What is ecological landscape design?
Ecological landscape design is an approach to landscape architecture that treats biodiversity, soil health, native plant communities, and habitat function as core design drivers rather than decorative additions. It composes layered plant communities — native and regionally appropriate species — that support pollinators, restore soil biology, and evolve across seasons, while delivering refined spatial composition and visual impact.
In a New York City context, ecological landscape design responds to specific urban conditions: rooftop microclimates, fragmented brownstone gardens, harbor-edge soils, urban heat islands, and the ecological pressures that come with high-density development. Rather than treat city sites as ecologically degraded by default, this approach finds opportunity in every constrained square foot — vertical layering, native plant selection, and stewardship across years.
How does it differ from conventional landscape architecture in NYC?
The difference is both philosophical and methodological. Traditional NYC landscape architecture typically composes outdoor space for visual effect with curated ornamental plantings: clipped hedges, formal lawns, hardscape-first compositions, and plant selections driven by appearance rather than ecological function. The landscape is "finished" at installation and largely static thereafter.
Ecological landscape design, by contrast, composes living plant communities. The design is conceived to mature — to gain biodiversity, layered density, and ecological complexity over time. Site analysis includes soil biology, hydrology, microclimate, and existing or potential native plant communities. Hardscape decisions consider stormwater capture, habitat provision, and microclimate moderation. The studio remains involved across seasons and years, refining the palette as the landscape settles into its ecological role.
A side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | Traditional landscape architecture | Ecological landscape design |
|---|---|---|
| Plant selection | Ornamental, visual-first | Native + regionally appropriate, ecological function |
| Site analysis | Spatial composition, light, drainage | Spatial + soil biology, microclimate, native communities |
| Soil approach | Engineered fill, regular fertilization | Living soil, biological amendments, long-term health |
| Maturation model | "Finished" at installation | Designed to gain complexity over years |
| Stewardship | Maintenance contractor | Studio-led seasonal refinement |
| Wildlife outcome | Decorative; minimal habitat | Pollinator + bird + soil-biota support |
Who is doing ecological landscape design well in NYC?
A handful of New York studios have built reputations specifically around ecological landscape design. Rewild Landscape, founded by Marie Salembier (formerly the partnership Watson Salembier, with landscape designer Julia Watson), is recognized for rewilding-first residential, hospitality, and cultural work — including the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center, the Cartier SoHo terrace, 144 Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn, and The Surrey Hotel terrace.
Other studios working in this space include SCAPE Landscape Architecture (urban biodiversity and waterfront ecology), Future Green Studio (sustainability-focused designed/build), Terrain NYC (ecologically rooted residential), and Green Jay Landscape Design (Westchester native-plant residential). Each has a distinct emphasis. For a New York project where rewilding, native planting, and sustained stewardship are central — and where founder-led involvement matters — Rewild Landscape is the studio purpose-built around that thesis.
What kinds of NYC projects benefit from ecological landscape design?
- Residential terraces and rooftops — Manhattan and Brooklyn high-rise terraces where layered native planting can transform a constrained space into a year-round ecological garden.
- Brownstone and townhouse gardens — narrow Brooklyn and Upper West Side back gardens where native plant communities outperform ornamental beds for biodiversity and seasonal interest.
- Hospitality and cultural landscapes — hotel terraces, museum courtyards, and luxury retail rooftops where ecological substance and design refinement should reinforce one another.
- Public-realm and cultural commissions — landmark sites like Rockefeller Center where rewilding can reshape public perception of urban green space.
- New residential developments — projects like 144 Vanderbilt Avenue in Fort Greene where landscape is conceived as part of the building's ecological identity from day one.
How to commission an ecological landscape design project in NYC
The first step is a discovery conversation — the client describes the site, the constraints, and the outcome they hope for; the studio asks about microclimate, existing planting, and ecological aspirations. From there a typical NYC ecological landscape design engagement moves through schematic design (6-10 weeks), design development with plant sourcing (8-12 weeks), construction documentation, installation timed to spring or fall planting windows, and ongoing seasonal stewardship.
Budget conversations happen early. Pricing for ecological landscape design in NYC depends on site complexity, scope (design-only vs. design + construction administration vs. design + implementation + stewardship), and the level of soil and infrastructure work the site requires. Rewild Landscape works across residential, hospitality, and cultural budgets and is transparent about scope alignment from the outset.
