DWYLA 25th Anniversary Look Book | Selected Residential 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
Casa Encanto
Colman Residence
Morales Residence
500 Harbor Cove
Testimonials
First Built Commission - Modern Garden 1999 - ASLA Award of Merit
DWY Landscape Architects is a comprehensive design and planning firm committed to creating modern, sustainable, and visually compelling outdoor spaces. We believe great landscape architecture is where nature, art, and architecture come together to enhance how people live, work, and connect to their environment and each other. Every project we undertake is tailored to the unique qualities of the site and the goals of our clients - ensuring a thoughtful balance between aesthetics, functionality, resiliency, and value.
With over 35 years of professional experience, David W. Young founded DWY Landscape Architects in 1999 with a clear vision: Landscape architecture can do more than shape spaces—it can actually improve the built and natural systems of a site and therefore the human experience. Under David’s leadership, the firm has won over 30 prestigious awards for design excellence and sustainability with the belief that good design is not arbitrary but the result of thoughtful, creative problem solving that enhances both the built and natural environments that impact everyday life.
DWY brings this philosophy to a diverse portfolio of commercial, hospitality, institutional and residential projects, seamlessly integrating sustainable design principles throughout. By blending architectural sensibilities with regional context, site-specific potential, and client-driven goals, DWY consistently delivers designs that feel balanced, purposeful, and deeply connected to their regional environment.
MODERN GARDEN
This project was DWY’s first commission and completed project.
Location: Casey Key
Designed: 1999
Completed: 2001
Architect: Guy Peterson OFA
FL ASLA Award of Merit
Influenced by the work of Luis Barragán, the Casey Key Residence is conceived as both architectural and natural—a seamless dialogue between modernist geometry and the coastal landscape.
The home’s acute forms shape the entry courtyard, where partial-height walls define a series of outdoor rooms anchored by a water feature that aligns views through the house to the Gulf of Mexico.
On the beachside, the design softens into a more organic expression: a deck and boardwalk extend over the dunes, framed by native sabal palms, seagrapes, and groundcovers, with a procession of coconut palms carrying the courtyard’s geometry through to the shoreline.
The result is a private retreat where architecture, landscape, and Gulf views are in perfect harmony.
Schematic
COASTAL MODERN
Location: Boca Grande
Completed: 2011
Architect: Thomas & Denziger Architects
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 inter-coastal 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.
Coastal Modern | View from Below the Pool
AQUADISIA
Location: Sanderling Club, Siesta Key
Completed: 2012
Architect: Guy Peterson OFA
FL ASLA Award of Honor; SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
Aquadisia began as a commission to reimagine the landscape of a beachfront estate but quickly expanded into a multiphased architectural and landscape transformation led by DWY Landscape Architects.
Serving as the catalyst for the renovation, DWYLA introduced a cohesive vision where every detail—from custom stair and railing design to curated furniture selections and branded elements—was meticulously considered.
The result is a modern sanctuary that honors the home’s architectural ethos while layering in lush planting, refined courtyards, water features, and expansive outdoor living spaces.
More than a garden, Aquadisia is an immersive experience that unites house, landscape, and shoreline into a seamless expression of contemporary luxury.
Aquadisia | Completed Residence
SOUTH WARBLER
Location: Bird Key
Completed: Phase I: 2012 - Phase II: 2017
Architect: Guy Peterson OFA
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 upon an earlier award-winning commission by DWY Landscape Architects.
The initial phase introduced layered plantings and vertical elements—pavilions and pergolas—that softened and concealed the residence within its setting.
Following architectural renovations, the second phase refined the dialogue between house and garden, cultivating a sophisticated indoor–outdoor living experience for the owners and their guests.
The result is a landscape that extends the owners’ passion for art and architecture into the outdoors, blending sculptural expression with spaces designed for an active, modern lifestyle.
