In the practice of Ecolandscape Studio, we do not view a site as an “empty canvas for design,” but rather as an already formed natural system with its own structure, logic, and constraints. This approach defines the entire direction of contemporary sustainable landscape design, where existing vegetation is not a problem to be solved, but a key design resource.
In our blog, we share the professional principles we apply in real projects: how to analyze existing trees, why it is important to preserve natural regeneration (self-seeding vegetation), how to read natural processes, and how to transform them into the foundation of an architectural concept.
What it means to work with existing vegetation
Working with existing vegetation is a professional approach in landscape design in which the project begins not with a formal idea, but with an analysis of the already existing ecosystem.
This means we first study which trees and plants are already growing on the site, why they are located there, what condition they are in, and how they interact with each other. Only after that do we develop the architectural concept.
This method allows us not to destroy the natural structure, but to use it as a foundation. As a result, the landscape becomes more stable, coherent, and ecologically balanced.
Why it is important to preserve existing vegetation
Preserving existing trees and plant communities is not only an ecological decision but also a functional one.
Mature trees already perform essential tasks: they provide shade, regulate microclimate, retain soil moisture, and create natural wind barriers. If they are preserved, the site immediately has a “ready-made” natural environment instead of requiring decades to develop.
From an engineering perspective, preserving vegetation also reduces landscaping costs and lowers the risk of soil degradation after construction.
How we analyze a site at Ecolandscape Studio
Before starting the design process, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing vegetation. This is not just a visual inventory of trees, but a deep understanding of how the site functions as an ecosystem.
We identify plant species, their age, condition, and spatial distribution. We then analyze how light is distributed, where wet and dry zones are located, and how plants compete with one another.
In practice, this allows us to understand which elements can be safely preserved, which require protection, and which interfere with the natural development of the system.
What vegetation inventory is and why it is needed
An inventory is a fundamental stage of landscape design in which all existing vegetation on the site is documented with precise characteristics.
It is necessary to make design decisions based not on visual impressions but on accurate data. We do not simply know “there is a tree,” but understand its age, structural stability, root condition, and environmental impact.
Without inventory, it is impossible to create a professional sustainable project, as every decision would be approximate.
Why mature trees are the foundation of a project
Mature trees are not decorative elements, but the spatial and ecological structure of the site.
They define spatial scale, create shade, and determine where people feel comfortable. In addition, each tree has a root system that effectively forms a hidden underground map of constraints.
If this is ignored, a tree may die even several years after construction. That is why in our practice every mature tree is treated as a fixed architectural-ecological point.
What self-seeding vegetation is and why it matters
Self-seeding vegetation consists of plants that have grown naturally without being planted. They emerge where conditions are most suitable for a specific species.
For us, self-seeding vegetation is the “language of the site.” It shows where conditions are wetter or drier, which areas are more stable, and which species are naturally supported by the environment.
Instead of removing these areas, we analyze their potential. Often, they become the basis for natural transitional zones or ecological buffers within the design.
How soil and water influence design
Soil and water form the hidden structure of a site and directly determine which vegetation can exist there.
We study how water moves, where it accumulates, where the site dries out, and how this relates to existing vegetation. This is important because plants are already adapted to these conditions.
If this system is altered without analysis, the landscape becomes unstable and requires constant maintenance.
How nature is integrated into architectural design
At Ecolandscape Studio, we do not “fit” nature into a design; instead, we build the design around nature.
This means that paths, recreational areas, and functional zones are shaped according to the location of trees and natural plant groupings.
This approach avoids conflicts between architecture and the natural system and creates a space that feels natural from the moment it is completed.
What happens during construction
During the construction phase, we implement a vegetation protection system. This includes physical protection of root zones, restrictions on machinery movement, control of soil compaction, and phased construction planning.
This is necessary to preserve soil structure and avoid damaging root systems that sustain tree life. Even short-term damage can lead to long-term degradation.
What this approach delivers in the long term
Projects based on existing vegetation reach maturity faster. They look natural from the very first years, require fewer maintenance resources, and demonstrate high ecological resilience.
Such landscapes adapt better to climate change and remain stable without constant redevelopment.
The founder and CEO of Ecolandscape Studio, Martin Palma, has come to an important conclusion in his practice: the most accurate project already partially exists on the site before work begins, and the role of the specialist is not to replace it, but to correctly “read” and develop it.
At Ecolandscape Studio, we build landscape design on the principle of respect for the existing natural system.
