Too often a developer creates an architecturally interesting residential building while paying little attention to outdoor spaces that surround it. When in fact, it is the look and feel of the environment around the building?EUR??,,????'???s footprint that attracts buyers and draws the attention of passersby. After all, curb appeal is cited most frequently as the reason people will initiate queries about homes, condos and townhouses for sale in selected neighborhoods. Magellan, a luxury multi-family housing developer based in Phoenix, knew this and approached the design and development of The Enclave at Grayhawk in Scottsdale, Ariz. from the outside-in. It has earned awards for its unique approach to residential building, most recently taking top honors in Valley Forward Association?EUR??,,????'???s 22nd Annual Environmental Excellence Awards in Phoenix. Here, it earned first place for its commitment to ensuring that the rental project integrated flawlessly into the surrounding Sonoran desert. The Enclave at Grayhawk is a luxury multi-family residential complex located in the high desert area of north Scottsdale. It is part of a 700-acre master planned community that sits just west of the most pristine desert preserve in the county ?EUR??,,????'??? the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, 100-square miles of untouched mountains, hills and valleys surrounded by varying degrees of urban development. The class A complex has 360 units, all sited to emphasize the dramatic views of the area and to ensure the privacy of their occupants. The project opened in spring 2001 and currently is 95 percent leased. Magellan believes this is due in part to the landscape architect?EUR??,,????'???s meticulous care in integrating the buildings with the outdoor living and amenity areas and with the surrounding Sonoran desert. Through the use of a muted color palette, indigenous plantings and careful use of water, e group landscape architecture/environmental design achieved the developer?EUR??,,????'???s goal of creating a shady retreat that offered as many intimate outdoor areas as it did places for play. All while blending effortlessly into the environment and conserving the desert?EUR??,,????'???s most precious resource: water. The Process Before construction of The Enclave began, more than 90 mature trees and cacti were salvaged and maintained in an on-site nursery. Creosote, brittle bush and smaller scale plant life and ground plane materials also were salvaged and replanted in order to maintain the look and character of the original landscape. Thousands more indigenous, drought-tolerant trees, cacti and bushes were planted during construction to beautify and enhance the site?EUR??,,????'???s original environment, and native site rubble was salvaged and reimplemented for erosion control. A nearby natural wash was preserved and enhanced for beauty, and strengthened to protect neighbors from flows of a two-hour storm. ?EUR??,,????'??It was extremely important to e group and to Magellan to preserve the natural state of the desert,?EUR??,,????'?? said Mark Swartz, e group president. ?EUR??,,????'??Aside from the immense care that went into preserving the flora of the desert, we sought out to incorporate as much natural landscaping as possible, including improving a natural wash and a pathway system that connects to the rest of the community.?EUR??,,????'?? One of the biggest challenges in designing the landscape and hardscape areas for The Enclave was creating shady, intimate spaces while accommodating for many people to use them simultaneously sometimes. ?EUR??,,????'??Many people don?EUR??,,????'???t equate the desert with shade,?EUR??,,????'?? Swartz said. ?EUR??,,????'??But it is so important to outdoor living when the temperature sometimes reaches 115 degrees. Desert landscapes can be shaded, they can be lush, colorful and inviting. It just takes very careful planning and strategic use of plants, trees and structures. And very careful use of water, which has a naturally cooling effect in an arid climate.?EUR??,,????'?? On the patio areas, e group planted sweet acacia trees that grow quickly into canopy trees, providing widespread shade in the summer and dotted sunshine in the winter. Serpentine pathways are shaded by Palo Verde, Mesquite and Ironwood trees and surrounded in bird of paradise, desert marigold and flowering lantana, desert tolerant plants that throw brilliant color for most of the year. Scattered sitting areas throughout the complex create a true garden setting for residents who want to enjoy the natural wonders and scenic vistas that are prevalent in the Sonoran desert. The buildings at the Enclave were sited to leverage desert and mountain views and to and create shaded areas during various times of the day. The outdoor amenity areas are plentiful and artfully shaded to encourage use. The pools, barbecue/picnic area, and fireplace patio all have flooring made of pavers of natural tones and are connected through serpentine pathways that emulate the surrounding vegetation. The Enclave provides connectors to significant pathways throughout Grayhawk, encouraging non-vehicular access throughout the community. Plus, accommodations have been made to allow residents pedestrian access to the nearby City of Scottsdale park, to be built in the future. ?EUR??,,????'??What has been wonderful about our experience in creating the landscape at The Enclave is people?EUR??,,????'???s reaction to it,?EUR??,,????'?? Swartz said. ?EUR??,,????'??Residents and visitors use the spaces during all seasons of the year. They have really learned that an indigenous, drought tolerant environment can be lush, shady and produce an oasis-type environment while still being sensitive to the native desert.?EUR??,,????'?? Integration with the natural environment The Enclave at Grayhawk utilizes a very restrictive color palette, developed to blend manmade elements of the community with the natural environment. Significant foliage was planted to ensure a shaded environment for residents and to enhance and beautify the original landscape. The lushness created also helps to transition the landscape at the property line and blend it effortlessly with the surrounding desert. The buildings and hardscape areas were sited to maintain historical flow patterns from the mountainside during storms and significant retention volumes can be managed underground through a network of pipes strong enough to handle a 100-year flood. This drainage system also serves to support groundwater recharge in the area, ensuring an ample water supply for years to come. Water is and always will be an issue swirling around development in the Southwest. Most of the Phoenix area water is transported via canal from the Colorado River, but in recent years significant progress has been made to utilize reclaimed water for irrigation purposes. Still, these resources must be conserved and diligent planning is necessary to create the most beautiful and lush environments while using the least amount of water. Enclave is on a state-of-the-art computer-controlled drip irrigation system, which effectively maintains the lushness of the desert landscaping without wasting water. Turf was strategically placed in common areas and limited to less than 9,000 square feet on this 20-acre development. ?EUR??,,????'??I think what we?EUR??,,????'???re most proud about is that this project emulates a single family lifestyle in a luxurious garden setting,?EUR??,,????'?? Swartz said. ?EUR??,,????'??It truly does draw its inspiration from the Sonoran Desert ?EUR??,,????'??? it?EUR??,,????'???s beautiful, exotic, peaceful and relies little on natural resources to keep it that way.?EUR??,,????'??