--- title: "Knauf Landscape Architecture — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/knauf-landscape-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1099266207 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1099266207.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Knauf Landscape Architecture" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/32d3af80021ba870_6519-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "525 Hercules Drive, Suite 2B, Colchester, Vermont 05446, United States" latitude: 44.536 longitude: -73.2022 phone: "(802) 522-0676" website: http://www.cynthiaknauf.com rating: 4.7 review_count: 12 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 123 last_updated: 2026-09-22 --- # Knauf Landscape Architecture Original Houzz profile: [Knauf Landscape Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/knauf-landscape-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1099266207) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Colchester, VT - **Serves:** Burlington, Essex, South Burlington, Colchester, Essex Junction, Williston, Winooski, Shelburne, Barbados, Montreal, Nantucket, New York State, Port Kent - **Houzz rating:** 4.7 out of 5 (12 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2023), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 10,000 Ideabook Saves For those seeking to bridge the built and natural worlds, Knauf Landscape Architecture transforms landscapes through meticulous observation and a deep understanding of plants and place. This keen awareness results in the creation of beautiful spaces that seamlessly connect inside and out, with balance and harmony. Our respect for the natural rhythms of life cultivates outdoor living spaces that sustainably nurture the habitat, ignite the senses, and elevate the human spirit. Our work has been published in New England Home magazine, Design New England magazine, and several local design-oriented publications. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Site Planning - Swimming Pool Design - Gazebo Design & Construction - Deck Design - 3D Rendering - Project Management - Drafting - Construction Drawings - Green Roof Design - Pond Design ### Areas Served - Burlington - Essex - South Burlington - Colchester - Essex Junction - Williston - Winooski - Shelburne - Barbados - Montreal - Nantucket - New York State - Port Kent ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Knauf Landscape Architecture | | Address | 525 Hercules Drive, Suite 2B, Colchester, Vermont 05446, United States | | Phone | (802) 522-0676 | | Website | http://www.cynthiaknauf.com | | License Number | 125.0074599 | | Followers on Houzz | 123 | ## Offers (DEMO) OFFERS _(DEMO) DISCLAIMER_ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Knauf Landscape Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/knauf-landscape-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1099266207) - **Website:** http://www.cynthiaknauf.com - **Phone:** (802) 522-0676 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Vermont Greenworks Excellence in Residential Design Award, Traditional Urban Home; Vermont Chapter AIA Honor Award, River House, Moretown, VT; Vermont Chapter ASLA Public Space Award, Pyralisk Art Center. - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2023), for Design. **Affiliations** - [American Society of Landscape Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-society-of-landscape-architects-pfvwus-pf~2014062207) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5 — 12 reviews** ### All 12 reviews **★★★★★ — Penny Miller, March 2018** > I have known Cynthia for over a decade and have interacted with her professionally on several projects. She is gracious and kind and is an exceptionally creative landscape architect. Her design solutions are inspired; her sense of color, proportion, and flow create beautiful and exciting spaces. I recommend Cynthia without hesitation; it is such a pleasure to work with her. **★★★★★ — FryDay, March 2018** > I am so lucky to know Cynthia Knauf! I'm an artist and have been cultivating my large Winooski lot over 27 years into a sculpture garden where art and plantings are interwoven. I thought I was doing a lovely creative job until I worked with Cynthia to formalize the design -- what a difference! Now entering the garden is like going into another world that is timeless -- which was always my dream for this space. Cynthia's work is proof that you can create a magic place even in rough-around-the-edges Winooski. Cynthia really listens, is a great communicator, and is simultaneously creative and practical. I could not recommend her highly enough. **★ — David McGee, March 2018** > Cynthia was an hour late to our first meeting (apparently having forgot about it) and continued with disinterest and sparse communication (she mentioned family issues), although sent us a bill for $500, until we (a small Burlington condo association) were pawned off onto another landscaping company who took over the project. Extremely disappointed if not disgusted with this business. **★★★★★ — TruexCullins Architecture + Interior Design, March 2016** > We had the pleasure of working with Cynthia on residential project in Stowe. She is a creative, sensitive, and thoughtful designer, who is easy to work with and made the home feel comfortable in the landscape. **★★★★★ — gnewellsmith, Aug. 2015** > Cynthia is a competent, talented, and very creative landscape architect. One thing that impressed us right off was her efforts to tailor our project to who we were and how we would be living in our new home. Cynthia used this information in planning the construction of our new home that included some very challenging site requirements. Cynthia was respectful and listened carefully to our ideas, desires, and concepts but also used her many talents and own ideas to pull all things together into a cohesive architectural site plan marrying our home into our site (landscaping, elevations, drainage, multiple buildings). Cynthia was dependable and always able to meet our timelines and those of our architect. She was very willing to work with us on a plan that evolved over time to allow us time to ponder the next step in our landscaping efforts. We have the highest regard for Cynthia's work and recommend her highly. Without her contribution, our project would not have been successful, and we are very fortunate to have found her and to have been able to work with