Process
Step 1: Choose Your Job!
You will each choose a role as part of your team.
- Accountant: You will be in charge of the budget. You will need to keep track of all of the costs for materials. You will aide in making decisions of which materials to use according to budget restraints. Remeber you don't want to have a lot of extra materials when you are done but you don't want to buy too little and have to run back to the store. You will turn in a completed budget sheet at the end of the project. You may use your own spreadsheet or you may use the one provided.
- Engineer: You will be in charge of the blueprints. You will need to create a blueprint with each area clearly labeled and the dimensions for each area included. Remember not to leave any "dead space" in the yard. You will also aide in the design of the deck/patio and fence. You will need to give exact measurements to the accountant so that he can buy materials.
- Designer: You will be in charge of the presentation. You will need to create a powerful presentation that will convince the client to choose your design. You are also in charge of remembering finishing touches in the yard.
Step 2: Let's Get Started!
Although each person has a specific job you will need to work together to complete this project. It will take all three team members working together in order to complete the project and win the $5,00 prize.
You will begin work as a team. Begin to brainstorm ideas and looking through the websites to answer these questions. Discuss important items together such as:
- What will the general layout of the backyard be?
- How will you incorporate all three required elements?
- How big will each area be?
- What types of materials would you like to use? Are these materials within your budget? How much of each material will you need?
- What items are you willing to spend more money on? Which items are you willing to spend a little less on?
Check out these websites and pictures to get some ideas.
Blueprint Websites
How to Make A Scale Drawing of Your Garden
Step 3: Check Out These Websites!
Keep in mind the following requests from the client:
- Budget: $10,000
- Area: 40' x 27'
- Must include deck/patio, new fence, and grass and/or flowers
- No children
- Looking for an area to relax and entertain in
The following are some websites that will help you create a backyard bonanza.
Decks (Remember to buy: deck boards, baluster or rail, railings, and post caps)
Patios (Remember to buy: pavers)
Fencing (Remember: paneling is the easiest and cheapest way to make a fence)
Grass (Remember: buying grass seed is a cheap and easy way to get grass)
Plants (Remember to include plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees)
Gardening Tools (Remember to buy tools such as shovels, hoes, rake, hose, wheelbarrow)
Accessorize (We would really like a grill, a fire pit, and some furniture. Be creative with the money that you have left!)
Step 4: Work As A Team!
Remember although you each have your own product to create you should be working together. The engineer and designer need to give measurements to the accountant so that the budget can be worked out. Remember the differences between area and perimeter so that you don't end up with either extra materials or not enough materials. The engineer and accountant need to help the designer create an accurate presentation. And the designer and accountant need to work with the engineer to get accurate measurements. As you can see this will take a team effort to complete this project.
Step 5: Present Your Ideas!
For your presentation you will create a PowerPoint, a brochure, or a poster to present your ideas. Remember to include your price list and blueprints in the presentation. If you are making a PowerPoint you can scan your blueprints and price list. It is also important to use pictures of some of the products that you are going to use. Make it nice to look at and easy to understand!
Use these websites if you need help with PowerPoint: