Search results for "Residential steep slope landscaping" in Home Design Ideas
Confidence Landscaping, Inc.
A naturally steep slope is artfully contained by this colorful drought tolerant garden.
Photo of a large contemporary sloped partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a retaining wall and gravel.
Photo of a large contemporary sloped partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a retaining wall and gravel.
Warline Painting Ltd.
Ina VanTonder
Inspiration for a large contemporary two-storey blue house exterior in Vancouver with wood siding, a hip roof and a metal roof.
Inspiration for a large contemporary two-storey blue house exterior in Vancouver with wood siding, a hip roof and a metal roof.
Dig Your Garden Landscape Design
APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design
Find the right local pro for your project
Ramsey Landscape Associates, Inc.
Residential Landscape and Hardscapes by Ramsey Landscape Associates, Inc.
Photos by Matthew Ramsey
This is an example of a traditional garden in Raleigh with a water feature.
This is an example of a traditional garden in Raleigh with a water feature.
DesignARC
Falcon House is located on Falcon Ridge Road, which winds along a steeply inclined ridge in a stretch of foothills within Carmel Valley in Monterey County. An old lichen covered barn and split rail, cedar fences characterize this area known as Markham Ranch, and contrast sharply with the preponderance of sprawling, large estate-style homes, many more at-home in the Italian countryside than any landscape of California.
Designed for a young family, Falcon House responds to the family’s desire to live a more modest lifestyle, eschewing overt displays of extravagance for an intimate and deferential relation to nature.
The 3,200-square-foot residence occupies a difficult portion of the northern slope of a hillside, overlooking a verdant valley and oriented toward Castle Rock in the distance. The steep terrain necessitated a compartmentalized plan capable of negotiating the gentle hillock at the center of the site. A corridor bridge spans two pieces of the house, uniting living and sleeping spaces and allowing an existing watercourse to flow essentially through the house unobstructed.
Large panels of glass open the living spaces to the landscape, beneath the deep overhang of a butterfly roof. Operable clerestories placed high on the window-wall allow prevailing breezes to cool the interior spaces. The bedroom wing of the house hugs the hillside as it turns to the west, ensuring privacy from the main living spaces. The sense of seclusion and protection of this wing is reinforced by its lower roofline and its embedment into the hill.
Initial resistance by neighboring homeowners has given way to appreciation, having seen the results of careful siting and a material and color palate sympathetic to the surrounding hillsides. The dwelling embodies an attitude of respect for the landscape, and through that perspective Falcon House has become as natural a part of its environment as the hawks flying overhead.
2008 AIA Orange County Chapter Merit Award
MGS Architecture
concrete , steps, exterior, slope, exterior recess lights
Barry Schwartz Photography
This is an example of a modern sloped garden in Los Angeles.
This is an example of a modern sloped garden in Los Angeles.
The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design
Extensive stack stone walls reclaim a steep slope and made for a visually appealing area that becomes very useable. Photo: The Ardent Gardener Landscape
Windscapes Landscaping
Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun formal garden in Grand Rapids with a garden path and natural stone pavers.
Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association
Stoney Bank Nurseries, Inc. http://www.stoneybanknurseries.com/
Project Entry: Restoration of Rose Valley Farm
2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner
Category: Residential $60,000 & Over
Award Level: Gold
Project Description:
Rose Valley Farm is an irreplaceable part of local identity and pride as much as it is a testament to the development of distinctive American design and craftsmanship. Our challenge was to restore this historic landscape to former glory while seamlessly blending desired amenities. This landscape architecture restoration project has preserved the work of our predecessors by creating a living document and preserving arguably the finest example of the arts and crafts movement in America.
In 1901 Quaker architect William Lightfoot Price founded the Rose Valley Association to save and encourage the continuation of craftsmanship in response to the Industrial Revolution. In support of Price's experiment, Mr. and Mrs. Charles T Schoen purchased the estate and commissioned Price to transform the existing cottage into an elegant villa. After Schoen's death, Maurice and Adele Saul purchased the property. The property and villa was retained in a family trust after Saul's death in 1974.
In 2005, a developer purchased the estate and the twenty-six acres of land that remained attached to the estate with the intent of creating a housing community. The Borough of Rose Valley rarely allows housing developments within its boundaries. The borough agreed to allow the developer to construct a higher density townhouse community with the condition that half of the property remained as open space and notable trees and buildings would be protected and preserved.
