The Edge January/February 2026

CONQUERING CHALLENGES 2025 Judges Award: Transforming a Steep Shoreline Into a Lush Lakeside Retreat

By Jill Odom

THIS CLIENT KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANTED FOR THEIR LAKE Michigan property. Their vision centered on rooms in the landscape that allowed them to live, entertain and connect with nature.

two pool houses were renovated to meet modern lifestyle needs. Along the southern perimeter of the property, Mariani worked with the Park District to replace a dilapidated chain link fence that bordered a public park with a concrete retaining wall and wooden fence. On the other side of the site, mature plantings were installed to provide a sense of privacy as the neighboring home sits at a much higher elevation. The team also encountered unplanned structural changes. Existing tiered walls on the bluff, made of concrete blocks, lacked proper foundations and were listing signifi cantly. These structures were not permitted as retaining walls, so the Mariani team removed and replaced the foundations to remedy the issue. Throughout the project, a four-man crew led by a foreman executed the design installation while Mariani’s project manager coordinated with the subcontractors. Furlan says she was on site frequently, and their purchasing department also ensured plants arrived when site conditions allowed. “It really is wonderful to be part of a team that is all pulling together,” Furlan says. “We can do extraordinary work when we have a common goal.” The finished product turned the client’s concept into a series of livable outdoor rooms that evolve throughout the seasons. TE

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ing civil engineering structures, etc., helped make sure the pieces fell into place. We coordinated with our talented subcontrac tors, who have become trusted part ners. Bringing talented masons, carpenters, irrigation, lighting and pool contractors to the table was key to building this extraordi nary outdoor environment.” SITE CHALLENGES OVERCOME With over thirty years of experience, the design/build team noted that this was the most challenging project they’ve ever worked on. The property had a number of for midable challenges, including a steep topographical change, narrow site access, the reconfiguration of the pool terrace and different perimeter needs on either side of the site. The sharp drop to the shoreline created a vertical landscape that was hidden from the view above. To create an indication that there was more beyond the perennial border from the home’s main level, the team installed two large elm trees at the end of the property to indicate there was more beyond the horizon. Additionally, the Mariani team created foreground, middle ground and back ground tiers to frame the views with the lake always as the star. The original narrow drive entered the property from the southwest, limiting movement for multiple vehicles. A new for mal center drive was created to elevate the arrival experience and anchor the property. The pool terrace was also completely overhauled, transforming from a single run of steps along the north side of the prop erty to a split stair design that descended around both sides of the loggia structure. This not only created an elegant access point but also helped connect the space to the rest of the landscape. Two outdated and poorly constructed pool houses were removed, making way for the refined loggia, while the other

They also understood that they needed their architect, interior designer and land scape company to work closely together. Mariani Landscape, based in Lake Bluff, Illinois, was engaged in the collaborative design/build process from the beginning and ensured each outdoor space was thoughtfully integrated with the architec ture and took full advantage of the site’s dramatic lakefront location. The project took six months to design and two years to install. The end result was a multi-dimensional landscape that earned Mariani Landscape one of the three pres tigious Judges’Awards presented in 2025, which are selected from the highest-scor ing Gold Award winners of the Awards of Excellence. “We were delighted to be recognized,” says Sara Furlan, design principal with Mariani Landscape. “We love what we do. Few people can see the direct results of their hard work. That others see what we created and appreciate it is just great.” NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC In the earliest stages of the project, the team faced the unforeseen hurdle of the pandemic. “Working through the early days of the pandemic using Zoom was the most chal lenging,”Furlan says. “This included having design review, scheduling meetings, and client meetings all on Zoom. We really did not have another option, so everyone made the most of the option.” This also required the inclusion of multiple precautionary measures and the reinvention of certain processes. The Mariani team also had to navigate supply chain issues as they sought the necessary job materials. Furlan says they sourced as much as they could from local vendors. “It meant getting out in front of the construction process and locking in key materials,”Furlan says. “Planning ahead was key, so using our experience with forecast

Awards of Excellence in February.

Photo: Tony Soluri

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