Jeff Grob CC’85: Destined to be a Landscape Architect

ZEN Associates, a design/build firm founded in 1980 and headquartered in Woburn, is renowned for its expertise in creating harmonious and functional landscapes that seamlessly integrate with a home's interiors and the surrounding environment. Peter White, one of the three principals, emphasizes that their work extends beyond merely designing creative landscape projects that reflect clients' goals and personalities; it involves a deep understanding of how a site's landform, architecture, and environment, along with the client's lifestyle, are interconnected. The firm's approach focuses on breaking down the traditional barriers between indoor and outdoor spaces, effectively expanding the living area by extending interiors outwards and bringing natural elements inwards. While adhering to industry regulations, ZEN Associates prioritizes natural forms over strict symmetry or mathematical formulas in their designs. They view the house as the man-made, geometric component, around which the landscape is orchestrated to blend nature's loose contours with architecture's defined lines. An example of this integration includes incorporating large boulders into a deck or extending a deck to penetrate curvaceous garden borders, thereby introducing nature into built spaces. The firm's extensive operations span from residential interiors to corporate offices and restaurants, with projects along the eastern seaboard, west to the Rockies, and internationally. Their team of 65 employees includes landscape architects, interior designers, a sizeable construction crew, project management, and horticulture maintenance departments, ensuring a comprehensive approach to every project. This integrated design and build model, where designers and builders collaborate daily, distinguishes ZEN Associates, allowing them to deliver creative, well-built projects on time and within budget, taking full responsibility for the entire process. Approximately 70 percent of ZEN Associates' work is residential, focusing on large to medium-sized projects such as home additions, renovations, or new constructions. Their commercial portfolio, though smaller, includes significant commissions like a Japanese-inspired courtyard garden at Amherst College, the Peace Bell Garden for the United Nations Visitor Centre, and the renovation of the gardens at the Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens in Washington, D.C. They also undertake international projects, with current engagements in Sweden and London. On the North Shore, their work is predominantly residential, alongside some healing gardens for hospitals. Stonework is a prominent feature in ZEN's landscapes, appealing to New Englanders' appreciation for stone walls. The firm utilizes stone in various ways—as furniture, for structural purposes, and to define spaces, often placing enormous boulders near formal dining rooms to introduce a playful spirit or encourage interaction, especially for children. Stone sourcing involves local farm fields, quarries, or shipping, with the selection of granite, limestone, basalt, or blasted quarry stone dictated by the stone's intended role and the desired aesthetic. The firm has evolved from a strictly Japanese design/build firm to a modern practice with strong Japanese aesthetic roots. New England's climate shares similarities with southern Japan, allowing for the use of plants like maples, azaleas, rhododendrons, and viburnums. They emphasize diverse planting schemes rather than repetitive plant lists, supported by a staff of four horticulturists and two arborists dedicated to plant knowledge and long-term health. The "right plant, right place" mantra is critical, with the firm often dedicating up to nine months to soil amendment to ensure plants thrive. They meticulously select plants from various regions, considering their origins and making necessary soil amendments to guarantee survival. Sustainability is integral to ZEN's philosophy, promoting noninvasive plant species, organic materials, and Integrated Pest Management. They educate clients on reducing water consumption and achieving manicured lawns without excessive chemicals. While acknowledging that some projects may have a carbon footprint due to operational expenses and resource usage, they prioritize upfront discussions about preservation practices and managing client expectations. Initial consultations delve into the desired landscape style, site opportunities, soil quality, and plant selection, but primarily focus on the "spirit and artistry of the space in terms of daily viewing and daily living." ZEN Associates dedicates significant time to listening to clients and stewarding their thought processes to ensure the final design is thoughtful, logical, beautiful, and deeply reflective of the client's vision. Current North Shore projects include collaborating on an ultra-modern home in Manchester-by-the-Sea, preserving natural ledges, and installing a stream with waterfalls leading to a pond in Swampscott, featuring a unique path beneath a main waterfall. The firm encourages prospective clients to engage in conversations about their projects, emphasizing the importance of a good relationship with a creative and experienced design/build firm. #LandscapeArchitecture #OutdoorLiving #HomeDesign #GardenDesign #SustainableDesign #Stonework #DesignBuildFirm #NorthshoreLandscapes #IntegratedDesign

