Judging Information, Guidelines & Criteria
TEIL JUDGING INFORMATION / CRITERIA (Please read entirely prior to starting the judging process!) REMEMBER! Entries are not judged compared to other entries in the category. They are judged solely on their own merit. Judges may recuse themselves from a project if they feel they are unable to be completely objective. MATERIALS Each judge is provided an online login for TNLA’s Awards platform to judge the entries 24/7. Judges will receive instructions on how to log into the online system along with scoring criteria. Also, a brief description of each category is also provided to the judges. TEIL AWARD PLACEMENT PER PERCENTAGE 1. No set number of awards must be presented. Entries are not judged compared to other entries in the category. They are judged solely on their own merit. 2. Judges may recommend scores for as many entries as they determine deserving of recognition (up to the maximum # of awards listed below) and/or may recommend that awards NOT be given in every category. 3. Maximum awards in each category will be: GOLD SILVER BRONZE HONORABLE MENTION
Residential Installation – Maximum Score of 70 pts All entries must ONLY include installations that the entrants were fully responsible for, if a subcontractor was used, but the project was still under entrant company responsibility, this project still counts. Entries in the installation category should, whenever possible, show the process of the installation by including before shots and explain in their descriptions the special challenges of the installation. Photos and descriptions should focus on the installation – not the design. If installation includes design, a photo should be submitted depicting the landscape design plan. Project descriptions should focus on the requests of the client and how the landscape design met their specific requirements. Photos should correspond with description and explain how the specific design criteria was met and carried out throughout the project. Gold = 64.4 - 70 pts Silver = 58.8 – 64.3 pts Bronze = 53.2 – 58.7 pts Honorable Mention = 49 pts – 53.1 pts No Award = 0 - 48 pts Judging Criteria: • • • • • • •
Degree of Difficulty Quality of Plant Material (i.e., seeded or sodded lawns, shrubs, trees, plants, construction) Attention to Details Overall Project Installation Installation Techniques Harmony of design with Surroundings Environmentally appropriate
Commercial Installation – Maximum Score of 70 pts All entries must ONLY include installations that the entrants were fully responsible for, if a subcontractor was used, but the project was still under entrant company responsibility, this project still counts. Entries in the installation category should, whenever possible, show the process of the installation by including before shots and explain in their descriptions the special challenges of the installation. Photos and descriptions should focus on the installation – not the design. If installation includes design, a photo should be submitted depicting the landscape design plan. Project descriptions should focus on the requests of the client and how the landscape design met their specific requirements. Photos should correspond with description and explain how the specific design criteria was met and carried out throughout the project. Gold = 64.4 - 70 pts Silver = 58.8 – 64.3 pts Bronze = 53.2 – 58.7 pts Honorable Mention = 49 pts – 53.1 pts No Award = 0 - 48 pts Judging Criteria: • • • • • • •
Degree of Difficulty Quality of Plant Material (i.e., seeded or sodded lawns, shrubs, trees, plants, construction) Attention to Details Overall Project Installation Installation Techniques Harmony of design with Surroundings Environmentally appropriate
JUDGING TIPS - INSTALLATION
Entries in the landscape installation category should, whenever possible, show process photos including before and after shots and explain in their descriptions the special challenges of the installation. Photos and descriptions should focus on the installation process only – not the design. Project descriptions should focus on the requests of the client and how the landscape design met his/her specific requirements, as well as how the installation matched the design of the project. Photos should correspond with description and explain how specific design criteria were met and carried out throughout the project.
Residential Maintenance – Maximum Score of 60 pts Entries in the maintenance category will be judged on how effective the maintenance techniques used on the property have displayed the property’s neatness and healthy appearance. Projects must have been under contract by the entrant for at least two (2) years prior to the date of entry. Maintenance projects should include whether seasonal color, fertilization, etc. are included in the contract. In the maintenance category, the entrant should show close-up shots as well as long shots of the plant material. The entrant should talk specifically about the scope of the project and the maintenance procedures involved at the site – particularly if this involves some out-of-theordinary constraints. They should also describe the use of special pest control programs, maintenance schedules and unusual or significant challenges associated with the project. In addition, the application should mention the length of time they have been maintaining the project. Gold = 57.4 - 60 pts Silver = 55.8 – 57.3 pts Bronze = 50.2 – 55.7 pts Honorable Mention = 48 pts – 50.1 pts No Award = 0 - 47 pts Judging Criteria: Integrity of Lawn Maintenance (i.e., clear, careful mowing pattern, lush look without rutting) Condition of Trees and Shrubs Condition of Plant Beds (i.e., weed free, edge detail, condition of plant material, bed detailing) Health and Vitality of Overall project Attention to details Degree of Maintenance difficulty
Commercial Maintenance – Maximum Score of 60 pts Entries in the maintenance category will be judged on how effective the maintenance techniques used on the property have displayed the property’s neatness and healthy appearance. Projects must have been under contract by the entrant for at least two (2) years prior to the date of entry. Maintenance projects should include whether seasonal color, fertilization, etc. are included in the contract. In the maintenance category, the entrant should show close-up shots as well as long shots of the plant material. The entrant should talk specifically about the scope of the project and the maintenance procedures involved at the site – particularly if this involves some out-of-theordinary constraints. They should also describe the use of special pest control programs, maintenance schedules and unusual or significant challenges associated with the project. In addition, the application should mention the length of time they have been maintaining the project. Gold = 57.4 - 60 pts Silver = 55.8 – 57.3 pts Bronze = 50.2 – 55.7 pts Honorable Mention = 48 pts – 50.1 pts No Award = 0 - 47 pts Judging Criteria: • • • • • •
Integrity of Lawn Maintenance (i.e., clear, careful mowing pattern, lush look without rutting) Condition of Trees and Shrubs Condition of Plant Beds (i.e., weed free, edge detail, condition of plant material, bed detailing) Health and Vitality of Overall project Attention to details Degree of Maintenance difficulty
JUDGING TIPS - MAINTENANCE
Entries in the maintenance category will be judged on display of design integrity, neatness and healthy appearance. Projects must have been under contract by the entrant for at least one (1) year prior to the date of entry. Maintenance projects should include whether seasonal color, fertilization, etc. are included in the contract. In the maintenance category, the entrant should show close-up shots as well as long shots of the plant material and special features within the landscape that highlight maintenance requirements. The entrant should talk specifically about the scope of the project and the maintenance procedures involved at the site – particularly if this involves some out-ofthe-ordinary constraints. They should also talk about special pest control programs, maintenance schedules and unusual or significant challenges associated with the project. They should also mention the length of time they have been maintaining the project.
