Carter van Dyke Associates

Carter van Dyke Associates CVDA provides elegant and sustainable designs for our clients while incorporating the latest research.

American Society of Landscape Architects Profile:
https://my.asla.org/my-asla/directories/firm_search.aspx?FirmID=765926&websitekey=3913f65d-c03f-46b1-a3af-5ed5159ea085

06/09/2026

🌿 Looking for something special to do this Sunday in Doylestown? As a proud sponsor of Bucks Beautiful's Kitchen & Garden Tour, we're excited to share this unique opportunity to explore some of the Borough's beautiful homes and gardens.

This Japanese-inspired garden draw upon our client's fifty years of visiting arboreta and gardens, favorite shrubs and t...
06/09/2026

This Japanese-inspired garden draw upon our client's fifty years of visiting arboreta and gardens, favorite shrubs and trees collected over the years and the realities of a less than 1/3rd acre plot size. Whenever possible, rare and unusual varieties were used, many of which were first obtained twenty or more years ago. Privacy, low maintenance, contrasting foliage and four-season views from the house and while strolling have been paramount.

Wholly regarded and replanted in 2012 in a collaboration among the owners, CVDA and Classic Gardens, the yard is enclosed by conifers, Japanese maples, redbuds and hybrid dogwoods. The interior is dominated by four features; a 15' by 45' koi pond with stone bridge and waterfall; a large moss-covered boulder surrounded with sedum and Japanese maples; three young flowering cherries (Akeono, ungrafted weeping Higan and Yoshino), and an exact one-quarter scale Japanese boathouse used as a shed. The owner's collection of tree peonies and deciduous azaleas provide color highlights from April to frost

Architectural harmony is all about the seamless transition from indoor luxury to outdoor living. For this residential pr...
06/05/2026

Architectural harmony is all about the seamless transition from indoor luxury to outdoor living. For this residential project, our team focused on structural cohesion and creating distinct outdoor rooms that flow naturally from the main house.

On the upper terrace overlooking the pool area, we used elegant, oversized planters to bring lush greenery up to the higher level. Directly below, shaded archways form an inviting poolside loggia that acts as a perfect transition zone for lounging away from the direct sun.

Clean, geometric lines of the pool paired with a warm, textured brick-paver deck establish a timeless, European-inspired aesthetic, while lush perimeter plantings and a backdrop of mature trees blend the structured hardscape beautifully into the surrounding woodland.

The result is a true backyard sanctuary designed for both everyday relaxation and elegant entertaining.

Peonies are officially putting on a show in Doylestown! As garden designers, we love these perennials not just for thei...
06/04/2026

Peonies are officially putting on a show in Doylestown! As garden designers, we love these perennials not just for their massive blooms, but for their incredible versatility. Here are a few expert facts about these garden favorites:

The Big Three: Peonies fit into three main categories—herbaceous, tree, and Itoh (a stunning hybrid of the two).

Sun & Shade: While most thrive in full sun, certain tree peonies actually prefer a bit of part shade.

Extend the Bloom: By strategically mixing early, midseason, and late-blooming varieties, we can extend your garden's flower show from late spring right into early summer.

More Than a Pretty Face: Did you know peony roots and seeds have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and European herbal medicine? Modern studies even show they have mood-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties!

With over 6,500 varieties registered by the American Peony Society, there is a perfect peony for every landscape layout.

Good landscape design is all about defining spaces and framing views. For this formal garden room project, we focused on...
06/04/2026

Good landscape design is all about defining spaces and framing views. For this formal garden room project, we focused on crisp details and visual alignment to create a true destination on the property:

The Frame: A raised brick edge along the gravel walks clearly defines the boundaries of this formal garden room.

The View: We perfectly aligned the walkway with the dining room window, creating a sightline where lush shrubs and perennials frame a striking flowering tree across the driveway.

The Atmosphere: Discrete, low-voltage site lighting subtly outlines the space to extend the garden's beauty long after the sun goes down.

It is all in the details!

Our firm assisted Peter Zimmerman Architects in the renovation of this existing residence in Haverford. The scope of wor...
06/03/2026

Our firm assisted Peter Zimmerman Architects in the renovation of this existing residence in Haverford. The scope of work included regrading for the creation of a new garage, new terraces and porches off the rear to connect the house to a renovated pool. We also established an innovative rain garden that became a focal point with bald cypress trees plus an understory of ferns and wet tolerant flowering ground cover. Additionally, there was screening proposed from the adjacent neighbors. Trees were removed to create a lovely vista to shared landscapes in the rear of the property.

Architect: Peter Zimmerman Architects
Builder: Rittenhouse Builders, Inc.

One of our projects at Bryn Athyn College included The Grant R. Doering Center for Science and Research, which was desig...
06/02/2026

One of our projects at Bryn Athyn College included The Grant R. Doering Center for Science and Research, which was designed and constructed using the U.S. Green Building Council‘s LEED Rating System (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), an internationally recognized standard for what constitutes a “green building.” Among the green features of the Doering Center:

Site and Water Garden - One of the biggest environmental impacts that buildings have is on the land itself. Because the Center was built on a previously developed site, greenspace and ecosystems were not disturbed. In fact, the ecosystem was enhanced through the creation of a rain garden, which absorbs runoff from the impervious surfaces and allows stormwater to soak into the ground instead of flowing into storm drains and local waterways. The plants within the rain garden include native wildflowers, sedges, rushes and ferns.

Landscaping - The landscaping around the building features native, drought-tolerant and non-invasive trees, shrubs, and grasses. These native plantings eliminate the need for an irrigation system, minimize the need for fertilizer and pesticides, and establish a supportive ecosystem for birds and wildlife.

We’re proud to support a great local tradition! 🌸 CVDA is honored to be a sponsor of Bucks Beautiful's Tour. Even more ...
05/29/2026

We’re proud to support a great local tradition! 🌸 CVDA is honored to be a sponsor of Bucks Beautiful's Tour. Even more exciting—one of our homes will be featured!

This special event celebrates inspired design, thoughtful renovations, and beautiful landscapes on a self-guided stroll through Doylestown.

We’re thrilled to be part of a day that highlights the creativity and craftsmanship that make our community so unique.

Tickets are discounted a few more days: https://www.bucksbeautiful.org/

We love how the contrasting textures come together on this residential poolscape. By mixing the warm tones of classic he...
05/29/2026

We love how the contrasting textures come together on this residential poolscape. By mixing the warm tones of classic herringbone brick with the crisp, cool stone coping of the pool, we created a timeless foundation for this outdoor living space.

To soften the hardscaping, we layered in a vibrant palette of pale yellow and dark pink roses, lush purple catmint, and a statement potted arrangement to bring life, color, and pollinators to the water's edge.

Here is a look at the St. Mary Medical Center Emergency Department green roof designed by our Team. We love seeing this...
05/27/2026

Here is a look at the St. Mary Medical Center Emergency Department green roof designed by our Team. We love seeing this space thrive, especially since it was constructed incredibly close to our original design drawings. This rooftop garden does a lot of heavy lifting for both the environment and the hospital community:

🌧️ Eco-Friendly: It actively reduces stormwater runoff.
🦋 Biodiversity: It creates a peaceful microcosm for local birds and insects.
🏥 Healing Views: It offers a calming, natural landscape for patients looking out from their rooms and the Rehabilitation Center.

We believe that great landscape architecture should always balance environmental function with human health.

Address

P. O. Box 165
Doylestown, PA
18901

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

(215) 345-5053

Website

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