R.P. Marzilli & Company Project

The design team at our architectural partners developed a plan for the extensive renovation of the house and grounds of this Tudor style home to suit the client’s modern lifestyle and preserve the historic character of the home. The estate site is anchored by mature specimen trees that are the critical to the integrity of the design and set the tone of the project – a complex renovation of the estate while maintaining the important character of the existing specimen plant material. This site could not be stripped and cleared during construction due to this necessary preservation. The landscape program included the new driveway and arrival court, and in the backyard bluestone terraces surround an infinity edge pool, a pavilion with fireplace, seating, and kitchen area. Additional stone terraces transition the contemporary architectural updates to the lawn and a sculpture garden. The home, located in a well-established exclusive neighborhood, was also undergoing a total renovation that required 50 to 75 contractors on site daily during the process. The management skills of Marzilli’s Site Supervisor were given the highest praise from the general contractor, the homeowner, and the landscape architect. His ability to navigate and organize multiple crews, trades and large quantities of materials resulted in high efficiency and exceeded the design team’s expectation of quality.

A detailed Tree Retention Plan was developed by our staff arborist and closely followed to minimize disturbance to the mature specimen trees and the critical root zone. The 3 step plan outlined the protection against encroachment, plant health care and maintenance for a period of 24 months from the date of final inspection. To minimize compaction only track skidsteers and excavators with less than 5 psi ground pressure were used on this project.

The hardscape areas were covered by large tent structures built by Marzilli’s crews allowing work to continue during extreme winter weather conditions. These tented areas were heated by infrared heaters during the day and glycol machines at night. As the project progressed access to areas was extremely limited, machines could not be used and hand work was deemed necessary in order to complete masonry areas. Winter storms required frequent snow removal to maintain access to the work zone. As spring approached large trucks operated for 6 days straight to remove snow from the site to allow access and proper conditions for plant material installation. Our crew worked through harsh winter conditions, over 9 feet of record-breaking snowfall, to complete the project on time and most importantly to the client’s satisfaction.