We were able to apply our colored sealer on this side patio to give it a uniform look. Project completed in Knoxville Tennessee in 2017.

Pergolas to say the least are only limited by my imagination.

Double City Salad Boxes

Conceptual design & copyright by ZieglerBuild Design development & documentation by Urban Design Solutions

Architectural slabs merge the old and new and provide visual interest. 2020

Many years ago we designed and constructed the swimming pool for the previous homeowners at this Highland Park home. The current homeowner was interested in remodeling their side yard to create a new outdoor living area including a custom water feature. Based on their feedback, we were able to design and construct the custom limestone fountain you see here.

New zoning codes paved the way for building an Accessory Dwelling Unit in this homes Minneapolis location. This new unit allows for independent multi-generational housing within close proximity to a primary residence and serves visiting family, friends, and an occasional Airbnb renter. The strategic use of glass, partitions, and vaulted ceilings create an open and airy interior while keeping the square footage below 400 square feet. Vertical siding and awning windows create a fresh, yet complementary addition. Christopher Strom was recognized in the “Best Contemporary” category in Marvin Architects Challenge 2017. The judges admired the simple addition that is reminiscent of the traditional red barn, yet uses strategic volume and glass to create a dramatic contemporary living space.

A family in West University contacted us to design a contemporary Houston landscape for them. They live on a double lot, which is large for that neighborhood. They had built a custom home on the property, and they wanted a unique indoor-outdoor living experience that integrated a modern pool into the aesthetic of their home interior. This was made possible by the design of the home itself. The living room can be fully opened to the yard by sliding glass doors. The pool we built is actually a lap swimming pool that measures a full 65 feet in length. Not only is this pool unique in size and design, but it is also unique in how it ties into the home. The patio literally connects the living room to the edge of the water. There is no coping, so you can literally walk across the patio into the water and start your swim in the heated, lighted interior of the pool. Even for guests who do not swim, the proximity of the water to the living room makes the entire pool-patio layout part of the exterior design. This is a common theme in modern pool design. The patio is also notable because it is constructed from stones that fit so tightly together the joints seem to disappear. Although the linear edges of the stones are faintly visible, the surface is one contiguous whole whose linear seamlessness supports both the linearity of the home and the lengthwise expanse of the pool. While the patio design is strictly linear to tie the form of the home to that of the pool, our modern pool is decorated with a running bond pattern of tile work. Running bond is a design pattern that uses staggered stone, brick, or tile layouts to create something of a linear puzzle board effect that captures the eye. We created this pattern to compliment the brick work of the home exterior wall, thus aesthetically tying fine details of the pool to home architecture. At the opposite end of the pool, we built a fountain into the side of the home's perimeter wall. The fountain head is actually square, mirroring the bricks in the wall. Unlike a typical fountain, the water here pours out in a horizontal plane which even more reinforces the theme of the quadrilateral geometry and linear movement of the modern pool. We decorated the front of the home with a custom garden consisting of small ground cover plant species. We had to be very cautious around the trees due to West U’s strict tree preservation policies. In order to avoid damaging tree roots, we had to avoid digging too deep into the earth. The species used in this garden—Japanese Ardesia, foxtail ferns, and dwarf mondo not only avoid disturbing tree roots, but they are low-growth by nature and highly shade resistant. We also built a gravel driveway that provides natural water drainage and preserves the root zone for trees. Concrete pads cross the driveway to give the homeowners a sure-footing for walking to and from their vehicles.

Small paver patio and walkway to deck. Steps access lower backyard synthetic turf.

A round bluestone and Belgium block patio set into larger pea gravel patio surrounded by low boxwood hedges.

Featuring the home of Chris and Thea Upchurh, owners of Uphurch Vineyards. ( https://upchurchvineyard.com/) Photography by Alex Crook (www.alexcrook.com) for Seattle Magazine (www.seattlemag.com)

Gazebo, Decks and Patios

Designed by Lauren Bloom. Paver patio outdoor seating with a natural gas firepit.

We widened an original staircase into more of a grand and open entryway, while maintaining the charming organic nature of the garden.

small patio garden entry Design and Photography Marilyn Guidroz

Front and side gardens with natural stone, flagstone stepping stones through the garden. A Wiarton natural stone accent wall is located at the front of the property.