1. Harmonious Indoor-Outdoor Living
Design & Construction
In a day in age where trends in garden design seem to appear
and disappear with ever-greater speed, Scott Brinitzer Design
Associates, founded in 1987, creates residential gardens of
timeless beauty using time honored design principles. Gardens ‘Water Feature’ ,Washington DC (photo © Roger Foley - www.foleyfoto.com)
that the firm designs seem to have been in place for years, defy immediate gratification. A small garden can seem to be finished in
style categorization, respect the environment, and reflect the a much shorter period of time then a larger garden as less empha-
style and character of the home with which they are paired. sis is generally placed on plantings and more on built elements.
Larger gardens, such as those created by the firm in Pennsyl-
vania and Delaware, allow the designer to use broad sweeping
lines, bold plant groupings, and borrowed vistas. Part of the beauty
of a large garden is that it can showcase the firms design capabili-
ties with both large and small scale garden design; close to the
house the architecture of the house clearly influences the garden
as is seen in the many built elements, while in areas away from
the house, the garden opens up and becomes a soft, flowing more
romantic garden.
While past garden designs influence the design of each new
garden, no two gardens are ever alike. Brinitzers’ gardens may ‘Front Entry,’ Bethesda Maryland (photo © Roger Foley - www.foleyfoto.com)
have some strong underlying “bones” that may seem similar to
other gardens, but are never copies. Each project or commission
is unique, custom and individual.
A reason that each garden is unique is that the firm has a dedi-
cated and talented design staff that produces custom designs.
Katia Goffin, the longest tenured design team member, origi-
nally from Belgium, brings a tremendous classical European eye
to the firm. Her many gardens can be recognized by bold lines,
strong design intent, and a high level of attention to detail.
Jack Sullivan ASLA has been associated with the firm for
several years. In addition to being a member of the Brinitzer team,
Jack is currently a professor of landscape architecture at the Uni-
versity of Maryland. It is extremely important to the firm to have
Jack as part of the team not only because he is an outstanding
designer, but also because of his access to the academic world
where he works with new technology and is exposed to new ideas
from both his students and from fellow faculty.
Kathy Landis ASLA, brings with her a wealth of knowledge from
her years of design work, and as a project manager, and designer
on major projects for both individual and corporate clients both in
the United States and in Asia.
Scott is the president and founder of the firm. He oversees the
entire design staff and is an accomplished designer with several ‘Dining Garden’, Delaware (photo © Roger Foley - www.foleyfoto.com)
projects to his credit. Born in Europe, but raised in the Washington
area, Brinitzer not only has a strong design sense, but also has
a commanding knowledge of plant material, soil conditions, and
climate unique to Washington. This knowledge is crucial to the
success of the plans produced by the office.
‘Canal Garden’, Delaware (photo © Roger Foley - www.foleyfoto.com)
In addition to the design services provided by the firm, Scott
G ardens that include a favorite plant, that evoke a special memory limited just to Washington. Brinitzer has clients in the Hamptons (Long Island, Brinitzer Design Associates also oversees the construction of its
(a specific color, scent), or that or create a connection to a trip or New York), Delaware, Florida, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), the Northern Neck projects. Plant installation is performed in house by a dedicated
important place visited, become gardens that are especially successful. of Virginia, and Rhode Island. plant installation staff headed by Cara Delany and Walter Chavez,
These gardens are simply not just created for the client, but with the client, Of the many gardens that have been designed, there are clear individual while other trades, such as masons, lighting contractors, pool
each with their own set of priorities for their garden project. favorites but no specific type of garden stands out as better, or more interest- contractors, etc. are supervised by a project administrator who is
In many of the gardens you will see a strong connection between interior ing for the firm. Garden commissions vary greatly in size, location, and style. a part of the Brinitzer team. By being involved in the construction
spaces and exterior spaces. The firm stresses this relationship as a way to Some of the most interesting, and challenging gardens have been the very process, Brinitzer is able to insure that construction and planting
not only draw the homeowner out into the garden, but also to increase the small, detailed city gardens found in Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC. standards meet expectations, and that the design intent is fully
homeowners sense of their living space. Beautiful views, when seen from These gardens are every bit as challenging to design as their larger counter- realized in the built product. Over the years the firm has con-
inside the house, give the rooms in a home the feeling that they are larger parts because they can be extremely complicated. The smaller the garden, the structed hundreds of projects. In that time it has been especially
then they actually are. more careful one needs to be with the design because the details are much gratifying for the team members to see their project go from paper,
While the firm is located in the Washington area and the majority of more evident to the eye. These gardens are extremely rewarding for the team to construction, to reality.
www.Brinitzer.com
gardens have been in the immediate metro area, projects have not been as they allow for the use of quality building materials, tight precise details, and
80 Best of DC Best of DC 12
‘Pool Garden’, Delaware (photo © Roger Foley - www.foleyfoto.com)