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01-07-26 | News
The landscape has been thoughtfully redesigned to reflect the surrounding vineyards and wineries, offering visitors a welcoming approach along a chip and seal road that mimics the rural gravel paths nearby, evoking the ambiance of a charming country home. Grapevines are planted along a classic white three-rail fence, enhancing the entryway to the hotel. Garden beds throughout the property are crafted to resemble natural wildflower patches found in the countryside. The extensive and intricate landscaping was meticulously planned to meet the owner's vision. Existing trees were preserved to frame picturesque views of the lake, while the use of natural stone and a cohesive theme of timeless elegance and agricultural charm further enhance the property's unique character and make this place truly special.
Planting Design: The fundamental idea behind the planting design was to evoke the essence of natural wildflower beds and grassy meadows through a rich and varied planting palette, along with a thoughtful mowing strategy. Seasonal interest and unconventional species were important for owner buy-in. The concept design team presented inspirational photos of charming flowerbeds paired with stone dust pathways to serve as a model. Detailed planting presentations highlighted diverse height requirements within the beds, along with seasonal interest and bloom periods, facilitating consensus on the final plant selection. Documentation was completed in color to assist the contractor's team in executing a successful installation.
Kitchen Garden: A standout feature of the Lake House is its culinary offerings. The introduction of the new restaurant, Rose Tavern, along with the renovation of the existing Sand Bar, was crucial to attract visitors who might not be staying at the hotel. Adjacent to the Lake House is the New York Kitchen, which provides cooking classes, certifications, tastings, and a full-service restaurant. This proximity underscores the Lake House's dedication to New York's food culture. In response, our team designed a kitchen garden, now overseen by the executive chef, that cultivates fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs for the Rose Tavern's menu. This sustainable farm- to-table approach has effectively reduced food waste while allowing for a dynamic menu that evolves with the seasonal offerings from the on-site gardens.
Bringing Concept to Reality: The conceptual ideas and vision that were shared at the onset of the project, were mostly proposed concepts conveyed through inspirational images and illustrations. While we relish the chance to bring innovative design concepts to life, we often face the challenge of managing numerous lines of communication, with final decisions coming from a variety of stakeholders. Navigating the final choices for materials, plant species, and products proved to be complex, especially as we were required to adjust our course on several occasions throughout the process. Our ability to adapt quickly was crucial to the success of our team.
The Pandemic: Construction for this project commenced in the spring of 2019 and was progressing well when COVID-19 led to a halt. Although construction was classified as essential and resumed after an initial slowdown, managing the construction administration of this intricate site with multiple stakeholders became challenging in the absence of in-person meetings and oversight. Thanks to the commitment of a dedicated landscape team, the project was successfully completed and opened to the public by fall 2020.
To see more Destinations projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/lasns-destinations-issue-34869#article1
For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php
The Lake House on Canandaigua
Canandaigua, New York
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
SWBR's award-winning project in the Finger Lakes region of New York state took an outdated lake-front property and turned it into a complete event complex for conferences, weddings, and other events.
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The Destinations Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. The Lake House on Canandaigua is one of several great projects we are excited to showcase on LandscapeArchitect.com.
Our diverse team of experts was tasked with re-envisioning a distinctive property on the shores of Canandaigua Lake in the Finger Lakes region, transforming it into a sought-after destination that embodies local lake culture. The project included the demolition of an outdated hotel and conference center, initially constructed as a motor lodge back in 1968. Following several renovations, it was taken down in 2017, paving the way for the design and construction of a new luxury resort hotel that offers a homely yet sophisticated ambiance. The Lake House was designed as a walkable campus that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding community. The updated property features 124 guest rooms, two new lakeside restaurants (including the rebuilt Sand Bar, a well-known local gathering spot), a swimming pool complete with a snack stand, fire pits, lawn games, and a versatile event barn that includes outdoor spaces for weddings and photoshoots.
The landscape has been thoughtfully redesigned to reflect the surrounding vineyards and wineries, offering visitors a welcoming approach along a chip and seal road that mimics the rural gravel paths nearby, evoking the ambiance of a charming country home. Grapevines are planted along a classic white three-rail fence, enhancing the entryway to the hotel. Garden beds throughout the property are crafted to resemble natural wildflower patches found in the countryside. The extensive and intricate landscaping was meticulously planned to meet the owner's vision. Existing trees were preserved to frame picturesque views of the lake, while the use of natural stone and a cohesive theme of timeless elegance and agricultural charm further enhance the property's unique character and make this place truly special.
Planting Design: The fundamental idea behind the planting design was to evoke the essence of natural wildflower beds and grassy meadows through a rich and varied planting palette, along with a thoughtful mowing strategy. Seasonal interest and unconventional species were important for owner buy-in. The concept design team presented inspirational photos of charming flowerbeds paired with stone dust pathways to serve as a model. Detailed planting presentations highlighted diverse height requirements within the beds, along with seasonal interest and bloom periods, facilitating consensus on the final plant selection. Documentation was completed in color to assist the contractor's team in executing a successful installation.
Kitchen Garden: A standout feature of the Lake House is its culinary offerings. The introduction of the new restaurant, Rose Tavern, along with the renovation of the existing Sand Bar, was crucial to attract visitors who might not be staying at the hotel. Adjacent to the Lake House is the New York Kitchen, which provides cooking classes, certifications, tastings, and a full-service restaurant. This proximity underscores the Lake House's dedication to New York's food culture. In response, our team designed a kitchen garden, now overseen by the executive chef, that cultivates fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs for the Rose Tavern's menu. This sustainable farm- to-table approach has effectively reduced food waste while allowing for a dynamic menu that evolves with the seasonal offerings from the on-site gardens.
Bringing Concept to Reality: The conceptual ideas and vision that were shared at the onset of the project, were mostly proposed concepts conveyed through inspirational images and illustrations. While we relish the chance to bring innovative design concepts to life, we often face the challenge of managing numerous lines of communication, with final decisions coming from a variety of stakeholders. Navigating the final choices for materials, plant species, and products proved to be complex, especially as we were required to adjust our course on several occasions throughout the process. Our ability to adapt quickly was crucial to the success of our team.
The Pandemic: Construction for this project commenced in the spring of 2019 and was progressing well when COVID-19 led to a halt. Although construction was classified as essential and resumed after an initial slowdown, managing the construction administration of this intricate site with multiple stakeholders became challenging in the absence of in-person meetings and oversight. Thanks to the commitment of a dedicated landscape team, the project was successfully completed and opened to the public by fall 2020.
To see more Destinations projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/lasns-destinations-issue-34869#article1
For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php
