This proposal for a butterfly garden at Cotswold Elementary School will help to tell the story of the life cycle of a butterfly. Colorful, butterfly-attracting plants will be featured. The garden will be a learning laboratory for the children and will be integrated into the second grade curriculum.

Smith Academy is a CMS K-8 language immersion magnet school. groundworks studio was commissioned to create an international children's garden reflecting the diverse cultures of the different languages taught at the school: Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Spanish and English. The courtyard garden was designed for activities such as creative writing, art, speakers, nature study and celebrating holidays and customs of the countries of language origin.

Smith Academy is a CMS K-8 language immersion magnet school. groundworks studio was commissioned to create an international children's garden reflecting the diverse cultures of the different languages taught at the school: Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Spanish and English. The courtyard garden was designed for activities such as creative writing, art, speakers, nature study and celebrating holidays and customs of the countries of language origin.

This Arts and Crafts residence is located in the historic Myers Park neighborhood of Charlotte.The front garden is a richly textured carpet of euphorbias, ferns and heucheras anchored with oakleaf hydrangeas. The driveway of paver drive strips planted with steppable groundcover leads one downhill to the garage, where a rain garden planted with native plants captures stormwater and infiltrates it back into the earth. The kitchen garden abounds with drought-tolerant and edible plants. Beautyberries cascade and welcome one to the casual backyard. A bluestone stepping stone pathway at the side garden slices through a sculptural wood bench. Collaborators: Architecture Matters and Reaching Quiet. Bench image courtesy of Reaching Quiet.

The design for this Myers Park garden was inspired by the restrained elegance of the historic residence, the beauty of the site and the aesthetic of the homeowners. Sweeps of ornamental grasses paired with flowering perennials and accented by native shrubs enclose a carpet of lush grass within the front yard. Redbud trees along the sidewalk frame views into the garden. A herringbone brick patterned driveway artfully meanders to the backyard where an ellipse at the base of a stair connects the residence with the garden. A kinetic sculpture is sited at the top of the hill along the main vista. A woodland walk of native Piedmont vegetation winds though the existing woodland. The project was awarded a 2011 Preservation Award from Historic Charlotte. Collaborators: Studio One Design and Bulla Smith Design Engineering. Photography by Midwood Hill Photography.

The design for this Myers Park garden was inspired by the restrained elegance of the historic residence, the beauty of the site and the aesthetic of the homeowners. Sweeps of ornamental grasses paired with flowering perennials and accented by native shrubs enclose a carpet of lush grass within the front yard. Redbud trees along the sidewalk frame views into the garden. A herringbone brick patterned driveway artfully meanders to the backyard where an ellipse at the base of a stair connects the residence with the garden. A kinetic sculpture is sited at the top of the hill along the main vista. A woodland walk of native Piedmont vegetation winds though the existing woodland. The project was awarded a 2011 Preservation Award from Historic Charlotte. Collaborators: Studio One Design and Bulla Smith Design Engineering. Photography by Midwood Hill Photography.

The design for this Myers Park garden was inspired by the restrained elegance of the historic residence, the beauty of the site and the aesthetic of the homeowners. Sweeps of ornamental grasses paired with flowering perennials and accented by native shrubs enclose a carpet of lush grass within the front yard. Redbud trees along the sidewalk frame views into the garden. A herringbone brick patterned driveway artfully meanders to the backyard where an ellipse at the base of a stair connects the residence with the garden. A kinetic sculpture is sited at the top of the hill along the main vista. A woodland walk of native Piedmont vegetation winds though the existing woodland. The project was awarded a 2011 Preservation Award from Historic Charlotte. Collaborators: Studio One Design and Bulla Smith Design Engineering. Photography by Midwood Hill Photography.

The design for this Myers Park garden was inspired by the restrained elegance of the historic residence, the beauty of the site and the aesthetic of the homeowners. Sweeps of ornamental grasses paired with flowering perennials and accented by native shrubs enclose a carpet of lush grass within the front yard. Redbud trees along the sidewalk frame views into the garden. A herringbone brick patterned driveway artfully meanders to the backyard where an ellipse at the base of a stair connects the residence with the garden. A kinetic sculpture is sited at the top of the hill along the main vista. A woodland walk of native Piedmont vegetation winds though the existing woodland. The project was awarded a 2011 Preservation Award from Historic Charlotte. Collaborators: Studio One Design and Bulla Smith Design Engineering. Photography by Midwood Hill Photography.

The clients for this historic residence in Dilworth approached the studio about designing a wildlife habitat and edible garden for their two children. Plants were selected for attractiveness to butterflies, birds and bees, and for beauty and drought tolerance. The front yard has been transformed into a dynamic, four-season garden full of color, texture, pattern and life. The garden was on the 2011 Dilworth Home Tour. Photography by Midwood Hill Photography.

