-
Comprised of contrasting Mexican beach stones, the Pebble Terrace is the jewel of an expansive and picturesque landscape designed as a series of outdoor rooms. The singular yet intimate space is directly on axis with the Garden Pavilion.
-
As a special enhancement requested by the homeowner, a custom bronze medallion was fabricated and installed in the center of the terrace to memorialize the Client, Designer, Contactor and year of completion.
-
A Buxus hedge extends the geometry of the terrace vertical, creating definition to the space.
-
Russian Sage and Hydrangea add just the right amount of classic color and interest to the space.
-
The stem walls were reinforced, infilled and crowned by a topping slab, outfitted with a snow melt system within the concrete, to ensure the terrace won’t accumulate snow. This protects the terrace from damage due to freeze/thaw cycles and allows use year-round.
-
After four-foot vertical forms were installed, the shape of the pebble terrace started to come together.
-
The team determined that the best way to approach the design was to work outward from an interior starting point, in a ripple effect. Forms cut from AutoCad templates allow the craftsmen to stay on the central axis and keep everything absolutely perfect.
-
A team of 5 men—a controlled group—was assembled to embed the stones. They worked on their hands and knees for three months during the winter (under heated tents) to place each pebble. They took their time, understanding and valuing the end goal.
-
The Mexican beach pebbles arrived in one-ton sacks that needed to be sorted. Each stone was measured for length and width and arranged by color and size. Certain curves required stones of similar widths. You can see how some of the pebbles are thinner and some are thicker. That was all very intentional, the execution of this work resulted in a landscape masterpiece.
-
A sunken lawn replaced the original design of a reflecting pool at the Garden Pavilion.
-
Garden Pavilion to Pebble terrace: East to West axis sight lines on an autumn day
-
Garden Pavilion to Sunken Lawn: London Plane trees set up the North to South axis