Robert N Oelberg ASLA PA

I'm a landscape architect practicing landscape design and land planning in the Northwestern North Carolina High Country since 1994. Before that, I worked as a landscape architect in Alexandria, Virginia, starting in 1985. Since I incorporated in 2000, I've built my business upon a synthesis of three core values: 1. Create functional, aesthetic and economic VALUE for clients through design; 2. Plan for landscape SUSTAINABILITY through the careful selection of plants and enrichment of existing soils in order to minimize water consumption, minimize the need for ongoing landscape maintenance, and maximize the resilience of plants against adverse weather, temperature extremes and herbivores; 3. Promote natural BALANCE both within the designed landscape and in the surrounding ecosystem, though the introduction of well-adapted native plants whenever project circumstances allow. In implementing these three core values, I continually ask myself a question: 'Is it SIMPLE?' Is the design concept simple? Is there a simple relationship between the landscape that I'm proposing, the building and what surrounds it? Will the future maintenance be simple? My extensive background in planning residential communities, determining road alignments, selecting building sites, creating grading plans and working on-site with grading contractors brings a unique perspective to my role as a landscape designer. I tend to consider any project within larger considerations of local watershed, slopes, existing woodlands, views, access, soils and wildlife. I rely heavily on graphics to communicate design ideas to clients. Residential landscape plans which I prepare are always in full color, and emulate the appearance of hand painted watercolors. I use that style not only because of its visual appeal, but also so that the client and landscape contractor alike can easily distinguish the different plants that are represented on the plan. The plan is typically accompanied by a second sheet that provides planting notes, details and pictures of the plants shown on the plan. Additionally, I often create renderings from photographs to show clients what the proposed landscape could look like in three to five years, given a reasonable level of care. Regarding my fees, I'm sensitive to client budgets and try to get a handle on client expectations for the expense and project outcome from the beginning. Communicating design ideas effectively through illustrative color plans, renderings of the proposed landscape, and plant photos are all tools I employ to communicate outcomes that clients can expect in return for their investment. I usually give clients an idea of what my fee will be once I understand their project aspirations and budget. Typically, I charge hourly with a not to exceed limit of 15% of the overall project budget. For most smaller residential design projects, I've found that it's optimal for all involved if I work closely, from the beginning, with the landscape contractor who will be installing the project. I have a relationship with a local landscape contractor which resembles 'design-build', except that we have separate companies. Specifically, that means that I'm very familiar with the contractor's capabilities and project cost estimating, so that I can design to a client's budget from the beginning. It also means that a client can hold both of us accountable for the project outcome, as he or she would hold a single company accountable. Those are benefits to the client. The benefit to my business and the contractor is increased project efficiency. If my planning and design capabilities seem appropriate to a project you're considering, please don't hesitate to contact me to meet with you on-site. I'll listen carefully and then tell you how I can assist with your undertaking, propose an anticipated fee and the timeframe within which I can provide services. Thanks for the time you are spending reviewing my profile and learning more about my practice. As you undertake the new landscape which you are apparently contemplating, I encourage you to continually ask yourself the question: 'Is it SIMPLE?' In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, artist, inventor and designer extraordinaire, 'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication'.