The challenge was to design a landscape that would accentuate the unique architecture of the home, yet not be overshadowed by the strength of the building. By using very simple but strong forms, the landscape accentuates the architecture and the house stands as a complement to the garden, fusing two distinct elements into one form.
The earth was shaped and contoured for in order to balance out the curves found throughout the building design. By providing clear examples of positive and negative space, sculpted pines were used for an additional layer of architectural interest. Simple placement of stone added an organic element to the garden.
By using light to focus on the interplay between the building and the plants, the synergy between the unique architecture of the home and the landscape is established and the two disparate elements are fused together into a single visually compelling statement.
Sculpted pines were used for architectural form in relation to the positive and negative space each tree provides.
The custom designed planters are sheathed in lead-coated copper, borrowing from an architectural detail found elsewhere in the building. Their geometric shapes mimic the glass block details of the home and add direction to the existing walkway and entrance.
This construction photograph highlights the geometric forms of the planter boxes. The effect of the planters as references to the glass block details of the home is clearly apparent.
This view of the completed planter boxes shows the fusion of modern architecture and the modern garden.
The planting of flowering perennial bulbs provides splashes of color in the early spring.
Annuals are planted each year after the spring blossoms have faded. This allows the look of the walkway planters to be continually refreshed, in keeping with the latest design trends.
The obvious choice in lighting this modern garden would have been to directly up-light all the individual specimen trees and key landscape features. Instead, the house was chosen as a canvas as a way to accentuate the features of both the landscape and the architecture. The silhouette of a single sculpted pine is contrasted against the backdrop of the house and provides a simple sculptural element.
The pure white of the home provided a screen upon which to project the sculptural qualities of the branching structures of various plants as well as the shapes of the stone.
The boulevard approach to the home was also illuminated to draw the visitor into the inner courtyard and to frame the views of the home and accent lighting.
Silhouettes were created by washing the walls with light directly behind key specimen plant material.
The shadows cast by the trees become new, albeit ethereal, elements of the landscape design.
A heavy blanket of snow erases the boundaries between the house and the surrounding landscape.
Winter transforms the silhouettes of the sculpted pines into something altogether different than their natural state.
The sculptural elements of the landscape design remain, though subtly altered by the effects of winter.