Piero Lissoni, art director for Sanlorenzo Yachts and designer of the interiors for the 56-meter superyacht *Virtuosity*, challenges traditional nautical design by advocating for yachts to be conceived as villas rather than conventional maritime vessels. He criticizes the common practice among shipyard architects of incorporating overly ostentatious materials, such as excessive marbles, hides, and exotic woods, which he believes often lead to vulgarity. Instead, Lissoni emphasizes a design philosophy that prioritizes functionality, comfort, and beauty, akin to the aesthetics found in well-designed homes. His approach suggests that luxury should not equate to splashy materials but rather to sophisticated design and practical elegance. Sanlorenzo actively embraces this cross-pollination of ideas by collaborating with architects and designers from outside the nautical industry, including notable names like Dordoni Architetti and Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. Ferruccio Rossi, former general manager and president of superyachts at Sanlorenzo, highlights that these collaborations introduce fresh perspectives and stylistic elements, transforming the conventional interpretation of interior yacht spaces. He notes that while initially challenging to integrate these diverse design philosophies with the complexities of yacht architecture and its relationship with the dynamic marine environment, the shared goal eventually fosters innovation and unique solutions. Lissoni asserts that these 'outsider' perspectives have fundamentally altered design norms in the yachting world, moving away from outdated traditions towards a more modern and airy aesthetic. *Virtuosity* is the second vessel in Sanlorenzo's 57Steel series, with an exterior designed by Zuccon International Project. Bernardo Zuccon describes the 57Steel as a harmonious balance between its internal content and external structure, featuring a rational and simple exterior that discreetly houses its substantial 1,021GT volume. The yacht's design includes slightly forward-raked windscreens and an almost straight bow, giving it an explorer-like appearance, while a long foredeck maintains a light and elegant profile. This exterior design philosophy complements Lissoni’s vision, blurring the lines between a yacht and a land-based villa, especially regarding the seamless integration of interior and exterior spaces, allowing occupants to experience a constantly changing panorama. Key features of *Virtuosity* exemplify this innovative design. The aft deck offers a luxurious outdoor space with a three-by-two-meter heated glass-bottomed pool, complete with massage jets and large sunpads. Symmetrical staircases lead to a expansive 110-square-meter beach club, which can be extended by folding down the transom and two side platforms. This area is enhanced by the interplay of light and shadow from the pool above, creating a serene ambiance. The beach club is equipped with a bar, water toys, and custom furniture, including a Bubble Rock sofa by Living Divani and a large Samsung flat-screen TV concealed behind a magic mirror. A Carrara marble-clad steam room and Technogym fitness equipment further enhance the wellness offerings. Lissoni's sculptural staircase, which connects the main and upper decks, is a standout feature, earning a Judge’s Commendation at the BOAT Design & Innovation Awards. This staircase, constructed from steel with composite and carbon fiber, is more than a functional element; Lissoni envisions it as a 'twilight zone' or an intermediate space. Although the owners requested a banister for safety during rough conditions, the staircase maintains its artistic integrity. The main saloon’s interior reflects Lissoni's preference for high-quality, commercially available furniture from renowned Italian brands like Cassina, Minotti, and B&B Italia, featuring bleached wood walls and ceilings, and Kerakoll cement resin floors. These choices prioritize durability and sophisticated design over custom, potentially less robust, artisan creations. The yacht's layout is designed for both private and charter use, allowing for flexible segmentation of public and private areas. The main deck features an owner’s cabin with a California king-sized bed, Dedar upholstery, and an en suite bathroom with polarized glass sliding doors. Additional cabins on the lower deck are similarly furnished. A significant alteration in *Virtuosity* compared to its sister ship, *Alma*, is the relocation of a second owner’s cabin to the upper deck, which includes a private deck with a spa pool and an office with a green screen for video calls. The upper saloon offers a reconfigurable Francesco Binfaré On the Rocks sofa and a circular dining table for 14. The flybridge, with its DJ console and bridge, completes the yacht’s sophisticated design, underscoring the success of Sanlorenzo's collaboration with outside designers in creating a 'new generation' vessel that blends architectural principles with yacht design. #SuperyachtDesign #YachtInteriors #PieroLissoni #Sanlorenzo #Virtuosity #NauticalArchitecture #LuxuryYacht #ZucconInternationalProject #CustomYacht

This article highlights the transformation of an ordinary patio into an exquisite outdoor living room in Deephaven, Minnesota. The homeowners, Adam and Erin Newton, meticulously designed their outdoor space to serve as a natural extension of their home, emphasizing both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Adam, a landscape architect, spent four years understanding the land's topography before construction, ensuring the house harmonized with its natural surroundings. His vision was to create a continuous flow from the interior living spaces to the outdoors. Collaborating with interior designer Brooke Voss, the Newtons conceptualized a patio directly accessible from their kitchen. This space is designed to be highly versatile, accommodating various family activities. In the mornings, it serves as a serene spot for Adam and Erin to enjoy coffee and read the newspaper, while later in the day, it becomes a playful area for their two young sons, Fin and August. The patio is also a central location for family dinners and evening marshmallow roasts under the stars, underscoring its role as a true outdoor living room. A significant aspect of the patio's design is its dedication to food, reflecting Adam's belief in functional landscaping. He incorporated a vegetable garden, strawberry bushes, apple trees, and various herbs directly alongside the bluestone floor of the patio. This "farm-to-table" approach is exemplified by a prominent cast concrete dining table, which acts as a focal point. This table, with its old-world charm preferred by Adam, is contrasted with modern, curvy white chairs, a design choice introduced by Erin to blend contemporary aesthetics with classic elements. This fusion of styles creates a balanced and inviting atmosphere. The patio also features a comfortable seating area, complete with a sofa and chair, which at first glance might not appear weather-resistant. However, the furniture is specifically chosen for its durability, designed to withstand outdoor elements and the rigors of family life. Erin notes that she remains unfazed when her son Fin jumps on the chair with muddy sandals or when the family dog, Lily, curls up on it, indicating the space is truly meant to be lived in and enjoyed without constant worry about wear and tear. The article concludes by listing specific items and their sources, offering readers a guide to replicate elements of this thoughtfully designed outdoor space. #HomeDesign #OutdoorLiving #PatioDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #InteriorDesign #FamilySpace #FunctionalDesign #GardenIntegration