The Case for Collaboration Over a period of a year and a half, a team composed of three talented designers, one contractor and a homeowner met to pursue remodeling of the owner's home. Landscape architect Dan Franklin, ASLA; architect William Edwards, AIA; interior designer Stan Topol; contractor Marc Nichols and the homeowner met weekly over bagels, fruit juices and coffee to diligently discuss all renovation and landscape - issues, ranging from the initial stages of design throughout development and construction. At the homeowner's suggestion, all design ideas including changes were brought to the table, creating a mechanism wherein all solutions were agreed upon through consensus. While individuals occasionally disagreed, resulting in some feisty encounters... in the end, this collaborative effort proved highly successful. Sited toward the middle of a long, rectangular lot, the house is located on a heavily-traveled residential street amidst a tree-filled, rolling topography. For the client, retaining the "comfort and warmth... [and] 1935 English Tudor character" of the home within the well-established Atlanta neighborhood was of primary importance. To meet the needs of the family, major architectural expansion took place in the back necessitating relocation of guest parking to the front area. A parking court and steps were positioned to enhance the entrance experience at the front door. To preserve substantial plantings, all existing trees and shrub areas were fenced off with chain link before construction. Major landscape elements in the front include a retaining wall that accepts the parking court with its change in grade, steps and walks. Construction materials include native, aged granite to match existing materials on the house. At the front left property line, original topography dropped several feet, creating a bog area. This area required several truckloads of fill to provide both a level plane for the granite wall and positive drainage to the street. The wall, appearing level, is actually almost three feet higher on one end; the dramatic change is camouflaged by backfill. Driveways poured in with exposed aggregate and edged by granite cobblestones reflect the project's softened colors. Bluestone strategically salvaged during demolition was reused for all new walkways in the front and back. At various times, experts were included in the weekly meetings. For example, an expert in paint colors presented suggestions for outdoor colors before the group made its collaborative decision. A representative from the local power company and a lighting specialist offered their aptitude from time to time. Subtle architectural alterations, consistent with the original design intent, included a painted wash to conceal slight brick alterations and softly unify the facade; a wrought iron balcony and a pair of security gates that seal off the driveway add interest to the front yard. Limited space requirements in the rear and side yards presented additional challenges to the design team. The outdoor space located between a newly installed bay window addition and a sunroom provided the opportunity for a terrace with a fish pond and fountain. These landscape elements terminate the axis though the dining room, music room and its bay area. The adjacent flower garden, backed by a pierced-brick wall, transitions between the upper terrace and the lawn. The sole place for an exuberant use of color and perennials was in the sunny flower bed adjoining the fish pond. Set apart from the main house by approximately seventy feet of lawn, the contemporary guest house and garage are well-scaled but noticeably dominant. Critical to the success of the rear property, the goal was to de-emphasize the importance of the guest house while improving its appearance and connection to the lawn and main house. An existing deck was removed, and many yards of fill now solidly ground the guest house to the lawn and improve the visual connection between the two. A deep shade of paint and stackstone columns updated the building, while stonework steps connect it to the lawn. An arbor, painted to match the guest house and bluestone walk, links the two houses. A smaller parking space in the rear adjoins the arbor and garage. Cast iron bollards reminiscent of the front yard ironwork protect the utilities from car accidents in the tight turn-around space. Due to a dense canopy of mature trees and pre-existing shrub beds, little additional plantings were called for. Shrubs that were harvested prior to demolition have been replanted, and restrained use of groundcovers, shrubs and vines coupled with limited specimen trees will complete the landscaping in the fall. The adage that too many cooks spoil the broth was not true in this in this case; here, stringent boundaries were crossed, as each member of the team had input into another's area of expertise. When asked what she felt was so valuable about this process, the client especially appreciated the Landscape Architect's presence from the very beginning, and she recommends all homeowners insist on the same. Happily, the collaborative process- the right way to do it- helped establish a positive sense of respect between five very independent individuals, thereby yielding a most successful project. LASN THE POND'S ARTWORK WAS A SOURCE OF LIVELY DISCUSSION DURING THE GROUP MEETINGS, CULMINATION WHEN THE CLIENT CHOSE A BRONZE STATUE THAT RESEMBLES HER DAUGHTERS. A NEW, BRICK RETAINING WALL AND CYPRESS WOOD FENCE SERVE AS A BACKDROP FOR THE FOUNTAIN, STATUE, AND ADJACENT FLOWER GARDEN AREA; THEY ALSO EFFECTIVELY SCREEN THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTY. All photos provided courtesy of Franklin & Associates. THE HOMEOWNER AT FIRST DECLINED PLACING THE FOUR REQUIRED AIR-CONDITIONERS IN THE ATTIC; EVENTUALLY, THEY WERE POSITIONED IN THE SIDE AND FRONT YARDS WHERE THEY ARE SCREENED FROM VIEW. TWO MATURE TREES, FRAMING VIEWS FROM THE STREET, STAND ON EITHER SIDE OF THE NEW PARKING COURT.