INSPIRE
J
im Lesti, a retired landscape architect and former partner of Landscape Studio, ended his career on a high note with his work on Delphi Gardens, a beautiful private residence and event venue in the north Atlanta hills. Dr. Evan Demestihas loves entertaining his grandchildren as well as hosting events and fundraisers at his home. He called on Jim to design a greenhouse, orchards, bocce ball court, party space, water features and a personalized garden for each grandchild. “I had worked with him years ago on a pool project when I was with a different firm, and he called me out of the blue to work on this,” recalls Jim. “I was so honored he remembered me.” After working for six years on Delphi Gardens, Jim’s work is finally 100% complete. “It’s been a long process, but I’ve enjoyed going there every day,” says Jim. “Dr. Demestihas is demanding, but he’s the most pleasurable person—he lets me do my thing. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in my career.” A trained landscape architect from The Ohio State University, Jim has gravitated toward design-build projects.
THERE’S MORE INSTANT GRATIFICATION IN DESIGNBUILD. YOU HAVE MORE CONTROL OF THE PROCESS, AND I LOVE THE BACK-AND-FORTH WITH THE CLIENT “There’s more instant gratification in design-build,” he says. “You have more control of the process, and I love the back-and-forth with the client.” The property features various elevations. At the top is a beautiful chapel with stone brought in from Greece, where Dr. Demestihas’ family is from. From the top floor, guests can take in beautiful views of the pastoral property and Kennesaw Mountain. The property’s lowest elevation is “The Bowl,” a sunken garden dedicated
32 Pro Landscaper USA South May/June 2021
DELPHI
DREAMS JIM LESTI IT’S THE DRE AM JOB ANY LANDSCAPE DESIGNER WANTS – A BIG BUDGET, AN OPEN-MINDED CLIENT, AND PLENTY OF SPACE TO WORK IN
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