Here's how you can enhance the economic sustainability of landscape architecture projects through creativity.

“Native plants” is kind of a generic pat answer that oversimplifies the situation in many areas. It may be that simple in the Midwest, where local conditions have fewer variables but it’s actually quite complex in the Western US. A plant that’s native to riparian or high elevation mountains is not native to our high desert valleys. It’s more important to select plants adapted to conditions, including as many natives as is practical, but not excluding other plants that can thrive in regional conditions. Just as important, design the entire site for efficient management by maintenance workers of any skill level— there’s the true art of design.

Me encantaria dejar de hablar si elegimos plantas nativas o exoticas argumentando el concepto de sustentabilidad. La elección de las plantas debiera estar asociada a la capacidad de adaptación de las mismas, frente a los nuevos escenarios que nos esperan producto de la crisis ambiental. El foco debiera estar puesto en que planta resistira las condiciones futuras en los próximos 30-50 años y no aquellas que han vivido hace cientos de años atras. El pasado nos enseña pero el futuro es el desafío!

This is an important issue to consider. Prioritizing natural necessities over economic growth could result in a shift in how we interact with the environment. Despite the financial appeal of eco-friendly gardens, many individuals still perceive residential landscape design as an opportunity to showcase their status, viewing it as a luxury commodity. For countless years, I received requests to incorporate exotic plant species to signify the client's financial standing. However, as I transitioned my project approach to focus on reducing water consumption and integrating more native and indigenous plant species to establish a sustainable ecosystem for both humans and the planet, I encountered a significant obstacle: the human ego.

Creativity is such a nebulous idea for most people. To achieve it with clients I used to help them with the plants and then tell them to, “make it your own”. My average client didn’t have confidence in their own ability to be creative, but managed it nicely when they had a simple focus to make it belong to themselves.

Landscape is about creating environment, creating safe space for people to enhance their inner selves,.. avoid negative space which can lead to negative aura/ vibes. Open spaces can be used for multiple functions and activities, providing the "sense of art" at each angle, may help to emphasize the whole ambience. Rule of thumb, don't let any space left unattended! Fill it with volume, colours and sense.

I frequently emphasize that design must consider the end-user and ensure their needs are met to validate its effectiveness. In addition to preventing vandalism, community involvement is crucial as they often possess valuable insights into how a design should function and what its focal points should be. Historically, designs rooted in community input tend to endure longer, as they are more likely to be embraced and maintained by the community over time. This collaborative approach not only enhances functionality but also fosters a sense of ownership, sense of place and sustainability within the community.