IES International, a very successful computer software company, has recently purchased 12 condominiums within the Sand Pebble Condominium Development, which includes a total of 72 condominiums. IES has created a relationship with a nearby major university in developing a program that hires visiting computer specialists from around the world. Each of these individuals has a two-year contract and a dual appointment with the university and the computer software company. They and their families will occupy these 12 condominiums.
These condominiums are in a great location and are fairly close to the university. In addition, the site is in an area that has seen some rapid increases in real estate appreciation. Several new shopping developments and nearly a dozen restaurants have been built within the past several years within a mile of these condominiums.
Major Design Aspects
Form. Formality is the overriding character of this design. Two strong axes exist to structure this entire front yard. The major axis centers on the entry to the house and connects to the front walkway with an expanded set of steps. The secondary axis is parallel to the front of the house and provides the entry from the driveway, with a decorative bench as a focal point at one terminus of the axis.
Front Yard. A low wall is used to raise the front yard to create a uniform and flat lawn panel. Low hedges are used to separate the entry space from the front lawn. Planting is symmetrical with the major axis. Lines of trees are situated near the property lines to provide screening and structure to this formal design.
Front Entry. A porch is proposed for this alternative. A semicircular terrace extends from the length of the porch, creating a large entry space that is partially covered and partially open.
Figure 14-18
The Glengary residence.
Figure 14-19
The Allendorf residence.
The condominiums were built in 1972, are in mediocre condition, and need substantial work on both the interior and exterior. Each has an exterior space measuring 30′ X 55′. Most of them are quite plain; each has a simple concrete patio, a small tree, and a grouping of several shrubs. Most of the areas in between are made up of lawns.
With each of the interiors and the exterior fapades receiving major renovations, IES would also like the exterior spaces to be designed. They would like each to be unique from the others and to provide the tenants with great opportunities for outdoor living and entertainment. They have hired you because of your quality reputation in residential landscape architectural design. Although there are some existing trees in these spaces, they are not very healthy. In addition, they have never been properly pruned. After consulting with your on-staff arborist, it was decided that these trees would be removed. The concrete patios and existing plant material will also be removed. This leaves each space completely empty, like a new canvas. There are six sets of two outdoor spaces, as illustrated in Figure 14—20.
Having spent some time consulting with the designer, the following design program was established:
• Paved area of approximately 400 SF for setting two 36-inch-diameter tables, each with four chairs. These areas will provide the tenants with the option to seat eight people for outdoor dining. When there are no guests, it allows the tenants to sit in two different locations.
• An area for a permanent grill/bench/counter.
• A large partial-shade tree approximately 20-foot spread.
• Two or three ornamental trees, each with a 10-foot spread and a 3-foot canopy.
• Water feature or sculpture of about 25 SF.
• Screened area (solid fence of approximately 4′ X 8′) for trash containers.
• Several places on the fence for espaliered plants.
• Paved access from condominium to exit gate.
• Masses of mixtures of deciduous and evergreen plants.
• Areas of ground cover.
• Areas for annuals/perennials.
• Various places for potted plants.
• Option to have an overhead arbor covering one of the seating areas. Although this is a nice idea, this type of structure would need to be approved by the condominium’s Architectural Review Board and the local Board of Zoning Appeals.
The alternative design solutions for the IES condominiums have been developed in two different ways. First, alternative design solutions with six different design themes have been developed, based on one particular functional diagram. This was done to illustrate that, regardless of the functional organization of a space, the overall character can be unique. Figure 14—21 shows the functional diagram that was used to develop these six alternatives. This diagram also indicates the various elements and spaces proposed for each of the six alternatives.
Figures 14—22 through 14—24 show solutions using the following design themes: [26]
through 14—27 show design solutions based on different functional organizations and the following design themes:
• Circular, with concentric circles (left side of Figure 14—25)
• Circular, with radiating lines (right side of Figure 14—25)
• Diagonal (left side of Figure 14—26)
• Combination of circular and curvilinear (right side of Figure 14—26)
• Rectangular (left side of Figure 14—27)
• Curvilinear and arcs to imply a fish pattern design (right side of Figure 14—27)
Major Design Aspects
• Rectangular design theme.
• Major seating space, located in a sunny area, and the fountain are centered on the bay window.
• Secondary seating area is located for shade, also with a strong view to the fountain.
• The grill is located to the west of the major seating area and flanked by espaliered plants.
• A rectangular lawn panel has a line of ornamental trees to create a formal viewing area.
• Pavement is mostly concrete or stone of different sizes, and pavers for the seating areas.
• The storage area is in the southeast corner.
Major Design Aspects
• Diagonal design theme.
