Arlington Residence

The Arlington Residence is defined by a 26' grade change from the back to the front of the property. Careful sculpting of the topography created garden spaces for retention and release. 

In the front garden, a sweeping retaining wall of locally quarried stone elevates the grade and forms a bowl of native perennials and shrubs that capture stormwater from the site. The rise allows for a mostly level foreground of the house, defined by a river of lawn that eddies in a granite cobble labyrinth, then continues to the side yard. 

A second rain garden frames the view through the architecture to the back terrace. Layers of trees, shrubs, and perennials veil the home from the adjacent neighborhood without separating it.

Stepping stones track subtle grade changes to the backyard and cascade between dry-stacked stone walls to reach the bluestone terrace. A new water feature starts near the high point at the back property line and sparkles down the hillside before falling into the horizontal stonework. A collection of Japanese maples are placed around the watercourse at varying elevations. 

From inside the house, a primary view runs through the front door and out to the new waterfall. From the second level, guests are treated to the full view of the labyrinth below. Along the driveway, a vegetable garden is terraced into the slope, allowing for easy access to each bed. 

Each garden is intentionally set within the existing topography, allowing it to be rooted to the place and the path in which it sits.

Photos by Kate Wichlinski. 

Type

Living

Client

Private

Location

Arlington, Virginia

Project Collaborators

Landscape Installation - Planted Earth

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