First solo project
During the semester break of my second year in polytechnic, when students rush to find part-time jobs, I did so too, I posted an advertisement on an app known as 'Carousell'advertising my Landscape Design services, without any hopes or
WHAT
Front Yard
WHERE
Chempaka Avenue
WHEN
30th July 2018
Designs I made using photoshop that client approved
The empty plot of land and my carousell post
expectations of receiving any clients. I enjoyed Landscaping and Designing and turning barren plots of land into something full of life. On the 30th of July to my surprise, I received a client that wanted me to design the front of her house. To me, this was not only an opportunity to earn pocket money for design supplies such as Copic markers, poster boards and printing fees that are required in my design modules, but it was also an opportunity for me to explore career paths, the landscape design industry and to expand my knowledge on design outside the classroom. I have learned so much more than my peers on Landscape design through experiences that cannot be taught such as dealing with actual clients and their personalities, dealing with plant suppliers and nurseries, managing workers. Working independently also taught me discipline and interpersonal skills. For my first client, I started with a site visit to her place to measure the
dimensions of the planting space, amount of sunlight the area received which will affect the type of plants planted, and also to figure out the type of design the client wanted. After the site visit that was settled came the long process of editing countless design drafts that were changed by the client repeatedly. After many edits and changing of the plants, arrangement, and design, this client then proceeded to go with the very first draft made.
After she agreed on the design came the costing of the services and the type and amount of plants. This again was another long process as the client wanted a very low price that was not possible. So after much negotiation, the client decided that she wanted my design, but she would like to plant the plants herself as she was an elderly who enjoyed gardening. She paid me for my designing services and did the plating herself.
Checking for availability of plants in different major nurseries across Singapore was part of the job, i made a few friends along the way
Second Project
WHAT
Front Yard
WHERE
Burgandy Drive
WHEN
19th May 2019
Progress after 5 months
immediately after planting
after 3 hard hours of labor, a selfie to remember the fun times!
My second project is a bungalow at Burgandy Drive. The couple living there messaged me inquiring about my landscape design services. This time unlike my first project, I worked smarter, learning from what could have been done more efficiently. I asked the owner to send me a photo of the area, its dimensions, soil type (sandy/compacted/clayey etc.), and how many hours does the area receives sunlight. This allowed me to spend more time on
removing the existing sand
sourcing for the appropriate plants and coming up with the design. I then set the timing of the planting works to be done with the owner and proceeded with the planting. We went to the nursery early in the morning with a van that was rented and driven by another student to pick up the plants and compost and headed to the house. Initially, the owner was understandably worried about seeing two teenagers about to design the front yard of their very expensive and luxurious home, but after we explained I am a Landscape Design & Horticulture student and we are doing this to support our school fees, he agreed to give us a chance.
Before we started planting, the owners tried planting trees, however, they died and they ended up placing artificial leaves on the dead trees to make them look presentable. The first thing we did was to remove these trees and to dig them out. Next, we removed the sand, sand is unable to hold onto moisture and nutrients necessary for plant growth. We removed the sand and filled the planting area of 5 meters by 3 meters with compost then proceeded to plant the plants.
We planted the huge Dracaena in the background first as the focal point and then surrounded it with Tabernaemontana divaricata and Lantana camara followed by some Costus sp. in the background. We then covered the top with more compost and then covered the bare area with artificial carpet grass. I chose these plants due to several factors, firstly they attract pollinators such as butterflies, birds and bees, whenever a design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also includes biodiversity, it provides interaction between the owner and space on a different level. The design is more than just a design for people to look at but it feels alive. After the design was done, I was pleased to see the owners smiling with joy and even proceeded to take photos of the design. I was also happy to find out later on that the owner also used the photo as his WhatsApp profile photo, showing me how much he loves my design.
