Located in a suburban neighborhood of Los Gatos, the half acre property is situated in a gently undulating valley between San Jose and the base of the Santa Cruz mountains. Extensive lawns, uneven flagstone paving, dilapidated wood structures and a lack of proper site drainage created an unusable and unsafe landscape in need of a transformation. Designing a suburban landscape that promotes healthy active living, entertaining at home, and care of the land were high priorities.
While the overall project program includes a variety of outdoor settings, uses and activities, the driving goal for this suburban landscape was to celebrate play. The active spaces are reduced in size yet functional, and their proportions and positioning within the larger context of the mid- century garden have been carefully crafted. Outdoor living areas to gather, enjoy meals, and relax have been incorporated throughout the garden. In contrast, a quiet reflective garden was sited on the opposite side of the home, away from the active spaces. Smaller in scale, this garden extends the overall rhythm and framework of the site but differs in its feeling and use.
The renovation of the existing landscape underwent three phases of improvements in coordination with the renovation to the mid-century modern home. The landscape design rigorously followed an overall site organization that combined the site analysis with a consistent set of dimensions and proportions related to the home. A grid of the home’s exposed beams became an initial starting point for the direction and relationship of the paths and outdoor rooms. An intentional shift in the grid occurs at intersections of circulation and use. While the proportions and rhythms in the paving and score joints mirror the tectonics of the home, they were adjusted to the cadence of how one moves through the garden. The function of play was addressed just as seriously. The sizes and shapes required for the play spaces were not forced into this framework, and instead the most critical dimensions they required informed the adjacent spaces, planting areas, and paths.
A guiding principle was to optimize the use and program with careful discernment around the appropriate extent of lawn, the inclusion of an edible garden, the preservation of mature healthy trees (and plants) and improved site drainage. The design process began with a meticulous inventory of the site's existing drainage patterns and unique microclimates. The design of the new outdoor living and play spaces follows the existing grades and site terracing as much as possible, minimizing soil off-haul. The layout only proposed a rearrangement of the access to these existing levels and a reshaping of their overall organization. Drainage pipes were limited and only installed behind retaining walls to reduce hydrostatic pressure. All of the water gathered from the drainage is kept on site in 3 dry wells, which have successfully handled atmospheric events ever since. Where concrete paving occurs for paths, it is interrupted by previous materials and planting. By focusing on these LID practices, significant cost savings were made.
For the planting design, an effort was made to look forward, knowing that some plants and the species they support might not survive in this region due to increased summer heat. Species with a wider USDA Zone range were given preference. Choosing plants that will remain healthy and endure is better for the overall health of the garden and region.
Los Gatos, CA - How Can Residential Landscape Design Transform Outdoor Living?
SYNOPSIS: To create a timeless and evocative modern garden befitting a classic mid century home that also supports active sports play, outdoor entertaining, and places of refuge and rest.
Residential Landscape Design That Transforms Living
BY: Andrea Sessa, studio M MERGE
Located in a suburban neighborhood of Los Gatos, the half acre property is situated in a gently undulating valley between San Jose and the base of the Santa Cruz mountains. Extensive lawns, uneven flagstone paving, dilapidated wood structures and a lack of proper site drainage created an unusable and unsafe landscape in need of a transformation. Designing a suburban landscape that promotes healthy active living, entertaining at home, and care of the land were high priorities.
While the overall project program includes a variety of outdoor settings, uses and activities, the driving goal for this suburban landscape was to celebrate play. The active spaces are reduced in size yet functional, and their proportions and positioning within the larger context of the mid- century garden have been carefully crafted. Outdoor living areas to gather, enjoy meals, and relax have been incorporated throughout the garden. In contrast, a quiet reflective garden was sited on the opposite side of the home, away from the active spaces. Smaller in scale, this garden extends the overall rhythm and framework of the site but differs in its feeling and use.
The renovation of the existing landscape underwent three phases of improvements in coordination with the renovation to the mid-century modern home. The landscape design rigorously followed an overall site organization that combined the site analysis with a consistent set of dimensions and proportions related to the home. A grid of the home’s exposed beams became an initial starting point for the direction and relationship of the paths and outdoor rooms. An intentional shift in the grid occurs at intersections of circulation and use. While the proportions and rhythms in the paving and score joints mirror the tectonics of the home, they were adjusted to the cadence of how one moves through the garden. The function of play was addressed just as seriously. The sizes and shapes required for the play spaces were not forced into this framework, and instead the most critical dimensions they required informed the adjacent spaces, planting areas, and paths.
A guiding principle was to optimize the use and program with careful discernment around the appropriate extent of lawn, the inclusion of an edible garden, the preservation of mature healthy trees (and plants) and improved site drainage. The design process began with a meticulous inventory of the site's existing drainage patterns and unique microclimates. The design of the new outdoor living and play spaces follows the existing grades and site terracing as much as possible, minimizing soil off-haul. The layout only proposed a rearrangement of the access to these existing levels and a reshaping of their overall organization. Drainage pipes were limited and only installed behind retaining walls to reduce hydrostatic pressure. All of the water gathered from the drainage is kept on site in 3 dry wells, which have successfully handled atmospheric events ever since. Where concrete paving occurs for paths, it is interrupted by previous materials and planting. By focusing on these LID practices, significant cost savings were made.
For the planting design, an effort was made to look forward, knowing that some plants and the species they support might not survive in this region due to increased summer heat. Species with a wider USDA Zone range were given preference. Choosing plants that will remain healthy and endure is better for the overall health of the garden and region.
