DESIGN HIghlight: key west-inspired island getaway

One of the primary designs goals expressed by the client was that it would be low-maintenance.  They also explained how they were only living in the house for the winter months, and that it was a vacation house for their family.  They were interested in winter flowering trees and plants that would make them feel at home in their tropical environment.  As always with landscape designs on Sanibel Island, careful consideration of making sure that 80% of the plants used were native is always a primary goal of the design.  This is done by following the City of Sanibel landscape ordinances. 

While looking at photos of the house, I was immediately transported to warm walks throughout the beautiful city of Key West.  I remembered wild chickens, bright colors at every corner, and friendly smiles from locals.  I looked at this house on Sanibel and thought, this is different. This isn't your average Sanibel home.  This special architecture needs to be enhanced with nuances that remind us of Key West.  It only makes sense to go this route.  Clean lines, symmetry, tightly planted near the house with the use of tropical palms and foliage with pops of color, these remind me of that style of landscape design.  Lines in the leaves of the palms that mimic the patterns of the facia, the window shutters, and the wrap around porches. Tightly organized to conserve space, but still having a casual, funky feeling.  

During the design process, while I was working on the back yard, I envisioned the family watching the sunset on the west-facing back porch.  Maybe it was Christmas, or a brisk evening in January.  I adjusted the setting on the software so that I would know exactly where the sun would be setting that time of year.  This is possible because Structure Studios design software enables geolocation and GIS data, so that I can look at the different angles of the sun and its effect on the design throughout the year and in the specific location of the design.  I began sculpting a view that I hoped they would treasure for years to come. Here is a screen shot of that view.

The design outcome was a non-complicated old Florida feel with the refinement of a modern aesthetic, complete with a sunset view over a luxurious private tropical botanical garden.  Cheers to the homeowners, and their special times in this place for years to come.  This landscape was installed by Ecovision, a sunstainable landscape design and installation company.  I frequently collaborate with Ecovision on design projects, and I encourage anyone interested to learn more about their business.

https://www.ecovisiondesign.com/

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