This is the overview of a current project site, where we are doing both the building and the landscaping.  Encompassing 40 acres, it's located an hour north of Santa Fe.  The building site is the mesa in the lower right quadrant of this photo, subsequent shots below show more details of the site.  The plan calls for 3 adobe buildings, all located facing the south for passive solar gain, a road through the property ending in a cul-de-sac, and locations for a water harvesting system and solar panels (positioned to minimize reflection).  The first building is currently under construction and we have already begun the landscaping.       

Here you can see that the road has been cut - we chose a slowly curving ingress/egress to the property to enhance the natural feel of the site.  A base of crusher fines, from the local provider has been applied to the road to prevent erosion and avoid mire.  The building site (circled in red) has been selected and the building has been sited.  The inspiration for the main building design came from Chaco Canyon's Pueblo Bonito and is a half circle, with the flat side facing south.  The green circle is the arterial/local road intersection.  The site is close to a mile from this point.

Same view as above from the site level.  In the forground is Artemesia "powis castle"  a fragrant sage-like plant.  The adobe garden wall is partially completed and when finished will enclose the entire garden with an arched gate at the entrance.  The building and the landscaping are going in simultaneously in order to enhance the seamless blend between the inside living space and the outside environment.  We use mostly native plants in our designs, they are adapted to the environment, are low maintenance and can withstand the extremes of our climate.

To the right is the view from the garden wall toward the house.  Note the stone wall to the right of the front door.  This serves as something of a Trombe Wall for the structure and is as a nice backdrop for the native sand sage planted in front.  A grey water system recycles house water which is used in irrigating the landscape.  You can learn more about this landscaping project and see more samples of our work by follwing the hand,  learn more about the building of this adobe hybrid structure by clicking here.  Landscape Architecture Links American Society of Landscape Architects America Horticultural Society Sustainable Land Development Today Sapling:  Architecture, Planning, Landscape Gateway Native Plants Journal Topos Terrain: Journal of Built and Natural Environments Native Plant Conservation Alliance Urban Forestry Library American Horticultural Therapy Association Greenspace Design USDA Plant Hardiness Zones Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center