Design – Maximum Score of 80 pts This category focuses purely on the design of a project and not the installation of a project. Applicants can enter the design of a project and are judged for their efforts. The project entered by the applicant must be complete. Gold = 73.6 - 80 pts Silver = 67.2 – 73.5 pts Bronze = 60.8 – 67.1 pts Honorable Mention = 57 pts – 60.7 pts No Award = 0 - 56 pts Judging Criteria: • • • • • • • •
Degree of Difficulty Design Innovation Use of space and how it relates to the over-all design concept Plant selections Design intent Installation Awareness Design Competence Overall Project Success
JUDGING TIPS – DESIGN CATEGORY
The Design Category focuses on the design of a completed project. You must submit a photo depicting the landscape design plan (delete your company name from the plan). The entering firm must have created the landscape design and the installation must be complete. Your description should focus on the client’s request, and how your landscape design met his or her specific needs. Do not forget this is a design project — include photos about how the project overcame any special challenges. It is recommended that the applicant take pictures of the project before installation and after installation when the full design intent can be recognized. Pictures taken during construction may highlight on-the-ground issues the designers faced when designing the projects, therefore are recommended but not necessary.
Special Projects – Maximum Score of 70 pts Special projects applies to the whole project, not special features of the entry project. In the Special Projects category, the overall appearance of the project and the degree of difficulty are the most important criteria in judging. Focus on the unique aspects of the project and what special challenges the applicant overcame. Special challenges may include access problems, time constraints, or unique requests made by the client. Gold = 64.4 - 70 pts Silver = 58.8 – 64.3 pts Bronze = 53.2 – 58.7 pts Honorable Mention = 49 pts – 53.1 pts No Award = 0 - 48 pts Judging Criteria (Each of the below based on a scale of 1-10 with 1 as Poor and 10 as Excellent): • • • • • • •
Overall Appearance Degree of Difficulty Quality of Installation Unusual or Unique Material Used Appropriate to Purpose Installation Techniques Functionality
JUDGING TIPS – SPECIAL PROJECTS
Special projects applies to the whole project, not special features of the entry project. Below are examples but are not limited to these. Rooftop or Balcony Garden: Entries will be judged on feasibility of construction, best practices, and overall visual impact. May be a residential or commercial project. Theme Gardens: This must be a permanent installation. Please state the intended theme. (e.g. Butterfly Garden, Knot Garden, Native Planting and Biodiversity Planting, etc.) Theme must be predominant in overall appearance/design intent. Water Features: Unlimited (e.g. waterfalls, fountains, rain gardens, retention ponds, bioswales etc.) Landscape Lighting: Use of landscape lighting, both low and line voltage, as an essential extension of the landscape plan, well integrated into its environment.
Unique Features – Maximum Score of 80 pts The Unique Features Category is an individual project entry where the applicant wants special consideration for an award regarding a specific feature within the entire installation. This category would include specific features within a landscape. Examples include hard or soft landscaping. Gold = 73.6 - 80 pts Silver = 67.2 – 73.5 pts Bronze = 60.8 – 67.1 pts Honorable Mention = 57 pts – 60.7 pts No Award = 0 - 56 pts Judging Criteria: • • • • • • • •
Unusual or unique material used Unique feature Usefulness Installation Techniques Appropriate to purpose Functionality Quality of Installation Degree of Difficulty Overall Project Success
JUDGING TIPS – UNIQUE FEATURES
A focus on one specific area of the landscape project. Unique or unusual use of concepts and materials - examples of hard or soft landscaping. They are specific projects within the total installation. These projects would be unique from other categories in that the entrant wishes only one specific aspect of the installation to be judged, instead of the entire installation as a whole. Descriptions should focus on challenges faced with these unique features, special equipment and detailed construction notes over the use and build of the unique features.