Inside/Out Designer Hopes for Ultimate Experience

For years the Sachem Public Library operated on hardscape property, surrounded by mainly parking lot and a busy street in the middle of a residential area. Then it decided to purchase the property directly behind the building and turn their world into a gorgeous open space that has other libraries jealous.  

Tapping the skills of landscape design firm Michael J. Opisso Designs, Inc., located in Setauket, the Inside/Out Garden was developed flawlessly and offers the community a new haven to relax at the library.

"A landscape is most defined in how it makes you feel," said Opisso, who studied at Syracuse University's School of Environmental Science and Forestry and has lived by that principle for the last 25 years. "It's about creating an emotional experience."

Opisso, the library staff and board of trustees saw the open land as an opportunity of relief for a campus marked mainly by asphalt.

He believes all designs should follow three important elements: a sense of space and context of property, taking user needs into consideration and taking the preferences of the clients into consideration.

The open space is accompanied by shade, big trees, strolling gardens, areas of contemplation and an outdoor concert area on the great lawn. The circular ribbon walk travels around the garden, allowing visitors to be stimulated by the many eye-catching elements.

There are various plants to match the four seasons on Long Island. From summer and spring flowers to fall shrubs and winter red and yellow stem dogwood trees, every inch of the garden was constructed with a visual plan in mind.

"It's laid out so that it allows you to view the overall garden from each space separately," Opisso said, "and each area has its own identity."

Aside from the many residential designs he has worked on, Opisso, who has traveled the world to learn about landscape architecture, has worked on designs at the Middle Country Library, the historic Stony Brook Village center, and the Emma S. Clark library in Setauket.

If you're interested in having something designed by Opisso's firm, he can be reached at 631-689-3804.