At this private estate in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Terassement Euro Landscaping adorned the sprawling grounds with the help of Techo-Bloc pavers and masonry products. The multi-level layout includes several patios, a stately pavilion for cooking and dining, an infinity pool that appears to pour into a pond when looking out from inside the home's family room, fountains and fire features. One of the main concerns of the homeowners was to avoid the possibility of encountering any water issues such as flooding so all patios were constructed on a permeable pavement base.

To create a rich design on the grand patio that did not look busy, 30"x30" Aberdeen slabs were installed in a 45 degree checkerboard pattern: each square made up of four slabs bordered with Villagio pavers in onyx black.

 

Chantilly masonry was selected to veneer all the vertical surfaces in the pavilion. Its roof was constructed with Douglas fir lumber from British Columbia. It had to be built and stained on the ground first, and then set onto the wood trusses with a crane.

All the pathways are constructed of shale grey Villagio pavers in a linear pattern to achieve an old cobblestone look. Onyx black pavers make up the banding. To facilitate a permeable base, aluminum crosstie edging* was installed in between the pavers every 4 to 5 feet and tied into the in-ground aluminum edging that ran all along the walkway. The owners opted for the crosstie edging, which goes underneath and between the pavers and keeps them in place without the need for traditional edging. The fountain was constructed with Baltimore double-sided retaining wall. Oasis Irrigation installed the water works. *For more information on aluminum crosstie edging, visit https://www.landscapearchitect.com/research/article.php/27484.

The goal for this Canadian residence was to mix style with substance in order to create the perfect outdoor entertainment area. With the help of Terassement Euro Landscaping as well as Techo-Bloc slabs, pavers, wall stones, caps, copings and edges, reality beat the dream; 3 years have passed and these Canadian homeowners are still beyond satisfied.

Throughout this project, the homeowners were adamant about two main things: the infinity pool had to seem like it poured into the pond when looking out from inside the home's family room, and the second requirement was to avoid the possibility of encountering any water issues such as flooding.

After meeting with the homeowners, Frank Sicurella, owner and president of Euro Landscaping, understood their leading concerns. Fortunately, the environment and circumstances brought forth the perfect opportunity for Sicurella to suggest an evident solution: constructing the patios on a permeable pavement base versus a traditional base. The reason for this being that a traditional base requires slopes on the patios, and the slopes generate tremendous amounts of water. Consequently, in this particular case, the accumulation of water would eventually cascade off the elevated patio area onto the private golf course. Thus, the obvious solution to meet all the objectives was a permeable installation: the land could be raised to achieve the homeowners' wishes to create the illusion of the infinity pool pouring into the pond and secondly, it would ensure proper evacuation of storm water.

As for the aesthetic aspect of the property, the householders wished to divide the large backyard into different sections to meet their outdoor entertainment needs. The fire pit pavilion needed to be conducive to any close knit family situation; it was crucial that it be a comfortable and intimate seating area. The grand patio needed to be the ideal outdoor alternative to a ballroom, the pool had to do what a pool does, but bigger and better, and the pergola had to be the picture perfect food destination as is needed for any Italian family. Pavilions of different heights were suggested to break up the space in smaller livable areas. Baltimore double-sided retaining walls in brushed pewter were chosen to create the multi-level pavilions. It was selected for its double-sided texture as well as its color and texture coordination with the Aberdeen slabs. To maintain a sense of consistency and flow all throughout the property, the fire pits and fountains were also built with Baltimore wall materials.

Riviera-toned Travertina slabs pave the cooking and dining area. The lighting includes Vision3 down lights on the columns, Lubo Spectabilis path lights, and Kichler AZT up lights. The fire bowls are from Grand Effects.

The fire feature is also built of Baltimore retaining wall stones in brushed pewter and Riviera-toned Piedimonte caps. The fire insert is from Grand Effects. Aberdeen slabs in azzurro were installed on this level.

Piedimonte caps were installed for the treads and risers of the steps. Baltimore wall and Piedimonte caps make up the columns. It took a 37-person crew 8 months to complete the project.

Aberdeen slabs and Villagio pavers were used in different ways throughout the property to create a different look and feel for every space while maintaining a good overall aesthetic for the property. The pathways were laid with Villagio pavers in a linear pattern to achieve an old cobblestone look. The grand patio reintroduced the Villagio paving stone, now as a border to the 30"x30" Aberdeen slabs. The goal was to create a design that looked opulent, but not busy to the eye, so they opted for a 45 degree checkerboard pattern made up of 4 Aberdeen slabs collectively outlined with Villagio pavers in onyx black. The pool area hosted a new collection of products that was sleek and modern: the Travertina collection brought Bali travertine coping and travertine slabs (in the same tones of Riviera) into the mix. The travertine slabs continued into the nearby pergola, which was custom designed with Techo-Bloc's masonry collection.

All in all, "opulence' was the desired atmosphere for this backyard, but, beyond luxury, the space had to scream entertainment and good times to be had. The homeowners wanted to bring the kitchen outside; they wanted to create an outdoor party room and still retreat to a pool that felt like a relaxing resort. They needed something minimalistic, clean, friendly and low maintenance.

When it comes to a property this expansive, many headaches must have been had, right? According to Sicurella, problems were few. The only significant issue was determining how to install the permeable pavement on the walkways without normal stone edging. The solution? Aluminum crosstie-alternatives in between the pavers, installed every 4 to 5 feet that tied into the in-ground aluminum edging that ran all along the walkway. This method was time-efficient and effective.

The pergola presented some minor hitches. The wood used was Douglas fir lumber from British Columbia, which in itself was the first issue as Quebec is on the opposite side of the country, and since no suppliers in the region had the required sizes in stock, they had to be shipped quite a distance.

A carpenter was sub-contracted to build the roof on site. It was determined that the best construction method was to put it together and stain it on the ground, even though space was limited at the time, and then set it onto the wood trusses with the help of a crane.

Techo-Bloc's director of education once said: "Permeable pavement doesn't have to look like orthopedic shoes!" This project seems to be great evidence of that.