Q. When do you begin thinking about a landscaping plan for a new community?
A. I get to work as soon as a site has been identified.
But I should add that the landscaping plan begins to take shape before we even know that a piece of land is designated for apartment homes. The company’s Urban Planning and Design team is charged with developing the overall look and feel of the larger village. Then it’s my job to execute that vision at the apartment community.
Q. What are you trying to achieve?
A. We want to do two things. We want to create an outdoor environment within the community that is inviting and functional, so people want to be outside. We also strive to blend into the surrounding neighborhood as much as possible. We do this by taking architectural cues from nearby homes, and selecting a familiar plant palette. We think a great deal about how people in the area will perceive us. For example, we’ll often go out and put stakes in the ground along the edge of a future community, so we can better envision how the trees will look once they’ve been planted. We want to be sure we understand how the community will look to, say, someone driving by.
Q. Do you have a favorite type of tree?
A. We frequently use evergreens. This allows the landscaping to look fresh year-round. We also prefer to use trees and plants that are already mature. It’s more expensive, but it means residents and neighbors won’t have to wait several years for the vegetation to look the way it should.
Q. Irvine Apartment Communities has put increasing emphasis on designing unique courtyards at its new communities. What is this about?
A. By definition, apartments are relatively higher in density. It’s very important to plan the open spaces with care. Well-designed courtyards with fountains and colorful tiles are a wonderful way to give residents a view from their windows. The courtyards also provide residents with more outdoor space. In many ways, they are extensions of their patios.
Q. Do you ever go back to a community once it’s finished to see how residents are responding?
A. All the time. I am very interested in how residents use the outdoor spaces. I want to see how the community wears, so to speak. Interestingly, we’ve found that people have taken ownership of the courtyards. They’re putting out tablecloths and leaving books behind for others to browse through. I love that. t
