Elysian Landscapes: Crafting Artistic Outdoor Environments
Artfully blending nature and architecture to create sustainable, vibrant garden retreats.
Elysian Landscapes: Reimagining Outdoor Living
Elysian Landscapes is a renowned landscape architecture firm based in Los Angeles, celebrated for its innovative, artistic approach to outdoor space design. Their reputation for crafting one-of-a-kind environments for dining, lounging, and entertaining has led to a diverse portfolio that balances aesthetic expression with sustainability and client experience.
Philosophy and Approach
The firm draws deep inspiration from the tradition of outdoor living within Californian architecture, promoting a dynamic relationship between built space and nature. Elysian Landscapes encourages clients to expand their living experience outdoors, using landscape as an extension of architecture. Their process emphasizes close collaboration with clients and architects, ensuring each project is uniquely tailored to lifestyle, context, and the site’s natural assets.
- Hands-on Design Process: Throughout construction, Elysian Landscapes remains actively engaged, handling every aspect from material selection to plant palette_implementation.
- Artistic Collaboration: The partnership between artist and builder Judy Kameon and architect Dana Bauer fosters a blend of environmental problem-solving with visual creativity.
- Sustainability: Embracing eco-conscious practices, the firm integrates native plants, efficient irrigation, and low-impact materials to create enduring landscapes.
History and Evolution
Founded in 1996 by Judy Kameon, Elysian Landscapes began as a personal adventure—a creative response to an empty dirt lot beside a bungalow in Santa Monica. The firm quickly transitioned from residential beginnings to gaining commissions on significant commercial projects, including fashion boutiques and hotel grounds. Over time, their focus expanded to community-driven and socially impactful landscapes, including permanent housing for veterans and therapy centers partnering with leading architecture firms.
Team and Leadership
| Key Member | Role | Background | Special Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judy Kameon | Founder, Lead Designer | Painting graduate from UCLA; decades of landscape design experience | Develops expressive, artistic gardens; lectures, authors books; plain air furniture line |
| Dana Bauer | Architect, Partner | SCI-Arc faculty; focuses on urban experience and ground-level engagement | Conceptualizes new models for urban landscapes; cross-disciplinary collaborations |
| Noah Paradise | Designer | Collaborator in innovative landscape solutions | Joins in complex, joyful design processes |
Multi-Disciplinary Expertise
- Artists and designers integrate visual arts principles into landscape layouts.
- Contractors deliver high-quality, hands-on construction at all project scales.
- Architects and horticulturalists collaborate on plant selection, ecological integration, and spatial planning.
Owner’s Vision
Judy Kameon’s approach emphasizes color, texture, and the expressive potential of living environments. Her influence-driven design ethos leads to artful gardens, bold plantings, and purposeful outdoor furniture. Kameon’s lectures and published works contribute to the broader discourse on landscape design.
Regions Served
- Los Angeles & Southern California
- San Francisco & Bay Area
- New York City & Mid-Atlantic
The geographic reach of Elysian Landscapes enables the team to apply its design philosophy to a wide variety of climates and urban contexts, tailoring solutions to both coastal and metropolitan environments.
Services Offered
- Residential Landscape Design
- Mid-century inspired outdoor living spaces
- Fluid transitions between interior and exterior zones
- Commercial and Hospitality Projects
- Signature gardens for high-fashion boutiques (e.g., Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs)
- Expansive hotel grounds and resort landscapes
- Community and Social Impact Spaces
- Permanent supportive housing for veterans
- Therapy centers and collaborative urban projects
- Consultation and Collaboration
- Works with architects to integrate landscape holistically into architectural vision
- Guidance on sustainable practices and plant selection
To deepen your understanding of iconic garden designs, check out Landscape Ideas: 8 Iconic Gardens by Dutch Designer Piet Oudolf. This article showcases groundbreaking garden designs that emphasize natural beauty and ecological functionality, perfect for any landscape enthusiast looking to elevate their own outdoor spaces.
Signature Style and Sustainable Practices
Eclectic Use of Materials: Elysian Landscapes is known for bold combinations of color, plant forms, stone, concrete, lighting, and custom furnishings. The firm’s style is often described as maximalist—lush and layered, yet always responding to the climate and setting.
