D/O LANDSCAPE IS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIO WITH A COMMITMENT TO DESIGN EXCELLENCE THROUGH THE INTEGRATION OF BUILDINGS AND LANDSCAPES
Founded in 2011, D/O practices a research based approach, we conceive of spaces which grow naturally from our understanding of the culture, materiality, and ecology in every site and client. Our design process relies on careful listening and close collaboration with partners from conception through construction
Our work has received national and regional honors including awards from the American Institute of Architects, and the American Society of Landscape Architects. Our work has also been featured in publications including The New York Times, Architectural Record, EcoStructures, Utne Reader, Residential Architect, AM Magazine, New American Luxury, Scape, Star Tribune, and Midwest Home.
Our philosophy is simple, we seek to seamlessly merge structure with nature. We work with you to shape the world with vision and improve the human experience while enhancing our environment.
D/O LEADERSHIP
COLIN OGLESBAY
PRINCIPAL, FOUNDER
RA, AIA, A-ASLA, LEED-H
Colin Oglesbay is the founder and managing principal of D/O Architects and leads the interdisciplinary design studio committed to design excellence through the seamless integration of structure and nature. Colin studied landscape architecture at the University of Wisconsin- Madison and received his Master of Architecture from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities.
His work has been celebrated by the AIA and ALSA, and seeks to discover new and innovative methods linking landscape architecture and modern architecture. His writing, research and work has been published in numerous national and regional publications. He also teaches design at the University of Minnesota. With over 20 years’ experience in the field of landscape and architecture, he has lead projects ranging from new cities in South Korea to carbon-neutral cabins in Minnesota.
Colin’s inspiration for living architecture comes from his passion for camping, mountaineering and anything that gets him out into rugged nature.
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin | Landscape & Urban Studies
University of Minnesota | Bachelor of Science in Architecture
University of Minnesota | Master of Architecture
JIHYOON YOON
PRINCIPAL
RA, RLA, AIA, ASLA, LEED AP
Jihyoon Yoon leads design for D/O Architects, utilizing his background in both architectural and landscape design to create innovative and practical solutions for modern projects. His passion for exploring new ideas through keen observation, sharp analysis, and extensive research has resulted in groundbreaking sustainable architecture. With his global experience and international design awards, Jihyoon effectively manages all of D/O Architecture’s work.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Jihyoon is also a talented artist who enjoys creating hand-drawn pieces in his downtime and has been invited to showcase his work at several art exhibitions.
As a registered architect and landscape architect with a master’s degree from Harvard University in Landscape Architecture and the University of Pennsylvania in Architecture, Jihyoon brings a wealth of expertise to every project he undertakes.
EDUCATION
Harvard University | Master of Landscape Architecture
University of Pennsylvania | Master of Architecture
Korea National University of Arts | Bachelor of Architecture
WAYZATA BAY
Wayzata, MN
The project site is a combination of two separate lots into a single 149,707 square foot parcel (3.427 Acres) along Wayzata Bay. This proposal is to develop a new single-family home. The designed site improvements include: a new single family home with detached garage and boat house, native landscape restoration, sustainable storm water systems, new natural stone drives and patios, pergola and swimming pool.
The goal of the design is to restore the natural glacial landscape and biomes originally present on the undeveloped site. By removing formal garden walls, non-native tree species and restoring grades the new home is sited within 1.2 acres of restored prairie meadow, one-half acre of upland forest restoration and includes 3,245 square-feet of intensive green roof. The remaining site will feature formal gardens utilizing native grasses, trees and flowers. A large three-quarter lawn is designed to act as a large raingarden, preventing any storm water from entering Lake Minnetonka as runoff.
All storm water will be captured in raingardens, both natural and formal gardens, and pretreated prior to being captured within two large underground concrete vaults. This excess runoff will be stored and reused for lawn and formal garden areas through integrated irrigation system. In the end, the Wayzata Bay Residence will manage 100-year rain events, and improve the Lake quality.
