Creating a Lake; Assuring a Legacy

Recently the design/build firm Rost, Inc had the pleasure of meeting and working with their client, a local family, on what is now coined the Legacy Springs project. Located in central Missouri, Legacy Springs is a showcase for what an entire site renovation can be. What was once a simple bed and breakfast cabin upon rustic acreage, formally known as Second Creek, is now an entire resort-worthy site. Some of the new features of the renovated site include a 4-acre lake, lakeside timber frame pavilion and dock, waterfalls, streams, swim beach, new roads, bridges, patios, walls, boulders, spa, lighting, irrigation and landscape galore. The entire process from initial meeting and design to finish product took just over one year. The pace of the project was certainly a challenge, but also a blessing as the client appreciated and enjoyed constant progress.

During the design process, concept plans were generated, but many details and finished products were decided and designed onsite. In fact, the initial meeting with the client came up on extremely short notice, so a very conceptual blue line plan was drawn then and there and presented that day. This layout was enough to convey Rost, Inc's goals for the property and the OK was given to proceed in full force. Despite all the changes during the upcoming construction process, the general intent of that concept plan was still portrayed.

Having the trust of the owner to adjust and improve onsite was key to the project success. It was a fun project for the Rost, Inc design team as it required many onsite hours, designing on the go with the construction crews.

The heart of the site would be a newly constructed 4-acre lake. Two small farm ponds were stipulated to be removed and a new lake was specified featuring an island (that is fully wired for event-sized sound), which quickly became a favorite idea of the clients. The lake would also feature many unseen attributes in place to improve aquatic life and many species of trophy fish. To fill the lake, Rost designated a 30-horsepower pump, which is now used to keep the lake at a consistent fill level to offset irrigation usage and dry seasons. The well water was piped to an area that, when running, creates a spectacular series of waterfalls into the lake. It's also an area where swimmers can jump off of the water feature into the lake.

On the other side of the pavilion and swim beach, is the main water feature and irrigation pump. The falls start behind the cabin, run through the back patios, alongside the hot tub, around to the front of the house to a small pool, then down the road where the water crosses over the road in a stone "low water crossing", under a stone bridge spanning the stream, and finally back into the lake. All aspects of the stream and surrounding patios and walls were specified to be built of natural stone including limestone and sandstone boulders, sandstone flagstone patios with limestone borders and accents, weathered fieldstone walls and custom sandstone coping.

 
Ultimately, approximately 800 tons of stone were used onsite between the water features, patios, walls, and boulder outcrops. A natural feel was the design goal, and the use of stone was key in achieving that. Much of the stone was hand tagged by the design team to ensure it properly fit the site.

A trusted team of subcontractors was also key. Timber framing, concrete, electrical were all needed in unique capacities. Meeting the quality expected on a quick timeframe was critical, so known and trusted subs were selected. The design team at Rost, Inc spent many hours consulting with subcontractors, whether it was enhancing designs, selecting materials, finalizing budgets or coordinating scheduling.

Key tree plantings designated throughout site included Chinese Fringetree, Bald Cypress, Juniper, Serviceberry, Spruces, Hornbeam, Dogwood, Japanese Black Pine, White Ara Kawa Pine, Pitlolly Pine, Blue Atlas Cedar, Katsuratree, Japanese Maples, Eastern Redbud, Trident Maple, Magnolias, Weeping Willow, Oaks, Crabapples, American Smoketree, Chasetree and Green Giant Arborvitae.

Like many projects, the water features and lake really make this site the experience that it is. Upon cresting the hill and arriving at Legacy Springs visitors have immediate views of the water features and get to interact with them repeatedly whether driving over them, through them, crossing them on paths, sitting alongside them, or even jumping off and swimming in them.

And that rough sketch that set this project in motion? It is now a favorite of Rost, Inc's - it stands as an example that the design side of a project must be active and integrated onsite as a project is coming together, and that properly conveying goals and concepts early in the design phase is as important as final details on a finished plan.

Team List
Design / Build Company - Rost, Inc - Jake Frink, Tim Rost
Timber Frame Pavilion Contractor - Midwest Custom Timber Frames
Site Concrete - Advanced Concrete
Spa - Glenns Pool
Site Electric - Zapp Electric
Masonry - Rost, Inc and Wehmeyer Masonry
Well Drilling - B&H Well Drilling
Docks - Tiger Docks
Irrigation - Superior Irrigation
Site Lighting - Superior Irrigation
Custom Railing - Shanks Blacksmith
Custom Fireplace - Red Dog Forge
Kitchen Cabinets - Timberline Custom Cabinets
Asphalt Roads - Capital Paving

As seen in LASN magazine, July 2019.

Filed Under: WATER, LAKE, MISSOURI, WATERFALLS, LASN

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