapes.
Our goal is to preserve, improve, and restore ecological function by implementing functional site plans and beautiful garden designs that are as functional as they are attractive.
Sustainable ecological landscape design begins with design architecture at the site level.
Io LandArch is inspired by historical preservation, and we know how complicated the process of designing a landscape can be for a historic home.
To help you fulfill your landscape dreams, we have created pre-designed plans available for download that fit most Victorian, Arts and Crafts, and Mid-Century Modern residential landscapes.
Each landscape was carefully researched and designed to be both historically and ecologically friendly to the inter-mountain West.
If you have any questions about your landscaping needs, or would like one of our licensed landscape architects to help you on a project, please give our office a call to schedule a free consultation to find out if Io LandArch has the right Landscape Architects for you!
To help you fulfill your landscape dreams, we have created pre-designed plans available for download that fit most Victorian, Arts and Crafts, and Mid-Century Modern residential landscapes.
Each landscape was carefully researched and designed to be both historically and ecologically friendly to the inter-mountain West.
If you have any questions about your landscaping needs, or would like one of our licensed landscape architects to help you on a project, please give our office a call to schedule a free consultation to find out if Io LandArch has the right Landscape Architects for you!
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