Fen is a Bay Area-based garden design studio.
Ethos
Gardens are dynamic and evolving spaces that have the potential to enrich local ecosystems and have a profound effect on well-being. Fen’s garden design practice takes an active role in listening, nurturing, and responding to changes in the landscape to create gardens that have a well-developed sense of place.
We work with clients to create a space that reflects their needs and help them to cultivate a deeper relationship with their immediate environment and nature at large. Through involving clients in every step of the design and getting them familiar with the plant material, we offer a bridge between nature and the client in a process that engages creativity, intuition, and curiosity.
We specialize in residential garden design, indoor plant design for restaurants & businesses, and floral work.
Process
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In the consultation, we establish information about the site, including your vision & style, expected usage, and preferred maintenance. If it’s the right fit, we’ll move forward with the concept design.
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At this stage we play with the general flow of the space to get a good framework for the structure of the garden.
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Once we have a good idea of the form of the garden, we will start creating the plant palette based on your existing soil, microclimate, maintenance parameters, and what feelings you want your space to evoke.
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After the forms and colors of the plants have been established, we will put all the pieces together to create the final design for the garden.
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In this stage, we realize the vision of the garden. Our studio works with experienced local carpenters, stonemasons, and contractors that have a sharp eye for detail and take care in their artistry.
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At regular intervals, we’ll come check in on the progress of the garden and tend to the plants. We check soil health, prune & amend, and diagnose pests & disease to make sure the ecosystem is thriving.
About
Designer Molly Ackerman developed a love of landscape and a curiosity for the natural environment through her years of floral and nursery work. She graduated from Smith College with a BA in Architecture and a minor in Landscape Studies.
Drop us a line for more info on starting your garden at hello@fen-studio.com