Design
Process
Thoughtful landscapes for real lives in the Columbia River Gorge
Garden Riot Designs creates residential landscapes that respond to the realities of this region—wind, sun exposure, soil, and the way people actually use their outdoor spaces.
Our work moves through three stages: learning the land, shaping the design, and bringing it to life. Each one matters.
The goal is a garden that feels settled, functional, and connected to its surroundings.
1 — SITE VISIT
Understanding the site before drawing a line.
Every project begins in person.
We walk the property together and talk through how you want to live outdoors while reading the conditions that will shape the design: orientation, sun exposure, wind patterns, soil structure and drainage, existing trees, views, access, and maintenance realities.
No templates. Only site-specific direction for Gorge conditions.
2 — DESIGN
Shaping the garden on paper.
With a full picture of your site, we develop a design tailored to your property. Native plant selections chosen for your specific conditions, layout and flow that makes sense for how you live, and materials that belong in the Gorge landscape.
We think ecologically from the start: which plants will feed the pollinators, how the garden shifts through the seasons, how it matures over years. A Garden Riot garden is designed to get more beautiful with time.
We present the design, walk you through every decision, and refine until it is right. You will know exactly what you are getting before we touch the ground.
3 — BUILD
From drawing to ground.
During construction we remain actively involved to ensure the intent holds as the garden is built. Layout verification and grading review, sourcing plants from local growers, on-site decisions as conditions evolve, and coordination between client and contractor.
A landscape is not assembled. It is adjusted in real time. Our role is to guide those adjustments.
Ready to Start?
The first step is a site visit. Get in touch and we'll set one up.