Our company was brought in by the new estate owners with the intent to repurpose the historical artifacts found throughout the site and to restore the gardens to their previous state of glory. The developer gave the estate owner permission to remove any salvageable stone and plantings that would be lost in during construction. In addition to the many salvaged shrubs and trees, over 20 mature trees from our nursery were hand selected and transplanted onto the estate. The result is a landscape that responds to the age of the house while providing critical screening from the surrounding development.
Trees shading the formal gardens and untamed undergrowth swarming garden bed remnants were proof that the gardens had not received any maintenance for at least ten years_ Garden beds were purged and then reinstated by adding new boxwood varieties that are more resistant to the diseases that were crippling existing boxwoods. Transplanted peonies and irises now burst into bloom around the repaired central garden fountain in springtime followed by an array of lilies and lavender in the summer.
A spectrum of over 120 different plant species was selected for the estate in order to provide year round interest. Amsonia's lavender blue flowers steal the show early in the spring and its leaves celebrate autumn by turning a brilliant yellow. Different daylily species were chosen with staggered bloom times to enlighten the gardens with their colorful manner. Japanese Stewartia was selected to enhance the diversity and compliment other mature trees as it decorates the landscape throughout the season with flowers, foliage, and intricate bark patterns.
The remnant stone foundations of the original pump house were not feasible to restore but held the old grindstone from the mill on the property. The mill grindstone was relocated by crane and incorporated into a new water feature in the formal gardens. The foundations of the pump house were transformed into a ruin garden with multiple water features and lush plantings. Large Haste leaves create a backdrop for the finely detailed leaves of ferns growing from cracks in the stone walls.
Eroding slopes near the studio guest house threatened its longevity and needed to be stabilized. More than 400 tons of large boulders were brought in to stabilize the steep bank near the studio building. A crane was used to lift the boulders as each stone was individually placed into the bank. Gro-low Fragrant Sumac and Cutleaf Stephanandra were especially useful in retaining soil on the steep bank while providing wonderful interest throughout the seasons.
Any visiting guest will feel at home with their own private gather spaces connected to the studio. Views of the landscape are enjoyed off the back grilling patio of the studio guest house. Native Switchgrass and Northern Sea Oats are planted in the nearby embankment. They rustle in the wind all summer long and come fall highlight the landscape with seed heads. Pink Muhly Grass contrasts against the yellow leaves of Yucca filamentosa 'Golden Sword' as they mark the staircase that descends the hill to the observation terrace.
The seamless blend of old and new features on the site was possible through the dedication of the new owners, designers, arid laborers working to preserve, restore, and enhance the works of outstanding craftsmen created a century ago. The result is a residence in which the sole purpose of its existence is to display and preserve one of the finest arts and crafts estates in the country. This landscape architecture historical restoration project has actualized the grace of a mature landscape in a modern era.
Photo Credit: Stoney Bank Nurseries, Inc.
Ketti Kupper Conscious Life Design
Steep back slope after. Pressure treated wood retaining walls to terrace the space and redwood clad facing and cap.
Design ideas for a small contemporary sloped xeriscape in Los Angeles.
Design ideas for a small contemporary sloped xeriscape in Los Angeles.
Scenic Landscaping
Heather K.
Large contemporary backyard partial sun garden in New York with a garden path and concrete pavers for summer.
Large contemporary backyard partial sun garden in New York with a garden path and concrete pavers for summer.
Mark S. Garff, Landscape Architect
A small space was reimagined for clients on Lake Washington by Landscape Architect Mark S. Garff. In this photo a gabion basket wall holds back the steep slope, creating a flat garden area for viewing. A new horizontal board fence adds privacy and creates an intimate seating area at the water's edge.
Photos by Mark S. Garff.
River Valley Landscapes
This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties.
Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door.
Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens.
On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining.
The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to.
The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.
Exterior Worlds Landscaping & Design
This garden house was designed by owner and architect, Shirat Mavligit. The wooden section of outer wall is actually the outer section of a central volume that creates an enlarged open space bisecting the home interior. The windows create a view corridor within the home that allows visitors to see all the way through to the back yard.
Occupants of the home looking out through these windows feel as if they are sitting in the middle of a garden. This architectural theme of volume and line of site is so powerful that it became the inspiration for the modern landscape design we developed in the front, back, and side yards of the property.
