Village Construction Sweeps 2024 CLCA Awards with the Henderson Project
Village Construction Sweeps CLCA Awards with the Henderson Project
At the 2024 California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) Central Coast Awards, Village Construction proudly took home three top honors for our work on the Henderson Project — a sprawling, eco-conscious landscape build designed to honor the land, harness natural water flow, and inspire connection with nature.
Award Highlights
We’re humbled to have received the following awards at last year’s CLCA Landscape Beautification Ceremony:
1st Place – Landscape Lighting
1st Place – Medium Residential
Bruce Carter Sweepstakes Award – the highest honor of the event
These awards represent not only aesthetic excellence but also our team’s commitment to ecological design, craftsmanship, and community-rooted values.
Project Overview: Designing with Nature in Mind
The Henderson Project was conceived as a true native ecosystem, not just a landscape. Our team worked with local designers, ecologists, and builders to create a space that is as functional as it is beautiful — with every element working in harmony to restore soil health, manage rainwater, and support local pollinators.
Key features include:
A massive dry creek bed engineered to manage rainshed across the sloping property
Curving decomposed granite pathways that wind through garden bridges and planted zones
A large custom deck extension for outdoor living and natural immersion
A thoughtful, artistic blend of California native plants, arranged to mimic natural patterns
Low-voltage landscape lighting that creates a safe, dramatic, and eco-sensitive nighttime experience
Lighting That Leads the Way
One of the most celebrated features of the Henderson Project was its subtle yet striking lighting design. We integrated energy-efficient, low-glow LED fixtures that highlight native grasses, boulders, and bridge crossings — creating ambiance while preserving the dark-sky experience of the Central Coast.
Function Meets Beauty
Beyond beauty, the project was also about solving problems. The property had drainage and runoff challenges, which we addressed by designing:
Strategic grading and swales
Permeable paths and groundcovers
A wide, planted dry creek bed that disperses stormwater naturally
The result? A yard that stays dry, stable, and thriving — even after heavy rains.
More Than a Project — A Native Restoration
This wasn’t just a landscape install — it was an act of restoration and rewilding. By using exclusively native and climate-adapted plants, we created a self-sustaining ecosystem that:
Requires little irrigation once established
Attracts birds, bees, and butterflies
Supports year-round color and biodiversity
Built with Village Values
The Henderson Project represents everything we believe at Village Construction:
Collaboration over competition
Craftsmanship rooted in place
Design that serves both people and planet
From the first design meeting to the final light fixture, this project was a team effort across builders, designers, and homeowners — and we’re so grateful to see that effort recognized.
Looking Ahead
As we continue serving Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, and the Central Coast, we’re excited to take on more projects like this — ones that respect the land, solve real problems, and celebrate beauty through ecology.
If you’re dreaming of a native landscape, outdoor living space, or ecological design-build project, we’d love to talk.
