Project Brief
Summary:
The Mocerino Project in Somonauk, Illinois is a masterclass in balancing beauty and complexity, serving as a multi-tiered outdoor living space built directly into the steep hillside overlooking Lake Holiday. This project redefines what’s possible when precision engineering meets timeless design. From its layered stone patios and ambient lighting, to its fire-lit gathering spaces and private dock, every inch of the property showcases Greenscape’s ability to merge functionality, artistry, and nature into one breathtaking landscape.
Scope and Key Features:
This project exemplifies Greenscape’s full-service expertise, integrating design, engineering, and craftsmanship into one cohesive vision. The design included:
A multi-tiered stone patio seamlessly built into the hillside, maximizing both views and livable space.
Intricate stonework carried through the retaining walls, steps, and gathering areas, seamlessly blending structure with style.
A custom-built fire pit designed for connection, warmth, and year-round enjoyment.
Ambient lighting woven throughout the space to highlight pathways, tiers, and architectural detailing.
A lakeside dock that connects the property directly to the calm waters of Lake Holiday.
The Mocerino Project stands as a testament to Greenscape’s mastery of transforming challenging landscapes into stunning, functional retreats.
Duration:
Completed over the course of several months, this project reflects Greenscape’s precision, creativity, and commitment to excellence, from setting the foundation to finishing touches. Each detail was carefully executed to ensure both structural integrity and aesthetic harmony for generations to come.
Concept & Design
Engineering elegance and beauty from the ground up.
Concept:
Every Greenscape project begins with a deep understanding of both the land and the client’s vision. For The Mocerino project, that meant finding harmony between form and function on a steep hillside overlooking Lake Holiday. The goal was to create a space that felt natural to the terrain yet elevated in experience, one that could seamlessly transition from quiet lakeside mornings to vibrant evenings by the fire. Our design team collaborated closely with the homeowners to ensure the result would be as enduring as it is extraordinary.
Design:
With the vision established, Greenscape’s experts brought it to life through detailed 3D renderings that captured the project’s layered architecture and unique topography. These plans incorporated tiered stone patios, integrated retaining walls, ambient lighting, a custom fire pit, and a dock extending to the lake, all unified by intricate stone detailing and intentional plantings. Every material, curve, and contour was purposefully selected to compliment the property’s natural beauty, while simultaneously ensuring long-term stability and flow. The result is a design that appears as though it is carved from the hillside itself, evoking feelings of timelessness, functionality, and undeniable grandeur.
3D Renderings
At Greenscape, every project begins with detailed computer models of your final project, giving clients a clear vision of their future space right from the get-go.
Build & Maintain
Transforming vision into lakeside legacy.
Build:
Once the plans were finalized, Greenscape transformed The Mocerino project from concept to reality with expert precision and masterful craftsmanship. Building a multi-tiered outdoor living space into a steep lakeside slope required both technical excellence and creative problem-solving, and our skilled team delivered on both fronts. From intricately engineered stone walls and staircases, to the custom fire pit, ambient lighting, and lakefront dock, every detail was meticulously designed and installed with purpose. We were ultimately able to create space that not only complements the natural terrain, but enhances it, in turn offering a seamless connection between architecture, landscape, and water.
Maintain:
While The Mocerino Project stands as a testament to enduring design, Greenscape also ensures that every landscape that we build continues to thrive through the process of ongoing care and maintenance. From seasonal cleanups and pruning, to fertilization, lighting upkeep, and erosion control, our team provides the ongoing support needed to preserve both the beauty and functionality of complex outdoor environments. Our approach blends artistry with stewardship, allowing for us to protect each project’s integrity while also allowing for it to evolve gracefully with time.
Take a closer look.
See even more photos of The Mocerino Project in plain view!
Behind the scenes.
Step inside The Mocerino Project and meet the homeowner
who made it all possible!
Behind the scenes.
Step inside The Mocerino Project and meet the homeowner who made it all possible!