Southwestern Grotto
It all began with a structural engineer and a play-doh model.
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Jeff wanted an oasis at home in his backyard for his family to enjoy without having to travel far away. He loved the southwest feel with a tropical twist. This can be difficult to pull off in a mid-western climate. By incorporating large boulders into the design we were able to create a waterfall grotto space as well as natural diving rock. We also used native species of plants with a tropical feel, such as yucca, sumac, succulent sedums, and cacti. The homeowner also imported some cold hardy palms into the design.
the challenges
Engineering the stone cantilever
Selecting the massive stones and moving them into place
Coordinating the trades
Irrigation adjustments and erosion control
Incorporating a color falls feature and connecting to pool controls
Our Design Approach
Step 1) Create the layout of material changes and planting design
We finalized the details of the layout of the patio spaces and planting areas. We had to consider the paths in and out of the backyard as well as screening neighbors and incorporating lights into the design.
Step 2) Hand pick the rocks and plants
Once we had the layout settled on we took the clients to the stone yard to hand select the boulders for the grotto and jumping rock. As the hardscape came together we made another visit to the nursery to hand pick the plants to give that southwest tropical vibe the family was looking for.
Step 3) Install the Details
Once all the design decisions were made it was up to us to execute and move all the stones in place. First we created a cinder block wall on top of the pool wall to raise it up to support the grotto. The blue crew veneered a stone face to the wall and set the natural boulders on top. This wall was extended around the patio space to create additional seating for larger gatherings. We planted the perimeter, installed stone stairs to the gate along with lights and flagstone floor details. The sprinkler system was also re-configured to fit the new layout. And the final touch was a gas fire pit with a metal sphere to make a statement.