Gardens that feel personal—formed through close collaboration and an interplay of nature and intentional design.
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Platforms :
Oakland
Two wood platforms expand the outdoor living space in this steeply sloping backyard in Oakland. The first platform was envisioned as a stage for intimate backyard performances, and the other, as a viewing platform. Each space was carefully situated underneath the canopy of the existing Coast Redwoods in this urban backyard oasis.
Platforms :
Glenview, Oakland
Materials:
Cedar // Reclaimed Redwood // Stone
Considerations and Features:
Creating Usable Spaces on a Steep Slope // Preserving Existing Redwoods // Screening // Drought Tolerant California Native Plant Palette
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Two wood platforms expand the outdoor living space in this steeply sloping backyard in Oakland. The first platform was envisioned as a stage for intimate backyard performances, and the other, as a viewing platform. Each space was carefully situated underneath the canopy of the existing Coast Redwoods in this urban backyard oasis.
Mid-Century Garden:
Palo Alto, California
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Mid-Century Retreat:
Palo Alto, California
The geometric paving in this garden is set against profuse groupings of both edible and ornamental planting alike. Despite its small footprint, spaces for dining, lounging, working, and vegetable gardening were each incorporated into the design. The areas flow seamlessly into each other, while still feeling like separate experiences within the larger garden.
Mid-Century Retreat:
Palo Alto, California
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Materials:
Concrete // Brick// Gravel // Cedar
Considerations and Features:
Small Lot // Edible Garden// Low Water Planting
Collaborators:
Madriz Landscape
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The geometric paving in this garden is set against profuse groupings of both edible and ornamental planting alike. Despite its small footprint, spaces for dining, lounging, working, and vegetable gardening were each incorporated into the design. The areas flow seamlessly into each other, while still feeling like separate experiences within the larger garden.
A Gravel Garden:
Oakland
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A Gravel Garden:
Oakland
A fallen redwood created an opportunity to re-envision a backyard space. The twin dining and gathering spaces are situated within a dynamic garden of ornamental grasses and perennials. Cables overhead provide an armature for a ceiling of grape vines and lighting, adding to the sense of being in an outdoor room, surrounded by lush planting.
A Gravel Garden:
Oakland
A fallen redwood created an opportunity to re-envision a backyard space. The twin dining and gathering spaces are situated within a dynamic garden of ornamental grasses and perennials. Cables overhead provide an armature for a ceiling of grape vines and lighting, adding to the sense of being in an outdoor room, surrounded by lush planting.
Materials:
Reclaimed brick, gravel, stepping stones, steel
Considerations and Features:
Spaces for entertaining day and night, planting palette for pollinators, seasonal interest
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A Gravel Garden:
Healdsburg
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Meadow Meets Woodland:
Healdsburg
Two different plant communities: meadow and woodland, converge under a giant oak tree. The approach to the garden design was a light touch, letting the historic home and surrounding architecture of the historic neighborhood take center stage. A metal armature for wisteria mimics the roof line of the home.
Materials:
Gravel, concrete, steel
Considerations and Features:
Shade, spaces for entertaining, planting palette for pollinators, seasonal interest, low water use planting, screening
Two different plant communities: meadow and woodland, converge under a giant oak tree. The approach to the garden design was a light touch, letting the historic home and surrounding architecture of the historic neighborhood take center stage. A metal armature for wisteria mimics the roof line of the home.
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Wine Country Retreat :
Calistoga
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Walled courtyards create a structure within the expansive landscape overlooking the Napa Valley. The gardens overflow with seasonal planting, while the spare geometry of the disappearing edge pool and orderly paths create a sharp counterpoint to the native oak woodland beyond.
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Materials:
Napa field stone, gravel, concrete
Considerations and Features:
Maximizing views, protection of existing oaks, spaces for both gathering and contemplation
Wine Country Retreat :
Calistoga
Completed with Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture
Photography by Marion Brenner
Walled courtyards create a structure within the expansive landscape overlooking the Napa Valley. The gardens overflow with seasonal planting, while the spare geometry of the disappearing edge pool and orderly paths create a sharp counterpoint to the native oak woodland beyond.
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