Landscape Design Software

Are you aware of the hidden costs in your product's raw material? : : Accurately calculating raw material costs is a cornerstone of should-cost modeling. By effectively identifying the materials required, determining the cost per unit, and accounting for potential waste and additional costs like handling and transportation, you can develop a comprehensive and reliable cost model. Key Parameters for Should Cost Process in Material Calculation: # Raw Material Identification: ·  Material type and grade ·  Material source/origin # Material Quantity: · Required quantity (per unit or batch) · Packaging units # Material Cost per Unit: · Supplier quotes · Market prices · Historical data · Discounts and bulk pricing # Material Waste or Loss: · Scrap/waste factor ·  Defects and rejections # Handling and Storage Costs: ·  Material handling · Storage costs (rent, insurance, utilities) · Inventory management # Freight and Transportation: ·  Shipping costs · Delivery method (air, sea, road) ·  Customs and tariffs # Lead Time and Order Frequency: · Lead time variations · Order volume # Supplier Terms and Conditions: · Payment terms · Return and warranty policies · Exchange Rates (For Imported Materials) # Material Substitution and Alternatives: · Substitute materials ·  Material optimization # Environmental and Regulatory Factors: · Recycling or sustainability initiatives · Regulatory compliance # Operational Overheads Related to Materials: · Processing costs · Energy costs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Ask Yourself: -> Did you consider the net weight and gross weight calculation properly? -> Did you consider scrap weight and scrap cost in your estimation? -> Do you have access to the global raw material index and recent material price database? -> Have you asked your supplier about the raw material cost per kg as well as the scrap cost per kg? -> Do you consider Manufacturing overhead (MOH) and inventory cost (raw materials)? -> What about the scrap cost percentage based on different commodities? -> Did you optimize material through strip layout, nesting, cavity, and other techniques? -> What’s your strategy when the supplier asks for material cost increases due to market fluctuations? -> Did you consider the volume/batch/MOQ impact, as well as regional cost impact, in your calculations? -> Did you consider any coating and primary requirements in the raw material stage? -> Commodity-Specific Considerations, etc.

Chinese Landscape Architect Kongjian Yu’s “Sponge cities” approach is saving cities from flooding. Sponge cities use soft green surfaces to slow water down. Sponge cities allows water to spread out and be absorbed by the landscape to hydrate soil and recharge aquifers. The Dutch call it “Room for the river”. Sponge cities approach also seeks capture water and re-use it for drinking and irrigation. This landscape architectural approach is the opposite to engineering solutions that quickly pipe water away down efficient concrete channels and pipes. As we build our cities we convert large areas of natural landscape to highly paved impervious surfaces. Stormwater runs off these surfaces very quickly compared to soft green landscape. All this water ends up in our creek’s and rivers in minutes rather than hours which can lead to flooding. Kongjian Yu rightly points out that haven’t changed the way we design cities for 200 years. When we design our streets with kerb and gutters and efficient concrete storm water pipes, our street trees sit high and dry as water flows past them. We allow perfectly clean water off roofs to flow onto streets and immediately be contaminated with brake dust, heavy metals, oils, dust, cigarette butts and chip packets. We have theoretical software modeling that drives extremely expensive engineered biological deserts euphemistically called “rain gardens”. A sponge cities approach would instead: >> Greatly reduce impervious hard surfaces and replace with green or porous materials. >> Use green roofs to capture and slow water while also reducing urban heat and increasing biodiversity. >> Direct clean roof water to storage lakes to re-use as drinkable water like Wannon Waters “Roof to Tap” scheme. >> Use passive irrigation that waters our street trees first and hydrate the landscape for a cool green city. >> Have porous kerbs that allow through to irrigate verge planting. >> Capture and stores water off streets into 200mm deep wicking beds below lawn areas and sports fields to provide resilient green open space. >> Use porous paving to soak up low flows and provide friction to slow water down. >> Have leaky rock wiers along creeks to create a series of intermittent pools to slow water down and hydrate the landscape. >> Allow trees and shrubs In drainage lines to slow water down and provide habitat and aesthetic value. >> Not use expensive sports fields with highly specialised sandy loam turf underlay as detention basins. >> integrate flood detention basins for the 1% events into the landscape so that 99% of the time they are aesthetic and useful open spaces. As master Yoda would say, “Unlearn you must”. #spongecities #water #climateresilience You can read this NYT gift article without a subscription. https://lnkd.in/gHBiMG76

