|
The Goal: Timeless Style
When working on residential projects, our goal is to create landscapes
that are impeccably designed, that harmonize with the character
of the house and site, and that express the personality of the people
for whom they were created. We try to give each property an aura
of timeless beauty and a spirited sense of sophistication and individuality.
Villa Arcenti, near Florence |
Our Design Philosophy
Our design philosophy has taken shape through a variety of influences
over a period of many years. We’ve traveled widely to study
the great historic and contemporary gardens in the United States,
Europe and all over Great Britain to understand what made these
properties unforgettable. Concurrently, as our landscape architecture
practice grew, we analyzed the residential landscapes we designed
that seemed to us the most complete, harmonious, and naturally elegant.
Books and mentors fed our imaginations and reinforced our instincts.
Discussions with clients stimulated our thinking.
The Four-Part Master Plan
Gradually, we distilled the four basic elements we believe are the
organizing principles for memorable, timeless residential properties.
In our view, properties well versed in these four components are
particularly coherent, functional, and at peace with themselves.
Every well-designed property, no matter how large or small, has:
- A clearly defined Approach and Arrival Sequence
that creates a presence for the house and a sense of anticipation
leading up to the front entrance. The approach and arrival sequence
takes you from the street to the front door and creates the first
impression of the property as a seamless whole.
View
more examples >
- A Hub –This is the property’s natural
center: a house integrated into its setting that takes advantage
of outward and inward views and vistas. The architectural style
of the house and its predominant materials and color palette offer
starting points for all new design treatments throughout the property.
View
more examples >
- A Perimeter consisting of outdoor spaces adjacent
to the house that open from interior rooms. Perimeter spaces are
convenient, multi-functional areas for relaxing, dining, grilling,
entertaining or small-scale gardening.
View
more examples >
- A network of imaginative Passages and Destinations
that animate movement around a property with pathways, gates or
steps. Passages invite the enjoyment of garden destinations set
away from the house itself—from a formal flower garden to
a croquet lawn to a swim environment or a hidden garden retreat.
View
more examples >
Read
more about our philosophy > |
