Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. was honored to participate in the Academy for Lifelong Learning's lecture series entitled Architecture, The Framework of our Lives. Michael's presentation was called Landscape Design: The Taming of Garden Spaces with Ecological Considerations . Moderating the discussion, held at USF, was Harold Bubil, Real Estate editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Michael taught a class of about seventy people a brief history of landscape architecture in America, conceptual principles of design, principles of sustainability, and an overview of his recent work.

Working with CMSA Architects, two incredible clients, and a dream team of contractors, made completing this South Casey Key residence a true pleasure. The resort style landscape showcases a millstone fountain designed and specified by Michael A. Gilkey, Inc., and several sculptural elements tucked within the landscape. Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. designed a sprawling flagstone hardscape, lagoon style pool, and dense tropical landscape, which combine to create vistas and viewsheds that celebrate this home's Gulf exposure.

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. was excited to announce the launch of their website, www.magilkey.com. Designed by the innovative Atlanta firm Biscuit Studios, LLC , the website explores Gilkey's design philosophy and process, gives an overview of recent work, and introduces key personnel. Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. enjoys relationships with our community's finest architects, builders and designers, and welcomes the opportunity to illustrate how  our design strategy may enhance your project.

Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. was recognized 2009 Distinguished Alumnus from the University of Florida Department of Landscape Architecture . "I was honored to receive this unexpected award, and encourage all graduates to give back to the program and the profession," says Gilkey.  Also honored throughout the evening were Jeff Caster for his service to ASLA, Professor Glenn Acomb as Faculty Member of the Year, and several students of both the undergraduate and graduate Landscape Architecture programs.

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. was pleased to collaborate again with Jonathan Parks Architect in creating a sustainable landscape for this Venice Island residence , architecturally inspired by the principles of origami.  Landscape architect Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. used native plant material and recycled aggregate to create a modern Florida-Friendly garden, and incorporated a custom designed rainwater harvesting eco-fountain in the front yard. The use of turf was limited by using native wildflowers for lawn areas.

It was an honor to collaborate with architect Jonathan Parks in designing this Palma Sola residence , where outdoor living is paramount to the client. The design concept for this project was to interweave the swimming pool and the two new structures to the existing residence through the use of landscape elements to create an emotion that embodies outdoor living. Each of these three structures uniquely relates to the water element within the framework of their individual gardens.

The Cherokee Park West project, a collaboration between Jonathan Parks Architect and Michael A. Gilkey, Inc ., received two prestigious awards in July: the Residential Design Build Magazine 2009 Excellence Award in Outdoor Living, and the Florida Chapter ASLA 2009 Design Awards Award of Honor .  Residential Design Build Magazine honors 'the best in custom home architecture' each year in its Design Excellence Awards Program. Cherokee Park West was one of only twenty projects selected nationwide by Residential Design Build Magazine, and one of only two residential projects honored by the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. completed the collaborative installation of a custom designed architectural glass sculpture for a renovation on Casey Key. The piece was designed by landscape architect Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. and created and installed by Sarah Hinds of Gainesville's Somewhere Glassworks .  Inspired by the home's Gulf frontage views, the five individually sandblasted glass panels present an homage to Southwest Florida's sunsets. The panels are set within stainless steel brushed posts and collars. At night, the panels are uplit with fiber optics through these collars, providing a stunning entry statement to this modern landscape renovation.

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. was the cover story of September’s Ornamental Outlook magazine, a horticultural trade publication with a wide readership in Florida.   An excerpt from the cover story: “According to Gilkey, an award-winning design begins with positive working relationships among the owner, architect, landscape architect, and all other subcontractors and suppliers. ‘Because of these relationships and open lines of communication, we see a true collaborative process that benefits the project through expertise and commitment of everyone involved,’ Gilkey says. While winning awards is nice, Gilkey says there’s no higher compliment than one from his father. 'Dad still critiques every job I do,” he says. “I got a B+ a couple weeks ago, which is the highest grade I’ve ever gotten from him. So, I’m doing pretty well,' he chuckles."

Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. joined a cast of ten designers in October for the Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Institute of Architects event, "10 x 10: Ten Slides by Ten Designers." The designers were challenged to answer the question: What Inspires You? through 10 slides illustrating their inspirational sources. Each slide was no longer than 30 seconds, creating a fun, fast atmosphere for creative dialogue.  The event takes place quarterly at the Art Center of Sarasota.  Admission is $5 for AIA members and $10 for the public.

The Cherokee Park West project was featured on the cover of the November SRQ Magazine. The award-winning project has received national attention, and SRQ took notice. The following are excerpted from the feature, entitled Cherokee Romance. "Architect Jonathan Parks designed the home at 1729 Cherokee Drive with influences of the 1920s, a time when open windows and natural light paid homage to architectural clarity and brought a sense of organic nature to the indoors. But what began as a home designed to pay tribute to the legacy of the quiet, family-oriented Cherokee Park neighborhood became one of the most innovative uses of indoor-outdoor spaces in the city, with Parks and landscape architect Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. meshing their visions into one. 'The thoughtfulness of going through and really tying the landscape and the architecture together, it’s one of the most collaborative projects we’ve done,' Parks says."

All of us at Michael A. Gilkey, Inc . would like to wish you a warm and happy holiday season.  We extend our deepest gratitude to our employees, our clients, our subcontractors, and each of their families for helping to make 2009 a successful year for our company.  We thank our community's architects, builders and designers for maintaining standards of quality that we are proud to compliment.  We look forward to 2010, and to making new and exciting outdoor visions come to life.  Happy holidays!