Clemens Residence

Designing the landscape enhancement for the Clemens Residence was a project marked by a thoughtful integration of form, function, and natural beauty. The project was initiated with the installation of a new retaining wall system, aimed at stabilizing the slope and revitalizing the driveway. Following these structural improvements, the Clemens family sought to reimagine the landscape in the front of their home, providing an opportunity to infuse a renewed sense of character and aesthetic charm.

My initial site visit and assessment revealed an enchanting experience as one approached the home through a wooded area. The journey from the forested surroundings to the clearing, where the residence stood, was an evocative moment that guided my design inspiration. To capture this feeling of arrival and create a sense of continuity, I conceptualized motifs of a formal meadow-scape to be woven into the landscape's fabric.

A key consideration was the preservation and emphasis of sightlines into the surrounding forest, a request that resonated with the Clemens family's appreciation for their natural setting. I approached this challenge by meticulously crafting specific views that harmoniously combined vertical landscape plantings with low-lying meadow-like grasses and flowers. This intentional design strategy amplified the existing sightlines, elevating their prominence within the overall composition.

The resulting design is a seamless fusion of traditional plantings and species of meadow forbs, culminating in a harmonious marriage of natural and cultivated elements. Native species like black-eyed Susans and muhly grass seamlessly intermingle with existing vegetation, encapsulating the essence of a meadow while respecting the integrity of the existing landscape. By preserving and enhancing the sightlines into the surrounding forest, the design not only transforms the aesthetic of the Clemens Residence but also enriches the connection between the built environment and the enchanting natural backdrop.