Complex in character and restrained in form, our work is developed through a series of tenets that guides our design process.
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culture focused gardens
Helping clients define their landscape’s programming + aesthetic to resonate with those that use the space.
A thoughtfully designed landscape can evoke heritage and place. Culture is how people behave in the world because of ongoing experiences and inherited memories. Culture Focused Gardens approach landscape design with the intention of facilitating positive behaviors, and is an opportunity to unlock certain memories, emotions or missions. In a culture-focused garden, the garden is a valued resource to connect with nature, community or oneself.
revel in the unexpected
Through creative restraint we push the boundaries of design with unexpected elements, forms or color.
We believe in the power of bold and simple. To Dune Hai, these unexpected forms or motif ornamentation, is super important to telling the story of a landscape especially when done in its contemporary fashion: strong yet restrained. We like to employ the tool of ornamentation to honor or serve a garden’s narrative or purpose. These potentially unexpected forms, moments, plants, fixtures, and design language help characterize a Dune Hai designed garden.
Sensitivity as strength
Our work is deftly site specific and tries to incorporate existing elements for sustainability and heritage.
Part of being sensitive is being aware of the ecological impacts of all building and renovation. We approach every design with the idea of keeping or working with as much of the existing site as possible. We start with what you have by asking questions: what features can remain, what are the specific microclimates, who’s using it, how will it be maintained? We always consider environmental issues. Our resources are finite, and water is life. Our Sensitivity extends to our clients and to all the species present in the revived landscape. We feel a landscape will be most cared for when it represents the users of the space. Being sensitive to the site and to our clients’ values, purpose, and style makes for a richer landscape.
elevating simple materials
Local natural materials with high design detailing.
Simple, natural materials evoke the land and build a connection with the environment. Our design palette focuses on either raw or ever so slightly manipulated natural materials. When possible, we will always specify local or reclaimed lumber, regionally quarried stone, finish and construction materials from local manufacturers or regional mills. By pushing our creativity, we love using simple, natural, sustainable material palettes in unique, high design applications.
planting as the first solution
We begin with planting as the first solution to building a site’s character, space-making or site stabilization.
In landscape, the most important and unique building material is planting. Planting design has the ability to shape the character, functionality, and reclamation of most landscapes and we believe there are many design solutions that can be achieved through creative planting design. While hardscapes, walls and structures can be vital to making a space, Dune Hai always reviews the possibility of planting as the first solution in our projects as it can be cost-effective, life sustaining, and visually stunning.
We will send you musings on design, gardens, art, and plants. This newsletter is for those interested in expanding their horizons with a just frequent enough hit of culture and a dash of editorializing.
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Dune Hai is an artistically driven landscape architecture studio that is enthusiastic about planting forward design, elevating simple materials, and incorporating cross-cultural aesthetics for unique gardens that enhance a site and increase stewardship.
