Center stage, the basalt column water feature is located off an organic stone patio and dry stream bed that cleverly manages an excess of water on site.

Kitchen with forest free, solid wood cabinet doors and forest free flooring from https://www.eutree.com

Master Bath
Mid-sized minimalist master ceramic tile ceramic tile and double-sink doorless shower photo in Atlanta with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a floating vanity

Before Photo This client's home backs up to a beautiful native Beech and Tulip woodland with an intermittent stream running through the middle of the site. After mistakenly over-clearing the natural forest saplings, the once lush woods was now bare. Called in to help re-vegetate the woodland, we designed and created a new path network through the woodland so that the client could enjoy and experience their new garden. Planted with large masses of native perennials, shade grasses and spring bulbs this back yard is now lush once again. Design and Construction: Till Gardens (www.tillgardens.com - 201.767.5858) Photography: John Knowlton/Till Gardens

One of McKinley Burkart’s most aesthetically traditional projects, the Island Residence is a 15,000 square foot house made of pavilions and low bridges, completely surrounded by water. McKinley Burkart worked closely with landscape architects to design a residence that is fully integrated with its site. Water flows from a small fountain and trickles down, flowing throughout the site under glass bridges featuring the koi fish that populate the stream. The house implements Asian planning principles of connecting indoor and outdoor space using pavilions and bridges yet brings forth a West Coast, heavy timber aesthetic throughout the whole residence.

One of McKinley Burkart’s most aesthetically traditional projects, the Island Residence is a 15,000 square foot house made of pavilions and low bridges, completely surrounded by water. McKinley Burkart worked closely with landscape architects to design a residence that is fully integrated with its site. Water flows from a small fountain and trickles down, flowing throughout the site under glass bridges featuring the koi fish that populate the stream. The house implements Asian planning principles of connecting indoor and outdoor space using pavilions and bridges yet brings forth a West Coast, heavy timber aesthetic throughout the whole residence.

All non-native and invasive plant species were removed. Native plants now populate the landscaping, reducing runoff, lowering maintenance and, to the ecology of the neighborhood, contributing a Doug Tallamy style homegrown national park.

Site 2: After - a non-living pondless recirculating waterfall and stream now adds ambiance and soothing sound to the landscape.
Inspiration for a mid-sized southwestern full sun pond in Phoenix.

Located near the foot of the Teton Mountains, the site and a modest program led to placing the main house and guest quarters in separate buildings configured to form outdoor spaces. With mountains rising to the northwest and a stream cutting through the southeast corner of the lot, this placement of the main house and guest cabin distinctly responds to the two scales of the site. The public and private wings of the main house define a courtyard, which is visually enclosed by the prominence of the mountains beyond. At a more intimate scale, the garden walls of the main house and guest cabin create a private entry court. A concrete wall, which extends into the landscape marks the entrance and defines the circulation of the main house. Public spaces open off this axis toward the views to the mountains. Secondary spaces branch off to the north and south forming the private wing of the main house and the guest cabin. With regulation restricting the roof forms, the structural trusses are shaped to lift the ceiling planes toward light and the views of the landscape. A.I.A Wyoming Chapter Design Award of Citation 2017 Project Year: 2008

Architectural elements are implemented throughout the site. This particular project has a wooden deck and pergolas.
Deck - deck idea in San Diego

The clients had just bought the home and loved the inside but not the outside. They did not want the formal setting with Greek busts. Since remodeling the old pool would have restricted the new, they had it removed so they could start from scratch. Their favorite setting was much more organic with a cabana, fireplace, and an outdoor kitchen. The house needed an addition with an entertainment media room, cigar room and pool bath. Privacy was achieved by adding a cabana on the north side with a full stone wall. The spa needed to be close to the master bedroom and have visibility of the flat screen television in the cabana. The spa is flush with the upper patio so not to block the view of the pool. A natural boulder stream connects the pool and spa. To soften the house planting is between the cabana and house. Decks and coping are Travertine. Pebblesheen color is Ocean Blue. Access to the cabana was located between the spa and the pool on the floating pad. Remote controlled fire features accent both ends of the boulders. Retaining walls were built behind the waterfall to bring the grade up so plantings looked more natural and waterfalls appeared to come out of the hillside. The cabana features were to create three zones. It does not matter the season or time of day, this space provides the family's perfect outside setting to enjoy each other. Project designed by Mike Farley. Check out Mike's Reference Site at FarleyPoolDesigns.com for more info and videos.

