The Residential Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. Lawler Residence is one of several great projects we are excited to showcase on LandscapeArchitect.com.

The Lawler Residence was presented to us with a strong architectural and conceptual foundation, inviting a landscape approach grounded in respect, restraint, and a sense of celebration. The client envisioned a thoughtful, native relationship with the land, one that embraced trees, water, and desert life (yes, even water in the desert!). Our role was to enhance the architectural character while amplifying the sensory experience of place.

 

The landscape unfolds along the home's perimeter, where courtyards, bridges, and generous portales soften the boundary between interior and exterior, enabling year-round living. These portales link through planted passages, quiet water, and mirrored surfaces from four distinct water features, creating a dialogue between seclusion and connection and encouraging a slow, contemplative walk around the house.

Shaping walls, concrete forms, and a restrained outdoor material palette became the foundation of our expression. Many elements reflect a Louis Kahn-inspired sense of geometry and volume - sculptural, intentional, serene. Materials follow a minimalist philosophy: monochromatic concrete and gravel articulate space through texture, while a disciplined plant palette relies on repetition and massing to build richness. The landscape communicates through form, shadow, and rhythm rather than contrast.

Central to the composition are the water features, outdoor fireplaces, and a central fire pit - concrete-formed elements that bring sound, reflection, and a sculptural calm to the desert setting. The interplay between strong hardscape volumes and organic planting creates a subtle presence that evolves with the seasons.

To see more Residential projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/lasns-residential-issue

For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php