LANDSCAPE PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

ASSIGNMENT NO.5

QUESTION PAPER
2015 Question No. 5 & 8
Solved Questions of SPAD, MLA IV- May 2015

GROUP H
Sajna CN - SPA/NS/LA/588
Sonika Sri – SPA/NS/LA/593

School of Planning and Architecture Delhi

12/3/2018
QUESTION PAPER

2015 Question No.5 - Explain the execution stage of a landscape project and the responsibilities of the
landscape architect and the client during that stage

CONSTRUCTION STAGE
The stage when the contractor is on site building the landscape design. Construction often includes
the following stages:

 Demolition and Site Clearing

 Excavation and Trenching
 Services Installation (drainage, irrigation, electrical, etc)
 Fine Grading
 Hardscape Structure Construction (backfilling, compaction, base, footings, walls, buildings, edges,
etc)
 Hardscape Finishes Construction(paving, cladding, inorganic mulches)
 Planting (trees, plants, organic mulch)
 Final Fixtures (furniture, pavilions, lighting, etc)
 Defects (identity and fix problems)
 Completion (Initial and Final)

The order in which these sub stages occur is dependent on the size and type of project. A residential
project may complete the construction in the order as listed. However, a park project may complete
Demolition, Excavation, Services and Fine grading and then plant trees as the remainder of the project may
take 6 to 18 months to build the Hardscape and Fixtures.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT/ ADMINISTRATION

The client may request that the landscape architect manage the project which can include full site
supervision or can be several inspections and approval of construction, approvals of payments, approvals
of variations.

Depending on the level of service the landscape architect may be fully involved in the project
construction stage or maybe ask to only approval samples and the remainder of the project is completed
by a project manager and construction company.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT DURING CONSTRUCTION STAGE

The Architect shall, after taking instructions from the Client, render the following services:

 Prepare and issue working drawings and details for proper execution of works during construction.

Assignment No.5 – QUESTION PAPER | Sajna CN – SPA/NS/LA/588 | & | Sonika Sri – SPA/NS/LA/593 | Page 1
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 Approve samples of various elements and components.

 Check and approve shop drawings submitted by the contractor/ vendors.
 Visit the site of work, at intervals mutually agreed upon, to inspect and evaluate the Construction
Works and where necessary clarify any decision, offer interpretation of the drawings/specifications,
attend conferences and meetings to ensure that the project proceeds generally in accordance with
the conditions of contract and keep the Client informed and render advice on actions, if required.
 In order to ensure that the work at site proceeds in accordance with the contract documents/
drawings and to exercise time and quality controls, the day-to-day supervision will be carried out by
a Construction Manager (Clerk of Works/ Site Supervisor or Construction Management Agency in
case of a large and complex project), who shall work under the guidance and direction of the
Architect and shall be appointed and paid by the Client.
 Issue Certificate of Virtual Completion of Civil Works and plantation.

Preparation & Issue Of

Working Drawings And
Details

Issue Certificate Of
Virtual Completion Approve Samples

Schedule Of Services Of
Landscape Architect During
Execution Stage

Guidance To Check And Approve

Construction Manager Shop Drawings

Attend Sitevisits,
Conferences And
Meetings At Intervals

SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT DURING CONSTRUCTION STAGE

The Architect shall be paid professional fee in each stage consistent with the work done plus other
charges and reimbursable expenses as agreed upon.

The fee payable to the Architect shall be computed on the actual cost of works on completion.
The payment due to the Architect at construction stage will be computed according to accepted tender
cost.

In addition to the amounts reimbursable against site visits by the Architect/ Consultant, the Client
will reimburse the Architect the following expenses incurred by him for discharge of his obligations:

 Actual cost of travel (to & fro), boarding & lodging and local transport for any visit made by his
staff to the site or such other place as may be necessary in connection with the execution of work
and in connection with the performance of duties referred to in this agreement.

Assignment No.5 – QUESTION PAPER | Sajna CN – SPA/NS/LA/588 | & | Sonika Sri – SPA/NS/LA/593 | Page 2
QUESTION PAPER

Schedule of payment in construction stage of a landscape project:

On submitting working drawings and details required for 65% of the total fees payable
a)
commencement of work at site less payment already made
b) (i) On completion of 20% of the work 70% (‘’)
(ii) On completion of 40% of the work 75% (‘’)
(iii) On completion of 60% of the work 80% (‘’)
(iv) On completion of 80% of the work 85% (‘’)
(v) On Virtual Completion 90% (‘’)

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLIENT AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT DURING EXECUTION STAGE

The Client shall discharge his obligations connected with the project and engagement of the Architect.
Similarly landscape architect also has responsibilities which have to be taken care at this stage:

 Clients have to give effect to the professional advice of the Architect and cause no changes in the
drawings and documents without the consent of the Architect.
 To honour Architect’s bills within one month of its submission.
 To appoint a Construction Manager (Clerk of Works/ Site Supervisor or Construction Management
Agency in case of a large and complex project) as per the Architect’s advice.
 The Architect shall keep the Client informed about the progress of work in his office.
 The Architect shall appoint specialized consultants in consultation with the Client, if necessary.
 The Architect shall be responsible for the direction and integration of the consultants work. The
consultants, however, shall be fully responsible for the calculations, the detailed design and
periodic inspection and evaluation of the work entrusted to them. The Architect shall, if requested,
make available the design calculations.
 The Architect will advise the Client on the Time Schedule (Bar Chart/PERT/ CPM Network) prepared
by the contractors for the completion of work, if required.
 The Architect shall supply to the Client, free of cost, up to six sets of drawings at different stages.
 The Architect shall not make any deviations, alterations or omissions from the approved drawings,
involving financial implications without prior consent of the Client. Any professional services to be
rendered by the Architect at the instance of the Client after the agreed project completion period
shall be compensated for on mutually agreed terms.
 The Architect shall exercise all reasonable skill, care and diligence in the discharge of his duties and
shall exercise such general superintendence and inspection as may be necessary to ensure that
works are being executed in accordance with the Conditions of Contract.
 Any revision in the drawings, tenders and documents, once approved, required to be made by the
Client shall be compensated as additional services rendered by the Architect and paid for @ 50%
of the fee prescribed for the relevant stage(s).
 No change shall be made in the approved drawings and specifications at site without the consent
of the Architect.
 Any curtailment of the professional services, beyond Stage 2, shall make it obligatory for the client
to pay at least 20% of the fee for the remaining stage(s) of the curtailment work/ services.

