An Award-Winning Landscape: Residential New Construction
Program
LandArt/FireSky was hired to design and construct a backyard landscape that included an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, shade structure, spa, water feature and putting green. The backdrop to the setting is one of the best backyard views of Mt Rose. The homeowners wanted to preserve the views from all areas of the yard as well as the house.
Design
The LandArt/FireSky design incorporates a contemporary feel that utilizes a variety of playful geometric shapes that connect the various spaces, along with a mixture of materials that reinforce a clean design. Grade changes were also used to define the fire pit and spa area, providing additional visual interest.
The geometry centers around a line that travels from the home’s entry, through the kitchen/living room area, outside to the sunken fire pit area and culminating with a dramatic water feature. The fire pit area, fire pit and water feature were carefully positioned to enhance the views while maintaining a cozy and welcoming outdoor space.
The design incorporates an L-shaped outdoor kitchen and eating area with an expansive view of the valley below, a sunken fire pit area, a couch sitting area, a raised spa area in the corner of the property, and a putting green. A shade structure over a sitting area provides ample room for outdoor entertaining.
Although the Reno climate is harsh on wood, the homeowner wanted to incorporate wood in the design. Various grades of cedar and redwood materials were used throughout the project, along with concrete and stucco finishes. The outdoor living space features cedar-sided kitchen cabinets, a cedar trellis, heart redwood seat caps, a common redwood spa deck, a cedar trash enclosure and cedar-faced retaining walls. LandArt/FireSky installed these features, and stained the woods a uniform color for a cohesive feel.
Construction
LandArt/FireSky is a unique design build company holding both a Landscape Architecture license and a Landscape Construction license. As with all LandArt projects, we team up with a landscape contractor and various subcontractors to produce the work.
On this project, LandArt/FireSky was the Prime Contractor. We teamed up with TNT Lawns Plus to produce landscape work, and River City Concrete to construct the concrete patio. LandArt managed the crews to oversee all construction including layout, drainage, material selection, boulder placement and rock placement. LandArt/FireSky also managed all contracts and change orders.
The homeowner was actively involved in the design and materials selection. The fire pit tile and stone caps were chosen for their dramatic flair. To soften the hardscape materials, granite boulders were hand selected and brought in from the Pombo Pitt in Truckee, California. The plant material was selected with the client to provide variety of plants and seasonal color.
This landscape shines at night as various wall/step lights were mixed in with path and uplights to reinforce the geometric shapes and to provide ambient light for nighttime enjoyment. The homeowner is delighted with the addition of remote control systems for the fire pit and water feature.
