Project of the montH - May 2010

Our client’s new construction home was an almost blank slate upon which we were asked to create a design for both front and back yards. For the backyard Gasper was asked to design an out door living area that included a large terrace for relaxing, entertaining and for children to play, a fire pit and access from French doors opening off the family room as well as a staircase leading up from a finished walk-out basement/play room. Keeping in mind that a swimming pool would be added at some point in future the terrace design also needed to allow access to virtually any point on the back lawn. Given that the property is in the midst of a new neighborhood lacking established trees and green ways, privacy was also a critical need to be addressed.

Given the size of the terrace requested, Gasper’s solution was to create a space both interesting and comfortable to use which took advantage of the change in elevation from door sill to ground level. Instead of building one large patio with a stairway leading down to it the designers at Gasper separated the space into areas of use which were created by changes in the terrace levels and further defined by changes in the paving pattern for the terrace floors.

Instead of the typical “set” of stairs Gasper used steps in broad sweeps running almost the width of the terraces. These sweep steps allow for almost unlimited access to and from the lower terrace as well as views into the back lawn. The step risers were kept to sets of two – two steps down from the house, two steps down from the dining terrace, and two steps down to the lawn. This avoided the need for any handrails required by township code on the project.

Photo Descriptions:

1. The walkway from driveway to terraced patios is ornamented by low maintenance perennials and grasses
2. Seat walls were located for their usefulness but also to suggest a feeling of enclosure. Large canopy trees were located to provide afternoon shade as well as screening of neighboring homes.
3. A view up through the terrace “rooms”.
4. A accent colour band was used in the paving to help add interest to the terrace edge and the paver “carpet”.
5. The lounging area.
6. The dining and fire pit areas. The fire pit is hooked into the homes gas line and is operated with a remote control.
7. Paving details used to break up the floor surface included changes in paver pattern, in pattern direction and in paver colour.
8. A generous landing was designed to allow for the inclusion of container gardens.
9. The plant palette was selected for ease maintenance and seasonal colour. Of equal importance in the planting design was to provide privacy. The planting screen was achieved by layering plants of different size, colour and texture. This accomplished the task of screening while at the same time providing a great deal of interest to the living space.