Project 1
Steven Harris Architects
Calistoga, CA, USA
Napa Valley Pool
Design Statement: This gunnite pool is semi-inground, situated on a ridge that overlooks Napa Valley. The top two feet of the pool wall rise above ground in a straight datum that contrasts with the natural topography of the slope. The 25-meter pool was designed as a lap pool, with a wooden planked bridge separating the main pool from a small reflecting pool at the end, which adjoins a stepped seating area. This small, shallow pool perfectly accommodates children. A rammed earth wall that bounds the property ends at the head of the pool and is capped in a water feature designed by Brooklyn artist Peter Lane. The landscape around the pool, like that of the entire property, is planted with native species of trees and low-lying shrubs, including tanoaks, manzanitas, and madrones.
A rammed earth wall runs the length of the property before ending in a water feature by Brooklyn artist Peter Lane. Water moves along a runnel before cascading into the pool.
The markedly orthogonal pool contrasts with and highlights the craggy topography of the natural landscape.
The grounded geometry of the pool wall and walkways impart a tranquil, anchoring presence onto the property.
Though the pool rises slightly above ground, it is low-lying and subtly incorporated into the landscape; a surprise amidst the native trees and shrubs.
This pool is situated on a ridge overlooking Napa Valley. Here, a planked pathway leads to a sunken seating area and separates the lap pool from a shallow children’s pool.
Project 2
Egon Walesch
London, United Kingdom
London Garden Remodel
Design Statement: This garden of an Edwardian house in London was redesigned when a garden room extension linking the kitchen/dining area of the house was linked to the garden. A small courtyard for dining and entertaining was created. An oval shaped lawn was created surrounded by borders of shrubs, trees, herbs and herbaceous perennials.
The paving is a mixture of travertine and poured concrete in three complementary shades.
The lawn is in the shape of an oval to add interest to the design.
Mediterranean and semi-tropical spieces thrive in the temperate London micro-climate.
The garden has lots of spaces to sit and take in the surroundings, as well as entertain.
The garden room extension links the house and garden. Harmony is created by using similar materials and finishes as the original structure while the design is contemporary. The garden continues the dialogue between tradition and modernity.
The planting is a mixture of old and new, with shrubs, trees and herbaceous perennials all happy bedfellows. The olive tree was planted as a very small specimen but clearly enjoys the relatively sheltered London conditions.
Project 3
SHED Architecture & Design
Seattle, WA, USA
Denny Blaine Yardscape
Design Statement: The original house designed by architect Paul Thiry had long been neglected before the new owners purchased the property. Once they began to clear away the overgrown shrubs it became obvious how large the yard was and the opportunity they had to create a beautiful indoor / outdoor living space. SHED Architecture & Design created a contemporary yard design that played off the international design style of the original house – simple forms, glean lines and a flat roof. The new design features a grassy area, a small garden bed, patio space for outdoor dining and a fire pit. The long concrete wall creates privacy, yet is short enough to allow a connection to the street and neighbors passing by.
Concrete was used to create a strong and smooth wall that defined the south edge of the yard while setting off the brick of the house.
A large concrete planter houses a maple tree and provides additional seating along its edges.
Cozy outdoor fire pit with wood storage shed.
Once grown in, perennials and billowy grasses will soften the exterior concrete wall while creating a beautiful layer of color.
Ample space for outdoor dining, lounging and lawn games.
View looking towards yard.
Project 4
Todd Davis Architecture
San Francisco, CA, USA
Liberty Street
Design Statement: Remodel of a rear yard and facade in the Mission District of San Francisco.
Remodel of a rear yard and facade in the San Francisco Mission District.
Remodel of a rear yard and facade in the San Francisco Mission District.
Remodel of a rear yard and facade in the San Francisco Mission District.
Before
Remodel of a rear yard and facade in the San Francisco Mission District.
Custom firepit.
Project 5
June Scott Design
Long Beach, CA, USA
Long Beach Modern
Design Statement: Small urban gardens demand well-considered designs to meet the needs of families. Working with a restrained palette, we carefully considered every detail of this front and back garden re-design, which included a custom water feature, firepit and seating areas. The front garden is now a chic entry with lines underscoring the home’s geometry–one that can be transformed into a lively gathering spot. A flagstone planter was reconfigured as a sleek reflecting pool, and new fencing echoes the mid-century home’s existing siding. Soft planting provides a foil for the architecture’s clean lines, with feathery Cyperus papyrus offering privacy without blocking light. The back garden features a new areas for lounging, playing and entertaining. A previous owner’s prized Hawaiian Ti (Cordyline terminalis) collection was incorporated into the planting, with Black Taro (Colocasia esculenta “˜Black Magic’) adding drama. And the home’s central outdoor atrium optimizes Long Beach’s mild climate with a collection of easy-care, sculptural plantings.
Sculptural plantings in the home’s central (open air) atrium.
Phormium cookianum blooms.
Restios with dark gravel.
The house and garden’s strong lines are balanced with softly textured planting.
An existing flagstone planter was reconfigured as a reflecting pool.
Project 6
Specht Harpman Architects
Weston, CT, USA
Weston Residence
Design Statement: Blurring the distinction between built and natural, the roofscape, or fifth faí§ade, becomes a critical element. Terraced planes with year-round, regional succulents step down the hill. The planted roofs are integral to the high-performance envelope.
