alanhull's ideas
Client Brief. Landscape Design
Notes by M.Schwarz. June 28, 2012
Overview
- Janelle works (hard) at home
- 4 kids. Age 2,4,6,8
- Alan. Executive job? On his cell phone lots
- Planning on staying in this home a long time
- Like practical, functional
- Geometric, structured, clean, simple lines, bold
- As a rare (only) contemporary home in this area, lets emphasize that in the landscape
- Want to get out of the "broken window syndrome". Once the yard is landscaped, they'll be more motivated to have everyone chip in to keep it cleaned up. No storage space makes this difficult now also.
- The photos overall show a mixture of contemporary and classical. Common feature is strong geometry.
- Dislike: amorphous, indistinguishable landscapes that all look the same.
Plants:
- large blocks to simplify maintenance
- repeated patterns
- didn't discuss plant species in detail, but
- pyramidal trees x 3 or 4. RHS Property Line to block view of houses to back right
- can we repeat this somewhere else? Back P/L?
- must be Japanese maple (or 3) somewhere
Deck:
- probably have to leave concrete porch in place, use as support piers. (Matt: check depth of footings when on site)
- once we get project approval, we can make a few test cuts. I think its on full foundation, doesn't seem to be moving relative to house.'
- storage space under deck. Reuse pavers from side of house for floor. Easier to slide things in and out
- excavate back into hill to get more vertical space. Timber retaining wall at back to support soil. Remember we lose 16" to 18" from Beam/Joist/Deck. If we use flush joists then could lose only 10"
- if there are benches on deck, make them storage bench
- deck could contain Cooking area, or Cooking could be down at main patio level
- solid screen LHS neighbour. Wood or possibly alternative material (frosted glass?)
- for Hot tub. Janelle would like more screening to back and RHS, especially the 2nd story window RHS neighbour. Grasses? Small columnar tree? Should work in winter also.
- Fence is currently being stained dark grey to match window trim (nice colour!). Deck could be stained to match this, or perhaps 2-tone. Or... deep brown decking (hot tub photo below) and skirting/railing dark grey. Handrail could be brown also.
- Deck height at level of sill (no drop to deck stepping out of house)
- could be storage shed (prefabricated 6'w x 4'd x 7'H back of (left of) solid screen
Cooking Area:
- Mandatory: BBQ, counterspace
- Optional: Fridge
Clothesline:
- existing is used alot. 4 x 21' = 84'
- 2 possible locations:
- off back deck post to large post rear P/L. 30'
- off 2nd story walkout diagonal to back corner. 45'?
Fireplace:
- real wood. Want to feel the burn
- can we use the insert that is there now?
RHS Gate:
- shouldn't have step down at gate like there is now(tripping hazard). see Bubble Diagram for possible solution
Notes by M.Schwarz. June 28, 2012
Overview
- Janelle works (hard) at home
- 4 kids. Age 2,4,6,8
- Alan. Executive job? On his cell phone lots
- Planning on staying in this home a long time
- Like practical, functional
- Geometric, structured, clean, simple lines, bold
- As a rare (only) contemporary home in this area, lets emphasize that in the landscape
- Want to get out of the "broken window syndrome". Once the yard is landscaped, they'll be more motivated to have everyone chip in to keep it cleaned up. No storage space makes this difficult now also.
- The photos overall show a mixture of contemporary and classical. Common feature is strong geometry.
- Dislike: amorphous, indistinguishable landscapes that all look the same.
Plants:
- large blocks to simplify maintenance
- repeated patterns
- didn't discuss plant species in detail, but
- pyramidal trees x 3 or 4. RHS Property Line to block view of houses to back right
- can we repeat this somewhere else? Back P/L?
- must be Japanese maple (or 3) somewhere
Deck:
- probably have to leave concrete porch in place, use as support piers. (Matt: check depth of footings when on site)
- once we get project approval, we can make a few test cuts. I think its on full foundation, doesn't seem to be moving relative to house.'
- storage space under deck. Reuse pavers from side of house for floor. Easier to slide things in and out
- excavate back into hill to get more vertical space. Timber retaining wall at back to support soil. Remember we lose 16" to 18" from Beam/Joist/Deck. If we use flush joists then could lose only 10"
- if there are benches on deck, make them storage bench
- deck could contain Cooking area, or Cooking could be down at main patio level
- solid screen LHS neighbour. Wood or possibly alternative material (frosted glass?)
- for Hot tub. Janelle would like more screening to back and RHS, especially the 2nd story window RHS neighbour. Grasses? Small columnar tree? Should work in winter also.
- Fence is currently being stained dark grey to match window trim (nice colour!). Deck could be stained to match this, or perhaps 2-tone. Or... deep brown decking (hot tub photo below) and skirting/railing dark grey. Handrail could be brown also.
- Deck height at level of sill (no drop to deck stepping out of house)
- could be storage shed (prefabricated 6'w x 4'd x 7'H back of (left of) solid screen
Cooking Area:
- Mandatory: BBQ, counterspace
- Optional: Fridge
Clothesline:
- existing is used alot. 4 x 21' = 84'
- 2 possible locations:
- off back deck post to large post rear P/L. 30'
- off 2nd story walkout diagonal to back corner. 45'?
Fireplace:
- real wood. Want to feel the burn
- can we use the insert that is there now?
RHS Gate:
- shouldn't have step down at gate like there is now(tripping hazard). see Bubble Diagram for possible solution
straight lines to garden beds
Q