At Garden Architecture, our goal is to create the outdoor living environment that you have always dreamed about. Our past clients can testify that taking the time to work with a landscape architect is the best way to insure the success of your investment. We listen to what you have to say, about the lifestyle you’d like to create, the budget that you have in mind and aesthetics that appeal to you.
Founded in 1995, Garden Architecture, LLC is a landscape architecture firm that specializes in design and construction consulting services for private residential clients located within the Mid Atlantic Region. Our services include comprehensive Landscape Master Plans that incorporate designs for swimming pools, outdoor living areas, kitchens, fire features, shade pergolas, decks, retaining walls, water gardens, play areas, walkways and driveways. With a focus on environmental sustainability, we offer expertise in the design of rain gardens, native and wildlife habitat plantings, rain permeable hardscapes; ‘green’ retaining walls and a variety of storm water management solutions.
Kirsten Coffen is the company’s licensed landscape architect and principal designer. She has worked as a landscape architect since 1985 and has degrees in landscape architecture from Cornell and Harvard Universities. She is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council. You can be confident that your project will be in creative, qualified and experienced hands.
I have so enjoyed working with Garden Architecture over the years and their designs are beautiful!! They are experts at what they do and I am grateful for their creativity and knowledge.
Contact us today, and see how we can transform your outdoor space!
Why Should You Select a Landscape Architect to Plan Your Project?
A home landscape designed by a Landscape Architect will increase the value of your property. Hiring a landscape architect is one of the best investments for your home. A professionally designed landscape can add as much as 15 percent to its value over comparable properties.
Landscape architects are trained to design and plan outdoor spaces that can extend the living areas of your home and provide access to all that nature has to offer on your property. A landscape architect will evaluate your site as a system, considering both problem areas, like poor drainage, as well as possibilities, such as enhancing a fabulous sunset view. The flow of water, the relationship to the greater watershed, the texture and fertility of the soil, the interplay of light and local climate effects are all critical aspects of a site’s context. Landscapes do not exist in a vacuum, and it’s the landscape architect’s job to work within the site context to design places that fit the big picture.
Landscape architecture is a regulated profession. Becoming a licensed landscape architect is a rigorous process that’s managed by individual states. Obtaining a license requires an accredited degree in landscape architecture, work experience under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect and passing a series of technical exams. Licensing and regulation are important for public health and safety reasons and to ensure the highest level of professional standards.
Landscape architects are licensed and trained to design landscapes, not to build them. This means that they work primarily through design drawings to collaborate with clients and contractors. The drawings that are created during the design process are critical to the success of the project installation. They provide the basis for the contractor to create an estimate for the construction and also serve as a blueprint during the construction process. The landscape architect ensures that the design vision that’s developed in dialogue with the clients at the conceptual planning stage remains on course during the project execution.
Landscape Architects have the technical landscape expertise that is up-to-date. In addition to drawing gorgeous renderings for beautiful outdoor spaces, they attend to important details, like figuring out grading plans and technical details for drainage, materials, finishes and layout dimensions. The consideration of design details is especially important for residential landscape architecture. What are the most aesthetic and durable materials? How do specific materials come together? What are the best practices to manage storm water runoff? What plants are most suited for the site conditions? Landscape Architects are required to stay current on proven techniques through continuing education credits that are required by the state for continued licensure.
Find out more about the profession of Landscape Architecture from:
Regions We Serve
Greater Baltimore Metropolitan Region and surrounding counties