The clients for this historic residence in Dilworth approached the studio about designing a wildlife habitat and edible garden for their two children. Plants were selected for attractiveness to butterflies, birds and bees, and for beauty and drought tolerance. The front yard has been transformed into a dynamic, four-season garden full of color, texture, pattern and life. The garden was on the 2011 Dilworth Home Tour. Photography by Midwood Hill Photography.

The clients for this historic residence in Dilworth approached the studio about designing a wildlife habitat and edible garden for their two children. Plants were selected for attractiveness to butterflies, birds and bees, and for beauty and drought tolerance. The front yard has been transformed into a dynamic, four-season garden full of color, texture, pattern and life. The garden was on the 2011 Dilworth Home Tour. Photography by Midwood Hill Photography.

This project in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood of Charlotte involved the creation of a pair of 'rain circles' linked by a pebble swale and was designed to capture stormwater runoff, water from downspouts and percolate the water back into the soil. The circles are constructed from stone cobbles, layers of rain garden materials and pebbles. A mixture of groundcovers form a textural carpet. The grading was inspired by the sublime topography of the backyard. Photography by Sarah Gates Photography.

This project in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood of Charlotte involved the creation of a pair of 'rain circles' linked by a pebble swale and was designed to capture stormwater runoff, water from downspouts and percolate the water back into the soil. The circles are constructed from stone cobbles, layers of rain garden materials and pebbles. A mixture of groundcovers form a textural carpet. The grading was inspired by the sublime topography of the backyard. Photography by Sarah Gates Photography.

This project in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood of Charlotte involved the creation of a pair of 'rain circles' linked by a pebble swale and was designed to capture stormwater runoff, water from downspouts and percolate the water back into the soil. The circles are constructed from stone cobbles, layers of rain garden materials and pebbles. A mixture of groundcovers form a textural carpet. The grading was inspired by the sublime topography of the backyard. Photography by Sarah Gates Photography.

Exit 30 from I-77 into Davidson has recently been transformed from a quiet highway exit into a bustling commercial and residential center. The Town of Davidson hired groundworks studio to create a vision for what this important gateway and streetscape could be. The plan represents an ambitious, forward-thinking streetscape vision for Griffith Street while being respectful of the rich traditions and history of Davidson. The river was the metaphor and inspiration for the design; the theme being the river flowing from the highway into Town. The project is featured in Randall Arendt's book Imagining Better Communities, Seeing More Options, Making Wiser Choices.

Exit 30 from I-77 into Davidson has recently been transformed from a quiet highway exit into a bustling commercial and residential center. The Town of Davidson hired groundworks studio to create a vision for what this important gateway and streetscape could be. The plan represents an ambitious, forward-thinking streetscape vision for Griffith Street while being respectful of the rich traditions and history of Davidson. The river was the metaphor and inspiration for the design; the theme being the river flowing from the highway into Town. The project is featured in Randall Arendt's book Imagining Better Communities, Seeing More Options, Making Wiser Choices.

Exit 30 from I-77 into Davidson has recently been transformed from a quiet highway exit into a bustling commercial and residential center. The Town of Davidson hired groundworks studio to create a vision for what this important gateway and streetscape could be. The plan represents an ambitious, forward-thinking streetscape vision for Griffith Street while being respectful of the rich traditions and history of Davidson. The river was the metaphor and inspiration for the design; the theme being the river flowing from the highway into Town. The project is featured in Randall Arendt's book Imagining Better Communities, Seeing More Options, Making Wiser Choices.

Inspired by the open book, The Davidson Book Garden is a metaphor for opening one’s mind to the experiences offered by the literary and natural world. Leaves are the connection between nature and the world of books. Envisioned as a place for discovery, reflection and gathering, the Garden offers an artful, textural and dynamic place for people. An elevated, curvilinear metal walkway connects four distinct outdoor rooms together arcing around the existing water oak. The rock outcrop recalls the town’s agrarian traditions, the boulder field is a gathering place encircled by a rain garden, the leaf bench attached to the brick wall is a relaxing spot to people watch and individual leaf seats offer a place for reflection. Bold bands of plants weave through and enliven the Garden. This conceptual design for a book garden competition for the Town of Davidson on Main Street was a collaboration between SALT DESIGN STUDIO, Shaun Dargan Cassidy and groundworks studio.

St. Martin's is a church located in the historical, urban neighborhood of Elizabeth in Charlotte. The project includes a new courtyard garden, story garden and rain gardens. The courtyard garden will be an outdoor extension of the sanctuary and a contribution to the streetscape and community. Twelve blue-green glass squares are proposed within the courtyard. Lasting materials of brick and bluestone will unify the architecture with the site. A renovated lawn will be wrapped with a sustainable garden of native, drought-tolerant plants buffering the courtyard from the street. Anticipated project completion date is November 2012.

