Hursthouse Landscape - Architect, Build, Maintain

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Hursthouse Landscape - Architect, Build, Maintain

69 Reviews

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

From the vantage point of architect Mies Van der Rohe the answers were finely developed but unified in their simplicity. He championed the line from the Robert Browning poem Andres del Sarto that “Less is more.”

For architect Robert Venturi the design perspective was to eschew simplicity in favor of more complex strategies. He countered with with the noteworthy, “Less is a bore!”

Offering clean, crisp patio and hardscape lines on this mid-century modern home, the landscape design coincides nicely with Van der Rohe’s thought process.

On the other side of the mirror and reflective of Venturi, the softscape is a blend of plants that creates ‘happy congestion’ consistent with the Thomas Church approach.

Two bluestone patios and a bluestone entry along with poured-in-place walls create simplicity of line. Handsomely developed landscape beds and a lightly-touched conservancy provide contrasting buffers to the hardscape.

So which approach is right? Offering both less and more, the landscape design and construction typifies excellence in mid-century period design and reflection.

It's less and it's more, but surely not a bore!

2022 ILCA Gold Award Winner, Design & Construction
2022 Houzz Patio Of The Week
2023 ILCA Gold Award, Residential Maintenance
2023 ILCA Platinum Award, Artistry (Seasonal Containers)

Project Year: 2021

Project Cost: $200,001 - $500,000

Country: United States

The bluestone entry and poured-in-place concrete create strength of line in the front while the plantings softly transition to the back patio space.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Landscape lighting, designed in conjunction with the house lights, creates atmosphere after daylight fades.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

The fire pit awaits on a crisp October evening.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Continuity and melding of the spaces is clarified when viewed from the conservancy. The landscape design provides visual support for the residence without overwhelming it.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Patterned bluestone, board-on-board concrete and seasonal containers establish strength of line in the front landscape design. Plants are subordinate components of the design and just emerging from their winter dormancy.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Low-profile landscape plantings under the arching redbud create focus on the front entry while walking through the garden. Rectilinear containers amplify the mid-century modern lines of the home.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

What better complement to a moose antler than a quartet of deer antlers.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

A low-profile planting combination of Hosta, Liriope, Coral Bells are among the featured plants expertly integrated into the back yard environment. With the conservancy as a background, the bluestone patio is thoughtfully located for convenience and intimacy. Landscape design by Bob Hursthouse...

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

A bluestone stepper path connects the front and rear spaces. Two large spheres are nested into the landscape bed as an homage to mid-century design. Intimate seating and a gas fire pit are visible in the background.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Landscape design by Bob Hursthouse and Josh Griffin.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Private space for two adjacent to the study features a bluestone patio, bluestone walls and subtle lighting accents. More low-profile plantings with a specimen Japanese maple further enhance the Mid Century Modern theme.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

A low-profile planting combination of Hosta, Liriope, Coral Bells are among the featured plants expertly integrated into the back yard environment.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Enjoying a late season moment by the fire pit, the homeowners share the landscape experience as it was meant to be shared.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Fall weather brings out the variety of textures and colors in the landscape beds.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

The entry monument greets visitors and guests while the home peeks out in the distance. The signage strongly reflects the architecture as an integrated landscape design component.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Nicely sited and convenient to the family room, the bluestone patio also reflects the lines of the home, exemplifying how to develop cohesive outdoor spaces.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Private conversation space for two is conveniently located near the study.

Mid Century Restored

Crisp gravel lines under the extended eaves are a quintessential nod to Mid Century Modern design. Liriope and Hydrangea are moving into their fall phase and soften the transition from home to the landscape.

Mid Century Restored

Landscape lighting, designed in conjunction with the house lights, creates atmosphere after daylight fades.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Landscape lighting, designed in conjunction with the house lights, creates atmosphere after daylight fades.

Less Is More....Unless It's A Bore

Landscape lighting, designed in conjunction with the house lights, creates atmosphere after daylight fades.

Less Is More....Unless It's A Bore

Landscape lighting, designed in conjunction with the house lights, creates atmosphere after daylight fades.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

The landscape plan clarifies how all the components were integrated into the design on the 1.5 acre site.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

The landscape plan clarifies how all the components were integrated into the design on the 1.5 acre site. This rendered version magnifies the level of detail applied throughout the landscape.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Early September means time for the fall container rotation.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Succulents, shamrock plants and ground cover provide an interesting summer combination in the contemporary container.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Succulents, shamrock plants and ground cover provide an interesting summer combination in the contemporary container.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Pampas grass and other good stuff in this fall container arrangement.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Design by Hursthouse / Landscape Architects and Contractors.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Deer antlers make up part o this award winning container design.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

What complements deer antlers better than a resin moose antler for balance.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Deer antlers make up part o this award winning container design.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore