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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
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
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.
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.
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
Principal Landscape Architect & Artistic Director
Leah Drake, RLA
Leah has always understood the value of inspiring design aesthetics in landscapes and architecture, from the great historic parks and cultivated gardens, to the artistic sweeps of unbridled nature. Involved in the Landscape Design profession since college, she opened Drake Design Landscape Architecture in Los Gatos in 2009. Her successful professional repertoire spans a variety of projects- from comprehensive detailed permit and construction packages for large community campuses and small boutique commercial spaces, to creative custom design plans for private residential retreats, gardens and entertainment spaces. Behind her passion is a commitment to her lifelong mission of creating artful outdoor spaces that inspire and provide people with the opportunity to connect and enjoy our beautiful natural world. Leah's experiences since childhood have informed her that connection with nature and the quality of our environments are key to enhancing and developing our highest potentials. With a background in Philosophy and Psychology, she graduated with honors from the Landscape Architecture Program at UC Berkeley, and brings her love for research and scholarship to the profession, as well as practicality, project feasibility, and a love for people, collaboration and team work. She is well versed in construction terminology and procedures, and enjoys formulating intelligent and beautiful low maintenance solutions in a diversity of situations. Specialties include site planning on complex sites, artistic outdoor furnishings, fun materials, rich planting palettes, lighting, and water conservation. Leah is a member of the ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects), the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, and has been an affiliate of the US Green Building Council. She was on the original Sustainable Landscape Council RoundTable with the APLD and CLCA in 2002 and since then has been on design teams featured in Sunset Magazine, along with Innovative Design Awards in custom outdoor furnishings and Water Conservation.
Construction Technology Specialist
Jon S. Clark
Jon's astute technical design expertise is essential at the Drake Design studio. He brings out-of-the-box creativity and unstoppable enthusiasm, along with high quality craftsmanship, with over 30 years of construction experience to the design table. Aesthetics and functionality is a combination that has fascinated Jon since he was a kid. Raised around the trades professions in the SF Bay Area, he has always been intrigued by the technical aspects of construction and has developed an aptitude for understanding how to successfully balance form and function to provide the best long term value to his clients. Over the years he's gained tremendous experience designing and implementing a wide range of interesting and creative work, including beautiful landscape structures, custom lighting, and artistic alternative water and infrastructure systems. Our clients have come to expect Jon's commitment to construction details that are beautiful, function well, and last over time. See more: www.DenaliLandscape.com.
Office Herd Technologist & Agility Drill Cadet
Cash McNab
Expert office cat herder and squirrel wrangler, Cash provides essential smiles, wags and games to the team.
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