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WITH TOP NOTCH CUSTOMER SERVICE, WE OFFER QUALITY CUSTOM LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SERVICES,

FROM CONCEPT THROUGH COMPLETION. CENTRALLY LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN  LOS GATOS,

OUR FIRM HAS BEEN SERVING THE GREATER SAN FRANCISCO & MONTEREY BAY AREAS FOR OVER 20 YEARS. 

WE SIMPLY LOVE WHAT WE DO!  CONTACT US TO SEE IF WE CAN HELP WITH YOUR PROJECT
 

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Our Firm

AT DRAKE DESIGN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, 
We create opportunities for memorable experiences and respite from the busy world, while increasing the beauty and functionality of your site, with quality design of stylish and timeless places of inspiration, connection and well-being. 
Taking a thorough assessment of your site's unique qualities  and opportunities, including the architecture and overall vision for the  project, we recognize the "Spirit of Place" of each site that informs our design approach. 
With alignment to these goals, the implementation of our thoughtful and interactive design process results in an increase in value of your property over time and provides enjoyment to you and others who experience it for many years to come.
Our team is skilled at solving complex space and design problems.
Our many projects include private residential retreats and outdoor entertainment areas, dynamic aesthetic landscapes, campus design and intelligent site planning.
We've worked with several notable Silicon Valley execs,  families, businesses and residents in the greater community.
Our team excels at creative and artful Engineering Solutions, Complex Hillside Sites, Rich Planting Designs, and helping Clients and Project Teams navigate successfully through the Planning and Permit Process.
We work closely with home owners, business owners, real estate developers, architects, engineers, designers, estate managers and contractors to ensure quality communication and attention to detail during the design and permitting process, all the way through the construction phases. 
However, we especially enjoy interactive collaboration with our clients to create beautiful custom outdoor spaces that dazzle, bring joy and peace of mind, and more connection with the natural world. 
Our extensive experience and creativity have led to industry recognition, awards and most importantly, very satisfied clients, many of which continue to work with us over the years.

OUR DESIGN PROCESS & SERVICES

Swimming Pool and Pool Cabana

Artful Outdoor Spaces Require Collaborative Teamwork & Professional Design

Whether you would like to visualize a new private outdoor entertainment area or swimming pool, get plans through the permit process, develop a commercial site, or are ready to start a new state of the art home construction, our collaborative approach will help you achieve the style and functionality that is best for you and your unique project.

 

Quality Design begins with Professional Collaboration. 

Our Team of Design Professionals includes:

* Seasoned and Talented Licensed Landscape Contractors

* Structural Engineers and Civil Engineers, Architects

* Specialty Manufacturers (if not in-house) and Artists

 

ARTFUL OUTDOOR SPACES:

From Outdoor Living Rooms, Kitchens and Seating Areas to Fireplaces, Relaxing Spas and Water features, our custom outdoor spaces reflect the architecture of your home or business, with unique, creative, one of a kind style. We design to fit our clients' needs, with comfortable and easy to maintain furnishings and beautiful features. We contract with local artists to provide sculpture, art and other specialty items when desired.

Spa and Artistic Outdoor Shower

Landscape Architecture & Design Services

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE SERVICES may include design for the following:

Site Planning, Driveways, Parking Areas, Walks, Streetscapes and Planting Areas

Pool Houses, Cabanas, Pergolas, Accessory Buildings

Outdoor Entertainment Areas and Kitchens, Patios and Decks, Steps, Railings, Arbors and Pergolas, Pools,

Fountains and Fire Features

Engineered Retaining Walls, Erosion Control, Storm Water Management and Drainage SystemsNative and Climate Adapted Plants, Habitat Restoration, Screening Trees, Orchards, Edible Gardens and Harvesting Plans

State of the Art Automated Irrigation Systems, LED and Low Voltage Lighting, Putting Greens

Fire Resistant Landscapes

​​LARGE SCALE SITE PLANNING:

- Complete Master Plans for Residential Estates.

- Master Plans and Site Planning for Public and Private Businesses, Recreation Centers, Large Campuses and Communities

PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASES MAY INCLUDE:

• Attractive, Low Water Use Planting & Irrigation Plans for WELO PERMIT PLANS.

• Color Conceptual Drawings (based on preliminary ideas & to-scale digital site plan)

• Landscape Layout and Materials Plans, Preliminary Concepts and Locations for Site Amenities

• Color 3D Conceptual Renderings

• Architectural and Artistic Planting Design including:

Stylish Planting Schemes, Pollinator Attractive Plants, Deer & Fire resistant, Non-Invasive, Slope Erosion control plantings &   CA Natives & Habitat plantings, Seasonal Color and Interest, Edible Orchards, Gardens, etc.

• Quality Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting Plans and Irrigation Plans

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS & DOCUMENTATION PLANS MAY INCLUDE:

• Permit Plans and Project Documentation

• Grading and Drainage Plans

• Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Reports or Civil Plan Packages

• Construction Documentation Packages for Estimates, with Details and Specifications for Materials and Built Amenities

- Details may include Steps, Railings, Landings, Hardscape, Drainage, Walls, Fences and Gates, Decks, Pergolas, Accessory Buildings, Spas, Irrigation Details, etc.

• Storm Water Management and Water Conservation Solutions,  Rainwater and Graywater Systems, Roof Gardens, Drainage Planter Boxes, Swales, Retention Ponds. etc.

CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION:

-Ongoing support through On Site Visits and Coordination with Engineers and Construction Team, Ordering and Placement of Plants and Lighting in the field, Additional Shop Drawings if needed, On Site Design Changes if needed, etc.

Stormwater Rain Garden Meadow

Intelligent Site Planning

Site Analysis, Context & "Spirit of Place"

Our team recognizes the unique "spirit of place" of each site, and works with existing and complex relationships among its living habitats and natural resources. We educate and consult with our various clients to achieve the most desirable outcome. We have decades of experience with native and drought tolerant plants, local ecology, sustainable materials and best resource management practices, from small to large sites. 

 

From Water Wise Plants, Automatic weather based Irrigation Systems that use Reclaimed Water, to  specifying Locally Sourced and Manufactured Products, we have been a role model of intelligent site design for over 20 years. We were on the Board of the First Annual Sustainable Landscaping Round Table and Showcase, a joint educational and marketing effort of the SF Bay CA. Landscape Contractors Association and Association of Professional Landscape Designers in 2002.

RESOURCE CONSERVATION:

Storm water management is a top priority in our overall design approach. We adhere to best storm management practices set forth by LID and other known methods, using natural bioswales, retention areas, and the like. To decrease the use of potable water sources, we can engineer a rainwater collection or graywater system to utilize for landscape irrigation, or for non-potable uses inside the home or office.

We are aware of energy consumption in the landscape, and practice conservation when it comes to using local materials, LED lighting, solar, and recycled water when appropriate.

Above Photo: Native Poppies around Natural Stone Storm Water Drainage Swale, Overflow from Rainwater Catchment Tank.  Purissima Hills Project, 2010

OUR CORE TEAM

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