Most parks don’t fail because of poor design. They fail because ecology is ignored. A park is not just pathways, lawns, and benches — it is a living system that needs to be designed with water, soil, climate, biodiversity, and human behaviour in mind. Dead plantations? Often a result of poor species selection, wrong soil mixes, or ignoring wind & sunlight patterns. Dry landscapes or waterlogging? Caused by missing contour studies, faulty drainage planning, and zero water-balance analysis. No birds, no shade, no life? Because biodiversity wasn’t considered. Every tree species supports a specific set of insects & birds — and when you plant the wrong species, the entire chain collapses. This is why ecological planning is not optional — it’s the foundation of long-lasting public spaces. As a Landscape Architect & Ecological Planner, my work goes beyond aesthetics: ✔️ Water management & sustainable flow systems ✔️ Soil & geology studies for long-term plant survival ✔️ Climate-responsive design ✔️ Plantation strategy based on biodiversity ✔️ Creating parks, campuses & public spaces that thrive — not just in the first year, but for decades Parks fail when ecology is missing. Parks succeed when science, sustainability, and design work together. Let’s build public spaces that live, breathe, and grow — not fade away. link If you care about sustainability, landscape. #LandscapeArchitecture #EcologicalPlanning #UrbanDesign #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateResponsiveDesign #WaterManagement #BiodiversityMatters #GreenInfrastructure #PublicSpaces #UrbanPlanning #EnvironmentalDesign #ParksAndRecreation #LandscapeArchitect #SustainabilityInDesign #SoilHealth #CityDevelopment #FutureOfCities Landscape Architecture, Ecological Planning, Urban Greens, Sustainable Design, Biodiversity, Water Management, Public Space Development, Climate Responsive Design, Environmental Planning, Park Design Strategy

## Unlock Seamless Client-Designer Collaboration! 🔥 Granting your clients access to Figma can revolutionize your design workflow by fostering collaboration and transparency. Clients can interact with the design in real-time, providing immediate feedback and enabling quick adjustments. 🛠️ This accelerates the iteration process and ensures the final product aligns perfectly with the client's vision. 🎨 ### Benefits: **Real-Time Feedback:** Clients can instantly share their thoughts, speeding up the iteration process. 💬 **Enhanced Transparency:** Clients can monitor progress and understand the rationale behind design decisions. 👀 **Improved Communication:** Direct comments on the design minimize misunderstandings and streamline discussions. 📣 ### Challenges: **Potential Over-Involvement:** Clients might make their own changes, potentially disrupting the design process. 🚫 **Learning Curve:** Some clients may need time to get accustomed to Figma, possibly slowing the initial phase. ⏳ **Boundary Setting:** Establishing clear guidelines is essential to prevent unintentional alterations that could lead to confusion. 🛑 Overall, providing clients access to Figma can be a game-changer. However, setting clear boundaries and conducting regular check-ins are crucial for a smooth and productive design journey. ✅ #ui

Cost Plans/Estimates as per Different Industry Standards 🚫 Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) ➡ RICS: Level 1 Estimate ➡ AACE: Class 5 Estimate ➡ RIBA: Stage 0 "Strategic Definition" ➡ End Usage: Class 5 (ROM) estimates are prepared for any number of strategic business planning purposes, such as but not limited to market studies, assessment of initial viability, evaluation of alternate schemes, project screening, project location studies, evaluation of resource needs and budgeting, long-range capital planning, etc. 🚫 Order of Cost Estimate ➡ RICS: Level 2 Estimate ➡ AACE: Class 4 Estimate ➡ RIBA: Stage 1 "Preparation and Briefing" ➡ End Usage: Class 4 (Order of Cost Estimate) estimates are prepared for a number of purposes, such as but not limited to, detailed strategic planning, business development, project screening at more developed stages, alternative scheme analysis, confirmation of economic and/or technical feasibility, and preliminary budget approval or approval to proceed to next stage. 🚫 Cost Plan 1 ➡ RICS: Level 3 Estimate ➡ AACE: Class 3 Estimate ➡ RIBA: Stage 2 "Concept Design" ➡ End Usage: Class 3 (Cost Plan 1) estimates are typically prepared to support full project funding requests and become the first of the project phase control estimates against which all actual costs and resources will be monitored for variations to the budget. They are used as the project budget until replaced by more detailed estimates. In many owner organizations, a Class 3 estimate is often the last estimate required and could very well form the only basis for cost/schedule control. 🚫 Cost Plan 2 ➡ RICS: Level 4 Estimate ➡ AACE: Class 2 Estimate ➡ RIBA: Stage 3 "Spatial Coordination" ➡ End Usage: Class 2 (Cost Plan 2) estimates are typically prepared as the detailed contractor control baseline (and update to the owner control baseline) against which all actual costs and resources will now be monitored for variations to the budget and form a part of the change management program. Some organizations may choose to make funding decisions based on a Class 2 estimate. 🚫 Cost Plan 3 ➡ RICS: Level 5 Estimate ➡ AACE: Class 1 Estimate ➡ RIBA: Stage 4 "Technical Design" ➡ End Usage: Generally, owners and EPC contractors use Class 1 estimates to support their change management process. They may be used to evaluate bid checking, to support vendor/contractor negotiations, or for claim evaluations and dispute resolution. Construction contractors may prepare Class 1 estimates to support their bidding and to act as their final control baseline against which all actual costs and resources will now be monitored for variations to their bid. During construction, Class 1 estimates may be prepared to support change management. Client may use these types of estimates for commercial bid evaluations. #costplanning #estimates #costplans #bidding #tendering #RICS #AACE #RIBA #costmanagement

