Lake Trust Credit Union

A Landscape Designed to be Approachable yet Secure

Designing a secure landscape for a credit union or bank requires careful consideration to ensure that specified plants will not create hiding spots for criminals. By specifying shrubs that will stay low (3’ or less) at maturity, we have enhanced the security of the building. Grasses with airy seed heads give a sense of enclosure while allowing open views throughout the site. Thorny rose bushes near the employee entrance warn intruders not to hide in the shrubs.

The building entrance is softened with low shrubs and grasses with airy seed heads.

Low shrubs and perennials in parking lot increase visibility.

Based on our specific plant palette, we located plants to coordinate with and emphasize the building’s materials and changes in direction. Where dark brick was specified on the building, we selected shrubs with bright, white flowers as a contrast. Where the sidewalk arcs to mimick the building’s overhang, we proposed a perennial that will bloom all summer long.

Concept plan rendering of the secure landscape design.

Detention Basin Plantings

On the rear of the site, we designed the plants for the detention basin. By coordinating closely with the project’s civil engineer, we understood the expected 2-year and 100-year storm levels.
Then we located trees and shrubs lower in the basin that prefer to have their roots in wetter locations.

Trees and shrubs in detention basin.

Hibiscus plugs in the detention basin.

We also collaborated with a native seed expert to develop a custom native seed mix that consists of grasses and forbs that will make the basin appear well-kept. The bottom of the basin will rarely dry out. We designed native plugs in this area that prefer to have their roots in wet conditions. Plugs are small plants that establish better than seed. Once established, they work to hold the soil in place so that the detention basin can function as designed.