Wantland Ink Landscape Architecture is a boutique design studio based in Nashville, Tennessee. Practicing mainly in Tennessee and adjacent states, the firm provides creative and comprehensive site design, construction documentation, and site furnishing selection for discerning clientele. With over 30 years of combined professional experience, the office - led by principal, Isaac Wantland - has provided design services across thousands of acres of domestic and international properties, including: resorts, museums, educational, commercial, and institutional campuses, parks and greenways, private residences, working farms, and large estates. Though small, the firm is both technically rigorous and tech-savvy, presenting most initial concepts using 3D models and VR headsets. Clients find this to be fun and engaging and the firm is able to elicit confident early buy-in with these methods.

When asked what type of project does the firm like most, Isaac answers: "The ones with good clients where we are involved from beginning to end." He adds, "Our passion lies with assisting clients - be they individual landholders or corporate entities - with the stewardship of land. Whether integrating new structures or site elements, programming for complex uses, or long range master planning, we always strive for a harmonious balance of an organizing geometry, taking cues from existing and/or proposed architecture, while respecting the patterns and precepts of ecological systems which inform every design decision."

Project 1: Private Residence - Belle Meade, Tennessee

 

A project on a sloped lot with an existing home involving an extensive renovation to the house and grounds. Where previously disjointed terraces were separated by walls and large runs of steps, the garden was re-imagined with terraces that spill from the main level to a basement/pool level, then down to a tennis court. The project required technical finesse to navigate the stringent jurisdictional storm water and impervious surface requirements while also meeting the needs of this active, growing family. This project received a 2020 TN ASLA Merit Award in the Residential Category.

Project 2: Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts - Wofford College - Spartanburg, South Carolina

This 65,000 sq. ft., $20 million project houses theatrical and visual arts instruction, performance and gallery spaces and permanently displays two Chihuly sculptures. The site program included courtyards, outdoor art display, an outdoor classroom, and amphitheater. Working with Paul Russell, professor of landscape architecture at Clemson University and principal of Russell Design Office, Wantland Ink was pivotal in the design development and construction documentation process. Within days of on-boarding, we established the finished floor elevation and requested the architect increase the floor-to-floor elevation by 2' for a more tailored integration within the overall campus, changes which were confirmed by the contractor as having saved costs as well. The landscape architecture team also selected site furnishings & lighting for the project toward the goal of establishing campus standards in the process.

Project 3: Private Estate - Nashville, Tennessee

The owner purchased 3 gently sloping lots and combined them into one to create this urban estate. A substantial program was established, including: a new home, a 25 meter lap pool, a tennis court, a pitch and putt golf range, and a guest house. Additionally, the lot was flagged by Metro Nashville Stormwater as drainage from the intensely developed neighborhood from the south passed through the property and was flooding residents on the other side. An ordered and formal design organized the desired elements about the classical style and axes of the house as the storm water design accommodated this substantial program while respecting natural drainage patterns. Multiple storm water strategies were utilized: diversion swales/easements, above and underground detention areas, and a creative level spreader surrounding the golf green. Wantland Ink led the site design to realize all of the owner's goals and objectives while also addressing the rigors of the storm water requirements, detailing all exterior elements in the process.

Project 4: Private Residence - Forest Hills, Tennessee

This multi-acre hillside project involved the remediation of a leaking pool and slippage soils, whereby Wantland Ink coordinated geotechnical, structural and civil engineers, integrating a play lawn adjacent to a new courtyard and pavilion for outdoor entertaining. Wantland Ink also provided site furnishing selections and procurement for the project, resulting in a comprehensive renovation of the surrounding grounds.