The garden design firm of SMI Landscape Architecture is known for
its estate masterplanning, its public gardens and streetscapes, and
its thoughtful private gardens for clients across the United States
and in the Bahamas. The firm's philosophy incorporates a 'botanical
garden' approach with exotic planting and elements of classical
European design to create beautiful, usable spaces, and it is also
known for its preservation and restoration of old landscapes.As
Jorge Sanchez puts it in the Prologue, 'Most of us tend to look at
garden books for their pictures. In this one I would like to show
you why; why the pictures came about. It is all part of why we came
about. Gardens do not just happen. They are creations.' This book
examines three of the firm's recent private gardens in great
detail, two in Florida ('South') and one in Scarsdale, New York
('North'). Practical information about the design approach and
details of the planting are combined with Sanchez's account of the
process behind each garden, his relationship with the client and
the reasons for his decisions. Through the narrative - often
personal, always descriptive, always detailed - a picture builds up
of his approach to each set of circumstances. The first project is
in Miami, a family garden with a surprisingly un-tropical design
for its southern location. Describing each area of the garden in
detail, Sanchez explains that the clients wanted it to feel like a
northern landscape, and how that requirement influenced his choice
of plants. He puts forward his belief in the importance of the
relationship between house and garden, saying: 'Our responsibility
as landscape gardeners is to complement the architecture ...to give
the buildings a sense of place and grounding.'The second project,
in Scarsdale, New York, came about in an oblique way: Sanchez was
called in to propose suggestions for landscaping a large site that
was to be subdivided and sold. He suggested to the owners that they
instead develop it for themselves, and the idea took hold. He
explains that having already worked for these clients, he was
familiar with their taste and requirements but had to consider
afresh the new site and the building that was already present. His
priority was to make the plot look as though it had always been
that way, keeping its naturalness while adapting it for the use of
the family.The final garden in the book is the most dramatically
sited, on a high cliff in Palm Beach, Florida. Sanchez delighted in
taking advantage of the spectacular views throughout the plot.
Influenced by the work of the renowned twentieth-century landscape
designer Beatrix Farrand, he created an upper and a lower garden,
separated by fountain staircases that break up the change in level
and provide the cooling splash of water. He even describes how the
swimming pool was at first destined to be a tennis court, but that
the idea of a place for grandchildren to play won out. As Sanchez
puts it, 'I have a feeling this is a property they will be using
more and more.'Throughout the book Sanchez gives a strong sense of
participation - with the climate, with the local flora, with the
clients and with other designers, whether sculptors, architects or
interior designers. To be part of such collaborative efforts is
hugely satisfying for him, as well as producing the best possible
result for each set of clients.This stunning book will appeal to
garden lovers everywhere, as well as to design aficionados seeking
a deeper understanding of the creative process behind making a
garden. It will also appeal to garden designers and horticultural
students.
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