her. **★★★★★ — susanwaring, June 2015** > When we were building our home in 2010, our contractor recommended 3 Landscape Architects. We selected Cynthia because of her thought provoking designs and communicative style. Cynthia pays close attention to blending color, texture, and longevity into her designs. She was thorough in her preliminary discussions and Q & A with us to determine our vision for the landscape as well as our likes and dislikes. Her first design captured our dream, though too ambitious and costly. Cynthia continued to work with us to create a design that we could afford and one that would give us the natural look and ambience we were seeking. We are delighted with our completed landscape and have changed nothing over the past 5 years. Every where we look, we see her work and smile with pure enjoyment. **★★★★★ — integrity construction inc, June 2015** > Cynthia Knauf Landscaping is a very talented, creative and highly organized firm to work with. We have combined force on numerous projects, and have always been very pleased with the process and the end results. From very technically complex landscapes with water features, fire elements, tennis courts, and beachfronts, to the simple yet elegant country properties, Cynthia Knauf and her team can develop > landscapes that will captivate you. > Bob Coates > Integrity Construction **★★★★★ — chriscook2, June 2014** > Cynthia is fun to collaborate with, always bringing new ideas to the table for consideration. Her understanding of site, views (both long and short) and material options is very keen. I also enjoy her careful consideration of environmental appropriateness in her solutions for our projects. **★★★★★ — mjg1947, March 2014** > When my wife and I had our new home built in Stowe, Vermont, we were fortunate enough to have Cynthia Knauf involved in the entire landscaping project. Cindy is multi talented and extremely knowledgeable in landscape design, planning and implementation. She is a highly professional designer who takes great pride in her expertise. With Cindy’s artistic and creative skills, she was able to capture a gorgeous and peaceful landscaping design that appeals to our personal taste and our home’s natural surroundings. Cindy is extremely responsive to the needs of others. You will find that she is respectful of your budget and ideas and is a true pleasure to work with. > > MJG **★★★★★ — katoslo, March 2014** > I selected Cynthia Knauf to design my home's landscape, during a larger renovation project. Cynthia was the obvious choice for me, over other reputable firms. She has a unique balance of right and left brain: her creative eye is exceptional, yet she also manages budgets and timelines fluidly. As we started working together, she explored our values and lifestyle, to better understand how her design would enhance our family life. She was easy to talk to, and never pushed ideas that were not appropriate for the space or budget. People comment on my simple and beautiful gardens all the time, and one of my favorite things is watching the landscape unfold throughout the seasons. She is clearly a sensual designer with a passion for melding beautiful colors and textures with functional space. **★★★★★ — valydavincent, March 2014** > When we first started working with Cynthia Knauf, 10 years ago, we had a cracked broken walkway and steps, overgrown shrubs and a rock wall annual garden that was falling in on itself. We now have an inviting walkway and steps made of native rock, urban influenced perennial gardens and a Japanese garden with a calming dry stream bed with a bridge. Also woven along the perimeter of our yard and through our gardens are native shrubs that attract many different species of birds and butterflies which provide us with hours of entertainment. > > Any building process can be difficult and fraught with drama, but Cynthia makes the process fun. She has the gift of listening to our dreams and working through problem site issues and then translating all this into an artistic vision that solve problems and which has created our beautifully landscaped sanctuary. Her leadership abilities allow her to bring together teams of contractors who follow her lead and bring high quality professionalism to the job. We are about to start our fourth project together. **★★★★★ — mlabenski, March 2014** > Cindy created a landscape that exceeded all our goals. We hired her early in the planning process for our retirement home so she could collaborate with our architect. Using her extensive knowledge of native plants, her design expertise, and excellent relationships with local contractors, she created the perfect setting for our house. We wanted to blur the lines between inside and outside, frame the near, middle and distant views, and create a sense of harmony and serenity. Cindy incorporated natural elements, and chose plantings for their year-round color, shapes and textures. We recommend her highly as a professional who will listen and can fulfill your dreams. ## Selected projects - [Shelburne Bay Shingle](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shelburne-bay-shingle-pj-vj~6919933) - Location: Shelburne, VT - Photos: 17 - Description: This classic shingle-style home perched on the shores of Lake Champlain was designed by Architect Ramsay Gourd and built by Red House Building. Complete with flared shingle walls, natural stone columns, a slate roof with massive eaves, gracious porches, and a mahogany-clad living room; it's easy to imagine that watching the sunset may become the highlight of each day. - [Sweet Mountain Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sweet-mountain-home-pj-vj~2194023) - Location: Waterbury Center, VT - Photos: 8 - [CARIBBEAN PARADISE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/caribbean-paradise-pj-vj~2061824) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: The close collaboration of landscape architect and architect resulted in this sleek new modern home on the west coast of Barbados with a seamless indoor outdoor connection and cohesive flow throughout the landscape. 