For a family who believes fitness is not only an essential part of life but also a fun opportunity for the whole family to connect, build and achieve greatness together there is nothing better than a custom designed obstacle course right in your back yard. THEME The theme of this half mile trail through the woods is evident in the fun, creative and all-inclusive obstacles hidden in the natural flow of the land around this amazing family home. The course was created with adults and children, advanced and beginner athletes, competitive and entertaining events all accounted for. Each of the 13 obstacles was designed to be challenging no matter the size, skill or ability of the athlete lucky enough to run the course. FOCUS The focus for this family was to create an outdoor adventure that could be an athletic, social and personal outlet for their entire family while maintaining the natural beauty of the landscape and without altering the sweeping views from the home. The large scale of the challenging obstacles is camouflaged within the landscape using the rolling hills and mature trees as a natural curtain in every season. The beauty of the course does not diminish the functional and demanding nature of the obstacles which are designed to focus on multiple strength, agility, and cardio fitness abilities and intensities. STORAGE The start of the trail includes a raised training area offering a dedicated space clear from the ground to place bags, mats and other equipment used during the run. A small all-terrain storage cart was provided for use with 6 yoga mats, 3 medicine balls of various weights, rings, sprinting cones, and a large digital timer to record laps. GROWTH The course was designed to provide an athletic and fun challenge for children, teens and adults no matter their experience or athletic prowess. This course offers competitive athletes a challenge and budding athletes an opportunity to experience and ignite their passion for physical activity. Initially the concept for the course was focused on the youngest of the family however as the design grew so did the obstacles and now it is a true family experience that will meet their adapting needs for years. Each obstacle is paired with an instructional sign directing the runners in proper use of the obstacle, adaptations for skill levels and tips on form. These signs are all customized for this course and are printed on metal to ensure they last for many years. SAFETY Safety is crucial for all physical activity and an obstacle course of this scale presents unique safety concerns. Children should always be supervised when participating in an adventure on the course however additional care was paid to details on the course to ensure everyone has a great time. All of the course obstacles have been created with pressure treated lumber that will withstand the seasonal poundings. All footer pilings that support obstacles have been placed into the ground between 3 to 4 feet (.9 to 1.2 meters) and each piling has 2 to 3 bags of concrete (totaling over 90 bags used throughout the course) ensuring stability of the structure and safety of the participants. Additionally, all obstacle lumber has been given rounded corners and sanded down offering less splintering and more time for everyone to enjoy the course. This athletic and charismatic family strives to incorporate a healthy active lifestyle into their daily life and this obstacle course offers their family an opportunity to strengthen themselves and host some memorable and active events at their amazing home.

The building has been anchored into the site with a series of stepped forms being used to reduce the scale of the site cut and slope. A central deck/courtyard provides sheltered private indoor/outdoor living, creating a central hub for the second floor. Photography by DRAW Photography Ltd

The residence on the third level of this live/work space is completely private. The large living room features a brick wall with a long linear fireplace and gray toned furniture with leather accents. The dining room features banquette seating with a custom table with built in leaves to extend the table for dinner parties. The kitchen also has the ability to grow with its custom one of a kind island including a pullout table. An ARDA for indoor living goes to Visbeen Architects, Inc. Designers: Visbeen Architects, Inc. with Vision Interiors by Visbeen From: East Grand Rapids, Michigan

Beach style brown floor and dark wood floor kitchen photo in Boston with white cabinets, white backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, white countertops, an undermount sink and shaker cabinets

This Long Island patio installation presented the challenge of a small backyard and existing free-form pool to work around. The solution was a beautiful multi-level pool surround that gave the illusion of space by creating dedicated areas for dining, cooking, and lounging. And to fit the client's budget, the design was structured as a multi-stage installation, with the ability to add additional areas and landscape elements in the future. See more info about this project here: http://www.aboveallmasonry.com/massapequa-ny-landscape-design-2