Real-time, multi-user collaboration is no longer a future vision—it’s here, and it’s live in #Forma and Autodesk Construction Cloud via the Forma Board. This is a huge leap forward for #AEC teams: a browser-based collaboration environment where architects, consultants, and stakeholders can work together in the same model, at the same time. No screen sharing. No file handoffs. No waiting for feedback loops to catch up with the pace of work. It’s not just about improving productivity—it’s about enabling truly connected design. Getting the right people in the room (or in the model) earlier, so decisions are more informed and outcomes are stronger. Multiplayer mode in Autodesk Forma Board is helping teams accelerate decision-making, stay aligned, and unlock better outcomes earlier in the process. This is what connected design looks like—and it’s only the beginning. 🎥 Take a look at what’s possible. #Forma #AEC #DesignTechnology #Collaboration #DigitalDelivery #Autodesk #Innovation #Architecture #DigitalTransformation

Cost Estimation * Cost estimation is the process of forecasting the financial resources required to complete a project within its defined scope and timeframe.    Purpose: To provide an approximate budget for the project. To determine the feasibility and economic viability of the project. To assist in project planning and decision-making. Stages: Initial Estimation: Broad estimates made during the early stages of the project based on limited information. Refined Estimation: More detailed and accurate estimates made as the project scope becomes clearer and more information is available. Techniques: Analogous Estimating: Using historical data from similar projects. Parametric Estimating: Using statistical relationships between historical data and other variables. Bottom-Up Estimating: Breaking down the project into smaller components and estimating the cost of each component. Expert Judgment: Consulting with experts who have experience with similar projects. Output: A detailed cost estimate document that outlines the expected financial requirements for the project. Cost Control *Cost control is the process of monitoring and managing project expenditures to ensure that the project stays within the approved budget. Purpose: To manage and reduce cost overruns. To ensure the project is completed within the approved financial resources. To provide data for financial reporting and project decision-making. Stages: Budget Baseline: Establishing a baseline budget based on the cost estimation. Monitoring: Continuously tracking actual costs against the budget. Controlling: Taking corrective actions to address any deviations from the budget. Techniques: Earned Value Management (EVM): Measuring project performance and progress in an objective manner. Variance Analysis: Identifying and analyzing differences between planned and actual costs. Trend Analysis: Using historical data to predict future performance. Change Control: Managing changes to the project scope that may affect costs. Output: Regular cost reports and updates. Corrective action plans to address any deviations. Final cost performance assessment at project completion. Key Differences Focus: Cost estimation focuses on predicting the financial resources needed before the project starts. Cost control focuses on managing and adjusting the project budget during execution. Timing: Cost estimation is primarily a pre-project activity. Cost control is an ongoing activity throughout the project lifecycle. Objective:  The objective of cost estimation is to create a financial plan.  The objective of cost control is to adhere to the financial plan and mitigate deviations. Both cost estimation and cost control are crucial for effective project management. Accurate cost estimation sets the foundation for a realistic budget, while diligent cost control ensures that the project stays on track financially, ultimately contributing to the project's success. #Cost_Estimation #Cost_control #Safeek #LinkedIn

The best way I know to collaborate with a junior designer? Make the file feel like a shared space, not a correction exercise. Because I’ve been on the other side when I newly started this UX Journey. Someone once jumped in, (then I was using Adobe XD) overwrote my designs… And for a moment, I honestly questioned why I became a UX Designer in the first place. Here’s what I feel works better → Use sections or pages so you both can explore without clashing. → Drop comments or suggestions instead of directly replacing their work in Figma . → Frame feedback around the user or the problem, not their “design style.” For instance. “What if we adjust this so it’s easier to scan on across all device?” instead of “this layout is wrong.” Can we try using auto layout so it’s easier for us to update this design later. Instead of, “grouping is wrong use auto layout”. And the real secret? Ask them to walk you through their thinking. Highlight what’s working. Then build on it together. That way, you’re not just correcting, you’re co-creating. They grow, you guide, and the work gets better without ego in the mix. Just curious, how do you give feedback that teaches without tearing down? #uxdesign #uidesign #figma

