DESIGN & BUILD PLANS

Trilling Landscape is a full service design and build company. We create custom landscape architectural and design plans for residential and commercial projects in the greater Los Angeles area. We have a broad range of experience in landscape designs, from formal English Gardens to California drought tolerant Native – from Italian countryside to modern and minimalist.  Trilling Landscape has designed and installed hundreds of projects over 25 years, each unique and tailored to our client’s needs.

We begin with a conversation to gain a clear understanding of our client’s vision, goals and budget. Our design process generally starts with inspiration boards, followed by concept plans and detailed presentations. Trilling Landscape has a team of experienced designers, architects, and engineers capable of leading or supporting projects of any size.

Depending on the scope project, Trilling Landscape will determine which design format(s) would be most appropriate to create a vision and plan for the space. 

Design Formats

INSPIRATION BOARDS

Six images of outdoor living spaces including fireplaces, seating areas, a kitchen, and a pool.

Inspiration Boards are the creative foundation of your project. They establish the overall look and feel of the landscape before we get into technical details. These boards help ensure that we’re aligned visually and emotionally from the start.

They typically include:

  • Plant palettes and greenery styles

  • Hardscape materials such as stone, concrete, wood, and tile

  • Color schemes and finishes

  • Lighting and architectural influences

This phase allows you to react, refine, and collaborate before plans move into layout and construction—saving time and preventing costly changes later.

CONCEPT PLAN

A detailed landscape plan of a residential backyard with features including a pool, patio, various plants, trees, and hardscaping elements, with labels and a legend describing each component.

Concept Plans focus on how the space will function. Rather than getting lost in details, this stage defines how you’ll live in the landscape.

Concept plans illustrate:

  • Overall spatial layout and scale

  • Placement of key features (patios, lawns, pools, fire features, outdoor kitchens, etc.)

  • Circulation and flow through the space

  • Relationship between indoor and outdoor areas

This is where the design truly takes shape and ensures the layout works beautifully for your lifestyle before advancing to detailed drawings.

DETAILED PLANTING PLAN

Landscape design plan featuring trees, shrubs, and planting notes.

For projects that require precision and long-term success, Detailed Planting Plans provide exact guidance for installation and future maintenance.

These plans specify:

  • Exact plant species, quantities, and sizes

  • Tree, shrub, and ground cover locations

  • Spacing and mature growth considerations

  • Coordination with irrigation, lighting, and hardscape

This level of detail ensures the landscape matures as intended, avoids overcrowding, and supports plant health over time.

3D RENDERING

A shaded outdoor dining area with a rectangular table and eight chairs, surrounded by lush greenery, trees, purple and green plants, and garden beds. There is a wicker hanging lamp overhead and steps leading to a deck area in the background.

3D Renderings allow you to see your future landscape before construction begins. These realistic, lifelike visuals help bridge the gap between plans and reality.

3D renderings can show:

  • Materials, textures, and finishes

  • Plant massing and scale

  • Lighting effects and shadows

  • How the space will feel from multiple viewpoints

They’re especially helpful for complex projects or for clients who want extra confidence before moving forward.

POOL PLAN (Permit Worthy)

Site plan for a residence with a backyard pool, fencing, driveway, garage, carport, and landscaping features, including property boundaries and measurements.

When a pool is part of your project, permit-ready pool plans are required for city approval and construction.

These plans typically include:

  • Pool shape, dimensions, and elevations

  • Location of pool equipment and plumbing

  • Setbacks, property lines, and drainage considerations

  • Safety fencing and code compliance details

We coordinate closely with engineers and municipalities to ensure these plans meet all local requirements and integrate seamlessly with the overall landscape design.

CONSTRUCTION PLAN

Architectural blueprint of a cabana structure showing plan view, elevations, sections, and reflected ceiling plan with detailed measurements and construction notes.

Construction Plans translate the approved design into clear, build-ready instructions. These are the documents our crews and trade partners rely on to execute the project accurately.

Construction plans may include:

  • Precise measurements and elevations

  • Hardscape details and section cuts

  • Engineering coordination for walls, structures, and pools

  • Material specifications and installation notes

This level of planning ensures quality, efficiency, and consistency throughout construction.

SITE SURVEY

A detailed topographic site survey map showing property boundaries, building outlines, lot contours, trees, utility locations, and measurements for a residential property.

Every landscape project starts with ideas—but successful projects move those ideas into clear, buildable plans. Depending on the scope, complexity, and permitting requirements of your project, we may use one or several of the design formats below to guide the process from inspiration through construction.

First Time Working with a Landscaping Company?

If you’ve never gone through a full landscape design and construction process before, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place. Many of our clients come to us knowing they want their outdoor space to feel better, but aren’t sure where to start or what level of planning is actually needed.

Our role is to guide you step-by-step, translate ideas into clear plans, and make sure nothing feels confusing or overwhelming.

Here’s what to expect:

  • You don’t need to have everything figured out. We help clarify priorities, lifestyle needs, and budget before any design decisions are locked in.