All existing trees will be managed to save both significant and heritage trees. Any trees lost due to construction will be replaced with native sugar maples, bur oaks and aspen trees typical to the Kettle Moraine area of this Minnehaha Creek Watershed. The overall house and landscape design will be a quiet, clean modern interpretation of the natural features found within this landscape and environmentally friendly for the Lake and local community.
TWIN LAKES
Saint Louis Park, MN
After a winter vacation in Palm Springs this family was inspired to open up their MidCentury St. Louis Park home. Our design draws from locally harvested materials as well as Mid-Century logic to create a series of stone terraces designed to focus the existing architecture outward into the landscape.
The existing house was renovated with large expanses of glass. The result is views extending out into the front lawn, allowing for views of the nearby lake. Twin Lake was overgrown with invasive species of buckthorn, loosestrife and Tartian honeysuckle. Working with City the clients paid to have the shoreline restored, while opening up clear views to the water. Stone terraces, welded steel edges, and stairs along with hardwood furniture, decks, and trellises transform the 50-year-old home into an inviting place for parties and neighborly gatherings.
Rainwater is harvested within an elegant, modern fountain that pre-treats storm-water before it flows back into the nearby wetland and lake. Innovative digital fabrication processes allowed the team to develop new water harvesting systems and filter all the roof water. Planting beds feature blush-colored native grasses and silver barked trees that screen the home from summer sun while simultaneously painting broad strokes of color throughout the year. Dolomitic walls create a sense of the building wrapping into the landscape and frame strong architectural landscape spaces for all seasons of the year. Anodized aluminum and ipe slats are driven by ergonomic function and house utility for the property. A delicate modern trellis and benches unify with the interior living room, expressing a unique interpretation of Mid-Century transparency within a Northern Climate.
INTERLOCHEN
Edina, MN
Interlachen, meaning between lakes in German appropriately describes the land where this existing home sits in Edina, Minnesota. The natural beauty of the greater land with its nearby lakes, oak trees and vistas makes it a unique landscape within the typical horizontal plains of the Metropolitan area. The home was purchased by an active family of five who saw an opportunity in the large lot to shape a space for each member’s passion for specific sport activities: swimming, volleyball, basketball and hockey.
Organizing these activities into specific modern garden zones affords developed rooms and experiences, while quietly maintaining specific functional requirements for each sport. A raised entry plaza manages topography so the lower drive can be graded flat for basketball games. A pristine lawn lined in steel and formal plantings are the exact proportion for backyard volleyball games. Three steps up lead to a crisp modern pool sitting upon a plinth of natural stone quietly enclosed by a mildsteel fence supporting vines. A simple material pallet of white concrete, lilac bluestone, rusted mild steel and white oak timber shape a rustic, but modern landscape that negotiates between the family’s preference for modern design and the traditional home.
Architectural entries were renovated to mediate between house and landscape. The front porch is remodeled to reflect a simpler aesthetic of rugged modernism unifying the property and establishing a tone for the overall project. Dry set walls of natural stone appear to wrap up from the landscape, to the porch and onto the home. In the backyard, a new deck for parties and outdoor cooking was constructed. It accepts the architecture of the house and infuses simple modern details. Typical lap siding combined with heavy timber railings reconciles the modern materials of the landscape with the suburban qualities of the home. Grand cedar stairs create fluidity between the zones of the house and the pool-scape.
Northfield, Minnesota is a small beautiful City situated on the Cannon River at its center and two large hills to the East and West. At the top of these two glacial remnants sit St. Olaf College and Carleton College. These strong liberal arts colleges create a unique experience of academic enlightenment and small town quaintness that permeate the City. This 1909 Queen Anne Farmhouse was one of the original homes in the town and rests at the base of St. Olaf’s campus. “Life on the Hill” is a phrase used to describe the academic time at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and embody this property. The house was purchased by two professors, originally from the East Coast, one working at each campus. Their desire is to renovated the historic home and develop a brighter modern expression of their academic lifestyle within the unfortunate 1970’s addition and landscape.
