Tropical Courtyard
Retreat - Silver Lake, California Residence
Originally built in the 1930’s the bungalow interior was renovated
in 2000. The surrounding landscape however was left as an uneven ground
plane, 18-24 inches below the interior level of the house creating
an awkward and difficult circulation problem. The house itself was
small with a detached garage/ office space. The only element that
held them together was the high masonry wall that faces the street
and encloses the property. The clients are originally from New Jersey
which soon provided the inspiration for the design concept: boardwalks.
The new raised boardwalk pathways provide a seamless connecttion between
the two structures, whilst raising their garden to an easy and accessible
level, door to door. The boardwalks open to deck areas, doubling the
client's previous usable living space, We added an outdoor dining
room, living room with a fireplace, as well as a spa and sunning area.
The planting is a colorful, lush, tropical fantasy that offsets the
straight modern lines of the boardwalk, deck and overhead structures.
My clients now come home from a hard day's work, open all the doors
and windows to enjoy a lush and inviting indoor / outdoor living experience
that is quintessentially Californian.
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