Custom residential landscapes have become a prominent trend in the last ten years, as the appreciation for lush surroundings continues to grow in society. Today, more than ever, homeowners are looking to bring exotic gardens and recreation areas into their private spaces. Outdoor rooms become extensions of their interior living spaces. Expansive lawns of the past now break apart into many spaces, which not only provide beauty but also enhance the functional use for the homeowners. The outdoor landscape at the Whittle Residence is designed much as a house might be, if left to the devices of the outdoors. Four distinct rooms provide the outdoor living space: the patio, the pool/spa area, the recreation area, and the woodland area Together, these provide a template for the Whittle’s designer backyard.

We would all love to wake up in the morning and step out into a garden retreat in our own backyard, as Dr. and Mrs. Whittle now do each morning. Their landscape was designed to provide an aesthetically pleasing yard, while also providing one that is functional and easily maintained. Dr. and Mrs. Whittle asked my firm to create a backyard garden retreat that both their family and their dogs (Jake and Jessie) could enjoy. The backyard was sculpted into a livable, sustainable design by jon Benson + associates, inc., and eventually won the 2001 Georgia Green Industry Association Award for Best Residential Design.

The design was intended to provide a garden oasis that would be manageable once completed. The focal point of the space is the spa, where water cascades over its stone lip into a free-form swimming pool below. This combination is, in turn, surrounded by lush plantings. We designed this space for the Whittle family by providing solutions to many land concerns, while also providing enjoyment and beauty. The many challenges that arose from this project were addressed and transformed into positive aspects of the final landscape design.

Olympic Pools constructed the free-form pool into the hillside by removing 450 yards of dirt. During construction, 75 yards of gunite formed the pool and underwater ledges for man and beast. Finally, the surface was sprayed with Pebble Tec pool finish.

Challenges of the Project

One of the biggest challenges in the project was the steep slope in the backyard. In order to accommodate the owners’ desires, the land was shaped into an upper and lower yard. The pool is situated on the lower yard, and backed by a stone retaining wall that supports the spa in the upper yard. Due to the small size of the site, the earth that was removed was hauled to a nearby construction site. The narrow width of the lot also provided plenty of accessibility challenges for the pool contractor, Olympic Pools.

At the beginning of the excavation, an access road was constructed between the Whittle’s and the adjacent property. This temporary road allowed larger trucks and earth-moving equipment to enter the site. Most of the required digging for the pool space was performed with this temporary road in place. As the excavation drew to completion, reinforcement was installed in the hole and a retaining wall was constructed at the rear of the pool structure. The contractor applied concrete gunnite finish to the swimming pool, spa and retaining wall. During the forming process, stone ledges were shaped to accept tons of large Tennessee fieldstones that would be used to finish the walls. Using a combination of manpower and equipment, the large fieldstones were stacked to form the stone ledges. In addition, flat stones, which were similar to the fieldstones, were placed beside the pool to bridge the gap between the multi-level yards. To accent the yard even further, large boulders were buried deep into the soil, leaving parts exposed for an added dimension in the landscape. During the latter stages, vines and draping plants were planted to soften the harsh edges of the rocks.

Keeping the Client Happy

Designing a pool and a recreation space that the dogs could also enjoy presented another challenge in creating this oasis for the Whittle family. How often are pools designed with the family dogs in mind? Jessie and Jake, large and lively pets that are considered a part of the family, were taken into heavy consideration when jB+a was designing this project. In order to design a space that would be equally enjoyable for the dogs, we took each dogs’ swimming style into consideration. For instance, Jake (the Golden Retriever) enjoys jumping off the edge of the pool into the water to retrieve objects. Jessie, on the other hand (a Boykin Spaniel), likes to walk around in the water to cool off. In order to keep them both happy, rocks were placed in strategic locations to allow bold jumps into the water, while an underwater dog walk was designed as a place to walk and cool off. An especially massive fieldstone, approximately 7’ x 5’, was lowered into place at the edge of the pool’s deep end to give all members of the family a diving space into the pool. Special underwater ledges provide easy access and places to sit. Ergonomic considerations played such a major role in the design of this pool that even the dogs were precisely measured to ensure proper scaling of the final product. Of course, all the human elements were considered as well, including space for lap swimming, steps for easy access, and underwater seating spaces.

The patio design and stamped concrete deck provide an intimate setting for small gatherings, while the party can be extended onto the turf to accompany more guests. Directly off the family room and kitchen, this outdoor room provides a perfect expansion of the interior space. Obviously, this patio setting is a prime location for entertaining guests, as well as for relaxing at the same time. These lush surroundings provide intimate comfort, while also providing a stylish garden getaway.

This creative design expands to the upper level of the yard, where there are spaces for active recreation, a play space for the children, a dog run, and leisurely access to the spa. The upper lawn also acts as a transition from the controlled, manicured landscape space, to the woodland setting at the back of the property. The upper lawn and woodland area have easy access from three points: an entrance from the right side, in the form of a stepping stone trail; an entrance from the left, where the yard wraps around to the upper lawn; and access from the middle, after getting out of the spa. The woodland setting is enhanced with groups of hemlock, azalea, hosta and fern. In addition, trails meander through the woodland area.

From the upper spa, the waterfall cascades to the main pool. Approximately 200 yards of concrete was used to create the retaining walls and decks. The stamped concrete deck was finished by Olympic Pools in an Ashlar Slate pattern.

Plantings at the Site

After laying out the hardscape, much consideration was taken as to the planting scheme. The clients desired something that was lush and exotic, but also required that they be able to maintain it themselves. The landscape plan provides spaces that require little or no maintenance, spaces that will require maintenance by outside professionals, and smaller spaces for the Whittles to develop into personal gardens, which they will tend to in their leisure time.

Low maintenance shrubs like crape myrtle, holly, Indian hawthorne, and abelia were combined with perennials such as black-eyed susan, elephant ear, gaura, daylily, moonbeam coreopsis and coneflower to create a garden mix of flowering plants and design structure. Movement, motion, color and form are central to the landscape design. Misacanthus grass sways in the breeze while the waterfall tumbles over the rocks. Soon, creeping fig will crawl over the rocks as the leucothoe tumbles over the edges. This will only enrich and enhance an already beautiful retreat for "man and man’s best friend". To create a natural privacy fence, several groups of little gem magnolia, hemlock, English laurel, fragrant tea olive and Savannah holly were planted along the edges of the property.

Ultimately, the owners wanted a backyard that they could enjoy alone, with their dogs, or with their family and friends. There were many components to this project that were necessary in order to accomplish this goal. Many large pieces had to blend well, including the outdoor patio, the upper and lower lawn, the pool and spa, and the recreation and woodland areas. Due to the diverse nature of the user group, ensuring everyone’s enjoyment of the space required many considerations. In order to accommodate the desires of every user, special care was taken to make the space comfortable, lush, and beautiful. The massive rocks and boulders combine with the intricate landscape planting and the inviting water to create a landscape oasis for all to enjoy.

In addition, more than 25 tons of Mossy Boulders were transported to the site and set in place for the rock finish, walls, stepping stones and accents. Among the rocks and garden walks are planted moonbeam coreopsis, creeping fig, sweetflag, coneflower, daylily, ajuga and a variety of perennials.