selected works
“Good design is not arbitrary – but the derivative of an informed creative process in which client programming is studied and defined within the context of the natural systems of a site, giving rise to a form whose aesthetic has the qualities of purpose and beauty.”
- David W. Young, ASLA
Firm Profile Modern Garden Coastal Modern Aquadisia South Warbler Citrus Avenue Shibusa Mourning Dove Drive Testimonials Recognition 5 6 12 22 30 40 46 58 68 71
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DWY Landscape Architects is a full-service design and planning firm specializing in modern gardens and site design. We believe landscape architecture is an integration of horticulture, art and architecture. With each unique project, DWY strives to create a synergy between the built vocabulary and the encompassing spatial influences of the site.
In 1999, landscape architect David W. Young founded DWY on the belief that successful landscape architecture has the ability to not only improve the built environment, but to elevate the human spirit by enriching one’s surroundings, and ultimately, their quality of life. Across a wide range of project types, DWY integrates green design principles into commercial, hospitality, and residential designs. Our incorporation of architectural influences, regional and site-specific opportunities, and client-driven programmatic requirements results in a harmonious balance of built and natural elements.
MODERN GARDEN
This project was DWY’s first commission and completed project.
Location: Casey Key
Designed: 1999
Completed: 2001
Architect: Guy Peterson OFA
Recognition: FL ASLA Award of Merit
Influenced by Luis Barragan’s work, the Casey Key Residence is a place that is both architectural and natural. The geometry of the modernist house forms the overall gesture of the front courtyard garden, while on the beachside a deck simply extends the floor plane out towards the dune. Each design element relates back to the housethe entry courtyard is formed by its acute geometry and is defined on the streetside by a series of partial-height walls. A water feature sits at the converging of its main axes and draws the sight line through the house towards the Gulf of Mexico. Less geometrically defined, the beachside garden is composed of a deck and boardwalk out over the dunes, native sabal palms and seagrapes, native groundcovers, and a line of coconut palms that continues the geometry from the courtyard through to the back.
“We’re still very proud of the Modern Garden as our first built commission!”
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COASTAL MODERN
Location: Boca Grande
Completed: 2011
Architect: Thomas & Denziger Architects
Recognition: FL ASLA Award of Excellence
SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
Located on a narrow strip of land between the Gulf of Mexico and an intercoastal lagoon, the Coastal Modern residence serves as a family gathering place and seasonal escape for its mid-western owners. Through careful study of the site and close collaboration with the design team, the unified vocabulary of the landscape architecture reflects the modern vernacular of the beach house. The structures, elevated pool and spa, pergola, landscape walls, and large-scale plantings create privacy within the intimate coastal neighborhood and link a series of exterior spaces to the interior. The use of regional materials and sustainable strategies to develop a thoughtful aesthetic, the landscape architecture creates a rich sense of place and a tropical retreat for the owners.
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AQUADISIA
Location: Sanderling Club, Siesta Key
Completed: 2012
Architect: Guy Peterson OFA
Recognition: FL ASLA Award of Honor; SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
A commission to design a new landscape for an existing beachfront estate quickly escalated in complexity when DWY was asked to lead the design team, using landscape architecture interventions as the catalyst for a multi-phased architectural renovation and expansion. Honoring the home’s original architecture and established modern design ethos, this project demonstrates landscape architecture’s capacity to synthesize a myriad of built and natural systems as a design response that creates a unified sense of place.
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SOUTH WARBLER
Location: Bird Key
Completed: Phase I: 2012 - Phase II: 2017
Architect: Guy Peterson OFA
Recognition: FL ASLA Award of Merit (Phase I); FL ASLA Award of Honor (Phase II); SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
This recent scope of work builds on an earlier award-winning design by DWY Landscape Architects. The goal in the first phase was to conceal the existing residence using plantings and vertical elements such as the pavilion and pergola. DWY’s goal in the second phase, after the architectural renovations, was to enhance the relationship of the landscape to the architecture. Inherent in the overall design is the cultivation of a simple yet sophisticated indoor-outdoor living experience for the owners and their guests.
The landscape is an artistic expression that extends the owners’ love of art and architecture into the site while accommodating an active outdoor lifestyle.
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CITRUS AVENUE
Location: Downtown Sarasota
Completed: 2018
Architect: Leader Design Studio
Recognition: FL ASLA Award of Honor; SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
Located just south of downtown in a developing neighborhood, this new home was inspired by the mid-century modern architecture for which Sarasota is known. The homeowners — avid architecture enthusiasts — selected the design team for its ability to deliver a project that emphasizes how they live and that seamlessly melds architecture with its environment.
