The site and use analysis exercises helped you identify problems and potential improvements for your site. Now you can combine the information and begin designing your landscape with schematic planning, or bubble diagrams.
Place another sheet of tracing paper over the base and site analysis sheets. At this point you are not interested in the exact shape or size each activity area will take. Simply rough out the approximate locations of the various activity areas with loose shapes. See the sketch below.
Schematic planning allows you to choose appropriate neighboring activities. For instance you would not want the compost area next to the patio. You should make several studies to explore all alternative activity locations. Remember, tracing paper is cheap!
As you place your activity areas in relation to the house, compare the activities to what already exists on the site using the site analysis. You may find it helpful to double check activity areas against your site and use analysis questionnaire notes. Especially note the macro- and micro-climates of your site and attempt to use them to your advantage. For example, if your backyard faces east you might take advantage of an area near the house for a sunny breakfast patio. Also, note the influence of existing vegetation, natural features, structures and the landscape outside your property.
Draw your final schematic plan on a clean sheet of tracing paper and use it with your base plan for the next step, master planning.
