Spanish Hacienda
This design/build project reflects the Spanish Hacienda architectural style throughout and into every aspect of its landscape development. Beyond this architectural style, the many landscape features have one over-arching theme; to provide the ultimate outdoor living experience.
Terraced over a 30’ elevation change, these landscape elements cascade over natural granite outcroppings to the waterfront below. They incorporate the main residence, as well as several guest cottages and boat house spread throughout the intensely landscaped property. The steep elevation changes and intensely landscaped footprint created a challenging build environment, but strong project management strategies were used through all aspects of the construction process.
The landscape development highlights the existing granite outcroppings and cliffs, while transitioning into the built landscape features through boldly interjecting Spanish style stucco walls and cut granite slabs and boulders. The following is an outline of its many features:
Terraces
- more than a dozen terraces are used to gently navigate down over 30’ of elevation change
- each terrace has a specific purpose, and takes in differing vistas of both the property and lake
- linked through cut granite slab steps, with scrolled ornamental steel handrails used consistently as a visual link through the gardens
Outdoor Kitchens
Several outdoor kitchens provide unlimited options for “al fresca” dining. The central outdoor kitchen and bar offers every option for outdoor dining. The kitchen facilities include a six burner grill, wood-fired pizza over, warming tray, sink, and multiple refrigerators. The fully-stocked bar serves guests who can site at either of the multi-tiered counters, adjacent to the waterfront. For larger informal gatherings, a commercial hot-dog grill fills the need to feed a larger gathering of guests.
The spacious granite counters sit atop stone clad cabinets, while the entire area is set within a large scale post and timber pergola, which visually connects it with the Hacienda style architecture of the property.
Landscape lighting provides an intimate feel after dark, as guests move to the adjacent dining area and outdoor wood fireplace. The furnishings are consistent with the Spanish-influence décor.
The result is an Outdoor Kitchen that personifies casual elegance. A people place that is a central gathering area for friends and family to enjoy.
Splash Pool
- the splash pool and terrace offers a refreshing option to cool off close to the house, while taking in some of the best unobstructed views on the property
- a generous sitting ledge is located within the pool, with ample room for loungers
- the tempered glass railing has only the slender posts and glass panels connectors within view, and are cleanly set into the boulder retaining wall
Spa
- the waterfront spa area includes an outdoor shower, an adjacent sitting terrace with a heater for cooler evenings
- the hydraulic spa cover becomes a roof to the spa, providing shelter from the sun or rain
- a second spa is located more centrally on a terrace accessible from multiple buildings if the weather is discouraging guests from going down to the waterfront spa
Outdoor Fireplace
- the outdoor fireplace is located adjacent to the waterfront outdoor kitchen and bar
- a large circular lounger offers a place for evening conversations in the glow of the fire, and only feet from the lake
Waterfront Boardwalk
- the concrete waterfront boardwalk links all of the lower level amenity areas, and leads to boat house, docking slips, multiple sitting terraces, and all access points within the property
Hammock Pergola
- the hammock pergola is defined with large scale post and timber framing, matching the architectural elements throughout the property
- a soft beach sand surface leads to two large hammocks, just feet from the water’s edge
Entrance Gates and Laneway
- large natural stone columns provide access to the concrete unit paver laneway
- the sloping, 15’ wide laneway is the central sloping access through the property, and as such, receives much runoff during rain events
- multiple strategies have been used to collect the run-off, including sub-surface drains with pebble splash strips at the bottom of the granite outcroppings, wide strip drains to collect water along the route, area drains, and grading surfaces to slope the run-off to lawn areas to percolate the water into the groundwater table
- the paving pattern reflects the triangular architectural features set within walls and columns on the property
Water Features
- a waterfall feature running down the face of the large granite cliff provides the gentle sound of water to the serenity terrace and hammock pergola adjacent to the waterfront
- several other stand alone water features set on sitting terraces add to the peaceful sense of water flowing
Landscape Lighting
- lighting features are placed for safety along the pathways and steps, as well as being imbedded within the waterfront boardwalk to delineate the water’s edge
Planting
The many challenges in planting this site included the need to soften the large scale vertical and horizontal hardscape elements, narrow planting beds that are in full sun, and heated by the adjacent granite walls, and substantial water flow through the beds in storm events.
The design strategies included using deciduous shrubs such as Amelanchier canadensis, Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Seward’, Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’, Berberis thunbergii ‘Rose Glow’ and others to provide full season interest in colour and texture contracts, as well as structure and background for the herbaceous plantings. Perennials such as Hemerocallis ‘Stella D’Oro’, Nepeta ‘Purrsian Blue’, and Leucanthemum are repeated throughout the many gardens to provide a visual link and connection of the landscaped spaces. Ornamental grasses thrive in these conditions, and Panicum virgatum ‘Prairie Fire’, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ provide a natural touchstone to the natural growth beyond.
Sedum varieties are used to soften the rocks and slab steps, and are used where highly visible, inviting passers-by to stop and take in the visual and tactile beauty and touch of these plants.
The result is a rock garden that proves that despite harsh conditions and multiple challenges, using the “right plant in the right place” will provide a beautifully detailed garden that will delight throughout the year.
- a lush planting palette is used to soften the predominant hardscape features
- deciduous trees and shrubs provide scale to the buildings and walls, and shade to soften the sunlight
- perennials and ornamental grasses are used generously to fill planting beds and provide an abundance of colour and texture
- varieties perennials are used to visually connect the many terraces and feature areas
- sedum varieties are used to soften the rocks and slab steps, and are used where highly visible, inviting passers-by to stop and take in the visual and tactile beauty touch of these plants
Terraced over a 30’ elevation change, these landscape elements cascade over natural granite outcroppings to the waterfront below. They incorporate the main residence, as well as several guest cottages and boat house spread throughout the intensely landscaped property. The steep elevation changes and intensely landscaped footprint created a challenging build environment, but strong project management strategies were used through all aspects of the construction process.
