The composition of low concrete walls, steps and landings allow gentle circulation between the various levels of outdoor living spaces. The journey from the upper front yard to the pool patio interacts with the varied textures and colors of native and regional plantings.
© Nils Timm
The view from the home entry looks across the koi pond and entry walk towards the auto court. The segmented arc of the entrance walk mimics the curve of the roofline. The previous auto court and entry paving was reduced by 50%, and a small lawn was introduced around an existing Japanese Maple to increase permeability and cool the front yard.
© Nils Timm
The curved entry walk mimics the arc of the roofline and engages a new linear koi pond. Existing walls were augmented and refinished with vertical board-formed concrete.
© Nils Timm
A generous entry landing of polished basalt softens and extends towards a wood bench via hammer-finished basalt pavers set in crushed rock.
© Nils Timm
In the evening the entry court of basalt pavers is lit by the soft glow from the home interior. The permeable extension ties to the more formal entry via pattern and material, but softens the texture and feel as it engages the landscape. A wood bench tucked near an existing Japanese Maple tree provides a physical and visual destination.
© Nils Timm
The vertical board-formed concrete walls, concrete steps and landings allow gentle circulation from the house and front yard to the lower level and pool yard. The varied plantings of native and regional perennials, grasses and shrubs provide texture and interest to the garden.
© Nils Timm
The upper decks overlook the terraces and pool patio and cabana as well as the forested hills beyond.
© Nils Timm
The pool patio and deck have views over the treetops to the San Francisco Bay beyond.
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The remodeled pool cabana anchors the west end of the pool yard.
© Nils Timm
The composition of low concrete walls, steps and landings allow gentle circulation between the various levels of outdoor living spaces. The varied textures and colors of native and regional plantings soften the hardscape and provide interest and connection to nature.
© Nils Timm
Site Plan.
© Nils Timm
Client
N/A
Project Team
Joseph Huettl, Lead Landscape Architect
Claudia Hottman, Assistant Landscape Designer
Robert Swatt and Tricia Alesii, Building Architects
Project Statement
The landscape design of this remodeled Marin County home capitalizes on breathtaking views of the bay and complements the modern, Japanese-inspired architecture. Front paving was reduced in half to increase permeability as well as provide a more extensive front garden experience. The arc of the entry path and adjacent koi pond follows the roofline and blends the indoor/outdoor experience. An offset pattern of basalt pavers extends the glass-enclosed front portico out to a new sitting area set amongst mature Japanese Maples. Moving to the backyard, a series of low walls, steps and terraces ease the connection down to the remodeled pool yard, where a wood deck extends the patio space for outdoor living, without increasing impermeable surfaces. All existing trees and much of the existing vegetation were retained in the new design, with regional and drought tolerant plantings providing additional color and texture to the garden.
Project Description
This extensively remodeled modern home in Marin takes advantage of gorgeous views over the Bay. The existing well-vegetated landscape was mostly preserved, while a new hardscape was fitted to the site to improve balance and flow.
The original front yard was primarily designed for vehicular parking and circulation, with its concrete turn-around looping directly in front of the small, dark entry porch. In contrast, the remodeled landscape reduces the impermeable surfaces by half, limits parking and car circulation to the front driveway and transforms the spaces near the main entrance to the home into distinct and aesthetically pleasing garden spaces for the homeowners and guests.
The Japanese-inspired front of the home features a distinctive wood-screened glass wall that extends its entire length, culminating in a glassed entry portico and topped by an elegantly arcing roofline. The entry path mirrors this composition with the arc of the segmented path and adjacent koi pond. Near the house entry one of the path segments extends over the water as a koi feeding station. From the front entryway, an offset pattern of basalt pavers extends the entrance into the yard, terminating at a floating wood bench set amongst re-positioned boulders and mature Japanese Maples. The paving extension utilizes the same basalt material as the entry landing, but softens it by using a non-glossy hammered finish and spreading the paving pattern with gravel gaps, allowing stormwater infiltration.
To arrive at the lower back garden, a path through the breezeway between the main and guest house leads to a series of gently terraced steps and low walls that ease the connection down to the remodeled pool area. To extend useable space without increasing impermeable surfaces, a flush wood deck extends the pool patio for entertaining and taking advantage of the spectacular views of the bay. Where appropriate and cost-effective, existing walls were retained, but were refaced with vertical board-formed concrete to ensure cohesion with the new landscape walls. Anchoring these spaces is the resurfaced pool, which is flanked by the remodeled pool house on one side and a gathering space with a fire pit at the opposite end.
The design managed to save all of the mature trees on the site, as well as a significant number of plants. Regional and drought-tolerant plantings provide color and texture to the garden, blending appropriately to the existing landscape.
