Story

This vibrant project featured approximately 180 trees, 3,000 shrubs, and over 16,000 plants across more than 100 species, creating a striking and harmonious layout that softened the building’s stone façade and enhanced both aesthetic and biological diversity. The design spanned 8 on-structure terraces, 2 courtyards, 230 standalone planters, extensive planting beds, and a beautifully crafted one-acre park. Each space presented unique challenges that demanded precision, coordination, and craftsmanship. Sustainability was at the heart of the build, with LEED-focused features including stabilized permeable aggregate surfaces, nearly two dozen bioretention boxes and ponds, 13 irrigation controllers operating across 64 zones, and 18,000 square feet of green roof requiring more than 1,500 cubic yards of lightweight soil. The park and surrounding plant beds required nearly 6,000 cubic yards of material installed across five distinct soil profiles, all tailored to support long-term plant health and performance. Planters made up a significant portion of the scope, with 227 custom pieces in 36 sizes and five finishes installed across 106 apartments, each filled with one of 22 unique planting layouts designed according to sunlight direction and exposure. Due to their size, some planters had to be craned into place, while others were delivered through building interiors and installed with great care. The team worked under a tight six-month timeline, executing many tasks in parallel and often in unconventional sequences to stay on schedule. Harsh early 2024 weather brought multiple snowstorms, freezing temperatures, and heavy rainfall, adding further complexity to the installation process. Areas designated for stabilized aggregate required tenting and heating to maintain the proper curing temperature, and fire watch crews remained on-site overnight to ensure safety. Despite the challenges, Ashton Manor Environmental self-performed 75 percent of the work and delivered a high-quality result that seamlessly blended beauty, functionality, and sustainability. We invite you to explore the attached breakdown for more project insights, highlights, and before-and-after photos that showcase the full impact of this exceptional build.