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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.
 1. Approach and Arrival |
 2. The Hub |
 3. The Perimeter |
 4. Passages and Destinations |
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