South Warbler | Completed Residential Garden
South Warbler | Completed Residential Garden
South Warbler | Attention to Detail in
CITRUS AVENUE
Location: Downtown Sarasota
Completed: 2018
Architect: Leader Design Studio
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.
SHIBUSA
Location: Siesta Key
Completed: 2021
Architect: Hive Architects
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.
Shibusa | Completed Residential Garden
Shibusa | Completed Residential Garden
MOURNING DOVE
Location: Bird Key
Completed: 2022
Architect: Guy Peterson OFA
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 Barragán 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.
Mourning Dove | Barragán-Inspired Fountain
Mourning Dove | Florida-Inspired Garden with Barragán Fountain
CASA ENCANTO
Location: Harbor Acres - Sarasota
Completed: Estimated 2026
Architect: DSDG
Located on the water overlooking Sarasota Bay, this project is about the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces for entertainment.
DWY designed the pool area with a plunge pool, dance deck, band pavilion, sunken seating, and lounge space to flow out from the bar on ground level.
The material palette spills from the inside with the same dark porcelain used on all of the pool and driveway areas.
The entry and motor court were also designed by DWY to be functional and accommodate large gatherings.
Every aspect was refined with precision to align with the owner’s uncompromising standards.
Casa Encanto | Rendered Perspective of Pool and Outdoor Amenity Spaces
Casa Encanto | Rendered Perspective of Parking and Driveway
Casa Encanto | Rendered Perspective of Approach and Driveway
COLMAN RESIDENCE
Location: Harbor Acres - Sarasota
Completed: Estimated 2026
Architect: Sweet Sparkman Architects
Located on the water overlooking Sarasota Bay and Selby Botanical Gardens, this project is about the art of living and joy of modest, mid-century design.
DWY was selected to create a landscape design that would elevate the overall connectivity of the home to its site while also providing privacy from the larger neighboring homes. To this end, the pool became the central focus for the waterfront since the owner was not a swimmer and admitted she would very rarely use the pool. The terrace that overlooks the pool creates a moment with the visitor once they realize the pool is equal parts art and fun.
Much attention was given to the entry sequence so visitors would easily find their way to the front door which is set back into the property. Prior to arriving at the front door, one experiences the sculpture garden adjacent to the motor court, the compressed space between the garage and guest suite before arriving at a linear reflecting pool that allows the beautiful form of the pool to be reflected in the dark water.
Colman Residence | Rendered Perspective of Residential Entrance
MORALES RESIDENCE
Location: Siesta Key - Sarasota
Completed: Estimated 2026
Architect: Sweet Sparkman Architects
DWY has been working on this estate project for two years now creating a family compound that provides everything a young family could want and more.
Due to the nature of the owner’s business, security was carefully studied requiring all cars entering the property to go through two vehicular gates.
The undulating entry drive teases the experience of place by drawing out the distance and keeping the eye focused on the landscape until the last moment of arrival at the port-cochere.
DWY designed the elevated pool, water gardens, boardwalk through coastal hammock, beach garden, basketball court and other spaces to engage the owner and provide exploration for their children.
Schematic Design | Site Master Plan
Morales Residence | 3D Renderings of Conceptual Design Study
500 HARBOR COVE
Location: Siesta Key - Sarasota
Completed: Estimated 2026
Architect: Derek Pirozzi
DWY has been working on this estate project for two years now creating a family compound that provides everything a young family could want and more.
Due to the nature of the owner’s business, security was carefully studied requiring all cars entering the property to go through two vehicular gates.
The undulating entry drive teases the experience of place by drawing out the distance and keeping the eye focused on the landscape until the last moment of arrival at the port-cochere.
DWY designed the elevated pool, water gardens, boardwalk through coastal hammock, beach garden, basketball court and other spaces to engage the owner and provide exploration for their children.
“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 of Honor
Bayshore Food & Wine
Award of Merit
Lido Beach House
SRQ Magazine Home of the Year
Platinum Landscape Design
Shibusa
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
Veranda 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