The team collaborated on a singular design, modern in its aesthetic as well as its integration of the inside with the exterior environment. The overarching goal was to employ the tenets of modernism—clean horizontal lines, a minimal material palette and precise details—to create a harmonious and tactile experience from the ground up.
The layering of architecture and landscape in this suburban site facilitates the owners’ lifestyle as active residents of their neighborhood and community, while maintaining a sense of privacy and quiet in their vibrant landscape.
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SHIBUSA
Location: Siesta Key
Completed: 2021
Architect: Hive Architects
Recognition: SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
Located on a long narrow property facing Big Pass on Siesta Key in Sarasota, the images for this in-progress project highlight a collaborative design effort that is both simple and complex, open and opaque, static and dynamic. Key features include a long lap pool with lounge, seating and sculpture within the vessel that accentuates the length and focus of the property. The regional qualities of the project were expressed by the explicit use of native plantings, terrazzo hardscape that uses a native limestone aggregate, and other locally sourced materials.
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MOURNING DOVE
Location: Bird Key
Completed: 2022
Architect: Guy Peterson OFA
Recognition: SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
The Mourning Dove residence is a project that spans two decades. The current iteration reflects the opportunity the landscape architect had to implement missing elements of the original design, refining details and improving the level of finish in the hardscape and landscape. The Barragan inspired vocabulary of the hardscape and exterior architecture provides a modern context for the lush, vibrant landscape and dramatic use of water as a design element. The result is a series of interconnected volumes of interior and exterior space that activate the senses and instill a sense of belonging to the place.
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“David Young executed two major landscape renovations at our bay front residence in Sarasota, Florida. The challenge was to transform a very ordinary residence into a contemporary oasis. He created a beautiful, diverse landscape which is both serene and appropriate to the Florida ecology. His support following project completion has been outstanding. David is imaginative, knowledgeable, and highly collaborative. He ranks at the top of the professionals we have worked with.”
Steve & Judy Shank
South Warbler Residence
Bird Key, FL
“At the beginning of the architectural design process, we engaged David Young to design landscape providing privacy and a feeling of being one with nature. David exceeded our design expectations and working with him was a pleasure. He thinks with the precision of an architect, has the imagination and eye of an artist, and is professional at all times. His landscape and hardscape designs work in harmony with and enhance the architecture of the house.”
James Boyle & Marta Riordan
Citrus Avenue Residence
Downtown Sarasota, FL
2024
FL ASLA
(Award Pending)
Lido Beach House
(Award Pending)
Bayshore Food & Wine
2022
FL ASLA
Award of Honor
Courtyard Garden
2021
FL ASLA
Award of Merit
Camino Real Gardens
2020
FL ASLA
Award of Merit
Prospect Street
2018
FL ASLA
Award of Honor
Citrus Avenue Residence
Award of Honor
South Warbler Residence
Award of Honor
Blue Ridge Mountain Cottage
Award of Merit
Fish Camp / Jewfish Key Residence
Award of Merit
Two Palms Residence
SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
Citrus Avenue Residence with Leader Design Studio
2017
Top 50 Coastal Landscape Architects
Ocean Home Magazine
oceanhomemag.com/OH50/
2016
HGTV.com Ultimate Outdoor Awards
Overall Winner & People’s Pick
Ocean Home Magazine
Top 50 Coastal Landscape Architects
SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
Thirty Oaks Residence, with Solstice Architects
Best Overall Home Between
$1M-$2M – Platinum
Best Landscaping | Pool - Platinum
Verandah House, with Halflants + Pichette
Best Overall Home Between $1M-$2M – Gold
Best Sustainability – Platinum
2015
FL ASLA
Award of Excellence
Thirty Oaks/ Hidden Harbour Residence
Award of Honor
Aquadisia, Sanderling Estate
SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
Platinum Landscape – Sanderling Residence
Silver Landscape – Hidden Harbour Residence
2014
FL ASLA
Award in Institutional Design
The Ringling Waterfront Enhancement Project
Award in Residential Design
Motto Residence
Award in Conceptual Design
Palm City Estate / Alexander Residence
SRQ Magazine Home of The Year
Overall Winner (House over $2 million)
Gold Landscape Design
Harbor Acres Renovation
2013
SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
Platinum Landscape Design
Urban Modern Residence
2012
FL ASLA
Award of Excellence
Boca Grande Residence
Environmental Sustainability Honor Cancer Support Community
Award of Honor Cancer Support Community
Award of Merit
Bird Key Residence
SRQ Magazine Home of The Year
Polk Drive Residence, Sarasota, FL
2011
SRQ Magazine Home of The Year
Bird Key Residence
2007
FL ASLA
Award of Honor
Girl Scout Headquarters
2005
FL ASLA
Award of Merit
Modern Garden
Sarasota | Naples 941.365.6530
www.dwyla.com
