At Swan Golf Designs, our focus is on meeting our clients requirements. As the demands of compliance with environmental legislation worldwide have become steadily more onerous, consideration of environmental issues has become an essential part of the professional service we provide. We recognise that the golf development process impinges on the environment in its widest sense: our environmental philosophy is therefore founded on a commitment to seek the best for each project not only with its natural environment, but also with its economic and social context. We believe that the scope and complexity of potential environmental concerns demands an holistic approach, integrating the assessment and design processes, and bringing together specialist expertise within a professional consultancy team. Swan Golf Designs are experienced in both leading and participating in such teams, and will be pleased to provide either of these alternatives in accordance with our clients requirements.
Our approach embodies the following broad environmental principles which we will strive to apply to all projects, regardless of their scale or location:
the design will be based on an in-depth site appraisal, leading to a thorough understanding of the key environmental issues associated with the site and its interaction with the project concept;
all likely significant impacts of the proposal on the environment will be assessed, and the findings incorporated into an iterative design process, to develop the optimum solution;
the design process will actively seek to enhance the relationship between the golf course and its wider landscape context;
our consideration of environmental issues extends beyond the design and construction phases to cover the full life-cycle of a facility, our design decisions accordingly will take account of longer-term management factors, and where appropriate we will offer specific guidance by way of management schedules and plans.
With regard to detailed aspects of our professional services at specific stages of the development process, our policies include:
Site masterplanning / routing of the golf course:
seeking the optimum fit between golf holes and landscape, including retention of existing habitats, habitat linkage, retention of existing landscape elements;
layout of major components and infrastructure seeking to minimise energy consumption and waste generation, and to encourage recycling.
Detailed design:
accurate quantification of earthworks, minimising earth movement;
identifying indigenous site materials for re-use;
turfgrass species choice in harmony with local soil and climatic conditions.
Life-cycle issues:
sustainable drainage design, rainwater farming, use of grey water, sourcing of irrigation water;
minimising input of fertiliser and pesticide;
irrigation design to minimise area covered and volume of consumption.
Swan Golf Designs, as members, subscribe to the European Institute of Golf Course Architects and to the R and As Best Practice Guidelines.
The Practice was the first firm of golf architect to become members of Golf Environment Europe.