The Landscape Designers Who Stole the Spotlight at the 2025 ICONIC Design Awards

Going into our third year of this prestigious design competition, ICONIC LIFE saw more than 350 entries across four categories: interior design, architecture, landscape design and product design. We can’t express our gratitude enough for entering our competition. 

The ICONIC Design Awards was designed to embrace integrity and inclusion. Our mission was to create an exciting awards competition with a foundation of integrity. 

Winners were evaluated by an esteemed jury of peers across the country. Entries were submitted and judged anonymously, and the ICONIC LIFE team was not involved in the judging process. There was no popular voting, no required professional association and no advertising requirement to submit an entree. 

Each year, we want this competition to represent the best designers and creatives in our community; it’s open to all professionals. 

To celebrate our outstanding design community–and the winners of our design competition– we hosted an elegant and exciting evening at the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts on October 11, 2025, presented by Monogram Luxury Appliances and emceed by the acclaimed Catherine Anaya. 

Excellence in Landscape Design Front Elevation Design
Gold Prestigious Recognition
SHEARON DESIGN COLLECTIVE

Set beneath a mature tree canopy, this front yard transformation brings a clean, modern sensibility to a home rooted in timeless character. The landscape lacked structure and identity, offering no arrival sequence or visual connection to the architecture.

The design introduces a strong axial layout, framed by crisp artificial turf bands and desert-adapted planting. Low concrete walls and plant massings guide the eye and organize the space.

Two existing trees were preserved and elevated as design features. Uplighting accentuates their branching structure, adding drama and softness at night. A restrained planting palette of agaves, grasses, and sculptural succulents provides visual texture with minimal maintenance.

A custom address monument and breeze block fencing introduce mid-century elements while grounding the design in contemporary restraint.

This project is not about excess, rather balance and scale. Every move is quiet, but intentional. The result is a front yard that feels elevated and enduring.

Resources:
Photography: Ethan Cooper Photography.

Silver Prestigious Recognition
Creative Environments

The Merion Grove’s front yard is a striking testament to refined design, where vibrant annuals artfully frame the home’s facade and guide the eye toward the entrance. The carefully curated floral display provides a dynamic contrast to the architectural lines, infusing the space with seasonal color and life. The focal point of the front yard is an innovative cantilevered fire pit, offering both a functional and sculptural element that enhances the outdoor living experience. Its sleek design not only serves as a gathering space but also adds a contemporary touch, seamlessly blending nature with the modern aesthetic of the home.

Resources:
Builder: Toll Brothers.

ICONIC Award
Berghoff Design Group

Inspired by formal garden design, this project created a front landscape that felt grand and personal. The client envisioned an entry experience with a sense of arrival. The design features a sweeping lawn framed by a central path and anchored by two stately trees, setting the tone for the journey ahead: immersive, intentional and serene.

The patio unfolds into a sequence of intimate vignettes. Fountains add gentle sound, while plantings provide texture and seasonal color.

One of the project’s greatest creative opportunities lay in blending formality with softness. The architecture called for symmetry and structure, while the landscape felt alive and inviting. This balance was achieved through restrained geometry softened by expressive planting and organic forms.

Beyond the patio, lush gardens draw the eye outward, inviting exploration. Every element was designed to support a sense of flow and connection. The result is a front landscape that feels ICONIC and intimate.

Resources:
Developer: Schultz Development.
Architecture: Oz Architects.

Excellence in Landscape Design  Backyard Space For A Lot Up To 10,000 SQ. FT.
Gold Prestigious Recognition
Creative Environments

The Vibe is a backyard experience curated to elevate everyday living into an artful escape. Thoughtfully designed with seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor living, this space blends clean modern lines with warm natural textures, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. A custom pool and spa anchor the layout, while integrated lighting, structured plantings, and layered gathering spaces invite both lively entertaining and quiet reflection. Every detail—from material selection to spatial flow—was intentionally crafted to capture a lifestyle that’s as effortless as it is elevated. This is more than a backyard; it’s a destination.
Resources:
Builder: Camelot Homes.

