What’s your Vision?

Where do we begin?

One of the first things that we do is facilitate a visioning process for our clients. We enjoy this process as we get to know the land and the client, a bit deeper.
If you/your friend/family/client owns a piece of land and do not know where to begin then this would be a fair start.
Your vision will become your ongoing inspiration and will give you perspective on where your land is currently and what it can be. It can also act as a glue and common point between you and anyone else who might be involved with the project. It is important to keep in mind that your intentions will evolve with you and with your land, keep redefining them for yourself and don’t get stuck on an outcome.
It’s good to have a vision statement printed and put up so it can provide the motivation and clarity you will need during challenging times.

Here are some questions to start with, let your imagination run free, brainstorm without practical considerations or judgement.

1. What motivated you to start this project?

2. What do you want and need from the landscape?

   e.g. Shade, flowers, perennial and reliable sources of water, regular supply of food, organic matter

3. What is the land offering already?

   e.g. Slopes, habitat and food for wildlife, beautiful views, some resources like rocks and dry grasses, beauty, inspiration, areas that teach (e.g. wild patches of forest), mulch, wild tree seeds etc

4. What can’t the land offer currently?

   e.g. Food, privacy, tranquility, income, play space, lots of organic matter, reliable water source, cool microclimates, somewhere to swim

5. How should the new landscape feel?

   e.g. Like a forest, fun, diverse, lush, productive, dense, cool, breezy, protected, private, open, inviting, diversity in shapes, colours, textures etc

6. What are the most urgent problems or desires to address? Is there anything being done currently that could be done differently?

   Can be very personal and might be easier if broken into categories
   For example:
   Personal (e.g. would like somewhere to sit down and take in the view)
   Aesthetic (e.g. not enough flowers, tool shed messy and not organised, pathways not clear)
   Problems to be solved (e.g. water overflowing and not being utilised, the fence has collapsed, wild boars eating produce)
   Environmental/ecological (e.g. not enough bird habitats, soil is exposed to the elements, pesticides are being used)

7. What will this area’s theme or function be within the larger landscape/region?

   e.g. Forest garden to supply food year round; Play area for adults and children; Quiet space to be and observe nature; Community zone or gathering point; Plant nursery

8. Use your responses to create a short vision statement for the area.

   e.g. To produce enough food for 20 people while minimising external inputs and human labour;
   An eco-resort that is self sufficient and a haven to all who visit;
   A wild forest habitat refuge for animals and for us to learn from;
   A model farm for regenerative practices and income generation from the same;
   An educational space and source of seeds and saplings for the surrounding villages;
   To become self sufficient in food and water by 2025;
   To grow a wide variety of heritage seeds for the farm and act as a seed bank;
   A private, lush and beautiful artists' retreat that provides a space of inspiration and sanctuary for those who come to stay, as well as provides for all the needs of residents with produce from the land itself

9. List the elements needed to make this vision for your land a reality. This can include elements that are already there that will be useful in the design.

   e.g. “To produce enough food for 20 people while minimising external inputs and human labour”
   - Home
   - Nursery
   - Seed bank
   - Water tank
   - Tool shed
   - Vegetable gardens with annuals and perennials
   - Forest gardens
   - Fixed fence
   -  Living fence
   - Pond
   - Internal windbreaks
   - Chicken run
   Etc.
   

   The items on this list are the building blocks of your design.