Design Process for Residential Home

The landscape design for this home was begun in the rear area of the back yard while awaiting the architectural plans for the front and side of the house.

Front and Side Area

Our initial assessment was that the house was too elevated in reference to the street. The design process involved raising the level of the ground one-foot at the base of the house and cutting one foot from the front yard, thereby creating a two-foot drop in visual height of the house from the street. A two-foot retaining wall was built extending the upper level out 15-20' from the base of the house. As the owner wanted to feature a flagpole space was provided for it in the upper level. On either side of the front walkway are perennials, low shrubs, a shadblow to the left and cherry laurel along the foundation of the house. A curved lawn echoing the one in the rear, was designed. The large maple close to the house on the right was preserved at its own ground level and enhanced with deciduous screening on the right side all the way to the street. A kousa dogwood is featured in this bed.

Before: The house prior to grading and during construction.	After: The house after grading with new retaining wall.

Side Area After an addition to the house was completed, we added a small courtyard garden enclosed by Brattle fencing. Against the addition is a trellis for roses with a small recirculating pool at its base. Low shrubs and perennials share the small space with a river birch. Garden path stones set in gravel lead from the front gate to the back yard.
		Before: The side of the house before the addition of a pathway and plantings.		After: The side of the house with new plantings, a small pond and a new pathway.

Rear Area

The design goals were to expand the back yard area to allow as much play area as possible for the children and to provide screening from the neighbors both in the rear and on the right side. A large tree in the left rear on the left was removed. The yard was then regraded and a low retaining wall added to form two spaces - one for the children's play area and one for screening materials. The evergreen plants used were hemlock and bamboo.
		Before: The backyard prior to grading and the elimination of the large tree on the left.		After: Completed design for back area showing play space, low retaining wall and evergreen screen behind.