Client review
Third
Project
WHAT
Balcony
WHERE
Bayshore condominium
WHEN
19th June 2019
My 3rd project is a family's balcony located opposite East Coast Beach. This was different from what I was used to
as it was a semi-outdoor space, where the type of plants and the arrangement of plants was very important because of several factors such as strong winds at high levels, a varying amount of sunlight, and watering routines. I had to ensure the plants I was choosing for the balcony are plants that are hardy and could survive through the conditions.
The house has three balconies, one in the master bedroom, and two in the living room. The main balcony connected to the living room comprises of four wooden planter boxes. Two of the middle planter boxes are filled with mint and basil, the homeowners love using them for their cooking and making mint tea. The two outer planters are filled with lush, colorful semi-shade plants. The balcony also comprises smaller designer pots with a variety of plant species with bright and vibrant colors such as Coleus, Variegated Monsteras, Aglaonema, and many more. Working with the family has been easy and smooth sailing because they trust my decisions and also there are rarely any budget requirements, so even a $150 variegated plant was used. For this project, unlike the previous projects, I am also in charge of doing the monthly maintenance which includes fertilizing, pruning, and trimming.
Showhouse
WHEN
I met up with them at 11 Nim Rise for a site visit and to discuss with them the type of design an plants they wanted. They wanted a rocky bare zen theme, which is what i worked on a design on Photoshop using grey pebbles and grassy plants to create a tranquil environment that provides a sense of calm and relaxation to visitors. The designing would take up to 3-4 weeks of discussing and designing. Initially I was also supposed to do the landscape implementation, however, after much discussion and alteration to the plans, I could not do it and they would end up doing implementation. In order to reduce maintenance, faux plants had to be used instead of real plants which reduced my work significantly for the landscape implementation and I got rewarded for my designs instead.
A photo of my second project got the attention of a Interior Stylists/Decorators online and they decided to contact me on designing the front yard of a show house of a new property.
Fourth Project
WHAT
WHERE
11 Nim Rise
20th October 2019
The final design implemented varied from mine, using minimal greenery (faux plants) and a very bare zen type of theme
Internship Designs
My design projects under my internship company, Toh Kim Bock Contractor Pte Ltd. are designed by me with the support and supervision of my superiors and colleagues. Landscape maintenance, work, implementation and more are all done by Toh Kim Bock Contractor Pte Ltd. I can’t express how grateful I am to my supervisors, Mr. Gregory Chow, Mr. Toh Zhi Jian, Ms. Shin Tsai,
Ms. Atika and both Ngee Ann’s and Toh Kim Bock C-E Contractor Pte. Ltd. for guiding me and sharing their knowledge with me during my internship period, making my internship a pleasant learning experience. With my background in butterfly gardening and passion for biodiversity, most of the plants I choose for my designs attract sunbirds and butterflies. The plants and arrangement of the designs are influenced by several factors. Firstly, the design needs to meet the approval and budgetary requirements of school/building officers, secondly, the guidance and advice of my superiors in the company and lastly my own design.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic designs
GREEN MALL BLOCK 27
Before: messy, overgrown landscape
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After: neat, row planting
CONVENTION CENTRE
Before: messy, sparse, patchy landscape
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Before: messy, overgrown landscape
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After: neat, colorfull landscape
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LIBRARY ENTRANCE
Before: Sparse, messy landscape
Photoshop design proposal
Snake Weed (Stachytarpheta indica) attracts butterflies
Final design, (simplified due to budgetary requirements)
Changi Business Park
JTC CORPORATION
Before: bare, empty landscape
Landscape proposal: different levels of neat rows of shrubs
Landscape proposal: Add more shrubs to cover man-made pathway on the turf
Landscape proposal: Add Licuala grandis palms and Tabernaemontana shrubs
Before: turf is damaged due to people walking across instead of using the proper pathways
Before: 4 slanting trees that pose a threat and is dangerous if they fall onto someone walking
CET ACADEMY
Photoshop proposal
Before
After: rocky, bright landscape, with grassy and flowering shrubs and ground covers
Aperia Mall
Before: Too monotonous, too much of the same plants, need some variation and different plants of different colors
Landscape Proposal: Introduction of different plants and natural boulders and pebbles.
