Ashburn, Virginia
Hanley Energy Canteen Garden
Design Collaboration with Tom Massey Studio
Once a barren strip of asphalt and concrete, the Hanley Energy Canteen Garden is now a richly planted refuge that brings ecological function and immersive beauty to the daily life of a tech campus. Designed in collaboration with London-based landscape architect Tom Massey for this Irish-owned company’s U.S. headquarters, the project exemplifies how small urban sites can deliver high-impact, biodiverse landscapes.
Phyto Studio led the planting design and implementation, partnering with West Winds Nursery to transform this compact space into a vibrant and resilient garden. The design features a lush, herbaceous plant palette selected for year-round support of pollinators and seasonal variation. Repetition in the tree layer—specifically the use of Magnolia virginiana, a native species known for its tolerance of reflected heat and harsh conditions—adds cohesion and structure while enhancing microclimate resilience.
Custom-designed site furnishings echo seasonal blooms, like the early-spring Narcissus, creating subtle aesthetic connections that tie the garden together. The result is a richly layered, ecologically driven space that integrates beauty, biodiversity, and environmental performance—demonstrating that even modest footprints can offer meaningful ecosystem services.
Lead Design: Tom Massey Studio
Installation: West Winds Nursery
