Outdoor spaces that blur the line between built form and natural landscape.
In the Sonoran desert, landscape is not decoration — it is the primary architecture. Every project we undertake begins with a deep reading of the land itself: its drainage patterns, its existing vegetation, the way afternoon monsoons sculpt arroyos, and the particular quality of light that shifts across stone and soil through the seasons.
Our landscape architecture practice is built on working with native plantings and water-wise design principles. We compose outdoor spaces using agave, sotol, palo verde, and desert willow — species that belong here, that have evolved to thrive in this place. The result is a landscape that deepens over time rather than fighting against the climate it inhabits.
We integrate hardscape with architecture so that the boundary between interior and exterior dissolves entirely. Outdoor kitchens, fire features, water elements, and shade structures become rooms without walls — spaces that extend the living program into the desert while honoring its rhythms and restraints. Every material choice, from decomposed granite to rammed earth retaining walls, is selected to weather beautifully under the Arizona sun.
Topographic survey, drainage analysis, soil testing, and grading plans that work with the land’s natural contours.
Curated palettes of desert-adapted species — agave, palo verde, ocotillo, and native grasses that thrive without excess water.
Reflecting pools, rain channels, and recirculating water elements that bring sound and serenity to the desert landscape.
Flagstone terraces, decomposed granite paths, rammed earth walls, and paving selections that age gracefully in the desert sun.
Fire features, built-in grills, dining terraces, and lounge areas designed as seamless extensions of the interior program.
Ramadas, pergolas, and architectural canopies that create habitable outdoor space while filtering the intense desert light.
Drip irrigation systems, rainwater cisterns, and passive harvesting basins that capture every precious drop of desert rainfall.
Low-voltage, dark-sky-compliant lighting that reveals the landscape at night while preserving Sedona’s extraordinary stargazing.
Landscape 2.5 Acres Sedona, AZ 2023
A cascading series of native desert gardens and flagstone terraces carved into the hillside, with a central reflecting pool that mirrors Cathedral Rock at sunset.
View ProjectLandscape 1.8 Acres Scottsdale, AZ 2024
An outdoor living sequence for a boutique wellness retreat — rammed earth walls frame intimate garden rooms planted with ocotillo, agave, and native wildflower meadows.
View Project
Landscape 4.2 Acres Flagstaff, AZ 2024
A complete estate landscape featuring passive rainwater harvesting basins, a fire terrace with panoramic canyon views, and an integrated outdoor kitchen beneath a copper-clad ramada.
View Project“The garden should be as considered as the house — and in the desert, even more so.”
Water conservation is fundamental to our practice, not an afterthought. We design exclusively with native and desert-adapted species that require minimal supplemental irrigation once established. Every project includes passive rainwater harvesting — swales, berms, and cisterns that capture monsoon rainfall and direct it to planting areas. Drip irrigation systems are zoned by plant water needs, and we typically achieve 60–80% reduction in water use compared to conventional landscape approaches.
Sedona sits at a unique transitional elevation between the Sonoran desert floor and the ponderosa pine forests above, giving us a rich palette to work with. We frequently use agave (parryi, americana), sotol, red yucca, desert willow, Arizona cypress, manzanita, and palo verde. Native grasses like deer grass and blue grama provide soft texture and movement. We select species based on your site’s specific microclimate, sun exposure, and soil conditions to ensure long-term success with minimal maintenance.
Significantly less than a traditional landscape. Once established — typically after two growing seasons — a well-designed native landscape requires only seasonal pruning, occasional irrigation adjustments, and debris management after monsoon storms. There is no lawn to mow, no fertilizer schedule, and no weekly maintenance crew. We design landscapes that mature and deepen over time, becoming more beautiful with age rather than demanding constant upkeep. We also offer ongoing maintenance guidance through our retainer programs.
At Sotol, landscape and architecture are never treated as separate disciplines. Our landscape architects work alongside our building architects from the earliest schematic phase, ensuring that sightlines, material palettes, grade changes, and indoor-outdoor transitions are coordinated from the start. Floor plans are designed with landscape views in mind. Hardscape materials extend from interior flooring to exterior terraces. The result is a seamless experience where building and land feel as if they were designed as a single gesture — because they were.
Every landscape begins with a conversation about the land, the light, and the life you want to live outdoors. Schedule a consultation to explore how we can extend your architecture into the desert.
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