Highbank

Midwest, USA

The restoration of an oak savanna

Overlooking pristine waters of a glacial-formed lake, this 1.7-acre property endured decades of intense human intervention, diminishing its ecological value. Multiple structures, large expanses of lawn, and tree-girdling asphalt extents combined with unstable and eroded shoreline comprised of non-native species, demonstrated the need for a renewed commitment to proper land management. With a desire to recreate a summer lake house tradition, our clients embraced an opportunity to create a transferable model for stewardship through restoration and environmentally progressive practices.

Design Workshop created a vision that incorporates the subtleties of the landscape to reflect the sincerity of the locale and serve as a model for design with an action plan based on conservation, stewardship and sustainable ecological adaptation. Understanding that a savanna possesses a wide range of habitats and canopy coverage to create microclimates, our team analyzed canopy closure and drainage patterns to define three distinct landscapes: prairie, open woodland, and woodland. A bold transformation, the design removed all non-native species, reduced vehicular paved areas by 40%, and replaced 35,000 square feet of lawn with over twenty varieties of grasses and sedges, and ninety species of wildflowers. Nestled within sculptural oaks, the home emerges from a gently sloping landform when viewed from the road, while reading as a single-story structure from the lake. Shared outdoor spaces unite generations for recreation and communion with nature, and low, freestanding walls denote thresholds while permeable pathways sinuously link amenities and emphasize the dynamism of the landscape.

Services Provided: Landscape Architecture

Client

Confidential