a boutique design studio by alice amber
Landscape Design
& Garden Elevation
& Garden Elevation
Refined, climate-adapted gardens for private residences, retreat centers, and selected hospitality spaces in Mexico by Alice Amber.
"I help transform existing landscapes into more beautiful, functional, ecological, and atmospheric outdoor spaces — while also creating complete garden concepts for new projects from the ground up."
Elevate Your Garden
to The Next Level
to The Next Level
Many beautiful gardens already exist, but over time they change. Plants grow out of proportion. Views disappear. Circulation becomes unclear. Maintenance becomes heavier. The original composition may no longer reflect the property, the architecture, or the way the space is used today...
My role is to "read" landscapes and transform them into refined, climate-adapted living spaces — with botanical ecology, strong composition, and high aesthetic value.
This process may include:
My role is to "read" landscapes and transform them into refined, climate-adapted living spaces — with botanical ecology, strong composition, and high aesthetic value.
This process may include:
- Refined visual composition
- Improved functional zoning
- Stronger focal points
- Updated plant collections
- Ecological and biodiversity improvements
- More sustainable maintenance logic
- Better integration between architecture, views, and nature
Garden Elevation is not about erasing what is already alive. It is about preserving the strongest elements, refining the composition, and bringing the garden into a more intentional relationship of contrasts, beauty, ecology and function.
1
Functional Elevation
Clarifying how the garden works. This may include entrances, paths, terraces, specific areas and zones, and the relationship between the architecture and the landscape. The goal is to make the garden easier to use, enjoy, and maintain.
2
Aesthetic and Atmospheric Elevation
Improving the garden’s visual identity, composition, style, color palette, contrast, textures, plant layering, and focal points, as well as the entire atmosphere of the space. Creating a mature garden that feels immersive and authentic.
For specific garden areas or the entire property.
For specific garden areas or the entire property.
3
Botanical and Ecological Elevation
Elevating the living system of the garden.
This may include selecting plant collections adapted to the specific climate, light, soil, and maintenance reality of the site. Including elevating the current plant collection to the next level of beauty and composition. Improving ecological sustainability and biodiversity, microclimate quality, seasonal interest, and long-term resilience.
This may include selecting plant collections adapted to the specific climate, light, soil, and maintenance reality of the site. Including elevating the current plant collection to the next level of beauty and composition. Improving ecological sustainability and biodiversity, microclimate quality, seasonal interest, and long-term resilience.
Private Residential Gardens
For homes, villas, and private estates, I design outdoor spaces that support beauty, comfort, privacy, and daily life. It's always a collaboration in between the vision of the owner and the designer.
Temple Gardens for Retreat Centers
For retreat centers and ceremonial spaces, the garden has another role. It becomes a place of inner process, silence, restoration, group dynamics, contemplation, and integration.
I design temple gardens as living environments that support personal transformation and a deeper connection with nature.
I design temple gardens as living environments that support personal transformation and a deeper connection with nature.
3 Steps of
Landscape Design Process
Landscape Design Process
For existing gardens that need a renewed visual, ecological, or functional direction. As well for new gardens or specific areas that need a strong design identity before moving forward.
- Step 1
Landscape Concept & First DraftsThis is the start point, where the designer meets the owner of the land, the architecture, and the space.
We begin by understanding the land, climate, views, existing plants, lifestyle, and desired atmosphere. At this stage, I create the first design direction and scketches.
May include:- Site observation
- Existing space analysis
- Discussing the vision for the garden and space
- Measurements
- Focal point strategy
- Zoning improvements
- Visual references
- Design sketches
- Style direction and garden atmosphere
- Color palette recommendations
- Plant collection strategy
- Concept & functional zones plans
- Reference images
- Conceptual 3D visualization
- Step 2
Functional Landscape ProjectFor those who want to move from concept into a more developed plan.
Once the concept is clear, the design becomes more precise.
This stage transform the vision into a functional project: zones, paths, planting areas, focal points, water elements, lighting, and technical needs. It's the elaboration of the garden elements, shapes, and sizes.
May include:- Detailed functional zoning plan
- Plant assortment pallet according to the general concept and functional zones
- Design details of specific landscape elements such as ponds, garden constructions, etc...
- Material palette
- Irrigation and drainage system plan
- Lighting design
- Calculating the budget for the project implementation
- Coordination notes for implementation and mantanance
- Detailed 3D visualization
- Step 3
Garden Realization & SupervisionFor those who are ready to move the ideas from a paper to the living landscape.
My role is to guide the design vision, protect the aesthetic direction, and help ensure that the final garden remains faithful to the concept.
According to the project, may include:- Collecting/finding best plants according to the project
- Materials and plants delivery
- Construction, structural and engineering works
- Planting plants
- Operating and mantanance recommendations
The time for implementation depends on complexity of the original landscape concept; size and complexity of the existing land situation; availability of materials, weather conditions, funding.
