Verdant Design

The Williams needed a landscape that brings balance: one that gives them a flat, usable backyard; accessible for their relatives; contained for children and pets, yet not confining the views in the neighborhood. They decided on a wall-fence combination that allows for permeable views. The plantings were minimalistic recalling a modern Japanese landscape. Native plantings, such as Kentucky canebrake bamboo and Prairie Dropseed, are used throughout. Earthen ramps give an alternative to to using most of the stairs. Both the front and backyards are slightly raised planes that define the public and private spaces.

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The Williams Landscape centers on a simple, yet modern landscape. For them this meant embracing some forms reminiscent of Japanese styles and plant selection. These images show some of how this landscape was created. Video of the landscape will be shown in coming days.
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We have taken the images over the last year to show how the rain garden changes through the seasons. The functions of filtering and infiltrating water does change seasonally, but the volume of the depression does help even in the warming and thawing through the winter. The native plants that are used also provide a strong root system in every season. This is why they are so important to create a long-lasting rain garden. This is starting the fourth year of this rain garden!

Verdant Design has a separate blog for sustainable garden design called Verdant Thumb.  It shows the ongoing life and changes of our 3-year-old rain garden, sustainable practices, favorite plants, and situations we have encountered. It is more of a gardening perspective for those who would like ideas for a yard. We hope it is a help for you.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  It is a voluntary building rating system that evaluates buildings in five areas:sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.  US Green Building Council (USGBC) certifies the buildings using the LEED rating system with the hope that it will increase sustainable practices from concept to construction.  In order to do this in a standardized manner, individuals can become LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP).  This shows a level of understanding green building techniques, the LEED system, and the approval process.  John Pacyga with Verdant Design, LLC is a LEED Accredited Professional.  

Here are some links for additional information:

US Green Buiding Council

What is LEED?

Kentucky Chapter of USGBC