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The Views from Andalucia and The Terraces01-02-08 | News

The Views from Andalucia and The Terraces

Stephen Kelly, editor

This unique wall fountain has spigots that pour water into pots, creating tranquil sounds in the garden.

In the October ASLA Show issue, LASN featured the work of 42 landscape architect firms of Northern California. Among those firms was Rose Associates Landscape Architects of Walnut Creek. We were impressed by several of their residential projects, so when it came time for LASN?EUR??,,????'?????<

This feature pictures and describes two new community residential projects?EUR??,,????'?????<

Project One: Andalucia

Andalucia is a new gated community in Rancho Solano, Fairfield, Calif. built by Standard Pacific Homes. Rancho Solano is tucked into the picturesque hills of northwest Fairfield. Located in Solano County, Fairfield is about 45 northeast of San Francisco, on the western edge of California?EUR??,,????'?????<

From inside the home the outside focal point is the custom iron metal arch that showcases the pot fountain. The beige-colored concrete and stone pavers are juxtaposed. The many design elements in this compact space get a spectacular assist from Mother Nature?EUR??,,????'?????<

These homes, as the name suggests, have Spanish stylings. There are two developments: Sevilla and Marbella. Sevilla is described as upscale architecture and amenities, reminiscent of hillside villas; Marella is described as ?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Colored, stamped concrete (Brickform) for the courtyard of a Sevilla model home extends into the home?EUR??,,????'?????<

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The rendering of the Sevilla models at Andalucia, Rancho Solano, Fairfield, Calif., illustrates the abundance of unique outdoor rooms. These lots are typically Californian?EUR??,,????'?????<

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ABOVE & BELOW: Custom metal archways divide the separate outdoor rooms. The iron arches incorporate decorative steel scrolls bordered by one-inch square steel tubing. The stone columns have concrete caps. The apex of the bottom of the arch rises 7.5 ft., and the stone columns with the capstones are 2 ft. 6 inches tall. (Editor?EUR??,,????'?????< The stucco walls are decorated with ceramic tile and a custom metal fence is the enclosure. The main hardscape is precast concrete pavers.

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Rose Associates feels this project is an imperative study for the landscape architecture profession. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

This Andalucia backyard central feature is a decorative wall and trellis with a built-in BBQ. (The BBQ is not visible in this image, but is just right of the third column.) The area is a focal point from inside the house and its enclosed space makes for cozy seating. The wall has a stucco veneer (?EUR??,,????'?????<

About Andalucia

Sevilla and Marbella model homes at Andalucia, Rancho Solano, Fairfield, Calif.

Client/Builder: Standard Pacific Homes

Landscape Architect: Rose Associates Landscape Architects, Inc. Team: Don Rose, senior principal; Mary Weber, principal landscape architect; Douglas Robbins, project manager

Consultants:
Architect: South Coast Architects, Inc., Newport Beach, Calif. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Andalusia Plants

Rosmarinus officinalis?EUR??,,????'?????<

Tecoma capensis?EUR??,,????'?????<

Tilia cordata?EUR??,,????'?????<

Viburnum tinus?EUR??,,????'?????<

Cistus purpureus?EUR??,,????'?????<

Agonis flexuosa?EUR??,,????'?????<

Camellia japonica?EUR??,,????'?????<

Rhaphiolepis indica?EUR??,,????'?????<

The fountains align with the axes of the project, providing strong visual focal points from any place on the podium. Fountain grass (Pennisetum orientale) accents the fountain.

Project Two: The Terraces at Dublin Ranch

Dublin Ranch Villages (The Terraces) is a town home and condominium community in Dublin, Calif. built by the Toll Brothers, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Spanish fountain has a custom 48-inch fountain bowl. The inner fountain wall is 36-inches and the outer 18 inches, both caped with stone. A sago palm and southern magnolia are in view just behind and left of the fountain.

The locals refer to the Tri-Valley area, which comprises Dublin and its neighbors to the immediate northeast (Danville) and to the immediate west (San Ramon).

Dublin Ranch Villages is just minutes from Interstates 580 and 680 and commuting to San Francisco and around the East Bay is accomplished from the Pleasanton/Dublin Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station.

The soothing sounds of water are everywhere at The Terraces. This multiple-bowl custom bowl fountain is one of 20 fountains. Guadalupe palms (Brahea edulis) stand like goal posts behind the fountain.

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There are four plans, all two bedrooms, ranging from 1,055 sq. ft. to 1,300 sq. ft. The homes are touted as ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Rose Associates Landscape Architects (RALA) was also the landscape architecture firm for this development. RALA calls it a luxury resort in the truest sense?EUR??,,????'?????<

ABOVE & BELOW: The walkway arches (Turner Manufacturing) lead into the courtyards. The arches sit atop concrete block pilasters in stucco finishes with precast concrete pilaster caps. The 3-inch diameter steel tubing of the arch has artful, decorative metal trims and lantern-like light fixtures.

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Gently curving raised planters of lawn encourage people to come outside and enjoy the gardens. Belgard Bergerac pavers (Range Ardennes Gray) are the hardscape. Throughout the complexes are pleasing landscaping, open areas, walkways that lead to fountains and open-air atriums with fireplaces to gather around.

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The Terraces?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus ?EUR??,,????'?????<) and another arch accent this entrance.

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About The Terraces

Dublin Ranch Villages, Dublin, Calif.

Client: John Falco, Toll Brothers, Dublin, Calif.

Landscape Architect: Rose Associates Landscape Architects, Inc. Team: Don Rose, senior principal; Mary Weber, principal landscape architect; Douglas Robbins, project manager

Consultants:
Architect: Welton Becket, Meeks & Partners, Newport Beach ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Terraces Plants

Agapanthus?EUR??,,????'?????<

Ceanothus griseus horizontalis ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Dietes vegeta ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Erigeron karvinskianus ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Feijoa sellowiana ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Romneya coulteri ?EUR??,,????'?????<

About Rose Associates Landscape Architects, Inc. (roselandarch.com)

Principals
Donald Rose, Owner
Mary Weber
Scott Feuer

Celebrating over 20 years of service, Rose Associates Landscape Architects, Inc., Walnut Creek, Calif., is a well-established firm whose varied work includes streetscapes, commercial/office space, large-scale residential projects, model homes, community parks, open space and recreational facilities throughout California and Nevada. The firm estimates that 90 percent of its projects are built.