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Certification Process

VSLD Home Value of Landscape Design Selecting a Qualified Designer VA Landscape Standards
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Review of applications, and all the required materials, will be made by the VSLD Selection Committee.
The Committee, which meets quarterly, will examine the following:

I. A WRITTEN "DESIGN INTENT" FOR THE SUBMITTED PLAN

A. Clients' functional and aesthetic needs should be identified.

B. Clients' preferences should be clear.

C. On-site and off-site conditions/restrictions affecting the design are explained.

D. Architecture of house/building is considered.

E. Designer's goals and concept are clearly presented.

II. AN APPROPRIATE AND COMPETENT DESIGN

A. Site conditions are reflected on plan. (Identification of property line, any overhead power lines, any terrain changes, presence of septic field, location of ponds/seawater, etc.)

B. Consideration is made of vehicular and pedestrian circulation. (Are the driveway, walkway and porch/landing dimensions adequate? Is there sufficient room for circulation around urns, statuary, furniture? Is there appropriate access from home to garden? Are health, safety and public welfare adequately addressed?)

C. Maintenance considerations. (Is there adequate space for lawn maintenance? Is there access to storage, trash and compost areas? Is plant maintenance high or low?)

D. Correct use of scale, form, texture and/or color to achieve the design goal outlined in Design Intent.

E. Design Intent fulfilled.

III. SUITABLE PLANT MATERIAL

A. Plants suit the climate. (Zone)

B. Cultural growing conditions are appropriate (Sun, shade, drainage, moisture)

C. Function of plantings is clear. (Is area to be used for screening? For kitchen garden? For cutting garden? As a formal area? Etc.)

D. Style of plants consistent. (Modern, Southwest, Victorian, English, Tropical, etc.).

E. Plant choice fits architecture of house/building.

IV. GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

A. Graphics are clear. (Is there a title block? Are site conditions well labeled? Are leader lines identifying plants uncluttered and not overlapping? If key is used, is it legible? Is plant ID clear? Is room allowed for full plant maturity? Are the north arrow and scale information found on the title block or otherwise indicated? Is all work rendered by the candidate alone?)

B. Plants are correctly labeled. (Consistent use of either botanical or common names. Correct spelling.)

C. Plant list/Plant schedule present. (Does this include the botanical names, common names, purchase size, quantity and specifications?)

D. Bidding/contractor information present. (Are appropriate installation details included?)

V. EDUCATION

Clearly describe your educational background in landscape design, horticulture or landscape architecture. If you have not completed a degree, identify all classes you have taken thus far. If you have completed a two or four year program in these fields (or in a related field such as art history, applied art, graphic design, etc.), identify your academic institution and year of graduation.

VI. WORK EXPERIENCE

Clearly describe the amount of landscape design work experience you have had, including the number of hours per week and the number of years in the field.