By George Pellettieri, Greg Grigsby and Brittany Wolf of Pellettieri Associates

The entry element borrows hardscape materials used in the landscape such as granite and fieldstone. The walls are constructed of New England wall stone and the aged granite steps are actually reclaimed sections of old curbing displaced by the Big Dig in Boston.

When faced with the challenge of developing a comprehensive site plan for a sensitive 1.3-acre lakefront lot, the design team was able to coordinate an award winning solution that was both environmentally sensitive and aesthetically pleasing.

This project illustrates the benefits of the early involvement of a landscape architect, along with the cooperation of the client and other design professionals such as the civil engineer, soil scientist and architect. The design team also worked with the local planning board to ensure the project met all local regulations. Consequently, the project has become a model of sustainable and appropriate lakeside development.

An 80-foot long woodland pathway negotiates steep terrain, connecting the front of the house to the lakeside of the house. Highlighted by under-story vegetation, ferns and shade tolerant perennials, the path had to be dug by hand since no machinery could make it down the slope. The steps are weathered granite with a base of crushed gravel set in a stone dust setting bed.

Pellettieri Associates, Inc. of Warner, N.H., an award winning landscape architecture design/build firm, provided site planning and landscape contracting services for the entire project. Pellettieri Associates collaborated with Sheerr and White Residential Architecture on this unique lakeside property. The building contractor was Talbot Builders of New London, N.H. These professionals, together with a willing and motivated client, were able to collaborate on this project to produce the desired results.

Located in New Hampshire on a small, steep lot along Lake Sunapee, the site presented several unique design challenges. The project scope involved removal of the existing structure, in order to construct a new home that would fulfill current lifestyle and code requirements. A 50-foot no build setback from the lake, along with existing wetlands on the property, significantly limited the building envelope. This further constrained the development opportunities of this small site.

The driveway is constructed of 3 to 4 inches of Hardpak set on a base of 3/4?EUR??,,????'?? limestone (with all the fines still in it) on a base of 18-inch bank run gravel with 6-inch crushed gravel on top. The paving stones near the front of the house are New Hampshire ledge stone.

The issue of privacy was also a concern because of a town-maintained-road terminated at the property. Two additional private properties had a deeded right-of-way over this site. Snow storage and turnaround space were added challenges as a result of this arrangement. Additionally, drainage presented a formidable challenge because of a shallow seasonal water table and close proximity to the lake.

The new home covers 9,000 square feet in an Adirondack style home and is considerably larger than the previous structure. Allowing for this increase in size without overwhelming the site required particularly creative planning efforts. Consequently, the end result is a home with a far less imposing and intrusive visual impact on the lake than the original structure. In addition, under current state and local shoreland regulations, the original house and deck were located too close to the shoreline. The shoreline vegetation consisted of maintained turf, which is not desirable when trying to maintain good water quality. This lack of diverse vegetation contributed to runoff and left the site disconnected from the natural lakeside character. The solution was to replace the turf with an informal, open-jointed, ledge stone terrace, New England fieldstone retaining walls, intimate pathways and generous planting beds that incorporate many indigenous species.

Pellettieri Associates is a design/build firm that tries to get involved right from the beginning. There are six landscape architects on staff along with five to six full time crew (that number goes up to 26 during the summer) and seven full time office staff. They own the majority of their small equipment such as Bobcat skid steers and excavators. If they need large equipment they subcontract out.

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Lake Sunapee has an active protective association that closely monitors all lakeside development. They provide input from an aesthetic standpoint. However, their primary mission is to preserve and maintain good water quality. The association was enthusiastic about the generous ledge stone terrace set with large joints for planting pockets and increased permeability. Also, added vegetative screening from adjoining properties helped neighbors adjust to the change. One neighbor even allowed placement of plant material on his own property to enhance screening.

This generous ledge stone terrace provides more space and requires less maintenance than the original wooden lakeside deck. The material is purposely set with large joints for planting pockets and increased permeability. To facilitate infiltration of runoff, the patios and walkways were all dry laid with generous joints.