Overview at night
Outdoor Living Area
Creek-side
Terraced Roofscape
Project 7
Woolly Blue Landscaping
Carmel, CA, USA
Tehama
Design Statement: To soften the edges of the home’s contemporary architecture using exclusively California native plants.
Pacific Reedgrass in reclaimed steel container
Waterwash stone bench
Sandmat Manzanita, Dudleya, Pacific Reedgrass
Pacific Reedgrass and concrete steps
Stepping stones with Ceanothus ‘Centennial’ and Manzanita ‘Austin Griffiths’
Deergrass and Manzanitas
Project 8
Katie Lesh
Sacramento, CA, USA
A Contemporary Japanese Landscape
Design Statement: Staying true to Japanese landscape design, we selected plant material that is authentic to Asian gardens. We incorporated some existing hardscape elements, including the concrete patio that was originally the foundation for an old storage shed. We used artificial grass to conserve water usage in our dry (Northern, CA) climate. The lounge chairs are made of 100% recycled milk cartons and withstand the direct, harsh sunlight. Each moss rock was hand selected and serves a purpose from a birdbath to a bench. The landscape exhibits a balance of different elements and textures, important to this style.
Each moss rock has a different personality and purpose.
Lounge chairs, made from 100% recycled milk cartons, are simple and comfortable and allow the landscape to take center stage.
Retro patio chairs add a pop of color without distracting from the landscape.
The authentic Japanese lantern in the background, was a gift from my husband’s grandparents who emigrated from Japan.
Project 9
Craig Augustus Schneider
Fruitland Park, FL, USA
Back yard Oasis
Design Statement: A hot backyard in a mobile home park turned into an oasis
This backyard was blazing hot. Now it is a a cool oasis.
A hot back yard turned into a cool oasis.
Project 10
Howells Architecture + Design
Portland, OR, USA
Laurelhurst Garden
Design Statement: This project reimagines an unremarkable and under-used back yard in Portland, creating an urban garden with an adjacent writer’s studio. Taking inspiration from Japanese precedents, we conceived of a paving scheme with planters, a cedar soaking tub, a fire pit, and a seven-foot-tall cedar fence. A maple tree forms the focal point and will grow to shade the yard. Board-formed concrete planters house conifers, maples and moss, appropriate to the Pacific Northwest climate. Moss plantings between the pavers break up the rigorous geometry, softening the landscape both visually and underfoot. Challenges included working sensitively with the root systems of trees on the four adjacent properties, integration of a new site drainage system, and the complexity of fitting a dimensionally rigorous design into a site that appears rectangular but isn’t. The new fencing is sheathed on both sides, both to afford greater privacy for the owners and to provide an aesthetic experience for the neighbors that is equal to that on the owner’s side of the fence. The cedar will weather to a silver-gray.
Before: An underused back yard.
A 7-ft-tall cedar fence is sheathed on both sides, to afford maximum privacy and give the neighbors a quality fence too.
After: a multi-use landscape includes a soaking tub, a fire pit, a barbecue area, and an outdoor dining area. The pavers are cast-in-place concrete.
Moss between the pavers softens the design both visually and underfoot.
A cedar soaking tub will weather to a silver-gray, like the fence.
Board-formed concrete references a Portland tradition.
Project 11
Arterra Landscape Architects
San Francisco, CA, USA
Garden Vignette
Design Statement: This city garden, located on Buena Vista Hill in San Francisco, is the result of a thoughtful, collaborative design approach. Our clients, who are avid gardeners, were drawn to bold geometric forms and beautiful materials. They requested a visually strong garden with water and lush plantings. We focused on giving this garden presence and meaning through the ancient-looking monoliths, but the clean lines and geometry keep the overall space modern. Tinted concrete blocks form fountains and planters that our clients use to display their impressive collection of plants.
Two widths of pickets create a nice pattern and let light and air pass through, while blocking the direct view into the neighbors’ properties. We used a mix of red and yellow cedar, both of which have a lovely silvery cast when they age.
We used a waterproof additive in the concrete mix, so that we didn’t have to use a liner. The concrete forms alone are holding the water. The ledge around the fountain is a great height and width to sit on and dip your hands in the water.
Symmetry and geometry create drama and visual impact in this small garden.
We’re very happy we used poured-in-place concrete for the forms. There is always a sense of adventure when working with this process, as the result can’t be fully controlled. The concrete is a rosy-beige color that will age in surprising ways.
The moving water in the fountain brings life to the space through the movement and sound of falling water. We designed the feature to contain and reuse all of the splashing water.
Project 12
Christine Lee Design
San Francisco, CA, USA
San Francisco Treehouse
Design Statement: My Clients had a steep slope that they did not want “terraced” so I created two levels and tied them together with a staircase that doubled as a water feature , and retaining walls that are also seating.
upper level
Newly planted
view from lower wood deck
I designed copper planters that also serve as a “railing ” on other side of concrete staircase/ water feature. The copper ties in with copper downspouts used on the house.
The staircase leads to a wood deck with views of the entire city and the Golden Gate bridge. To the left is a small lawn for the children to play on.
established plants, privacy hedge had grown in and there is complete privacy
Project 13
McCullough’s Landscape & Nursery
New Albany, OH, USA
Intimate garden
Design Statement: A newly built home with a small courtyard area right off the living spaces required unique paving and pathways to access the space from both the home and outdoors.
transition between bluestone and bonded aggregate
transition between bluestone and bonded aggregate
detail of the project install
detail of paving pattern
water feature limestone coping
completed stone work with a shallow water feature
