u2014 ALE: Tiered Living Garden

Brown Design Group http://www.bdgla.com Project Entry: Tiered Living Garden 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential $60,000-$120,000 Award Level: Gold Photo Description: This project exemplifies good design, craftsmanship, hard work and excellent communication between client and designer/contractor. In the first meeting the client told us “we would think she was crazy for wanting to do what she had in mind for her back yard”. We disagreed and brought her vision as an Art Teacher to life. We worked out several layouts and went over the possibilities before deciding on one to refine. The project focused on utilizing the entire yard, and creating individual “use” spaces, that flowed to one another. A large concern for the project was neighboring views and creating privacy on this elevated site. An additional concern was site access and how limited it was. In order to access the site we could only use a 34” walkway along the left side of the house. The use spaces were created by determine functions the client wished to have including outdoor cooking and dining, relaxing by a fire, sun bathing, refreshing in a swim spa, somewhere to garden, and somewhere to just hang out and listen to nature. Being elevated from the site we knew we would have to create levels, in order to reduce the dis-connect from the top level to the garden area. By creating a mid level we were able to accomplish a continueing space and accomplish a function space for sun bathing and spa area. The requset for a swim spa gave way to a semi built in spa for size and overall budget concerns, yet still allows for refreshing in the summer, and adds therapeutic benefit the rest of the year. This area alos features an outdoor shower, built in bench area, that additionally works as a spa cover hideaway that rolls in and out and plenty of room for lounge chairs. The lowest level of the garden brings you the feel of hanging out in a much larger space with the sounds of the water feature and fine textured specimen plantings. It also provides space for gardening and storage in a custom built shed to tie in with the house and garden architecture. The upper most space holds the most used function of the garden for cooking, dining, hanging out by the built in fire feature or sitting at the bar watching TV on the outdoor weather proof set. Amenities of the kitchen include 36” stainless steel grill, ice maker, refrigerator, bar sink, and various stainless steel storage areas. A built in outdoor TV is also located in this area as well as an exterior ceiling fan. The total kitchen space is covered by a custom built painted cellular vinyl pergola to look like cedar without the maintenance. A retractable cover and blinds were also installed to shade the cooking and entertaining area. Off the kitchen area is dining and living space also covered with a second pergola structure that ties in to the main one. This area also holds the fire feature to extend the season and provide interest from below. All areas of the garden have zoned irrigation, and line and low voltage lighting. The color scheme was derived around the idea of natural tones that would blend with the house and allow garden plantings and accents to provide the pops of color. While the custom screening and plant material provide a sense of intimacy in this elevated site. The fine attention to details of use of materials on this site exemplifies our staffs craftsmanship, dedication, strong work ethic and wide range of skills. Photo Credit: SkySight Photography