The landscape development highlights the existing granite outcroppings and cliffs, while transitioning into the built landscape features through boldly interjecting Spanish style stucco walls and cut granite slabs and boulders. The following is an outline of its many features:
Terraces
- more than a dozen terraces are used to gently navigate down over 30’ of elevation change
- each terrace has a specific purpose, and takes in differing vistas of both the property and lake
- linked through cut granite slab steps, with scrolled ornamental steel handrails used consistently as a visual link through the gardens
Outdoor Kitchens
Several outdoor kitchens provide unlimited options for “al fresca” dining. The central outdoor kitchen and bar offers every option for outdoor dining. The kitchen facilities include a six burner grill, wood-fired pizza over, warming tray, sink, and multiple refrigerators. The fully-stocked bar serves guests who can site at either of the multi-tiered counters, adjacent to the waterfront. For larger informal gatherings, a commercial hot-dog grill fills the need to feed a larger gathering of guests.
The spacious granite counters sit atop stone clad cabinets, while the entire area is set within a large scale post and timber pergola, which visually connects it with the Hacienda style architecture of the property.
Landscape lighting provides an intimate feel after dark, as guests move to the adjacent dining area and outdoor wood fireplace. The furnishings are consistent with the Spanish-influence décor.
The result is an Outdoor Kitchen that personifies casual elegance. A people place that is a central gathering area for friends and family to enjoy.
Splash Pool
- the splash pool and terrace offers a refreshing option to cool off close to the house, while taking in some of the best unobstructed views on the property
- a generous sitting ledge is located within the pool, with ample room for loungers
- the tempered glass railing has only the slender posts and glass panels connectors within view, and are cleanly set into the boulder retaining wall
Spa
- the waterfront spa area includes an outdoor shower, an adjacent sitting terrace with a heater for cooler evenings
- the hydraulic spa cover becomes a roof to the spa, providing shelter from the sun or rain
- a second spa is located more centrally on a terrace accessible from multiple buildings if the weather is discouraging guests from going down to the waterfront spa
Outdoor Fireplace
- the outdoor fireplace is located adjacent to the waterfront outdoor kitchen and bar
- a large circular lounger offers a place for evening conversations in the glow of the fire, and only feet from the lake
Waterfront Boardwalk
- the concrete waterfront boardwalk links all of the lower level amenity areas, and leads to boat house, docking slips, multiple sitting terraces, and all access points within the property
Hammock Pergola
- the hammock pergola is defined with large scale post and timber framing, matching the architectural elements throughout the property
- a soft beach sand surface leads to two large hammocks, just feet from the water’s edge
Entrance Gates and Laneway
- large natural stone columns provide access to the concrete unit paver laneway
- the sloping, 15’ wide laneway is the central sloping access through the property, and as such, receives much runoff during rain events
- multiple strategies have been used to collect the run-off, including sub-surface drains with pebble splash strips at the bottom of the granite outcroppings, wide strip drains to collect water along the route, area drains, and grading surfaces to slope the run-off to lawn areas to percolate the water into the groundwater table
- the paving pattern reflects the triangular architectural features set within walls and columns on the property
Water Features
- a waterfall feature running down the face of the large granite cliff provides the gentle sound of water to the serenity terrace and hammock pergola adjacent to the waterfront
- several other stand alone water features set on sitting terraces add to the peaceful sense of water flowing
Landscape Lighting
- lighting features are placed for safety along the pathways and steps, as well as being imbedded within the waterfront boardwalk to delineate the water’s edge
Planting
The many challenges in planting this site included the need to soften the large scale vertical and horizontal hardscape elements, narrow planting beds that are in full sun, and heated by the adjacent granite walls, and substantial water flow through the beds in storm events.
The design strategies included using deciduous shrubs such as Amelanchier canadensis, Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Seward’, Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’, Berberis thunbergii ‘Rose Glow’ and others to provide full season interest in colour and texture contracts, as well as structure and background for the herbaceous plantings. Perennials such as Hemerocallis ‘Stella D’Oro’, Nepeta ‘Purrsian Blue’, and Leucanthemum are repeated throughout the many gardens to provide a visual link and connection of the landscaped spaces. Ornamental grasses thrive in these conditions, and Panicum virgatum ‘Prairie Fire’, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ provide a natural touchstone to the natural growth beyond.
Sedum varieties are used to soften the rocks and slab steps, and are used where highly visible, inviting passers-by to stop and take in the visual and tactile beauty and touch of these plants.
The result is a rock garden that proves that despite harsh conditions and multiple challenges, using the “right plant in the right place” will provide a beautifully detailed garden that will delight throughout the year.
- a lush planting palette is used to soften the predominant hardscape features
- deciduous trees and shrubs provide scale to the buildings and walls, and shade to soften the sunlight
- perennials and ornamental grasses are used generously to fill planting beds and provide an abundance of colour and texture
- varieties perennials are used to visually connect the many terraces and feature areas
- sedum varieties are used to soften the rocks and slab steps, and are used where highly visible, inviting passers-by to stop and take in the visual and tactile beauty touch of these plants
Project Year: 2016
Project Cost: $1,500,001 - $2,000,000
Country: Canada
Zip Code: K0E 1B0
