process
site analysis
getting to know your property + vision
we start with an existing conditions basemap, measuring and charting the existing water, sun, privacy, views, and other salient factors on your site. we hear your dreams for outdoor living and quickly iterate spatial flow + composition options.
2. landscape design
site plan with material + plant selection
then, we develop the best of into a site plan, honing scale, orientation, and massing. once a preferred layout takes shape, we select materials and plantings to define the textural and tonal vibe of the new design.
3. construction liason
collaborating with contractors
finally, we work with you to find contractors with expertise in your design’s elements—carpenters, concretists, masons, landscapers, and gardeners—and tailor our drawing sets to the team’s budget and needs.
scope
a. existing conditions
we integrate the complexities of the outdoors and unite a site’s many layers—natural forces and desireline patterns—into gracious, functional living spaces.
sunlight + shade
water + drainage
landform + slope
precipitation + climate
privacy + views
accessibility + circulation
soil + habitat
use + lifestyle
b. hardscape
hardscape expands your outdoor livability. we partner with local contractors to bring sustainable and enduring materials crafted with efficiency and care for your build.
decks + patios
paths, steps + walls
fences + gates
benches + firepits
outdoor showers + hot tubs
outdoor kitchens + barbeques
small structures
night-lighting
c. planting
our favorite part! plant selection and composition is all about synergy—tone, texture, movement, successional bloom, pollinator attractors—plants bring the vibe.
lush + low-maintenance
native + naturalized species
low-water + drought tolerance
cottage gardens
edible + medicinal gardens
guilds + food forests
firewise planting
desert + xeriscapes
make your eden
happy plants, happy back
an ecologically fit garden is a self-thriving garden, a low-maintenance garden. terrene gardens are designed to need less labor and resources overtime. less weeding, less watering. a garden on life support is a fragile thing. we design for resilience, for ecological fitness. the birds, bees, and your back will thank you.
we prioritize material durability + naturalized plants.
terrene’ s plant palettes draw from climate-adapted species from the world’s 5 mediterranean climates — including 1) the namesake mediterrean basin (including southern europe, northern africa, and the middle east), 2) central chile, 3) south africa, 4) australia, and 5) the natives of our own california.