Silver Prestigious Recognition
SHEARON DESIGN COLLECTIVE

This backyard delivers a complete outdoor living experience for a growing family. The layout balances privacy with openness, carving out distinct program zones while maintaining flow and clarity.

A sunken firepit lounge creates a sense of intimacy and architectural contrast. Integrated lighting and warm materials lend the space a functional and glowing ambiance. A steel louvered pergola overhead introduces bold geometry while providing shade.

A patio connects to the home, offering an outdoor kitchen, a dining table and multiple lounge zones. Material consistency establishes a visual calm while allowing furnishings and lighting to set the tone.

A built-in trampoline and swing bed inject moments of play without interrupting the minimalist aesthetic. Linear lighting was integrated throughout, defining edges and transitions after dark.

This outdoor space is a study in restraint, where comfort, rhythm and clarity take precedence over ornament. The result is a private, modern retreat tailored for everyday living.

Resources:
Photography: Ethan Cooper Photography.

Excellence in Landscape Design  Backyard Space For A Lot 10,000 To 20,000 SQ. FT.
Gold Prestigious Recognition
Berghoff Design Group

This project creates a landscape that feels less like an addition and more like an extension of the home. The vision is centered on convergence, embracing the surrounding desert with restraint and reverence.

Natural tones and materials provide visual and tactile continuity. Large panes of glass frame the garden from within, offering composed views that change with light, season, and movement, transforming the landscape into a living artwork.

At the heart of the project lies a zero-edge pool; its stillness introduces a sense of pause, anchoring the garden in calm reflection.

The design relies on precise alignments. Every element was chosen to speak the same visual language. The result is a unified experience where transitions disappear.

The project allows the home to move with the desert rather than resisting it. Shade, shadow, and soft breezes become essential design components. This project isn’t defined by contrast, but by cohesion. 

Resources:
Builder: Vista General.
Architecture: Biegner- Murff Architect.
Interior Design: Bohemy Dezign Houz.

Silver Prestigious Recognition
Homesmith Design

The pool area underwent a complete refresh, featuring new waterline tile, pavers and coping stone. A cold plunge and cedar sauna were integrated into the plan, completing the experience.

A restrained color palette, modern forms and layered organic materials create a harmonious ambiance, turning a typical outdoor space into an inviting escape.

Resources:
Interior Design: Madison Leyvas.

Excellence in Landscape Design Backyard Space For A Lot More Than 20,000 SQ. FT.
Silver Prestigious Recognition
Esther Boivin Interiors

The client envisioned a backyard retreat that integrated dynamic and function into a cohesive, visually striking space. Key features include a pool, bocce ball court, sunken dry bar, putting green, party lawn, dining area, courtyard, hot tub, and a firepit for 12. 

Unifying distinctive features into a harmonious backyard with intentional symmetry and elegance was a challenge. Extending architectural lines from the main home, great room, and casita established guiding axes, seamlessly balancing and connecting all functional zones.

The pool features a floating stone walkway flanked by shallow lounging areas with playful jets. The path leads to a Baja shelf framed by water loungers and umbrellas.

The sunken entertainment zone features sectionals, a firepit, a TV, and an outdoor kitchen. 

A large fire pit with custom metal art creates a focal point. Nearby, a deck borders the casita and spa, while a courtyard with a fireplace anchors the retreat.

Resources:
Builder: Madison Couturier Custom Homes

ICONIC Award
Creative Environments

The Merion Grove is a striking exploration of shape and form, with circular motifs featured throughout the design. A one-of-a-kind Phoenix metal artwork adorns the outdoor kitchen area, serving as an artistic focal point to the space. The custom outdoor kitchen, framed by a sleek slatted structure, includes an EVO grill, BBQ, and bar area, blending both functionality and style. The Lautner-edge pool serves as a central feature, complete with a striking circular rain curtain that flows seamlessly into the water. At the end of the pool, a sunken fire retreat echoes the design’s circular theme, with both the structure and the firepit featuring bold circular elements. A circular peekaboo window offers a subtle view into the spa, further enhancing the fluidity and cohesion of the space. This thoughtfully crafted design creates a harmonious balance of art, functionality and luxury.

