Smart Landscape Design:
Luxury Outdoor Automation for the Modern Bay Area Home
In high-end residential design, luxury is no longer defined by appearance alone—it’s about experience. Today’s discerning homeowners want spaces that not only look exquisite but also respond intelligently to their lifestyle.
At Montgomery Robbins, Inc., our residential landscape architecture balances timeless design principles with thoughtful layers of modern technology. Every client determines the degree of smart integration—whether a light touch that enhances comfort or a comprehensive system that automates the entire landscape experience. With in-app lighting, motorized shade structures, smart pools, and intelligent water monitoring, we create outdoor spaces that function beautifully and feel seamless to live in.
A Design-Only Approach for Seamless Integration
Because we are a design-only landscape architecture firm, every detail of our smart systems is integrated thoughtfully from the conceptual stage. Our process begins with conceptual design, where the client’s lifestyle and property goals guide every decision. From there, we can expand into construction documents and design oversight to ensure that technology and craftsmanship align perfectly throughout the build.
Each layer—lighting, irrigation, shading, and more—is woven into the architecture of the property, never as an afterthought but as an invisible extension of daily living.
In-App Lighting: Setting the Scene with a Touch
Outdoor lighting has evolved far beyond static fixtures. Smart lighting systems allow homeowners to create atmosphere instantly, using an app or integrated home-automation platform.
From the soft glow of pathway lighting to dramatic uplighting of mature oaks or sculptural stonework, scenes can be scheduled or adjusted on demand. Some systems sync with sunset times, occupancy sensors, or even music playlists, enabling effortless ambiance control for dinner parties, poolside evenings, or late-night swims. App-based systems also allow for remote management—ideal for clients with second homes or frequent travel schedules. Luxury now means knowing your property looks its best, wherever you are.
Unique Lighting Systems, a leader in landscape illumination, offers app-integrated technology that aligns perfectly with this modern approach. Their SMRT Logic platform and FLEX Gold Vivid series allow homeowners to customize scenes, adjust brightness, and automate lighting schedules directly from a smartphone. Although there are many smart lighting options available, we’ve incorporated Unique Lighting Systems into numerous Montgomery Robbins designs—they are tried and true for reliability, performance, and aesthetic versatility. Whether illuminating architectural stonework or setting a soft evening mood across the garden, Unique’s systems combine precision control with timeless design—reflecting the balance of innovation and elegance central to today’s California Casual outdoor spaces.
Renson Pergolas: Shade That Adapts with You
Few outdoor elements capture the sophistication of smart living like a Renson pergola. Crafted in aluminum with sleek architectural lines, Renson systems offer motorized louvers, retractable screens, built-in lighting, and heating elements—all controlled through an app or home-automation system. Louvers can tilt to follow the sun’s position, retract entirely for an open-air feel, or close tightly for shade or rain protection. Optional weather sensors allow automatic adjustments in high winds or changing light. The result is a truly dynamic outdoor room—beautiful, functional, and tailored to every moment.
In Northern California, where sunlight and temperature shift throughout the day, Renson pergolas allow homeowners to enjoy their outdoor kitchens, lounge areas, and dining terraces year-round, with zero effort required.
Nano Door Systems: Blurring the Line Between Indoors and Out
A hallmark of modern Bay Area architecture is the seamless transition between interior and exterior space. Nano Door Systems epitomize this idea with large-scale sliding, folding, or pocketing glass panels that disappear into the walls—removing boundaries between home and garden. These precision-engineered doors feature ultra-slim frames, smooth-glide mechanics, and superior energy efficiency. When paired with smart-home integration, Nano Doors can sync with your landscape lighting, sound, or shading systems, automatically transforming the mood as you open or close the space.
The result is an immersive lifestyle experience—not just stepping outside, but living fluidly between environments. It’s the ultimate expression of California casual luxury.
Smart Pool & Spa Systems: Intelligent Relaxation
Smart pools are redefining what it means to unwind. With the tap of a screen, homeowners can control temperature, jets, lighting, and water features, or set automated schedules for heating and filtration. Modern pool automation also includes remote monitoring, allowing for real-time water quality adjustments. Many systems can send alerts or integrate with voice-controlled assistants—ideal for those who value both comfort and precision.
In addition to automation and convenience, new safety technologies enhance peace of mind. Systems like Lifebuoy offer smart pool alarms that detect unexpected water disturbances or accidental entry, sending instant alerts directly to your smartphone. Integrating a device like this ensures your pool remains both beautiful and secure—an essential feature for families or those who entertain frequently.
Automated pool covers contribute not only to safety and efficiency but also to the visual elegance of the design. Discreet and self-retracting, they preserve the pool’s aesthetic while maintaining ideal conditions year-round.
Smart Irrigation & Water Awareness with Flume
In luxury landscapes, water management is both practical and refined. Smart irrigation systems automatically adjust watering schedules based on soil moisture and real-time weather data. For a deeper level of awareness, Flume takes water intelligence a step further. This compact, app-connected device attaches to your home’s water line and tracks usage across the entire property. Homeowners can view precise, real-time data on outdoor irrigation, fountains, and pool systems—instantly detecting leaks or inefficiencies.
The beauty lies in its simplicity: the Flume app transforms complex data into an elegant dashboard, empowering property owners to make informed choices without sacrificing luxury or convenience. For high-end estates with extensive irrigation or multiple water features, Flume adds a layer of control that feels as natural as checking the weather.
Smart Gate Locks for Seamless Backyard Access and Security
Smart locks by companies such as Yale and Schlage are transforming how homeowners access outdoor spaces. These weather-resistant systems can be installed on gates leading to and from your backyard, allowing entry to be managed through secure mobile apps rather than physical keys. Homeowners can lock or unlock remotely, issue temporary access codes for guests or maintenance teams, and monitor gate activity in real time. Beyond convenience, smart locks reduce the need for exposed keypads or visible hardware, keeping the gate’s design clean and cohesive while offering enhanced control, safety, and peace of mind.
In every Montgomery Robbins design, technology serves the experience—not the other way around. Our Bay Area landscapes integrate smart systems such as app-controlled lighting, motorized shade structures, intelligent irrigation, and responsive pool automation to elevate daily life outdoors. Each feature is chosen for both performance and design harmony, ensuring a seamless connection between architecture, nature, and innovation. The result is a landscape that feels effortless—adaptable to the season, the moment, and the way you live.
If you’re looking for a classic or modern update to your landscape, look no farther! Our studio is always taking new design clients, and we look forward to getting to know you and your dream landscape. Please reach out and say hello.