Assignment No.5 – QUESTION PAPER | Sajna CN – SPA/NS/LA/588 | & | Sonika Sri – SPA/NS/LA/593 | Page 3
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2015 Question No.8 - Write a short note on the significance of coordinating works of
different agencies during the course of a landscape project
A landscape project, be it site planning; environmental restoration; parks and recreation planning;
residence/commercial/institutional landscape master planning and design; all at varying scales of design,
planning and management, involves coordination with various professionals along with the landscape
architect to be completed and executed successfully. This coordination is of great importance in order to
negotiate and resolve design or construction issues. The various agencies are mostly directly involved in
the long-term planning, design and construction of facilities. The coordination happens through discussions
on phone or in person meetings with exchange of drawings and other information through email and print.

The various agencies can be categorised in broadly 4 parts –

1. Architects
2. Project managers
3. Consultants - service providers
4. Vendors
5. Contractors

1. Architects -
As soon as a project is offered and taken up the landscape architect, he/she is given the details and
survey of the site by the client or he/she has to get a survey of the existing site conditions and
features from a surveyor. Hence, the very first coordination happens with the client and surveyor
to get all the necessary information required to understand and analyse the site and eventually
prepare the base plan drawings. For a very small project, the landscape architect by themselves can
visit the site and prepare the required base plan.
If the landscape design is associated with the buildings, one has to coordinate with the architects of
the project. With any change in the building’s plan or footprint which has an impact on the
landscape design, the associated landscape also changes. The architecture and landscape should
not look like two different entities of the site but they should be able to stand in harmony and
complement each other. Hence, coordination with architects is one of the most important aspects
during the course of a project. This coordination starts from the very beginning and lasts till the
very end of the last portion/part being executed on site.

2. Project managers –
They are external bodies which the client appoints to facilitate the interaction between various
consultants and also to head the site works. They are often involved in large scale projects like large
IT parks, Commercial projects, Housing projects etc. So at times, the coordination with consultants
and Vendors take place through the project managers.

3. Consultants –
a. When landscape architects are involved in projects that need to be worked on large rooftops or
above basements, at times the coordination with structural consultants is of great importance to
know the location and strength bearing capacity of the columns to know where the trees can be
placed and of what kind, ow much soil fill shall be available for plantation works etc. At times, this
coordination is an indirect one, which happens through the architects. Often the gateways/ gate
houses are designed by the landscape architects, for these also structural consultants are required
to provide the structural design of the structures.

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b. Grading and drainage are essential components of a landscape design and hence, it requires
technical assistance on the matter. For this, Landscape architects coordinate with the MEP
Consultants, i.e Mechanical, Electrical and plumbing. They assist in letting us know the sizing,
dimensions and requirements of MEP and we organize for their placements in landscape. Most of
the times, MEP structures are non-aesthetical and require proper placement that hides them or
camouflages in the landscape. This part is of utmost importance as if there are any conflicts in the
arrangement of MEP works on site can lead to a complete failure of design.

c. Landscape design involves both softscape and hardscape, where the sotfscape requires timely
irrigation. Irrigation consultants, help in working out the type of irrigation system required and the
energy input requirements to operate those systems. To produce a non-conflicted plan, the
landscape architects often prepare a Coordinated Services Plan which has the overlay of both MEP
works and irrigation works that helps to understand in the overall laying of the services on site
beneath the landscape works which eventually is of great help while preparing the planting plan.

In matter of any conflicts of services with landscape design, they are resolved after discussion with
all the involved agencies. The idea is to reduce the possibility for construction issues and also to
allow for resolution of overlapping design elements.

4. Vendors -
a. The softscape involving the planting work requires consultation with the horticulturist for the
understanding of availability, trending rates and procurement of the required species. A project
may involve consultation of more than one horticulturist and then comparing the rate quotations
and their past works and then finalization of one by the client after a meeting.

b. For the lighting work same procedure is undertaken as for the horticulture. One or more lighting
vendors are contacted and briefed upon the landscape lighting requirements and placement. The
vendors provide the options for the lighting fixtures and rate quotations. After consulting the client,
the vendor is fixed.

c. Similar thing happens for the materials required in the hardscape. One or more Material vendors
are consulted.

d. For any kind of specialized works like water features, children’s paly equipment, the respective
vendors are consulted.

5. Contractors-

During the execution of design on site, Landscape architects need to be in contact with the contractors to
avoid any confusion in design and wrong laying or finish of the work. Timely supervision is required.

REFERENCES
1. The Architects Act, 1972 – Handbook of Professional Documents – Council of Architecture,
Published in the Gazette of India on 31.5.1972.
2. http://worldlandscapearchitect.com Practice | Stages of a Landscape Architecture Design Project

Assignment No.5 – QUESTION PAPER | Sajna CN – SPA/NS/LA/588 | & | Sonika Sri – SPA/NS/LA/593 | Page 5