2008 Awards

MERIT AWARD - Landscape Architectural Design

Magnolia Courtyard, Brooklyn, NY

terrain-nyc landscape architecture pc
www.terrain-nyc.net

Magnolia Courtyard creates a holistic landscape for the urban environment, situating a single family house in Brooklyn Heights within local histories and the larger regional ecosystem. The courtyard design is an urban refuge for the family, with outdoor dining space, daybed and reading lounge, and childrens’ velodrome. The design formulates a contemporary response to a site with a rich history. Two 150 year old Magnolia x soulangeana trees on the site, named significant trees by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, prompted an overall strategy that merges the contemporary with the historical and protects and enhances the centennial trees. The Magnolia Courtyard systematically employs sustainable techniques to enhance the rigorously designed landscape. The residence interfaces with the larger watershed and the east coast migratory bird feeding grounds through the implementation of a vegetated roof, water collection and a native plants scheme.

Credits

Architect: Daniel Firsch Architect; Principal: Danny Firsch 
General Contractor (Courtyard): Chartwell Builders Inc.  Principal: Andrew Ferguson
Landscape Contractor: Botanic Landscapes, Principal: Lem Hegwood 
Green Roof Contractor:  New York Green Roofs;  Principals: Amy Falder, Chris Brunner
Native Plant Specialist / Botanist: Drosera; Principal: Marielle Anzelonie
Structural Engineer: Etna Consulting Structural Engineering; Principal: Edy Zingher
General Contractor (Residences): RD Rice Project Manager: Michael Donnelly