  • Not every project needs every type of plan. A simple yard refresh may only need inspiration boards and a concept plan, while more complex projects (pools, grading, retaining walls) require detailed construction and permit-ready plans.

  • Design is a process, not a single drawing. We start with big-picture ideas and refine them as we move toward build-ready documents.

  • Our plans protect you. Thoughtful planning helps avoid surprises during construction, keeps projects compliant with city requirements, and ensures the final result matches your expectations.

  • If you’re unsure which design formats are right for your project, we’ll walk you through the options and recommend only what makes sense for your space—not more, not less.

Great landscapes don’t happen by accident. They happen with clarity, communication, and a plan that fits both the vision and the site.

Depending on the scope and permitting requirements, a certified site survey may be necessary before design begins.

A site survey provides:

  • Accurate property boundaries and legal setbacks

  • Existing structures, utilities, and easements

  • Topography, slopes, and drainage conditions

  • A precise base for all design and construction plans

Starting with accurate data allows us to design responsibly, avoid surprises, and ensure compliance with city regulations.

ENGINEERING EXPERTISE IN LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION

At Trilling Landscape Design & Build, beautiful outdoor spaces start long before the first stone is set or the first plant goes in the ground. Many landscape projects—especially in Southern California—require collaboration with licensed engineers to ensure safety, longevity, and code compliance. Knowing when and which type of engineer is needed is part of our expertise, and we guide our clients through that process every step of the way.

Below are the most common types of engineers involved in high-quality landscape construction, and how they support successful outdoor projects:

Engineer Types

Soil Engineer (Geotechnical)

A soil engineer evaluates what’s happening below the surface, which is critical for landscapes built on slopes, hillsides, or previously disturbed ground. In areas like Ventura County and Los Angeles, soil conditions can vary dramatically from one property to the next, making this step especially important.

A soil engineer may be required for:

  • Evaluating soil stability for retaining walls, pool construction, and raised planters

  • Identifying expansive or unstable soils that could cause cracking, settling, or failure over time

  • Providing compaction and grading recommendations for driveways, patios, and hardscape

  • Conducting soil tests for hillside landscapes or properties with prior grading or fill

  • Ensuring proper preparation before pouring concrete for pools, foundations, or outdoor structures

At Trilling Landscape, we work closely with soil engineers to make sure the ground beneath your landscape is properly prepared—because even the most beautiful design depends on a solid foundation.

CIVIL ENGINEER

A civil engineer focuses on grading, drainage, and site flow—how water moves across and away from your property. This is especially important for projects involving significant elevation changes or drainage-sensitive areas.

A civil engineer may be required for:

  • Designing grading plans for sloped yards and hillside properties

  • Managing drainage systems to protect homes, landscapes, and neighboring properties

  • Addressing stormwater runoff for pools, patios, and hardscape installations

  • Ensuring compliance with local city and county permitting requirements

  • Coordinating site elevations for driveways, walkways, and outdoor living areas

By integrating civil engineering early in the design process, we help avoid drainage issues, water damage, and costly corrections later—creating landscapes that are both functional and resilient.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

A structural engineer ensures that built elements within the landscape can safely handle weight, pressure, and long-term use. These professionals are essential whenever structures interact with soil, slopes, or significant loads.

A structural engineer may be required for:

  • Designing retaining walls over certain heights or in load-bearing conditions

  • Engineering pool shells, especially on slopes or near structures

  • Supporting outdoor structures such as pergolas, shade structures, and stair systems

  • Reinforcing foundations for raised patios, decks, and terraced landscapes

  • Ensuring safety and compliance for complex or multi-level outdoor spaces

We coordinate closely with structural engineers to ensure every element of your landscape is built to last—safely, correctly, and beautifully.

Why This Matters to Our Clients

One of the biggest advantages of working with Trilling Landscape Design & Build is knowing that your project is being approached holistically. We don’t over-engineer—but we do know when engineering is essential. Our role is to translate technical requirements into clear decisions, manage the coordination, and ensure your outdoor space is designed and built with confidence.

If your landscape project involves grading, retaining walls, pools, or structural elements, you can trust that we’ll bring in the right experts at the right time—so your investment is protected for years to come.

FROM HEATHER’S JOURNAL

Insights, Inspiration & Outdoor Living Ideas

Discover design inspiration, expert tips, and stories from our latest projects. From seasonal planting guides to behind-the-scenes looks at our design process, our journal offers ideas to help you create beauty and balance in your own outdoor spaces.

Read More
Partially open wooden door with ornate carvings and a metal door knocker, leading to a garden with a large terracotta pot, greenery, and a stone pathway.

Client Testimonials

  • We have used Trilling Landscaping & Design for several projects around our home. Their designs have always been unique and top of the line. Heather’s team is always professional and thorough. Your property will be transformed into the haven you want it to be.

    - Andrea T. (Pacific Palisades, CA)