We began by addressing the issue of too much open space in the front yard. It has no surrounding fence, and it faces a very busy street in Houston’s Rice Village Area. After careful study of the home façade, our team determined that the best way to set aside a large portion of private space in front of the home was to construct a landscape berm.
This land art form adds a sense of dimension and psychological boundary to the scene. It is built of core 10 steel and stands 16 inches tall. This is just high enough for guests to sit on, and it provides an ideal sunbathing area for summer days.
The sweeping contour of the berm offsets the rigid linearity of the home with a softer architectural detail. Its linear progression gives the modern landscape design a dynamic sense of movement.
Moving to the back yard, we reinforced the home’s central volume and view corridor by laying a rectilinear line of gravel parallel to an equivalent section of grass. Near the corner of the house, we created a series of gravel stepping pads that lead guests from the gravel run, through the grass, and into a vegetable garden.
The heavy use of gravel does several things. It communicates a sense of control by containing the vitality of the lawn within an inorganic, mathematically precise space. This feeling of contained life force is common in modern landscape design. This also adds the functional advantage of a low-maintenance space where only minimal lawn care is needed. Gravel also has its own unique aesthetic appeal. Its dark color compliments both the grass and the house, providing an ideal lead-in to the space of the vegetable garden.
This same rectilinear geometry was applied to the side yard, but the materials were reversed to add dramatic effect. Here, the field is gravel, and the stepping pads are made from grass. Heavy gauge steel planters were set into the gravel to house separate plantings of Zoysia. The pads run from the library to the kitchen, allowing visitors to travel between the two as if they are walking on a floor decorated with grass.
The lawn in all three yards is planted with Zoysia grass. This species of grass is frequently used in modern landscape design because it requires only moderate amounts of water to retain its exceptionally fine texture. When mowed, it presents a clean, well-manicured lawn that compliments the conservatism of the home.
Exterior Worlds Landscaping & Design
Years ago, Exterior Worlds was contacted by a couple by the names of Rick and Susan Ashcroft. They asked if we could do something about the lagoon-style swimming pool that had been built behind their house in the late1940s. This style had been very popular at that time, and it is still a favored by some of the world’s more lavish resorts. However, ever since the day they had purchased their home, the Ashcroft’s had always been agitated by the ostentatiousness of the whole thing, and had finally decided to have it redesigned as a natural swimming pool. They wanted their back yard to retain the feeling of a tropical locale, but lose the touristic element in favor of that of a cozier, more private corner of paradise.
We agreed with their sentiments wholeheartedly. Just a cursory glance at the property confirmed that a natural swimming pool design was a much better fit for the grade of the landscape and the surrounding opportunities for vegetation and lighting. The Ashcroft residence was located on the side of a hill that sloped down toward a ravine, and the house itself house was built 40 feet back from the road. The steep grade of the land posed construction challenges to any type of water feature, but there was a way to build a natural swimming pool here that would achieve the aesthetic the Ashcroft’s were seeking and create a lasting element that required only limited and very intermittent periods of maintenance.
We began by stripping the pool down to its shell and building a retaining wall that offset the grade of the land. We shaped the surrounding earth around it into a much deeper basin that would allow water to collect naturally like it does at the base of a cliff. A series of interlocking pavers was laid around the perimeter to create a flat surface that extended from the back of the home to the retaining wall. This is a standard aesthetic used in most natural swimming pools, but it also served a special, practical purpose in this instance. Since this area was subject to heavy land erosion from runoff rainwater, pavers provided a very efficient way of reconstructing key elements of the structure every 5-10 years.
The natural swimming pool now appeared as an inviting portal into a remote hill country getaway, just a stone’s throw away from the back of the house. We made it easier to reach by building two series of stone steps that led down to either side of the water’s edge. We were careful to avoid making them look too much like stairs. Instead, we designed them to closely mimic the layers of rock that often jut from the sides of mountains and dormant volcanoes on islands all over the Pacific. To further develop this theme, we placed a large flat stone to serve as a diving area, and we created a waterfall on either side of it by laying down stones in a manner that created varying speeds of water.
Our construction methods here were very unique in comparison to those of our competitors. We took almost a month to consciously and deliberately lay each stone by hand. While this may seem painstakingly detailed to some, the rewards were astonishing, because our natural swimming pool mimicked Nature in such a way that it lacked almost all evidence of human engineering, and looked virtually identical to something you would stumble upon in the jungle of a tropical paradise.
