Rich textures, eclectic geometric forms, aesthetic beauty, indoor and outdoor entertainment and an athletic lifestyle tipify this month’s landscape. This California mission-style residence with limited usable open space, geological and engineering problems and various and specific client demands afforded the Landscape Architects and contractor an interesting challenge. The final result, a beautiful and functional space, is truly due to a close working relationship between the client, the Landscape Architects and the landscape contractor.

A 1987 California Landscape Contractor Association Sweepstakes Award winner, the Richardson residence, located in east Orange, California, is an excellent example of original and creative landscape garden architecture and site planning. The site planning and design was instituted by the landscape architectural firm of Mikkelsen/Schwartz Ltd of Orange, and installed by the landscape construction firm of Craig Pauley and Associates of Tustin, California.

The residence was located on a hillside lot having a north facing cut slope with a ratio of 14-to-1 along the southerly boundary and a north facing fill slope with a 2-1 ratio between the pad level and the subadjacent arterial highway.

During the initial site investigation, it was discovered that the house structure stood on solid sandstone. Original retaining walls encountered between the house structure and the existing cut slope ranged from 8 feet to 13 feet in overall height and had heel footings that extended towards the house. In addition, the walls lacked proper drainage required to eliminate hydrostatic water pressure.

Existing retaining walls had also been constructed along the northerly limits of the existing pad, thus creating additional design problems. The walls were only 3 feet to 4 feet high on the pad side and ranged from 8 feet to 9 feet high on the street side.

Uncompacted fill, abandoned septic tanks and leech fields and offsite drainage problems added to the concerns.

The Requirements

Given the requirements, MikkelsenSchwartz Ltd developed the initial preliminary conceptual studies, attempting to include the needs and wants of the client. The residence, a multi-level structure, only added to the complexity of the problem. The site was restricting due to the limited side yards, the geological problems and the internal orientation of the rooms taking access to the outside.

The planning began with the uphill side of the structure itself. Prior to initiating the preliminary concept, the client, a wine enthusiast, having returned from a tour of the California wine country, desired a wine cellar or cave similar to those found in California missions. The north facing slope, a solid sandstone formation, was excavated and reinforced concrete structure was created. The interior ceiling and walls were plastered in the California mission style and the floor was covered with 1 2-inch Mexican paver tiles. The door leading into the wine cellar was constructed with several layers of handmade pine planks and custom hand-wrought hinges and latch.

A massive wood beamed Wisteria covered arbor, separating the cellar from the house, was planned as a secondary entertainment area. This area, a Mexican-tiled area, will eventually contain a hand-cut stone fountain, to further enhance the desired atmosphere.

Due to the footings of the existing walls extending into the useable space, it was necessary to construct elevated planters, since there was no economic or reasonable manner to introduce plant material to assist in softening the original harshness of this space.

In the southwesterly corner of the site, a recreational area was designed to incorporate all of the desired recreational activities of the client. To create this space, extensive excavations were made in order to recapture much needed property. Retaining walls 8 feet to 13 feet in height were constructed to retain the slopes, and the court surface itself became an actual part of the wall footings. The court was designed to include basketball, volleyball, shuffle board and racquet sports.

The Challenge

The primary design element dealt with the outdoor recreational space between the house and the subadjacent street. It was determined that this area would be lowered four feet to assist in widening the available space. The pool itself, a retaining structure, was cantilevered over the slope, and additional space was captured by the incorporation of an attached cantilevered redwood deck.

Based upon prior experience, it was recommended that a soils engineer be retained to investigate the potential of caissons being required below the outer edge of the pool structure due to the possibility of encountering a cut/fill condition and/or uncompacted fill material when the pool had been excavated. It was found, as expected, that caissons were required to be sunk sixteen feet into native bedrock. To further exemplify the many engineering and structural challenges faced by Mikkelsen/Schwartz Ltd, is the exterior retaining wall which is approximately 12 feet in height.

Incorporated into the pool and entertainment area are several features adding to the overall effect of the project. Included is a spa located within the pool itself, although with separate equipment from the pool, and decorative fan jet sprays in the black-plastered pool. The walls, caps, and steps surrounding the pool area are lined with Endicott bull-nosed brick. The fountain wall opposite the spa and the spa itself are faced with a European mosaic of Danish hand molds which accentuate the mission-style architecture.

The entertainment area is highlighted by an outdoor cook center which includes a gas range, a gas barbeque, sink and refrigerator. Hidden from view, in back and below the elevation of the outdoor cook center is a combination shower and dressing room. Electrical outlets, gas quick-couplers and stereo speakers are in easy access as are telephone jacks and television antenna cable connections. Sensitivity and attention to detail is evident throughout the project.

The Effect

The completed residence, a comfortable and pleasant example of California mission-style garden architecture, flows from one space to the next. Each turn of a corner or the passing through a gate, is an invitation to a new and exciting experience.

The Result

Many elements are required to make a project successful. It requires a client with a desire for a true extension of their combined lifestyle and personalities, a contractor who is sensitive to detail and proud to exhibit his ability as a craftsman, and of course, an excellent design.

A unique working relationship evolved between the client, Mikkelsen/Schwartz Ltd and Craig Pauley and Associates. Attention to detail was essential in the quality of the final product.

Congratulations to Mikkelsen/Schwartz Ltd, Landscape Architects, and to Craig Pauley and Associates, on this outstanding project.

The Landscape of the Month is produced by LASN and sponsored by Nightscaping who donates $50.00 to the Landscape Architectural Foundation for each winning entry. Please contact LASN editorial staff before submitting materials for consideration.