S a n d r o c k      Sustainable Landscapes for the Pacific Northwest      (541) 207-6399 - dsandrock@sandrockscapes.com - jsandrock@sandrockscapes.com
Home Our philosophy About us Services we offer The design process FAQs Contact us Portfolio Seminars and classes Links		Our philosophy Have you ever asked yourself, “Why do we landscape the way we do? Why do so many of our landscapes look the same? Who decided what a good landscape looks like?” These are good questions. To answer these questions requires that we understand how our garden and landscape history has conditioned our thinking. During the Neolithic age (~9,000 BP) when humans first started to settle in villages and cities, their decisions about the surrounding landscape were based strictly on function (usually related to agricultural production of recently domesticated crops). Survival was their priority. Later, as societies developed, it became possible for individuals or groups who had amassed wealth and power to implement landscapes strictly for aesthetics. Landscapes and gardens became a highly visible status symbol (e.g. Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Versailles) and the most prevalent theme was “man’s power over Nature”. These early landscapes that were based on aesthetics and controlling Nature came to represent a “good” landscape in our collective conscience and continue to influence our landscapes to this day. The concept of landscaping is now experiencing an exciting paradigm shift. In light of contemporary environmental issues, people are beginning to question this antiquated approach to landscaping based strictly on aesthetics and the illusion of man controlling Nature (maintaining this illusion is in large part responsible for the pesticide, fertilizer, water and carbon inputs required by many of our modern landscapes). We are beginning to ask questions like, “How can I build and maintain a safe, environmentally responsible landscape that will provide ecosystem services? How can I build a low input (pesticide, fertilizer, water and carbon) high output (wildlife habitat and food, stormwater management, oxygen production, carbon sequestration, human food and enjoyment) landscape? At Sandrock we believe that a “good” landscape should: conserve water improve water quality (at least not further degrade it) slow down stormwater reduce synthetic fertilizer input reduce pesticide input reduce energy usage (carbon footprint) increase biodiversity provide wildlife habitat provide local food (permaculture) produce oxygen sequester carbon dioxide filter air pollutants and dust We will design, construct and manage your landscape to achieve these goals. A few of the practices that we specialize in include: installing plants that are adapted to site conditions bioretention (bioswales, raingardens) using gray water on our landscapes (not legal in Oregon yet, but hopefully soon) disconnecting your downspouts rainwater harvesting xeriscaping composting (on site nutrient cycling) using organic fertilizers mulching reusing and recycling existing features permeable hardscapes only using local products planting for food (permaculture) placing plants to reduce heating and cooling costs greenroofs greenwalls bird, bat and butterfly boxes planting for pollinators educating onlookers (signage) reducing the landscape’s dependence on power tools reducing components that require intensive management eliminating monocrops eliminating invasive plants streamside gardening habitat restoration As humans, we have a larger and more crucial impact on the planet than any other species. Consequently, we have a responsibility to minimize those impacts wherever possible. One way that each of us can take responsibility for our impacts and make a difference is by designing, building and maintaining low input, resilient landscapes that provide ecosystem services and support a diversity of life forms. If designed, built and managed properly, environmentally responsible landscapes do not sacrifice aesthetics. In fact, environmentally responsible landscapes accentuate and emphasize the unique character of a given location or region. At Sandrock, we employ the same design principles that many other landscape designers/contractors use (e.g. unity, balance, repetition, connection, sense of place), we simply apply them to an environmentally responsible infrastructure. In closing, your landscape has always provided ecosystem services to the local ecology. In designing your landscape, we aim to continue and optimize these services. It is important to remember that, as humans, we do not create landscapes, we change existing landscapes. Copyright © 2007 S a n d r o c k.  All rights reserved.