Design Collaborations, Ltd.
Tucson, Ariz.

Margaret Joplin, RLA, ASLA founded Design Collaborations, Ltd. in 1990 to meet the needs of residential and commercial clients throughout Arizona by designing user-friendly, aesthetic and economically practical public art and outdoor environments. The firm's hallmarks are thoughtful and dramatic landscapes with a design commitment to collaboration, creativity and innovation.

Stainless Steel Spa, Tucson

This project transformed a small narrow 25' x 95' back yard into an inviting family-friendly setting. Portions of walls were removed and five-foot walls were constructed on the east and west side of the property. A 6-ft. wood fence screens the neighbors. New planters, steps and 3-ft. walls formed the structure to house the above-ground 6' x 6' spa, which has an elegant sliding cover constructed of stainless steel with a translucent 2-ft. sq. panel on top. The spa has fiber optic lighting, and the decking is ipe. Two of the interior sides of the spa slant backwards for more comfortable sitting; the other sides are vertical with additional jets for user mobility in the water. All existing trees were preserved and Schinus molle trees were placed for screening. A multifunctional play structure was added.

Sonoita, Ariz. Residence

This 5,500 sq. ft. new home sits at 4,600 feet elevation on 80 acres of rolling grass, with views of Mount Wrightson and the Canelo Hills. The landscape architect provided designs for the hardscapes, walls, fencing and gates, and developed amenities to fit particular needs, including a planting plan, ambient lighting, a pool and spa, boulder placement and earthwork. A double-panel steel, automatic entry gate is made of rusted square tubing and woven wire cloth, and set in a masonry wall with painted stucco. Trapezoidal masonry veneered in steel flanks the gate. The decomposed granite driveway is stabilized with Soil-Shield ('Desert Gold' color) for a natural looking alternative to concrete or asphalt. There is exposed aggregate colored concrete for the parking area, with steel bollards protecting a wellhead. A 4-ft. berm screens the highway. Boulders and indigenous vegetation were selected to maintain visibility to the mountains. The pool/spa has glass waterline tiles. Pool decking is colored concrete with acid wash finish. Steel fencing panels are combined with 4-inch sq. vertical angle iron posts. Artificial turf is used in small areas for visual impact, while a curving 4-ft wide flagstone path leads to a vegetable garden.

Adobe Courtyard, Tucson

The client was downsizing to an existing adobe courtyard home. As in-ground planting was very limited, plants in containers soften the predominate hardscaping. Hand-crafted lost wax glass beads made by the landscape architect create a unique bench. A niche adjacent to the front door was transformed to provide additional lighting by backing it with a sandblasted mirror and inserting steel shelves to hold candles. An entry feature was created with 44 concrete roses installed into a steel and stainless steel art piece.