Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Berube.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Through high school, I ran a small landscape service company. I entered college to pursue a degree in Industrial Design. Jason received a B.S. in Industrial Design in 1997 from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. After working in a Boston-based product development company for several years I began to desire to run my own business that allowed me to work outside of the corporate environment. The dot com crash had a severe effects on the company I worked for and I had the opportunity to pursue a new career path. A passion for outdoor environments coupled with an established design background led me to the Landscape Institute at Harvard University and the establishment of Rivendell Landscape Design in 2001.
In the last 16 years I have honed my design principles, and gleaned much knowledge from great professors, project managers and skilled craftsman in the areas of construction and site engineering, horticulture, hardscape materials and technology tools that factor into well designed outdoor spaces. I regularly oversee the design and construction of mid to high end residential landscape projects. I enjoy close client interaction and view both clients and installation craftsmen as key design partners in the creation of functionally beautiful outdoor spaces.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been many struggles along the way. Initially, when I first started my studies in landscape design, I had little knowledge of specific plants species, their cultural characteristics, Latin names, etc. Learning the science and art of horticulture was initially challenging but provided a rich experience that I have enjoyed and will continue to pursue the rest of my life.
Because residential landscape architecture and design is tied to real estate values, the business can sometimes be a roller coaster ride when the market is severely impacted. The real estate crash of 2008 was very difficult for our business as many of my clients froze investment into plummeting housing markets. While the market has recovered well, the 2-3 years of recovery was very challenging.
Perhaps the perennial struggle for any landscape designer is getting all the needed work done in such as short New England season. We anxiously wait for the spring thaw to begin and work feverishly until the snow comes in and shuts projects down. If life was perfect I would design landscapes on the islands during the New England winters.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Rivendell Landscape Design – what should we know?
Rivendell Landscape Design is both a design and build company. We design each project with an attention to detail that reflects our client’s functional and aesthetic goals. While most of our clients are residential and commercial clients, we also partner with several landscape construction companies who value our close client interaction, detailed design layouts and assistance in layout, material and plant decision making.
We specialize in the subtle details such as the integration of a unique stone pattern in a custom terrace, the placement of a unique specimen tree that allows a homeowner a contemplative view throughout all four seasons or the integration of a cast bronze light fixture that silhouette an architectural feature in the landscape. We, unlike most landscape companies, are not a production focused company. We take the time and patience to work out the details before we start construction and consider our clients partners in the decision making process.
We are most proud of clients with whom we have had a long working relationship with. Many are considered friends whose aesthetic sense and project requirements we understand and appreciate. We recently completed a job for a client who purchased a condo in Ogunquit, Maine. We had designed and installed several projects at their residence in Lynnfield, MA. They were downsizing and it was a pleasure to bring their unique sense of design to their new abode.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
– Listening to client’s design goals, budget, project schedule; we strive to understand how our client’s will interact with the outdoor spaces we design.
– Sensitivity to client’s schedule and budget requirements; we establish project budget goals at the outset so that we design spaces that can be built within the budget and on time.
– Consistent on site presence and client interaction; we are on the job site daily and will engage our clients with updates on project schedules, design changes, and optional choices during installation.
– Follow up once project is complete; we will visit and follow up on completed jobs to see that project goals were met, plantings are being irrigated and maintained properly, landscape lighting is adjusted properly, etc.
Pricing:
- Design fees: $90/hr.
- Typical project budgets: $20k – $500k
Contact Info:
- Address: Rivendell Landscape Design
- Website: www.rivendell-design.com
- Phone: 978.828.5962
- Email: info@rivendell-design.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rivendell-Landscape-Design-and-Lighting-227436564284536/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rivendell-landscape-design-lexington-2
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/rld7/rivendell-landscape-design
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
