Contemporary New Home Landscape - Caledonia, WI

This custom “Modern Villa,” designed by Genesis Architecture, features a landscape that blends contemporary structure with naturalistic prairie elements. Clean lines, layered plantings, and thoughtful water‑management strategies create a cohesive outdoor environment that complements the home’s striking architectural form.

Genesis Architecture invited us to collaborate on the landscape design for this custom home in Caledonia, Wisconsin, aptly named Modern Villa. Working closely with principal Ken Dahlin, AIA, we developed a landscape that reinforces the home’s bold geometry while introducing softer, ecologically minded elements.

At the front entry, a dramatic angled retaining wall creates a strong architectural moment. At its base, we designed a “prairie garden” that contrasts beautifully with the manicured lawn surrounding the home. This area not only provides visual interest but also serves a functional purpose, capturing and directing water through a dry creek bed.

Moving toward the private outdoor living spaces, the landscape shifts to a more linear, structured aesthetic. Layered plantings along a brick privacy wall—complete with a built‑in outdoor grill—frame the patio and shield it from the street. The patio itself is constructed of full‑range bluestone, with surrounding plantings chosen to complement the home’s modern character. A custom trench drain with a natural patina was integrated into the bluestone to manage roof runoff in a subtle, artful way.

Around the base of the home, simple groupings of boxwood and ornamental grasses set in slate chip mulch maintain a clean, contemporary look. At the property’s edges, sweeping areas of natural prairie create a soft border around the lawn. Native trees and shrubs were incorporated throughout to support local wildlife, enhance privacy, and reinforce the home’s connection to its natural surroundings.