LAKE BLUFF, Ill. – Mariani Landscape was recently honored with two awards from the Illinois chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (IL-ASLA).  The awards recognize excellence in two categories: A President’s Award in the Residential Design – Constructed Projects category for a lakefront Winnetka, Ill., home; and an Honor Award in the Design – Unrealized Project category for a design created pro-bono for Lambs Farm in Libertyville, Ill. 

“We are honored to be recognized for excellence in landscape design,” said Frank Mariani, CEO of Mariani Landscape. “Our goal has always been to create environments that are a reflection of our clients and their goals and we’re proud of the achievements of the Mariani team.”

Receiving the highest award in the Design – Constructed Projects/Residential category, Mariani Landscape’s design updated the landscaping of a circa-1920s Winnetka, Ill., Italian Renaissance-style home. The Mariani team collaborated with the client to design a series of elegant garden rooms, including a kitchen and lake overlook, to encourage outdoor family living. The design provides a screen of privacy from the street, while maximizing the lakefront views from a double-tiered bluestone terrace and swimming pool.  New plantings on the eroding bluff and a water mitigation solution were put to work to prevent erosion and flooding. The design also incorporates new functional requirements of the residence, such as access to an underground garage and use of a heated driveway.

Click here to see photographs of the completed landscape, which was both designed and built by Mariani.

In the Design – Unrealized Projects category, Mariani donated their services to Lambs Farm, an organization that serves men and women with developmental disabilities. Lambs Farm wanted to reinvigorate their Northern Illinois campus and chose Mariani to develop conceptual plans for an underutilized open space at the heart of the campus. To create an engaging space, Mariani divided this space into three components: functionality for the residents and teachers, a place to hold events and as a fundraising opportunity for the organization. The vision includes a donation wall, paths which loop to avoid the frustration of dead-end paths and a dramatic pond overlooking flexible-use spaces for events and gatherings. The project will break ground this year.