The light corridor in the garden’s depth became an invaluable asset in accelerating the garden’s perceived scale. Like a light in the forest, it becomes an attractor to the unexpected 15' birch trees revealed around the garden bend which are illustrated in the sketch to come.

The narrow garden maximizes the opportunity for year-round borrowed landscape with direct views from the kitchen. Site appropriate specimens like the foreground Musclewood, have thrived in the shaded garden sections, and frame a destination for contemplation on the fabricated rock bench.

Simple sketches often confirmed scale and placement intentions of the design with clear communication of elements if detailed renderings sometimes distracted the clients.

The simplicity of this plan drawing presented a sassafras grove with the engagement of playful color which captured the clients’ imagination and became a concept base to build upon.

The garden level presents as a woodland escape with mossy and rocky elements that are carefully placed in a way to preserve a naturalistic feeling with a touch of modern manicure.

The architect’s proposed terrarium had room for interpretation, including a closed indoor garden with seasonal rotations. This garden quickly became a star of the design for its ability to ignite unexpected delight and with visitors, and its ability to cohesively link the “Nature to Culture” garden destinations and inspire year-round fascination for the clients.

Original intentions to minimize plantings within the terrarium beyond the tree, were expanded to include more bespoke rock, moss and woodland under story plants that create a textural tapestry which compliments the maple.

A bird’s eye view captures the intention of a viewing garden that can be experienced from countless angles and viewpoints, and inviting exploration.

Crew member determines the next best move for articulation of the designer’s placement requests, and subsequently the crew takes action to effectuate accordingly. Careful consideration of drain placement and its concealment with accessibility were required.

Specific elevations were configured to add interest and optimize the design intent of a woodland atmosphere despite having a confined canvas.

Fine craftsmanship coupled with innovative engineering delivered on the decks intended organic aesthetic fused with function to weave the plantings into the deck. The concept was a design collaboration of client, architect, our teams and a preferred vendor specializing in custom wood and metal work.

Glacial erratics upstate were selected and cast for a garden level rock bench and roof garden meditation rock.

The architect and clients’ thrill with the bespoke rock’s true-life texture and detailing with living moss and painted lichens, inspired its additional use in the terrarium as a Catskills inspired perch for their nature loving children and as a meditation rock on the roof.

The skilled crew trains the atlas cedar to create a landscape weave that the clients love watching grow into a living fence of smoky blue needles.

Collaboration and patience required by the client and designer were applied to the roof renderings and palettes to refine a controlled wild aesthetic into a Zen deck featuring unique specimens like the “Tidal Wave” weeping Katsura tree.

The roof plan’s proposal for vibrant florals and foliage contrasting against the beautiful yet grayed city skyline, established a clear boundary providing a natural getaway. Plant palette revisions intentionally reduced the amount of simultaneous bloom depicted in the rendering to accommodate the client’s burgeoning passion for plants and design.