Sunken Garden
In 2022, we built a small sunken garden that became an ongoing exercise in both creativity and close observation. One side of the two-story unit faced directly into this carefully composed space, while the opposite side opened out onto the Fishkill Creek. That contrast—between the defined garden and the open, flowing creek—set the tone for the whole project. It was about creating something intentional yet responsive, structured yet connected to its surrounding ecology.
The garden’s retaining walls gave us a clear boundary to work within, but rather than feeling confined, that framework helped focus our attention. We paid close attention to solar orientation, building alignment, and how people would move through and experience the space. Within that canvas, we explored everything from surface textures to plant layers. River- and snake-inspired limewash patterns brought fluidity to otherwise solid walls, visually linking the space back to the water just beyond. Continuous deck lines stretched across and through the garden, connecting indoor and outdoor areas with subtle consistency.
We approached the plant palette with both ecological care and visual composition in mind. All species were native to the Fishkill watershed, selected not just for beauty but also for resilience and habitat support. Betula nigra (River Birch) offered height and structure with its peeling bark; Ilex glabra (Inkberry Holly) gave evergreen presence through all seasons; Myrica pensylvanica (Northern Bayberry) added fragrance and texture; Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge) provided a soft, ground-level weave; Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) brought bold seasonal interest; and Clematis virginiana (Virgin’s Bower) threaded through the vertical spaces, tying everything together.
Throughout the project, we stayed hands-on and adaptable. Details like the integration of water features required close attention to both form and function. It wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about how water moved, how light filtered through the space, and how the garden would evolve over time. Every decision, from layout to plant choice, considered both immediate impact and long-term growth.
None of this would have been possible without an extraordinary client who trusted us fully. Their openness to experimentation allowed us to treat the space almost like a living sketchbook, where we could try new ideas while staying true to the site’s natural character. That trust made it possible to create a garden that feels balanced between the cultivated and the wild—where quiet moments unfold between stone and plant, between the still surface of the garden and the steady flow of the Fishkill Creek just beyond.