The Modern Landscape

For the landscape portion of the design we are working with a talented group of landscape architects from Outland Design. As an architect it has been gratifying to work with other experts, in this case, designers who have seamlessly linked the site to the house. The result is a modern planting palate and hardscape design.

The use of native plant species have been strategically selected and placed so that beauty can be realized through all 4 seasons. Some of the plant types we are working with are:

·         Trees: Hot Wings Maple, Sutherland Garagana, Swedish Columnar Aspen

·         Bushes: Saskatoon, Butterfly bush, Medora Juniper, Alpine Currant, Morden Fireglow Rose, Red River Rasberry, Blue Fox Willow, Snow Berry

·         Ground cover and grasses: Kinnikinnick, Lady Fern, Ice Dance Sedge, Winter Creeper, Purple fountain grass

Inspiring precident images for generating landscape ideas and direction

The main living spaces of the house (kitchen, dining room and living room) continue to the outdoors naturally from the “U” shape of the house plan. This part of the house wraps around the patio providing hard surfaces for outdoor sitting / dining as well as a fire pit area. Various planting provides screening and focal points.

From the patio, a series of terraces draw you to the lower level garden and open grass area. The garden area features planting beds and area for a planned green house, while adjacent to this is the open grass area for play. Bordering the grass are grape vines to the north side against the retaining wall while a row of Honeysuckle bushes will create a buffer from the last slope down to the vineyards.



Sketch of landscape plan from Outland

The sustainable design elements included in the design are:

·         green roof on the garage

·         rainwater harvesting and reuse for the production garden area

·         use of native and other low water requirement plantings

·         water efficient irrigation system