Inge Daniels

Inge Daniels

Inge Daniels Design

What inspired you to become a landscape architect?

I was an artist focused on landscape painting coming out of college and my path since then has wound around, but I keep returning to landscape. I just love landscape - its shifting, seasonal, ephemeral quality; the way the right design can draw out the identity of a place; and the effect it has on our perception as we move through it, i.e. squeezing between contained space that then opens into a clearing, the sounds of grasses or leaves whispering and the tenor of paving beneath your feet. I feel lucky to work with the palette of stone, wood and plants to improve our world - to build sustainable landscapes and help people connect with the natural world.

What is your favorite part about your job?

Being in the middle of schematic design for a project is probably my favorite part. That’s when ideas are nascent and the project can go in any number of different directions. It’s painful sometimes until a design really starts to coalesce but there’s a certain point where it finds its voice and takes on a life of its own. That moment is awesome. The balance of my work involves taking that vision, developing it and turning it into a reality. Seeing the landscape realized, especially a few years down the road when it really starts to mature, is incredibly rewarding.

Do you have a certain approach from start to finish for each project?

Different types of project require different scope. For some clients I just do hourly consultations to brainstorm ideas or provide suggestions. For some clients I design and oversee the build on one discrete area of a landscape. However for most clients I start by developing a Visioning Plan that considers the entire site - its aspect, wind, soil and existing landscape features - and meets the programmatic requirements of the client. Once we’re all agreed on that conceptual plan I progress to developing the design with specific materials, plants and details and develop the appropriate drawings to get the project bid and built. I work closely with the landscape contractor, especially with layout of paths and plantings, to ensure the high quality of the finished result.

Is there a specific project you are most proud of?

It’s hard to pick just one - but a residential project in Dover stands out as a favorite. It’s a mid-century modern house nestled in a conservation area and over the past decade I’ve been working with the lovely owners to create a landscape that maximizes their use and experience of the property while bringing sustainable design features to the fore: ie. Improving habitat and plant diversity, creating xeriscapes to minimize irrigation needs, reducing the carbon footprint by converting lawns to meadows and woodlands.

Do you still paint landscapes?

This year I’ve circled back to mixed media landscape sketches. It’s rewarding to reconnect with seeing and experiencing landscapes in this way. I’m loving being liberated from the rigidity of pencil and computer-aided design and re-immersing myself in colors, paints, and oil pastels. The art work inspires my design work and vice versa.

Learn more at www.www.idd.la or on Instagram at @inge.daniels.design