The Holistic Approach
Tour a garden where architecture, plants and hardscapes are a union of modern thought .
By REBECCA RAZO
THE TRANSFORMATION OF THIS LANDSCAPE IS MOST EVIDENT IN THE FLAWLESS DESIGN OF THE FIRE DECK. WHILE GINKGO LEAF STUDIO, THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN TEAM THAT HAN-DLED THIS PROJECT, COULD HAVE GONE WITH A SQUARE OR RECTANGULAR ORIENTATION— WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECTLY IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE ANGLES OF THE HOUSE— THEY RECOGNIZED THE DESIGN VALUE IN DOING SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TO MAKE THIS AREA STAND OUT. “THE CLIENTS WANTED TO INTRODUCE A WOOD ELEMENT,” GINKGO LEAF PRINCIPAL/DESIGNER JAMES DRZEWIECKI SAYS, ADDING THAT IT MADE SENSE FOR THAT TO BE INTRODUCED AS A FIRE DECK. DESIGNING THE AREA IN A CIRCULAR SHAPE ALSO HELPED TO BALANCE OUT THE HARD EDGES ELSEWHERE IN THE DESIGN. “EVEN JUST ELEVATING THE DECK ONE STEP UP MAKES IT FEEL LIKE ITS OWN SPACE,” JAMES SAYS.
Photography by RENN KUHNEN PHOTOGRAPHY
THIS OVERALL VIEW OF THE BACK ENTERTAINING SPACE SHOWS HOW THE LINEAR ARRANGEMENTS OF SHRUBS AND FOLIAGE COMPLEMENT THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOME. HERE, DEUTZIA SHRUBS OUTLINE THE PERIMETER OF THE MAIN PATIO, WHILE THE OTHER BEDS FEATURE ALLIUM ‘SUMMER BEAUTY’ AND ‘LITTLE QUICK FIRE’ HYDRANGEA.