Our Approach:

Simpatico: The Blend of Art and Science

Our aim is to ensure that our work brings out the innate identity of every property.  While we pay meticulous attention to addressing practical needs and maximizing the functionality of a site, we do not engineer its character.  We interpret and react to its inherent characteristics… Its tradition and energy… Its features and shape… Its plant life… Its surroundings.   Proper use -- and understanding -- of your needs, plants, ecosystems, natural resource conservation, cultural resources and sustainable design practices, come together in every design we create.

Whether it is historic locations such as Colonial Williamsburg or the Homestead Resort, or contemporary sites, commercial properties, or memorial gardens, each site has its own sense of design uniqueness.  With every job we undertake, The Hayter Firm takes the time to study the setting closely, looking to capture its personality and your needs. That is why there are no The Hayter Firm “signature properties;” because we work with the site’s existing signature to amplify its visual qualities while maximizing its functionality.

We are Landscape Architects who turn existing qualities into delightful landscapes. Our landscape designs are exceptional because our methods have been honed by years of experience and a commitment to sound creative process. We believe a highly functional design can and should evoke a positive human and personal experience.



Envisioning What Our Clients Want

The Hayter Firm is a small and agile company that views itself as an instrument of discovery, design and implementation. We get to know our clients intimately because we believe that our role is helping you envision the future of your site and then designing a plan that will make that vision a functional reality that evokes a positive experience by those who use the site. With the strategic clarity that comes from always keeping one eye on the desired result, we create designs that are practical yet refined, unique yet timeless.

Our Planning and Design Process

For all sites, we begin with an analysis of client and user needs, and end with observation of the construction process. In between, our process can include everything from construction drawings and specifications, to the design of technical components like drainage, circulation systems, and grading - all in compliance with relevant codes and ordinances. We also create appropriate and inspired planting designs. It all depends on the client’s needs and the site’s character.

While the Hayter Firm is on a continuous quest to create environments that are a sanctuary to the senses, we also know that practical realities must be addressed. That is why our design process includes extensive on-site evaluations and interviews.  Understanding that the layout of a site and its elements will affect the ability of the staff to perform their jobs, as well as its users' ability to enjoy themselves, is just one of the things that distinguishes us from other designers.