- Colorful Plantings: Vibrant palettes enliven spaces through native and regionally adapted plants.
- Low-impact Construction: Sustainable materials and techniques minimize environmental footprint.
- Lighting Solutions: Artistic outdoor lighting to extend usability and highlight features.
- Custom Furnishings: Outdoor furniture lines inspired by mid-century designs, enhancing comfort and style.
These elements are assembled with careful attention to both ecological resilience and visual delight, balancing sustainability with high design.
Notable Projects
- The Parker Palm Springs Hotel
10-acre grounds showcase the firm’s maximalist planting, signature color, and dynamic outdoor programs. - Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs
Landscapes for LA storefronts blend high fashion sensibilities with Los Angeles climate-appropriate plants. - Hollywood Masterplan
Cross-disciplinary collaboration on a landmark urban design initiative. - Social Impact Projects
Veterans housing and community therapy centers, in partnership with prestigious architectural firms.
Client-Focused Design Process
Elysian Landscapes’ reputation is built on close client relationships and adaptive service. Every project begins with an in-depth dialogue, ensuring the resulting landscape is uniquely suited to the client’s lifestyle and vision.
- Consultation: Collaborative brainstorming and site analysis
- Concept Development: Artistic sketches, spatial planning, material selection
- Implementation: Hands-on management throughout construction and planting
- Aftercare: Guidance on maintenance, sustainability, and seasonal adaptation
Contact and Locations
| Address | 2340 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057 |
| Phone | 213-380-3185 |
| info@elysianlandscapes.com |
Elysian Landscapes also maintains an active community presence on Instagram and regularly participates in design exhibitions and lectures.
Recognition and Activity
- Recipient and nominee for landscape design awards at international levels
- Featured in design publications for unique contributions to both residential and commercial projects
- Engaged in ongoing partnerships with leading architects and urban design studios
Image Gallery
Visual materials typically highlight:
- Lush, colorful plant schemes
- Distinctive outdoor furniture
- Integrated lighting and stonework
- Signature project snapshots: Parker Palm Springs, fashion boutiques, urban gardens
(Note: This article does not display images directly but provides visual descriptions for each featured project.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What distinguishes Elysian Landscapes from other landscape design firms?
A: Elysian Landscapes melds artistic vision with ecological awareness, creating outdoor environments that are both expressive and sustainable. Their hands-on team covers the entire design and build process, ensuring a careful and personal approach to each project.
Q: Does Elysian Landscapes work outside of California?
A: Yes, the firm serves regions including New York City, the Mid-Atlantic, and the San Francisco Bay Area, adapting their design principles to diverse climates and urban contexts.
Q: What styles and influences does Elysian Landscapes incorporate?
A: Influences range from mid-century Californian outdoor living concepts to high-fashion aesthetics, always balanced with sustainability and context-sensitive solutions.
Q: How does Elysian Landscapes approach sustainability?
A: The firm prioritizes regional plantings, efficient water management, and the use of environmentally-friendly materials throughout its projects.
Q: Who leads the Elysian Landscapes team?
A: Judy Kameon is the founding partner, with architect Dana Bauer as partner and other multi-disciplinary collaborators. Their combined expertise drives both creative innovation and practical solutions for diverse landscape projects.
Conclusion
Elysian Landscapes continues to push boundaries in landscape architecture—integrating art, sustainability, and a collaborative ethos to transform outdoor spaces into vibrant habitats. The firm’s ongoing evolution includes expanding service areas, pioneering new models for urban landscapes, and deepening its impact on community and commercial projects alike.
References
- https://landezine-award.com/elysian-landscapes/
- https://www.gardenista.com/firms/elysian-landscapes/
- https://elysianlandscapes.com
- https://elysianlandscapes.com/team/
- https://www.procore.com/network/p/elysian-landscapes-los-angeles
- https://www.zoominfo.com/c/elysian-landscapes/355992749
- https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16373712
- https://www.clodura.ai/directory/company/elysian-landscapes
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