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Tom Taylor, APLD
Featured Member, APLD Website, November 2007
Three of my projects illuminate the wide variety of challenges a designer can encounter. One of our main responsibilities as Landscape Designers is to solve our client’s landscape problems, and provide solutions that endure the test of time.
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The first project was for a client who just finished building a beautiful home on a lot requiring a septic system. The client knew the septic field was going to be close to their house, but did not realize that the grade change of three feet sloped up with a 3:1 slope. This created the feeling that a giant mound of earth was right out his back door (he was an accountant and had a hard time understanding the topo plan).
My solution was to cut back into the slope as far as we could without compromising the integrity of the septic field. A dry lay curvilinear stone retaining wall was built to create an interesting view and give the illusion that the wall was further away from the house (only 30’).
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The second project was for a client who wanted to build a pool in their backyard. The challenge was how to deal with the severe setback restrictions (only 57’) and a slope that dropped off 5’ in the last 35’. They also had an existing deck they wanted to keep, but the client was open to modifications.
The solution was to modify the deck by creating a wide (12’) set of steps bringing you down to a terrace created by a retaining wall (5’ht.). A stone sitting wall was constructed to level the different grades and provide a soft transition between the deck and the pool terrace. The owners requested a waterfall that was put towards the far side off the pool with the woodlands as a backdrop.
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The third project was another pools cape where a boulder wall was installed to create a terrace for the pool. Functionally the boulder wall worked well, however visually it needed help. A combination of perennials, grasses and ground covers were planted in between the boulders. Lighting the area has made this hill a relaxing backdrop view for the pool.
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The final project was a complete renovation of an outdoor ”living room” directly off the back of my client’s home. The challenge was to incorporate many features: kitchen, pizza oven, water feature, plenty of seating in a relatively small area (27’ x 38’). Bluestone was selected for the flat surfaces, and a locally quarried stone was used for the vertical surfaces. 
Due to overall size limitations it became critical that the design should allow for all the features and still feel relaxed and easy to flow through. A small space behind the kitchen was transformed into a small kitchen garden which the clients love. The pond with the plants and fish has become a treat for all with the gentle sound of falling water from the bronze scuppers.
Bio:
Tom Taylor is an award winning landscape designer with Caliper Farms in Belle Mead, New Jersey. He graduated from Purdue University, and for the past twenty-five years his main career focus has been in the landscape sector. Tom is a Certified Tree Expert and is a certified landscape designer with APLD. He is particularly fond of natural and native landscapes and gardens, with Russell Page his favorite garden designer. A constant motive is to get his clients outdoors and to enjoy God’s creation. To learn more about his philosophy and work go to WWW.CALIPERFARMS.COM
Certified Members seeking to be profiled should send before and after photos with SHORT design intent statement to:
Bethany Dennis
APLD Communications Manager
Email: communications@apld.org
Phone: 717-238-9780
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