This residential outdoor living area is located in Boise Idaho, USDA
Zone 6B, and sits on decomposed sandstone and clay loom. The 180 degree view frames
the hot southerly sky and is vulnerable to winds up to 60 MPH.
The project site was located at the side of the home with access from
the kitchen and side yard. A walkway
from the front yard to a backyard gate separates the living area from the
street. A beautifully custom built
wrought iron gate stands between the side of the home and gardens, and provides
ingress and egress for frequent visitors.
Tall berms with closely packed mature evergreens provide privacy as a
green wall.
The berms and evergreens were existing.
A mature Spruce sat in what would be the center of the project and had
to be removed, however all other plant material located in beds against the
home were preserved. The project sat between two perpendicular sides of the
home, the third side was a green screen and the fourth side looked over the
valley.
The backyard was unusable during the hot summer month due to the
southern exposure and high winds. The
Homeowner wanted to be able to use the backyard as a retreat from the heat and
a place for entertainment during the hot summer months and for nine months of
the year.
Our solution was to build an outdoor living space for relaxing and
entertaining, sheltered from the elements.
The outdoor living area provides a cool retreat from the hot southerly
sky. Two distinct destinations, a sitting area and dining room, are united with
a fire/water feature. The full view of the valley is visible from both
destination areas.
The dining area is situated 12” below the sitting area to further define
a destination area separate from the sitting room. The lower elevation provides additional
protection from the wind and the gas fire feature warms the area making this
outdoor living area usable nine months out of the year. The kitchen contains a
36” sear BBQ and adjoining burner. The
sink drain recycles water into the adjoin plant beds and a cooler drawer is
closest to the dining area for easy access.
A large boulder sits at the end of the counter and serves as a novelty
as an additional counter area for serving.
The fire feature warms with 35,000 BTU of natural gas. A weir next to the fire releases water down a
spiral stone trough, then cascades into a below ground-level basin, filling the
room with the sound of falling water.
Sandstone-like retaining walls.18” tall double as a sitting wall and hold
back an ornamental garden berm with low plantings to preserve the view. Rope lights were installed below the steps
runs for safety and mood lighting flanks the pergola posts. A chandelier is suspended over the dining
table. Electrical outlets are available
for holiday lighting.
The project was designed for environmental responsibility: The paver
joints drain water back into the soils.
Stone veneer was used on the kitchen face. Recycled glass was used in the fire feature
and water existing the kitchen drain, waters the garden beds. All irrigation is on a drip system to
preserve water usage.
Terry Sims
The Garden Aristst
http://www.thegardenartistidaho.com/
Terry Sims
The Garden Aristst
http://www.thegardenartistidaho.com/
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