When clients come to me with a house design project, they often think in terms of the building itself. But I always encourage them to think bigger—to consider the entire property as a unified whole.

The False Division

Traditionally, architecture and landscape design have been treated as separate disciplines. An architect designs the building, then a landscape designer is brought in afterward to “pretty up” the surroundings.

This approach misses a tremendous opportunity. The most successful homes are those where indoor and outdoor spaces were conceived together, each informing and enhancing the other.

A Unified Approach

When I take on a project, I consider the entire site from day one. Questions I ask include:

  • How will the house sit on the land?
  • Which views should be captured and framed?
  • How can outdoor spaces extend the living areas?
  • What plantings will complement the architecture?
  • How will the seasons change the experience?

The Result

A home designed this way feels complete in a way that’s hard to describe but easy to feel. There’s a sense that everything belongs, that every element was placed with intention and care.

This is the pure and harmonious approach that guides all my work.