A young family with three active young kids wanted to expand the useable space of their two-acre parcel while still maintaining the wild natural beauty of their lower hillside and its mature oaks. We connected the upper pool terrace to a multi-functional patio below that fits into the hillside with the least amount of grading. Corten steel connects the new lower terrace spaces together while seamlessly blending into the natural color palette of the existing vegetation, and acts as berms to hold water for the trees in the hillside orchard.
Active play was key in this project, with play areas and structures that allow for imagination and exploration, and nearby seating that lets the adults enjoy the views. Meandering pathways connect the various spaces together to create a loop around the entire property. Now, the kids enjoy a nightly stroll through the garden with Mom, a great way to get the wiggles out before bedtime and enjoy the seasonal shifts of the incredible natural landscape they call home.
Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
MLA Team:
Lead Designer: Linda Van Fossen
Landscape Architect: Susan Miller
Collaborators:
Landscape Contractor: Gonzalez Landscaping
Shade Sail Installation: © Home-Tech
Consultant: John Greenlee, Greenlee & Associates
Photographer: © Jude Parkinson-Morgan