Playing with ideas of classic white wood, weathered decking and grey stone so common in the Connecticut country side where the clients grew up feels appropriate to the simple elegance of the farmhouse. The design develops this pallet into monoliths of charcoal concrete, horizontal stained cedar and natural black locust decking. The historic front porch was deteriorating so the new architectural language was inserted and then wrapped around three sides of the home. This porch creates spaces for parties and quiet places to read a book on Saturday mornings. The horizontal structure accommodates the elevation changes of the site and frames planters filled with natural grasses and herbs offering privacy from the City streets.
The landscape is structured by welded mild-steel, grey concrete planks and native grasses, service berries and evergreen hedges to frame distinct regions within the property. An existing specimen white birch was highlighted by lights celebrating the gleaming white bark at the entry. While a grand white oak provides canopy over the back play lawn and helps define the edges of the historic lot.
Northfield, MN
OLSEN
The house at the corner of the block boasts a prime location, with two sides exposed to the surrounding area. The vibrant colors of shrubs and perennial plants, as well as a striking yellow entrance against a black house background, catch the eye. Trees provide privacy and create a tranquil environment, while the “L” shape structure allows for a cozy private backyard. Additionally, a hot spa serves as a relaxing water feature. Collaborating with Sala Architects, D/O focused on creating seamless indoor and outdoor spaces that harmonize with nature—a strength that sets them apart in understanding the relationship between structure and its surroundings. As seasons change, the house takes on different appearances, but continues to be an entity that complements its aesthetic surroundings. The landscape is expected to mature over time and enhance the overall beauty of this unique property.
Minneapolis, MN
This 10-unit townhome project is the first exploration by D/O Architects to bring a new modular construction idea to market. Composed of 20 modular boxes this development utilizes manufacturing efficiency and site generated renewable energy creating sustainable affordable market rate housing for the middleclass. Each unit is two stories of modular sitting upon a basement composed of prefabricated concrete panels. The system offers the ability to take on many forms and configurations making it a fast and affordable solution to low-rise housing.
Planting around each unit not only defines its territory but also provides privacy for residents. A decorative tree at the entrance of each unit creates a welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, a rain garden is strategically placed at the corner of the property to collect and treat stormwater before discharging it into the city sewer system. These landscaping features help to enhance both the aesthetic appeal and environmental sustainability of our community.
THREE PONDS
This modern landscape architecture design establishes a “green line” that filters site runoff and creates a boundary between formal lawn spaces and a natural wetland buffer. During the first 14 years the clients lived in their home, they witnessed the water quality of surrounding ponds diminish and the beauty of the larger waterways vanish. Extensive research revealed that polluted runoff from the developed areas was having a detrimental impact on the environment. The modern landscape solution features native plants complemented by buff-pigmented concrete, Tigerwood, brown flagstone and aluminum edging. It uses a single, bold design element, a green line, to filter site runoff and create a clear boundary between formal lawn spaces and the wild beauty of surrounding wetland ponds. This landscape design won an ASLA Minnesota Honor Award and a grant from the City of Plymouth, Minnesota for its beauty, innovation and ecological contribution to its neighbors.
Each programmatic space is defined by a circle to create areas of interest and also function as part of the site’s stormwater treatment system. An existing boulder, special to the clients is encircled by dry-stacked brown flagstone transforming it into a natural sculpture. The circular, sunken patio is made of pigmented concrete and dry-set flagstone quarried in Colorado where the homeowners are born. The two benches near the patio are constructed of FSC-certified Tigerwood and glow at night with LED lamps. The custom steel chiminea transforms the space at night into a rustic natural escape. The project was completed in collaboration with Shelter Architecture in 2009.
