Our Process
Our process balances long-term ecological performance with visual and functional goals. We work iteratively—responding to site conditions, seasonal cycles, and client priorities—so landscapes feel intentional from the start and continue to evolve over time.
Rather than following a rigid sequence, our work unfolds through a set of interconnected phases. Each phase informs the next, with overlap as conditions change and understanding deepens.
Observe & Define
Every project begins with close attention to the site.
We assess existing conditions across seasons where possible, considering soils, hydrology, vegetation, light, and patterns of use. In parallel, we work with clients to clarify goals, constraints, and priorities—both practical and experiential.
This phase establishes a shared understanding of what the site can support, what matters most, and where focused effort will have the greatest impact.
Design & Plan
Design is collaborative and iterative.
We develop concepts that integrate ecological systems, spatial organization, and aesthetic intent. Hand rendering and technical documentation work together to explore ideas, test approaches, and communicate clearly with clients and project partners.
Planning includes thoughtful phasing—identifying areas that benefit from earlier definition and structure, and others that can develop along longer timelines. This allows resources to be directed where they matter most.
Implement & Install
Installation is an active design phase, not a handoff.
We remain closely involved during implementation, coordinating with crews and collaborators and making informed, on-site decisions as conditions are revealed. Adjustments are expected and welcomed, allowing the work to respond to real conditions rather than fixed assumptions.
This continuity supports a strong alignment between design intent and built outcome.
Establish & Assess
The first one to three years following installation—often referred to as the establishment period—are a critical part of the process.
During this time, we continue project management and seasonal site assessment, monitoring plant performance, making targeted adjustments, and responding to evolving conditions. Ongoing client communication supports shared understanding of how the landscape is developing and why certain interventions are prioritized.
This phase bridges installation and long-term performance.
Evolve Over Time
Landscapes are not static, and our process reflects that.
As sites mature, we support continued assessment and refinement through periodic consultation, phased additions, or adjustments to management strategies. The goal is a landscape that gains clarity, resilience, and richness over time—without relying on a fixed endpoint.
A Site-Responsive Approach
Across all phases, our process emphasizes:
Collaboration among clients, designers, and builders
Thoughtful prioritization of effort and resources
Design decisions informed by time, season, and site feedback
This approach allows landscapes to develop with intention, adaptability, and lasting connection to place.
Rattlesnake Master & Dense Blazingstar
How Services Work Together
GMD’s services are structured as a connected process rather than a series of separate steps. Each project begins with a comprehensive conceptual landscape plan that establishes long-term intent, spatial organization, and priorities for phased implementation. From there, design, implementation, and management remain closely linked through direct oversight and ongoing site observation.
While a clear conceptual framework guides the work, the pace and sequencing of each project respond to seasonal conditions, material availability, and the realities of working with living systems. Certain site preparation or early-phase activities may occur before or alongside design, and implementation typically unfolds across multiple seasons, allowing observation to inform subsequent phases.
Clients may engage GMD across the full life of a project or at specific stages, but continuity of intent remains central throughout. By maintaining responsibility for design direction, implementation oversight, and long-term management guidance, GMD ensures that landscapes develop with clarity, resilience, and lasting coherence over time.