Interview with Green Chamber Member: Hutter Designs

In a recent conversation with Steve Hutter, founder of Hutter Designs, I found out why paving paradise to put up a parking lot is on its way out and sustainable design is here to stay…

LL:  How did Hutter Designs start?

SH: The business began with the idea of attending to what people needed and providing landscaping services for developers.  I received my degree in Landscape Architecture from Penn State and decided to come out west because the environment is more conducive to landscape architecture.  People have a greater respect for the natural environment and there are more requirements for landscaping, especially in California.

I worked for a few planning firms and got involved in the technical side using computerized design.  Then I began working on a variety of projects from residential to multi-family, small commercial and model homes. Now I also include other specialties such as erosion control, decks, trellises, permeable pavement, lighting, and irrigation design — anything to do with outdoor spaces.  We are work closely with biologists on remediation, revegetation and restoration work which is not exciting but important for the future of our community.

The nice weather in California means that many people want outdoor living areas.  The work we can do in that kind of space is really dynamic with features such as low voltage lighting, nice landscaping, fireplaces, outdoor fire pits and BBQs, putting greens, outdoor dining areas, water elements and beyond. Not only does it increase your real estate value, but also your outdoor usability and appreciation of your natural environment.  The last few years have been pretty tough because commercial and multi-family landscaping have suffered due to the weakened economy.

LL: What prompted you to make Hutter Designs a more sustainable business?

SH: It makes sense to try to be more sensitive to the environment and work with biological requirements, instead of designing things in a geometrical hard-line fashion.  This means not just making something look good, but working to bridge the hard-line engineering aspect with the surrounding environment.  We have to work to create a transitional landscape — from a natural coastal sage or riparian wetland habitat into a developed, ornamental landscape.  The key is not making a sudden change from natural to developed, but keeping the design within the context of the existing landscape.

I see big box stores and strip malls shutting down and leaving behind these monstrous parking lots.  They are an imposition over the land, kind of like concrete jungles, all because somebody wanted the most amount of retail square footage. It does not make sense from a pedestrian standpoint and is not much of a livable space.

As landscape architects, we are beginning to get more involved in the planning stages to help developers actually take into account the environmental impact and utilize geographical information systems.  We do so by working with fellow architects, planners, environmentalists and biologists to determine the best way to design a project or community.  We try to incorporate major residences with commercial spaces instead of just creating large expanses of parking lots. We work with local landscape features and populations in mind to make a project less car-oriented and more useful to people by adding parks, playgrounds and green spaces.  One of the larger goals is to integrate major transportation into our design. It makes sense in a more densely populated area to create space around trolleys, carpools, trains, and buses.

Many landscape architects are taking leadership in environmental design by becoming LEED certified professionals. It’s common sense to look at the whole picture of a community rather than a big chain retailer from across the county running the show. I believe consumers are getting tired of the same strip mall and chain restaurant environment. In San Diego at least, we see some revival of mom and pop type businesses and urban planning that is less cookie cutter.  People seem to be asking for an environment that feels more unique and traditional — spaces where one can connect with neighbors and businesses the way our parents grew up.  They are also asking for more open space, where interaction with nature is seen as more valuable.  Biologists have become more important as agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Fish & Game have more clout on development standards and requirements.

Another way our business is more sustainable is that we like to use indigenous materials.  If we are in the grading process of a development, we will use the natural boulders on the site. Whether we are doing landscape, hardscape, or softscape we try to integrate native plants, existing stream beds, and natural features of the land so there is minimal disturbance to waterways.  In older spaces, drainage systems work in a way that waste water ends up in the ocean or ruining the local habitat.  We are trying to change those systems by using natural drainage, permeable paving, catch water systems, and other methods which are much more environmentally-friendly and water-wise.

Here in Southern California we also have to incorporate the requirements of brush management.  We choose plants that are buffers to the wild land areas that won’t transmit fire to a property. This can be a struggle for developers because of homeowners’ desire for privacy with dense landscaping.  Unfortunately, that’s the best way to transmit wild fire. However, when we’ve planted natural groupings of trees and ways of maintaining the understory with the correct distances and spacing of plant material to give homeowner’s the privacy they desire, yet harmonize with the overall environment.

LL: What’s your advice to other businesses on a path toward sustainable practices?

SH: Many developers think of losing money when they think of sustainable design.  While it may be more costly up front, it is less expensive in the long run.  I think it’s critical to really examine our habits as an industry from the placement of developments to the materials we traditionally use.  As landscape architects, we are supposed to be stewards of the land more than anything else.  You don’t want to dictate to the client, but you can guide them in that direction — to have more sensitivity in the design and for whatever your climate is, for the natural environment.  Use “place making” design by asking yourself as a landscape architect, “What makes a place unique?  Are there grasslands, boulders, hills?  How can we integrate these elements?” There are all kinds of opportunities to make a design unique to the area instead of treating every project in a traditional, unsustainable manner.