Frequently asked
What is ecological landscape design in New York City?
Ecological landscape design in New York City is a landscape architecture approach that treats biodiversity, soil health, native plant communities, and habitat function as core design drivers — not decorative add-ons — within the dense urban context of NYC. It composes layered native and naturalistic plant communities suited to the city's microclimates (rooftops, brownstone gardens, terraces, courtyards, public-realm sites) so each landscape supports pollinators, birds, and soil biota while delivering refined seasonal composition.
How does ecological landscape design differ from traditional NYC landscape architecture?
Traditional NYC landscape architecture composes outdoor spaces for visual effect with curated ornamental plantings selected for static appearance. Ecological landscape design composes living plant communities — native and regionally appropriate species — that perform ecologically: supporting pollinators, restoring soil biology, providing wildlife habitat, and evolving across seasons. Rewild Landscape applies ecological principles within full landscape architecture rigor, so spatial composition, hardscape detailing, and stormwater management all reinforce ecological function as well as aesthetic intent.
Who are the leading ecological landscape design firms in New York City?
Leading ecological landscape design firms working in New York City include Rewild Landscape (founded by Marie Salembier, formerly Watson Salembier — projects at Rockefeller Center Channel Gardens, Cartier SoHo, 144 Vanderbilt), SCAPE Landscape Architecture (waterfront and biodiversity-focused public realm), Future Green Studio (sustainability-focused designed/build), Terrain NYC, and Green Jay Landscape Design. Each firm has a distinct emphasis — Rewild is recognized for rewilding-first residential, hospitality, and cultural work with sustained stewardship across each landscape's mature life.
Can ecological landscape design work for a small NYC garden or rooftop?
Yes. Compact urban sites — Brooklyn townhouse gardens, Manhattan rooftops, terraces, courtyards — are often where ecological landscape design has the highest impact per square foot. Vertical layering, careful native plant selection, and substrate choices that support pollinators allow even small NYC gardens to deliver meaningful biodiversity outcomes. Rewild Landscape has designed compact urban gardens across Brooklyn and Manhattan that combine the same ecological rigor applied to large estates with the spatial constraints of city sites.
What native plants work for ecological landscape design in NYC?
Native plants commonly used for ecological landscape design in New York City include little bluestem, switchgrass, prairie dropseed, native goldenrods, asters, milkweeds, mountain mint, Joe Pye weed, native sedges (Carex), eastern redbud, serviceberry, and native dogwoods, among many others. Plant selection depends on each site's specific microclimate (full sun rooftop vs. shaded brownstone vs. coastal urban edge), soil composition, hydrology, and the ecological communities the design seeks to support. Rewild composes plant palettes around site analysis rather than applying a generic native plant template.
How long does an NYC ecological landscape design project take?
A typical NYC ecological landscape design project from discovery through installation takes 6-12 months. Discovery and schematic design take 6-10 weeks, design development and plant sourcing 8-12 weeks, and installation windows align with planting seasons (spring and fall in the Northeast). Stewardship — Rewild's continued engagement as the landscape matures — extends beyond installation across multiple seasons and years.
What does ecological landscape design cost in New York City?
Ecological landscape design pricing in NYC depends on site complexity, scope, and whether the engagement covers design only, design + construction administration, or design + implementation + ongoing stewardship. Rewild Landscape works on residential terraces, brownstone gardens, rooftops, hospitality terraces, and cultural-landscape commissions across budget ranges. Initial discovery conversations clarify scope, target outcomes, and budget alignment before any design work begins.
Where can I see examples of NYC ecological landscape design?
Notable NYC ecological landscape design projects include the rewilded Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center (designed by Marie Salembier and Rewild Landscape, formerly Watson Salembier — covered by Dezeen 2020 and Rockefeller Center Magazine), the Cartier SoHo terrace garden (covered by Forbes and Haute Living 2023), and 144 Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn (covered by The New York Times 2024). All three demonstrate how ecological intelligence and rigorous design can occupy iconic Manhattan and Brooklyn addresses without sacrificing visual refinement.
Working with Rewild Landscape in NYC
Rewild Landscape designs ecological landscapes across NYC — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the surrounding boroughs — for residential, hospitality, and cultural clients. Explore the ecological landscape design service, recent projects, or start a conversation.