Residential master plans
Complete layouts that organize circulation, gathering areas, planting, lawn, screening, and future improvements.
Dustin Smith, RLA · Ballston Lake, New York
Thoughtful plans for better outdoor living.
Independent residential landscape design for homeowners who want a clear, professional plan before purchasing plants or beginning construction.
Project visualization · Residential landscape design by Dustin Smith
A well-designed landscape begins with an understanding of the land, the home, and how the people who live there want to use it.
Dustin Smith is a New York State Registered Landscape Architect with five years of professional experience. His work has included projects ranging from state and national parks to Saratoga-area backyard oases and expansive countryside estates. With a Master of Landscape Architecture and a background in plant science from Cornell University, he brings a broad understanding of site design, grading, planting, and construction to each property. His independent, design-only practice gives homeowners a cohesive plan they can implement themselves, phase over time, or take to the contractor of their choice.
Services
From stormwater issues to backyard oases.
Each scope is tailored to the property and the decisions a homeowner needs to make next.
Grading & drainage
Practical concepts for managing slopes and stormwater while creating usable, attractive outdoor space.
Planting design
Site-specific plant palettes and layouts shaped by exposure, soils, maintenance goals, seasonality, and character.
Patios & hardscape
Layouts and material direction for patios, walkways, steps, fire features, and retaining walls.
Site documentation
Survey-grade field equipment and LiDAR scanning document site conditions quickly and accurately, creating a reliable foundation for design.
Landscape graphics
Clear plans, illustrations, and visualizations that communicate the design before construction begins.
Professional guidance without committing to a design-build contract.
Design-only services allow you to compare contractors, phase the work, or complete portions yourself while keeping one cohesive plan.
01
Free phone consultation
Discuss your property, priorities, budget, and the decisions the design should help you make.
02
On-site meeting & consultation
Walk the property together to understand existing conditions, opportunities, constraints, and grading or drainage considerations.
03
Collaborative concept development
Explore possibilities together and refine the layout through your feedback until the concept reflects both the property and the way you want to use it.
04
Tailored design package
Receive drawings and guidance matched to your project, whether you plan to complete portions yourself, phase the work over time, or hire a contractor for installation.
Service area
Local knowledge, focused on residential properties.
Ballston LakeBallston SpaClifton ParkMaltaCapital Region
Have a difficult yard?
Slopes, drainage, fragmented additions, and years of piecemeal improvements often benefit most from stepping back and creating one coordinated plan.
Start with a conversation
Plan first. Build with confidence.
Share a few details about your property and what you hope to change. An initial conversation can help determine the right level of design assistance.