Resources:
Builder: Toll Brothers.

Gold Prestigious Recognition
Creative Environments

The Windgate, a thoughtfully designed and expertly crafted project, exemplifies refined outdoor living. At the heart of the design is an elevated black pool, seamlessly integrated into the landscape, complemented by carefully considered water features that flow gently into the pool. These elements are intentionally kept low to preserve and accentuate the breathtaking views that surround the property, enhancing the natural beauty rather than obstructing it. A cantilevered deck, featuring a modern fire pit area, serves as a striking focal point, offering a warm and inviting space for gathering. The design is further elevated by a raised deck adorned with custom metal structures and a luxurious daybed, creating an intimate yet expansive retreat that blends seamlessly with the environment.

Resources:
Builder: Toll Brothers.

Excellence in Landscape Design Pool/Water Feature
Gold Prestigious Recognition
Berghoff Design Group

This project began with a strong architectural prompt: a brutalist structure with hard edges, bold forms and little tolerance for excess. The goal was to design an integrated pool that would bring softness, balance and subtle movement.

The pool was nestled along two sides of the home. The design makes the pool visible from key rooms and experienced as a continuous element from multiple vantage points.

The layout unfolds in quiet layers. One side features a shallow expanse with in-pool loungers, as the pool wraps around the corner of the home; its tone shifts to deeper water and a spa tucked along a secluded edge. A slim path bisects the design. A zero-edge detail allows the water to meet the concrete hardscape without interruption. 

The pool was designed to feel like it had always been there. The challenge was creating impact through restraint, using alignment and proportion rather than ornament.

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Silver Prestigious Recognition
Creative Environments

The pool at The Windgate is a striking feature that embodies both elegance and serenity. The slightly raised, dark pool creates the illusion of water flowing seamlessly into the horizon, enhancing the expansive views that surround it. Short water features flow gently into the pool, thoughtfully integrated to provide soothing sounds of cascading water while maintaining an unobstructed view of the landscape. This design element not only amplifies the sense of tranquility but also enhances the connection between the pool and its stunning surroundings, creating a harmonious and visually captivating outdoor space.

Resources:
Builder: Toll Brothers.

ICONIC Award
Creative Environments

The water feature at Merion Grove is a custom circular rain curtain, suspended gracefully above the Lautner-edge pool by elegant metalwork. The water flows effortlessly into the pool below, creating a captivating visual and soothing soundscape. The metal framework, integral to the design, provides a striking contrast to the flowing water, adding both structural beauty and a modern touch to the feature. This carefully crafted element serves as a bold focal point, enhancing the tranquil ambiance while seamlessly integrating with the surrounding landscape to create a harmonious outdoor experience.

Resources:
Builder: Toll Brothers.

Excellence in Landscape Design Courtyard
ICONIC Award
Creative Environments

This courtyard is the soul of the home, blurring the line between architecture and landscape. Designed to anchor the residence from within, it creates a moment of arrival while also serving as an oasis.

At the courtyard’s heart, a fountain surrounded by seasonal planters sets the tone for tranquility and elegance. The brick pathway guides movement, creating symmetry and rhythm while balancing formality with warmth. 

Every angle is framed with intention. Pocket doors from the great room, dining room and entryway open, inviting the outdoors in and making the space as livable as it is beautiful. A fireplace clad in brick provides a focal point for gatherings and cozy evenings.

A secondary entry through a breezeway provides an alternative path for guests. The design celebrates symmetry without rigidity, offering structure and softness.

This courtyard is a masterclass in indoor-outdoor living; it’s a space that breathes, connects, and elevates. 

Resources:
Interior Design: Trent Hancock, Camelot Homes and Pacific Dimensions.
Architecture: Bob White, Forest Studio.

