How One Innovative Library Reinforced the Vision Behind Hope Eternal Gardens
- lauren32286
- Jun 13
- 4 min read
Chris Alonso, a seasoned landscape architect with over 30 years of experience in horticulture and landscape design, is one of the visionaries behind Hope Eternal Gardens. Long before launching this unique natural burial ground and ambitious multi-use reforestation project in Southwest Florida, Chris worked on a project as the landscape architect that perfectly reflected his approach to sustainable, artful design: the Northeast Branch Library in Aventura, Florida.
This exemplary library became a real-world example of how thoughtful design, native landscaping, water conservation, and community art could work together in harmony. More than a milestone, it affirmed the design philosophy that would later shape Hope Eternal Gardens.
What Does a Landscape Architect Do?
A landscape architect designs outdoor spaces that are functional, sustainable, and emotionally resonant. This includes choosing native plants, shaping land, building stormwater systems, designing for resilience, and integrating paths and public art. Landscape architects also ensure spaces support local ecology and environmental health.
At Hope Eternal Gardens, having Chris as our in-house landscape architect is essential. Unlike most cemeteries that outsource design, we rely on Chris’s full-time expertise to create every detail with long-term care, restoration, and beauty in mind.
A Model of Sustainable Public Design in Miami-Dade County
The Northeast Branch Library became one of the most sustainable public buildings in Miami-Dade County. It earned LEED Silver certification through design elements like:
A rainwater harvesting system
Native plant landscaping
A vibrant, restored habitat around a stormwater retention basin
Collaborative public art through the Art in Public Places program
These were all ideas Chris had long believed in. Seeing them succeed in a civic space confirmed their power and practicality.
Collaboration: From Library to Sustainable Landscape
While working at the County’s General Services Administration (GSA), Chris collaborated daily with architects, engineers, and designers. The Northeast Library project proved how in-house teamwork leads to stronger, more integrated results.
That same approach is central to Hope Eternal Gardens. We've built a trusted network of ecologists, civil engineers, arborists, surveyors, native plant nurseries, and sitework professionals—all working together to support our mission of ecological restoration and meaningful memorial landscapes.
Green Infrastructure That Works
One of the library’s standout features was its cistern system that captured roof runoff to water the initial plants throughout the property and to be incorporated as gray water in the building itself. At Hope, we've expanded that idea with an integrated water management system that:
Captures rainwater for irrigation
Uses bioswales (landscape elements that filter and slow runoff)
Filters water before it reaches soon-to-be restored wetlands
Our entire system is approved by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, ensuring we meet high standards for water quality and land stewardship.
Native Plants and Habitat Restoration
At the library, Chris replaced standard turf grass with a native habitat filled with wetland plants and upland tropical species. This created a low-maintenance landscape rich in biodiversity.
Today, Hope Eternal Gardens follows the same philosophy. We use Florida-native plants to:
Support butterflies, birds, and pollinators
Reflect the region’s true character
Reduce maintenance and resource use
Art as a Natural Expression
Chris contributed to determining the placement of a public sculpture at the library, integrating it into the site in a way that enhanced the landscape’s meaning. The sculpture Arc by Ivan Toth Depeña draws inspiration from Hurricane Wilma, which devastated the original Northeast Dade-Aventura Library in 2005. Using wind data from that storm, the artist reimagined the power of nature in sculptural form. Today, the piece responds to real-time wind activity through a rooftop sensor, bringing the artwork—and the memory it holds—to life with light and motion. This reinforced his lifelong commitment to land art and creating emotionally resonant spaces.
Hope Eternal Gardens continues this vision. We have dedicated spaces for future public art installations that reflect themes of remembrance, regeneration, and beauty.
Thoughtful Details, Peaceful Spaces
From the library’s living walls to its granite water features, Chris created sensory-rich experiences that invited calm and connection.
The living walls at the Northeast Branch Library are vertical gardens designed to bring nature into the heart of the building. Covered in lush plants, these green walls help cool the courtyards, improve air quality, and create a peaceful, visually striking environment that connects visitors with the natural world.
Those same principles live on at Hope Eternal Gardens, where every path, bench, boulder, and native bloom is placed with intention.
From Civic Space to Sacred Ground: A Proven Vision
The Northeast Branch Library wasn’t just a successful project. It was proof of concept. It showed that Chris’s approach—blending sustainability, collaboration, art, and native ecology—could thrive.
That same approach now guides every aspect of Hope Eternal Gardens, from our forest estates to our living memorial spaces throughout the property. What began as a civic project now lives on as a sacred space rooted in care for the land and the people who love it.
Explore More
To learn how landscape architecture and ecological design come together at Hope Eternal Gardens, visit Hope Eternal Gardens.
