Steep sites can be the most challenging on which to build positive outdoor spaces, and it's exciting for us to work closely with our clients to maximize their design opportunities. This small, extremely steep urban site accommodates all of the wishes of the client by using the various levels to best advantage. The front of the house faces west to a large, open oak savannah park owned by the city. The slope of the entry garden is planted with ornamental grasses and flowers in order to carry the subtle grace of the borrowed landscape of this open meadow to the front door. Plants in this part of the garden have been selected to be deer resistant while creating positive habitats for a variety of birds. Meandering steps from the street lead visitors through the garden to the front door. A smaller, separate path leads clients to the home office door. Low step lighting illuminates both paths at night. Anticipating the needs of friends and family who would find steps a challenge, a small entry ramp connects the front door to the driveway and accesses this single level house, private courtyard, and front terrace.

In order to create level usable space in the back, we put in 20 vertical feet of retaining walls to support the uphill slope. A series of terraces softens the impact of this grade change and is used to advantage. In order to extend the experience of the terraced gardens, a series of paths and stairs leads through the sequence of formal and informal garden rooms. A courtyard off the main living spaces of the house invites outdoor dining and gathering. A fountain is sited to catch evening light and to be seen and heard from all the main living areas. Pots containing heat loving citrus, pomegranate, fig and olive trees take advantage of this protected microclimate and enhance the character of this Mediterranean courtyard and provide wonderful fruits. Gracious steps lead to an upper terrace that has both a working garden and a lawn. Nestled on this level are raised beds for vegetable gardening, a potting shed, fruit trees, grapes, berries, and a chicken coop. A 14 foot gabion wall, made of galvanized metal cages encasing rock, retains the slope above. The open cage construction allows the free flow of water through the site, alleviating potential hydrostatic pressure while providing a trellis to support grape vines, roses, jasmine and other vines. Fencing on either side of the wall protects the garden from foraging deer.

This project required us to work closely with the owners and the architect to optimize the siting of the structure and the flow from exterior to interior spaces. The final design for this property shows how it is possible to work with extreme changes in elevation to create a variety of spaces including the expansive welcoming front garden and the intimate enclosed rear courtyard and terraced garden.