Designing the Perfect Outdoor Oasis
November 2021
We had a client come to us with a desire to add a garden to their outdoor space. When I looked at their current layout, I discovered some serious design problems that I knew we could solve.
Whenever you enter a space, indoor or outdoor, it should be an experience. This client's existing space had a lot of excellent components. Still, it lacked some fundamental design principles, and I knew if we solved them, we could transform it from an outdoor space into a garden oasis.
I love solving our clients' problems, especially if I can solve the problem by utilizing a thoughtful design.
I suggested we reconfigure the layout to use axes (plural for axis) to create a procession that draws people in and compels them to journey on from one level to the next.
VIP AXIS
If you don't know why an axis is important for thoughtful design, I'll explain it quickly. For those who don't nerd out on this stuff as I do, keep scrolling past this next section for some more pretty pictures.
Think of an axis as an imaginary vertical or horizontal line used to organize elements. Without it, the design can feel disjointed or heavy on a particular side.
One example of a vertical axis would be a city street. Most city streets are an axis reinforced by buildings on either side. If there's a gap from a missing structure, the axis won't feel as strong.
(If you want to get real nerdy when it comes to architecture and axis, it's essential to make sure an axis terminates (ends) on something interesting. You know, like something other than this sentence.)
LET'S AXE THE TECHNICAL JARGON
The Axis guides from one position to the next, but levels bring the design to life. As you can see in the diagram above, this particular project has four distinct levels.
Each level is distinguished with a different water feature to ground the area. The feature serves to differentiate it while providing the pleasing sound of running water to the ambient environment, which was an effect the client was hoping to achieve.
Here's a peek at the four levels.
Upper Patio Level with Golf Tee
When you first encounter the space, you come in at the Upper Patio Level. The water feature is a subtle waterfall meant to warm you up to the environment's ambient noise. You can step out onto a golf green from the patio level to take a quick shot before heading down to the next level.
Pool & Pool House Level
This second level includes the pool and the pool house. This level is where many of the axes terminate. The vertical axis ends in the pool house on the fireplace, which is a strong focal point. The horizontal axis terminates on a large stone wall with a waterfall pouring into the pool on the one side and the garden on the other side. The vertical and the horizontal axis intersect in the very center of the pool.
The level itself is a beauty to behold. No matter the angle you're positioned, you have breathtaking views right in front of you.
Hot Tub Level
As you walk down from the pool house toward the garden, you pass another water feature that welcomes you into this peaceful hot tub level with minimal design aesthetics. This level serves as a transition to the two main features of the outdoor space. But even on its own, the hot tub and aesthetics create this serene experience.
Garden Level
As you walk down from the pool house toward the garden, you pass another water feature that welcomes you into this peaceful hot tub level with minimal design aesthetics. This level serves as a transition to the two main features of the outdoor space. But even on its own, the hot tub and aesthetics create this serene experience.
As with many projects we do, pictures don't do it justice, especially in this space. Solving the design problems we encountered at the beginning of the project enabled us to create a truly unique experience for our client and their guests. We couldn't be happier with the result.
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