CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT WINS TWO DESIGN AWARDS

BROOKFIELD, CT, Feb. 11, 2009 – Artemis Landscape Architects, Inc. has received two Connecticut Design Awards from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. CTASLA conducts the Connecticut Design Awards each year to recognize excellence in Landscape Architectural Design, Planning and Analysis, Communication and Research.

The first award, a merit award in the Built Works category, is for Litchfield Hills, a residential property in Washington, CT. Although the home is situated at the top of a hill with beautiful views, Artemis founder and lead landscape architect Tara M. Vincenta was faced with several challenges when designing the landscape improvements. Because the 12-acre site is comprised of steep slopes, there was very little level land directly adjacent to the home’s interior living spaces. In addition, wetlands and an extensive conservation zone limited potential areas for development. The design approach was to create a level platform upon which to organize the outdoor living spaces directly surrounding the home, with a swimming pool as a central organizing element. The new grading and driveway courtyard also created a better sense of arrival to the residence.

Ms. Vincenta also designed a more natural approach to the outlying landscape to contrast with the more formal areas directly adjacent to the home, creating transition to the natural beauty of the surrounding woodlands and reducing the need for extensive property maintenance.

“We wanted to establish boundaries to this outdoor living area to create a strong counterpoint between the built environment and the beauty of the surrounding hills and natural woodlands,” says Vincenta.

The second merit award, in the Landscape Architectural Communications category, recognized SOL Environment (Sequential Outdoor Learning Environment), a unique outdoor play and learning environment for children and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related challenges. Ms. Vincenta was inspired to develop the SOL Environment concept after she participated in a professional development class on healing and therapeutic garden design. Artemis has been evolving the SOL Environment concept for three years, and is now marketing the design to communities, institutions and individuals interested in new alternatives to playgrounds.

A Sequential Outdoor Learning (SOL) Environment is a sequence of nine exciting outdoor spaces. Beginning simply and quietly, these SOL Environment spaces, or “rooms,” gradually increase in complexity, becoming lively and rich experiential places for children and families. Within these unique spaces, activities are “sequenced” in a manner that allows children to play at their own respective level of comfort, and to build on skills in an outdoor environment. Ms. Vincenta says, “A Sol Environment is a place for families to come together, to support each other, to have fun, and to learn to overcome challenges in a safe and accepting environment that connects them back to nature. Our goal is to build a prototype SOL Environment and let the idea expand beyond our wildest expectations!”

Artemis Landscape Architects, Inc. designs and builds commercial and residential landscapes of enduring beauty in Connecticut and the New York metropolitan area. The firm is renowned for creating outstanding design solutions for their clients while carefully considering the elements of site, program, budget and schedule. Their mission is to design landscapes that subtly capture the spirit of place, connecting people with their environment and the extraordinary beauty of nature.

To learn more about the CTASLA Design Awards, see www.ctasla.org. For additional information on Artemis Landscape Architects, Inc. and SOL Environment contact Tara M. Vincenta at (203) 740-7979 or visit www.artemisla.com or www.solenvironment.org .
[Editors: Photos available upon request.]