This Long Island patio installation presented the challenge of a small backyard and existing free-form pool to work around. The solution was a beautiful multi-level pool surround that gave the illusion of space by creating dedicated areas for dining, cooking, and lounging. And to fit the client's budget, the design was structured as a multi-stage installation, with the ability to add additional areas and landscape elements in the future. See more info about this project here: http://www.aboveallmasonry.com/massapequa-ny-landscape-design-2

This Long Island patio installation presented the challenge of a small backyard and existing free-form pool to work around. The solution was a beautiful multi-level pool surround that gave the illusion of space by creating dedicated areas for dining, cooking, and lounging. And to fit the client's budget, the design was structured as a multi-stage installation, with the ability to add additional areas and landscape elements in the future. See more info about this project here: http://www.aboveallmasonry.com/massapequa-ny-landscape-design-2

For a family who believes fitness is not only an essential part of life but also a fun opportunity for the whole family to connect, build and achieve greatness together there is nothing better than a custom designed obstacle course right in your back yard. THEME The theme of this half mile trail through the woods is evident in the fun, creative and all-inclusive obstacles hidden in the natural flow of the land around this amazing family home. The course was created with adults and children, advanced and beginner athletes, competitive and entertaining events all accounted for. Each of the 13 obstacles was designed to be challenging no matter the size, skill or ability of the athlete lucky enough to run the course. FOCUS The focus for this family was to create an outdoor adventure that could be an athletic, social and personal outlet for their entire family while maintaining the natural beauty of the landscape and without altering the sweeping views from the home. The large scale of the challenging obstacles is camouflaged within the landscape using the rolling hills and mature trees as a natural curtain in every season. The beauty of the course does not diminish the functional and demanding nature of the obstacles which are designed to focus on multiple strength, agility, and cardio fitness abilities and intensities. STORAGE The start of the trail includes a raised training area offering a dedicated space clear from the ground to place bags, mats and other equipment used during the run. A small all-terrain storage cart was provided for use with 6 yoga mats, 3 medicine balls of various weights, rings, sprinting cones, and a large digital timer to record laps. GROWTH The course was designed to provide an athletic and fun challenge for children, teens and adults no matter their experience or athletic prowess. This course offers competitive athletes a challenge and budding athletes an opportunity to experience and ignite their passion for physical activity. Initially the concept for the course was focused on the youngest of the family however as the design grew so did the obstacles and now it is a true family experience that will meet their adapting needs for years. Each obstacle is paired with an instructional sign directing the runners in proper use of the obstacle, adaptations for skill levels and tips on form. These signs are all customized for this course and are printed on metal to ensure they last for many years. SAFETY Safety is crucial for all physical activity and an obstacle course of this scale presents unique safety concerns. Children should always be supervised when participating in an adventure on the course however additional care was paid to details on the course to ensure everyone has a great time. All of the course obstacles have been created with pressure treated lumber that will withstand the seasonal poundings. All footer pilings that support obstacles have been placed into the ground between 3 to 4 feet (.9 to 1.2 meters) and each piling has 2 to 3 bags of concrete (totaling over 90 bags used throughout the course) ensuring stability of the structure and safety of the participants. Additionally, all obstacle lumber has been given rounded corners and sanded down offering less splintering and more time for everyone to enjoy the course. This athletic and charismatic family strives to incorporate a healthy active lifestyle into their daily life and this obstacle course offers their family an opportunity to strengthen themselves and host some memorable and active events at their amazing home.

