Foster Residence, Granada Hills, CA – Front Yard Landscape and Hardscape
CLIENT: self
The front hardscape and landscape of this house did not due justice to the outstanding architecture. To approach the house, the only way in was up a fairly steep driveway. Good luck doing this walk in high heels. There were no stairs or steps or anything to give the feeling of an entrance.
So the first step was simply trimming back to see what plants actually were there and see the lay of the land.
Next a temporary Master Plan was in put in place to remove the overwhelming juniper bushes that had taken over the entire front yard. Some 3D initial studies were done in clay and foam core to better understand the slope and what retaining walls would be needed to provide improved planting areas.
We lived with some simple colorful African daisies for a year or so…
The huge fir tree on the far side of the yard with roots taking over and needles making the yard too acidic to grow anything was eventually removed and was replaced with a deciduous yellow leafed Ash Tree. Because we had been dealing with water infiltration into the subterranean HVAC system, we made sure there was no planting or irrigation immediately next to the facade. A nice undulating curve served nicely, paired with classic 1960s style round pebble pavers. This was a move straight out of the master landscaper, Garrett Eckbo, playbook! Eventually at the top of the hill Zoya grass was planted between these round pebble pavers.
Eventually everything went away in order to make way for the new improved Ultra Modern front landscape… We also hauled away at least 2-3 giant dumpsters filled to the brim with excess soil. The neighbors were understandably a bit concerned during this period…
Stairs!
Then the actual plans began to take shape! First via 2D drawings, then onto 3D scale models of different stairway impositions. Then with 3D projections of the improvements against the actual land.
Then onto final engineering diagrams with detailed elevations and measurements for the concrete forms. This was an incredibly intricate and demanding form and pour job for these guys and they did a fabulous job!!!
And the final look…
