About Elmore Design Collaborative

EDC serves a wide array of clients in both the public and private sectors and works closely with the client at every stage of the design process. EDC understands that clients have different goals and expectations and we approach every project with an open mind. Many clients are repeat customers, an indication of mutual respect.

Mission with Cultural Landscapes: To research, document, restore and preserve this country’s heritage landscapes for their intrinsic cultural, educational, interpretation and recreational values. Our goal, while working with the present caretaker, is to identify the site’s historic integrity and significance through scholarly research and assessment (inventory, analysis, and evaluation) and provide treatment recommendations for each character defining landscape feature within the component landscape. We believe this process permits educated design decisions for treating the landscape and incorporating modern conveniences while maintaining its historic integrity for future generations.

Design Philosophy: To create places with spaces for designated and organic activities. We seek new alternatives for the client, the site, and its end-users. EDC believes that a successful design incorporates ecological and sustainable principals while balancing aesthetics, function, budget, and long-term maintenance costs. We collaborate with allied professionals in relevant fields when necessary to meet the specific needs of the client and the site.

Thomas J. Elmore, ASLA, LEED AP, Principal and founder, received his Masters of Landscape Architecture, with a concentration in historic preservation, from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse, New York. Mr. Elmore is a registered landscape architect in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia. He established EDC because of his passion for heritage landscapes and an understanding of their intrinsic value to the vibrancy of each community and their aesthetic and emotional importance to that community and country as a whole.

Our Approach

Participatory – We believe in teamwork. The Client and other interested stakeholders will be active participants in this process and are considered part of our consulting team. We always aim to build consensus during decision-making.

Service-Oriented – Our philosophy is to understand and meet the client’s expectations within the project’s time frame, scope and budget. The comprehensive services we provide are specifically designed for every project.

Open-Minded – We understand that each project and each client is different, requiring a unique and fresh approach. We explore options throughout the planning and design process. We do not make assumptions without first giving all relevant data careful consideration.

Realistic – We understand that the needs of the client and the site need to be seen within the context of contemporary life while preserving the property’s historic integrity. All recommendations for “improvement” and “treatment” will respect the site’s heritage and will have manageable long-term implications.

Holistic – We believe successful preservation and design projects within a historic setting begin with thorough research, careful site assessment, and understanding of the needs and goals of the client and diverse stakeholders. We will develop a thorough understanding of the site’s history, changes and current conditions. We will start by viewing the landscape in and around the cultured grounds as a comprehensive unit. We must never forget its past while looking at and planning for its future. We believe it is in the best interest of the site to begin viewing each heritage landscape as a “component landscape” comprised of individual landscape features that, together, create a valuable resource worthy of planning its preservation and stewardship in a comprehensive and sensitive manner.