If you are interested in any high-quality landscape services, Exterior Worlds has been providing the high-end residential landscape services and garden design services discussed above for the Houston and the surrounding areas including memorial villages (Piney Point Village, Bunker Hill Village, Hunter Creek Village), Tanglewood, River Oaks, West University and the greater Houston (Hou), area since 1987. Contact us at 713-827-2255 For more the 20 years Exterior Worlds has specialized in servicing many of Houston's fine neighborhoods.
Wagner Hodgson
North Cove Residence
Shelburne, Vermont
We worked very closely with the architect to create a multi-generational home for grandparents, their daughter and 2 grandchildren providing both common and private outdoor space for both families. The 12.3 acre site sits facing north on the shore of Lake Champlain and has over 40 feet of grade change from the point of entry down to the lakeshore and contains many beautiful mature trees of hickory, maple, ash and butternut. The site offered opportunities to nestle the two houses into the slope, creating the ability for the architecture to step, providing a logical division of space for the two families to share. The landscape creates private areas for each family while also becoming the common fabric that knits the 2 households together. The natural terrain, sloping east to west, and the views to Lake Champlain became the basis for arranging volumes on the site. Working together the landscape architect and architect chose to locate the houses and outdoor spaces along an arc, emulating the shape of the adjacent bay. The eastern / uphill portion of the site contains a common entry point, pergola, auto court, garage and a one story residence for the grandparents. Given the northern climate this southwest facing alcove provided an ideal setting for pool, utilizing the west house and retaining wall to shield the lake breezes and extending the swimming season well into the fall.
Approximately one quarter of the site is classified as wetland and an even larger portion of the site is subject to seasonal flooding. The site program included a swimming pool, large outdoor terrace for entertaining, year-round access to the lakefront and an auto court large enough for guest parking and to serve as a place for grandchildren to ride bikes. In order to provide year-round access to the lake and not disrupt the natural movement of water, an elevated boardwalk was constructed of galvanized steel and cedar. The boardwalk extends the geometry of the lakeside terrace walls out to the lake, creating a sculptural division between natural wetland and lawn area.
Architect: Truex Cullins & Partners Architects
Image Credit: Westphalen Photography
Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association
Kimicata Brothers, Inc. http://www.kimicatabrothers.com/
Project Entry: The Baron Patio
2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner
Category: Residential Hardscaping $15,000 - $30,000
Award Level: Honorable Mention
Project Description:
After meeting with the client and visiting the site for the first time we were able to get a pretty good understanding of the overall site. The back yard is a rather small area that was mostly taken up by a cement patio and walkway with a few timber planter boxes that bordered the garage. There was however a small area of lawn but it was in rather poor shape. The client wanted to completely wipe the slate clean and start over with a completely new design. They wanted all of the cement busted out and removed, all of the existing plants dug up and discarded (with the exception of a few), a damaged portion of the fence removed and the entire area completely regraded. Their only request was to leave the existing stacked stone wall at the back of the property in tact and all of the other fencing that bordered the property. they wanted to create an outdoor space that was big enough to entertain a small party without making the whole area hardscape. They also wanted to make sure that a small area of grass was incorporated into the new design so that their dog would have some area to play. After the homeowners had the area re-designed and they recieved a final drawing from the designer, we could begin to do our demolition and installation work.
In order to successfully accomplish all of the clients goals along with the designers visions of the new back yard, a lot of re-grading had to occur. This grading would allow for the slope of the new patio and lawn to be very gradual and would eliminate having to build any retaining walls or steps.. The whole back yard sloped downhill back into the foundation of the house. So in order for us to construct a new patio and eliminate water from flowing back towards the house, a drain had to be installed to carry the water off of the patio and into the plant bed. After all of the demolition and excavation was completed we then focused on getting the slope of the patio and walkway just right. We made sure that the slope was gradual enough so a table and chairs could easily be implemented but steep enough to make sure that there would be no flat areas where water would pool. We also took into consideration the final heights of the proposed fire pit and raised planter bed. We decided to make one small change to the original plan with the clients approval. We installed a small raised portion of the patio along the side of the raised planter wall to designate an area for outdoor grilling. As we were doing all of the preperation work before any construction, we also installed a complete Hunter irrigation system for all of the new plants and lawn area Every other aspect of the designers specifications were installed accordingly with the exception of a few material substitutes.