• Seating areas have specialty pavement and have great views to the lawn panel and sculpture.
• The grill is situated on the east side of the major space between a few ornamental trees.
• Three espaliered plants are located on the fence to the east of the lawn panel.
• Potted plants, rendered in red and green, are placed in the corners of some of the diagonal pattern, creating bright visual accents on the pavement.
• Pavement is concrete or stone of different sizes. Pavers are used for the seating areas.
• The storage area is in the southwest corner.
Major Design Aspects
• Arc and tangent design theme.
• Seating areas are semicircular in shape and centered on the circular fountain as a focal point.
• The grill is on the west wall flanked by ground cover and shrubs.
• Pavement is either stone or concrete with a paver edge. Pavers are used in the seating areas.
• The storage area is in the southeast corner.
Major Design Aspects
• Modified diagonal design theme.
• Seating areas are positioned to have a combination of sun and shade, as well as great views to the fountain.
• The grill is on the east side of the seating area centered on the bay window.
• Three espaliered plants are located on the west fence immediately outside the main entrance to the garden.
• Pavement is concrete or stone, with some areas edged in a paver. Pavers are used in the seating areas.
• The storage area is in the southwest corner.
Major Design Aspects
• Curvilinear design theme.
• Sitting areas, for sunny and shady seating, are centered on the sliding glass doors and the bay window.
• The grill is located on the west side of the major seating area.
• The fountain is defined by edge forms of the patio space and the lawn area.
• Pavements are concrete or stone, with pavers for the seating areas.
• The storage area is in the southeast corner.
Major Design Aspects
• Angular design theme.
• Sitting areas, for sunny and shady seating, are centered on the sliding glass doors and the bay window.
• Grill is located on the east side of the major seating area.
• The fountain is situated to be a strong part of each of the seating areas.
• The walkway, although angled in shape, provides for a fairly direct access through the garden.
• The storage area is in the southwest corner.
Major Design Aspects
• A circular design theme is used, with the center of the garden being the center of the design. The circumferences of the concentric circles, along with some radii, define the major edges of the design.
• Sitting can occur under an arbor or in the sunny area.
• The grill is tucked away in the open and sunny sitting area.
• A central sculpture in the lawn serves as the major focal point of the garden.
• Another arbor accents the entry to the garden from the public sidewalk.
• An espaliered plant is located on the east fence beneath the large tree.
• The storage area is in the southeast corner.
Major Design Aspects
• A circular design theme is used, with the interior sitting area being the center of the design. The radii, along with some concentric arcs, define the major edges of the design.
• Sitting can occur in two areas, with the western one receiving more sunlight.
• The grill is located in the west patio and is focused on an es – paliered plant on the fence.
• Potted plants, to highlight seasonal color, are located throughout the garden.
• A circular fountain is located near the east patio.
• The storage area is in the southeast corner.
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Major Design Aspects
• A diagonal design theme creates a strong pattern for this sculpture garden.
• The sitting areas are in the open for those clients who want more sun than shade.
• Three different places are established to display pieces of art.
• No grill is incorporated in this alternative.
• Potted plants situated in corners of diagonal pattern establish a strong directional view line.
• Three espaliered plants on the east wall add character to this east sitting area.
• The storage area is in the east central part of the garden.
Major Design Aspects
• A circular design theme, with curved arcs acting as radii, creates the edges in this design.
• There are two sitting areas, one in the sun and one under the shade of a circular arbor.
• The central lawn area, with a sculpture on line with the bay window, is the major visual focal place of the design.
• The pavement is of one material and pattern. This establishes a strong base plane wrapping around most of the circular lawn panel. With this one pattern, tables and chairs can be situated in any number of locations.
• The grill is on the east fence tucked into a pocket of pavement flanked with plants.
• The arced radii to the south define bands of different plantings.
• The storage area is in the southwest corner.
Major Design Aspects
• A rectangular design theme defines a very direct access from the gate to the sliding glass door.
• Both sitting areas are designed to be more shady than sunny.
• The grill is located on the east wall centered between two es – paliered plants.
• A square water fountain has an espaliered plant as a backdrop.
• Pavements are concrete or stone, some with paver bands, and few areas with all pavers.
• Potted plants are situated in corners of the diagonal paving pattern.
Major Design Aspects
• Fish enthusiasts would love this garden design motif, for it has several design elements that reflect certain aspects of a fish.
• The lawn shape defines the body of the fish.
• Concrete scored into arc patterns resemble the fins.
• The small circular stones at the gated entry reflect bubbles of water.
• The north/south arced lines of the planting signify the waves of water made by the fish.
• Planting reinforces the major lines of the design.
