Los Tilos Hollywood Hills modern indoor outdoor home with sliding glass pocket walls & terraces on every floor. Photo by William MacCollum.

Bill Bibb, Designer Archiverde Landscape, built by Pool Environments Rill water feature accented with individual custom tiles and Native Texas limestone creates a unique walkway in a typically un-noticed side yard.

Dennis Mayer Photographer

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

Good neighbor Privacy screen fencing

Die schönen Spalierbäume (Corpnus Mai) und der individuell gefertigte Lärchenzaun bieten Sichtschutz zum nahen Nachbarn.

Объект находится в поселке Салманово поле, недалеко от города Одинцово, размер средний, всего двадцать три сотки. Семья очень динамичная, современная, легкая на подъем. Когда работа начиналась, это была дача, куда приезжали только на выходные. В настоящее время здесь живут постоянно. Состав семьи – папа, мама, взрослая шестнадцатилетняя дочь и сын, которому тогда было всего шесть. Из пожеланий Собственника – декоративный ручей, открытая солнечная лужайка, много цветников и возможность гулять вдвоем. Помимо этого надо было расположить детскую площадку, и она есть во всех эскизах – позже от этой идеи отказались. На конкурс было приглашено пять ландшафтных компаний, было приятно, что к рассмотрению были выбраны наброски, предложенные мастерской Алены Арсеньевой. На участке есть жилая постройка, бассейн с фитнес центром и гараж. Заезд в гараж - внутри двора, поэтому парковка из бетонной плитки рядом с основным зданием, у входа – значительная, так как машина должна развернуться. Далее широкий свободный проход к фитнесу ведет в приватную часть дачи. Посередине у авто парковки и СПА – место для партера на фоне пузыреплодника Дьябло и Лютеус. Чтобы избежать эффекта «забора у забора» - мы развили тему живой изгороди – перед пузыреплодником – стройные силуэты туи Смарагд, а в промежутках – барбарис Тунберга Атропурпурея. А дополнительный «слой» кустарников – спирея японская Голден Принцесс – высажена впереди Смарагдов. В результате получилась объемная, а не плоская ограждающая посадка из кустарников с яркой листвой. Две клумбы, оформленные в полукруг, высаживаются из летников каждый год. Шаровидные туи завершают образ этой части, подчеркивая геометричность объема. У въезда, близко к основному дому - смешанная живая изгородь из туи западной Спиралис и дерена белого Элегантисимма. Регулярный стиль в дизайне сада реализован при входе. Здесь, на фоне вертикальной плоскости, образовавшейся из темной зелени туи Спиралис и дерена белого Элегантиссима, встали стройные силуэты хвойных и круглые формы сосны горной Хампи, дополненные мягкими фонтанами лиственницы японской Пендула. Автор проекта: Алена Арсеньева. Реализация проекта и ведение работ - Владимир Чичмарь

Concrete stepping stones meander their way thought a private, densely planted garden area. Accents like a wooden bridge over the dry creek bed, a seating bench, and container planting bring this area to life.

Steel privacy screens planted with scented star jasmine vines create the border of the 'pond room' on the side of the home. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/

This residence uses the Quarry Mill's Sister Bay natural thin stone veneer to give this privacy wall a stately appearance. Sister Bay stones bring a relaxing blend of light tans, off-whites, and several dark tan colors to your décor and home exterior. The rectangular stones and squared edges will work well for projects like fireplaces, exterior siding, backsplashes, and tub and shower surrounds. The various sizes of Sister Bay stones help you create a solid looking wall with non-repeating patterns. Smaller projects like accent walls and door and window trim are just as easy to complete as larger projects like siding and chimneys. The off-whites and light tans of this natural stone veneer will go well with rustic and contemporary homes and any assortment of accessories.

Création d'une terrasse en bout de piscine avec une superbe glycine et une clôture bois afin de préserver l'intimité de la famille.

This cozy concrete paver patio replaced an aging at-grade deck. Several overcrowded trees were removed for fire safety. The propane tank was relocated to a less visible location down-slope and re-painted. The patio has room for a few Adirondack chairs surrounding the portable firepit (shown covered). It's an intimate space well-used by this family on summer nights - enjoying campouts at home.

Introducing our Pablo Bay Modern Tropical garden ??? Lush plantings and mid-century inspired living spaces come together seamlessly to create a sophisticated yet laid back outdoor tropical oasis.

Die Dorfkirche bildet eine schöne Kulisse zur der Terrasse mit dem Wasserbecken

3D rendered model of plan used to install side yard breakfast nook area. Side patio seating area.