Not only was the site steep, but there were many springs coming out of the slope. This difficult location for a residential home on a steep slope in proximity to the lake made the site conditions a high priority for soil stabilization and erosion prevention. Landscape contractor Bob Drost met the challenge by constructing a backer wall out of concrete bin blocks that provided the infrastructure and a hydrological restraint (load bearing wall) to properly maintain the subsoil. A granite wall was then constructed in front of the backer wall with a subsurface drainage system at the top and base of the walls.

The first order of importance was to implement storm water control measures and install temporary erosion control. From the beginning of construction, silt fences, drain tiles, catch basins, detention basins and site grading provided managed collection and diversion of all storm water. To make a safe passage via the cart path, the landscape archtiect sloped the grade toward the inside curve and poured a concrete curb on the outside for safety. Trench drains were installed along the path for surface water collection. The pavers on the cart path were installed on a concrete base and glued down every few of feet to prevent slippage.

Another example of creative design collaboration was requesting the architect design a bridge out of the connector between the garage and house, to allow a stream to flow from the front entry, under the bridge and to the lakeside of the home. The water feature not only provides beauty and soothing sounds, but functions to capture excess storm water from the site.

A black granite slab bridges the stream. Cast solid bronze large China Hat area path lights (Cast Lighting) with 25-watt krypton halogen lamps guide the way at night. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Wish List
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Experience
Along the driveway, drifts of perennials lead into the entry court. Catmint, pinks, daisy, astilbe and yarrow, among other plantings, provide a full season of color.

A paver border defines the driveway circle entry court. The large oak in the center island is a focal point with a mix of yellow roses and annual flowers. The front walk is New York green flagstone mortared to concrete. Guest are greeted by a pond and stream, which flows under the house. Plantings around the front entry include river birch, catmint, ajuga, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The patio overlooking the lake has a hardscape of ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The home has several New York green flagstone terraces around the lakeside. The upper-level terrace is for dining and sitting around an outdoor fireplace. There is a mid-level terrace for barbequing. The steps between the levels are Mesabi black granite slabs from Minnesota. The lower terrace overlooks the spa and water feature. The stream and pond encircle the spa like an island. The bridges across the stream and to the spa are also Mesabi black granite.

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The slab steps and retaining walls here are also black granite.

Spa construction is gunite with custom boulder and pebble interior. The mechanical room is buried behind the spa and contains all of the plumbing and mechanical for the spa and the water feature. The spa has an infinitive edge, so while relaxing in the spa one has the illusion of being one with the pond and lake. Stone steps enter into the spa with custom black pebble lounge seats. Each seat contains multiple jets that provide soothing back massage. The boulder placements and attention to detail that is crafted into this spa creates a one of a kind work of art. The skimmer, jets, floor drains, and returns are all placed in locations that optimize the spa experience without jeopardizing the quality of the product. Standing at the edge of the spa looking into the water it?EUR??,,????'?????<

The grade drops 36 feet from the upper terrace to the lake level and the upper terrace is 66 feet from the lake; that makes for a 54.5 percent grade. The contractor met that challenge by constructing a backer wall out of interlocking concrete bin blocks to handle the lateral pressures generated by soil and water. The granite walls were constructed with drainage at the bases. The plantings on the hill include rudbeckia, daylily, ornamental grass, hydrangea, Joe Pye, nepeta, sedum, juniper and river birch.

The residents walk down the steps to go to the lakeside fire pit patio, the dock or the sand beach. Mesabi black granite is used for the fire pit with firebrick in the interior. The patio hardscape overlooking the lake is in ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The granite path to the patio overlook is bordered on the left by Joe Pye (Eupatorium purpureum), coneflowers, Russian sage and ?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Walloon Lake
The clear, blue waters of Walloon Lake in far northern Michigan, just south of Petoskey (pop. 6,080), is a popular summer resort and fishing area. One of Walloon?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Walloon Lake Residence Design Team

• House Architect: H. Jack Begrow, Charlevoix, Mich.
  
• House Builder: Ray Wallick, Charlevoix, Mich.
  
• Landscape Architect: Maureen Parker, RLA, Common Ground Landscapes, Boyne City, Michigan. Maureen Parker is a registered landscape architect in Michigan. After graduating from Michigan State University, Maureen worked for a small architectural office in Harbor Springs, Mich., and in 1989 opened her own landscape architectural office. Her projects have been published in many local and national publications.
  
• Landscape/Site Contractor: Drost Landscapes, Petoskey, Mich.
  
• Grading, drainage, retaining, pavers, water feature, custom spa, plantings, landscape lighting, fire pit, irrigation
  
• General Contractor: Ray Wallick
  
• Interior Designer: Tim Fisher, InDesign, Charlevoix, Mich.