Landscape is often introduced late in the design process, treated as a layer that softens edges or fills space between buildings. In residential environments where density and efficiency drive decision making, that approach can limit how a community functions and feels. When landscape is considered early, it becomes a framework that shapes movement and strengthens the relationship between architecture and daily life.
At Parkview Place, landscape plays a central role in how the community is structured. The courtyard functions as a spatial core and integrated amenity that anchors circulation and establishes orientation from the moment residents arrive. Visual connections extend directly from the primary entry into this shared outdoor space, allowing openness and light to guide movement through the building. Circulation paths consistently relate back to the courtyard, creating natural transitions between public and private zones.
This approach is especially meaningful within an affordable housing context, where efficiency is critical and every design move must serve multiple purposes. By allowing landscape to organize circulation and community space, the architecture gains presence without added complexity. The courtyard supports daily interaction while also providing light, air and visual relief, contributing to comfort and livability for residents.
A similar planning mindset is evident at Metro19, where open space and movement work together within a more complex, transit-adjacent environment. A central courtyard acts as a reference point as residents move through the building, with walkways aligned to maintain consistent sightlines and orientation. Circulation remains closely tied to shared outdoor space, allowing movement to feel natural while maintaining a strong connection to light and air throughout the building.
On a broader scale, Hillstone Residences at Canyon Trails demonstrates how landscape can support organization across a larger residential setting. Within a build to rent environment, density places pressure on how open space is distributed. Landscape helps guide movement and shape relationships between units, streets and shared amenities, allowing residents to navigate the community comfortably even within a more uniform building pattern.
Across these projects, landscape is not decorative. It operates as a functional planning tool that shapes relationships between buildings, movement and shared space. When landscape and architecture are developed together, residential communities benefit from stronger organization and long-term performance. As sites continue to tighten and programs grow more layered, landscape remains one of the most effective ways to organize residential environments in a way that supports daily life over time.
These projects were featured in Volume 15 of our inspire magazine. Check it out here!
