Newport Luminance

This Newport Coast, California project by Richard Cohen Landscape & Construction, Inc., turned a barren backyard into a modern wonderland over nine months. Four deck-jet water features spill into the newly constructed pool, which is illuminated by six submerged LED lights.

The freestanding outdoor pavilion, another new addition to the residence, is lit by LED strip lights under the barbecue counter, multiple WL-454 wall washers, and overhead light from a combined ceiling fan.

Located on the sunny Newport Coast of Southern California, this Richard Cohen Landscape & Construction, Inc., project created an appealing, usable outdoor environment for the homeowners and their guests to enjoy.

The client requested that the backyard be formed in a way that took full advantage of the space allotted. According to the contractor, "We wanted to create various areas with enjoyable experiences and maximize the ocean view."

Mark Scott, the landscape architect, used artist renderings to convey the design to the client. Following this, the contractor laid out the job so the client could understand how everything would fit together in the finished product.

 

Richard Cohen Landscape & Construction, Inc. used two low-voltage TOP Lights-brand brass underwater lights with three-watt LED lamps to illuminate the architectural centerpiece on a side yard outside the dining room window.

Two brass underwater three-watt LEDs uplight the fountain. In ground well lights (MR-16 lamps, 35-watt) and uplights (UL-142, MR-16 lamps) illuminate the plantings and trees. Landscaping here is myrtis compacta "Sheen' on each side of the fountain, and P??hutukawa (Metrosierous tomentosa) in the background.

As there was no previous hard or softscape to deal with, the company's first step was to rough-grade the site. Next, the pool was excavated, steeled, plumbed, and brought up to gunite. They then installed the large trees and rock waterfall, and started on the masonry and concrete construction. Overall, the project took nine months to complete, using 12 to 15 workers.

A wide number of trades were employed to complete this stunning project, including excavators, steel installers, plumbers, electricians, gunite installers, masons, cement workers, landscape laborers, irrigation technicians, and carpenters. Also, the installation took a wide range of equipment to complete, including a DitchWitch Mini Skidsteer, Bobcat 843 & 453, trenchers, cranes, and Canoga cement mixers.

The view from the center of the house and living room shows the pool's "formal' entrance. The company ran gas lines to each of the four fire bowls, which can be ignited automatically from a Jandy Pool controller. The King Palms and Phoenix canariensis palms on the right were lit using five-watt LEDs.

Low-voltage LED pathway lights (PL-358), step lights (SL-554), well lights (IG-108), up lights (UL-142) and down lights (DL-242) created the desired accents for this Pacific overlook. Four workers spent one month installing the project's 120 lights and wiring.

A small fountain accents the entrance leading to the front door, highlighted by additional underwater lights (H2O-610). Pathway lights and floodlights also illuminate the large pots and surrounding trees.

Hardscape & Site Amenities
The contractor used more than 2,000 square feet of 18x18-inch travertine for the hardscaped area, complemented by 1,500 square feet of cinnamon quartzite stone and 400 cubic yards of concrete.

A host of tropical and regional plant material accents the hardscaping, including Phoenix Canariesis, Quercus Agrifolia, 24-inch citrus trees, Birds of Paradise, Myrtus Compacta, Agave, Echiveria, Dianella Variegated and a variety of ornamental grasses. All the plant material is fed by Rainbird sprinklers. The outdoor kitchen area was populated with Lynx BBQ Equipment. The job used precast Pacific Stone Precast concrete products around the entire project.

According to the contractor, scheduling was a major challenge. "The homeowners lived in Texas and we had to make all of our decisions during their monthly trips to California. Also, access to the rear yard was limited. Rear yard elements had to be installed in stages before the access was lost."