Built in the redwoods on a
steep east-facing slope of Mt Tamalpias, this house had no access to its site.
Our solution was to design and build a series of places, some on the ground,
some on decks, and some suspended in the trees, for use of this family of
four.
We made three new connections
from existing decks to the new garden. A large main gathering deck with a
well-equipped outdoor kitchen, rose arbor, and built-in seating is warmed by a
stone fireplace. Below the main deck we designed and built a secluded hot tub
area that faces into the redwood trees.
The client asked that we make
the site child friendly; this request resulted in several unique play
elements. A hillside slide, taking full advantage of the sloping site, leads
to a rustic suspension bridge. A shingled tree house floats thirty feet above
ground amidst three towering redwoods. New swings and climbing structures are
built into a lower terrace. Plant materials were selected to naturalize
throughout this shady garden.
