Alternative Design Solutions for the Macintosh Backyard

Ball play is designed to be on the east side, with a length of wall serving as a soccer goal. Over this past year, they have had their house modified drastically to fit their lifestyle, as well as their family and personal needs. Major Design Aspects
Form. This is intended to be like a screened porch with access through doors on the north and south sides of the structure. An open lawn stretches across the backyard and is bound by a small fence along a portion ofthe east prop­erty line and a longer fence on the south side. With the open deck, tables and chairs can be placed at any number of locations. A soccer wall is located on the south property line, with evergreens behind it. A small set of steps provides access to the lawn, maintaining a more enclosed feeling within the deck. • Provide plantings to enhance a view from the street to the house. Major Design Aspects
Form. They would love to have some generous lawn space, but realize some of it will be taken up by other neces­sary amenities. A base map of the site is shown in Figure 14—11. The kitchen garden has a simple rectangle as the central place for the main table and chairs. Program Elements for the Fleming Residence
After meeting with the Flemings at their residence and following up with phone con­versations to verify a few things, the following design program was established. She enjoys lying outside in the late spring and summer writing in her journals and reading novels written by her two favorite authors—Anne Rice and Stephen King. At 46, he is actively involved with the local Audubon Society and is an avid bird watcher. PROJECT #2: RESIDENCE OF JESSICA AND BRIAN FLEMING
This project illustrates four different alternative design solutions for the front yard. A large open lawn is provided across the back of the yard. Kitchen Courtyard. Brian is a retired U. • Incorporate space to park two additional cars for visitors. After having two children and being a stay-at-home mom, she decided to finish her residency require­ments and practice medicine. The central focal point of the courtyard is the octagonal herb garden. Major Design Aspects
Form. Terraced Entertaining. The site is relatively open, except for several different but healthy trees. • Design an entry courtyard with sitting area near the main entry of approxi­mately 100-150 SF. The land — form varies about 5 feet from the front corners of the property (Elev. Although the solutions are different, each was based on the same client, the same site, and the same design program. There is no planting in the southwest portion of the yard, so as to maintain very open views to the common green space. This alternative establishes all the entertain­ing deck at one upper level. Kitchen Courtyard. The deck is divided into two levels, separated by four risers, giving various places to set tables and chairs. It is nearly a bilaterally (both sides of the axis being the same) symmetrical design. • Establish a vegetative viewing area, on the northern corner of the property, to block an objectionable view to a vacant lot across the street. The trees are situated toward the front central portion of the site. A new three-car garage was added to what used to be a generous side yard. He loves sitting outside, reading, listen­ing to music (all kinds), and writing humorous fiction. As with the front yards, each alternative has dealt with the same client, the same site, and the same program, but each is unique with regard to overall function, form composition, spatial composition, and material composition. Plantings on the sides are reserved for smaller plantings and herbs. The majority of this alternative, primarily in the hardscape, consists of a series of rectangular patterns, whereas the softscape has a more informal and organic character. Unfortunately, it opens a view further into a small industrial site. Access from the bedroom, into this space, is from a set of brick steps similar to the entertaining terrace. S. Marine who has recently taken a top management posi­tion for a local group of physicians. 118.0) to the ground in front of the main entry (Elev. The front entry was ex­tended out into the front yard. The entertaining deck is designed in an in­formal manner, with decks at various levels, at a 45-degree angle, and creates a strong relationship to the family room. Steps lead down to a small patch of stone that can be used as a small patio at lawn level. Although the space is a curvilinear pattern, it is still designed as a formal courtyard. There is a sculp­ture on the west side of the courtyard, whereas on the east side is a set of steps for access from the bedroom. Similar plantings are located on the sides of this space to create an axial view from the kitchen win­dow (similar to Alternative #1). The grill is situated on the southeast portion of the deck. • Provide new vehicular driveway not less than 12 feet wide. There are built-in benches as well as some expanded steps near the access to the lawn. Terraced Entertaining. A major difference in this alternative is the location of a gazebo/shelter between the kitchen garden and steps to the lawn. This provides for a pleasant view from the kitchen window. The formal living area used to be the garage. The kitchen garden is a formal system of rectangular forms and establishes a strong axial view out of the kitchen window. Terraced Entertaining. Kitchen Courtyard. She is quite busy, sporadically, but still finds time to enjoy her family. They can usu­ally be found playing the seasonal “ball-sport” in the front yard. The grill is situated on the west side of the screen behind the sculpture. A fence is situated on the east and south to prevent the ball from entering the neighbor’s yard. Lawn Play. The steps widen as they approach the lawn, making for an easy and open connection. The rest of the project is of a curvilinear pattern, to provide a more informal and natural character to the yard. There is a long built-in bench that stretches along the west sides of the deck. Figure 14-11
Base map for the Fleming residence. The Flemings would like to keep these trees, but are open to transplanting a few of them, if needed. The fence does not ap­proach the southwest corner ofthe property to make sure views to the green space are preserved. The grill is located in the southeast side of the terrace. Alternative Design Solutions for the Fleming Residence
There are four different alternatives presented for the Fleming residence. This courtyard is very open, with a single tree planted as a focal point. Major Design Aspects
Form. Some planting is situated in the southwest corner, to help enhance the views to the common green space. There is a great view through a common area into a nearby golf course. Lawn. Their two children, Chad and Brad, are 12 and 13, respectively. 123.0). Terraced Entertaining. They are looking forward to moving in several months from now, so they are contacting you to begin developing ideas for their front yard site development.