Located near the foot of the Teton Mountains, the site and a modest program led to placing the main house and guest quarters in separate buildings configured to form outdoor spaces. With mountains rising to the northwest and a stream cutting through the southeast corner of the lot, this placement of the main house and guest cabin distinctly responds to the two scales of the site. The public and private wings of the main house define a courtyard, which is visually enclosed by the prominence of the mountains beyond. At a more intimate scale, the garden walls of the main house and guest cabin create a private entry court. A concrete wall, which extends into the landscape marks the entrance and defines the circulation of the main house. Public spaces open off this axis toward the views to the mountains. Secondary spaces branch off to the north and south forming the private wing of the main house and the guest cabin. With regulation restricting the roof forms, the structural trusses are shaped to lift the ceiling planes toward light and the views of the landscape. A.I.A Wyoming Chapter Design Award of Citation 2017 Project Year: 2008

Pondless design with site rock on built up mound with seat wall Photo by Adam Weiss
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Sacramento.

Located near the foot of the Teton Mountains, the site and a modest program led to placing the main house and guest quarters in separate buildings configured to form outdoor spaces. With mountains rising to the northwest and a stream cutting through the southeast corner of the lot, this placement of the main house and guest cabin distinctly responds to the two scales of the site. The public and private wings of the main house define a courtyard, which is visually enclosed by the prominence of the mountains beyond. At a more intimate scale, the garden walls of the main house and guest cabin create a private entry court. A concrete wall, which extends into the landscape marks the entrance and defines the circulation of the main house. Public spaces open off this axis toward the views to the mountains. Secondary spaces branch off to the north and south forming the private wing of the main house and the guest cabin. With regulation restricting the roof forms, the structural trusses are shaped to lift the ceiling planes toward light and the views of the landscape. A.I.A Wyoming Chapter Design Award of Citation 2017 Project Year: 2008

This client's home backs up to a beautiful native Beech and Tulip woodland with an intermittent stream running through the middle of the site. After mistakenly over-clearing the natural forest saplings, the once lush woods was now bare. Called in to help re-vegetate the woodland, we designed and created a new path network through the woodland so that the client could enjoy and experience their new garden. Planted with large masses of native perennials, shade grasses and spring bulbs this back yard is now lush once again. Design and Construction: Till Gardens (www.tillgardens.com - 201.767.5858) Photography: John Knowlton/Till Gardens

The clients had just bought the home and loved the inside but not the outside. They did not want the formal setting with Greek busts. Since remodeling the old pool would have restricted the new, they had it removed so they could start from scratch. Their favorite setting was much more organic with a cabana, fireplace, and an outdoor kitchen. The house needed an addition with an entertainment media room, cigar room and pool bath. Privacy was achieved by adding a cabana on the north side with a full stone wall. The spa needed to be close to the master bedroom and have visibility of the flat screen television in the cabana. The spa is flush with the upper patio so not to block the view of the pool. A natural boulder stream connects the pool and spa. To soften the house planting is between the cabana and house. Decks and coping are Travertine. Pebblesheen color is Ocean Blue. Access to the cabana was located between the spa and the pool on the floating pad. Remote controlled fire features accent both ends of the boulders. Retaining walls were built behind the waterfall to bring the grade up so plantings looked more natural and waterfalls appeared to come out of the hillside. The cabana features were to create three zones. It does not matter the season or time of day, this space provides the family's perfect outside setting to enjoy each other. Project designed by Mike Farley. Check out Mike's Reference Site at FarleyPoolDesigns.com for more info and videos.

One of McKinley Burkart’s most aesthetically traditional projects, the Island Residence is a 15,000 square foot house made of pavilions and low bridges, completely surrounded by water. McKinley Burkart worked closely with landscape architects to design a residence that is fully integrated with its site. Water flows from a small fountain and trickles down, flowing throughout the site under glass bridges featuring the koi fish that populate the stream. The house implements Asian planning principles of connecting indoor and outdoor space using pavilions and bridges yet brings forth a West Coast, heavy timber aesthetic throughout the whole residence.

Pondless design with site rock on built up mound with seat wall Photo by Adam Weiss
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Sacramento.

The homeowner wanted a lush Rocky Mountain landscape and to disguise the large backyard hillside excavation that during construction of the house. Utilizing numerous on-site boulders, creating a 75' long stream, and planting hundreds of trees, shrubs, and perennials filled out the backyard slope and enclosed the space with interesting colors, textures, and forms. Photo by Brian Johannsen