A Sleek Solution

Overlapping rectangular forms were crafted to weave foreground, central spaces with distant corners of this elongated, shallow yard.

To create interplay between distant spaces,  strong focal elements were established throughout the yard, and edges were erased by thinning boundary profiles to their thinnest component. The result is that panels of lawn then merge seamlessly with panels of water, while slightly elevated rectangular vessels serve as weighty sockets for key landscape features to plug into, drawing the eye from afar. An art wall does double duty, serving also as a screen wall (to shield a view to a neighbors house beyond), and as a structural support for an elongated, cantilevered trellis. The overhead element lends both shade and a sense of intimacy to the “floating” couch beneath. A sun shelf in the foreground perfectly aligns to a slightly elevated planter behind, showcasing a specimen Joshua Tree viewed directly from the main living area. Nine rills of water also accentuate this focal point, serving as the main water feature. Westward to the right, a similar socket continues the language and features organ pipe cacti, to be viewed from the master bedroom. Relief is interjected between these two weighty elements by visually lightening the wall that connects the two planters.  Tile facing set 2″ higher than the connecting wall allows it to be covered over with granite, obscuring it and rendering its mass wafer thin. A similar raised tile profile on the foreground pool edge allows the lawn and water to merge visually, blurring the edges even further. Continuing the theme of interlaced rectangles, the diagonal focal point of the yard is a vanishing edge spa, with a fire feature just beyond. The flames were set to dance and reflect in the spas mirrored surface, while casting a warm, inviting and flickering light over the more secluded side of the yard. Enjoy the tour and let me know your thoughts below! Kirk