About
Philip Shippey is a CLARB Certified Landscape Architect with active registrations in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. Philip is the owner and founder of Shippey Landscape Architecture. He is also a member of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA).
He gained an interest in landscape architecture from working in golf courses and gardens growing up in his home state of Georgia. Philip also worked in the Founders Memorial Garden for two years during his time as a student at the University of Georgia.
His interest in the field of landscape architecture was solidified during an internship at South China Botanical Garden in Guangzhou, China. He has experience working in landscape architecture offices in Chattanooga and Knoxville.
Philip's interests include: gardening, traveling, art, golf, and spending time with his wife and daughters. He is also an active member of his church in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Education
University of Georgia
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Associate of Applied Science in Landscape Design & Grounds Management
Services
Site Design
Site design is the overall layout, flow, and programmed and designed amenities of a project. Site design must be based out of an awareness of ecological conditions, local code requirements, and the intended functions for the project as set forth by the client. A property’s natural resources should be preserved and restored to the greatest extent as possible through the layout of a project. These goals of preservation and restoration are designated by thoughtful inventory and analysis of the property’s features and resources. A good site design serves as the basis on which other, subsequent design decisions are formed. It should be noted that certain items associated with site design must be handled by a separate design consultant. For example, the design and layout of utilities as well as any necessary stormwater calculations are carried out by a civil engineer. Or, to give another example, habitational structures are designed by an architect.
Grading
Grading requires a multi-faceted understanding of the land and its natural resources. To properly grade a site requires knowledge of the project site’s existing and future hydrological processes. Other factors to consider are existing trees, water bodies, and structures. As a general rule, the driving force behind grading is to do as little earth-moving as possible and still achieve the desired outcomes of the project. It’s worth noting that grading is one of the most fundamental ways to give a project a sense of place and spatial awareness. Strategically shaping the earth in a way that is both harmonious with the existing environment and that works to meet specific design intentions is vital to the overall successfulness of a site’s development.
Hardscape Design
Some examples of hardscape design elements include, but are not limited to the following: walls, pathways, patios, steps, fences, pools, and water features. Topographic changes, existing trees and vegetation, the project’s site design, existing and proposed structures, property boundaries, and bodies of water are all examples of on-site conditions that work to delineate the boundaries of a hardscape’s layout and design. Once a layout has been determined, attention can shift to fine tuning specific elements within the hardscape. With detailed design, material selection and project-specific artistic concepts come into the picture. The final product in hardscape design is a combination of both artistry and pragmatism. Shippey Landscape Architecture always prefers to examine the local vernacular when selecting materials for hardscapes. For example, for a site in East Tennessee, locally quarried sandstone is a likely candidate for the site’s surfaces and veneers. Or, to give another example, on a college campus or in a historic district, clay bricks, cobbles, or concrete may be the best option. Material selection must be specifically tailored to each project. Please note, for walls—and some other structures—over a certain height (height threshold varies according local code requirements), the services of an engineer must be utilized to ensure the structural and geotechnical safety of the wall’s design. For pools and water features, the services of a specialist are utilized to design and ensure the proper functionality of required plumbing and related equipment. Shippey Landscape Architecture works to incorporate all hardscape amenities and elements into the overall scheme and character of each project.
Planting Design
Planting design requires careful attention to horticultural details, an artistic eye, local code requirements, and most importantly, an understanding of local ecology and the environment. Plants have the ability to restore the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner. Plants intrinsically have the power to generate biodiversity and overall health and welfare among other plants and animals as well as provide essential food and habitat for pollinators such as butterflies, honey bees, and hummingbirds. Shippey Landscape Architecture prefers to use natives when selecting plants for landscapes because they work to create a landscape that is beautiful, low-maintenance, and well adapted to local ecological and climatic conditions. However, your planting design will be tailored to meet your specific needs and tastes as well as the unique requirements of your project site.
Additional Services
site visit consultation
Master planning
graphics—both computer and hand-drawn
Links
Daniel Shippey Photography
My brother, Daniel Shippey, is a talented Georgia and Tennessee-based Entertainment + Commercial photographer. If you are interested in checking out his work, please click the link above.