The breadth of a landscape architect's work is typically broad. Projects may range from those of ecological importance, such as reinstituting mitigated wetlands, to those of community interest, like developing public parks or gardens.
On a micro-level, a landscape architect can be hired to bring a sound sense of aesthetics back to a homeowner's overgrown, rocky or sloped property. Then, on a macro-plane, an entire city can charge that same architect with designing an urban development and regeneration scheme.
Indeed, a landscape architect's work is inherently varied, and to be successful, his or her range better be vast. Take, for example, Tara Vincenta, the founder and owner of Artemis Landscape Architects on Federal Road in Brookfield. Two of Ms. Vincenta's most notable projects over the past few years are overhauling the property of a private Washington residence and designing an interactive learning center for autistic children.
Though significantly disparate in their scale, scope and purpose, the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects [CTASLA] deemed both projects equally worthy of Connecticut Design Awards when it honored Ms. Vincenta's company at the CTASLA annual awards ceremony in December. "It was such a great surprise," said Ms. Vincenta of the dual recognition. "There were many fine entrants displayed that evening, and a lot of awards were given out to very talented [landscape architects.]"
Even more notable is the fact that this was the first time Ms. Vincenta, a SUNY/Syracuse graduate who has been in the industry for more than 20 years, has ever even submitted her work for consideration. Three of her projects, out of an approximate 40, were up for awards that evening. Her first time up to bat, and she scored on two of them.
Of those awards, the first falls under the society's Built Works category, and is based on the Washington home that Ms. Vincenta is in the process of completing. According to the CTASLA, it "recognizes site-specific work of landscape architectural design that has been constructed and is in good condition" when deliberating the winner.
The owners of a beautiful mansion built on 12 acres of steep slope hired Ms. Vincenta to create a level platform on which to organize an outdoor living space that would be based around a 50-foot lap swimming pool.
It started simply enough, but soon evolved into a complete overhaul of the property. "At our first meeting, it became evident that there was an opportunity for a much more comprehensive design than the client's initial request," Ms. Vincenta said in a written explanation of the project. "The client expanded the scope to include design concepts aimed at creating a cohesive outdoor living environment, including the original request for a pool, a spa (of the freestanding type for year-round use,) a new entry courtyard, a vegetable garden and location of a future outdoor bread oven." The entry courtyard, which will be a massive cul-de-sac at the top of the driveway, along with the bread oven and a future backyard fire pit, are part of the project's second phase set to begin this year. The elements that have been completed, which include the pool, the spa, the garden and a wooden trellis over the back patio's dining terrace, make up what proved to be a surprisingly challenging first phase. Essentially, the property had very little level land. Additionally, an extensive conservation zone limited the potential for development. So Ms. Vincenta designed a level platform adjacent to the home, one which now contains the pool, terrace and garden.
The view from this area, which was beautiful to begin with, has become even more stunning. From the outdoor dining terrace, one can now peer out to the acres of rolling hills in the distance, while the reflection of those hills shimmer off the newly minted swimming pool. "I felt this was a very special project to begin with," said Ms. Vincenta. "The client and I shared a way to make it very special ... and having the client onboard 100 percent is very important." Still, with all due respect to the first achievement, there is something even more commendable about the design for which she won the second merit award.
In the Landscape Architectural Communications category, Ms. Vincenta's SOL (Sequential Outdoor Learning) Environment, which is a unique outdoor play-and-learn facility for children and families living with autism and its challenges, will serve not just a single family, but an entire group of the disabled community.
According to the CTASLA, it handed out this award based on "achievements in communicating landscape architectural information technology, theory or practice to those within or outside the profession." Though she is still looking for a client to take on her proposal, the SOL Environment is one that, to paraphrase the CTASLA, will deftly apply architectural information technology to those outside the profession. After much research and planning (she's been working on this project for three years), Ms. Vincenta designed an environment that, broken into nine separate outdoor spaces, allows children within the autism spectrum to play, learn and assimilate at their own comfort and pace.
"It starts quiet, and then gradually transitions into greater [challenges,]" said Ms. Vincenta. "For autistic kids, transitions are very important." After entering "Circle Time," a quiet play area meant for individual and small group activities, children transition down a direct pathway that permits them to see what they are entering next. From that second space, "Move and Groove," an area that allows the children to play in an interactive setting that teaches colors, shapes and other integral learning blocks, kids face a more demanding, curved transition. Finally, the children move into an area void of transition between spaces, a concept which will help them overcome personal limitations. This last area permits the children to "Meet the Animals" in a safe, intimate setting or play in the "Water Wonders" area, where they can discover a few different natural water systems-"Pond," "Tidal Pool" and "Geysers"-all three of which live up to their titles.
Along the way, more timid youngsters will find places to protect themselves, or "cocoon," in pods implanted throughout the area. "There is a lot of awareness on finding a cure for autism, but what about everyday living with it," said Ms. Vincenta, who doesn't have any autism in her family. "One out of every 150 kids has autism. The stress is huge on the family, and there is no place to take a child with autism." She continued, "Even a regular playground can be overwhelming for them ... but the SOL Environment creates a place for inclusion, where people can come together and understand they are more alike than they think they are." It's also a place where autistic kids can come together to learn integral social skills, and do so in an award-winning environment that is as varied as Ms. Vincenta's portfolio.