According to Michael Bernier, founder and lead designer of Michael Bernier Design, the landscape industry is too often chasing the wrong outcomes.

“As a designer, I’m very passionate about not just the aesthetics, but the overall functionality of outdoor spaces, whereas the industry seems to be very focused on maintenance and maintenance contracts,” says Bernier.

Cutting down on the maintenance required after a project is finished can have a huge impact on sustainability and water usage, two issues at the forefront of many California professionals’ minds.

It may be an uncomfortable conversation for some, but Bernier believes it is a vital one.

“I may have even annoyed a few people in the industry, because I really promote less maintenance, and I wave the flag of the better the design is, the better the installation, the less maintenance will be needed…Most of the problems in this industry, and on each project, can be solved at the design stage.”

Read the full interview with Michael Bernier in the March issue of Pro Landscaper USA.