Creating a Plan and a Vision

Let the Topiarius Design Studio be your guide as we embark on a journey to unlock the hidden potential of your outdoor space. Our team of passionate landscape design experts thrives on crafting captivating havens that inspire relaxation, connection, and a sense of wonder. With meticulous planning and a sprinkle of creativity, we’ll help you realize the full potential of your property, beyond your wildest dreams.

The Topiarius Design Studio caters to Chicagoland as well as national clients, tailoring designs to each environment by providing three distinct pathways.

Group Of Friends Enjoying Night Out At Rooftop Bar

Transform Your Outdoor Space into an Enchanting Oasis

Our team of landscape design experts has been crafting breathtaking outdoor havens for over two decades. We believe that meticulous planning is the key to unlocking the full potential of your property, transforming it into an oasis that will inspire and captivate you for years to come. We transform both residential and commercial outdoor spaces; creating something truly unique with each project.

Tailored to Your Unique Needs

We take the time to understand the unique characteristics of your site, from its topography and location to its climate and existing elements. This allows us to create a design that seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, enhancing the natural beauty of the area while also meeting your specific functional requirements.

Picture Yourself in Your Dream Landscape

Imagine hosting unforgettable gatherings on your Chicago rooftop, or basking in the tranquility of a private backyard surrounded by vibrant blooms. Our team of passionate landscape designers will help you bring your vision to life, transforming your outdoor space into a place where you can relax, reconnect, and cherish every moment.

Beyond Aesthetics: Evoking Emotion

We don’t just create landscapes that look stunning; we strive to evoke a desired atmosphere and emotion, ensuring that your outdoor oasis reflects your personality and becomes a sanctuary where you truly connect with nature.

Our Process

After a complimentary initial meeting, engaging our landscape design services begins with a design retainer that is based on the total scope of the project. Standard retainers include a plan view design, 3D rendering, consultation meeting, and a round of edits/redesign, second meeting, and an installation contract. Design timelines can range from one month to several.

Our 3 Landscape Design Pathways

PREMIUM

STANDARD

ESSENTIALS

Outdoor Area Size and Level of Complexity

Approx. 1,500 Plus Square Feet and/or High Complexity

Approx. 400 – 1500 Square Feet and/or Medium Complexity

Approx. 400 Square Feet or Less and/or Minimum Complexity

Design Investment

40 + Design Hours

15 – 40 Design Hours

4 – 10 Design Hours

Complimentary Consult

Consult

Consult

Consult

Site Analysis

Multiple Site Visits

A 2D Computer-generated Base Plan (black and white)

A Site Analysis Summary/Survey

A Site Visit

A 2D Computer-generated Base Plan (black and white)

A Site Visit

A 2D Computer-generated Base Plan (black and white)

Schematic Design

Initial Concepts

Multiple 2D Computer-generated Scaled Plan (color)

Multiple style studies and inspiration images.

Several Client Review Meetings with Sales & Design

An Initial Concept

A 2D Computer-generated Scaled Plan (color)

A Style Study and Inspiration Images

A Client Review Meeting with Sales & Design

An Initial Concept

A 2D Computer-generated Scaled Plan (color)

A Style Study and Inspiration Images

A Client Review Meeting with Sales

Design Development

A Revised Design and Computer-generated 3D Model with Multiple Revisions

Several Client Review Meetings with Sales and Design

A Revised Design and A Computer-generated 3D Model

A Set of Revisions

A Client Review Sales and Design

Revised 2D Design

A set of revisions

A Client Review with Sales

Estimate

Estimate

Client Meetings with Sales & Design

Estimate

A Client Meeting with Sales

Estimate

A Client Meeting if Applicable

Stakeholders

We Will Work with Multiple Stakeholders (e.g. home owner, property management, multi-unit boards, house managers)

 We Will Work with 1-2 stakeholders (e.g. homeowner(s) and contractor)

We Will Work with 1-2 stakeholders

Production Documents

Construction Drawings for Installation

As needed

N/A

Site Visits During Construction with Design Team

Site Visits During Construction with Design Team and Operations Team

Operations Team Oversite

Operations Team Oversite

Our Service Areas

Chicago Neighborhoods

  • Gold Coast
  • Lakeview
  • Park West
  • Wrightwood Neighbors
  • Sheffield Neighbors
  • Ranch Triangle
  • Ravenswood
  • Old Irving Park
  • Uptown
  • Lincoln Square
  • Edgewater
  • Bucktown
  • Logan Square
  • Humboldt Park
  • Wicker Park
  • West Town
  • Old Town
  • Near North
  • River North
  • Loop
  • Steeterville
  • University Village
  • South Loop
  • Hyde Park
  • Kenwood

Neighboring Towns

  • Oak Park
  • River Forest
  • Burr Ridge
  • Hinsdale
  • Lincolnwood/Skokie
  • Evanston
  • Wilmette
  • Kenilworth
  • Winnetka
  • Glencoe
  • Highland Park

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With a relatively small urban space for our yards, it’s incredible what Topiarius did with the design. They laid it out so that we could do so many different things and bring so much joy to us. It’s awesome to bring joy to people who walk by as well as they love looking at all the different flowers, love looking at the butterflies, and love admiring the garden.

We entertain friends and my extended family a lot, so it’s been transformative for me to have a designed backyard space additionally. It was just a patch of grass, we didn’t have a place to sit and read, or sit and eat, or sit and have friends over. Now it’s such an amazing sanctuary where we can sit out there at night, drink some wine, have some dinner, listen to music, enjoy the way all the different plants look and really feel at peace.

Stephanie Morimoto

The [landscaping] I had has been elevated since I started working with Topiarius . . . we’re at the next level of landscaping. The truth is, as people pass by the front of our house, they will comment that I have the best landscaping. And I do. I give you guys full credit. If you want to hire them, they’re fantastic.

Maria Pradd

Craig J-S, the co-owner, has always been very upfront about how pricing goes with different things, like what his margin needs to be, what limitations on timelines are going to be due to weather or other projects, etc. So, I think more than anything, when working with Craig [and his team], I’ve never felt like I’ve been treated unfairly or someone is behaving kind of dishonestly with me, which I don’t think you can say about other firms. You can have a lot of trust in the process of working with someone like Craig [and his team].

Sanjay Soni