Oatlands: A Dialogue of Heritage and Stone

(In progress)

For this Oatlands residence, the design serves as a thoughtful homage to the ancestral landscapes of Lebanon and Egypt. Our clients sought to infuse their new home with the nostalgia of the Levant—a vision we realized through a disciplined palette of warm limestone, dry stone masonry, and a sophisticated layering of green and silver-grey foliage.

The arrival experience is defined by scale and symmetry. Tall, mature palms stand in rhythmic alignment with the home’s grand columns, immediately evoking the storied landscapes of the Middle East. Framing the entry path is a grove of ancient, gnarly olive trees—living sculptures that ground the estate with a sense of permanence and history. These heritage forms are complemented by dry stone walls and prostrate rosemary, meticulously trained into organic, fluid shapes that soften the structured approach.

While the front garden focuses on aesthetic stature, the rear garden is designed as an intimate family sanctuary. A sprawling swimming pool, finished in warm beige limestone, serves as the centerpiece for a private pool house and lounging pavilion.

Departing from traditional floral displays, the plant palette is a curated study in texture and tone. By layering varying shades of green and grey, we have created a landscape that feels lush and abundant yet remains deeply refined. It is a garden that honors the past while providing a contemporary, sun-drenched retreat for the family’s future.