Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center
Water Features | Plantings | Walkway | Outdoor Lighting
Commercial settings are always a unique opportunity to restore some visual interest to a historically drab precedent for landscape architecture. This commercial site, located in St. Joseph Michigan, is primarily surrounded by office buildings, and sits right alongside Niles Road, a busy route running in and out of St. Joseph. As a result, there is a ‘sea’ of asphalt in close proximity to the building with the main entrance off the east from Niles Road.
Every dream starts with a drawing.
Project Description
The client requests were to update the outdated business sign which did not comply with current regulations. The site needed lots of love and attention. All the planting beds were filled with three inches of river-stone and heavy landscape fabric, furthermore, irrigation systems did exist on site. A nearly 20-year-old fountain needed restoration and the existing softscape elements comprised of old, tired plants the client did not wish to keep. Manicured lawn dominated the front of the building and vegetation needed to be introduced in order to restore aesthetic value and reduce the resource intensive lawn.
The interior of the commercial building had been remodeled and the client wished to match the exterior status with the more modern interior. The landscape served a multitude of purposes as the architecture of the building had become dated. In an effort to distract visitors from the building façade, the design solution required bold, punchy qualities. The challenge with this project was creating the desired interest while keeping it relatively low maintenance being a place of business. We accomplished this by selecting plant varieties that need minimal pruning, are drought tolerant and hardy. The new plant palette includes purple, white, red, pink, and blue in bloom and foliage. Fall color consists of red and yellow in the trees, shrubs, and ornamental grasses. Winter interest of green, blue, and tan being provided by shrubs and ornamental grasses.
The important view from the waiting room windows looks out to a ‘sea’ of blue fescue wrapping around the fountain. Layers of shrub rose and Everlow yew provide a backdrop from the waiting room perspective. When viewed from the road, a naturalistic drift of butterfly bush through the shrub rose and yew provide vertical interest. The dogwood grove, located north of the building, creates a backdrop from the interior, as well as a frame when viewing from the road.
A new location for the sign was planned in the design, subjected to, and approved by the local township inspector on site. To incorporate the desired natural elements, the sign base was designed with a cultured stone veneer and a natural bluestone cap. The sign was built out of sustainably sourced Ipe which will patina over time and further enhance the natural aesthetic. All materials were sourced not just for their visual appeal but for durability. This site being commercial, requires increased attention when it comes to wear and tear. The fountain was refurbished from the basin up. A grouping of three basalt stones were added to the existing fountain basin to increase interest and visibility. With the long winter months in Michigan, the stones give a point of interest despite the lack of running water.