Kirsten McIntyre Designs
Throughout my extensive travels, I have discovered that experiencing landscapes that embody a sense of place and cultural significance is profoundly energizing.
Universal design principles exist globally, allowing for the incorporation of local flora and hardscape materials to create authentic designs that resonate with the local environment. Respect for natural resources is paramount. For instance, Florida’s aquifers are strained by its growing population, prompting developers and the landscape industry to adopt plants that require less intensive irrigation.
Each plant possesses a unique story, contributing to the vibrancy and life of a landscape. Flowers and blossoms not only enhance aesthetics but also attract pollinators, birds, and butterflies, fostering a harmonious ecosystem. I firmly believe in the importance of education and have engaged in numerous discussions emphasizing the significance of wellness, native plants, and sustainable landscaping practices.
My portfolio showcases designs that align with client preferences, accompanied by detailed descriptions of the design process and objectives. It also includes plant selections and ecological considerations tailored to the specific region. Additionally, photographs demonstrate the successful implementation of these designs.
The collaborative relationships and conversations I foster with clients and colleagues have made my profession immensely fulfilling.
Residing in Central Florida, I am eager to assist you in designing a captivating landscape that reflects your vision and harmonizes with the local environment.
Sincerely,
Kirsten McIntyre
Portfolio
Based in Lake County, Florida
Ecological Plant Designs
Creating beautiful and sustainable landscapes using native plants and ecological principles.
Permaculture Designs
Creating a food system is perfect in Florida. We are very lucky with four growing seasons. With desire, education and attention clients can benefit from a comprehensive landscape design:
Client Relationships
Clients receive encouragement and ongoing support from a designer who has completed every step of the process and knows what it takes. The benefits of working and being outside:
Inspiring gardens I have visited....
Living and traveling around world brings attention to ecological needs and native plants to that area. Sometimes it is hard to see what is right in front of you but when you travel and compare it is obvious.
Cypress
Cypress is an island in the mediterranean which is rich with native plant diversity and innovative use of space for people to enjoy the outside.
Eroded natural bridges around the coast provide photographic moments. Walkways through the dry, hot, salt tolerant plants thrive all over the island.
The State Park visitors center is one of the most innovative buildings I have seen. Using natural light to create beams down into gardens and water features inside. The rooms use metal and rock to create innovative features, walls and seating.
Awareness of light, creation of spaces and repetition of materials is a work of art. And then the education is simple and precise. Loved it.
Eroded natural bridges around the coast provide photographic moments. Walkways through the dry, hot, salt tolerant plants thrive all over the island.
The State Park visitors center is one of the most innovative buildings I have seen. Using natural light to create beams down into gardens and water features inside. The rooms use metal and rock to create innovative features, walls and seating.
Awareness of light, creation of spaces and repetition of materials is a work of art. And then the education is simple and precise. Loved it.
Malta
Chelsea Flower Show - London
Water needs to be brought onto the island of Malta for drinking. Garden's like the one above are rare and expensive to maintain. Most landscaping uses native plants adapted to the conditions.
Every design was incredible at the show. It still comes down to all the basic design rules are followed.
New York High Line
Philidelphia
The Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno.
Britain and Europe
Central Floridas shining example for agriculture and landscaping. I have been multiple times for education and to see examples of best practices.
Creating a food forest in underground caves in a hot and arid area. Ingenious. Not great if you have breathing problems.
Beautiful versitile gardens create places to connect and disconnect. I lived in London for two years and we traveled around Europe. Exceptional landscaping is valued and with the same reasons as in New Zealand easy to grow conditions.
New Zealand
Beautiful loamy soil makes NZ an easy place to grow a garden. Bountiful rainfall year round with a temperate climate. No wonder the Hobbits live there.I grew up on a sheep farm in southland and vacationed all over the country including temperate forests, marine habitats, alpine landscapes, golden tussock grasslands, rivers and lakes. It seems like every house has a garden.
Versailles France
Bok Tower Gardens
Symmetrically laid out in front, techniques are used to make the gardens look larger. Classic style is the most intense to maintain but outstanding to view.
USA
Living in a place gives you a sense of responsibility. If we could use 50% of the green space for native vegetation which creates wildlife diversity instead of mowing all our money away on turf we would enjoy being outside again.
Gentrifying this area of New York the development of the New York High Line on the old railway line is a major destination for locals and tourists. People have an innate love of being in nature.
All over the country municipalities are using native plants to landscape, and creating green spaces because they are necessary for our wellness.
Mobot
I have been going to Missouri Botanical Gardens and Shaw Nature Reserve in St Louis for 20 years and seen it evolve. Doug Tallamy has increased awareness of the purpose of plants and allowed others to get creative. They are an inspiration.