Galisteo Modern

North Central New Mexico

Honor Award in Residential Design - National ASLA

Driven by modernist design ethos of simplicity, volume and natural materials, the landscape architecture of Galisteo Modern successfully transitions a modern architectural masterpiece into its surrounding context through poetic yet restrained interventions. Resting within a 4,000-acre ranch between two New Mexican villages, the boundaries of the residence unite the open space and mountain ranges, creating the illusion of a private sanctuary with infinite grounds. Because the immediate landscape is so dominant and visually spectacular, the design is both respectful of and scaled appropriately to its environment, protecting the site's visual quality and environmental significance.

Natural systems embrace the residence, requiring individuals to often ponder how the home was built without damaging its surrounding, indigenous landscape. Receiving less than 13 inches of annual rainfall, the project required the landscape architect's intimate knowledge of native plant patterns. Initial transects provided frequency, spacing and patterns of individual species. The transects were then transferred into the landscape architect's reconstruction of damaged areas caused by construction, which extended up to 100 feet from the building. The reconstruction of the landscape was envisioned to maximize the transparency of the residence and create a landscape which appears endless.

"The simplicity is so beautiful. The freestanding concrete wall fits into the landscape, yet provides a rich contrast. It's very difficult to do. The way the pool goes in and out of shade provides such a contrast of options. This is how architecture and landscape can be masterfully integrated," noted the ASLA Professional Jury.