2023 Class of Fellows, Renée Byers, New York Chapter
Landscape Architect, Greenwich, CT
Renée Byers has repeatedly demonstrated an exceptional talent for creating harmonious engaging environmentally responsible residential landscapes, while championing the importance of landscape architects for such projects. She has proven that an unerring commitment to artistic design, respect for cultural heritage, and environmental stewardship can seamlessly co-exist. Early on in her forty-year career, Renée recognized the power of multidisciplinary collaboration and gained management tools required to bring complex programs to fruition, developing expertise in precise grading and stormwater systems design along the way. Leading teams of professionals and artisans, often in collaboration with architects, Renée integrates topography, plantings, and built forms to create engaging, environmentally responsive designs, avoiding the "grand gesture." With a profound respect for a region's iconic architecture and natural landscapes, she is known for creating usable outdoor spaces in frequently steep and rocky terrain. Among her award-winning projects are: Hillside Haven, Bronxville, NY, where she carved the land while preserving heritage trees and synthesized historical precedent with the family's needs; at Creekside Residence, Scarsdale, NY, she established strong interior/exterior connections and privacy while unifying the landscape that was bisected by a creek; and at Hudson Valley Retreat, Ulster County, NY, she integrated a multilevel house on a steep slope while preserving specimen trees, adding a pool, and opening views. An ambassador for the profession, Renée not only creates places of rich user experience, she shares her expertise as an energetic community advocate.
