NM Landscape cheat sheet

Base map: boundary and topographic survey at 1"=20' or 1"=40'; an ALTA/NSPS land title survey follows NSPS standards and shows boundary, easements, improvements, and utilities.

Contour interval: select so roughly 5-10 contours cross a feature; 1 ft for detailed site design, 2 ft for preliminary work, 5 ft for USGS quadrangle mapping.

Percent slope = (vertical rise / horizontal run) x 100; slope ratio is run:rise, so 4:1 = 25% and 2:1 = 50%.

Tree critical root zone rule of thumb: 1 ft radius per 1 in DBH; protect with fencing at or beyond the dripline and avoid grade changes inside the CRZ.

NRCS Web Soil Survey yields map units, hydrologic soil group A-D, depth to water table, hydric rating, permeability, and shrink-swell potential.

Solar altitude at solstice: summer = 90 degrees - latitude + 23.44 degrees; winter = 90 degrees - latitude - 23.44 degrees; azimuth varies with date and time.

Wind rose: frequency and speed by direction; prevailing summer and winter winds guide shelterbelts, outdoor comfort, and building ventilation.

Easements and rights-of-way are recorded encumbrances; identify through title report and plat, and verify restrictions on grading, structures, and planting.

Overlay constraint mapping stacks slope, soils, floodplain, vegetation, utilities, and access layers; weighted suitability index = sum of (weight x rating).

Adjacency matrix scores desired proximity between program elements; results translate into bubble diagrams and block plans before schematic design.

Delivery methods: design-bid-build (linear, low bid), design-build (single entity), CM-at-risk (holds contracts, GMP), CM-agency (advisor without construction contracts).

Critical path is the longest sequence of dependent activities; total float = LS - ES = LF - EF; zero-float activities are critical.

Fee structures include percentage of construction cost, lump sum, hourly not-to-exceed, and cost plus fixed fee; scope changes require a written change order.

AIA A201 General Conditions; B101 owner-architect agreement; G702/G703 application for payment with continuation sheet.

RFI is a written question during construction; a submittal is product data or a shop drawing for review; neither changes the contract unless a change order or ASI follows.

Stakeholder analysis, charrettes, and advisory committees support public participation; document decisions and assumptions to manage liability.

ADA accessible route: running slope not steeper than 1:20 (5%), cross slope not steeper than 1:48 (2.08%), clear width at least 36 in, passing spaces at intervals.

Ramps: maximum slope 1:12; landings at top, bottom, and every 30 in of rise; handrails on both sides where required.

Stairs: uniform risers roughly 4-7 in and treads at least 11 in; avoid single risers; provide contrast at nosings.

Planting design: space by mature canopy and root spread; design in canopy, understory, shrub, and groundcover layers; match plant to soil, water, and exposure.

Parking: standard stall about 9 ft x 18 ft; accessible stall 8 ft wide with an 8 ft access aisle (11 ft for van); accessible stalls at least 5% of total.

Sight triangle at driveways and intersections: keep walls, signs, and vegetation above about 30 in out of the triangle; leg length increases with approach speed.

Zoning metrics: floor area ratio = gross floor area / lot area; lot coverage = building footprint / lot area; also check setbacks, height, and parking minimums.

CPTED principles: natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance reduce opportunities for crime.

Drawing set order: cover and index, general notes, demolition, site plan, grading, drainage and utilities, planting, irrigation, details, sections, schedules.

Specifications follow CSI MasterFormat divisions; each section uses three parts: Part 1 General, Part 2 Products, Part 3 Execution.

Bid documents include invitation, instructions to bidders, bid form, general and supplementary conditions, drawings, specifications, and addenda.

Addenda modify bid documents before bid opening; after opening, changes occur only through change orders or construction change directives.

Submittals include shop drawings, samples, and product data; the designer reviews for design conformance while the contractor remains responsible for dimensions and quantities.

Payment applications use AIA G702/G703; retainage commonly 5-10%; lien waivers accompany progress payments.

Substantial completion triggers warranties, the punch list, and often a retainage reduction; final completion closes the contract after all items are corrected.

Record drawings show actual constructed conditions from contractor markup and field observation; the landscape architect observes for general conformance, not means and methods.

Contour lines connect equal elevations; close spacing means steep slope; hachures indicate depressions; contour Vs point upstream along drainageways.

Spot elevations belong at building entrances, corners, inlets, flowlines, and retaining wall tops; they control drainage and construction layout.

Building pad: slope at least 2% away from the foundation for about 6-10 ft; walks generally not steeper than 5%; intercept uphill flow with a swale.

Cut and fill: use average end area or grid method; balance volumes on site; apply shrinkage and swell factors to adjust hauled and compacted quantities.

Parking grading: 2% minimum and 5% maximum in stalls and aisles; accessible spaces and access aisles not steeper than 2% in any direction.

Retaining walls require drainage: weep holes, footing drain, and free-draining backfill relieve hydrostatic pressure; height and surcharge govern structural design.

Swales: longitudinal slope typically 1-5%; steeper sections need check dams, riprap, or turf reinforcement; side slopes 3:1 or flatter for mowing.

Mowable slopes generally 3:1 or flatter; 2:1 may be plantable but is difficult to maintain; round slope transitions and daylight berms smoothly.

Rational method: Q = CiA, where Q is peak flow in cfs, C is runoff coefficient, i is rainfall intensity in in/hr, and A is area in acres.

Time of concentration is the longest flow travel time to the outlet; use it with an IDF curve to select design storm intensity for the 2-, 10-, 25-, 50-, or 100-year event.

NRCS TR-55 curve number CN ranges 0-100 by land use and hydrologic soil group; higher CN means more runoff; lower CN supports infiltration and retention.

Manning equation for open channels and swales: Q = (1.486/n) A R^(2/3) S^(1/2), with n roughness, A cross-sectional area, R hydraulic radius, and S slope.

Detention stores stormwater temporarily and releases at a controlled rate; retention holds water permanently through infiltration or evaporation.

LID practices include bioretention, rain gardens, permeable pavement, vegetated swales, green roofs, and cisterns; size water quality volume for first flush treatment.

Gutter spread at inlets should stay within the design limit, often 8-10 ft on streets; inlet spacing depends on flow, slope, and allowable spread.

Erosion and sediment controls: silt fence on contour, check dams, sediment basins, stabilized construction entrances; inspect and maintain after every storm.

Arid Southwest design accounts for intense convective storms, ephemeral arroyos, and 100-year floodplains; MS4 permits and state environmental rules may apply.