The entry to the original house had a sunken, obscure and uninviting appearance. This was aggravated by the fact that the town road terminated in front of the house, which resulted in significant snow storage blocking access to the main entry. The design team addressed this issue by orienting the entrance and approach to the new house away from the town road. The entrance is tucked down slope for privacy and a more intimate sense of arrival.

The new architectural entry element borrows hardscape materials used in the landscape such as granite and fieldstone. Even though the entrance is sunken, the thoughtful coordination of floor heights, exterior walls, lighting and steps combine to create a graceful and proportionate main entrance to the home.

A majority of the materials on the house and in the landscape are indigenous to the region. The landscape walls, patio materials and plantings were all selected for their durability and local availability.

View from the lake (before): On the lakeside of the existing house, lack of vegetation contributed to erosion and left the entire structure exposed to the lake. The existing shoreline consisted of maintained turf, which is not desirable according to the state and local conservation commissions.

View from the lake (after): Even though this is a much larger structure than what previously existed, stepped roof lines, strategically located plants?EUR??,,????'??+viburnum, low bush blueberry, ferns, dwarf evergreen, standard blueberry, juniper and day lilies?EUR??,,????'??+plus low retaining walls combine to maintain the lake views.

A small woodland pathway negotiates steep terrain, connecting the front of the house to the lakeside of the house. The path is constructed from an indigenous New England blend of aged granite and fieldstone steps.

Highlighted by under-story vegetation, ferns and shade tolerant perennials, the path provides an intimate setting for those who pass through.

The transition on the opposite side of the house is far less steep. The change in grade is managed through the use of curvilinear walls that sweep out from the house. The lake can be readily accessed by following the mulched path through low bush blueberry plantings.

A wetlands permit, filed and approved by the state, was required in order to remove the existing deck/dock and construct the new aged granite stairway, which gracefully transitions grade from the house to the dock. The careful placement of native plants and hardscape materials creates a feeling of integration with the natural shoreline and is a significant improvement upon the original wooden lakeside deck.

Shoreline (before): The original dock detracted from the character of the shoreline.

A wetlands permit, filed and approved by the state, was required in order to construct the aged granite stairway. The weathered granite from Boston, along with old barn foundations, was set in place with a Bobcat 337 Excavator. The stones were lifted with chains and straps, then carefully shifted to make sure they were pitched correctly and there was a smooth join with the adjacent stones.

The design team worked together in the past, which enabled the strengths of each profession to be expressed appropriately. With client involvement, the design team was allowed great flexibility in exploring site-planning options.

Over a period of several months, conceptual sketches and architectural schemes were narrowed down to one final solution. The design team then developed construction drawings and budget estimates to provide the client with project costs and schedule.

Sadly, many old, seasonal camps on Lake Sunapee are being replaced with new, year-round, showcase homes that do not address the sensitivities of the site or the architectural vernacular of the region. However, in this case, the client and the design team shared a goal of integrated design and development to minimize the visual and environmental impact on the lake.

The house was designed not only for the benefit of the occupants, but for those who view it from the lake as well. Ultimately, this project can help to set a standard for future development in the area. This proves that thoughtful planning yields spectacular results.

Over the years, the design/build firm has had a proven record of success, carefully developing sensitive shoreline sites throughout the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The company has cultivated a reputation for professionalism throughout the region by building and maintaining strong relationships with their clients, and by consistently providing them with quality design and construction services. Upon completion of this project, Pellettieri Associates Inc. received an Environmental Improvement Grand Award from the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA), now called the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). The Environmental Improvement Awards Program reflects the association?EUR??,,????'???s commitment to creating and preserving the beauty of our landscapes throughout the nation.

The mass of the current home is reduced through a combination of stepped rooflines, strategically located plants and a series of retaining walls. The change in grade along this side of the house is managed through the use of curvilinear walls that sweep out from the house. Users can take the mulched path through low bush blueberry to access the lake.

This unique property certainly honors such a commitment. Visitors leave the home with a sense of appreciation for the intangible value of the natural beauty that embodies the Lake Sunapee region. The home and surrounding landscape are seamlessly integrated. This residence can serve as a model to both consumers and design professionals alike, and reinforces the virtues of intelligent planning coupled with the consistent use of quality materials and workmanship.