LL: What do you see as current trends in sustainable landscape architecture?

SH: For the landscape architecture industry, xeriscaping is becoming more prevalent. Xeriscaping or xerogardening is essentially a way to landscape or garden that reduces the need for additional irrigation systems.  Changing the mindset of the customer on this is tough because they have the misperception that this means zero landscaping and that all they will end up with is a cactus garden.  So there is a client education that has to occur.

I’m seeing a lot more usage of drip and low flow irrigation systems as well. From a homeowner’s standpoint, people have become big on creating outdoor rooms.  As gas prices go up, instead of spending money to fly, people are making their own retreat and healthy recreational spaces. Families want space that gives them peace of mind.  With all the hustle and bustle in everyday life, each of us needs a rejuvenating space. Having a landscape with elements of water and shade gives a naturalized comfort that is very conducive to relaxation.  This is very apparent in public park spaces.  Can you imagine New York City without Central Park? Can you imagine San Francisco without Golden Gate Park?  It maintains our sanity.  Right now, we can all use a little more sanity and green space.  Landscape design, for those who can make the investment, provides unique private space while increasing your home values and feeling of well being.  These spaces provide us with a personal connection to the environment within our own backyard.

I also see area nurseries adding more local materials with low water requirements rather than just selling traditional ornamental plants.  It’s great for landscape architects as we don’t have to transport items from far away.  Other trends I’m seeing are vertical wall planting, vertical gardening, green roofs, and more raised vegetable beds.  As people see fuel prices go up and realize that means produce prices will go up as well, they begin thinking about growing their own food.

LL: Did you face any obstacles in the process of adopting more sustainable business methods and what challenges do you still encounter?

SH: In general, change always encounters opposition.  That’s the hardest thing about sustainability. It’s moving in the right direction, but it takes time.  People may ask themselves, “natural landscapes, low flow irrigation, recycled grey water?  What’s that going to do to my current way of living?” Right now it is especially difficult due to the economic pressures.  I think people want something better but are afraid of the cost.

When projects are done in an environmentally sensitive way, they feel and look more comfortable and natural.  People will spend more time in those spaces.  As more sustainable projects and homes appear, I think people will adjust their traditional ways of doing business and demand sustainability. As I mentioned before, our society seems to be tired of the “master plan community” where everything looks the same.  Now it’s time for another cycle.  Hopefully, now we are becoming more in tune with nature.

Change is tough, though.  I did a project two years ago where a developer got good returns on their dollar to build a high density housing project.  But there were no recreational spaces, all just boom boom boom — traditional two story townhomes one after another.  I asked if we could leave off one lot for a playground and the developer said, “No, kids don’t need playgrounds.  They can just go play in the street.” You can gain a fast buck by neglecting the recreational aspect.  However, it’s important to take into account the long term impact.  What will be the mental health of occupants and what does it do to kids to be on the computer, in front of the TV or involved in street activity all day instead of being outside?  I believe that naturally, people want to be able to explore their environment — walk places and be outside rather than just being in cars or inside on technology all day.  The most successfully designed communities are ones that incorporate pedestrian aspects that encourage people to interact with the natural environment.  Our national rate of obesity makes another compelling reason to incorporate natural spaces within our communities.

I envision that in the future, some of the big box spaces will be transformed into trolley/train stations. Huge parking lots will open up into parks and more naturalized, useful spaces. Nature is a strong force and you have to work with it.  There is a type of design called “mimicry” that recognizes this force.  You design based on natural forms such as the lines in leaves or structure of stone and honor the natural systems which have been in place for millions of years.  Hopefully, sustainability will prevail so that our resources will be enjoyed by many future generations.

LL: Why did you join the Green Chamber?

SH: My wife found out about the Green Chamber online and thought it was a great idea. Having been bitten by the sustainability bug, I really appreciated the whole concept of a Green Chamber of Commerce and had to join right away.  I think Margaret Mead was right when she said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”  Together, we can change things by helping people see the beauty of the natural flow of our environment and incorporating it into our daily lives.   Sustainability is here to stay.  We can’t continue doing the same old thing.  If the same old way was working, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Keep it green!

Hutter Designs
2660 Camino del Rio South, Suite 107C
San Diego, CA 92108
619.283.4421
www.hutterdesigns.com
steve@hutterdesigns.com