COGdesign

COGdesign provides pro bono landscape design services and is a catalyst for the implementation and stewardship of beautiful, safe, and useful public green spaces in underserved communities.

COGdesign services are available to community groups which are prepared to participate actively in the design development process and are challenged by a limited or non-existent budget for landscape development.

Each project begins with the initiative of a community client and results in a unique product. Typically, deliverables include a site analysis, design concept, planting plans, cost estimates, and specific recommendations for maintenance. In some cases, COGdesign can provide additional resources of materials, supplies, and services, but the responsibility for funding the installation of the project rests with the client.
In partnership with an involved community constituency, COGdesign services can regenerate overlooked, underused, and abused community landscapes through environmentally sensitive and socially thoughtful planning and design. COGdesign projects range in scope from small planting plans to comprehensive master planning.

COGdesign clients include affordable housing, public and private schools, neighborhood parks, Friends groups, churches, municipal agencies, historic sites, and community gardens. COG designers are trained landscape design professionals and students who work pro bono on these projects.

COGdesign serves as a matchmaker between the community organizations seeking landscape design services and the landscape designers looking for professional development opportunities and community-based field experience. Projects may be undertaken by individual designers, as studio projects at the Landscape Institute of the Arnold Arboretum, by design students as thesis projects, or as community events. Design services are available to community groups which satisfy COGdesign’s eligibility requirements and at minimal cost to the client.

Our clients, the community organizations, benefit from the innovative and creative work of COG’s designers. The designers are engaged with projects that offer them challenging field experience, portfolio material, and the satisfaction that comes from improving the community landscape.