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Fire and Water, the Modern Garden05-29-13 | News
Fire and Water, the Modern Garden





Stone integral to this project in Orchard Lake, Michigan includes contrasting black Asian gravel along with finer texture and lighter colored pea gravel. Hand selected weathered limestone boulders accent and anchor the garden and are also used as stepping stones through the mass planting of fountain grass and other perennials.
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Photo Credits: Courtesy of AguaFina Gardens


This modern garden fuses three strong elements - water, fire and stone. Central to this garden is the fire and water feature emanating from a large basalt stone that has been cut, hallowed and polished. Water flows over the sides of the piece into the basin below which encompasses the entire pea gravel walkable surface that is used for the patio area.

This surface acts as collection zone to recharge and replenish the fountain with rainwater while gravel functions as part of the filtration. In this system the water and fire are integral. The water is infused by gas and then the gas off-burnt, using a proprietary technique that AguaFina Gardens developed for this effect.

Challenges for this site included creating a small intimate gathering area within the context of a larger setting. Set on a flat piece of land adjoining a popular lake, and at the same general level as the lake, the back of the home was quite exposed.

In order to achieve an intimate and nestled feel, the area for this gathering space was sunk by slightly lowering the grade and creating natural berming with mass plantings. Large monolithic stone basalt pillars amplify the lower aspect of the space.

Polished on one side and natural on others, the polished surface reflects both fire and the natural sun as it sets. These pillars are set upon larger base pieces, also of basalt, that are incorporated within the retaining wall designed as a seating area.







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