Silver Prestigious Recognition
Creative Environments

The Merion Grove’s courtyard is a testament to the seamless integration of design and nature, continuing the theme of circular shapes that define the overall aesthetic. A slatted metal cutout frames the television area, offering a contemporary yet timeless focal point. The surrounding bright greenery enhances the space, creating a lush, welcoming oasis that invites relaxation. This verdant enclosure offers visitors a tranquil escape, where the interplay of architectural elements and nature creates a serene, intimate atmosphere. The thoughtful design strikes a balance between modern sophistication and the calming influence of vibrant plant life, creating a perfect retreat within the heart of the home.

Resources:
Builder: Toll Brothers.

Excellence in Landscape Design Garden
Silver Prestigious Recognition
Refined Gardens

This outdoor living space exemplifies contemporary elegance and serene functionality. The design flows seamlessly from one area to the next, creating a cohesive and inviting environment. A pathway, lined with greenery and elegant urns, leads the way to the centerpiece of the space. The water cascades from the edge of a white wall, creating a tranquil backdrop and a refined atmosphere.

A lounge area beckons guests to relax and unwind in style. A grand chandelier overhead enhances the setting’s opulence, while the views of the landscape elevate the experience.

The firepit provides the perfect spot to gather, share stories, or simply take in the beauty of the sky. With its clean lines, thoughtful design, and harmonious integration of natural elements, this project transforms any outdoor area into a sophisticated escape, blending comfort and style with the beauty of the natural world.

Gold Prestigious Recognition
Floor Associates 

Within the Ascent at The Phoenician community at the base of Camelback Mountain, the Mountain Club serves as a tranquil oasis. Inspired by the legacy of early Arizona resorts, the landscape design honors the desert while elevating it into an experience of sculptural beauty, filtered light and sensory richness.

Stone-clad terraces lift the amenity deck 15 feet above the street, providing uninterrupted views of Camelback Mountain. Within this landscape, a desert garden emerges.

The pool is defined by integrated date palm planters, providing shade and creating submerged benches for lounging. Around the perimeter, nine Ironwood trees offer privacy and enclosure.

The arrival provides a moment of decompression. Residents pass beneath a canopy of trees and cacti, arriving at a private courtyard at the mountain’s base. Low garden walls and planted terraces showcase masses of cacti.

The landscape fosters connection, delivering an experience of desert living framed by the region’s beauty.

Resources:
Builder: R.J. Gurley Construction.
Interior Design: The Refined Group.

A design challenge was integrating multiple spa functions into a compact footprint. The solution lay in compression and concealment.

The result is a complete spatial experience. It is a place where architecture and ritual meet and simplicity becomes the most potent form of luxury.

Silver Prestigious Recognition
Jaque Bethke Design

With four young children, the clients dreamed of an outdoor space that was not only visually appealing but also livable. The design team responded with a bold yet balanced approach, anchoring the space with a custom 60-by-40-foot pergola that creates flexibility for both sun-filled days and intimate evening gatherings.

The pergola’s strong geometric language informed the landscape design. A custom metal standing seam roof shelters the outdoor kitchen and dining area, ensuring the space is usable in unpredictable weather.

A masonry privacy wall doubles as a fireplace feature. The family-focused brief came to life through a built-in trampoline, basketball court, and layered conversation areas.

This home is an architectural gesture of connection. It embodies a vision that deepens the experience of nature through design.

ICONIC Award
Creative Environments

The Merion Grove project showcases the seamless integration of cutting-edge design with timeless elegance. A standout feature of this project is the kitchen’s outdoor metal slatted structure, thoughtfully designed to combine both functionality and sophistication. The structure, painted in a rich gold with sleek black accents, adds a touch of warmth and opulence to the space. The innovative use of these materials not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also creates a striking contrast against the natural surroundings, establishing a refined yet inviting atmosphere perfect for both entertaining and relaxation.

Excellence in Landscape Design On The Boards For a Lot Up to 10,000 SQ. FT.
Gold Prestigious Recognition
Creative Environments

The Symmetry III is a modern outdoor retreat that makes the most of a uniquely configured space through thoughtful and deliberate design. The layout presented an engaging challenge, requiring every inch to be utilized effectively without compromising on style or function. At its center, a sunken fireside retreat sits elegantly between the pool and patio, creating a seamless connection between key gathering areas. The T-shaped pool is both striking and efficient, offering generous swimming space while fitting naturally within the landscape. With features like a tranquil Baja shelf and suspended hanging chairs at the far end, the design maintains a sleek, contemporary aesthetic that feels expansive and inviting, despite its compact footprint.

