Joseph J. Prchal, Tucson designer and President of Architectural Landscaping, took first place in the 2007 Xeriscape Contest, Professional Residential Design category, at a ceremony held May 23. The contest was sponsored by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) in partnership with Tohono Chul Park.
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The overall intent of the annual contest is to recognize landscape projects that have successfully integrated the principles of xeriscape with high-quality landscape design, construction, and maintenance. A major focus of the competition is on water-use efficiency and effective use of native and drought tolerant plants.
Prchal nominated a courtyard he designed and installed for Tommilee Phillips and Dick Keiler.
Homeowner Keiler said, “As transplants from Connecticut, we fell in love with the Sonoran desert on a visit here and decided to make it our home. We built a Santa Fe style house and wanted to ensure the use of natural desert vegetation in our landscaping. Joe Prchal had an outstanding reputation and shared our vision, so we enlisted his services and have been thrilled with the result.”
“The challenge,” added Prchal, “was to integrate existing site elevations into the landscape design, minimize the impact on the natural surroundings, and create a low-water-usage environment. Toward this end, I exclusively used drought tolerant plants that were specifically selected to add color and attract wildlife and butterflies. I also integrated stucco with adobe, flagstone, and decomposed granite in the hardscape elements to complement the old-world feeling of the home’s style and to further limit water usage.”
Prchal, who in August 2007 will celebrate his 35th year of doing business in Tucson, is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards, including the Arizona Landscape Contractors’ Association (ACLA) “Presidential Award,” the highest achievable landscaping design award given. Not an annual award, it is given only on projects warranting a distinctive level of recognition.
Over the past 35 years, Prchal’s business evolved from a one-man production to a full-service landscape design and installation company, providing services to commercial and primarily high-end residences.
He stated, “The concept of my company has always been to exemplify function in the landscape, with the idea of bringing the comforts of the indoors outside so that clients can enjoy the beauty of Arizona’s phenomenal weather, skies, and views. Our goal has been to blend the natural environment with existing architecture in an environmentally conscientious manner.”
The ADWR/Tohono Chul contest is an attempt to increase community awareness of the beauty attainable by incorporating xeriscape principles in public and private landscapes, while at the same time reducing water use, costs, and maintenance.
“And this is exactly what Joe and his crew did for us,” Keiler stated.
During the recent past, Prchal’s company has downsized and proceeded in a new direction, with a view of focusing primarily on design and managing the use of credible subcontractors for the installation of the designs. He works by appointment only and can be reached at 520/795-2802. His Web site is www.archland1.com.
