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To overcome the small size and awkwardness of the triangularly-shaped garden, the landscape architects chose a bold circular form to provide order to the space, to maximize depth of the garden, and to serve as a backdrop for the clients’ art.
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The garden is defined by a circular Cor-Ten steel wall, set at a 30-degree angle, creating a dynamic setting for the sculpture. The angle of the wall helps provide the illusion of depth in this pocket-sized garden and acts as a border for a crushed granite path that allows access around the sculpture. Native Iris, Liriope, and Russian Sage are used to soften the sculpture base and to enhance the integration of art and nature.
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During construction, special equipment was required to set the two sculpture pieces and the large pieces of Cor-Ten steel. The construction team coordinated with the homeowners and neighbors to ensure safe access on this busy street corner.
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The multiple angles and circular form of the Cor-Ten steel walls, which were fabricated completely off-site, required precise measurements and careful coordination between the landscape architects and steel fabricators to ensure that the original design intent was achieved. An 18” steel-reinforced concrete footing was used to support the weight of the Cor-Ten steel planter along with half-inch galvanized anchors to ensure stability.
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The steel sculpture, named The Eclipse and neatly enveloped by the Cor-Ten steel wall and a thicket of Bamboo, is located on axis of the adjoining living and dining rooms to create a dramatic viewing garden from inside the home. The strong vertical form of the Bamboo with the soft texture of the leaves provides the perfect backdrop for the sculpture and also transforms the windows into pleasing art forms that continually evolve throughout the day as the sun rotates and creates distinctive sun/shade patterns.
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The landscape architects collaborated in person with the artists of this organic wall sculpture, named Confluence, which was hand-sculpted in New Zealand using native hardwoods. The artists captured the rustic nature of the Cor-Ten steel wall and the softness of the Bamboo in the selection of colors, further enhancing the connection between indoor and outdoor.
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Field-selected Bamboo, contrasted with Blue Agave above the wall, was used to maximize privacy, create a sense of enclosure, and to introduce nature within this urban garden. The Bamboo creates an effective backdrop for the garden, effectively screens nearby retail buildings, and softens traffic noise.
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Due to the expansive soils found on the site, proper placement of the sculptures required the installation of steel-reinforced concrete piers. To better integrate this sculpture into the existing sloped lawn, a drystack wall was constructed to provide a level area for the sculpture, using locally-available stone that complements the rustic hues of The Wild Bird Tree. Winter construction created other weather-related challenges, requiring that the concrete be protected from frost to allow proper curing.
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The entry planting is intended to accentuate the strong horizontal lines of the architecture using a selection of drought tolerant plants such as Variegated Yucca, Dwarf Wax Myrtle, and Mexican Feather Grass, which provide a pleasing variety of textures. River Birch were selected for vertical accent and the year-round interest of exfoliating bark which coordinated with the earth tones of the garden and home.
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A specimen Vitex tree was selected to soften the brick wall, provide a filtered view of the busy street from inside the home, and to create a sense of human scale for the entrance of the home. To further the idea of art in the garden, the landscape architects selected plants with unique character in addition to drought-tolerance and sustainability.
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The home, located within a designated Urban Art District that promotes the placement of juried public art pieces, inspired the clients to display their passion for art with the prominent positioning of a whimsical outdoor sculpture, titled The Wild Bird Tree. The landscape architects positioned the sculpture at the apex of the triangularly-shaped lot to maximize the public view, which was a goal for our community-minded clients. The kinetic nature of the sculpture, in which pieces come alive with movement in the wind, is accentuated by the breezy sway of the ornamental grasses.
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In the abstract tapestry viewed from the balcony above, both form and texture were given thoughtful consideration in the selection of materials. This is demonstrated by the pleasing juxtaposition of the Bamboo-softened Cor-Ten steel wall with the bold form of the Blue Agave.