In order to create a cohesive partnering between designer and client, Landscape Architects should tap into their own reservoir of creativity. Martin Mosko, ASLA, of Marpo & Associates in Boulder, Colorado, has developed a method for inspiration that is based on his spiritual belief system. "All of my work relates to this," said Mosko. The Yale graduate is a Buddhist priest who uses meditation as his guide during the design process. "Most often gardens come to me full-blown while I'm in a state of non-thought. A picture arises in intricate detail," says Mosko, adding, "for me, landscape design feels more like remembrance than invention."

With each new project, Mosko visits the site and spends time sketching and viewing the area prior to making any design decisions. He feels this routine gives him a better understanding of the location. Only when he has a clear concept of the site's potential can he start the process of realizing his client's vision.

Born in Denver, Mosko completed two years of graduate work in Indo-European studies, specializing in Sanskrit and Greek study. "I have a very old interest in poetry, especially ancient poetry. This has influenced my landscape design, which is filled with poetic content," explained Mosko. The former art student has integrated his passion for poetry into his work. "The main focus of my work has been to transform poetry into visual imagery, and that imagery into a three dimensional world... the garden."

Water Garden

Situated high atop the mountains west of Denver, the Theriot residence showcases a 9,000 square foot home, surrounded by 27,000 square feet of land. The home was built on a mountain ridge, and has a spectacular view of the Continental Divide to the north, and the vast Colorado plains to the east. Marpo & Associates set out to sculpt a garden and aquascape out of the rugged terrain and natural rock.

Homeowner Roy Theriot wanted to create a landscape that would blend in naturally with the surrounding mountainous area. His desire was to add a water feature that would maintain the original look and open space of the site. Instead of a traditional swimming pool, Theriot wanted something that would look nature-made.

Mosko listened to Theriot's desires prior to completing his customary pre-design practice of visiting the location. For about three full days, Mosko took photographs of the area and sketched all of its splendor. Approximately two weeks later, Mosko says he received a vision that easily combined the needs of his client with the natural features of the site.

When all three pumps are powered, about 1,000 gallons of water pass through the middle (left) of the stream. "The sound is tremendous," said Theriot. One or more of the pumps can be turned off for quieter moments. The surrounding plantings (above) are maintained by a drip water system to minimize water usage.

Mosko explained that the snow lion's origins in Tibet's elevated regions evoke the spirit of high-mountain country. The animal is said to be able to jump randomly from rock to rock without disrupting any plant life. The Theriot garden was built to simulate this activity. The water was to become a symbol for the activity of life, flowing throughout a thriving garden.

The design plan included building a faux waterfall that would spill into three separate pond areas before meandering toward the main 12 foot by 20 foot pool. The water begins with a tiny stream coming from the top of the highest mountain point and dropping gently into a small pond. The heated wading pool is set in rock and surrounded by dwarfed Russian Hawthornes and Southwestern White Pines. The pine forest is underplanted with Meidland roses and numerous bulbs to give a colorful view from the house. Winding paths and controlled grasses are intermixed with native flowers and perennials intended to integrate the garden with the mountain setting. More than 1,000 bulbs, almost all daffodils, are interspersed with cerastrium, vinca minor, catonia asters, coreopsis, blackberry lilies, irises, and yarrow throughout the garden.

The small pool eventually becomes a wide river which flows alongside the house. Each time the river turns a corner, one of the three water pumps increases the speed and volume of the stream. The sound that is created mimics a natural river as it flows into the 4 1/2 foot by 20 foot lagoon located north of the house. Surrounding the pool are rough-cut patios created to follow the water's natural direction. Constructed of varicolored "Petra Slate" imported from India, the multi-leveled patios provide great gathering spots for the family and their guests. "Just sitting out there and listening to the water go by adds that dimension of tranquility," said Theriot.

The soothing effect that was created by this aquascape also adheres to the issue of water conservation and protection. The entire system is constantly recirculating water. which is why The square footage of the ponds was kept relatively small, because water is lost only through evaporation. The system consists of three 1.5-2.0 HP submersible sewage ejector pumps from Teel Water Systems. The water is piped from the lower pool into a large underground cistern tank and recirculated through the stream. The systems pump individually to three different areas in the stream.

When all three pumps are powered, about 1,000 gallons of water pass through the middle of the stream. "The sound is tremendous," said Theriot, adding that, "for quieter moments, a pump or two can be turned off." The main swimming pool is heated and filtered and has a Hayward 2.5 HP Super II 1SP Circulation Pump. To reduce chemical usage, an Ozopure ozone generator was used so that visiting deer and other animals can drink from the water. The entire system uses approximately 1/4 the amount of water a traditional pool requires.

Topography Challenges

One of the most difficult parts of the project was the topography. In order to create the waterfall, Mosko hauled in 950 tons of rock and 1,000 tons of soil to build up 28-foot-high simulated mountains in the garden. To accomplish this task, large boulders (10 to 20 tons each) were linked together with smaller ones, thus creating pockets for plants. Many of these pockets were filled in with pine trees and native flowers and shrubs.

"The strategy of how to build this garden was carefully and fortuitously worked out," said Mosko. "My relation to materials such as rocks and plants is far from conceptual," said Mosko. "I physically touch each rock and each plant as I place them." When it came time to locate the materials for the man-made wall, the team used spontaneous ingenuity. "They were blasting the mountain below us to build a highway," explained Mosko. "We bought the boulders and backfill from the excavation contractor. It was only a few minutes drive from their worksite to ours."

The logistics of delivering the material provided further challenge. "Access was difficult. Only tandem trucks could negotiate the tight turns of Roy's long driveway. We would work with about 100 tons of stone at a time, setting the 28 ft. high retaining structure first by digging a shelf with the backhoe, setting the boulders, then backfilling and compacting to the height of the boulders, and then setting another shelf of boulders," said Mosko.

The delivery of the boulders and soil alternated on a weekly basis. "Once we reached grade, we had them bring as many of the largest stones as possible, which we set throughout the site. Secondly, we set mid-sized stones, and finally, the smaller ones. Some of the boulders were light red. We concentrated these in the north, creating a promontory to view the distant continental divide, which is almost always snow-capped," said Mosko.

Mosko and two Marpa employees, Andy Hall and Ken Stacy, installed the patios, the rock work, the soil work, and the plantings for the project. Local contractor Mr. Pool built the swimming pool and many of the perennials were installed by Evergreen Nursery.

Once completed, the project went on to win the Grand Award from the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado in 1995. Today, the waterscape and garden has maintained its original glory with few changes to the original design. "The anticipated changes for the future will include a more mature and lush palate of color, vegetation and everchanging beauty," said Theriot. Additional plantings have doubled the garden's original cost of between $250,000-$300,000.

The design was successful at giving the homeowner the garden he dreamed about. Theriot enjoys the 360 degree view of the water, along the various indigenous plantings. But perhaps his favorite part of the yard, is the sound of the river created by Mosko and his team. "The sounds which emanate from the splashing on the rocks into the ponds, and the rushing sounds of the water over the river rock, is an escape only footsteps from by back door." LASN

The heated wading pool (above) is set in rock and surrounded by dwarfed Russian Hawthornes and Southwestern White Pines. The pine forest is underplanted with Meidland roses and numerous bulbs to create a colorful view from the house. At the request of Theriot, the water features were created to blend in naturally (right) with the surrounding mountainous areas.