The landscape sets the organic tone for this home and shows great restraint. The vernacular plant palette demonstrates the landscape architect’s true gift for interweaving with nature. Not easily done. —2008 ASLA Professional Awards Jury Comments

This award-winning residential landscape takes its cue from the surrounding maritime forest and pristine marshland of the South Carolina coast. Designed as a patterned and ordered version of the coastal island itself, the landscape is subtle yet orchestrated. Creating contrast between the tamed landscape near the house and the natural reserve beyond is key to the success of this project

Elevated eight feet above grade to accommodate the shifting the tidal flood plain, the Japanese style residence lacked connection with the ground. OvS designed certified re-harvested hardwood terraces to bridge this gap. These gently stepped terraces contain the swimming pool and guide visitors from the porch down to the paths, fields, and forests beyond.

Rainwater is captured from the roof and diverted toward the meadow. The gravel entry ways and paths, are covered with pine straw culled from the forest floor minimizing contrast between the natural and the built environment.