Archive for the ‘Site Renovation Planning & Design’ Category

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Up to $25,000 Rebates Available through 2010 Aurora Xeriscape Program

by Matt Corrion

More communities are realizing that Xeriscape (low water use landscaping) makes sense, and are actively promoting it.

low water use xeriscape

photo of a converted xeriscape that was previously a lawn area

The City of Aurora, Colorado and Aurora Water have been pioneers in water conservation through supporting regionally appropriate landscape design.  Outdoor Design Group has been actively involved with the program for the last couple of years.  For 2010, the Xeriscape Rebate program has been allocated $250,000 dollars for rebates to convert high water use landscapes (sod, turf, or lawn) to Xeriscape.

In past posts on this blog, I have documented the money and water savings and given examples of the beauty of these landscapes.  Each site is different, but in general you can expect a Read more…

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What Not to Do- Placing Irrigation Heads Next to Fencing

by Matt Corrion

This is my first in a series of “what not to do” posts related to landscape and site design.

One of the ways that I challenge myself to learn and to stay on top of the latest trends is to keep my eyes open for good and bad designs and ideas as I travel around my area or out of town.fence damaged by irrigation

The fence on the right is located near my home, in what appears to be an HOA (home owner’s association) maintained area next to a single family housing development.  This is just one example of fences like this that can be found all over Denver.  The root of the problem is that they have put sod directly against a wooden fence.  Sod is typically irrigated by overhead spray and the water from the irrigation is discoloring and deteriorating the fence.

Problems with placing irrigation heads directly next to fencing

  • Discolored fencing is unattractive:  Obviously this is an aesthetics issue- these fences are a real eye-sore for these developments and the surrounding community. Read more…
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Xeriscape Rebate Programs Provide a Great Opportunity for HOA’s and other Property Owners

by Matt Corrion

The following slideshow includes images from our latest completed project-  Phases 1 and 2 of a complete site renovation for the Villas at Aspen Ridge condominium complex in Aurora, Colorado:

This $400,000 project entailed correcting some serious drainage problems and replacing outdated high water-use landscaping with new low water-use landscaping as part of Aurora’s Xeriscape Rebate Program.  Outdoor Design Group worked with the HOA to design the improvements, submit plans to the City for approval, and apply for the Xeriscape rebate.   Read more…

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Save Money and Water by Converting Sod to Xeriscape

by Matt Corrion

It’s easier to do and can provide bigger savings than you might think.  And, if your renovation is well designed, the property has the potential to gain significant curb appeal and value.  Take the multi-family HOA (home owner’s association) property below, for example:

villas-HOA-before-after

The plain old high-maintenance traditional landscape is on the left, and the same property is shown on the right after one of our renovations using a Xeriscape approach.  The finished product has numerous beautiful flowering shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, and trees that will continue to grow over the next couple of seasons into an attractive and lush landscape.

What are the other advantages, you ask, and how does this save money? Read more…

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Interview with Urban Design Podcast about Site Renovations

by Matt Corrion

I was recently interviewed by Arina Habich for the website Urban Design Podcast about our “site renovation planning and design” services for commercial properties.  Visit the site to listen to the interview and to see the accompanying photos.

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.

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