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Historical stewardship of this property required c Historical stewardship of this property required carefully editing this existing reflecting pool - the charming sculpture makes our hearts sing! You can find more about this project on our new website www.vburtdesigns.com (link in bio)!
TGIF...thank golly its FALL! Happy fall everyone! TGIF...thank golly its FALL! Happy fall everyone!
Cobblestone motor court – with a central antique Cobblestone motor court – with a central antique wellhead – embraced by a series of stone plinths and the beautiful stone garden walls. About this project: Early in the design process, an in-depth analysis of the physical characteristics of the site was conducted to create a low impact plan that limited disturbance to the property. Topography, vegetation, drainage patterns, views (to and from the site), solar exposure and soils were all carefully considered in siting the manor with a footprint of approximately 17,000 square feet. Driven by the results of this analysis, the manor was orientated to respect riparian woodlands characterized by mature sycamores, capture views of river tributary, and preserve the hardwood forests of surrounding uplands. This early analysis and approach predicated a landscape architecture of restraint – seemingly contrary to an architecture of such magnificent scale. The result, however, elevates the natural and historic character the site, while the preservation of large mature sycamores provides privacy from public view and integrates the home into its environs, reducing its presence from neighboring homes and the public realm. The symbiotic relationship between landscape and built form is the direct result of the strong collaboration between landscape architect and architect from the inception of the project; together we DESIGN WITH NATURE! Photography @rsmphoto Architecture William H. Childs, Jr. & Associates
During a design charrette in office today we were During a design charrette in office today we were reminded of our previous rooftop project. By positioning the cable railing back from the rooftop edge, the city disappears behind a natural green and planted parapet; an infinity edge to the tall mature oaks beyond is intentionally created, or in other words "a borrowed landscape". Adjacent neighbors, birds, pollinators and other city dwellers alike reap the benefits of this garden in the sky; meanwhile, materials and detailing have significant meaning to the owner by recalling the industrial and agricultural roots of their family. . . . photography @rsmphoto
Have a great long weekend everyone 🙂 From our re Have a great long weekend everyone 🙂 From our recently completed project of Italianate character - the reflecting pool is a feature beloved by the aptly named, Trevi, an Italian water dog. 📸 @rsmphoto
VBD TURNS 25! Celebrating the years with a video o VBD TURNS 25! Celebrating the years with a video of principal Virginia Burt describing her beautiful journey in landscape architecture. . Thank you for capturing: 🎬 @bowkerresolutions
From grand master plans to intimate details like t From grand master plans to intimate details like this humble and elegant boot scraper…Do you think there will be a resurgence in entry boot scrapers with the pandemic’s gardening boom? A boot scraper is a metal plate located near the front steps used to scrape dirt or mud from the bottoms of shoes or boots before entering the building; common before the advent of paved streets, scrapers appeared two to three centuries ago and were initially made of hand wrought iron. Their composition evolved to cast iron designs in the 19th century and were generally secured into stone, built into steps, railings or even into the side of a building. For a time, they became so ubiquitous that they were often included in builders’ and architects’ plans.
In case you missed it on our story – this VBD ga In case you missed it on our story – this VBD garden and preliminary concept plan is now 10 years old! Incorporating native and edible plantings into our designs is very much a part of our practice today as it was all these years ago…and in the case of this formal green and white garden, you’d never know it!
Its Friday...celebrating with a B E F O R E and A Its Friday...celebrating with a B E F O R E and A F T E R image from one of our projects in Ohio. Reclaimed sandstone curbs, fence restoration, and colourful plantings create a cohesive invitation. Further, the wing of the building had pale blue painted clapboard siding; upon researching historically accurate paint colours, the colour 'soldier blue' was selected to give a more authentic and saturated look and feel. The final outcome was a historical colour available from @benjaminmoore called Van Duesen Blue. Photography: @rsmphoto
Seeking an intermediate to senior landscape archit Seeking an intermediate to senior landscape architect who is seeking to create meaningful and beautiful work in our Dundas, Ontario, office. Virginia Burt Designs is a team of landscape architects and designers whose inspirations and interests include travel, agriculture, photography, collaboration with artists, fabricators and nurserymen, art, history, and the beauty of the natural world. Together in our collaborative office, we create poetry in landscapes. Visit our website at www.vburtdesigns.com for more information and find a list of job responsibilities and qualifications posted on the OALA website https://www.oala.ca/jobs/job-listing-details/?joblist=49319. All applications and inquires can be directed to Michele at michele@vburtdesigns.com.
A F T E R and B E F O R E | one of our cozy and lu A F T E R and B E F O R E | one of our cozy and lush outdoor rooms. . On an early Monday morning, you just want to curl up here with your cup of coffee... and in the evening, your of wine!
Our beautiful Blue Mountain project, naturalized w Our beautiful Blue Mountain project, naturalized with pollinators and bluebird attracting wildflowers.
