World Landscape Architecture Month Spotlight - Kuppe’s Landscape Services

Crafting Outdoor Excellence: The Designers Behind Kuppe’s Landscape Services 🌱

For almost 50 years, Kuppe’s Landscape Services in Detroit, MI has been shaping outdoor spaces with a commitment to creativity and craftsmanship. From elegant gardens to functional landscapes, their team of designers and architects transforms visions into reality.

For World Landscape Architecture Month, we spoke with them about their inspirations, go-to materials, favorite projects, and the latest industry trends. Check out the full interviews below:

What inspired you to become a landscape architect/designer

I've always been intrigued with architecture and nature, so landscape design seemed to be the perfect fit.

How would you describe your design philosophy in one sentence?

Creating an aesthetically pleasing usable space tailored to each of my clients needs.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on and why?

I don't have one single favorite as I've designed thousands of projects during my career. I've enjoyed many aspects of each project I've worked on.

What elements or materials do you love incorporating into your designs?

Natural stone, lighting to create a completely new view of the landscape as the day fades.

What trends in landscape architecture/design excite you the most right now?

Incorporation of modern landscape design to go along with the more modern architecture of the homes currently being built. Clean lines, hard edges, large uniform massing of plantings.

Who has been a major influence or mentor in your career?

The owners of most of the companies I've worked for have helped guide me to where I am today. Most recently my 20 year run with Mark Kuppe has helped me and Kuppe's as a whole achieve the goals set out.

Anything else you’d like to share about your journey or the field of landscape architecture?

It's been great to be in a career that's on the forefront of technology. Starting out my career with hand drawn plans and renders and moving to CAD, 3D designs and full site renders, I'm excited to see what can be done next.

What inspired you to become a landscape architect/designer?

I grew up surrounded by forests, rivers, lakes, and gardens, and learned gardening and landscaping from my grandmother as soon as I was able to walk. I've done many forms of design throughout my career, but my connection to nature has always kept me close to landscaping.

How would you describe your design philosophy in one sentence?

With every project I approach, my goal is always to create a space that brings joy to the client and anyone who visits their space.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on and why?

We installed a new front yard for a client in Grosse Pointe, with several constraints, including a lot of shade, a new masonry path that was previously installed, and several existing plantings and garden objects that the client wanted to keep. What I loved about working on this project was ascertaining how to create a new space with appropriate shade-loving plants, while also incorporating all of the elements the client wanted to keep. I believe a collaboration usually yields a stronger result.

What elements or materials do you love incorporating into your designs?

I am happiest with a design that invokes and imitates the natural world, like you would find in a Japanese garden. Combining hardscapes like boulders with plantings that grow around them, maintaining natural shapes to groupings of plants. If a completed project looks like it has been there forever, then I consider it a success.

What trends in landscape architecture/design excite you the most right now?

I love that more and more people are focused on incorporating pollinator-friendly plants. It's so important to ensure that the local ecosystem where we work is sustainable.

Who has been a major influence or mentor in your career?

I have learned so much about design and local horticulture from Adam Blumerick right here at Kuppes!

Anything else you’d like to share about your journey or the field of landscape architecture?

I think landscape architects and designers are fortunate to be able to interact with technology while designing, and then get to "play in the dirt"!

To see more projects and current designs, follow Kuppe’s on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.