When it comes to the all-important curb appeal for showcasing a cherished home or commercial project, or elevating any outdoor space for that matter, look no further than REMARK—a landscape architecture firm that’s been turning heads in the Lowcountry region and beyond since 2007.
Founded by J.R. and Holly Kramer, who met at the University of Georgia while earning their degrees in landscape architecture and later married, REMARK has earned a reputation for achieving the perfect balance of beauty, functionality and sustainability. “Working closely with our clients is really important to us,” says J.R. Kramer. “We pride ourselves on collaboration, innovation and stewardship.”
When taking on a new account, REMARK takes a close look at the property and sits down with the client to discuss the project in detail. Areas of expertise include Lowcountry drainage issues, complementing home designs and interiors, layout designs that make the most of the allotted outdoor space, plants that look great without excessive maintenance, utilizing native plants and greenery, creating wildlife habitats when appropriate, accounting for heightened seasonal changes and always adhering to a steadfast commitment to sustainability.
“When we meet with someone and sit in their house, we get a real sense of how they live their life. Typically, we are creating outdoor rooms, and we are helping a family,” Kramer says. “When new associates come to REMARK, we stress that we want to do everything with excellence. We want to be the Ritz-Carlton of landscape architecture, and that includes making our clients feel special.”
Clearly in his element, Kramer is a good communicator, comfortable in his own skin and grateful he discovered landscape architecture as a career possibility during his time in the U.S. Air Force, when he took a course in landscape design. He also received a nudge from his aunt.
At REMARK, the Kramers made it a point from the outset to treat employees with respect and whenever possible help team members achieve their personal goals. “Our employees are a focal point of our business, and every Monday when we meet—where we cast the vision for the week—we talk about who we are,” Kramer says. “My personal goals are to design with excellence, provide excellence in customer service and communications, and to be able to scale our business to help solve more problems and offer more opportunities to my employees.”
Typically, REMARK is touching about 40 projects every month in varying phases of development. “Our business is very fast-paced year-round, with a slight slowdown during the holidays—Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Kramer says.
REMARK, which was chosen as the company’s name because it’s Kramer spelled backward, can boast that the majority of its business comes from repeat clients. “We have a reputation for being excellent stewards of the land, and a lot of things have fallen into place for our business over the years,” Kramer says.
Kramer recruits from universities such as the University of Georgia and Clemson because landscape architecture students are aware of REMARK’s high standard for design. Part of the company’s culture centers on creating a crystal-clear picture, and that includes communication with team members. “Right now, I am really enjoying my business and helping to direct where we are going. We take it day by day, and I really love leading this team. We have meetings every other week where we go over their one-, three- and five-year personal, professional and financial goals. I want to make sure REMARK is aligning and helping them reach their goals. Our employees have unique strengths; some are excellent at 3-D modeling, others are great problem solvers and quite a few are very good communicators, but that’s all part of what we have to offer. I don’t want to put someone in the wrong seat. That doesn’t make for a great work culture,” Kramer says. “Recently, one team member achieved his goal of buying a house. That made all of us celebrate right along with him.”
Kramer makes a point of stressing that REMARK accounts for every detail in a project—from site drainage to the home’s architecture to how the family utilizes its space and also the client’s vision. “Once the design is finalized, the client can count on proactive communication every step of the way, so they never have to wonder what’s coming next,” he says.
As a regional landscape architecture firm, REMARK works on private residences and has also logged hundreds of commercial jobs in areas such as the Historic Charleston waterfront. As a result, the company has developed professional relationships with contractors, interior designers and developers. “We were very fortunate to do a lot of the work in the Upper Peninsula of Charleston. We helped cast the vision for Half Mile North, and we have done more than 150 projects on Daniel Island over the course of our 17 years in business,” says Kramer. The 4,000-acre master-planned community includes parks, trails, residential neighborhoods, recreational amenities and a robust downtown commercial area.
Over the course of REMARK’s 17-year history, technology has come a long way, and the company wholeheartedly embraces it. “We are trying to be very, very efficient using the technology that is out there,” Kramer says. “We have embraced a customer relations management program that keeps everyone on the same page.”
Hiring REMARK is an investment, but Kramer contends it’s one that should pay plenty of dividends down the road. “We are solving problems for our clients, and we are the experts guiding the entire process,” he says.
Reflecting on the past 17 years, Kramer says: “When I started this business, I did a garden with native plantings, and I had to think about the storm water. Today, we are always thinking about where the water is going to go. We also have to consider the kind of paving and the lot coverage. Now, things have evolved to where I am living in a time where native plants are in vogue here, and it makes me really happy. That certainly wasn’t always the case.” *
Ellen Uribe is an award-winning journalist and a communications expert. She is a sought-after speaker, participating as a moderator and panelist at numerous industry events, conferences and broadcast outlets. She has contributed to Vanity Fair, Palm Beach Life, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Women’s Wear Daily and Time Magazine.
