Kinsella Landscape, Inc., Blue Island, Ill., has been named the May semi-finalist for the 2010 Landscaper's Challenge, sponsored by New Holland Construction. The company gave a complete facelift to a featureless space, creating a "city chic" atmosphere for all to enjoy in a townhouse complex.

Before:

• Project: The Urban Oasis
• Total man hours to complete: 450
• Synopsis: Early meetings with the Lincoln Park-based client determined their desire for an "urban oasis" - a space open enough for children's rollerblading, yet effectively convertible to a useable entertainment space for adult gatherings. One mature locust and one enormous mulberry were retained and ivy on the neighbor's wall was inherited. The designer opted to configure the original bluestone in a jack-on-jack pattern, requiring that each piece be precisely cut to provide the ordered appearance of indoor tile. Joints were filled with bluestone screenings, providing a monochromatic appearance. The main patio was connected via a curved walkway to a sequestered private conversation space. All the planting beds on the project are raised, and they are dry-laid, hand-chiseled and traditional in appearance. Based on their size, all the trees except one needed to be lifted into the back gardens by an 80-ton crane and set in individual planting pits.

After:

To see more of Kinsella Landscape's projects, visit www.kinsellalandscape.com/portfolio.