Deck and Patio Provides Visible Impact

 

Recreating water and nature is an art form which takes a trained eye, many years of field experience, extensive knowledge of hydraulics and plant material, a true passion for nature and most importantly and understanding of how to balance the relationship between architecture and its natural surroundings. That is especially true when integrating water with the “built” environment as many site related factors must be considered such as topography, solar exposure, soil conditions, existing trees, property size, active and passive use areas as well as the style of architecture. The client, who is a prominent local architect, loves to incorporate natural materials with his designs for The Deck and Patio Co. it was a perfect match for combining creative ideas and years of experience in design and constructions methods.

Rather than clear cutting this ½ acre property, the residence was designed and built amongst mature oaks, maples and pines so as to preserve the surrounding landscape environment. Considering the size of the property and overall dimensions of the house was an important aspect of the design and required design of the project with the intent that the pool and spa would be built a year or so later, leaving access for pool construction and not disturb much of the existing work. To the client, visual and audio impact was a key element, taking into account viewing angles from inside the house, entering the back yard as well as interacting with the water feature when sitting outside.

According to Marc Wiener, ASLA and Director of Design and Sales at the Deck and Patio Co., “to make a water feature successful, the installation process is very detailed and must rely upon keen eye for rock placement and its direct correlation with the ‘architectural’ elements of form, texture, shape and height including the finishing touches plant material and gravel offers an effort to recreate nature.”

The water feature consisted of a 5’ high multi-tiered waterfall and 35 feet meandering stream which discharged into a 10’ x 15’ freeform Koi pond. The pond was built with much consideration for the fish as natural predators exist in and around the north shore locale. A small cave was constructed for the fish to hide and to lay dormant during the winter months.

So as to minimize the impact of this feature to the much needed lawn area for the clients’ active children, Deck and Patio designed the stream and waterfall to transverse the rear property line and utilized the existing topography to their advantage in order to create multiple spills and change water direction so it could be easily seen as well as heard from the rear patio and from inside the residence.

Landscaping the water feature required much thought so as not to block the views of the stream from the house, future pool and existing rear patio. Understanding how plant material will eventually grow makes for a sound design. Low lying evergreens and groundcover perennials were used in and around the rock outcroppings and stream for color and texture and to soften these large boulders which would otherwise stand out and detract from the overall intent of looking “natural.” Larger flowering planting were installed behind the water feature to provide accenting and screening of the surrounding neighbors and blend with other mature plantings that exist on the site. On lower portions of the slope, the water feature was planted with flowers for cutting and small beds for annuals so the client could interact with the stream garden throughout the season.

After a year of enjoying their water feature, the client decided it was time to install the pool and spa and complete the back yard renovation. The swimming pool had similar design constraints being that the depth of the property were minimal at best it would take up the majority of the left side of the rear yard once installed. The pool was designed with the intent to be “organic” with its natural surroundings. The 24’ x 42’ freeform concrete wall, vinyl lined swimming pool and raised 8’ diameter spa with spillway captured the very essence of the clients desire to have a body of water that would be harmonious with the residence existing patio, outdoor kitchen area, waterfall, stream and Koi pond.

The pool was nestled into the landscape with careful consideration for existing trees and mature shrub root systems so that minimal impact would occur during excavation and construction. In doing so, the mature integrity of the landscape was able to be maintained. The spa was built 12” above the pool water line which provided a picturesque spillway intermingling with the surrounding landscape. From certain vantage points you could see the spa itself, but the client wanted the spa to be unique and provide some seclusion from the main patio and other viewing angles. A 2’ high cascading waterfall was incorporated into the spa design which provided not only a gentle massage should you sit under it, but added to the overall theme of visual and audio effects of moving water in the rear yard.

The spa was situated in this location not for ease of access from the pool; rather it was so the client could view the Koi pond and waterfalls while relaxing in the spa. Since the client did not wish to remove the entire existing brick patio nor have a walkway around the entire pool, a random bluestone coping was incorporated which brought the lawn area up to the pool. This also aided in creating an “organic” relationship between landscape and hardscape. Many landscape designers pave the entire pool area, but with minimal space, inventive ideas come into play in order to conserve on cost and impact to the surrounding setting.

The pool and spa is fully automated with state of the art technology salt chlorine generator, mineral purifiers, pumps and filtration system. All of which can be accessed from inside the house, by the spa or by remote. With rising fuel and energy costs, many of the pool functions are energy efficient and can be programmed to perform minimal tasks to keep the pool water clear and circulating and when needed, the functions of the pool and spa power the waterfalls, spa jets and filtration system.

The pool was also constructed with a moss rock boulder coping which brings the landscape right up to the beam of the pool and created a natural setting. Wiener statues, “Vibration flowers and fragrance provided by many varieties of perennials, evergreen and deciduous plantings created successional color throughout the pool season.” In recognition for the design and installation of the pool, spa and water features, this back yard won two prestigious awards from NESPA and APSP in 2007.

The overall intent to combine water and nature and create a harmonious relationship with the built environment is a task many designers try to capture, but few have mastered the craft. With the advent of new technological advancements in construction methods and the use of green products, Deck and Patio continually strives for creative design solutions and most importantly provide their clientele with quality installations.