Talking Landscape Design with Ed Hollander

Ed Hollander and his team of Landscape Architects at Hollander Design finely craft landscapes at every scale. At the centre of their approach is an ethos that respects the unique natural, architectural and human ecologies of each new project.

With a synergistic passion for nature-led design that enhances the existing beauty of a project and its natural or architectural setting, it’s always a pleasure collaborate with Hollander Design. In 2016, Ed and his team featured Torus in their contemporary rooftop garden for the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse. They returned to Kips Bay in 2024, this time elegantly blending Quiver with soft perennial planting in their terrace garden.

We caught up with Ed to discover more about his design process and we asked him how he incorporates sculpture into his work.

How did Hollander Design come about? Tell us how you started.

In 1991, there was a terrible recession.  I was at a firm called Clarke & Rapuano in NYC that was being sold.  My old friend from the University of Pennsylvania, Maryanne Connelly, and I had been working on residential projects in the evenings and on weekends, so we thought, ‘Let’s try a new firm on our own.’

We had one employee.  My mother ran the office, and we had a crazy Jack Russell Terrier named Mercury who was the life of the office. Today, I run the firm with three partners, Melissa Reavis, Geoffrey Valentino and Stephen Eich. Each leads studios working on residential, hospitality, urban design and international projects.

Tell us a bit about your process. 

We listen to the land, we listen to the architecture, and we listen to our clients.  These are the three ecologies that guide all our work.

What are the key features or elements of a successful landscape design?

Something that is ecologically sustainable and appropriate and brings joy in a multi-sensory way to our clients. We have worked on many projects, but these elements are always critical to the success of a project.

What role does nature play in your design process? What is the importance of nature to you?

Every project starts with a thorough understanding of the ecological factors that have created the site.  We listen to the land, sculpt it, build on it, and plant it in a way that accentuates the natural beauty of the existing landscape.

Is there a project within your portfolio you feel particularly proud of? Why?

Almost all of them. When we can bring joy to our clients – including the birds, bees and butterflies – and leave the earth a healthier, more beautiful place, it gives us a great sense of pride and accomplishment.

What design materials do you love to work with and why?

We love to build, and we love to plant. We work with stone, brick and wood; we work with the land, and we work with plants that bring life to our landscapes.

What advice would you pass on to aspiring landscape architects?

Follow your passion, whether it’s designing parks and public spaces, rooftop gardens, ecological restorations, private gardens – whatever it is – love it, and you will bring joy to yourself and your projects.

In your opinion, what does sculpture bring to a landscape, and what advice would you give to anyone thinking about commissioning a piece? 

Think of the sculpture as part of the landscape, not just something sitting in or on the landscape.  Sculpture can capture the light and forms of the landscape, accentuating the beauty of both.

What do you love about David Harber sculptures?

David Harber pieces speak to the senses – to the light and sounds of the landscape that help create magic. Many of the pieces reflect the light; they can capture it, bend it, massage it, and bring colour and life to it.  Some of them even seem to dance in the landscape. All these ideas permeate our landscapes and make David Harber pieces so special.

What is your favourite David Harber sculpture?

I have always loved the way that Torus both reflects light and frames views.  I love the way that Quiver dances in the landscape.  I love most of his pieces and look forward to creating beautiful homes for them in our landscapes.