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Permalink Reply by RICHARD BICKLER on February 1, 2012 at 11:47

The installation looks great, however I don't like the post and rope part of the design, I understand your trying to keep this as a separate area, could you not have used some nice planters or a level planting bed, that's my thought anyway.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Abel Landscaping (Liverpool) on February 1, 2012 at 12:13

Most of the design was created by our customer Sue Beesley who is a landscape designer. She had input throughout the project and decided on the posts. At first we were not sure on the post idea, however we have really grown to like it. It does fit in with the garden centre as a whole and ties in with the specification of creating  a sitting area patio with easy access to all other areas of the garden. I will try to find out what her inspiration was to choose the posts instead of planters and let you know.

Thanks for your comments about the installation we appreciate it.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Abel Landscaping (Liverpool) on February 1, 2012 at 12:35

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Permalink Reply by RICHARD BICKLER on February 1, 2012 at 12:49

Thanks for the reply too

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Permalink Reply by Dave Sewell on February 1, 2012 at 12:53

Open and honest? OK, but my comments only apply to the way we do things at The Gardenmakers - I'm not trying to say what's right or wrong just how I would tighten things up if the job were mine.

Overall it looks great, the design and choice of materials has been decided for you so no way of altering those. The installaion on the whole looks OK but in my mind there could be more attention where the joints are concerned.

I like to see this sort of paving with 5-mm joints that are finished just below the edge of the slab. It might just be the quality of the image but it looks like the joints have been struck off with a pointing iron? Like a 'bucket handle' style? Also  the pointing on the wall looks a bit messy? I can see the odd mortar splat on the bricks which is easy to clean off. I also can't quite work out what's happenening where the paving meets the base of the wall - it looks kind of 'lumpy' like it's been rough pointed but that can't be the case!

As a few other LJN's know, my focus on joint width probably borders on obsession but I really think it makes a good project into an outstanding one!

Dave
www.the-gardenmakers.co.uk

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Permalink Reply by 1er1bu90dgqrm on February 1, 2012 at 12:54

i agree about the posts and rope, but my thoughts are the actual positioning. the distance to the edge is looking like a step so people will step up the climb over the rope which isnt an issue itself but my concerns would be of what if little kids start climbing or trying to jump over the rope, catch there feet and fall they have a double drop, same line of thought goes for garden party few people getting tiddly shortcut climbing over the rope to step down or up onto the raised area. 

i know that plans are always approved by client but if somebody or a little child were to go head first and crack there skull open, word of mouth for not noticing that could be an issue would do more damage than any actual liability.

do designers have to do risk assessments for there work? 

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Abel Landscaping (Liverpool) on February 1, 2012 at 13:31

The pointing solution we used was the marshalls weatherpoint - which is a "brush in" pointing solution. We believe that its a fantastic product that really works. Obviously it is hard to smooth out with a brush where the paving meets the wall but i assure you that this has been fixed with a pointing tool. With regards to the mortar splat, this was cleaned off with a jet wash later that day, you will see in the video that the garden is still a bit wet.

The garden was designed for mainly sue and her husband to sit and relax in. It is very rare that customers venture up close to the house as they  wonder through her acres of garden. However i can see your concern if they did. Most people would see that there is a rather large opening in the roped area allowing access to the patio rather than climbing over the ropes (ropes usually mean no entry). The raised area is not that high, just a slightly bigger than an average step.

Im sure designers do carry out risk assessments, but in this case we could only install what was requested in the safest way possible? Do you think that without the ropes risk would be less?

Obviously, accidents could happen with typsy people or children, but they can happen to anyone anywhere - it was only the other day that i went face first after not seeing the smallest of steps in lime street station - you would have thought they would have done a risk assessment with that one! Two black knees and a big lump it has left me with.

Thanks for your feedback, its always great to hear what people think. It has encouraged us to start to think even more when risk assessing all of our projects.

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