The final stage brings the garden into reality. Depending on the project, implementation may involve gardeners, builders, irrigation specialists, lighting technicians, stone workers, carpenters, and other specialized teams.
Alice Amber
Landscape Designer & Art Director
I'm a professional landscape designer with more than 15 years of experience creating functional and visually refined gardens in demanding climate zones.
My first education is in biology, with a focus on plant varieties and ecology. And this professional path expanded into landscape and floral design, where I developed my own style and approach of botanical composition and artistic expression.
My work combines modern design, ecological awareness, climate-specific plant collections, and the creation of natural yet powerful garden atmosphere.
My first education is in biology, with a focus on plant varieties and ecology. And this professional path expanded into landscape and floral design, where I developed my own style and approach of botanical composition and artistic expression.
My work combines modern design, ecological awareness, climate-specific plant collections, and the creation of natural yet powerful garden atmosphere.
Alice Amber
Landscape Designer & Art Director
I'm a professional landscape designer with more than 15 years of experience creating functional and visually refined gardens in demanding climate zones.
My first education is in biology, with a focus on plant varieties and ecology. And this professional path expanded into landscape and floral design, where I developed my own style and approach of botanical composition and artistic expression.
My work combines modern design, ecological awareness, climate-specific plant collections, and the creation of natural yet powerful garden atmosphere.
My first education is in biology, with a focus on plant varieties and ecology. And this professional path expanded into landscape and floral design, where I developed my own style and approach of botanical composition and artistic expression.
My work combines modern design, ecological awareness, climate-specific plant collections, and the creation of natural yet powerful garden atmosphere.
During my path I've participated in landscape exhibitions and gave many design workshops in France, Spain, Denmark, Japan, Germany, Russia, Malaysia, and has been a champion and winner of professional floral design competitions.
My passion is traveling internationally to explore gardens, design artworks, plant collections, local nature and cultural landscapes.
Today, I create landscape projects in Mexico, with experience in heat-intense tropical gardens on the ocean coast, and a growing specialization in elevating mature gardens in the mountain climate of Valle de Bravo, Estado de México.
My passion is traveling internationally to explore gardens, design artworks, plant collections, local nature and cultural landscapes.
Today, I create landscape projects in Mexico, with experience in heat-intense tropical gardens on the ocean coast, and a growing specialization in elevating mature gardens in the mountain climate of Valle de Bravo, Estado de México.
Designing Across Climate Extremes
"My landscape experience began in places where design was never only about beauty.
In the Ural Mountains and Siberia, gardens had to survive long winters, snow, wind, short growing seasons, and temperatures that could reach extreme cold of -45°C. Every plant choice had to be precise.
Later, working in tropical and ocean climates, the challenges were completely different: salt, heat, humidity, intense sun, sandy soils, and vigorous plant growth.
These contrasting environments shaped my way of designing and seeing lanscapes.
I do not choose plants only because they are beautiful. I choose them because they belong to the climate, the maintenance reality, the architecture, and the heart of the space."
In the Ural Mountains and Siberia, gardens had to survive long winters, snow, wind, short growing seasons, and temperatures that could reach extreme cold of -45°C. Every plant choice had to be precise.
Later, working in tropical and ocean climates, the challenges were completely different: salt, heat, humidity, intense sun, sandy soils, and vigorous plant growth.
These contrasting environments shaped my way of designing and seeing lanscapes.
I do not choose plants only because they are beautiful. I choose them because they belong to the climate, the maintenance reality, the architecture, and the heart of the space."
Author's Supervision
At the stage of garden realization I offer my author's supervision and leading the process at the land.
This allows the process to stay clear: I lead the concept, aesthetics, plant composition, and design direction, while trusted specialists support the technical implementation.
- For garden elevation projects that do not require complex hardscape or engineering work, I can coordinate my small garden team for planting, replanting, botanical updates, and focal point improvements.
- For larger or more technical projects, I collaborate with specialized teams in construction, irrigation, lighting, stonework, carpentry, and installation, depending on the location and project needs.
This allows the process to stay clear: I lead the concept, aesthetics, plant composition, and design direction, while trusted specialists support the technical implementation.
Portfolio. Visual Concepts.
A selection of completed gardens, design concepts, master-plans, and design processes.
Landscape Projects | Before and After
Here you may explore some of my projects in motion. From the stage zero, trough design process into implementation and ready result.
As well my articles about selection plants, materials and design solutions.
- Wild Coast
- Garden Renovation
Let’s Elevate Your Garden
to The Next Level
to The Next Level
"Whether your garden already exists or is still only an idea, I can help you create a landscape concept with beauty, structure, and ecological approach." - Alice
For private residences, retreat centers, and selected hospitality spaces in Mexico.
For private residences, retreat centers, and selected hospitality spaces in Mexico.
A Boutique Design Studio
