For a residence in Irvine, Calif., Studio H Landscape Architecture, Inc., began with the client's desire for creating a backyard sanctuary, a place to relax at the end of the day, and a place to start off the morning.

Much of the landscape design layout was intended to be enjoyed from inside the home. The symmetry and axes of the layout of the design relates to the various viewpoints from inside and outside the home. Reinforcing that layout is plantings laid in concentric rings around the water feature.

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The passive area offers interesting architectural plantings, succulents and multi-trunk Japanese maples, with a water feature supplying the relaxing white noise.

The smooth and roundness of the pebble mulch mixes nicely with the silky yet granular texture of the sand, while the boulders add a contrasting firmness and strength to the space.

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The plantings for this Zen-like, compact garden include a Japanese maple (right), black and "Golden Goddess' bamboo (a screen for the block wall) and an array of succulents: Euphorbia tirucalli "Firestick' (left), Aeonium "Sunburst'; agave Angustifolia and Dessmetiana; "Chalk Liveforever' (Dudleya pulverulenta); "Giant Chalk' Dudleya Brittonii; Echeveria; and "Cast Iron Plant' (Aspidistra elatior). The landscape contractor, QS Landscape, used 3-5 watt LEDs in DSE Lighting fixtures: ww-157 fixtures to light the walls, and D-141 solid brass fixtures to up-light the trees.

The square symmetry of the paving patterns in the turf is carried through onto the deck to visually link the spaces. The patterning is pleasing and attractive, but also relaxing in its regularity and precision.

An ipe fence camouflages a concrete block wall, an attractive backdrop to the space, and an unexpected location for water flowing from a scupper to a COR-TEN steel catch basin. The addition of moving water is a perfect microclimate for the bamboo screening the remainder of the perimeter block wall. The bamboo also offers some ground shade to keep the space cooler, always a consideration in this seemingly perennial hot climate.

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"Some of the biggest challenges any designer can have on any project is trying to create a space that is affordable and includes the program elements in a way that is thoughtful, pleases the client and can be built," observed Warwick Hunt, principal with Studio H Landscape Architecture, Inc.

"We also spent a lot of time tracking down very specific plant material, i.e., the Japanese maple, that had the "correct' form and growth habits that would complement the project."

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The fine rock garden sand contrasts with the rolled beach pebbles and echeverias.

Project Team
Landscape Architects: Studio H Landscape Architecture, Inc.
Principal: Warwick Hunt
Senior Associate: Ben Montrella
Associates: Jessie Craven, Mina Roades
Landscape Contractor: QS Landscape

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Kangaroo paws are a popular addition to many residential backyards.

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Inserted in the ipe wood fence is a frosted glass light element (United Lighting Designs) with a brass frame that's translucent enough to see the silhouette of black bamboo behind it.

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