The Atlanta- based landscape architecture and land planning firm of Land Plus Associates has been recognized as an Honor Award winner in the 2008 Annual Award Competition sponsored by the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

One of only three such awards presented, the professional organization recognized A Country Estate for overall excellence and outstanding design.

For the winning project, Land Plus assembled a team of leading design professionals to create a heritage estate on the 200 acre, North Georgia property. Using carefully designed site elements to marry the architect’s vision for the home with the bucolic setting, the resulting English country estate blends a strong architectural design statement with refined site elements and elegant landscape design. Key features of the design include; a mile long entry drive winding through forested hills and wildflower covered open spaces, an antique cobblestone paved arrival court, and the use of mature, specimen plant material throughout the project to create a sense of timelessness and long-established presence.

A series of gardens taking the shape of outdoor rooms, in traditional English style, were created using walls and hedges to extend the architecture into the surrounding landscape. The main walled garden, called the Garden Theater, extends from a large stone terrace at the rear of the home. The 45 foot long lily pond, bordered with perennials, lies along the home’s main axis. Custom-designed wood gates provide a glimpse to the flowing pasture and natural pond in the distance. The owner’s love of gourmet cooking and heirloom roses inspired the large parterre kitchen garden and elegant vine-covered arbor that defines the western side of the Garden Theater. This long walk provides an opportunity for casual strolling to sit beside the sculptural water feature at its end. Perched atop the north eastern corner of the garden theater wall, an open-aired summer house compliments the main house. The formal Library Garden, with its boxwood knot garden is best viewed from the casual seating area within the library. A DVD that chronicles the design is available upon request.