Landscape architect and designer Suzanne Arca has won this year's top design award from APLD, the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. The award of International Designer of the Year will officially be conferred this week at the association's International Design Conference in Cleveland, Ohio.
Arca's winning design of a garden in Lafayette, California, includes low-maintenance native plants, a water feature, a "farm" for vegetables consisting of raised planters, and hardscape elements that are environmentally friendly.
Arca created a naturalistic garden by down-sizing existing lawn and asphalt areas; making smooth and natural connections between the existing terrai and drifts of ornamental grasses and native plants with accents of rich Mediteranean species.
Main paths in the garden are constructed of Mariposa slate with tinted mortar joints. The "farm" boxes are made of selected heart redwood, capped to provide additional seating, and cable and post trellises were added to accommodate berries and grapes. This part of the garden also includes a redwood potting bench and a matching tool rack.
As Arca put it in her original submission, she made every attempt to "follow the principles of Bay Friendly landscape practices" in order to limit future waste in landfills, conserve water, and improve on-site water percolation. In addition, the design is intended to "wed to natural Lafayette backdrop of oak woodland … with sustainable plantings."
(photos courtesy APLD & designer)
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