St. Martin's is a church located in the historical, urban neighborhood of Elizabeth in Charlotte. The project includes a new courtyard garden, story garden and rain gardens. The courtyard garden will be an outdoor extension of the sanctuary and a contribution to the streetscape and community. Twelve blue-green glass squares are proposed within the courtyard. Lasting materials of brick and bluestone will unify the architecture with the site. A renovated lawn will be wrapped with a sustainable garden of native, drought-tolerant plants buffering the courtyard from the street. Anticipated project completion date is November 2012.

Created as a sustainable garden, “Tuckaseegee”, means flowing waters, derived from the language of Native Americans who lived in the area. “Twelve” refers to North Carolina as the twelfth state to enter into the Union, represented by twelve native trees and twelve circles. “Tuckaseegee” is inscribed in the garden’s central walkway, which leads to the Valerie Woodard Center. The garden was especially designed for individuals and families with children coming to the center’s Department of Social Services for assistance. Boulders offer seating areas and the plantings provide a quiet green place for rest and education. Mosaic game circles were designed to engage children and will be installed as a future phase. groundworks studio created the final design and provided construction administration services; concept design by Seam Studio. The project is a partnership of the Arts & Science Council, the Public Art Commission and Mecklenburg County.

Created as a sustainable garden, “Tuckaseegee”, means flowing waters, derived from the language of Native Americans who lived in the area. “Twelve” refers to North Carolina as the twelfth state to enter into the Union, represented by twelve native trees and twelve circles. “Tuckaseegee” is inscribed in the garden’s central walkway, which leads to the Valerie Woodard Center. The garden was especially designed for individuals and families with children coming to the center’s Department of Social Services for assistance. Boulders offer seating areas and the plantings provide a quiet green place for rest and education. Mosaic game circles were designed to engage children and will be installed as a future phase. groundworks studio created the final design and provided construction administration services; concept design by Seam Studio. The project is a partnership of the Arts & Science Council, the Public Art Commission and Mecklenburg County.

Created as a sustainable garden, “Tuckaseegee”, means flowing waters, derived from the language of Native Americans who lived in the area. “Twelve” refers to North Carolina as the twelfth state to enter into the Union, represented by twelve native trees and twelve circles. “Tuckaseegee” is inscribed in the garden’s central walkway, which leads to the Valerie Woodard Center. The garden was especially designed for individuals and families with children coming to the center’s Department of Social Services for assistance. Boulders offer seating areas and the plantings provide a quiet green place for rest and education. Mosaic game circles were designed to engage children and will be installed as a future phase. groundworks studio created the final design and provided construction administration services; concept design by Seam Studio. The project is a partnership of the Arts & Science Council, the Public Art Commission and Mecklenburg County.

Created as a sustainable garden, “Tuckaseegee”, means flowing waters, derived from the language of Native Americans who lived in the area. “Twelve” refers to North Carolina as the twelfth state to enter into the Union, represented by twelve native trees and twelve circles. “Tuckaseegee” is inscribed in the garden’s central walkway, which leads to the Valerie Woodard Center. The garden was especially designed for individuals and families with children coming to the center’s Department of Social Services for assistance. Boulders offer seating areas and the plantings provide a quiet green place for rest and education. Mosaic game circles were designed to engage children and will be installed as a future phase. groundworks studio created the final design and provided construction administration services; concept design by Seam Studio. The project is a partnership of the Arts & Science Council, the Public Art Commission and Mecklenburg County.

The Bubble Fence is a whimsical, metal garden fence along a neighborhood sidewalk. The fence design abstracts the plants of the garden and echoes the geometry of the residence. Dragonflies, beetles, a cat and a dinosaur delight passersby. Design by groundworks studio, fabrication by Benny Reeder and photography by Midwood Hill Photography.

The Bubble Fence is a whimsical, metal garden fence along a neighborhood sidewalk. The fence design abstracts the plants of the garden and echoes the geometry of the residence. Dragonflies, beetles, a cat and a dinosaur delight passersby. Design by groundworks studio, fabrication by Benny Reeder and photography by Midwood Hill Photography.

The Bubble Fence is a whimsical, metal garden fence along a neighborhood sidewalk. The fence design abstracts the plants of the garden and echoes the geometry of the residence. Dragonflies, beetles, a cat and a dinosaur delight passersby. Design by groundworks studio, fabrication by Benny Reeder and photography by Midwood Hill Photography.

groundworks studio is committed to improving the quality of urban life. Laurel Holtzapple has been the Plaza-Midwood Community Garden landscape architect since its inception in 2004. Working with Melissa Schropp, graphic designer, the community gardeners created a new garden sign reflective of the nature of the garden and the architectural style of Midwood. Graphic Artist: Melissa Schropp, DesignerAtPlay; landscape architect: Laurel Holtzapple, groundworks studio; photographer: Kris Daniels, Midwood Hill Photography.