For this project, several initial schematic plans were prepared to study spatial relationships, vehicular circulation, solar orientation, and site drainage. The site was located in a rural area of Poway,CA on 2 acres of unmaintained grounds. The property owner renovated the existing house and tennis court, incoporating a riding arena and a new horse corral into the design. Careful selection of paving materials and enclosure methods were taken into consideration for transportation and circulation of the horses. A 20′ tall specimen canary island date palm was added to the planting island of the drive circle for a grand entrance into the site. Other than a backyard panel of lawn, the planting pallete for the site incorporated all low water material on drip irrigation.

Schematic design options of a vehicular entry courtyard for a new home in San Diego.
 

Schematic design for a municipality project in Lakeside.

RANCHO BERNARDO DESIGN

The design intent for this San Diego County residence was to maximize the usable space, provide small pockets of planting areas for edible and ornamental plant material, and reuse existing materials while giving the backyard a modern new look.  The design incorporates a traditional brick paving design in the front, and integrates it with flagstone and poured in place concrete in the back.  The centerpiece of the backyard was an existing brick bbq and fireplace.  A series of overlapping trellis structures were added for shade, and a covered dining area  features a built in bench wall with an adjacent water wall.  Small raised planters and containers were utilized to maximize the planting areas while maintaining a useable entertaining space.

This recently installed project features a front and small yard design that incorporates low water use plant material, local materials, and permeable hardscape surfaces. The homeowners wanted to remove a good portion of their unusable turf grass in lieu of decorative stone and low water use plant material. The sideyard pathway emulates a meandering stream which terminates into a dry cascading stream bed featuring locally sourced cobble. The pathway incorporates loose flagstone set in decomposed granite with decorative pebble banding. Not only is this installation method more cost effective than solid flagstone, it also allows water to permeate through. The new planting area was converted to drip irrigation and was eligible for the San Diego Water Authority’s Landscape conversion incentive program and was featured as a low water use demonstration garden for the public.

DESIGN: JD DESIGN
CONSTRUCTION: NATURE DESIGNS  

Arizona buff flagstone set in decomposed Granite with smooth mexican beach pebble banding

Cascading dry stream bed after installation

Freeform flagstone and DG pathway with mounds of mondograss flanking each side. Image was taken at installation.

MODERN RESIDENCE

Located in an older neighborhood of San Diego, this landscape design features many modern elements that compliment the style of architecture and the characteristics of the neighborhood. The use of poured in place concrete walls and steppers, coupled with strong linear forms, is a simple yet elegant way to create a modern landscape design. A low profile mangaris deck was used adjacent to the patio doors and rows of architectural plants such as agaves planted in gravel help reinforce the designs lineal theme. Plants such as agaves, aloes, phormiums, liriope, equisetum, and dymodia are plants that fit in with a modern style garden.

Not many homes in San Diego can boast a park-like atmosphere of their yard. The goal for this large property in Poway was to create a park-like setting reminiscent of the east coast by eliminating useless areas of existing turf. The design features meandering walking paths, an elusive rose garden, a raised and covered patio, and a birch tree bosque. The planting plan incorporates several species of ornamental trees which flower during different seasons of the year.

Curvilinear paver pathways with lush plantings
 

Raised seating area with wooden pergola