Guide to Residential Landscape Design: From Concept to Completion

Shaping residences to complement natural surroundings takes a trained eye. The site and topography are an integral part of the visual and spatial theme, guiding the home's placement. Steven Mueller Architects establishes a precise design approach scaled to meet your vision, whether you’re looking to live inland or along the coast.

What is Form Composition in Landscape Design?

As licensed architects in Greenwich, CT, our approach to residential architecture goes beyond the structure itself, encompassing the entire property to create a sense of unity and balance. In landscape design, “form composition” refers to how we identify and arrange geometric elements to create cohesive concepts and visual themes. This process allows us to select a specific design approach while defining orientation and location.

The First Step: Evaluating the Landscape

Defining Residence Orientation and Location

At SMA, we analyze topography, sun path, and zoning regulations to determine the optimal orientation for your new home. The importance of this step is even more significant in coastal towns due to the unique challenges of the coastal environment, including ever-changing climate and weather conditions, floodplain zoning regulations, and maximizing views while maintaining privacy. With our featured Shingle Style projects, we ensured optimum orientation for the primary interior spaces to face and exterior features, including grand poolscapes.

Coordinating Site Elements and Access

A well-designed landscape enhances your property's architecture and functionality. After establishing a firm understanding of the site conditions, architects map out access routes for people and vehicles to enter and exit the space. We work closely with landscape designers to ensure cohesive integration of:

  • Driveways and walkways

  • Outdoor living spaces (e.g., patios, decks, pools)

  • Lighting and irrigation systems

  • Gardens and plants

This coordination extends to the development and design phases.

Development & Design

SMA oversees project development during every stage of construction, ensuring that the final result aligns with our initial concept. We've observed emerging trends in residential landscape design that are reshaping how homeowners approach their outdoor spaces. 

  • Homeowners want to extend their living areas beyond the confines of their homes. Expansive sliding glass doors, covered patios, and decks create a fluid transition between indoor and outdoor living.

  • Sustainability is a key aspect of residential architecture in Connecticut. Our projects often incorporate local materials and native plant species, creating a seamless transition between the built environment and the surrounding landscape. These materials help manage stormwater runoff and reduce erosion.

  • The popularity of innovative/smart technology is on the rise and has extended to landscape design. Automated irrigation systems, LED lighting control, and weather-responsive features make property management easy and convenient and contribute to water and energy conservation.

Get Started At SMA

Nothing compares to the beauty of coastal communities like Greenwich or its neighboring towns, Darien and Westport, CT. The seamless integration of architecture and landscape design is the foundation of exceptional living. At SMA, we recognize that every homeowner has distinct needs and visions for their space. Contact our firm to learn more about our architectural services or schedule an appointment.

Debra Lutsky