Resources:
Builder: Shea Homes.

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Excellence in Landscape Design On The Boards For a Lot 10,000 to 20,000 SQ. FT.
Gold Prestigious Recognition
Creative Environments

The Symmetry II is a seamless blend of architectural precision and serene outdoor living. This refined outdoor environment is centered around a linear poolscape, where cascading water features and a raised spa with integrated fire elements add a dramatic yet balanced focal point. An elegant lounge deck floats above the water’s surface, inviting relaxation, while the surrounding design layers textures of stone, greenery, and structured plantings for a clean, modern aesthetic. The fully outfitted covered patio—with its built-in grill station, dining space, and television—creates an ideal hub for both quiet evenings and effortless entertaining. Every detail of Symmetry II is designed to echo harmony, from the alignment of architectural forms to the tranquil flow of water.

Resources:
Builder: Shea Homes.

ICONIC Award
Berghoff Design Group

This project was designed to feel like a breath of fresh air. Though set on a generously scaled property, the goal was to create an intimate landscape, offering moments of delight, softness, and structure beneath Arcadia’s signature sunlight.

The arrival experience sets the tone. A paved drive creates an entrance. The property then opens into a sequence of “garden rooms”, offering rhythm and charm.

White blossoms and lavender recur throughout, tying the garden together. Green shrubs provide form, while regional selections bring a sense of place.

At the rear, the landscape shifts in tone. A sports court encourages play, while a large pool mirrors sky and structure. 

Creative solutions focused on balance. The result is a landscape that feels both cultivated and carefree.

This space is a living experience. A landscape that supports movement, memory, and ease, while honoring the beauty of the desert.

Resources:
Builder: Arcadia Custom Builders.
Architecture: Stratton Architects.

Excellence in Landscape Design On The Boards For a Lot More Than 20,000 SQ. FT.
Gold Prestigious Recognition
Creative Environments

Introducing The Edge V—a bold yet harmonious outdoor living experience defined by a refined play on geometry. Circles emerge as the central motif, echoing throughout the space in both subtle and striking forms. From the sculptural infinity-edge pool that curves into the horizon to the rounded spa and softly contoured lounge zones, each element speaks to a deliberate design language rooted in balance and flow. The result is a visually compelling retreat where form and function converge in a modern celebration of symmetry and serenity.

Resources:
Builder: Shea Homes. 

Silver Prestigious Recognition
Berghoff Design Group

This landscape was envisioned as a space for presence. The goal was quiet luxury: a garden-forward experience where deep greens, cool grays, and fluid transitions invite a slower pace.

The design centers around a long pool flanked by fountains. Water and fire elements are layered with subtlety, building a meditative rhythm. Hardscape materials anchor the space, allowing plantings to take the visual lead.

Sculpted hedges and clipped forms create structure, while looser, textural layers fill in the negative space. Every planting decision was made to support flow.

Key features include an outdoor shower and lounge areas. Seating feels intuitive, never staged, and each zone encourages pause.

Along the far edge of the site, a sports court introduces energy into the layout. Rather than disrupt the atmosphere, it completes it.

Through a restrained palette and layered composition, the space supports stillness and vitality. The result is beautiful and livable.

Resources:
Builders: Arcadia Custom Builders.
Architecture: Stratton Architects.

ICONIC Award
Creative Environments

The Signature at Black Mountain is a bold expression of modern desert architecture, where minimalist design meets luxurious outdoor living. At the heart of the residence lies a sprawling, geometric pool that defines the space—featuring a striking triangular spa and a dramatic sunken fire retreat that floats within the water, creating a visual and experiential centerpiece. The architecture embraces a brutalist influence, softened by refined textures and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Native desert landscaping and sculptural elements enhance the setting, while an open-air kitchen and lounge area provide the perfect backdrop for both elevated entertaining and quiet retreats.

Resources:
Builder: Shea Homes.