This Long Island patio installation presented the challenge of a small backyard and existing free-form pool to work around. The solution was a beautiful multi-level pool surround that gave the illusion of space by creating dedicated areas for dining, cooking, and lounging. And to fit the client's budget, the design was structured as a multi-stage installation, with the ability to add additional areas and landscape elements in the future. See more info about this project here: http://www.aboveallmasonry.com/massapequa-ny-landscape-design-2

This Long Island patio installation presented the challenge of a small backyard and existing free-form pool to work around. The solution was a beautiful multi-level pool surround that gave the illusion of space by creating dedicated areas for dining, cooking, and lounging. And to fit the client's budget, the design was structured as a multi-stage installation, with the ability to add additional areas and landscape elements in the future. See more info about this project here: http://www.aboveallmasonry.com/massapequa-ny-landscape-design-2

This Long Island patio installation presented the challenge of a small backyard and existing free-form pool to work around. The solution was a beautiful multi-level pool surround that gave the illusion of space by creating dedicated areas for dining, cooking, and lounging. And to fit the client's budget, the design was structured as a multi-stage installation, with the ability to add additional areas and landscape elements in the future. See more info about this project here: http://www.aboveallmasonry.com/massapequa-ny-landscape-design-2

This Long Island patio installation presented the challenge of a small backyard and existing free-form pool to work around. The solution was a beautiful multi-level pool surround that gave the illusion of space by creating dedicated areas for dining, cooking, and lounging. And to fit the client's budget, the design was structured as a multi-stage installation, with the ability to add additional areas and landscape elements in the future. See more info about this project here: http://www.aboveallmasonry.com/massapequa-ny-landscape-design-2

www.kenhayden.com Photography by Ken Hayden
Living room - huge contemporary open concept living room idea in New York with beige walls and a ribbon fireplace

This Long Island patio installation presented the challenge of a small backyard and existing free-form pool to work around. The solution was a beautiful multi-level pool surround that gave the illusion of space by creating dedicated areas for dining, cooking, and lounging. And to fit the client's budget, the design was structured as a multi-stage installation, with the ability to add additional areas and landscape elements in the future. See more info about this project here: http://www.aboveallmasonry.com/massapequa-ny-landscape-design-2

This Long Island patio installation presented the challenge of a small backyard and existing free-form pool to work around. The solution was a beautiful multi-level pool surround that gave the illusion of space by creating dedicated areas for dining, cooking, and lounging. And to fit the client's budget, the design was structured as a multi-stage installation, with the ability to add additional areas and landscape elements in the future. See more info about this project here: http://www.aboveallmasonry.com/massapequa-ny-landscape-design-2

This Long Island patio installation presented the challenge of a small backyard and existing free-form pool to work around. The solution was a beautiful multi-level pool surround that gave the illusion of space by creating dedicated areas for dining, cooking, and lounging. And to fit the client's budget, the design was structured as a multi-stage installation, with the ability to add additional areas and landscape elements in the future. See more info about this project here: http://www.aboveallmasonry.com/massapequa-ny-landscape-design-2

We created this beautiful accessible bathroom in Carlsbad to give our client a more functional space. We designed this unique bath, specific to the client's specifications to make it more wheel chair accessible. Features such as the roll in shower, roll up vanity and the ability to use her chair for flexibility over the fixed wall mounted seat allow her to be more independent in this bathroom. Safety was another significant factor for the room. We added support bars in all areas and with maximum flexibility to allow the client to perform all bathing functions independently, and all were positioned after carefully recreating her movements. We met the objectives of functionality and safety without compromising beauty in this aging in place bathroom. Travertine-look porcelain tile was used in a large format on the shower walls to minimize grout lines and maximize ease of maintenance. A crema marfil marble mosaic in an elongated hex pattern was used in the shower room for it’s beauty and flexibility in sloped shower. A custom cabinet was made to the height ideal for our client’s use of the sink and a protective panel placed over the pea trap.

This Long Island patio installation presented the challenge of a small backyard and existing free-form pool to work around. The solution was a beautiful multi-level pool surround that gave the illusion of space by creating dedicated areas for dining, cooking, and lounging. And to fit the client's budget, the design was structured as a multi-stage installation, with the ability to add additional areas and landscape elements in the future. See more info about this project here: http://www.aboveallmasonry.com/massapequa-ny-landscape-design-2