Long before the soil is tilled, the grasses planted, the stones cut and arranged—the landscape design process begins. What goes unseen is the early stages of landscape architect Gregory Lombardi’s process. His background in art and architectural history help inform his sharp eye for nuance, while remaining stylistically neutral to allow a custom experience for each client.
Gregory was originally brought onto this coastal landscaping project by Brooks & Falotico, an architect firm he had collaborated with on previous projects. The client in question purchased an existing home that Brooks & Falotico had renovated. Gregory and interior designer Andrea Robinson formed a close working relationship with the architect to create a trifecta of designers. “Everyone was very receptive of each other’s ideas,” says Gregory. “We riffed on different concepts for color sensibility, material palette, and finishes to ensure an indoor-outdoor dialogue that felt cohesive.”
Due to the large scale of the project, this simpatico collaboration proved essential for the upscale, custom design to succeed. The property runs next to the ocean, so Gregory considered how the landscape could enhance the view without obstructing it. This inspired an overlook resting atop the pool house’s roof, complete with a fire pit. The lofty vantage point has uninterrupted views across the ocean.
Discovery also informed the design. To the left of the pool area, a putting green encourages the client to enjoy the property. To the right, a rolling lawn flows out of the woods. “Most people assume that a landscape is a garnish around a building,” Gregory says. “It’s really a sequence of spaces and experiences outside the building that works with the architecture. Just as the home has this movement and flow between the rooms, so should the architecture.”
In terms of the smaller details, there is a distinct rhythm to how Gregory selected types of plants and their location. “I wanted to be careful about the plants I put in the foreground view,” he says, “because the ocean is magnificent and large. Putting small plants in front of it would give it an odd, staccato feel. This space demanded something sweeping and quiet to complement the ocean.”
The bespoke landscape feels intimate and layered with thoughtful details. As Gregory says, it’s the canvas that the client will live his life on. “Working with a team, collaborating with architects, designers, and clients is so important to the final design.” Every little detail, from intricate gates to a beautiful latch, enforces the bigger picture of design.
