ASLA Design Winners 2007 (GardenDesignOnline)

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Spare, Simple, Hi Tech, Trendy.

Landscape architects are getting hip and going very modern, and you need look no further than the winners of this year's design awards from the American Society of Landscape Architects. Think polished steel and glass, clean lines and simple structures, a limited variety of plants. And then take a look at this year's awards.

General Design Award of Excellence: M. Victor and Frances Leventritt Garden, Arnold Arboretum.

The staid old Arnold Arboretum now has taken a very contemporary turn: a brand-new parterre that's a showplace for plants yet links the arboretum's twin needs to provide access for the public and carry on research at the same time. Landscape architects Reed Hilderbrand of Watertown, MA, designed a series of terraces cascading down a hillside that are used to display changing collections of shrubs and vines. The terraces are linked by ramps and steps, and there's also space for a classroom pavilion and for sizeable gatherings. The jury cited the project for its top award because "It's exquisite, contemporary yet traditional, and unique in how it's presented. It looks very sustainable and appears low maintenance." It's quite unlike anything else you've ever seen at the Arnold.

(photo: Alan Ward courtesy ASLA)

The top residential award this year went to Vladimir Djurovic of Broumana, Lebanon.

And what could be more perfect -- a landscape that's certainly the latest in style for fashion designer Elie Saab.

Located in the mountains of Lebanon, the garden complements the contemporary design of the house and then takes it to a whole new dimension. It's a thrilling and extraordinary design, serene and private, and with seamless integration of horizontal spaces that echo the distant views and link the outdoor terraces.

Spare and simple rectangles are used for the swimming pool and a flat terrace with recessed seating areas and fireplaces. Low planters with wide coping provide extra seating for visitors and allow an uninterrupted view of the landscape beyond.

(photos: Geraldine Bruneel courtesy ASLA)

Residential Honor Awards went to several designers, and here are a few of them that I liked particularly, although all the designs that received awards are worthy of careful scrutiny.

This Manhattan roof garden created by Sawyer Berson Landscape Architecture of NYC is the ultimate in luxurious outdoor living: a shower, a kitchen, a black granite bar and dining table, a glass and granite contemporary water feature to mask the sounds of the city, sandblasted glass panels, a painted steel framework, an audio system, lighting, and finally -- lush plantings that make you feel like you're anywhere except on top of a building in New York City. No need to rush away for those precious weekends out of town!

(photo: Bill Cunningham courtesy ASLA)

This Connecticut residence is an impeccable blend of traditional and modern styles. Wesley Stout Associates of New Canaan used a limited range of materials and plants for what they call this "Shaker Modern" home. The clients admired the classic style of Russell Page and the regular, geometric plantings of Dan Kiley, and what they got was some of both. A central dining court is flanked by a weeping water wall and four linden trees. The plain rectangular swimming pool is framed by espaliered apple trees on one side and a contemporary stainless steel railing on the other. A koi pond, an outdoor shower and a fireplace are all fashioned in clean, straightforward styles that bring this house and landscape together.

(photo: Jeff McNamara courtesy ASLA)

A home renovation in San Francisco married two houses and transformed the space into an open plan with strong lines and prominent circular elements. When she determined that the circular theme simply would not work outside, landscape architect Andrea Cochran created an easy, uncomplicated, intelligent design with horizontal features that mimic the expansive feeling that you get with circularity. Stainless steel strips and black concrete walls create a maze-like pattern that feels like a meditative labyrinth; they also reflect light and echo the sky. Simple, linear rows of plantings emphasize the horizontal patterns and enclose the space along the property lines.