Exploring Tropical Landscape Design — Through Materials, Texture & Plant Identity As part of our design process in landscape architecture, visualizing materiality is as important as spatial planning. This tropical moodboard is more than just a collage — it’s a tactile narrative that captures the essence of tropical outdoor environments, balancing texture, warmth, durability, and native planting palettes. 🔹 Hardscape Materials: We carefully selected materials that reflect natural harmony and long-term functionality in tropical climates: Travertine & Limestone: Light-toned, porous stones that stay cool underfoot and blend beautifully with vegetation. Porcelain: For modern walkways and patios, offering durability and minimal water absorption. Basalt: A darker, high-contrast volcanic stone used for edging or retaining features, adding visual weight and definition. Bamboo & Rattan: Sustainable and tactile materials used in furnishings, shade structures, and visual accents. Woven Fabric & Outdoor Textiles: Earthy tones and textures for soft furnishings that withstand humidity and sun exposure. 🔹 Tropical Plant Palette: To support the sensory richness of the landscape, we paired the materials with low-maintenance yet expressive tropical plants: Monstera deliciosa – for bold, architectural foliage. Croton – vibrant leaves that bring contrast and color to shaded areas. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) – a shade-loving understory plant that complements stone elements. These plants are not just decorative — they anchor the mood and scale of the space while thriving in the regional microclimate. Why Moodboards Matter in Landscape Design: Moodboards offer a tactile bridge between concept and construction. They help clients, consultants, and contractors align visually and emotionally with the project vision. Every texture, surface, and plant here was chosen not only for its beauty — but for its role in crafting outdoor experiences that feel natural, timeless, and culturally rooted. #LandscapeArchitecture #TropicalDesign #MaterialMoodboard #SustainableDesign #UrbanGreening #OutdoorLiving #DesignWithNature #Hardscape #PlantSelection #Architecture #UAE #AliBahjatTuffaha

Cost Evaluation Techniques 🧮 1. Zero-Based Costing (ZBC) A method where each cost element is justified from scratch (“zero base”) rather than using historical prices or vendor quotes. Purpose: To identify what a product should cost based on its fundamental materials, labor, overheads, and profit. Use Case: Negotiating with suppliers; cost transparency analysis; design-to-cost projects. 💡 2. Should-Be Cost (SBC) / Should-Cost Analysis Estimates what a product should cost if produced efficiently, considering realistic input costs, manufacturing processes, and logistics. Purpose: Helps buyers understand supplier pricing structures and negotiate better deals. Use Case: Strategic sourcing, supplier benchmarking, and value engineering. 💰 3. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Evaluates the total cost incurred over the product’s entire lifecycle—not just the purchase price. Components Include: Purchase cost Transportation & logistics Installation & commissioning Maintenance & operation Downtime & disposal costs Use Case: Evaluating long-term value, particularly for capital goods and complex systems. 🚢 4. Landed Cost Approach Calculates the total cost of a product once it arrives at the buyer’s location. Includes: Purchase price + transportation + insurance + customs duties + taxes + handling charges. Use Case: Import/export decision-making; supplier comparisons across regions. ⚙️ 5. Activity-Based Costing (ABC) Assigns costs to products/services based on the activities required to produce them. Purpose: Identifies high-cost activities and inefficiencies in the procurement process. Use Case: Indirect cost analysis; process optimization. 📈 6. Life Cycle Costing (LCC) Similar to TCO, but includes environmental and end-of-life costs. Use Case: Sustainability-oriented procurement and long-term investment analysis. 📊 7. Parametric Cost Estimation Uses mathematical models or historical data to estimate costs based on key parameters (e.g., weight, size, power). Use Case: Early-stage cost estimation for new designs or unproven suppliers. 🧩 8. Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) Examines functions of a product or service to improve value by reducing cost without compromising quality. Use Case: Collaborative supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives. 🧾 9. Target Costing Begins with a desired market price and profit margin to determine the maximum allowable cost for production. Use Case: Cost planning during product design and supplier collaboration. 🌍 10. Cost Benchmarking Compares supplier or internal costs with industry standards, peers, or market averages. Use Case: Price validation, supplier performance evaluation. 📦 11. Clean Sheet Costing A detailed breakdown of costs built from the ground up—material, labor, overhead, logistics, and profit Use Case: Advanced negotiations and supplier transparency discussions.