BSLA / HONOR AWARD
Design — Residential
dL STUDIO
Watermill Residence Watermill , New York
The parti is characterized as 3 overlapping zones : whimsical , domestic and ecological . Entering through a new auto-gate , the driveway passes an existing topiary garden and leads to the guest parking-court , framed by a bed of fountain grass aligned with the deck . A bluestone path leads to a large play lawn framed by the house , deck and reflection / swimming pool . The uninterrupted lawn was achieved by holding the driveway and parking away from the house ; this was a simple and critical idea that established the integrity of the ‘ habitable zone ’, and allowed the landscape to be experienced on foot , at a slower pace without perceiving vehicles . Rows of Red Maple and Plane Trees are planted at the edges .
The bluestone entry-walk cuts through the lawn ; a dynamic line of carefully modulated polygon pavers mediate the merging geometries of the space ( house / deck / property line ). The 2.5 ’ wide path emerges from the parking area as a straight line then angles toward the front door . As the path approaches the door , the stones gradually increase in size until the final piece measures 11 ’ X 6 ’, matching the width of the entry . Monolithic stone was selected for the hardscape to play foil to the fine detailing of the adjacent architecture .
On the Creek side of the house , the landscape design continues the theme of connections by using an overlay of native plantings to restore the riparian ecology and link to guest gardens that are inter-planted with blueberries and ferns .
122 BSLA