Case Studies

Leibold Residence

Goals and objectives

Fire element
Contemporary look
Access path to existing playground and back
Water element
Outdoor kitchen with bar seating
Smooth transition with existing stamped concrete patio
Raised planting beds for vegetables
Night lighting

How we met those objectives

Incorporated a charcoal fire bowl offering 360-degree fireside seating around the fire pit creating a comfortable campfire environment
Installed a contemporary outdoor kitchen equipped with a marble kitchen island with seating adjacent to a custom grill
Constructed paved walkways with easy access to the existing playground as well as night lighting to keep pathways and stairs safe and enhance beauty
Added a flowing waterfall creating a relaxing environment

Flying Horse

Goals and objectives

Entertainment space with fire pit
Lawn area for kids
Low maintenance – xeriscape
Curb appeal – high end neighborhood
Color in backyard to take advantage of view from house
Drainage issues

How we met those objectives

Terraced walls in back to direct drainage around house and to provide enough space for entertainment area. Walls also helped flatten out for a lawn area in back
Incorporated fire pit with surrounding seating on stamped concrete patio. Drainage is caught by area drain and piped under the patio, releasing on the other side.
Used low maintenance/high impact shrubs flowering at all times of the growing season. Mixed in fall color plantings as well as plantings that will provide winter texture.

Kings Deer

Goals and objectives

Wood burning fireplace
Shade
Additional seating besides furniture
Privacy from roadway
Blend with pre-existing patio area next to house
-Drainage control
Xeriscape

How we met those objectives

Built wood burning fireplace with spark arrestor to meet code, used stone veneer on fireplace to match veneer accents on house
Incorporated a dry creek for to catch and direct water around the patio area, this gave a great opportunity for a bridge to be incorporated as well.

Kissing Camels

Goals and objectives

New home needing complete landscaping
Large water feature to provide foreground to views to Garden of the Gods
Paver patio areas for entertainment, pavers to match for drive
No mulch and no grass areas
Low maintenance/minimal plantings
Stonehenge themed sculpture
360 degree path access around the house

How we met those objectives

Incorporated large stream with falls and a pond in back of the house on an existing slope flowing 20,000 gallons an hour of recirculated water. Hooked up an autofill system to fill water due to evaporation as the clients travel often.
Incorporated several patios of varying sizes in back for large parties that the homeowners host.
Used low maintenance, high impact xeriscape plants. Enough to accent the landscape but did not create a jungle. Used accent boulders to fill in planting beds as well.
The no mulch, no lawn was the toughest as this is a big lot. In addition to the paver materials brought in we used 3 different size/colors of rock to add interest to this xeriscape.
For the Stonehenge we used Siloam stone to create a sculpture in front of the house with Basalt column bubbling boulders in the middle. This was all done by crane as the heaviest stone in the bunch was 3 ton.
Provided stepping stone path to meander and make your way around through property.

Thomas B. Doherty High School - AVID Program

I was contacted by the instructor for the AVID program at this high school to educate/lead a xeriscape project for a couple planting beds at the main entrance of the school. I met with the class once a week for a period of 5 weeks to educate them on xeriscaping and the green industry in general. Together, we measured out the site to create a base plan to work off of. From there I had them research xeriscape plants that would fit the sun requirements of this space. We then designed the space together, did a material takeoff and installed the project. The students were responsible for locally sourcing all materials (many of which were donated by local suppliers), schedule deliveries and install the project.

I love projects like these to help pass along a trade that does not have enough potential entrants to supply demand. This also gave me the opportunity to work with youth, which I love, and to give to a local school, which is where the majority of my donations go as my wife is a teacher.

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