The Mather at Tysons is a forward-thinking senior living community designed to integrate wellness, sustainability, and meaningful connections to nature in an urban setting. Situated in Tysons, Virginia, the project blends nearly three acres of green space with public and private outdoor amenities, including rooftop gardens, walking paths, a dog park, sports courts, and connections to a nearby public park. Mather’s vision focused on creating a vibrant, active environment that encourages residents to engage with the outdoors, fostering social interaction, physical activity, and emotional wellbeing. The community’s commitment to environmental and human health is reinforced by LEED Gold and WELL Building certifications, emphasizing sustainable materials, water management, and energy efficiency.
Addressing Urban and Structural Challenges
The Tysons site presented unique logistical and structural challenges, including the installation of more than 50% of the landscape over six terraces, some up to 16 stories above grade. Limited exterior access and a single narrow site entry required meticulous coordination for cranes, elevators, and interior material movement. Soil, plant material, aggregates, and furnishings were transported via pallet jacks, buggies, and wheelbarrows, with careful sequencing to avoid interference with other trades. Tight schedules demanded multiple terraces be installed simultaneously, requiring strategic planning, additional field supervision, and coordination with other contractors to ensure smooth workflow and minimize rework.
Achieving the Client’s Vision
To bring Mather’s vision to life, Ruppert Landscape created dynamic, amenity-rich outdoor spaces that promote year-round recreation and social engagement. Rooftop and terrace gardens feature activity lawns, artificial turf, a rubberized pickleball court, a bocce court with crushed oyster shells, and a community garden. Plant palettes were carefully curated to provide seasonal sensory interest, while movable seating and shade structures enhance comfort and flexibility. Sustainability guided every decision, including the use of lightweight soil blends on structure, recycled aggregates, bio-retention systems, and native/adapted plantings to support LEED goals and long-term environmental stewardship.
Custom features, including 2,300 LF of pre-cast seat walls, stairs, and curbs, as well as 13,000 SF of pavers integrated over an electrical vault, required precise field measurements, detailed shop drawings, and over 400 hours of skilled installation to ensure alignment, elevation, and seamless design continuity.
Project Outcome
The Mather at Tysons demonstrates how innovative landscape design and execution can transform an urban senior living community into a wellness-focused, socially engaging, and environmentally responsible space. Through meticulous planning, skilled installation, and sustainability-focused maintenance, Ruppert Landscape delivered a landscape that supports physical activity, fosters community, and elevates quality of life for residents, while meeting the high expectations of both the client and the building’s certifications.