The client contacted us to collaborate on a new home and garden they were planning on a new property on Everglades Island. The estate borders a large expense of open water between Everglades Island and Palm Beach proper. The client explained they were interested in developing a courtyard style home with a very strong connection to the garden. In addition to the courtyard, they wanted to include several covered outdoor rooms that would connect different sections of the house. The client hired the architectural firm Fairfax & Sammons to help them develop the house. Having worked with the firm before, we were quick to coordinate with them, and the concepts for house and garden moved forward apace. The tropical garden was anchored by a very large Ficus aurea tree that towers over the house, and has a trunk of about 8 feet in diameter. The result was one of the more interesting projects to be completed on the island in recent years.