Drawings from the late Canadian landscape architec Drawings from the late Canadian landscape architect Cornelia Hahn Oberlander who would be celebrating her 101st birthday today! VBD is honoured to have worked with Cornelia who shared her creativity and love of nature with us well into her 90s. Today we celebrate Cornelia and are delighted to have some of her original drawings here in office - tasked with the refresh of her landscapes decades later!
Too often, sustainability takes a back seat in est Too often, sustainability takes a back seat in estate residential design. The Great Oak residence demonstrates how a comprehensive approach to sustainable design can be effectively implemented in a historic residential context...you would never know that this charming and intimate fireplace and dining terrace is part the estate's green infrastructure system which conveys storm water run-off to an underground detention system for infiltration... which then is discharged to naturalized rain gardens to support groundwater recharge. 😎 @rsmphoto
In case you were wondering about the people behind In case you were wondering about the people behind this account and the work here at VBD…prepare yourself for some introductions this week! First off, we have Virginia Burt, FCSLA, FASLA, landscape architect and Principal of Virginia Burt Designs Inc.. Virginia, (also known as Gin, Ginny, and V!) has been passionately in pursuit of landscape architectural excellence for her entire 36 year career and her love of the land has been a lifetime journey: having grown up on an apple farm, she developed a passion for being outside and understanding the rhythms of nature; today, her work in rewilding, restoration, and healing landscapes and gardens is widely recognized in both Canada and the US.
Rain storms are brewing this week...anyone else lo Rain storms are brewing this week...anyone else love the ominous, yet calm before the storm? . This photo was taken from one of our projects in Cleveland, Ohio. Highlighting dramatic views over forested hillsides to the city beyond, this garden layers four season plantings and provides a livable gallery for the owner's extensive and diverse collection of sculpture. This reflecting pool serves as a modernist focal point, and occasionally as a wading pool for grandchildren.
C O N C E P T | C O M P L E T I O N Shneider heali C O N C E P T | C O M P L E T I O N Shneider healing garden located in Cleveland's University Hospitals' downtown medical campus - the Seidman Cancer Center (SCC). Located at the front door of the SCC, on a previously underutilized street corner, the garden is now overlooked and enjoyed by 1000's of patients and staff - helping to relieve stress. @rsmphoto
2022 National Award of Excellence winners have bee 2022 National Award of Excellence winners have been announced by the CSLA ! So delighted and grateful for our team to receive an award in the category of small-scale public landscapes for Morgan’s Garden – The gift that keeps on giving. We are honoured to be included and so grateful for all the folks that made this project possible. Photography: @rsmphoto Design team: @virginiaburtdesigns , Paul Carabott , and @emilyruththorpe
Another one from Sycamore Manor: It brings such a Another one from Sycamore Manor: It brings such a distinct joy to work closely with local artisans and create such beautiful designs. Pictured here are the garden plinths - capped with a hand carved stone cap with a Sycamore leaf motif - the Sycamore, one of the greatest native trees of the riparian woodland that surrounds this residence. Photography @rsmphoto
Happy Tuesday folks! Before our team heads to the Happy Tuesday folks! Before our team heads to the @lagershed this evening, we thought we would share one of our favourite photos from our project Sycamore Manor: Nestled into the rolling wooded slopes of Hunting Valley, this new manor was sited carefully to capture views of a nearby tributary and preserve the surrounding riparian woodland and uplands. In the architecture, sycamores are reflected in the windows above, and carved sycamore details frame the opening of the porte cochere; drawing the eye from detail, the landscape beckons, a stone wellhead and entrance gateway lead to the sycamore woods beyond… Photography : @rsmphoto Architecture : William H. Childs, Jr. & Associates
Step on in! Seeking a junior landscape architect w Step on in! Seeking a junior landscape architect who is motivated to create meaningful and beautiful work from our office located in Dundas, Ontario. Virginia Burt Designs is a team of landscape architects and designers whose inspirations and interests include travel, agriculture, photography, collaboration with artists, fabricators and nurserymen, art, history, and the beauty of the natural world. Together in our collaborative office, we create poetry in landscapes. Visit our website at www.vburtdesigns.com for more information and find job responsibilities and qualifications posted on the OALA website https://www.oala.ca/jobs/job-listing-details/?joblist=49320. All applications and inquires can be directed to Michele at michele@vburtdesigns.com.
"Drawing is not what one sees but what one can mak "Drawing is not what one sees but what one can make others see." - Edgar Degas These quick concept sketches by Virginia wowed us the other day in office: we draw constantly to communicate our passion for plants, places, and people ! :D
This week we visited our new project on Lake Musko This week we visited our new project on Lake Muskoka with @trevormcivorarchitect, @tamaracknorthltd and @rockscape . Grateful for stunning views and fresh frosty air out on the lake!
A F T E R | CONCEPT | and before... Local and rec A F T E R | CONCEPT | and before... Local and reclaimed materials blend seamlessly to enhance the entry of this historical home - chain and hammer distressed new stone steps to a bespoke finish.
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Virginia Burt designs

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