3'x3' white limestone pavers on the indoor flooring extend out to the terraces surrounding the pool, spa with waterfall, outdoor dining and games court. Lush tropical gardens soften the geometric patterns of the outdoor spaces and draw the eye to the restful ocean view beyond. - [FAMILY MOUNTAIN RETREAT](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/family-mountain-retreat-pj-vj~400253) - Location: Stowe, VT - Photos: 19 - Description: Featured in DESIGN NEW ENGLAND MAGAZINE Sept/Oct 2009. This former hillside farm along the base of the scenic Worcester Mountain Range is now the country retreat for a busy urban couple and their extended family and friends. The landscape connects past and present as the narrow driveway, once the old farm road, weaves in and out of gently rolling fields and white pine plantations that have been carefully restored and preserved. Suddenly the house comes into view, nestled at the edge of the last… - [RURAL INFINITY POOL](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rural-infinity-pool-pj-vj~400048) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - Description: Modern simplicity reflects the simple beauty of the Vermont Green Mountains and provides a tranquil retreat for this busy urban family. The infinity pool and connecting spa, contemporary pergola with awning, cascading gardens, limestone stone steps and stone retaining walls connect a tapestry of inviting outdoor spaces situated at varying levels on a steep, narrow ridge. Local artisans contributed to the installation which included an indoor to outdoor thread of unique materials such as local fi… - [TRADITIONAL URBAN LANDSCAPE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-urban-landscape-pj-vj~402113) - Location: Burlington, VT - Photos: 10 - Description: RESIDENTIAL PRESERVATION AWARD 2013 by Preservation Burlington. To be published in OLD HOUSE JOURNAL Spring 2014. This collaborative renovation connects a home built in 1910 to the fabric of its historic city neighborhood, while creating a peaceful sanctuary for a busy CEO and founder of a renewable energy company. The steeply sloping, overgrown lot was transformed into two tiers of welcoming outdoor spaces that seamlessly connect with and extend the indoor environment. A sunny lounging place, s… - [HOME IN A MEADOW](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/home-in-a-meadow-pj-vj~400019) - Location: Morrisville, VT - Photos: 11 - Description: Featured in NEW ENGLAND HOMES MAGAZINE Nov/Dec 2013. With majestic views of mountains and meadows, this stunning property integrates the owners' fondness of Prairie-style architecture and their love of Japanese garden aesthetic. The result is a seamless composition of house, landscape and views. A palette of textures, patterns, colors and scales borrowed from the surrounding forest and meadow provides a feeling of intimacy with nature both indoors and out. As author of 'Outside the Not So Big Ho… - [RIVER HOUSE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/river-house-pj-vj~1157146) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [NANTUCKET PARADISE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nantucket-paradise-pj-vj~402222) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: Featured in NEW ENGLAND HOME'S CAPE AND ISLAND EDITION Summer 2009. This collaboration with the architect and interior designer melds seamlessly with Nantucket's environment, using native vegetation to create a flourishing landscape. The main house and guest house are on a central axis overlooking a formal composition of slate pool and spa, outdoor kitchen with pergola, shingled outbuilding with changing room and outdoor shower, and lush coastal gardens. [See all 9 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/knauf-landscape-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1099266207) ## Ideabooks - [fiberglass spas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45648693/list/fiberglass-spas) — 10 ideas - [plunge pool](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/31019421/list/plunge-pool) — 7 ideas - [fire pits](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/77542072/list/fire-pits) — 2 ideas - [outdoor showers](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/18161124/list/outdoor-showers) — 9 ideas - [step lights](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/42415706/list/step-lights) — 3 ideas - [wrought iron deck rails](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45649524/list/wrought-iron-deck-rails) — 17 ideas - [hammocks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/32554486/list/hammocks) — 3 ideas - [Outdoor Lights](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26711208/list/outdoor-lights) — 7 ideas - [contemporary pergolas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28618095/list/contemporary-pergolas) — 6 ideas - [potting stations](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28617054/list/potting-stations) — 4 ideas [See all 10 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/knauf) ## Community Q&A **Q: Beautiful! Lucky people.** *(in Photo Questions)* Where is this beautiful place? A: The house is located in the Green Mountains of Vermont. **Q: beautiful!** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you please tell me what is the name of the green "shrub" next to the steps on the left? and the ground cover between the rocks? Thank you Alitza A: The shrub is Juniperus procumbens nana and the groundcover is a creeping thyme. **Q: Beautiful pairing! What is the light green plant?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Ladys Mantle / Alchemilla mollis, a low-growing perennial **Q: would love to see the interior and the exterior of this home.** *(in Photo Questions)* would love to see the interior and more of the exterior of this home.who is the builder or designer? A: Sorry, I cannot share interior photos per the owners' request. The house was designed by award-winning architect and author, Sarah Susanka, who has written the 'Not So Big House' book series. The builder was John Steel of Stowe, Vermont. **Q: Can I ask who designed the home?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Architect Sarah Susanka designed the house. She is the award-winning author of the 'Not So Big House' book series. **Q: I have Mexican Wedding stones and wonder how to keep them clean?** *(in Photo Questions)* I have usually washed each one in soapy water and put them on top of black cloth which is on top of the soil. What a bad job! It takes days. Is there anything you can suggest to keep them looking fresh and shiny? A: These pebbles stay clean just by rain. No washing necessary. If you don't receive adequate rain, perhaps hosing them down periodically will help. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-22.*