WARREN AND HEATH

BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS

WARREN AND HEATH

BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS

A prominent lot in an historic Brookline neighborhood stood vacant for years until a new family embarked on building a legacy home that could stand proudly for generations to come. They envisioned a luxuriant lifestyle that allowed flexible opportunities for intimate gatherings with friends, to hosting elaborate events for large groups. As the first member of the design team engaged on the project, MCLD successfully led all initial aspects of due diligence investigations, an iterative masterplanning process with multiple consultants and collaborators, and navigated comprehensive permitting hurdles with multiple agencies.

Prior to construction and in the center of the site, a dying grove of eastern hemlocks infested with wooly adelgid was removed, and other native trees scattered about the site such as oaks, ashes and maples in various states of decline were also assessed. Fallow areas of the lot were comprised predominantly of aggressive invasive plant species such as Norway maple, euonymous, honesuckle, and Japanese knotweed. Trees that were in moderate to good health were protected, and an ambitious planting plan that incorporated a broad mix of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs was developed to establish a healthy and robust new vegetative border around the perimeter of the property.

The formidable new home sits squarely within the heart of the site. Double curb-cuts present a gracious sense of arrival, and despite being a short walk to the hectic bustle of a major urban artery, the landscape works hard to present a countryside-like setting for this grand new estate. Modern amenities such as a pool, spa, and outdoor kitchen are linked together by crisp bluestone terraces, walks, and staircases that provide functional connections between spaces. New plantings provide excellent screening, scale, and dramatic muti-seasonal displays all year-long.

Collaborators: Shope Reno Wharton Architecture, Koulopoulos Vona & Co., Victoria Hagan Interiors, Schumacher Companies, Richard Mandelkorn Photography