After we were able to get the area exactly how we wanted it and the irrigation system was complete, we could start the construction. We used all Techo-Bloc materials for all of the hardscapes. Their Inca collection was used for the patio and walkway. Their Mini Creta 3&6 block was used to construct the raised planter wall and was capped with Portifino Coping. The fire pit was their Valencia edition complete with the accessory kit. We sodded the designated area for the lawn and planted all of the specified plants in their proposed locations. The new fence was constructed by a local fencing company where they were able to match the materials to the trellis's and arbor that they installed.
After the project was completed, the homeowners were very happy with their new outdoor entertainment space. We were able to successfully accomplish all of their goals and give them the opportunity to enjoy their new back yard.
Photo Credit: Kimicata Brothers, Inc.
Arrow. Land + Structures
Arrow. Land + Structures. Marco Romani, RLA. Landscape Architect
Photo of a traditional backyard shaded garden in Chicago with a garden path and natural stone pavers.
Photo of a traditional backyard shaded garden in Chicago with a garden path and natural stone pavers.
Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC
A durable, meaningful design heals a devastated residential property bordering Acadia National Park and Somes Sound on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. Comprehensive stormwater management strategies shape new landforms, resulting in elegant grading and thoughtful drainage solutions. Native plant colonies stabilize the site, regenerate habitat, and reveal wildlife patterns. Exquisitely crafted new masonry, built from an authentic palette of local reclaimed materials, gives the garden a unified, established feel. Lichen-encrusted stone retaining walls define edges, thresholds, and overlooks, and thick slabs of salvaged granite embedded in the earth provide gathering terraces and pathways. With balance restored, brilliant seasonal drama unfolds.
Residential Steep Slope Landscaping - Photos & Ideas | Houzz
Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association
Kalinosky Landscaping, Inc. http://www.kalinoskylandscapinginc.com/
Project Entry: The Mountaintop Pool Project
2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner
Category: Residential $60,000 & Over
Award Level: Bronze
Project Description:
On their mountain top farm in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the clients desired a pool area that felt disjoint from their home, its own space. It had to feel calm. We feel we absolutely accomplished this as guests to the site frequently use the words ‘zen-like' to describe the experience. Your journey begins through a groomed forest on a meandering mulch path 400' in length. This acts as a compression to exaggerate the release you experience when encountering the pool floating in a field at the edge of the forest. There is no formal paving, just five flagstone slabs (4'x12') floating with simple chaises on them. There is a strong orthogonal grain to the architectural elements on the site with the pool, pool house, and stone walls all being parallel to each other. This countered by the soft, organic plantings and ribbons of field grass and mowed lawns all positioned on a playful diagonal bias. The plantings for the most part are native to the mid-atlantic region with some hybrids to softly add summer color and texture. We designed a functional pool house, both cairn and rustic in nature. There are hinged storm shutters for all the screened openings to protect the interior from the strong storms often experienced on this mountain. We chose 1/2" mild steel plates as the material to construct the fireplace with. The steel was allowed to oxidize to a beautiful rust-orange patina. The fireplace is modern and dynamic in form, a wonderful juxtaposition to the stone walls and soft field grass. We designed the fence to be a non-fence. The posts are arranged in a whimsical, playful pattern, not straight like a fence should be. With this playful post arrangement and its transparent wire mesh, the fence becomes innocuous, receding into the background. Where the fence interfaces with the walls it never does so at the ends. The walls always pass beyond the fence creating a dynamic, not static position. We designed and built aluminum and concrete vaults to accommodate the auto cover on the pool, which retracts underground to leave the surface of the pool uncluttered. Complete irrigation and lighting systems were also installed. The pool site is located 425' from the residence. We trenched and installed the utilities the entire length through the forest by hand. The hand trenching ensured minimal insult to the forest tree root systems. The mature pines in the field near the pool were protected by fencing during construction. And where root systems had to be traversed , we protected them from compaction with plywood, mulch, and geotextile roads. We also installed a dedicated septic system for the pool house.
It should be noted the clients don't worship the sun. In response we planted large caliber shade trees on the south and west sides of the pool to provide shade by extending the forest to the waters' edge. Care was taken not to create a vignette in the field, but a landscape that has no visual boundaries. Through the use of native plants, natural architectural materials and the preservation of existing forest and field conditions, we have produced a calm, natural recreational environment.
Photo Credit: Kalinosky Landscaping, Inc.
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