Havenwood, LLC Landscape Architecture and Site Planning
Firm Profile
Havenwood, LLC Landscape Architecture & Site Planning was established in 2003 as a Rhode Island-based firm providing landscape architectural services to residential, commercial, and municipal clients. The company was co-founded by Alan R. Ahlstrom, the Principal Landscape Architect and Elaine M. Grant, the Business Manager. Havenwood holds its Certificate of Authorization (COA# LALLC 2) with the Rhode Island state registration board for Landscape Architects and RI DOT qualified Landscape Architect.
Havenwood provides our clients within the public and private sector with a wide range of professional services including:
- Site Planning;
- Project Initiation: Analysis, Assessment and Feasibility;
- Design Development;
- Planting Plans;
- Estimating,
- Phasing,
- Construction Detailing and Documentation;
- Bid Coordination;
- and Construction Observation
Project Initiation: Analysis Assessment and Feasibility – This initial phase involves a fact-finding mission. All relevant data that is or will affect the project must be identified. A survey must be provided showing all site conditions clearly and accurately. A site analysis with photography of the existing conditions is completed and studied. Client needs and general budgetary issues should be confirmed and, governmental jurisdiction, if any, will be clarified. Once done, the results of this phase work will lay the foundation for the next stage of the process.
Master Planning – With the completion of the Project Initiation phase, the creative process begins. Alternative designs are generated culminating in the best design, the Master Plan. To effectively communicate the Master Plan, the client is presented with diagrammatic plans, elevations and/or perspective sketches.
Design Development – With the client’s approval of the Master Plan, Design Development begins. Key components are studied in greater depth. Some redesign may occur with new program requirements outlined. Additional detailed plans are developed including: planting, layout and materials plans. Sections, elevations, construction details, and outline specifications are also created. In essence, this phase work will clearly define the scope, character and quality of the project. Also, at this juncture, Havenwood LLC also offers a more detailed Cost Estimate.
Planting Plans – The detailed generation of plans showing the placement of specific plants by horticultural name, common name, and sizes.
Estimating – A process for generating budgetary prices fo the project construction based on industry accepted methods and standards to allow for informed decisions during the project and to provide general comparison in the bidding phase. As the project evolves and is refined so too does the estimate. This can include the general projected maintenance costs of the installed landscape.
Phasing – The division of the entire Masterplan into distinct portions that can be installed over a period of time to better meet a client’s budget requirements or funding. The goal being that each phase be complete unto itself and the minimization of the needs to rework or rebuild portions to complete future phases.
Construction Detail and Documentation – In this phase, Construction and Detail Drawings, along with final Specifications are developed. These technical materials provide clear communications between our client and their contractor. They also present and communicate the intent of our design in terms of quality expectations, complexity, and final appearance. Additionally, these Construction Documents provide the basis of a contractual agreement between our client and their contractor for the construction of the project as defined by the scope of work.
Bid Coordination – As required by a client, Havenwood LLC could identify numerous qualified landscape construction contractors and submit Construction Bid Sets to them for the purpose of obtaining bid proposals. If required, we will meet in person with bidding contractors on-site to clarify and communicate the specifics of the project. The resulting bids will be reviewed for completeness and presented to the client for award of a construction contract.
Construction Observation – Dependent upon the complexity and the level of detail in the final design, Havenwood LLC will interact with the contractor in an effort to ensure that construction proceeds in such a way as to maintain the integrity of the client-approved design as represented in the Construction Documents. Our staff’s years of experience in the design/build environment will aid in securing a smooth and timely process resulting in a project of the utmost quality.
Additional Services – Certain projects may require work components that fall outside the basic services. Such work may include, but is not limited to the following:
Professional Coordination – coordination of any necessary consultants, for example, engineering, architectural, irrigation, etc.
Governmental Approvals – assistance in obtaining approval(s) from the appropriate governing board or agency. Planning Boards, Conservation and historical commissions, Departments of environmental Management or transportation and zoning to name a few.
Material Selection – selection and tagging of materials — for example, stone or plants — at supply yards.
Specialized Designs – client-tailored designs and layouts for lighting, security, sound design, in-field boulder arrangement, plant placement, etc.
RI CRMC Invasive Plant Manager #001 – Develop Invasive Management plans for CRMC approvals to increase the allowed Maintained Buffer from 25% to 50% with in coastal buffer zones. Provide on-site supervision while work is being done and create required follow up reports to CRMC for the required time periods.
Construction Management/General Contracting – for some, select residential projects, Havenwood LLC will act as general contractor/manager to establish a single point of contact with the client in an effort to ensure that construction proceeds in such a way as to maintain the integrity of the Landscape design as represented in the Construction Documents.