A December Prayer – 2022

December 15th 2022 Comments: 3

Walking timidly, toward Christmas not trusting what I know to want or confess. I am humbled by design, by all I’ve gotten and squandered. The destinations I’ve mispronounced. The answer hovers in the air around me too familiar too see. It is “something to pray for” that is haunting me. … [read more]

McALPINE LOVES A GOOD LANDSCAPE

June 3rd 2021 Comments: 2

The outdoor season is upon us and we now find ourselves designing more outdoor spaces than ever before. We’ve always believed the interior and exterior of a home should have a seamless integration and provide areas for entertaining, contemplation and connecting with nature. Size doesn’t matter when it comes to … [read more]

a flight of fancy

August 18th 2016 Comments: 4

A few years ago, I wrote a post about Jim Scott’s enraptured garden located at Lake Martin, Alabama. Last week we posted it again.  Now, thanks to modern technology, you can tour this magical property through aerial eyes.  Enjoy this wonderful short film by Orchestrate:

collaborative efforts: louis fusco landscape architect

July 21st 2016 Comments: 1

Congratulations are in order for one of our talented collaborators. Connecticut based landscape architect, Louis Fusco, was recently awarded the top honor in Connecticut Cottages and Gardens magazine’s 2016 Innovations in Design Award (full disclosure – I was an esteemed judge on this jury but I kept my trap shut … [read more]

gate expectations

June 30th 2016 Comments: 2

Gate Design by Kaiser Trabue Landscape Architects Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate. J. R. R. Tolkien Gates in the landscape often send mixed messages – some welcome, some forbid and still others, protect. All, however, serve as vestibules to the imagination. … [read more]

the re-purpose driven life

May 12th 2016 Comments: 6

Currently, the trendy buzzphrase in the architectural word is “Green Design.” This is basically defined as a philosophy of creating buildings that minimize negative environmental impact. This is accomplished by efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space. When asked if we practice this concept of … [read more]

a towering achievement

April 21st 2016 Comments: 11

In the May issue of Traditional Home magazine, we have a nice spread on a Tudor estate we worked on that’s located in Salt Lake City. We designed extensive renovations and additions to this romantic house but one element on this historic estate consistently captures the hearts of visitors. Nestled … [read more]

loggia life

March 31st 2016 Comments: 7

A loggia, by architectural definition, is a covered exterior gallery or corridor with an outer wall open to the elements, which is usually supported by a series of columns or arches. Narrower than a porch, it’s typically used for traveling from one building to the next tented from harsh elements.   It … [read more]

an architect’s playground

November 12th 2015 Comments: 4

After completing our work, we decided to enjoy the unseasonably temperate weather of the beautiful Fall day with an impromptu field trip. Coincidentally, one of the Northeast’s most famous architectural meccas was very nearby. Famous (or infamous – depending upon who you ask) Architect Philip Johnson starting building what would … [read more]

McAlpine Journal: An Architects Playground

collaborative efforts: page duke landscape architects

April 9th 2015 Comments: 4

On our design paths, we sometimes meet similar souls; recognition sparks and at once, our efforts are made better. Such was the case 20 years ago (wow, time flies) when we met Ben Page and Gavin Duke of Page Duke Landscape Architects. Ours was such a natural marriage, we immediately … [read more]

McAlpine Journal: Exterior
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