residential design
MKM has a diverse portfolio of residential projects, from private country and suburban residences, to historically significant spaces, to high density urban housing. We design exterior environments that respond to site context. Our philosophy is to work closely with clients to extend unifying spatial and social structures beyond buildings into courtyards, gardens and surrounding landscapes
BANK STREET TOWNHOUSE
MKM was selected by Round Square Development to assist in converting two brownstones into one grand home in the heart of the West Village. Elevated planters with hedging surround a double wide rear terrace to create a lush private outdoor room in the heart of this historic neighborhood. (Images courtesy of Hayley Day and Round Square Development)
LAKEVILLE CT RESIDENCE
The reimagined landscape surrounding this new home in Litchfield County CT confers both beauty and resilience. A meadow and native plantings along the entry drive and between the house and lake slow stormwater as it flows downhill, and fill the view with color and life.
CANDLEWOOD LAKEFRONT PROPERTY
MKM worked with a team composed of architects and engineers to design and install biodiverse native plant communities along a series of walkways between a new house on Candlewood Road and the edge of Candlewood Lake. The steep property is accessible by way of bluestone pathways and stairs designed to create restful interludes and viewing corridors from different elevations through trees toward the lake.
Candlewood Lake, the largest lake in Connecticut, was hand dug in 1926 to store water for a hydro-electric dam and is diligently monitored by CT DEEP. All planting systems and hardscape materials required review and approval by the state of CT. MKM and Lignin worked to achieve aesthetic and environmental goals.
Private Residence - Greenwich, ct
MKM Landscape Architecture and The Lignin Group LLC collaborated to update the formal gardens of this estate in Greenwich Ct. MKM designed a formal garden with a scalloped boxwood edge. The plant palette uses only white flowering shrubs and perennials. We also designed a vegetable garden, a grill terrace with new paving and a fence upgrade to the pool allowing the lawn to remain open for Kids’ outdoor activities.
Urban Townhouses - Brooklyn, NY
MKM has participated in multiple rear yard garden projects in brownstone Brooklyn. Responding to the neighborhood density and to control views, columnar pine oaks create intimacy and privacy, filtering light through the branches to the garden. Shrubs and perennials embrace and surround the garden.
Salisbury connecticut estate
MKM transformed a 36 acre property in eastern Connecticut. The client requested that their house be more integrated into the landscape and that overall site should be more accessible. MKM divided the property into zones based on their ecological and physical characteristics, and proposed a phased approach to the overall site, always with a goal to visually integrate the architecture of the house with the land, to enhance opportunities for focused and expansive views, and to provide usability and access to portions of the property that were not being used. Some of the amendments were: terrace redesign, driveway re-alignment, meadow management, wetland plantings, grading to promote drainage, design of an entrance gate, planting an orchard, design and building of a tree house.
private residence - Sharon, Connecticut
Barn renovation
private residence - millbrook, ny
private residence - wassaic, ny
Private Residence - Stockbridge, MA
This Berkshire estate evokes the grand residential estates of yesteryear. Stone terraces, walls and stairs are planted with herbs and creeping perennials and serve as an overlook past specialty gardens, sweeping lawns, ponds and waterfalls to distant mountain views.
Skyview on the hudson master plan
The Skyview on the Hudson Board reached out to MKM to provide a Master Plan for overall site unity and upgrade, with a phasing plan for implementation. After extensive site analysis and numerous site visits, MKM provided strategies and design suggestions for the following areas: pedestrian circulation, enhanced vehicular circulation and parking amendments, redesign of the entrance roads and vegetated islands directly in front of the buildings. MKM also upgraded Skyview’s playground, revised the swimming pool area, and added a dog walk for residents.
lakeside retreat
In northwestern Connecticut, MKM developed a former summer camp into a family retreat. The fourteen acre property has three cabins, a single family home numerous outbuildings that were being adaptively reused. The main architectural feature is a former lodge which has been refurbished.
MKM modified overall site circulation and added various recreational venues which include a tennis court, swimming pool and a practice golf area. MKM developed a native plant palette which will be employed to screen surrounding properties, buffer along the access road, and enhance and reinforce site amenities.
Private Country Retreats
MKM designed numerous country estates in the New York metro area that allow the homeowner to experience the full beauty of their native landscape. Projects include installing fencing, driveways, pools, walkways, tree transplanting, garden beds, and perennial gardens.
