Lidyoff Landscape Development Co. designed this Fresno, Calif. backyard to include a redwood treehouse and steps leading up to the rope bridge above the pool area. The underwater lighting was created using Pentaires "Intellibrite" remote control E-Z touch system. The trees, specifically 60-inch box "Atlantica" cedars and 36-inch box weeping "Blue Atlas" cedars, and pathways were illuminated with FX Luminaire LEDs.

Lidyoff Landscape Development Co. has been in business and involved in high-end residential landscapes and waterscapes throughout the Central Valley, Central Coast, and Northern California since 1965. For the past 50 years, Lidyoff's company theme has been from "Concept to Creation," and this job is proof of that.

Eddie Lidyoff of Lidyoff Landscape was contacted to design and construct an outdoor kitchen and entertainment area similar to one he had already constructed at the client's mountain cabin. One major design element the client requested was a natural rock waterfall for their 2-year-old grandchild's playhouse to rest on top of.

The 65-ton natural rock waterfall was built on an engineered concrete and steel structure. Bouquet Canyon flagstone was used around the water feature. Behind the waterfall, the redwood playhouse with rope bridge sits on a steel frame veneered in redwood.

All of the natural rock water features were built on steel-reinforced gunite with shelves built in for rock placement. Lidyoff came up with a preliminary design for the client that they liked, featuring a floating deck cantilevering out and over the falls, offset to one side to give the illusion of it being suspended in air. The trick was anchoring a large steel beam structure on top for the playhouse. Allred Engineering was hired to help design the concrete base and footings needed to support the structure. The job was designed around existing redwoods and 30-year-old Chinese pistache that shade the BBQ area in summer heat.

Once the client approved the project, Lidyoff subcontracted the pool and plumbing to Warner Gash at Cyndi Pools. The existing yard was demolished, and the layouts of the pool and gunite structures were painted on the ground to show the client their shapes and sizes, eventually increasing in size from the original in two areas. After forms were set and excavation completed, the steel rebar crew was brought in to tie-in the 3-foot sonotube concrete forms and footings together for one large center beam structure. They used 1-inch by 4-foot anchor bolts in the sonotubes for support of the steel structure. A concrete pump was used to fill footings and sonotubes. A second gunite structure was built over and around footings and center support concrete structure. Thirty-five cubic yards of gunite were used in total.

The outdoor BBQ area features granite countertops and a redwood arbor. The stamped and colored concrete simulates wood. An outdoor natural gas heater allows the backyard to be used year-round.

After the gunite cured, Lidyoff's crew sealed it with Mira Flex membrane sealer before any rock setting could begin. Lidyoff handpicked a majority of the key rocks for the falls from the Sierra Foothills of California, with some boulders weighing in around 6,000-8,000 lbs.

The rockwork had to be constructed in two phases. First, the bottom half was set and grouted in place before drying for four days. Then, the top of the structure could be built. In all, 10 yards of concrete grout were used to lock in rocks together. The metal beam framework and structure, built by the homeowner, was craned into place before setting the playhouse on top. A rope bridge was installed along with redwood step platforms reaching up to the bridge. Redwood decking used to face the metal support beams was then installed on top of the metal platform.

The natural rock fire pit lounge area with custom built half-circle couch and flooring in natural Bouquet Canyon stone provides a view of the redwood playhouse. In addition to the 65-ton natural granite water feature, 15 tons of natural granite rock is used in the landscape.

Lidyoff Landscape crews then started excavation of the areas that would use synthetic turf. After excavating down 8 inches and installing chicken wire and weed barrier, class-2 base rock in 2-inch compacted lifts was installed. The top layer of decomposed granite was installed prior to the synthetic turf. Crews installed 3-inch solid drain lines for roof drains and planter areas, as well as all gas lines for the fire pit, BBQ area, and three outdoor heaters. An irrigation system was installed using in-ground Rain Bird valves and pop-ups. The large specimen trees behind the playhouse, among them 36-inch box crape myrtles "Dynamite," 54-inch box Chinese pistache, 48-inch box crape myrtles "Red Rocket," 24-inch box Japanese maples, and 60-inch box "Atlantica" cedrus, were from the Lidyoff Landscape nursery division. They installed all shrub material purchased through Central CA nursery suppliers.

Andy Hebert of Homecrafters, who has been involved with the team for almost 30 years, was hired to implement an original outdoor kitchen concept. Sergio and Paul with Heritage Bomanite, who Lidyoff has worked with on projects throughout California for many years, also contributed to the project.

The outdoor kitchen area features a Summer Set pizza oven and Louisiana Pellet Grill Barbecue. The synthetic turf was installed by Lidyoff Landscape Company around the natural plantings.

Personal touches added by the client made this project a true team effort, including outdoor pots and a custom built couch and chair.

The project took almost a year from concept to design, engineering, demolition, and construction process. The most important part of this job: an ecstatic two-year-old grandchild and his rock playhouse.

Natural rock stepping stones provide a pathway to the fire pit area and water feature. Cuphea "Lavender Lace" was used as a border plant; Lantana "Irene" was used for ground cover; Melinus N "Pink Crystal' and Acorus ogon grasses were also used.

Project Team
Landscape Designer: Eddie Lidyoff
Landscape Contractor: Lidyoff Landscape Development Co.
Hardscape Contractor: Heritage Bomanite
Outdoor Kitchen/ Woodwork: Homecrafters
Pool Plumbing/ Equipment/Gunite: Cyndi Pools
Engineer: Ron Allred Engineering
Synthetic Turf-Base and foundation: Lidyoff Landscape Development Co.

The outdoor BBQ kitchen area was built out of galvanized welded steel and Hardibacker board. The countertop is granite and the arbor is redwood, coordinating with the redwood rope bridge. The decking is colored, stamped concrete, meant in this case to simulate wood. There is a colored stucco textured finish. The kitchen is illuminated by 110-volt hanging lanterns; the plants are illuminated with LEDs.

Vendors
Nursery Suppliers:
Specimen trees 36 inch box – 60 inch box: Lidyoff Landscape Nursery Division
Belmont Nursery
McCall's Nursery
Green Hills Nursery
Specified materials:
Landscape lighting: FX Luminaire LEDs
Pool equipment: Underwater lights: Pentair IntelliBrite remote control E-Z touch
Pumps: Pentair XF high efficiency 5 H.P
110-volt lights (Arbor): Maxim Lighting
Pizza Oven: Summer Set
BBQ: Louisiana Pellet Grill

The steps leading up to the rope bridge use FX Luminaire recessed LEDs. An air blower system was used to create an underwater jetting action in the water feature. The circular couch by the fire pit, consisting of cushions on a metal framework, was custom designed and built by OW Lee Furniture for this project.